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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/7870-8.txt b/7870-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a253f78 --- /dev/null +++ b/7870-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,5866 @@ +Project Gutenberg's Tales of Daring and Danger, by George Alfred Henty + +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: Tales of Daring and Danger + +Author: George Alfred Henty + +Illustrator: George Alfred Henty + +Release Date: October 26, 2005 [EBook #7870] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TALES OF DARING AND DANGER *** + + + + +Produced by Jason Isbell, Stacy Brown Thellend and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net +Merged with an earlier text produced by Juliet Sutherland, +Thomas Hutchinson and the Online Distributed Proofreading +Team + + + + + + + + + +[Illustration] + +TALES OF DARING AND DANGER. + +[Illustration] + + + + +[Illustration: SIGHTING THE WRECK OF THE STEAMER.] + + + + +TALES OF + +DARING AND DANGER. + +BY + +G.A. HENTY, + +Author of "Yarns on the Beach;" "Sturdy and Strong;" "Facing Death;" "By +Sheer Pluck;" "With Clive in India;" &c. + +_ILLUSTRATED._ + +[Illustration] + +LONDON: BLACKIE & SON, 49 & 50 OLD BAILEY, E.C. GLASGOW, EDINBURGH, AND +DUBLIN. + +1890. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + Page +BEARS AND DACOITS, 7 + +THE PATERNOSTERS, 37 + +A PIPE OF MYSTERY, 71 + +WHITE-FACED DICK, 99 + +A BRUSH WITH THE CHINESE, 119 + + + + +[Illustration] + +BEARS AND DACOITS. + +A TALE OF THE GHAUTS. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + +A merry party were sitting in the verandah of one of the largest and +handsomest bungalows of Poonah. It belonged to Colonel Hastings, colonel +of a native regiment stationed there, and at present, in virtue of +seniority, commanding a brigade. Tiffin was on, and three or four +officers and four ladies had taken their seats in the comfortable cane +lounging chairs which form the invariable furniture of the verandah of a +well-ordered bungalow. Permission had been duly asked, and granted by +Mrs. Hastings, and the cheroots had just begun to draw, when Miss +Hastings, a niece of the colonel, who had only arrived the previous week +from England, said,-- + +"Uncle, I am quite disappointed. Mrs. Lyons showed me the bear she has +got tied up in their compound, and it is the most wretched little thing, +not bigger than Rover, papa's retriever, and it's full-grown. I thought +bears were great fierce creatures, and this poor little thing seemed so +restless and unhappy that I thought it quite a shame not to let it go." + +Colonel Hastings smiled rather grimly. + +"And yet, small and insignificant as that bear is, my dear, it is a +question whether he is not as dangerous an animal to meddle with as a +man-eating tiger." + +"What, that wretched little bear, Uncle?" + +"Yes, that wretched little bear. Any experienced sportsman will tell you +that hunting those little bears is as dangerous a sport as tiger-hunting +on foot, to say nothing of tiger-hunting from an elephant's back, in +which there is scarcely any danger whatever. I can speak feelingly about +it, for my career was pretty nearly brought to an end by a bear, just +after I entered the army, some thirty years ago, at a spot within a few +miles from here. I have got the scars on my shoulder and arm still." + +"Oh, do tell me all about it," Miss Hastings said; and the request being +seconded by the rest of the party, none of whom, with the exception of +Mrs. Hastings, had ever heard the story before--for the colonel was +somewhat chary of relating this special experience--he waited till they +had all drawn up their chairs as close as possible, and then giving two +or three vigorous puffs at his cheroot, began as follows:-- + +"Thirty years ago, in 1855, things were not so settled in the Deccan as +they are now. There was no idea of insurrection on a large scale, but we +were going through one of those outbreaks of Dacoity, which have several +times proved so troublesome. Bands of marauders kept the country in +confusion, pouring down on a village, now carrying off three or four of +the Bombay money-lenders, who were then, as now, the curse of the +country; sometimes making an onslaught upon a body of traders; and +occasionally venturing to attack small detachments of troops or isolated +parties of police. They were not very formidable, but they were very +troublesome, and most difficult to catch, for the peasantry regarded +them as patriots, and aided and shielded them in every way. The +head-quarters of these gangs of Dacoits were the Ghauts. In the thick +bush and deep valleys and gorges there they could always take refuge, +while sometimes the more daring chiefs converted these detached peaks +and masses of rock, numbers of which you can see as you come up the +Ghaut by railway, into almost impregnable fortresses. Many of these +masses of rock rise as sheer up from the hillside as walls of masonry, +and look at a short distance like ruined castles. Some are absolutely +inaccessible; others can only be scaled by experienced climbers; and, +although possible for the natives with their bare feet, are +impracticable to European troops. Many of these rock fortresses were at +various times the head-quarters of famous Dacoit leaders, and unless the +summits happened to be commanded from some higher ground within gunshot +range they were all but impregnable except by starvation. When driven to +bay, these fellows would fight well. + +"Well, about the time I joined, the Dacoits were unusually troublesome; +the police had a hard time of it, and almost lived in the saddle, and +the cavalry were constantly called up to help them, while detachments of +infantry from the station were under canvas at several places along the +top of the Ghauts to cut the bands off from their strongholds, and to +aid, if necessary, in turning them out of their rock fortresses. The +natives in the valleys at the foot of the Ghauts, who have always been a +semi-independent race, ready to rob whenever they saw a chance, were +great friends with the Dacoits, and supplied them with provisions +whenever the hunt on the Deccan was too hot for them to make raids in +that direction. + +"This is a long introduction, you will say, and does not seem to have +much to do with bears; but it is really necessary, as you will see. I +had joined about six months when three companies of the regiment were +ordered to relieve a wing of the 15th, who had been under canvas at a +village some four miles to the north of the point where the line crosses +the top of the Ghauts. There were three white officers, and little +enough to do, except when a party was sent off to assist the police. We +had one or two brushes with the Dacoits, but I was not out on either +occasion. However, there was plenty of shooting, and a good many pigs +about, so we had very good fun. Of course, as a raw hand, I was very hot +for it, and as the others had both passed the enthusiastic age, except +for pig-sticking and big game, I could always get away. I was supposed +not to go far from camp, because, in the first place, I might be wanted; +and, in the second, because of the Dacoits; and Norworthy, who was in +command, used to impress upon me that I ought not to go beyond the sound +of a bugle. Of course we both knew that if I intended to get any sport +I must go further afoot than this; but I merely used to say 'All right, +sir, I will keep an ear to the camp,' and he on his part never +considered it necessary to ask where the game which appeared on the +table came from. But in point of fact, I never went very far, and my +servant always had instructions which way to send for me if I was +wanted; while as to the Dacoits I did not believe in their having the +impudence to come in broad daylight within a mile or two of our camp. I +did not often go down the face of the Ghauts. The shooting was good, and +there were plenty of bears in those days, but it needed a long day for +such an expedition, and in view of the Dacoits who might be scattered +about, was not the sort of thing to be undertaken except with a strong +party. Norworthy had not given any precise orders about it, but I must +admit that he said one day:-- + +"'Of course you won't be fool enough to think of going down the Ghauts, +Hastings?' But I did not look at that as equivalent to a direct +order--whatever I should do now," the colonel put in, on seeing a +furtive smile on the faces of his male listeners. + +"However, I never meant to go down, though I used to stand on the edge +and look longingly down into the bush and fancy I saw bears moving +about in scores. But I don't think I should have gone into their country +if they had not come into mine. One day the fellow who always carried my +spare gun or flask, and who was a sort of shekarry in a small way, told +me he had heard that a farmer, whose house stood near the edge of the +Ghauts, some two miles away, had been seriously annoyed by his fruit and +corn being stolen by bears. + +"'I'll go and have a look at the place to-morrow,' I said, 'there is no +parade, and I can start early. You may as well tell the mess cook to put +up a basket with some tiffin and a bottle of claret, and get a boy to +carry it over.' + +"'The bears not come in day,' Rahman said. + +"'Of course not,' I replied; 'still I may like to find out which way +they come. Just do as you are told.' + +"The next morning, at seven o'clock, I was at the farmer's spoken of, +and there was no mistake as to the bears. A patch of Indian corn had +been ruined by them, and two dogs had been killed. The native was in a +terrible state of rage and alarm. He said that on moonlight nights he +had seen eight of them, and they came and sniffed around the door of the +cottage. + +"'Why don't you fire through the window at them?' I asked scornfully, +for I had seen a score of tame bears in captivity, and, like you, Mary, +was inclined to despise them, though there was far less excuse for me; +for I had heard stories which should have convinced me that, small as he +is, the Indian bear is not a beast to be attacked with impunity. Upon +walking to the edge of the Ghauts there was no difficulty in discovering +the route by which the bears came up to the farm. For a mile to the +right and left the ground fell away as if cut with a knife, leaving a +precipice of over a hundred feet sheer down; but close by where I was +standing was the head of a watercourse, which in time had gradually worn +a sort of cleft in the wall, up or down which it was not difficult to +make one's way. Further down this little gorge widened out and became a +deep ravine, and further still a wide valley, where it opened upon the +flats far below us. About half a mile down where the ravine was deepest +and darkest was a thick clump of trees and jungle. + +"'That's where the bears are?' I asked Rahman. He nodded. It seemed no +distance. I could get down and back in time for tiffin, and perhaps bag +a couple of bears. For a young sportsman the temptation was great. 'How +long would it take us to go down and have a shot or two at them?' + +"'No good go down. Master come here at night, shoot bears when they come +up.' + +"I had thought of that; but, in the first place, it did not seem much +sport to shoot the beasts from cover when they were quietly eating, and, +in the next place, I knew that Norworthy could not, even if he were +willing, give me leave to go out of camp at night. I waited, hesitating +for a few minutes, and then I said to myself, 'It is of no use waiting. +I could go down and get a bear and be back again while I am thinking of +it;' then to Rahman, 'No, come along; we will have a look through that +wood anyhow.' + +"Rahman evidently did not like it. + +"'Not easy find bear, sahib. He very cunning.' + +"'Well, very likely we sha'n't find them,' I said, 'but we can try +anyhow. Bring that bottle with you; the tiffin basket can wait here till +we come back.' In another five minutes I had begun to climb down the +watercourse--the shekarry following me. I took the double-barrelled +rifle and handed him the shot-gun, having first dropped a bullet down +each barrel over the charge. The ravine was steep, but there were bushes +to hold on by, and although it was hot work and took a good deal longer +than I expected, we at last got down to the place which I had fixed upon +as likely to be the bears' home. + +"'Sahib, climb up top,' Rahman said; 'come down through wood; no good +fire at bear when he above.' + +"I had heard that before; but I was hot, the sun was pouring down, there +was not a breath of wind, and it looked a long way up to the top of the +wood. + +"'Give me the claret. It would take too long to search the wood +regularly. We will sit down here for a bit, and if we can see anything +moving up in the wood, well and good; if not, we will come back again +another day with some beaters and dogs.' So saying, I sat down with my +back against a rock, at a spot where I could look up among the trees for +a long way through a natural vista. I had a drink of claret, and then I +sat and watched till gradually I dropped off to sleep. I don't know how +long I slept, but it was some time, and I woke up with a sudden start. +Rahman, who had, I fancy, been asleep too, also started up. + +[Illustration: "MY GUN, RAHMAN," I SHOUTED.] + +"The noise which had aroused us was made by a rolling stone striking a +rock; and looking up I saw some fifty yards away, not in the wood, but +on the rocky hillside on our side of the ravine, a bear standing, as +though unconscious of our presence, snuffing the air. As was natural, I +seized my rifle, cocked it, and took aim, unheeding a cry of 'No, no, +sahib,' from Rahman. However, I was not going to miss such a chance as +this, and I let fly. The beast had been standing sideways to me, and as +I saw him fall I felt sure I had hit him in the heart. I gave a shout of +triumph, and was about to climb up, when, from behind the rock on which +the bear had stood, appeared another growling fiercely; on seeing me, it +at once prepared to come down. Stupidly, being taken by surprise, and +being new at it, I fired at once at its head. The bear gave a spring, +and then--it seemed instantaneous--down it came at me. Whether it rolled +down, or slipped down, or ran down, I don't know, but it came almost as +if it had jumped straight at me. + +"'My gun, Rahman,' I shouted, holding out my hand. There was no answer. +I glanced round, and found that the scoundrel had bolted. I had time, +and only just time, to take a step backwards, and to club my rifle, when +the brute was upon me. I got one fair blow at the side of its head, a +blow that would have smashed the skull of any civilized beast into +pieces, and which did fortunately break the brute's jaw; then in an +instant he was upon me, and I was fighting for life. My hunting-knife +was out, and with my left hand I had the beast by the throat; while with +my right I tried to drive my knife into its ribs. My bullet had gone +through his chest. The impetus of his charge had knocked me over, and we +rolled on the ground, he tearing with his claws at my shoulder and arm, +I stabbing and struggling, my great effort being to keep my knees up so +as to protect my body with them from his hind claws. After the first +blow with his paw, which laid my shoulder open, I do not think I felt +any special pain whatever. There was a strange faint sensation, and my +whole energy seemed centered in the two ideas--to strike and to keep my +knees up. I knew that I was getting faint, but I was dimly conscious +that his efforts, too, were relaxing. His weight on me seemed to +increase enormously, and the last idea that flashed across me was that +it was a drawn fight. + +"The next idea of which I was conscious was that I was being carried. I +seemed to be swinging about, and I thought I was at sea. Then there was +a little jolt and a sense of pain. 'A collision,' I muttered, and opened +my eyes. Beyond the fact that I seemed in a yellow world--a bright +orange-yellow--my eyes did not help me, and I lay vaguely wondering +about it all, till the rocking ceased. There was another bump, and then +the yellow world seemed to come to an end; and as the daylight streamed +in upon me I fainted again. This time when I awoke to consciousness +things were clearer. I was stretched by a little stream. A native woman +was sprinkling my face and washing the blood from my wounds; while +another, who had with my own knife cut off my coat and shirt, was +tearing the latter into strips to bandage my wounds. The yellow world +was explained. I was lying on the yellow robe of one of the women. They +had tied the ends together, placed a long stick through them, and +carried me in the bag-like hammock. They nodded to me when they saw I +was conscious, and brought water in a large leaf, and poured it into my +mouth. Then one went away for some time, and came back with some leaves +and bark. These they chewed and put on my wounds, bound them up with +strips of my shirt, and then again knotted the ends of the cloth, and +lifting me up, went on as before. + +"I was sure that we were much lower down the Ghaut than we had been when +I was watching for the bears, and we were now going still lower. +However, I knew very little Hindustani, nothing of the language the +women spoke. I was too weak to stand, too weak even to think much; and I +dozed and woke, and dozed again, until, after what seemed to me many +hours of travel, we stopped again, this time before a tent. Two or three +old women and four or five men came out, and there was great talking +between them and the young women--for they were young--who had carried +me down. Some of the party appeared angry; but at last things quieted +down, and I was carried into the tent. I had fever, and was, I suppose, +delirious for days. I afterwards found that for fully a fortnight I had +lost all consciousness; but a good constitution and the nursing of the +women pulled me round. When once the fever had gone, I began to mend +rapidly. I tried to explain to the women that if they would go up to the +camp and tell them where I was they would be well rewarded; but although +I was sure they understood, they shook their heads, and by the fact that +as I became stronger two or three armed men always hung about the tent, +I came to the conclusion that I was a sort of prisoner. This was +annoying, but did not seem serious. If these people were Dacoits, or, as +was more likely, allies of the Dacoits, I could be kept only for ransom +or exchange. Moreover, I felt sure of my ability to escape when I got +strong, especially as I believed that in the young women who had saved +my life, both by bringing me down and by their careful nursing, I should +find friends." + +"Were they pretty, uncle?" Mary Hastings broke in. + +"Never mind whether they were pretty, Mary; they were better than +pretty." + +"No; but we like to know, uncle." + +"Well, except for the soft, dark eyes, common to the race, and the good +temper and lightheartedness, also so general among Hindu girls, and the +tenderness which women feel towards a creature whose life they have +saved, whether it is a wounded bird or a drowning puppy, I suppose they +were nothing remarkable in the way of beauty, but at the time I know +that I thought them charming. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + +"Just as I was getting strong enough to walk, and was beginning to think +of making my escape, a band of five or six fellows, armed to the teeth, +came in, and made signs that I was to go with them. It was evidently an +arranged thing, the girls only were surprised, but they were at once +turned out, and as we started I could see two crouching figures in the +shade with their cloths over their heads. I had a native garment thrown +over my shoulders, and in five minutes after the arrival of the fellows +found myself on my way. It took us some six hours before we reached our +destination, which was one of those natural rock citadels. Had I been in +my usual health I could have done the distance in an hour and a half, +but I had to rest constantly, and was finally carried rather than helped +up. I had gone not unwillingly, for the men were clearly, by their +dress, Dacoits of the Deccan, and I had no doubt that it was intended +either to ransom or exchange me. + +"At the foot of this natural castle were some twenty or thirty more +robbers, and I was led to a rough sort of arbour in which was lying, on +a pile of maize straw, a man who was evidently their chief. He rose and +we exchanged salaams. + +"'What is your name, sahib?' he asked in Mahratta. + +"'Hastings--Lieutenant Hastings,' I said. 'And yours?' + +"'Sivajee Punt!' he said. + +"This was bad. I had fallen into the hands of the most troublesome, +most ruthless, and most famous of the Dacoit leaders. Over and over +again he had been hotly chased, but had always managed to get away; and +when I last heard anything of what was going on four or five troops of +native police were scouring the country after him. He gave an order +which I did not understand, and a wretched Bombay writer, I suppose a +clerk of some money-lender, was dragged forward. Sivajee Punt spoke to +him for some time, and the fellow then told me in English that I was to +write at once to the officer commanding the troops, telling him that I +was in his hands, and should be put to death directly he was attacked. + +"'Ask him,' I said, 'if he will take any sum of money to let me go?' + +"Sivajee shook his head very decidedly. + +"A piece of paper was put before me, and a pen and ink, and I wrote as I +had been ordered, adding, however, in French, that I had brought myself +into my present position by my own folly, and would take my chance, for +I well knew the importance which Government attached to Sivajee's +capture. I read out loud all that I had written in English, and the +interpreter translated it. Then the paper was folded and I addressed it, +'The Officer Commanding,' and I was given some chupattis and a drink of +water, and allowed to sleep. The Dacoits had apparently no fear of any +immediate attack. + +"It was still dark, although morning was just breaking, when I was +awakened, and was got up to the citadel. I was hoisted rather than +climbed, two men standing above with a rope, tied round my body, so that +I was half-hauled, half-pushed up the difficult places, which would have +taxed all my climbing powers had I been in health. + +"The height of this mass of rock was about a hundred feet; the top was +fairly flat, with some depressions and risings, and about eighty feet +long by fifty wide. It had evidently been used as a fortress in ages +past. Along the side facing the hill were the remains of a rough wall. +In the centre of a depression was a cistern, some four feet square, +lined with stone-work, and in another depression a gallery had been cut, +leading to a subterranean store-room or chamber. This natural fortress +rose from the face of the hill at a distance of a thousand yards or so +from the edge of the plateau, which was fully two hundred feet higher +than the top of the rock. In the old days it would have been +impregnable, and even at that time it was an awkward place to take, for +the troops were armed only with Brown Bess, and rifled cannon were not +thought of. Looking round, I could see that I was some four miles from +the point where I had descended. The camp was gone; but running my eye +along the edge of the plateau I could see the tops of tents a mile to my +right, and again two miles to my left; turning round, and looking down +into the wide valley, I saw a regimental camp. + +"It was evident that a vigorous effort was being made to surround and +capture the Dacoits, since troops had been brought up from Bombay. In +addition to the troops above and below, there would probably be a strong +police force, acting on the face of the hill. I did not see all these +things at the time, for I was, as soon as I got to the top, ordered to +sit down behind the parapet, a fellow armed to the teeth squatting down +by me, and signifying that if I showed my head above the stones he would +cut my throat without hesitation. There were, however, sufficient gaps +between the stones to allow me to have a view of the crest of the Ghaut, +while below my view extended down to the hills behind Bombay. It was +evident to me now why the Dacoits did not climb up into the fortress. +There were dozens of similar crags on the face of the Ghauts, and the +troops did not as yet know their whereabouts. It was a sort of blockade +of the whole face of the hills which was being kept up, and there were, +probably enough, several other bands of Dacoits lurking in the jungle. + +"There were only two guards and myself on the rock plateau. I discussed +with myself the chances of my overpowering them and holding the top of +the rock till help came; but I was greatly weakened, and was not a match +for a boy, much less for the two stalwart Mahrattas; besides, I was by +no means sure that the way I had been brought up was the only possible +path to the top. The day passed off quietly. The heat on the bare rock +was frightful, but one of the men, seeing how weak and ill I really was, +fetched a thick rug from the storehouse, and with the aid of a stick +made a sort of lean-to against the wall, under which I lay sheltered +from the sun. + +"Once or twice during the day I heard a few distant musket-shots, and +once a sharp heavy outburst of firing. It must have been three or four +miles away, but it was on the side of the Ghaut, and showed that the +troops or police were at work. My guards looked anxiously in that +direction, and uttered sundry curses. When it was dusk, Sivajee and +eight of the Dacoits came up. From what they said, I gathered that the +rest of the band had dispersed, trusting either to get through the line +of their pursuers, or, if caught, to escape with slight punishment, the +men who remained being too deeply concerned in murderous outrages to +hope for mercy. Sivajee himself handed me a letter, which the man who +had taken my note had brought back in reply. Major Knapp, the writer, +who was the second in command, said that he could not engage the +Government, but that if Lieutenant Hastings was given up the act would +certainly dispose the Government to take the most merciful view +possible; but that if, on the contrary, any harm was suffered by +Lieutenant Hastings, every man taken would be at once hung. Sivajee did +not appear put out about it. I do not think he expected any other +answer, and imagine that his real object in writing was simply to let +them know that I was a prisoner, and so enable him the better to +paralyse the attack upon a position which he no doubt considered all but +impregnable. + +"I was given food, and was then allowed to walk as I chose upon the +little plateau, two of the Dacoits taking post as sentries at the +steepest part of the path, while the rest gathered, chatting and +smoking, in the depression in front of the storehouse. It was still +light enough for me to see for some distance down the face of the rock, +and I strained my eyes to see if I could discern any other spot at which +an ascent or descent was possible. The prospect was not encouraging. At +some places the face fell sheer away from the edge, and so evident was +the impracticability of escape that the only place which I glanced at +twice was the western side, that is the one away from the hill. Here it +sloped gradually for a few feet. I took off my shoes and went down to +the edge. Below, some ten feet, was a ledge, on to which with care I +could get down, but below that was a sheer fall of some fifty feet. As a +means of escape it was hopeless, but it struck me that if an attack was +made I might slip away and get on to the ledge. Once there I could not +be seen except by a person standing where I now was, just on the edge of +the slope, a spot to which it was very unlikely that anyone would come. + +"The thought gave me a shadow of hope, and, returning to the upper end +of the platform, I lay down, and in spite of the hardness of the rock, +was soon asleep. The pain of my aching bones woke me up several times, +and once, just as the first tinge of dawn was coming, I thought I could +hear movements in the jungle. I raised myself somewhat, and I saw that +the sounds had been heard by the Dacoits, for they were standing +listening, and some of them were bringing spare fire-arms from the +storehouse, in evident preparation for attack. + +"As I afterwards learned, the police had caught one of the Dacoits +trying to effect his escape, and by means of a little of the ingenious +torture to which the Indian police then frequently resorted, when their +white officers were absent, they obtained from him the exact position of +Sivajee's band, and learned the side from which the ascent must be made. +That the Dacoit and his band were still upon the slopes of the Ghauts +they knew, and were gradually narrowing their circle, but there were so +many rocks and hiding-places that the process of searching was a slow +one, and the intelligence was so important that the news was off at once +to the colonel, who gave orders for the police to surround the rock at +daylight and to storm it if possible. The garrison was so small that the +police were alone ample for the work, supposing that the natural +difficulties were not altogether insuperable. + +"Just at daybreak there was a distant noise of men moving in the +jungle, and the Dacoit half-way down the path fired his gun. He was +answered by a shout and a volley. The Dacoits hurried out from the +chamber, and lay down on the edge, where, sheltered by a parapet, they +commanded the path. They paid no attention to me, and I kept as far away +as possible. The fire began--a quiet, steady fire, a shot at a time, and +in strong contrast to the rattle kept up from the surrounding jungle; +but every shot must have told, as man after man who strove to climb that +steep path, fell. It lasted only ten minutes, and then all was quiet +again. + +"The attack had failed, as I knew it must do, for two men could have +held the place against an army; a quarter of an hour later a gun from +the crest above spoke out, and a round shot whistled above our heads. +Beyond annoyance, an artillery fire could do no harm, for the party +could be absolutely safe in the store cave. The instant the shot flew +overhead, however, Sivajee Punt beckoned to me, and motioned me to take +my seat on the wall facing the guns. Hesitation was useless, and I took +my seat with my back to the Dacoits and my face to the hill. One of the +Dacoits, as I did so, pulled off the native cloth which covered my +shoulders, in order that I might be clearly seen. + +"Just as I took my place another round shot hummed by; but then there +was a long interval of silence. With a field-glass every feature must +have been distinguishable to the gunners, and I had no doubt that they +were waiting for orders as to what to do next. + +"I glanced round and saw that with the exception of one fellow squatted +behind the parapet some half-dozen yards away, clearly as a sentry to +keep me in place, all the others had disappeared. Some, no doubt, were +on sentry down the path, the others were in the store beneath me. After +half an hour's silence the guns spoke out again. Evidently the gunners +were told to be as careful as they could, for some of the shots went +wide on the left, others on the right. A few struck the rock below me. +The situation was not pleasant, but I thought that at a thousand yards +they ought not to hit me, and I tried to distract my attention by +thinking out what I should do under every possible contingency. + +"Presently I felt a crash and a shock, and fell backwards to the ground. +I was not hurt, and on picking myself up saw that the ball had struck +the parapet to the left, just where my guard was sitting, and he lay +covered with its fragments. His turban lay some yards behind him. +Whether he was dead or not I neither knew nor cared. + +"I pushed down some of the parapet where I had been sitting, dropped my +cap on the edge outside, so as to make it appear that I had fallen over, +and then picking up the man's turban, ran to the other end of the +platform and scrambled down to the ledge. Then I began to wave my arms +about--I had nothing on above the waist--and in a moment I saw a face +with a uniform cap peer out through the jungle, and a hand was waved. I +made signs to him to make his way to the foot of the perpendicular wall +of rock beneath me. I then unwound the turban, whose length was, I knew, +amply sufficient to reach to the bottom, and then looked round for +something to write on. I had my pencil still in my trousers pocket, but +not a scrap of paper. + +"I picked up a flattish piece of rock and wrote on it, 'Get a +rope-ladder quickly, I can haul it up. Ten men in garrison. They are all +under cover. Keep on firing to distract their attention." + +"I tied the stone to the end of the turban, and looked over. A +non-commissioned officer of the police was already standing below. I +lowered the stone; he took it, waved his hand to me, and was gone. + +"An hour passed: it seemed an age. The round shots still rang overhead, +and the fire was now much more heavy and sustained than before. +Presently I again saw a movement in the jungle, and Norworthy's face +appeared, and he waved his arm in greeting. + +"Five minutes more and a party were gathered at the foot of the rock, +and a strong rope was tied to the cloth. I pulled it up. A rope-ladder +was attached to it, and the top rung was in a minute or two in my hands. +To it was tied a piece of paper with the words: 'Can you fasten the +ladder?" I wrote on the paper: 'No; but I can hold it for a light +weight.' + +"I put the paper with a stone in the end of the cloth, and lowered it +again. Then I sat down, tied the rope round my waist, got my feet +against two projections, and waited. There was a jerk, and then I felt +some one was coming up the rope-ladder. The strain was far less than I +expected, but the native policeman who came up first did not weigh half +so much as an average Englishman. There were now two of us to hold. The +officer in command of the police came up next, then Norworthy, then a +dozen more police. I explained the situation, and we mounted to the +upper level. Not a soul was to be seen. Quickly we advanced and took up +a position to command the door of the underground chamber; while one of +the police waved a white cloth from his bayonet as a signal to the +gunners to cease firing. Then the police officer hailed the party within +the cave. + +"'Sivajee Punt! you may as well come out and give yourself up! We are in +possession, and resistance is useless!' + +"A yell of rage and surprise was heard, and the Dacoits, all desperate +men, came bounding out, firing as they did so. Half of their number were +shot down at once, and the rest, after a short, sharp struggle, were +bound hand and foot. + +"That is pretty well all of the story, I think. Sivajee Punt was one of +the killed. The prisoners were all either hung or imprisoned for life. I +escaped my blowing-up for having gone down the Ghauts after the bear, +because, after all, Sivajee Punt might have defied their force for +months had I not done so. + +"It seemed that that scoundrel Rahman had taken back word that I was +killed. Norworthy had sent down a strong party, who found the two dead +bears, and who, having searched everywhere without finding any signs of +my body, came to the conclusion that I had been found and carried away, +especially as they ascertained that natives used that path. They had +offered rewards, but nothing was heard of me till my note saying I was +in Sivajee's hands arrived." + +"And did you ever see the women who carried you off?" + +"No, Mary, I never saw them again. I did, however, after immense +trouble, succeed in finding out where it was that I had been taken to. I +went down at once, but found the village deserted. Then after much +inquiry I found where the people had moved to, and sent messages to the +women to come up to the camp, but they never came; and I was reduced at +last to sending them down two sets of silver bracelets, necklaces, and +bangles, which must have rendered them the envy of all the women on the +Ghauts. They sent back a message of grateful thanks, and I never heard +of them afterwards. No doubt their relatives, who knew that their +connection with the Dacoits was now known, would not let them come. +However, I had done all I could, and I have no doubt the women were +perfectly satisfied. So you see, my dear, that the Indian bear, small +as he is, is an animal which it is as well to leave alone, at any rate +when he happens to be up on the side of a hill while you are at the +foot." + +[Illustration] + + + + +[Illustration] + +THE PATERNOSTERS. + +A YACHTING STORY. + + +"And do you really mean that we are to cross by the steamer, Mr. Virtue, +while you go over in the _Seabird_? I do not approve of that at all. +Fanny, why do you not rebel, and say we won't be put ashore? I call it +horrid, after a fortnight on board this dear little yacht, to have to +get on to a crowded steamer, with no accommodation and lots of sea-sick +women, perhaps, and crying children. You surely cannot be in earnest?" + +"I do not like it any more than you do, Minnie; but, as Tom says we had +better do it, and my husband agrees with him, I am afraid we must +submit. Do you really think it is quite necessary, Mr. Virtue? Minnie +and I are both good sailors, you know; and we would much rather have a +little extra tossing about on board the _Seabird_ than the discomforts +of a steamer." + +"I certainly think that it will be best, Mrs. Grantham. You know very +well we would rather have you on board, and that we shall suffer from +your loss more than you will by going the other way; but there's no +doubt the wind is getting up, and though we don't feel it much here, it +must be blowing pretty hard outside. The _Seabird_ is as good a sea-boat +as anything of her size that floats; but you don't know what it is to be +out in anything like a heavy sea in a thirty-tonner. It would be +impossible for you to stay on deck, and we should have our hands full, +and should not be able to give you the benefit of our society. +Personally, I should not mind being out in the _Seabird_ in any weather, +but I would certainly rather not have ladies on board." + +"You don't think we should scream, or do anything foolish, Mr. Virtue?" +Minnie Graham said indignantly. + +"Not at all, Miss Graham. Still, I repeat, the knowledge that there are +women on board, delightful at other times, does not tend to comfort in +bad weather. Of course, if you prefer it, we can put off our start till +this puff of wind has blown itself out. It may have dropped before +morning. It may last some little time. I don't think myself that it +will drop, for the glass has fallen, and I am afraid we may have a spell +of broken weather." + +"Oh no; don't put it off," Mrs. Grantham said; "we have only another +fortnight before James must be back again in London, and it would be a +great pity to lose three or four days perhaps; and we have been looking +forward to cruising about among the Channel Islands, and to St. Malo, +and all those places. Oh no; I think the other is much the better +plan--that is, if you won't take us with you." + +"It would be bad manners to say that I won't, Mrs. Grantham; but I must +say I would rather not. It will be a very short separation. Grantham +will take you on shore at once, and as soon as the boat comes back I +shall be off. You will start in the steamer this evening, and get into +Jersey at nine or ten o'clock to-morrow morning; and if I am not there +before you, I shall not be many hours after you." + +"Well, if it must be it must," Mrs. Grantham said, with an air of +resignation. "Come, Minnie, let us put a few things into a hand-bag for +to-night. You see the skipper is not to be moved by our pleadings." + +"That is the worst of you married women, Fanny," Miss Graham said, with +a little pout. "You get into the way of doing as you are ordered. I call +it too bad. Here have we been cruising about for the last fortnight, +with scarcely a breath of wind, and longing for a good brisk breeze and +a little change and excitement, and now it comes at last, we are to be +packed off in a steamer. I call it horrid of you, Mr. Virtue. You may +laugh, but I do." + +Tom Virtue laughed, but he showed no signs of giving way, and ten +minutes later Mr. and Mrs. Grantham and Miss Graham took their places in +the gig, and were rowed into Southampton Harbour, off which the +_Seabird_ was lying. + +The last fortnight had been a very pleasant one, and it had cost the +owner of the _Seabird_ as much as his guests to come to the conclusion +that it was better to break up the party for a few hours. + +Tom Virtue had, up to the age of five-and-twenty, been possessed of a +sufficient income for his wants. He had entered at the bar, not that he +felt any particular vocation in that direction, but because he thought +it incumbent upon him to do something. Then, at the death of an uncle, +he had come into a considerable fortune, and was able to indulge his +taste for yachting, which was the sole amusement for which he really +cared, to the fullest. + +He sold the little five-tonner he had formerly possessed, and purchased +the _Seabird_. He could well have afforded a much larger craft, but he +knew that there was far more real enjoyment in sailing to be obtained +from a small craft than a large one, for in the latter he would be +obliged to have a regular skipper, and would be little more than a +passenger, whereas on board the _Seabird_, although his first hand was +dignified by the name of skipper, he was himself the absolute master. +The boat carried the aforesaid skipper, three hands, and a steward, and +with them he had twice been up the Mediterranean, across to Norway, and +had several times made the circuit of the British Isles. + +He had unlimited confidence in his boat, and cared not what weather he +was out in her. This was the first time since his ownership of her that +the _Seabird_ had carried lady passengers. His friend Grantham, an old +school and college chum, was a hard-working barrister, and Virtue had +proposed to him to take a month's holiday on board the _Seabird_. + +"Put aside your books, old man," he said. "You look fagged and +overworked; a month's blow will do you all the good in the world." + +"Thank you, Tom; I have made up my mind for a month's holiday, but I +can't accept your invitation, though I should enjoy it of all things. +But it would not be fair to my wife; she doesn't get very much of my +society, and she has been looking forward to our having a run together. +So I must decline." + +Virtue hesitated a moment. He was not very fond of ladies' society, and +thought them especially in the way on board a yacht; but he had a great +liking for his friend's wife, and was almost as much at home in his +house as in his own chambers. + +"Why not bring the wife with you?" he said, as soon as his mind was made +up. "It will be a nice change for her too; and I have heard her say that +she is a good sailor. The accommodation is not extensive, but the +after-cabin is a pretty good size, and I would do all I could to make +her comfortable. Perhaps she would like another lady with her; if so by +all means bring one. They could have the after-cabin, you could have the +little state-room, and I could sleep in the saloon." + +"It is very good of you, Tom, especially as I know that it will put you +out frightfully; but the offer is a very tempting one. I will speak to +Fanny, and let you have an answer in the morning." + +"That will be delightful, James," Mrs. Grantham said, when the +invitation was repeated to her. "I should like it of all things; and I +am sure the rest and quiet and the sea air will be just the thing for +you. It is wonderful, Tom Virtue making the offer; and I take it as a +great personal compliment, for he certainly is not what is generally +called a lady's man. It is very nice, too, of him to think of my having +another lady on board. Whom shall we ask? Oh, I know," she said +suddenly; "that will be the thing of all others. We will ask my cousin +Minnie; she is full of fun and life, and will make a charming wife for +Tom!" + +James Grantham laughed. + +"What schemers you all are, Fanny! Now I should call it downright +treachery to take anyone on board the _Seabird_ with the idea of +capturing its master." + +"Nonsense, treachery!" Mrs. Grantham said indignantly; "Minnie is the +nicest girl I know, and it would do Tom a world of good to have a wife +to look after him. Why, he is thirty now, and will be settling down +into a confirmed old bachelor before long. It's the greatest kindness we +could do him, to take Minnie on board; and I am sure he is the sort of +man any girl might fall in love with when she gets to know him. The fact +is, he's shy! He never had any sisters, and spends all his time in +winter at that horrid club; so that really he has never had any women's +society, and even with us he will never come unless he knows we are +alone. I call it a great pity, for I don't know a pleasanter fellow than +he is. I think it will be doing him a real service in asking Minnie; so +that's settled. I will sit down and write him a note." + +"In for a penny, in for a pound, I suppose," was Tom Virtue's comment +when he received Mrs. Grantham's letter, thanking him warmly for the +invitation, and saying that she would bring her cousin, Miss Graham, +with her, if that young lady was disengaged. + +As a matter of self-defence he at once invited Jack Harvey, who was a +mutual friend of himself and Grantham, to be of the party. + +"Jack can help Grantham to amuse the women," he said to himself; "that +will be more in his line than mine. I will run down to Cowes to-morrow +and have a chat with Johnson; we shall want a different sort of stores +altogether to those we generally carry, and I suppose we must do her up +a bit below." + +Having made up his mind to the infliction of female passengers, Tom +Virtue did it handsomely, and when the party came on board at Ryde they +were delighted with the aspect of the yacht below. She had been +repainted, the saloon and ladies' cabin were decorated in delicate +shades of gray, picked out with gold; and the upholsterer, into whose +hands the owner of the _Seabird_ had placed her, had done his work with +taste and judgment, and the ladies' cabin resembled a little boudoir. + +"Why, Tom, I should have hardly known her!" Grantham, who had often +spent a day on board the _Seabird_, said. + +"I hardly know her myself," Tom said, rather ruefully; "but I hope she's +all right, Mrs. Grantham, and that you and Miss Graham will find +everything you want." + +"It is charming!" Mrs. Grantham said enthusiastically. "It's awfully +good of you, Tom, and we appreciate it; don't we, Minnie? It is such a +surprise, too; for James said that while I should find everything very +comfortable, I must not expect that a small yacht would be got up like a +palace." + +So a fortnight had passed; they had cruised along the coast as far as +Plymouth, anchoring at night at the various ports on the way. Then they +had returned to Southampton, and it had been settled that as none of the +party, with the exception of Virtue himself, had been to the Channel +Islands, the last fortnight of the trip should be spent there. The +weather had been delightful, save that there had been some deficiency in +wind, and throughout the cruise the _Seabird_ had been under all the +sail she could spread. But when the gentlemen came on deck early in the +morning a considerable change had taken place; the sky was gray and the +clouds flying fast overhead. + +"We are going to have dirty weather," Tom Virtue said at once. "I don't +think it's going to be a gale, but there will be more sea on than will +be pleasant for ladies. I tell you what, Grantham; the best thing will +be for you to go on shore with the two ladies, and cross by the boat +to-night. If you don't mind going directly after breakfast I will start +at once, and shall be at St. Helier's as soon as you are." + +And so it had been agreed, but not, as has been seen, without opposition +and protest on the part of the ladies. + +Mrs. Grantham's chief reason for objecting had not been given. The +little scheme on which she had set her mind seemed to be working +satisfactorily. From the first day Tom Virtue had exerted himself to +play the part of host satisfactorily, and had ere long shaken off any +shyness he may have felt towards the one stranger of the party, and he +and Miss Graham had speedily got on friendly terms. So things were going +on as well as Mrs. Grantham could have expected. + +No sooner had his guests left the side of the yacht than her owner began +to make his preparations for a start. + +"What do you think of the weather, Watkins?" he asked his skipper. + +"It's going to blow hard, sir; that's my view of it, and if I was you I +shouldn't up anchor to-day. Still, it's just as you likes; the _Seabird_ +won't mind it if we don't. She has had a rough time of it before now; +still, it will be a case of wet jackets, and no mistake." + +"Yes, I expect we shall have a rough time of it, Watkins, but I want to +get across. We don't often let ourselves be weather-bound, and I am not +going to begin it to-day. We had better house the topmast at once, and +get two reefs in the main-sail. We can get the other down when we get +clear of the island. Get number three jib up, and the leg-of-mutton +mizzen; put two reefs in the foresail." + +Tom and his friend Harvey, who was a good sailor, assisted the crew in +reefing down the sails, and a few minutes after the gig had returned and +been hoisted in, the yawl was running rapidly down Southampton waters. + +"We need hardly have reefed quite so closely," Jack Harvey said, as he +puffed away at his pipe. + +"Not yet, Jack; but you will see she has as much as she can carry before +long. It's all the better to make all snug before starting; it saves a +lot of trouble afterwards, and the extra canvas would not have made ten +minutes' difference to us at the outside. We shall have pretty nearly a +dead beat down the Solent. Fortunately tide will be running strong with +us, but there will be a nasty kick-up there. You will see we shall feel +the short choppy seas there more than we shall when we get outside. She +is a grand boat in a really heavy sea, but in short waves she puts her +nose into it with a will. Now, if you will take my advice, you will do +as I am going to do; put on a pair of fisherman's boots and oilskin and +sou'-wester. There are several sets for you to choose from below." + +As her owner had predicted, the _Seabird_ put her bowsprit under pretty +frequently in the Solent; the wind was blowing half a gale, and as it +met the tide it knocked up a short, angry sea, crested with white heads, +and Jack Harvey agreed that she had quite as much sail on her as she +wanted. The cabin doors were bolted, and all made snug to prevent the +water getting below before they got to the race off Hurst Castle; and it +was well that they did so, for she was as much under water as she was +above. + +"I think if I had given way to the ladies and brought them with us they +would have changed their minds by this time, Jack," Tom Virtue said, +with a laugh. + +"I should think so," his friend agreed; "this is not a day for a +fair-weather sailor. Look what a sea is breaking on the shingles!" + +"Yes, five minutes there would knock her into matchwood. Another ten +minutes and we shall be fairly out; and I sha'n't be sorry; one feels as +if one was playing football, only just at present the _Seabird_ is the +ball and the waves the kickers." + +Another quarter of an hour and they had passed the Needles. + +"That is more pleasant, Jack," as the short, chopping motion was +exchanged for a regular rise and fall; "this is what I enjoy--a steady +wind and a regular sea. The _Seabird_ goes over it like one of her +namesakes; she is not taking a teacupful now over her bows. + +"Watkins, you may as well take the helm for a spell, while we go down to +lunch. I am not sorry to give it up for a bit, for it has been jerking +like the kick of a horse. + +"That's right, Jack, hang up your oilskin there. Johnson, give us a +couple of towels; we have been pretty well smothered up there on deck. +Now what have you got for us?" + +"There is some soup ready, sir, and that cold pie you had for dinner +yesterday." + +"That will do; open a couple of bottles of stout." + +Lunch, over, they went on deck again. + +"She likes a good blow as well as we do," Virtue said, enthusiastically, +as the yawl rose lightly over each wave. "What do you think of it, +Watkins? Is the wind going to lull a bit as the sun goes down?" + +"I think not, sir. It seems to me it's blowing harder than it was." + +"Then we will prepare for the worst, Watkins; get the try-sail up on +deck. When you are ready we will bring her up into the wind and set it. +That's the comfort of a yawl, Jack; one can always lie to without any +bother, and one hasn't got such a tremendous boom to handle." + +The try-sail was soon on deck, and then the _Seabird_ was brought up +into the wind, the weather fore-sheet hauled aft, the mizzen sheeted +almost fore and aft, and the _Seabird_ lay, head to wind, rising and +falling with a gentle motion, in strong contrast to her impetuous rushes +when under sail. + +"She would ride out anything like that," her owner said. "Last time we +came through the Bay on our way from Gib., we were caught in a gale +strong enough to blow the hair off one's head, and we lay to for nearly +three days, and didn't ship a bucket of water all the time. Now let us +lend a hand to get the main-sail stowed." + +Ten minutes' work and it was securely fastened and its cover on; two +reefs were put in the try-sail. Two hands went to each of the halliards, +while, as the sail rose, Tom Virtue fastened the toggles round the mast. + +"All ready, Watkins?" + +"All ready, sir." + +"Slack off the weather fore-sheet, then, and haul aft the leeward. Slack +out the mizzen-sheet a little, Jack. That's it; now she's off again, +like a duck." + +The _Seabird_ felt the relief from the pressure of the heavy boom to +leeward and rose easily and lightly over the waves. + +"She certainly is a splendid sea-boat, Tom; I don't wonder you are ready +to go anywhere in her. I thought we were rather fools for starting this +morning, although I enjoy a good blow; but now I don't care how hard it +comes on." + +By night it was blowing a downright gale. + +"We will lie to till morning, Watkins. So that we get in by daylight +to-morrow evening, that is all we want. See our side-lights are burning +well, and you had better get up a couple of blue lights, in case +anything comes running up Channel and don't see our lights. We had +better divide into two watches; I will keep one with Matthews and +Dawson, Mr. Harvey will go in your watch with Nicholls. We had better +get the try-sail down altogether, and lie to under the foresail and +mizzen, but don't put many lashings on the try-sail, one will be enough, +and have it ready to cast off in a moment, in case we want to hoist the +sail in a hurry. I will go down and have a glass of hot grog first, and +then I will take my watch to begin with. Let the two hands with me go +down; the steward will serve them out a tot each. Jack, you had better +turn in at once." + +Virtue was soon on deck again, muffled up in his oilskins. + +"Now, Watkins, you can go below and turn in." + +"I sha'n't go below to-night, sir--not to lie down. There's nothing much +to do here, but I couldn't sleep, if I did lie down." + +"Very well; you had better go below and get a glass of grog; tell the +steward to give you a big pipe with a cover like this, out of the +locker; and there's plenty of chewing tobacco, if the men are short." + +"I will take that instead of a pipe," Watkins said; "there's nothing +like a quid in weather like this, it ain't never in your way, and it +lasts. Even with a cover a pipe would soon be out." + +"Please yourself, Watkins; tell the two hands forward to keep a bright +look-out for lights." + +The night passed slowly. Occasionally a sea heavier than usual came on +board, curling over the bow and falling with a heavy thud on the deck, +but for the most part the _Seabird_ breasted the waves easily; the +bowsprit had been reefed in to its fullest, thereby adding to the +lightness and buoyancy of the boat. Tom Virtue did not go below when his +friend came up to relieve him at the change of watch, but sat smoking +and doing much talking in the short intervals between the gusts. + +The morning broke gray and misty, driving sleet came along on the wind, +and the horizon was closed in as by a dull curtain. + +"How far can we see, do you think, Watkins?" + +"Perhaps a couple of miles, sir." + +"That will be enough. I think we both know the position of every reef to +within a hundred yards, so we will shape our course for Guernsey. If we +happen to hit it off, we can hold on to St. Helier; but if when we think +we ought to be within sight of Guernsey we see nothing of it, we must +lie to again, till the storm has blown itself out or the clouds lift. It +would never do to go groping our way along with such currents as run +among the islands. Put the last reef in the try-sail before you hoist +it. I think you had better get the foresail down altogether, and run up +the spit-fire jib." + +The _Seabird_ was soon under way again. + +"Now, Watkins, you take the helm; we will go down and have a cup of hot +coffee, and I will see that the steward has a good supply for you and +the hands; but first, do you take the helm, Jack, whilst Watkins and I +have a look at the chart, and try and work out where we are, and the +course we had better lie for Guernsey." + +Five minutes were spent over the chart, then Watkins went up and Jack +Harvey came down. + +"You have got the coffee ready, I hope, Johnson?" + +"Yes, sir, coffee and chocolate. I didn't know which you would like." + +"Chocolate, by all means. Jack, I recommend the chocolate. Bring two +full-sized bowls, Johnson, and put that cold pie on the table, and a +couple of knives and forks; never mind about a cloth; but first of all +bring a couple of basins of hot water, we shall enjoy our food more +after a wash." + +The early breakfast was eaten, dry coats and mufflers put on, pipes +lighted, and they then went up upon deck. Tom took the helm. + +"What time do you calculate we ought to make Guernsey, Tom?" + +"About twelve. The wind is freer than it was, and we are walking along +at a good pace. Matthews, cast the log, and let's see what we are doing. +About seven knots, I should say." + +"Seven and a quarter, sir," the man said, when he checked the line. + +"Not a bad guess, Tom; it's always difficult to judge pace in a heavy +sea." + +At eleven o'clock the mist ceased. + +"That's fortunate," Tom Virtue said; "I shouldn't be surprised if we get +a glimpse of the sun between the clouds, presently. Will you get my +sextant and the chronometer up, Jack, and put them handy?" + +Jack Harvey did as he was asked, but there was no occasion to use the +instruments, for ten minutes later, Watkins, who was standing near the +bow gazing fixedly ahead, shouted: + +"There's Guernsey, sir, on her lee bow, about six miles away, I should +say." + +"That's it, sure enough," Tom agreed, as he gazed in the direction in +which Watkins was pointing. "There's a gleam of sunshine on it, or we +shouldn't have seen it yet. Yes, I think you are about right as to the +distance. Now let us take its bearings, we may lose it again directly." + +Having taken the bearings of the island they went below, and marked off +their position on the chart, and they shaped their course for Cape +Grosnez, the north-western point of Jersey. The gleam of sunshine was +transient--the clouds closed in again overhead, darker and grayer than +before. Soon the drops of rain came flying before the wind, the horizon +closed in, and they could not see half a mile away, but, though the sea +was heavy, the _Seabird_ was making capital weather of it, and the two +friends agreed that, after all, the excitement of a sail like this was +worth a month of pottering about in calms. + +"We must keep a bright look-out presently," the skipper said; "there are +some nasty rocks off the coast of Jersey. We must give them a wide +berth. We had best make round to the south of the island, and lay to +there till we can pick up a pilot to take us into St. Helier. I don't +think it will be worth while trying to get into St. Aubyn's Bay by +ourselves." + +"I think so, too, Watkins, but we will see what it is like before it +gets dark; if we can pick up a pilot all the better; if not, we will lie +to till morning, if the weather keeps thick; but if it clears so that we +can make out all the lights we ought to be able to get into the bay +anyhow." + +An hour later the rain ceased and the sky appeared somewhat clearer. +Suddenly Watkins exclaimed, "There is a wreck, sir! There, three miles +away to leeward. She is on the Paternosters." + +"Good heavens! she is a steamer," Tom exclaimed, as he caught sight of +her the next time the _Seabird_ lifted on a wave. "Can she be the +Southampton boat, do you think?" + +"Like enough, sir, she may have had it thicker than we had, and may not +have calculated enough for the current." + +"Up helm, Jack, and bear away towards her. Shall we shake out a reef, +Watkins?" + +"I wouldn't, sir; she has got as much as she can carry on her now. We +must mind what we are doing, sir; the currents run like a millstream, +and if we get that reef under our lee, and the wind and current both +setting us on to it, it will be all up with us in no time." + +"Yes, I know that, Watkins. Jack, take the helm a minute while we run +down and look at the chart. + +"Our only chance, Watkins, is to work up behind the reef, and try and +get so that they can either fasten a line to a buoy and let it float +down to us, or get into a boat, if they have one left, and drift to us." + +"They are an awful group of rocks," Watkins said, as they examined the +chart; "you see some of them show merely at high tide, and a lot of them +are above at low water. It will be an awful business to get among them +rocks, sir, just about as near certain death as a thing can be." + +"Well, it's got to be done, Watkins," Tom said, firmly. "I see the +danger as well as you do, but whatever the risk, it must be tried. Mr. +Grantham and the two ladies went on board by my persuasion, and I should +never forgive myself if anything happened to them. But I will speak to +the men." + +He went on deck again and called the men to him. "Look here, lads; you +see that steamer ashore on the Paternosters. In such a sea as this she +may go to pieces in half an hour. I am determined to make an effort to +save the lives of those on board. As you can see for yourselves there is +no lying to weather of her, with the current and wind driving us on to +the reef; we must beat up from behind. Now, lads, the sea there is full +of rocks, and the chances are ten to one we strike on to them and go to +pieces; but, anyhow I am going to try; but I won't take you unless you +are willing. The boat is a good one, and the zinc chambers will keep her +afloat if she fills; well managed, you ought to be able to make the +coast of Jersey in her. Mr. Harvey, Watkins, and I can handle the yacht, +so you can take the boat if you like." + +The men replied that they would stick to the yacht wherever Mr. Virtue +chose to take her, and muttered something about the ladies, for the +pleasant faces of Mrs. Grantham and Miss Graham had, during the +fortnight they had been on board, won the men's hearts. + +"Very well, lads, I am glad to find you will stick by me; if we pull +safely through it I will give each of you three months' wages. Now set +to work with a will and get the gig out. We will tow her after us, and +take to her if we make a smash of it." + +They were now near enough to see the white breakers, in the middle of +which the ship was lying. She was fast breaking up. The jagged outline +showed that the stern had been beaten in. The masts and funnel were +gone, and the waves seemed to make a clean breach over her, almost +hiding her from sight in a white cloud of spray. + +"Wood and iron can't stand that much longer," Jack Harvey said; "another +hour and I should say there won't be two planks left together." + +"It is awful, Jack; I would give all I have in the world if I had not +persuaded them to go on board. Keep her off a little more, Watkins." + +The _Seabird_ passed within a cable's-length of the breakers at the +northern end of the reef. + +"Now, lads, take your places at the sheets, ready to haul or let go as I +give the word." So saying, Tom Virtue took his place in the bow, holding +on by the forestay. + +The wind was full on the _Seabird's_ beam as she entered the broken +water. Here and there the dark heads of the rocks showed above the +water. These were easy enough to avoid, the danger lay in those hidden +beneath its surface, and whose position was indicated only by the +occasional break of a sea as it passed over them. Every time the +_Seabird_ sank on a wave those on board involuntarily held their breath, +but the water here was comparatively smooth, the sea having spent its +first force upon the outer reef. With a wave of his hand Tom directed +the helmsman as to his course, and the little yacht was admirably +handled through the dangers. + +"I begin to think we shall do it," Tom said to Jack Harvey, who was +standing close to him. "Another five minutes and we shall be within +reach of her." + +It could be seen now that there was a group of people clustered in the +bow of the wreck. Two or three light lines were coiled in readiness for +throwing. + +"Now, Watkins," Tom said, going aft, "make straight for the wreck. I see +no broken water between us and them, and possibly there may be deep +water under their bow." + +It was an anxious moment, as, with the sails flattened in, the yawl +forged up nearly in the eye of the wind towards the wreck. Her progress +was slow, for she was now stemming the current. + +Tom stood with a coil of line in his hand in the bow. + +"You get ready to throw, Jack, if I miss." + +Nearer and nearer the yacht approached the wreck, until the bowsprit of +the latter seemed to stand almost over her. Then Tom threw the line. It +fell over the bowsprit, and a cheer broke from those on board the wreck +and from the sailors of the _Seabird_. A stronger line was at once +fastened to that thrown, and to this a strong hawser was attached. + +"Down with the helm, Watkins. Now, lads, lower away the try-sail as fast +as you can. Now, one of you, clear that hawser as they haul on it. Now +out with the anchors." + +These had been got into readiness; it was not thought that they would +get any hold on the rocky bottom, still they might catch on a projecting +ledge, and at any rate their weight and that of the chain cable would +relieve the strain upon the hawser. + +Two sailors had run out on the bowsprit of the wreck as soon as the line +was thrown, and the end of the hawser was now on board the steamer. + +"Thank God, there's Grantham!" Jack Harvey exclaimed; "do you see him +waving his hand?" + +"I see him," Tom said, "but I don't see the ladies." + +"They are there, no doubt," Jack said, confidently; "crouching down, I +expect. He would not be there if they weren't, you may be sure. Yes, +there they are; those two muffled-up figures. There, one of them has +thrown back her cloak and is waving her arm." + +The two young men waved their caps. + +"Are the anchors holding, Watkins? There's a tremendous strain on that +hawser." + +"I think so, sir; they are both tight." + +"Put them round the windlass, and give a turn or two, we must relieve +the strain on that hawser." + +Since they had first seen the wreck the waves had made great progress in +the work of destruction, and the steamer had broken in two just aft of +the engines. + +"Get over the spare spars, Watkins, and fasten them to float in front of +her bows like a triangle. Matthews, catch hold of that boat-hook and try +to fend off any piece of timber that comes along. You get hold of the +sweeps, lads, and do the same. They would stave her in like a nut-shell +if they struck her. + +"Thank God, here comes the first of them!" + +Those on board the steamer had not been idle. As soon as the yawl was +seen approaching slings were prepared, and no sooner was the hawser +securely fixed, than the slings were attached to it and a woman placed +in them. The hawser was tight and the descent sharp, and without a check +the figure ran down to the deck of the _Seabird_. She was lifted out of +the slings by Tom and Jack Harvey, who found she was an old woman and +had entirely lost consciousness. + +"Two of you carry her down below; tell Johnson to pour a little brandy +down her throat. Give her some hot soup as soon as she comes to." + +Another woman was lowered and helped below. The next to descend was Mrs. +Grantham. + +"Thank God, you are rescued!" Tom said, as he helped her out of the +sling. + +"Thank God, indeed," Mrs. Grantham said, "and thank you all! Oh, Tom, we +have had a terrible time of it, and had lost all hope till we saw your +sail, and even then the captain said that he was afraid nothing could be +done. Minnie was the first to make out it was you, and then we began to +hope. She has been so brave, dear girl. Ah! here she comes." + +But Minnie's firmness came to an end now that she felt the need for it +was over. She was unable to stand when she was lifted from the slings; +and Tom carried her below. + +"Are there any more women, Mrs. Grantham?" + +"No; there was only one other lady passenger and the stewardess." + +"Then you had better take possession of your own cabin. I ordered +Johnson to spread a couple more mattresses and some bedding on the +floor, so you will all four be able to turn in. There's plenty of hot +coffee and soup. I should advise soup with two or three spoonfuls of +brandy in it. Now, excuse me; I must go upon deck." + +Twelve men descended by the hawser, one of them with both legs broken by +the fall of the mizzen. The last to come was the captain. + +"Is that all?" Tom asked. + +"That is all," the captain said. "Six men were swept overboard when she +first struck, and two were killed by the fall of the funnel. Fortunately +we had only three gentlemen passengers and three ladies on board. The +weather looked so wild when we started that no one else cared about +making the passage. God bless you, sir, for what you have done! Another +half-hour and it would have been all over with us. But it seems like a +miracle your getting safe through the rocks to us." + +"It was fortunate indeed that we came along," Tom said; "three of the +passengers are dear friends of mine; and as it was by my persuasion that +they came across in the steamer instead of in the yacht, I should never +have forgiven myself if they had been lost. Take all your men below, +captain; you will find plenty of hot soup there. Now, Watkins, let us be +off; that steamer won't hold together many minutes longer, so there's no +time to lose. We will go back as we came. Give me a hatchet. Now, lads, +two of you stand at the chain-cables; knock out the shackles the moment +I cut the hawser. Watkins, you take the helm and let her head pay off +till the jib fills. Jack, you lend a hand to the other two, and get up +the try-sail again as soon as we are free." + +In a moment all were at their stations. The helm was put on the yacht, +and she payed off on the opposite tack to that on which she had before +been sailing. As soon as the jib filled, Tom gave two vigorous blows +with his hatchet on the hawser, and, as he lifted his hand for a third, +it parted. Then came the sharp rattle of the chains as they ran round +the hawser-holes. The try-sail was hoisted and sheeted home, and the +_Seabird_ was under way again. Tom, as before, conned the ship from the +bow. Several times she was in close proximity to the rocks, but each +time she avoided them. A shout of gladness rose from all on deck as she +passed the last patch of white water. Then she tacked and bore away for +Jersey. + +Tom had now time to go down below and look after his passengers. They +consisted of the captain and two sailors--the sole survivors of those +who had been on deck when the vessel struck--three male passengers, and +six engineers and stokers. + +"I have not had time to shake you by the hand before, Tom," Grantham +said, as Tom Virtue entered; "and I thought you would not want me on +deck at present. God bless you, old fellow! we all owe you our lives." + +"How did it happen, captain?" Tom asked, as the captain also came up to +him. + +"It was the currents, I suppose," the captain said; "it was so thick we +could not see a quarter of a mile any way. The weather was so wild I +would not put into Guernsey, and passed the island without seeing it. I +steered my usual course, but the gale must have altered the currents, +for I thought I was three miles away from the reef, when we saw it on +our beam, not a hundred yards away. It was too late to avoid it then, +and in another minute we ran upon it, and the waves were sweeping over +us. Every one behaved well. I got all, except those who had been swept +overboard or crushed by the funnel, up into the bow of the ship, and +there we waited. There was nothing to be done. No boat would live for a +moment in the sea on that reef, and all I could advise was, that when +she went to pieces every one should try to get hold of a floating +fragment; but I doubt whether a man would have been alive a quarter of +an hour after she went to pieces." + +"Perhaps, captain, you will come on deck with me and give me the benefit +of your advice. My skipper and I know the islands pretty well, but no +doubt you know them a good deal better, and I don't want another +mishap." + +But the _Seabird_ avoided all further dangers, and as it became dark, +the lights of St. Helier's were in sight, and an hour later the yacht +brought up in the port and landed her involuntary passengers. + +A fortnight afterwards the _Seabird_ returned to England, and two months +later Mrs. Grantham had the satisfaction of being present at the +ceremony which was the successful consummation of her little scheme in +inviting Minnie Graham to be her companion on board the _Seabird_. + +"Well, my dear," her husband said, when she indulged in a little natural +triumph, "I do not say that it has not turned out well, and I am +heartily glad for both Tom and Minnie's sake it has so; but you must +allow that it very nearly had a disastrous ending, and I think if I were +you I should leave matters to take their natural course in future. I +have accepted Tom's invitation for the same party to take a cruise in +the _Seabird_ next summer, but I have bargained that next time a storm +is brewing up we shall stop quietly in port." + +"That's all very well, James," Mrs. Grantham said saucily; "but you must +remember that Tom Virtue will only be first-mate of the _Seabird_ in +future." + +"That I shall be able to tell you better, my dear, after our next +cruise. All husbands are not as docile and easily led as I am." + + + + +[Illustration] + +A PIPE OF MYSTERY. + + +A jovial party were gathered round a blazing fire in an old grange near +Warwick. The hour was getting late; the very little ones had, after +dancing round the Christmas-tree, enjoying the snapdragon, and playing a +variety of games, gone off to bed; and the elder boys and girls now +gathered round their uncle, Colonel Harley, and asked him for a +story--above all, a ghost story. + +"But I have never seen any ghosts," the colonel said, laughing; "and, +moreover, I don't believe in them one bit. I have travelled pretty well +all over the world, I have slept in houses said to be haunted, but +nothing have I seen--no noises that could not be accounted for by rats +or the wind have I ever heard. I have never"--and here he paused--"never +but once met with any circumstances or occurrence that could not be +accounted for by the light of reason, and I know you prefer hearing +stories of my own adventures to mere invention." + +"Yes, uncle. But what was the 'once' when circumstances happened that +you could not explain?" + +"It's rather a long story," the colonel said, "and it's getting late." + +"Oh! no, no, uncle; it does not matter a bit how late we sit up on +Christmas Eve, and the longer the story is, the better; and if you don't +believe in ghosts, how can it be a story of something you could not +account for by the light of nature?" + +"You will see when I have done," the colonel said. "It is rather a story +of what the Scotch call second sight, than one of ghosts. As to +accounting for it, you shall form your own opinion when you have heard +me to the end. + +"I landed in India in '50, and after going through the regular drill +work, marched with a detachment up country to join my regiment, which +was stationed at Jubbalpore, in the very heart of India. It has become +an important place since; the railroad across India passes through it, +and no end of changes have taken place; but at that time it was one of +the most out-of-the-way stations in India, and, I may say, one of the +most pleasant. It lay high, there was capital boating on the Nerbudda, +and, above all, it was a grand place for sport, for it lay at the foot +of the hill country, an immense district, then but little known, covered +with forests and jungle, and abounding with big game of all kinds. + +"My great friend there was a man named Simmonds. He was just of my own +standing; we had come out in the same ship, had marched up the country +together, and were almost like brothers. He was an old Etonian, I an old +Westminster, and we were both fond of boating, and, indeed, of sport of +all kinds. But I am not going to tell you of that now. The people in +these hills are called Gonds, a true hill tribe--that is to say, +aborigines, somewhat of the negro type. The chiefs are of mixed blood, +but the people are almost black. They are supposed to accept the +religion of the Hindus, but are in reality deplorably ignorant and +superstitious. Their priests are a sort of compound of a Brahmin priest +and a negro fetish man, and among their principal duties is that of +charming away tigers from the villages by means of incantations. There, +as in other parts of India, were a few wandering fakirs, who enjoyed an +immense reputation for holiness and wisdom. The people would go to them +from great distances for charms or predictions, and believed in their +power with implicit faith. + +"At the time when we were at Jubbalpore, there was one of these fellows, +whose reputation altogether eclipsed that of his rivals, and nothing +could be done until his permission had been asked and his blessing +obtained. All sorts of marvellous stories were constantly coming to our +ears of the unerring foresight with which he predicted the termination +of diseases, both in men and animals; and so generally was he believed +in that the colonel ordered that no one connected with the regiment +should consult him, for these predictions very frequently brought about +their own fulfilment; for those who were told that an illness would +terminate fatally, lost all hope, and literally lay down to die. + +"However, many of the stories that we heard could not be explained on +these grounds, and the fakir and his doings were often talked over at +mess, some of the officers scoffing at the whole business, others +maintaining that some of these fakirs had, in some way or another, the +power of foretelling the future, citing many well authenticated +anecdotes upon the subject. + +"The older officers were the believers, we young fellows were the +scoffers. But for the well-known fact that it is very seldom indeed +that these fakirs will utter any of their predictions to Europeans, some +of us would have gone to him, to test his powers. As it was, none of us +had ever seen him. + +"He lived in an old ruined temple, in the middle of a large patch of +jungle at the foot of the hills, some ten or twelve miles away. + +"I had been at Jubbalpore about a year, when I was woke up one night by +a native, who came in to say that at about eight o'clock a tiger had +killed a man in his village, and had dragged off the body. + +"Simmonds and I were constantly out after tigers, and the people in all +the villages within twenty miles knew that we were always ready to pay +for early information. This tiger had been doing great damage, and had +carried off about thirty men, women, and children. So great was the fear +of him, indeed, that the people in the neighbourhood he frequented +scarcely dared stir out of doors, except in parties of five or six. We +had had several hunts after him, but, like all man-eaters, he was old +and awfully crafty; and although we got several snap shots at him, he +had always managed to save his skin. + +"In a quarter of an hour after the receipt of the message, Charley +Simmonds and I were on the back of an elephant, which was our joint +property; our shekarry, a capital fellow, was on foot beside us, and +with the native trotting on ahead as guide we went off at the best pace +of old Begaum, for that was the elephant's name. The village was fifteen +miles away, but we got there soon after daybreak, and were received with +delight by the population. In half an hour the hunt was organized; all +the male population turned out as beaters, with sticks, guns, tom-toms, +and other instruments for making a noise. + +"The trail was not difficult to find. A broad path, with occasional +smears of blood, showed where he had dragged his victim through the long +grass to a cluster of trees a couple of hundred yards from the village. + +"We scarcely expected to find him there, but the villagers held back, +while we went forward with cocked rifles. We found, however, nothing but +a few bones and a quantity of blood. The tiger had made off at the +approach of daylight into the jungle, which was about two miles distant. +We traced him easily enough, and found that he had entered a large +ravine, from which several smaller ones branched off. + +"It was an awkward place, as it was next to impossible to surround it +with the number of people at our command. We posted them at last all +along the upper ground, and told them to make up in noise what they +wanted in numbers. At last all was ready, and we gave the signal. +However, I am not telling you a hunting story, and need only say that we +could neither find nor disturb him. In vain we pushed Begaum through the +thickest of the jungle which clothed the sides and bottom of the ravine, +while the men shouted, beat their tom-toms, and showered imprecations +against the tiger himself and his ancestors up to the remotest +generations. + +"The day was tremendously hot, and, after three hours' march, we gave it +up for a time, and lay down in the shade, while the shekarries made a +long examination of the ground all round the hillside, to be sure that +he had not left the ravine. They came back with the news that no traces +could be discovered, and that, beyond a doubt, he was still there. A +tiger will crouch up in an exceedingly small clump of grass or bush, and +will sometimes almost allow himself to be trodden on before moving. +However, we determined to have one more search, and if that should prove +unsuccessful, to send off to Jubbalpore for some more of the men to come +out with elephants, while we kept up a circle of fires, and of noises +of all descriptions, so as to keep him a prisoner until the arrival of +the reinforcements. Our next search was no more successful than our +first had been; and having, as we imagined, examined every clump and +crevice in which he could have been concealed, we had just reached the +upper end of the ravine, when we heard a tremendous roar, followed by a +perfect babel of yells and screams from the natives. + +"The outburst came from the mouth of the ravine, and we felt at once +that he had escaped. We hurried back to find, as we had expected, that +the tiger was gone. He had burst out suddenly from his hiding-place, had +seized a native, torn him horribly, and had made across the open plain. + +"This was terribly provoking, but we had nothing to do but follow him. +This was easy enough, and we traced him to a detached patch of wood and +jungle, two miles distant. This wood was four or five hundred yards +across, and the exclamations of the people at once told us that it was +the one in which stood the ruined temple of the fakir of whom I have +been telling you. I forgot to say, that as the tiger broke out one of +the village shekarries had fired at, and, he declared, wounded him. + +"It was already getting late in the afternoon, and it was hopeless to +attempt to beat the jungle that night. We therefore sent off a runner +with a note to the colonel, asking him to send the work-elephants, and +to allow a party of volunteers to march over at night, to help surround +the jungle when we commenced beating it in the morning. + +"We based our request upon the fact that the tiger was a notorious +man-eater, and had been doing immense damage. We then had a talk with +our shekarry, sent a man off to bring provisions for the people out with +us, and then set them to work cutting sticks and grass to make a circle +of fires. + +"We both felt much uneasiness respecting the fakir, who might be seized +at any moment by the enraged tiger. The natives would not allow that +there was any cause for fear, as the tiger would not dare to touch so +holy a man. Our belief in the respect of the tiger for sanctity was by +no means strong, and we determined to go in and warn him of the presence +of the brute in the wood. It was a mission which we could not intrust to +anyone else, for no native would have entered the jungle for untold +gold; so we mounted the Begaum again, and started. The path leading +towards the temple was pretty wide, and as we went along almost +noiselessly, for the elephant was too well trained to tread upon fallen +sticks, it was just possible we might come upon the tiger suddenly, so +we kept our rifles in readiness in our hands. + +"Presently we came in sight of the ruins. No one was at first visible; +but at that very moment the fakir came out from the temple. He did not +see or hear us, for we were rather behind him and still among the trees, +but at once proceeded in a high voice to break into a sing-song prayer. +He had not said two words before his voice was drowned in a terrific +roar, and in an instant the tiger had sprung upon him, struck him to the +ground, seized him as a cat would a mouse, and started off with him at a +trot. The brute evidently had not detected our presence, for he came +right towards us. We halted the Begaum, and with our fingers on the +triggers, awaited the favourable moment. He was a hundred yards from us +when he struck down his victim; he was not more than fifty when he +caught sight of us. He stopped for an instant in surprise. Charley +muttered, 'Both barrels, Harley,' and as the beast turned to plunge into +the jungle, and so showed us his side, we sent four bullets crashing +into him, and he rolled over lifeless. + +"We went up to the spot, made the Begaum give him a kick, to be sure +that he was dead, and then got down to examine the unfortunate fakir. +The tiger had seized him by the shoulder, which was terribly torn, and +the bone broken. He was still perfectly conscious. + +"We at once fired three shots, our usual signal that the tiger was dead, +and in a few minutes were surrounded by the villagers, who hardly knew +whether to be delighted at the death of their enemy, or to grieve over +the injury to the fakir. We proposed taking the latter to our hospital +at Jubbalpore, but this he positively refused to listen to. However we +finally persuaded him to allow his arm to be set and the wounds dressed +in the first place by our regimental surgeon, after which he could go to +one of the native villages and have his arm dressed in accordance with +his own notions. A litter was soon improvised, and away we went to +Jubbalpore, which we reached about eight in the evening. + +"The fakir refused to enter the hospital, so we brought out a couple of +trestles, laid the litter upon them, and the surgeon set his arm and +dressed his wounds by torch-light, when he was lifted into a dhoolie, +and his bearers again prepared to start for the village. + +"Hitherto he had only spoken a few words; but he now briefly expressed +his deep gratitude to Simmonds and myself. We told him that we would +ride over to see him shortly, and hoped to find him getting on rapidly. +Another minute and he was gone. + +"It happened that we had three or four fellows away on leave or on staff +duty, and several others knocked up with fever just about this time, so +that the duty fell very heavily upon the rest of us, and it was over a +month before we had time to ride over to see the fakir. + +"We had heard he was going on well; but we were surprised, on reaching +the village, to find that he had already returned to his old abode in +the jungle. However, we had made up our minds to see him, especially as +we had agreed that we would endeavour to persuade him to do a prediction +for us; so we turned our horses' heads towards the jungle. We found the +fakir sitting on a rock in front of the temple, just where he had been +seized by the tiger. He rose as we rode up. + +"'I knew that you would come to-day, sahibs, and was joyful in the +thought of seeing those who have preserved my life.' + +"'We are glad to see you looking pretty strong again, though your arm +is still in a sling,' I said, for Simmonds was not strong in Hindustani. + +"'How did you know that we were coming?' I asked, when we had tied up +our horses. + +"'Siva has given to his servant to know many things,' he said quietly. + +"'Did you know beforehand that the tiger was going to seize you?' I +asked. + +"'I knew that a great danger threatened, and that Siva would not let me +die before my time had come.' + +"'Could you see into our future?' I asked. + +"The fakir hesitated, looked at me for a moment earnestly to see if I +was speaking in mockery, and then said: + +"'The sahibs do not believe in the power of Siva or of his servants. +They call his messengers impostors, and scoff at them when they speak of +the events of the future.' + +"'No, indeed,' I said. 'My friend and I have no idea of scoffing. We +have heard of so many of your predictions coming true, that we are +really anxious that you should tell us something of the future.' + +"The fakir nodded his head, went into the temple, and returned in a +minute or two with two small pipes used by the natives for +opium-smoking, and a brazier of burning charcoal. The pipes were +already charged. He made signs to us to sit down, and took his place in +front of us. Then he began singing in a low voice, rocking himself to +and fro, and waving a staff which he held in his hand. Gradually his +voice rose, and his gesticulations and actions became more violent. So +far as I could make out, it was a prayer to Siva that he would give some +glimpse of the future which might benefit the sahibs who had saved the +life of his servant. Presently he darted forward, gave us each a pipe, +took two pieces of red-hot charcoal from the brazier in his fingers, +without seeming to know that they were warm, and placed them in the +pipes; then he recommenced his singing and gesticulations. + +"A glance at Charley, to see if, like myself, he was ready to carry the +thing through, and then I put the pipe to my lips. I felt at once that +it was opium, of which I had before made experiment, but mixed with some +other substance, which was, I imagine, haschish, a preparation of hemp. +A few puffs, and I felt a drowsiness creeping over me. I saw, as through +a mist, the fakir swaying himself backwards and forwards, his arms +waving, and his face distorted. Another minute, and the pipe slipped +from my fingers, and I fell back insensible. + +"How long I lay there I do not know. I woke with a strange and not +unpleasant sensation, and presently became conscious that the fakir was +gently pressing, with a sort of shampooing action, my temples and head. +When he saw that I opened my eyes he left me, and performed the same +process upon Charley. In a few minutes he rose from his stooping +position, waved his hand in token of adieu, and walked slowly back into +the temple. + +"As he disappeared I sat up; Charley did the same. + +"We stared at each other for a minute without speaking, and then Charley +said: + +"'This is a rum go, and no mistake, old man.' + +"'You're right, Charley. My opinion is, we've made fools of ourselves. +Let's be off out of this.' + +"We staggered to our feet, for we both felt like drunken men, made our +way to our horses, poured a mussuk of water over our heads, took a drink +of brandy from our flasks, and then feeling more like ourselves, mounted +and rode out of the jungle. + +"'Well, Harley, if the glimpse of futurity which I had is true, all I +can say is that it was extremely unpleasant.' + +"'That was just my case, Charley.' + +"'My dream, or whatever you like to call it, was about a mutiny of the +men.' + +"'You don't say so, Charley; so was mine. This is monstrously strange, +to say the least of it. However, you tell your story first, and then I +will tell mine.' + +"'It was very short,' Charley said. 'We were at mess--not in our present +mess-room--we were dining with the fellows of some other regiment. +Suddenly, without any warning, the windows were filled with a crowd of +Sepoys, who opened fire right and left into us. Half the fellows were +shot down at once; the rest of us made a rush to our swords just as the +niggers came swarming into the room. There was a desperate fight for a +moment. I remember that Subadar Pirán--one of the best native officers +in the regiment, by the way--made a rush at me, and I shot him through +the head with a revolver. At the same moment a ball hit me, and down I +went. At the moment a Sepoy fell dead across me, hiding me partly from +sight. The fight lasted a minute or two longer. I fancy a few fellows +escaped, for I heard shots outside. Then the place became quiet. In +another minute I heard a crackling, and saw that the devils had set the +mess-room on fire. One of our men, who was lying close by me, got up +and crawled to the window, but he was shot down the moment he showed +himself. I was hesitating whether to do the same or to lie still and be +smothered, when suddenly I rolled the dead sepoy off, crawled into the +ante-room half-suffocated by smoke, raised the lid of a very heavy +trap-door, and stumbled down some steps into a place, half storehouse +half cellar, under the mess-room. How I knew about it being there I +don't know. The trap closed over my head with a bang. That is all I +remember.' + +"'Well, Charley, curiously enough my dream was also about an +extraordinary escape from danger, lasting, like yours, only a minute or +two. The first thing I remember--there seems to have been something +before, but what, I don't know--I was on horseback, holding a very +pretty but awfully pale girl in front of me. We were pursued by a whole +troop of Sepoy cavalry, who were firing pistol-shots at us. We were not +more than seventy or eighty yards in front, and they were gaining fast, +just as I rode into a large deserted temple. In the centre was a huge +stone figure. I jumped off my horse with the lady, and as I did so she +said, 'Blow out my brains, Edward; don't let me fall alive into their +hands.' + +"'Instead of answering, I hurried her round behind the idol, pushed +against one of the leaves of a flower in the carving, and the stone +swung back, and showed a hole just large enough to get through, with a +stone staircase inside the body of the idol, made no doubt for the +priest to go up and give responses through the mouth. I hurried the girl +through, crept in after her, and closed the stone, just as our pursuers +came clattering into the courtyard. That is all I remember.' + +"'Well, it is monstrously rum,' Charley said, after a pause. 'Did you +understand what the old fellow was singing about before he gave us the +pipes?' + +"'Yes; I caught the general drift. It was an entreaty to Siva to give us +some glimpse of futurity which might benefit us.' + +"We lit our cheroots and rode for some miles at a brisk canter without +remark. When we were within a short distance of home we reined up. + +"'I feel ever so much better,' Charley said. 'We have got that opium out +of our heads now. How do you account for it all, Harley?' + +"'I account for it in this way, Charley. The opium naturally had the +effect of making us both dream, and as we took similar doses of the same +mixture, under similar circumstances, it is scarcely extraordinary that +it should have effected the same portion of the brain, and caused a +certain similarity in our dreams. In all nightmares something terrible +happens, or is on the point of happening; and so it was here. Not +unnaturally in both our cases, our thoughts turned to soldiers. If you +remember there was a talk at mess some little time since, as to what +would happen in the extremely unlikely event of the sepoys mutinying in +a body. I have no doubt that was the foundation of both our dreams. It +is all natural enough when we come to think it over calmly. I think, by +the way, we had better agree to say nothing at all about it in the +regiment.' + +"'I should think not,' Charley said. 'We should never hear the end of +it; they would chaff us out of our lives.' + +"We kept our secret, and came at last to laugh over it heartily when we +were together. Then the subject dropped, and by the end of a year had as +much escaped our minds as any other dream would have done. Three months +after the affair the regiment was ordered down to Allahabad, and the +change of place no doubt helped to erase all memory of the dream. Four +years after we had left Jubbalpore we went to Beerapore. The time is +very marked in my memory, because the very week we arrived there, your +aunt, then Miss Gardiner, came out from England, to her father, our +colonel. The instant I saw her I was impressed with the idea that I knew +her intimately. I recollected her face, her figure, and the very tone of +her voice, but wherever I had met her I could not conceive. Upon the +occasion of my first introduction to her, I could not help telling her +that I was convinced that we had met, and asking her if she did not +remember it. No, she did not remember, but very likely she might have +done so, and she suggested the names of several people at whose houses +we might have met. I did not know any of them. Presently she asked how +long I had been out in India? + +"'Six years,' I said. + +"'And how old, Mr. Harley,' she said, 'do you take me to be?' + +"I saw in one instant my stupidity, and was stammering out an apology, +when she went on,-- + +"'I am very little over eighteen, Mr. Harley, although I evidently look +ever so many years older; but papa can certify to my age; so I was only +twelve when you left England.' + +"I tried in vain to clear matters up. Your aunt would insist that I took +her to be forty, and the fun that my blunder made rather drew us +together, and gave me a start over the other fellows at the station, +half of whom fell straightway in love with her. Some months went on, and +when the mutiny broke out we were engaged to be married. It is a proof +of how completely the opium-dreams had passed out of the minds of both +Simmonds and myself, that even when rumours of general disaffection +among the Sepoys began to be current, they never once recurred to us; +and even when the news of the actual mutiny reached us, we were just as +confident as were the others of the fidelity of our own regiment. It was +the old story, foolish confidence and black treachery. As at very many +other stations, the mutiny broke out when we were at mess. Our regiment +was dining with the 34th Bengalees. Suddenly, just as dinner was over, +the window was opened, and a tremendous fire poured in. Four or five men +fell dead at once, and the poor colonel, who was next to me, was shot +right through the head. Every one rushed to his sword and drew his +pistol--for we had been ordered to carry pistols as part of our uniform. +I was next to Charley Simmonds as the Sepoys of both regiments, headed +by Subadar Pirán, poured in at the windows. + +"'I have it now,' Charley said; 'it is the scene I dreamed.' + +"As he spoke he fired his revolver at the subadar, who fell dead in his +tracks. + +"A Sepoy close by levelled his musket and fired. Charley fell, and the +fellow rushed forward to bayonet him. As he did so I sent a bullet +through his head, and he fell across Charley. It was a wild fight for a +minute or two, and then a few of us made a sudden rush together, cut our +way through the mutineers, and darted through an open window on to the +parade. There were shouts, shots, and screams from the officers' +bungalows, and in several places flames were already rising. What became +of the other men I knew not; I made as hard as I could tear for the +colonel's bungalow. Suddenly I came upon a sowar sitting on his horse +watching the rising flames. Before he saw me I was on him, and ran him +through. I leapt on his horse and galloped down to Gardiner's compound. +I saw lots of Sepoys in and around the bungalow, all engaged in looting. +I dashed into the compound. + +"'May! May!' I shouted. 'Where are you?' + +"I had scarcely spoken before a dark figure rushed out of a clump of +bushes close by with a scream of delight. + +"In an instant she was on the horse before me, and shooting down a +couple of fellows who made a rush at my reins, I dashed out again. +Stray shots were fired after us. But fortunately the Sepoys were all +busy looting, most of them had laid down their muskets, and no one +really took up the pursuit. I turned off from the parade-ground, dashed +down between the hedges of two compounds, and in another minute we were +in the open country. + +"Fortunately, the cavalry were all down looting their own lines, or we +must have been overtaken at once. May happily had fainted as I lifted +her on to my horse--happily, because the fearful screams that we heard +from the various bungalows almost drove me mad, and would probably have +killed her, for the poor ladies were all her intimate friends. + +"I rode on for some hours, till I felt quite safe from any immediate +pursuit, and then we halted in the shelter of a clump of trees. + +"By this time I had heard May's story. She had felt uneasy at being +alone, but had laughed at herself for being so, until upon her speaking +to one of the servants he had answered in a tone of gross insolence, +which had astonished her. She at once guessed that there was danger, and +the moment that she was alone caught up a large, dark carriage rug, +wrapped it round her so as to conceal her white dress, and stole out +into the verandah. The night was dark, and scarcely had she left the +house than she heard a burst of firing across at the mess-house. She at +once ran in among the bushes and crouched there, as she heard the rush +of men into the room she had just left. She heard them searching for +her, but they were looking for a white dress, and her dark rug saved +her. What she must have suffered in the five minutes between the firing +of the first shots and my arrival, she only knows. May had spoken but +very little since we started. I believe that she was certain that her +father was dead, although I had given an evasive answer when she asked +me; and her terrible sense of loss, added to the horror of that time of +suspense in the garden, had completely stunned her. We waited in the +tope until the afternoon, and then set out again. + +"We had gone but a short distance when we saw a body of the rebel +cavalry in pursuit. They had no doubt been scouring the country +generally, and the discovery was accidental. For a short time we kept +away from them, but this could not be for long, as our horse was +carrying double. I made for a sort of ruin I saw at the foot of a hill +half a mile away. I did so with no idea of the possibility of +concealment. My intention was simply to get my back to a rock and to +sell my life as dearly as I could, keeping the last two barrels of the +revolver for ourselves. Certainly no remembrance of my dream influenced +me in any way, and in the wild whirl of excitement I had not given a +second thought to Charley Simmonds' exclamation. As we rode up to the +ruins only a hundred yards ahead of us, May said,-- + +"'Blow out my brains, Edward; don't let me fall alive into their hands.' + +"A shock of remembrance shot across me. The chase, her pale face, the +words, the temple--all my dream rushed into my mind. + +"'We are saved,' I cried, to her amazement, as we rode into the +courtyard, in whose centre a great figure was sitting. + +"I leapt from the horse, snatched the mussuk of water from the saddle, +and then hurried May round the idol, between which and the rock behind, +there was but just room to get along. + +"Not a doubt entered my mind but that I should find the spring as I had +dreamed. Sure enough there was the carving, fresh upon my memory as if I +had seen it but the day before. I placed my hand on the leaflet without +hesitation, a solid stone moved back, I hurried my amazed companion in, +and shut to the stone. I found, and shot to, a massive bolt, evidently +placed to prevent the door being opened by accident or design when +anyone was in the idol. + +"At first it seemed quite dark, but a faint light streamed in from +above; we made our way up the stairs, and found that the light came +through a number of small holes pierced in the upper part of the head, +and through still smaller holes lower down, not much larger than a +good-sized knitting-needle could pass through. These holes, we +afterwards found, were in the ornaments round the idol's neck. The holes +enlarged inside, and enabled us to have a view all round. + +"The mutineers were furious at our disappearance, and for hours searched +about. Then, saying that we must be hidden somewhere, and that they +would wait till we came out, they proceeded to bivouac in the courtyard +of the temple. + +"We passed four terrible days, but on the morning of the fifth a scout +came in to tell the rebels that a column of British troops marching on +Delhi would pass close by the temple. They therefore hastily mounted and +galloped off. + +"Three quarters of an hour later we were safe among our own people. A +fortnight afterwards your aunt and I were married. It was no time for +ceremony then; there were no means of sending her away; no place where +she could have waited until the time for her mourning for her father was +over. So we were married quietly by one of the chaplains of the troops, +and, as your story-books say, have lived very happily ever after." + +"And how about Mr. Simmonds, uncle? Did he get safe off too?" + +"Yes, his dream came as vividly to his mind as mine had done. He crawled +to the place where he knew the trap-door would be, and got into the +cellar. Fortunately for him there were plenty of eatables there, and he +lived there in concealment for a fortnight. After that he crawled out, +and found the mutineers had marched for Delhi. He went through a lot, +but at last joined us before that city. We often talked over our dreams +together, and there was no question that we owed our lives to them. Even +then we did not talk much to other people about them, for there would +have been a lot of talk, and inquiry, and questions, and you know +fellows hate that sort of thing. So we held our tongues. Poor Charley's +silence was sealed a year later at Lucknow, for on the advance with Lord +Clyde he was killed. + +"And now, boys and girls, you must run off to bed. Five minutes more +and it will be Christmas-day. So you see, Frank, that although I don't +believe in ghosts, I have yet met with a circumstance which I cannot +account for." + +"It is very curious anyhow, uncle, and beats ghost stories into fits." + +"I like it better, certainly," one of the girls said, "for we can go to +bed without being afraid of dreaming about it." + +"Well, you must not talk any more now. Off to bed, off to bed," Colonel +Harley said, "or I shall get into terrible disgrace with your fathers +and mothers, who have been looking very gravely at me for the last three +quarters of an hour." + +[Illustration] + + + + +[Illustration] + +WHITE-FACED DICK, + +A STORY OF PINE-TREE GULCH. + + +How Pine-tree Gulch got its name no one knew, for in the early days +every ravine and hillside was thickly covered with pines. It may be that +a tree of exceptional size caught the eye of the first explorer, that he +camped under it, and named the place in its honour; or, may be, some +fallen giant lay in the bottom and hindered the work of the first +prospectors. At any rate, Pine-tree Gulch it was, and the name was as +good as any other. The pine-trees were gone now. Cut up for firing, or +for the erection of huts, or the construction of sluices, but the +hillside was ragged with their stumps. + +The principal camp was at the mouth of the Gulch, where the little +stream, which scarce afforded water sufficient for the cradles in the +dry season, but which was a rushing torrent in winter, joined the Yuba. +The best ground was at the junction of the streams, and lay, indeed, in +the Yuba valley rather than in the Gulch. At first most gold had been +found higher up, but there was here comparatively little depth down to +the bed-rock, and as the ground became exhausted the miners moved down +towards the mouth of the Gulch. They were doing well as a whole, how +well no one knew, for miners are chary of giving information as to what +they are making; still, it was certain they were doing well, for the +bars were doing a roaring trade, and the store-keepers never refused +credit--a proof in itself that the prospects were good. + +The flat at the mouth of the Gulch was a busy scene, every foot was good +paying stuff, for in the eddy, where the torrents in winter rushed down +into the Yuba, the gold had settled down and lay thick among the gravel. +But most of the parties were sinking, and it was a long way down to the +bed-rock; for the hills on both sides sloped steeply, and the Yuba must +here at one time have rushed through a narrow gorge, until, in some +wild freak, it brought down millions of tons of gravel, and resumed its +course seventy feet above its former level. + +A quarter of a mile higher up a ledge of rock ran across the valley, and +over it in the old time the Yuba had poured in a cascade seventy feet +deep into the ravine. But the rock now was level with the gravel, only +showing its jagged points here and there above it. This ledge had been +invaluable to the diggers: without it they could only have sunk their +shafts with the greatest difficulty, for the gravel would have been full +of water, and even with the greatest pains in puddling and timber-work +the pumps would scarcely have sufficed to keep it down as it rose in the +bottom of the shafts. But the miners had made common cause together, and +giving each so many ounces of gold or so many day's work had erected a +dam thirty feet high along the ledge of rock, and had cut a channel for +the Yuba along the lower slopes of the valley. Of course, when the rain +set in, as everybody knew, the dam would go, and the river diggings must +be abandoned till the water subsided and a fresh dam was made; but there +were two months before them yet, and every one hoped to be down to the +bed-rock before the water interrupted their work. + +The hillside, both in the Yuba Valley and for some distance along +Pine-tree Gulch, was dotted by shanties and tents; the former +constructed for the most part of logs roughly squared, the walls being +some three feet in height, on which the sharp sloping roof was placed, +thatched in the first place with boughs, and made all snug, perhaps, +with an old sail stretched over all. The camp was quiet enough during +the day. The few women were away with their washing at the pools, a +quarter of a mile up the Gulch, and the only persons to be seen about +were the men told off for cooking for their respective parties. + +But in the evening the camp was lively. Groups of men in red shirts and +corded trousers tied at the knee, in high boots, sat round blazing +fires, and talked of their prospects or discussed the news of the luck +at other camps. The sound of music came from two or three plank +erections which rose conspicuously above the huts of the diggers, and +were bright externally with the glories of white and coloured paints. To +and from these men were always sauntering, and it needed not the clink +of glasses and the sound of music to tell that they were the bars of the +camp. + +Here, standing at the counter, or seated at numerous small tables, men +were drinking villainous liquor, smoking and talking, and paying but +scant attention to the strains of the fiddle or the accordion, save when +some well-known air was played, when all would join in a boisterous +chorus. Some were always passing in or out of a door which led into a +room behind. Here there was comparative quiet, for men were gambling, +and gambling high. + +Going backwards and forwards with liquors into the gambling-room of the +Imperial Saloon, which stood just where Pine-tree Gulch opened into Yuba +valley, was a lad, whose appearance had earned for him the name of +White-faced Dick. + +White-faced Dick was not one of those who had done well at Pine-tree +Gulch; he had come across the plains with his father, who had died when +half-way over, and Dick had been thrown on the world to shift for +himself. Nature had not intended him for the work, for he was a +delicate, timid lad; what spirits he originally had having been years +before beaten out of him by a brutal father. So far, indeed, Dick was +the better rather than the worse for the event which had left him an +orphan. + +They had been travelling with a large party for mutual security against +Indians and Mormons, and so long as the journey lasted Dick had got on +fairly well. He was always ready to do odd jobs, and as the draught +cattle were growing weaker and weaker, and every pound of weight was of +importance, no one grudged him his rations in return for his services; +but when the company began to descend the slopes of the Sierra Nevada +they began to break up, going off by twos and threes to the diggings, of +which they heard such glowing accounts. Some, however, kept straight on +to Sacramento, determining there to obtain news as to the doings at all +the different places, and then to choose that which seemed to offer the +best prospects of success. + +Dick proceeded with them to the town, and there found himself alone. His +companions were absorbed in the busy rush of population, and each had so +much to provide and arrange for, that none gave a thought to the +solitary boy. However, at that time no one who had a pair of hands, +however feeble, to work need starve in Sacramento; and for some weeks +Dick hung around the town doing odd jobs, and then, having saved a few +dollars, determined to try his luck at the diggings, and started on foot +with a shovel on his shoulder and a few day's provisions slung across +it. + +Arrived at his destination, the lad soon discovered that gold-digging +was hard work for brawny and seasoned men, and after a few feeble +attempts in spots abandoned as worthless he gave up the effort, and +again began to drift; and even in Pine-tree Gulch it was not difficult +to get a living. At first he tried rocking cradles, but the work was far +harder than it appeared. He was standing ankle deep in water from +morning till night, and his cheeks grew paler, and his strength, instead +of increasing, seemed to fade away. Still, there were jobs within his +strength. He could keep a fire alight and watch a cooking-pot, he could +carry up buckets of water or wash a flannel shirt, and so he struggled +on, until at last some kind-hearted man suggested to him that he should +try to get a place at the new saloon which was about to be opened. + +"You are not fit for this work, young 'un, and you ought to be at home +with your mother; if you like I will go up with you this evening to +Jeffries. I knew him down on the flats, and I daresay he will take you +on. I don't say as a saloon is a good place for a boy, still you will +always get your bellyful of victuals and a dry place to sleep in, if +it's only under a table. What do you say?" + +Dick thankfully accepted the offer, and on Red George's recommendation +was that evening engaged. His work was not hard now, for till the miners +knocked off there was little doing in the saloon; a few men would come +in for a drink at dinner-time, but it was not until the lamps were lit +that business began in earnest, and then for four or five hours Dick was +busy. + +A rougher or healthier lad would not have minded the work, but to Dick +it was torture; every nerve in his body thrilled whenever rough miners +cursed him for not carrying out their orders more quickly, or for +bringing them the wrong liquors, which, as his brain was in a whirl with +the noise, the shouting, and the multiplicity of orders, happened +frequently. He might have fared worse had not Red George always stood +his friend, and Red George was an authority in Pine-tree Gulch--powerful +in frame, reckless in bearing and temper, he had been in a score of +fights and had come off them, if not unscathed, at least victorious. He +was notoriously a lucky digger, but his earnings went as fast as they +were made, and he was always ready to open his belt and give a bountiful +pinch of dust to any mate down on his luck. + +One evening Dick was more helpless and confused than usual. The saloon +was full, and he had been shouted at and badgered and cursed until he +scarcely knew what he was doing. High play was going on in the saloon, +and a good many men were clustered round the table. Red George was +having a run of luck, and there was a big pile of gold dust on the table +before him. One of the gamblers who was losing had ordered old rye, and +instead of bringing it to him, Dick brought a tumbler of hot liquor +which someone else had called for. With an oath the man took it up and +threw it in his face. + +"You cowardly hound!" Red George exclaimed. "Are you man enough to do +that to a man?" + +"You bet," the gambler, who was a new arrival at Pine-tree Gulch, +replied; and picking up an empty glass, he hurled it at Red George. The +by-standers sprang aside, and in a moment the two men were facing each +other with outstretched pistols. The two reports rung out +simultaneously: Red George sat down unconcernedly with a streak of blood +flowing down his face, where the bullet had cut a furrow in his cheek; +the stranger fell back with the bullet hole in the centre of his +forehead. + +The body was carried outside, and the play continued as if no +interruption had taken place. They were accustomed to such occurrences +in Pine-tree Gulch, and the piece of ground at the top of the hill, that +had been set aside as a burial place, was already dotted thickly with +graves, filled in almost every instance by men who had died, in the +local phraseology, "with their boots on." + +Neither then nor afterwards did Red George allude to the subject to +Dick, whose life after this signal instance of his championship was +easier than it had hitherto been, for there were few in Pine-tree Gulch +who cared to excite Red George's anger; and strangers going to the +place were sure to receive a friendly warning that it was best for their +health to keep their tempers over any shortcomings on the part of +White-faced Dick. + +Grateful as he was for Red George's interference on his behalf, Dick +felt the circumstance which had ensued more than anyone else in the +camp. With others it was the subject of five minutes' talk, but Dick +could not get out of his head the thought of the dead man's face as he +fell back. He had seen many such frays before, but he was too full of +his own troubles for them to make much impression upon him. But in the +present case he felt as if he himself was responsible for the death of +the gambler; if he had not blundered this would not have happened. He +wondered whether the dead man had a wife and children, and, if so, were +they expecting his return? Would they ever hear where he had died, and +how? + +But this feeling, which, tired out as he was when the time came for +closing the bar, often prevented him from sleeping for hours, in no way +lessened his gratitude and devotion towards Red George, and he felt +that he could die willingly if his life would benefit his champion. +Sometimes he thought, too, that his life would not be much to give, for +in spite of shelter and food, the cough which he had caught while +working in the water still clung to him, and, as his employer said to +him angrily one day-- + +"Your victuals don't do you no good, Dick; you get thinner and thinner, +and folks will think as I starve you. Darned if you ain't a disgrace to +the establishment." + +The wind was whistling down the gorges, and the clouds hung among the +pine-woods which still clothed the upper slopes of the hills, and the +diggers, as they turned out one morning, looked up apprehensively. + +"But it could not be," they assured each other. Every one knew that the +rains were not due for another month yet; it could only be a passing +shower if it rained at all. + +But as the morning went on, men came in from camps higher up the river, +and reports were current that it had been raining for the last two days +among the upper hills; while those who took the trouble to walk across +to the new channel could see for themselves at noon that it was filled +very nigh to the brim, the water rushing along with thick and turbid +current. But those who repeated the rumours, or who reported that the +channel was full, were summarily put down. Men would not believe that +such a calamity as a flood and the destruction of all their season's +work could be impending. There had been some showers, no doubt, as there +had often been before, but it was ridiculous to talk of anything like +rain a month before its time. Still, in spite of these assertions, there +was uneasiness at Pine-tree Gulch, and men looked at the driving clouds +above and shook their heads before they went down to the shafts to work +after dinner. + +When the last customer had left and the bar was closed, Dick had nothing +to do till evening, and he wandered outside and sat down on a stump, at +first looking at the work going on in the valley, then so absorbed in +his own thoughts that he noticed nothing, not even the driving mist +which presently set in. He was calculating that he had, with his savings +from his wages and what had been given him by the miners, laid by eighty +dollars. When he got another hundred and twenty he would go; he would +make his way down to San Francisco, and then by ship to Panama and up to +New York, and then west again to the village where he was born. There +would be people there who would know him, and who would give him work, +for his mother's sake. He did not care what it was; anything would be +better than this. + +Then his thoughts came back to Pine-tree Gulch, and he started to his +feet. Could he be mistaken? Were his eyes deceiving him? No; among the +stones and boulders of the old bed of the Yuba there was the gleam of +water, and even as he watched it he could see it widening out. He +started to run down the hill to give the alarm, but before he was +half-way he paused, for there were loud shouts, and a scene of bustle +and confusion instantly arose. + +The cradles were deserted, and the men working on the surface loaded +themselves with their tools and made for the high ground, while those at +the windlasses worked their hardest to draw up their comrades below. A +man coming down from above stopped close to Dick, with a low cry, and +stood gazing with a white scared face. Dick had worked with him; he was +one of the company to which Red George belonged. + +"What is it, Saunders?" + +"My God! they are lost," the man replied. "I was at the windlass when +they shouted up to me to go up and fetch them a bottle of rum. They had +just struck it rich, and wanted a drink on the strength of it." + +Dick understood at once. Red George and his mates were still in the +bottom of the shaft, ignorant of the danger which was threatening them. + +"Come on," he cried; "we shall be in time yet," and at the top of his +speed dashed down the hill, followed by Saunders. + +"What is it, what is it?" asked parties of men mounting the hill. "Red +George's gang are still below." + +Dick's eyes were fixed on the water. There was a broad band now of +yellow with a white edge down the centre of the stony flat, and it was +widening with terrible rapidity. It was scarce ten yards from the +windlass at the top of Red George's shaft when Dick, followed closely by +Saunders, reached it. + +"Come up, mates; quick, for your lives! The river is rising; you will +be flooded out directly. Every one else has gone!" + +As he spoke he pulled at the rope by which the bucket was hanging, and +the handles of the windlass flew round rapidly as it descended. When it +had run out, Dick and he grasped the handles. + +"All right below?" + +An answering call came up, and the two began their work, throwing their +whole strength into it. Quickly as the windlass revolved, it seemed an +endless time to Dick before the bucket came up, and the first man +stepped out. It was not Red George. Dick had hardly expected it would +be. Red George would be sure to see his two mates up before him, and the +man uttered a cry of alarm as he saw the water, now within a few feet of +the mouth of the shaft. + +It was a torrent now, for not only was it coming through the dam, but it +was rushing down in cascades from the new channel. Without a word the +miner placed himself facing Dick and the moment the bucket was again +down, the three grasped the handles. But quickly as they worked, the +edge of the water was within a few inches of the shaft when the next man +reached the surface; but again the bucket descended before the rope +tightened. However, the water had began to run over the lip--at first in +a mere trickle, and then, almost instantaneously, in a cascade, which +grew larger and larger. + +The bucket was half-way up when a sound like thunder was heard, the +ground seemed to tremble under their feet, and then at the turn of the +valley above, a great wave of yellow water, crested with foam, was seen +tearing along at the speed of a race-horse. + +"The dam has burst!" Saunders shouted. "Run for your lives, or we are +all lost!" + +The three men dropped the handles and ran at full speed towards the +shore, while loud shouts to Dick to follow came from the crowd of men +standing on the slope. But the boy still grasped the handles, and with +lips tightly closed, still toiled on. Slowly the bucket ascended, for +Red George was a heavy man; then suddenly the weight slackened, and the +handle went round faster. The shaft was filling, the water had reached +the bucket, and had risen to Red George's neck, so that his weight was +no longer on the rope. So fast did the water pour in, that it was not +half a minute before the bucket reached the surface, and Red George +sprang out. There was but time for one exclamation, and then the great +wave struck them. Red George was whirled like a straw in the current; +but he was a strong swimmer, and at a point where the valley widened +out, half a mile lower, he struggled to shore. + +Two days later the news reached Pine-tree Gulch that a boy's body had +been washed ashore twenty miles down, and ten men, headed by Red George, +went and brought it solemnly back to Pine-tree Gulch. There, among the +stumps of pine-trees, a grave was dug, and there, in the presence of the +whole camp, White-faced Dick was laid to rest. + +Pine-tree Gulch is a solitude now, the trees are growing again, and none +would dream that it was once a busy scene of industry; but if the +traveller searches among the pine-trees, he will find a stone with the +words: + +"Here lies White-faced Dick, who died to save Red George. 'What can a +man do more than give his life for a friend?'" + +The text was the suggestion of an ex-clergyman working as a miner in +Pine-tree Gulch. + +Red George worked no more at the diggings, but after seeing the stone +laid in its place, went east, and with what little money came to him +when the common fund of the company was divided after the flood on the +Yuba, bought a small farm, and settled down there; but to the end of his +life he was never weary of telling those who would listen to it the +story of Pine-tree Gulch. + +[Illustration] + + + + +[Illustration] + +A BRUSH WITH THE CHINESE, + +AND WHAT CAME OF IT. + + +It was early in December that H.M.S. _Perseus_ was cruising off the +mouth of the Canton River. War had been declared with China in +consequence of her continued evasions of the treaty she had made with +us, and it was expected that a strong naval force would soon gather to +bring her to reason. In the meantime the ships on the station had a busy +time of it, chasing the enemy's junks when they ventured to show +themselves beyond the reach of the guns of their forts, and occasionally +having a brush with the piratical boats which took advantage of the +general confusion to plunder friend as well as foe. + +The _Perseus_ had that afternoon chased two Government junks up a creek. +The sun had already set when they took refuge there, and the captain +did not care to send his boats after them in the dark, as many of the +creeks ran up for miles into the flat country; and as they not +unfrequently had many arms or branches, the boats might, in the dark, +miss the junks altogether. Orders were issued that four boats should be +ready for starting at daybreak the next morning. The _Perseus_ anchored +off the mouth of the creek, and two boats were ordered to row backwards +and forwards off its mouth all night to insure that the enemy did not +slip out in the darkness. + +Jack Fothergill, the senior midshipman, was commanding the gig, and two +of the other midshipmen were going in the pinnace and launch, commanded +respectively by the first lieutenant and the master. The three other +midshipmen of the _Perseus_ were loud in their lamentations that they +were not to take share in the fun. + +"You can't all go, you know," Fothergill said, "and it's no use making a +row about it; the captain has been very good to let three of us go." + +"It's all very well for you, Jack," Percy Adcock, the youngest of the +lads, replied, "because you are one of those chosen; and it is not so +hard for Simmons and Linthorpe, because they went the other day in the +boat that chased those junks under shelter of the guns of their battery, +but I haven't had a chance for ever so long." + +"What fun was there in chasing the junks?" Simmons said. "We never got +near the brutes till they were close to their battery, and then just as +the first shot came singing from their guns, and we thought that we were +going to have some excitement, the first lieutenant sung out 'Easy all,' +and there was nothing for it but to turn round and to row for the ship, +and a nice hot row it was--two hours and a half in a broiling sun. Of +course I am not blaming Oliphant, for the captain's orders were strict +that we were not to try to cut the junks out if they got under the guns +of any of their batteries. Still it was horribly annoying, and I do +think the captain might have remembered what beastly luck we had last +time, and given us a chance to-morrow." + +"It is clear we could not all go," Fothergill said, "and naturally +enough the captain chose the three seniors. Besides, if you did have +bad luck last time, you had your chance, and I don't suppose we shall +have anything more exciting now; these fellows always set fire to their +junks and row for the shore directly they see us, after firing a shot or +two wildly in our direction." + +"Well, Jack, if you don't expect any fun," Simmons replied, "perhaps you +wouldn't mind telling the first lieutenant you do not care for going, +and that I am very anxious to take your place. Perhaps he will be good +enough to allow me to relieve you." + +"A likely thing that!" Fothergill laughed. "No, Tom, I am sorry you are +not going, but you must make the best of it till another chance comes." + +"Don't you think, Jack," Percy Adcock said to his senior in a coaxing +tone later on, "you could manage to smuggle me into the boat with you?" + +"Not I, Percy. Suppose you got hurt, what would the captain say then? +And firing as wildly as the Chinese do, a shot is just as likely to hit +your little carcase as to lodge in one of the sailors. No, you must just +make the best of it, Percy, and I promise you that next time there is a +boat expedition, if you are not put in, I will say a good word to the +first luff for you." + +"That promise is better than nothing," the boy said; "but I would a deal +rather go this time and take my chance next." + +"But you see you can't, Percy, and there's no use talking any more about +it. I really do not expect there will be any fighting. Two junks would +hardly make any opposition to the boats of the ship, and I expect we +shall be back by nine o'clock with the news that they were well on fire +before we came up." + +Percy Adcock, however, was determined, if possible, to go. He was a +favourite among the men, and when he spoke to the bow oar of the gig, +the latter promised to do anything he could to aid him to carry out his +wishes. + +"We are to start at daybreak, Tom, so that it will be quite dark when +the boats are lowered. I will creep into the gig before that and hide +myself as well as I can under your thwart, and all you have got to do is +to take no notice of me. When the boat is lowered I think they will +hardly make me out from the deck, especially as you will be standing up +in the bow holding on with the boat-hook till the rest get on board." + +"Well, sir, I will do my best; but if you are caught you must not let +out that I knew anything about it." + +"I won't do that," Percy said. "I don't think there is much chance of my +being noticed until we get on board the junks, and then they won't know +which boat I came off in, and the first lieutenant will be too busy to +blow me up. Of course I shall get it when I am on board again, but I +don't mind that so that I see the fun. Besides, I want to send home some +things to my sister, and she will like them all the better if I can tell +her I captured them on board some junks we seized and burnt." + +The next morning the crews mustered before daybreak. Percy had already +taken his place under the bow thwart of the gig. The davits were swung +overboard, and two men took their places in her as she was lowered down +by the falls. As soon as she touched the water the rest of the crew +clambered down by the ladder and took their places; then Fothergill took +his seat in the stern, and the boat pushed off and lay a few lengths +away from the ship until the heavier boats put off. As soon as they were +under way Percy crawled out from his hiding-place and placed himself in +the bow, where he was sheltered by the body of the oarsmen from +Fothergill's sight. + +Day was just breaking now, but it was still dark on the water, and the +boat rowed very slowly until it became lighter. Percy could just make +out the shores of the creek on both sides; they were but two or three +feet above the level of the water, and were evidently submerged at high +tide. The creek was about a hundred yards wide, and the lad could not +see far ahead, for it was full of sharp windings and turnings. Here and +there branches joined it, but the boats were evidently following the +main channel. After another half-hour's rowing the first lieutenant +suddenly gave the order, "Easy all," and the men, looking over their +shoulders, saw a village a quarter of a mile ahead, with the two junks +they had chased the night before lying in front of it. Almost at the +same moment a sudden uproar was heard--drums were beaten and gongs +sounded. + +"They are on the look-out for us," the first lieutenant said. "Mr. +Mason, do you keep with me and attack the junk highest up the river; Mr. +Bellew and Mr. Fothergill, do you take the one lower down. Row on, men." + +The oars all touched the water together, and the four boats leapt +forward. In a minute a scattering fire of gingals and matchlocks was +opened from the junks, and the bullets pattered on the water round the +boats. Percy was kneeling up in the bow now. As they passed a branch +channel three or four hundred yards from the village, he started and +leapt to his feet. + +"There are four or five junks in that passage, Fothergill; they are +poling out." + +The first lieutenant heard the words. + +"Row on, men; let us finish with these craft ahead before the others get +out. This must be that piratical village we have heard about, Mr. Mason, +as lying up one of these creeks; that accounts for those two junks not +going higher up. I was surprised at seeing them here, for they might +guess that we should try to get them this morning. Evidently they +calculated on catching us in a trap." + +Percy was delighted at finding that, in the excitement caused by his +news, the first lieutenant had forgotten to take any notice of his being +there without orders, and he returned a defiant nod to the threat +conveyed by Fothergill shaking his fist at him. As they neared the junks +the fire of those on board redoubled, and was aided by that of many +villagers gathered on the bank of the creek. Suddenly from a bank of +rushes four cannons were fired. A ball struck the pinnace, smashing in +her side. The other boats gathered hastily round and took her crew on +board, and then dashed at the junks, which were but a hundred yards +distant. The valour of the Chinese evaporated as they saw the boats +approaching, and scores of them leapt overboard and swam for shore. + +In another minute the boats were alongside and the crews scrambling up +the sides of the junks. A few Chinamen only attempted to oppose them. +These were speedily overcome, and the British had now time to look +round, and saw that six junks crowded with men had issued from the side +creek and were making towards them. + +"Let the boats tow astern," the lieutenant ordered. "We should have to +run the gauntlet of that battery on shore if we were to attack them, and +might lose another boat before we reached their side. We will fight them +here." + +The junks approached, those on board firing their guns, yelling and +shouting, while the drums and gongs were furiously beaten. + +"They will find themselves mistaken, Percy, if they think they are going +to frighten us with all that row," Fothergill said. "You young rascal, +how did you get on board the boat without being seen? The captain will +be sure to suspect I had a hand in concealing you." + +The tars were now at work firing the gingals attached to the bulwarks +and the matchlocks, with which the deck was strewn, at the approaching +junks. As they took steady aim, leaning their pieces on the bulwarks, +they did considerable execution among the Chinamen crowded on board the +junks, while the shot of the Chinese, for the most part, whistled far +overhead; but the guns of the shore battery, which had now been slewed +round to bear upon them, opened with a better aim, and several shots +came crashing into the sides of the two captured junks. + +"Get ready to board, lads!" Lieutenant Oliphant shouted. "Don't wait +for them to board you, but the moment they come alongside lash their +rigging to ours and spring on board them." + +The leading junk was now about twenty yards away, and presently grated +alongside. Half-a-dozen sailors at once sprang into her rigging with +ropes, and after lashing the junks together leaped down upon her deck, +where Fothergill was leading the gig's crew and some of those rescued +from the pinnace, while Mr. Bellew, with another party, had boarded her +at the stern. Several of the Chinese fought stoutly, but the greater +part lost heart at seeing themselves attacked by the "white devils," +instead of, as they expected, overwhelming them by their superior +numbers. Many began at once to jump overboard, and after two or three +minutes' sharp fighting, the rest either followed their example or were +beaten below. + +Fothergill looked round. The other junk had been attacked by two of the +enemy, one on each side, and the little body of sailors were gathered in +her waist, and were defending themselves against an overwhelming number +of the enemy. + +The other three piratical junks had been carried somewhat up the creek +by the tide that was sweeping inward, and could not for the moment take +part in the fight. + +"Mr. Oliphant is hard pressed, sir." He asked the master: "Shall we take +to the boats?" + +"That will be the best plan," Mr. Bellew replied. "Quick, lads, get the +boats alongside and tumble in; there is not a moment to be lost." + +The crew at once sprang to the boats and rowed to the other junk, which +was but some thirty yards away. + +The Chinese, absorbed in their contest with the crew of the pinnace, did +not perceive the new-comers until they gained the deck, and with a shout +fell furiously upon them. In their surprise and consternation the +pirates did not pause to note that they were still five to one superior +in number, but made a precipitate rush for their own vessels. The +English at once took the offensive. The first lieutenant with his party +boarded one, while the new-comers leapt on to the deck of the other. The +panic which had seized the Chinese was so complete that they attempted +no resistance whatever, but sprang overboard in great numbers and swam +to the shore, which was but twenty yards away, and in three minutes the +English were in undisputed possession of both vessels. + +"Back again, Mr. Fothergill, or you will lose the craft you captured," +Lieutenant Oliphant said; "they have already cut her free." + +The Chinese, indeed, who had been beaten below by the boarding party, +had soon perceived the sudden departure of their captors, and gaining +the deck again had cut the lashings which fastened them to the other +junk, and were proceeding to hoist their sails. They were too late, +however. Almost before the craft had way on her Fothergill and his crew +were alongside. The Chinese did not wait for the attack, but at once +sprang overboard and made for the shore. The other three junks, seeing +the capture of their comrades, had already hoisted their sails and were +making up the creek. Fothergill dropped an anchor, left four of his men +in charge, and rowed back to Mr. Oliphant. + +"What shall we do next, sir?" + +"We will give those fellows on shore a lesson, and silence their +battery. Two men have been killed since you left. We must let the other +junks go for the present. Four of my men were killed and eleven wounded +before Mr. Bellew and you came to our assistance. The Chinese were +fighting pluckily up to that time, and it would have gone very hard with +us if you had not been at hand; the beggars will fight when they think +they have got it all their own way. But before we land we will set fire +to the five junks we have taken. Do you return and see that the two +astern are well lighted, Mr. Fothergill; Mr. Mason will see to these +three. When you have done your work take to your boat and lay off till I +join you; keep the junks between you and the shore, to protect you from +the fire of the rascals there." + +"I cannot come with you, I suppose, Fothergill?" Percy Adcock said, as +the midshipman was about to descend into his boat again. + +"Yes, come along, Percy. It doesn't matter what you do now. The captain +will be so pleased when he hears that we have captured and burnt five +junks, that you will get off with a very light wigging, I imagine." + +"That's just what I was thinking, Jack. Has it not been fun?" + +"You wouldn't have thought it fun if you had got one of those matchlock +balls in your body. There are a good many of our poor fellows just at +the present moment who do not see anything funny in the affair at all. +Here we are; clamber up." + +The crew soon set to work under Fothergill's orders. The sails were cut +off the masts and thrown down into the hold; bamboos, of which there +were an abundance down there, were heaped over them, a barrel of oil was +poured over the mass, and the fire then applied. + +"That will do, lads. Now take to your boats and let's make a bonfire of +the other junk." + +In ten minutes both vessels were a sheet of flame, and the boat was +lying a short distance from them waiting for further operations. The +inhabitants of the village, furious at the failure of the plan which had +been laid for the destruction of the "white devils," kept up a constant +fusilade, which, however, did no harm, for the gig was completely +sheltered by the burning junks close to her from their missiles. + +"There go the others!" Percy exclaimed after a minute or two, as three +columns of smoke arose simultaneously from the other junks, and the +sailors were seen dropping into their boats alongside. + +The killed and wounded were placed in the other gig with four sailors in +charge. They were directed to keep under shelter of the junks until +rejoined by the pinnace and Fothergill's gig, after these had done their +work on shore. + +When all was ready the first lieutenant raised his hand as a signal, and +the two boats dashed between the burning junks and rowed for the shore. +Such of the natives as had their weapons charged fired a hasty volley, +and then, as the sailors leapt from their boats, took to their heels. + +"Mr. Fothergill, take your party into the village and set fire to the +houses; shoot down every man you see. This place is a nest of pirates. I +will capture that battery and then join you." + +Fothergill and his sailors at once entered the village. The men had +already fled; the women were turned out of the houses, and these were +immediately set on fire. The tars regarded the whole affair as a +glorious joke, and raced from house to house, making a hasty search in +each for concealed valuables before setting it on fire. In a short time +the whole village was in a blaze. + +"There is a house there, standing in that little grove a hundred yards +away," Percy said. + +"It looks like a temple," Fothergill replied. "However, we will have a +look at it." And calling two sailors to accompany him, he started at a +run towards it, Percy keeping by his side. + +"It is a temple," Fothergill said when they approached it. "Still, we +will have a look at it, but we won't burn it; it will be as well to +respect the religion, even of a set of piratical scoundrels like these." + +At the head of his men he rushed in at the entrance. There was a blaze +of fire as half a dozen muskets were discharged in their faces. One of +the sailors dropped dead, and before the others had time to realize what +had happened they were beaten to the ground by a storm of blows from +swords and other weapons. + +A heavy blow crashed down on Percy's head, and he fell insensible even +before he realized what had occurred. + +When he recovered, his first sensation was that of a vague wonder as to +what had happened to him. He seemed to be in darkness and unable to move +hand or foot. He was compressed in some way that he could not at first +understand, and was being bumped and jolted in an extraordinary manner. +It was some little time before he could understand the situation. He +first remembered the fight with the junks, then he recalled the landing +and burning the village; then, as his brain cleared, came the +recollection of his start with Fothergill for the temple among the +trees, his arrival there, and a loud report and flash of fire. + +"I must have been knocked down and stunned," he said to himself, "and I +suppose I am a prisoner now to these brutes, and one of them must be +carrying me on his back." + +Yes, he could understand it all now. His hands and his feet were tied, +ropes were passed round his body in every direction, and he was fastened +back to back upon the shoulders of a Chinaman. Percy remembered the +tales he had heard of the imprisonment and torture of those who fell +into the hands of the Chinese, and he bitterly regretted that he had +not been killed instead of stunned in the surprise of the temple. + +"It would have been just the same feeling," he said to himself, "and +there would have been an end of it. Now, there is no saying what is +going to happen. I wonder whether Jack was killed, and the sailors." + +Presently there was a jabber of voices; the motion ceased. Percy could +feel that the cords were being unwound, and he was dropped on to his +feet; then the cloth was removed from his head, and he could look round. + +A dozen Chinese, armed with matchlocks and bristling with swords and +daggers, stood around, and among them, bound like himself and gagged by +a piece of bamboo forced lengthways across his mouth and kept there with +a string going round the back of the head, stood Fothergill. He was +bleeding from several cuts in the head. Percy's heart gave a bound of +joy at finding that he was not alone; then he tried to feel sorry that +Jack had not escaped, but failed to do so, although he told himself that +his comrade's presence would not in any way alleviate the fate which was +certain to befall him. Still the thought of companionship, even in +wretchedness, and perhaps a vague hope that Jack, with his energy and +spirit, might contrive some way for their escape, cheered him up. + +As Percy, too, was gagged, no word could be exchanged by the midshipmen, +but they nodded to each other. They were now put side by side and made +to walk in the centre of their captors. On the way they passed through +several villages, whose inhabitants poured out to gaze at the captives, +but the men in charge of them were evidently not disposed to delay, as +they passed through without a stop. At last they halted before two +cottages standing by themselves, thrust the prisoners into a small room, +removed their gags, and left them to themselves. + +"Well, Percy, my boy, so they caught you too? I am awfully sorry. It was +my fault for going with only two men into that temple, but as the +village had been deserted and scarcely a man was found there, it never +entered my mind that there might be a party in the temple." + +"Of course not, Jack; it was a surprise altogether. I don't know +anything about it, for I was knocked down, I suppose, just as we went +in, and the first thing I knew about it was that I was being carried on +the back of one of those fellows. I thought it was awful at first, but I +don't seem to mind so much now you are with me." + +"It is a comfort to have someone to speak to," Jack said, "yet I wish +you were not here, Percy; I can't do you any good, and I shall never +cease blaming myself for having brought you into this scrape. I don't +know much more about the affair than you do. The guns were fired so +close to us that my face was scorched with one of them, and almost at +the same instant I got a lick across my cheek with a sword. I had just +time to hit at one of them, and then almost at the same moment I got two +or three other blows, and down I went; they threw themselves on the top +of me and tied and gagged me in no time. Then I was tied to a long +bamboo, and two fellows put the ends on their shoulders and went off +with me through the fields. Of course I was face downwards, and did not +know you were with us till they stopped and loosed me from the bamboo +and set me on my feet." + +"But what are they going to do with us do you think, Jack?" + +"I should say they are going to take us to Canton and claim a reward +for our capture, and there I suppose they will cut off our heads or saw +us in two, or put us to some other unpleasant kind of death. I expect +they are discussing it now; do you hear what a jabber they are kicking +up?" + +Voices were indeed heard raised in angry altercation in the next room. +After a time the din subsided and the conversation appeared to take a +more amiable turn. + +"I suppose they have settled it as far as they are concerned," Jack +said; "anyhow, you may be quite sure they mean to make something out of +us. If they hadn't they would have finished us at once, for they must +have been furious at the destruction of their junks and village. As to +the idea that mercy has anything to do with it, we may as well put it +out of our minds. The Chinaman, at the best of times, has no feeling of +pity in his nature, and after their defeat it is certain they would have +killed us at once had they not hoped to do better by us. If they had +been Indians I should have said they had carried us off to enjoy the +satisfaction of torturing us, but I don't suppose it is that with them." + +"Do you think there is any chance of our getting away?" Percy asked, +after a pause. + +"I should say not the least in the world, Percy. My hands are fastened +so tight now that the ropes seem cutting into my wrists, and after they +had set me on my feet and cut the cords of my legs I could scarcely +stand at first, my feet were so numbed by the pressure. However, we must +keep up our pluck. Possibly they may keep us at Canton for a bit, and if +they do the squadron may arrive and fight its way past the forts and +take the city before they have quite made up their minds as to what kind +of death will be most appropriate to the occasion. I wonder what they +are doing now? They seem to be chopping sticks." + +"I wish they would give us some water," Percy said. "I am frightfully +thirsty." + +"And so am I, Percy; there is one comfort, they won't let us die of +thirst, they could get no satisfaction out of our deaths now." + +Two hours later some of the Chinese re-entered the room and led the +captives outside, and the lads then saw what was the meaning of the +noise they had heard. A cage had been manufactured of strong bamboos. +It was about four and a half feet long, four feet wide, and less than +three feet high; above it was fastened two long bamboos. Two or three of +the bars of the cage had been left open. + +"My goodness! they never intend to put us in there," Percy exclaimed. + +"That they do," Jack said. "They are going to carry us the rest of the +way." + +The cords which bound the prisoners' hands were now cut, and they were +motioned to crawl into the cage. This they did; the bars were then put +in their places and securely lashed. Four men went to the ends of the +poles and lifted the cage upon their shoulders; two others took their +places beside it, and one man, apparently the leader of the party, +walked on ahead; the rest remained behind. + +"I never quite realized what a fowl felt in a coop before," Jack said, +"but if its sensations are at all like mine they must be decidedly +unpleasant. It isn't high enough to sit upright in, it is nothing like +long enough to lie down, and as to getting out one might as well think +of flying. Do you know, Percy, I don't think they mean taking us to +Canton at all. I did not think of it before, but from the direction of +the sun I feel sure that we cannot have been going that way. What they +are up to I can't imagine." + +In an hour they came to a large village. Here the cage was set down and +the villagers closed round. They were, however, kept a short distance +from the cage by the men in charge of it. Then a wooden platter was +placed on the ground, and persons throwing a few copper coins into this +were allowed to come near the cage. + +"They are making a show of us!" Fothergill exclaimed. "That's what they +are up to, you see if it isn't; they are going to travel up country to +show the 'white devils' whom their valour has captured." + +This was, indeed, the purpose of the pirates. At that time Europeans +seldom ventured beyond the limits assigned to them in the two or three +towns where they were permitted to trade, and few, indeed, of the +country people had ever obtained a sight of the white barbarians of +whose doings they had so frequently heard. Consequently a small crowd +soon gathered round the cage, eyeing the captives with the same interest +they would have felt as to unknown and dangerous beasts; they laughed +and joked, passed remarks upon them, and even poked them with sticks. +Fothergill, furious at this treatment, caught one of the sticks, and +wrenching it from the hands of the Chinaman, tried to strike at him +through the bars, a proceeding which excited shouts of laughter from the +by-standers. + +"I think, Jack," Percy said, "it will be best to try and keep our +tempers and not to seem to mind what they do to us, then if they find +they can't get any fun out of us they will soon leave us alone." + +"Of course, that's the best plan," Fothergill agreed, "but it's not so +easy to follow. That fellow very nearly poked out my eye with his stick, +and no one's going to stand that if he can help it." + +It was some hours before the curiosity of the village was satisfied. +When all had paid who were likely to do so, the guards broke up their +circle, and leaving two of their number at the cage to see that no +actual harm was caused to their prisoners, the rest went off to a +refreshment house. The place of the elders was now taken by the boys +and children of the village, who crowded round the cage, prodded the +prisoners with sticks, and, putting their hands through the bars, pulled +their ears and hair. This amusement, however, was brought to an abrupt +conclusion by Fothergill suddenly seizing the wrist of a big boy and +pulling his arm through the cage until his face was against the bars; +then he proceeded to punch him until the guard, coming to his rescue, +poked Fothergill with his stick until he released his hold. + +The punishment of their comrade excited neither anger nor resentment +among the other boys, who yelled with delight at his discomfiture, but +it made them more careful in approaching the cage, and though they +continued to poke the prisoners with sticks they did not venture again +to thrust a hand through the bars. At sunset the guards again came +round, lifted the cage and carried it into a shed. A platter of dirty +rice and a jug of water were put into the cage; two of the men lighted +their long pipes and sat down on guard beside it, and, the doors being +closed, the captives were left in peace. + +"If this sort of thing is to go on, as I suppose it is," Fothergill +said, "the sooner they cut off our heads the better." + +"It is very bad, Jack. I am sore all over with those probes from their +sharp sticks." + +"I don't care for the pain, Percy, so much as the humiliation of the +thing. To be stared at and poked at as if we were wild beasts by these +curs, when with half a dozen of our men we could send a hundred of them +scampering, I feel as if I could choke with rage." + +"You had better try and eat some of this rice, Jack. It is beastly, but +I daresay we shall get no more until to-morrow night, and we must keep +up our strength if we can. At any rate, the water is not bad, that's a +comfort." + +"No thanks to them," Jack growled. "If there had been any bad water in +the neighbourhood they would have given it to us." + +For six weeks the sufferings of the prisoners continued. Their captors +avoided towns where the authorities would probably at once have taken +the prisoners out of their hands. No one would have recognized the two +captives as the midshipmen of the _Perseus_; their clothes were in +rags--torn to pieces by the thrusts of the sharp-pointed bamboos, to +which they had daily been subjected--the bad food, the cramped position, +and the misery which they suffered had worn both lads to skeletons; +their hair was matted with filth, their faces begrimed with dirt. Percy +was so weak that he felt he could not stand. Fothergill, being three +years older, was less exhausted, but he knew that he, too, could not +support his sufferings for many days longer. Their bodies were covered +with sores, and try as they would they were able to catch only a few +minutes' sleep at a time, so much did the bamboo bars hurt their wasted +limbs. + +They seldom exchanged a word during the daytime, suffering in silence +the persecutions to which they were exposed, but at night they talked +over their homes and friends in England, and their comrades on board +ship, seldom saying a word as to their present position. They were now +in a hilly country, but had not the least idea of the direction in which +it lay from Canton or its distance from the coast. + +One evening Jack said to his companion, "I think it's nearly all over +now, Percy. The last two days we have made longer journeys, and have +not stopped at any of the smaller villages we passed through. I fancy +our guards must see that we can't last much longer, and are taking us +down to some town to hand us over to the authorities and get their +reward for us." + +"I hope it is so, Jack; the sooner the better. Not that it makes much +difference now to me, for I do not think I can stand many more days of +it." + +"I am afraid I am tougher than you, Percy, and shall take longer to +kill, so I hope with all my heart that I may be right, and that they may +be going to give us up to the authorities." + +The next evening they stopped at a large place, and were subjected to +the usual persecution; this, however, was now less prolonged than during +the early days of their captivity, for they had now no longer strength +or spirits to resent their treatment, and as no fun was to be obtained +from passive victims, even the village boys soon ceased to find any +amusement in tormenting them. + +When most of their visitors had left them, an elderly Chinaman +approached the side of the cage. He spoke to their guards and looked at +them attentively for some minutes, then he said in pigeon English, "You +officer men?" + +"Yes!" Jack exclaimed, starting at the sound of the English words, the +first they had heard spoken since their captivity. "Yes, we are officers +of the _Perseus_." + +"Me speeke English velly well," the Chinaman said; "me pilot-man many +years on Canton river. How you get here?" + +"We were attacking some piratical junks, and landed to destroy the +village where the people were firing on us. We entered a place full of +pirates, and were knocked down and taken prisoners, and carried away up +the country; that is six weeks ago, and you see what we are now." + +"Pirate men velly bad," the Chinaman said; "plunder many junk on river +and kill crew. Me muchee hate them." + +"Can you do anything for us?" Jack asked. "You will be well rewarded if +you could manage to get us free." + +The man shook his head. + +"Me no see what can do, me stranger here; come to stay with wifey; +people no do what me ask them. English ships attack Canton, much fight +and take town, people all hate English. Bad country dis. People in one +village fight against another. Velly bad men here." + +"How far is Canton away?" Jack asked. "Could you not send down to tell +the English we are here?" + +"Fourteen days' journey off," the man said; "no see how can do +anything." + +"Well," Jack said, "when you get back again to Canton let our people +know what has been the end of us; we shall not last much longer." + +"All light," the man said, "will see what me can do. Muchee think +to-night!" And after saying a few words to the guards, who had been +regarding this conversation with an air of surprise, the Chinaman +retired. + +The guards had for some time abandoned the precaution of sitting up at +night by the cage, convinced that their captives had no longer strength +to attempt to break through its fastenings or to drag themselves many +yards away if they could do so. They therefore left it standing in the +open, and, wrapping themselves in their thickly-wadded coats, for the +nights were cold, lay down by the side of the cage. + +The coolness of the nights had, indeed, assisted to keep the two +prisoners alive. During the day the sun was excessively hot, and the +crowd of visitors round the cage impeded the circulation of the air and +added to their sufferings. It was true that the cold at night frequently +prevented them from sleeping, but it acted as a tonic and braced them +up. + +"What did he mean about the villages attacking each other?" Percy asked. + +"I have heard," Jack replied, "that in some parts of China things are +very much the same as they used to be in the highlands of Scotland. +There is no law or order. The different villages are like clans, and +wage war on each other. Sometimes the Government sends a number of +troops, who put the thing down for a time, chop off a good many heads, +and then march away, and the whole work begins again as soon as their +backs are turned." + +That night the uneasy slumber of the lads was disturbed by a sudden +firing; shouts and yells were heard, and the firing redoubled. + +"The village is attacked," Jack said. "I noticed that, like some other +places we have come into lately, there is a strong earthen wall round +it, with gates. Well, there is one comfort--it does not make much +difference to us which side wins." + +The guards at the first alarm leapt to their feet, caught up their +matchlocks, and ran to aid in the defence of the wall. Two minutes later +a man ran up to the cage. + +"All lightee," he said; "just what me hopee." + +With his knife he cut the tough withes that held the bamboos in their +places, and pulled out three of the bars. + +"Come along," he said; "no time to lose." + +Jack scrambled out, but in trying to stand upright gave a sharp +exclamation of pain. Percy crawled out more slowly; he tried to stand +up, but could not. The Chinaman caught him up and threw him on his +shoulder. + +"Come along quickee," he said to Jack; "if takee village, kill evely +one." He set off at a run. Jack followed as fast as he could, groaning +at every step from the pain the movement caused to his bruised body. + +They went to the side of the village opposite to that at which the +attack was going on. They met no one on the way, the inhabitants having +all rushed to the other side to repel the attack. They stopped at a +small gate in the wall, the Chinaman drew back the bolts and opened it, +and they passed out into the country. For an hour they kept on. By the +end of that time Jack could scarcely drag his limbs along. The Chinaman +halted at length in a clump of trees surrounded by a thick undergrowth. + +"Allee safee here," he said, "no searchee so far; here food;" and he +produced from a wallet a cold chicken and some boiled rice, and unslung +from his shoulder a gourd filled with cold tea. + +"Me go back now, see what happen. To-mollow nightee come again--bringee +more food." And without another word went off at a rapid pace. + +Jack moistened his lips with the tea, and then turned to his companion. +Percy had not spoken a word since he had been released from the cage, +and had been insensible during the greater part of his journey. Jack +poured some cold tea between his lips. + +"Cheer up, Percy, old boy, we are free now, and with luck and that good +fellow's help we will work our way down to Canton yet." + +"I shall never get down there; you may," Percy said feebly. + +"Oh, nonsense, you will pick up strength like a steam-engine now. Here, +let me prop you against this tree. That's better. Now drink a drop of +this tea; it's like nectar after that filthy water we have been +drinking. Now you will feel better. Now you must try and eat a little of +this chicken and rice. Oh, nonsense, you have got to do it. I am not +going to let you give way when our trouble is just over. Think of your +people at home, Percy, and make an effort, for their sakes. Good +heavens! now I think of it, it must be Christmas morning. We were caught +on the 2nd and we have been just twenty-two days on show. I am sure that +it must be past twelve o'clock, and it is Christmas-day. It is a good +omen, Percy. This food isn't like roast beef and plum-pudding, but it's +not to be despised, I can tell you. Come, fire away, that's a good +fellow." + +Percy made an effort and ate a few mouthfuls of rice and chicken, then +he took another draught of tea, and lay down, and was almost immediately +asleep. + +Jack ate his food slowly and contentedly till he finished half the +supply, then he, too, lay down, and, after a short but hearty +thanksgiving for his escape from a slow and lingering death, he, too, +fell off to sleep. The sun was rising when he woke, being aroused by a +slight movement on the part of Percy; he opened his eyes and sat up. + +"Well, Percy, how do you feel this morning?" he asked cheerily. + +"I feel too weak to move," Percy replied languidly. + +"Oh, you will be all right when you have sat up and eaten breakfast," +Jack said. "Here you are; here is a wing for you, and this rice is as +white as snow, and the tea is first rate. I thought last night after I +lay down that I heard a murmur of water, so after we have had breakfast +I will look about and see if I can find it. We should feel like new men +after a wash. You look awful, and I am sure I am just as bad." + +The thought of a wash inspirited Percy far more than that of eating, and +he sat up and made a great effort to do justice to breakfast. He +succeeded much better than he had done the night before, and Jack, +although he pretended to grumble, was satisfied with his companion's +progress, and finished off the rest of the food. Then he set out to +search for water. He had not very far to go; a tiny stream, a few +inches wide and two or three inches deep, ran through the wood from the +higher ground. After throwing himself down and taking a drink, he +hurried back to Percy. + +"It is all right, Percy, I have found it. We can wash to our hearts' +content; think of that, lad." + +Percy could hardly stand, but he made an effort, and Jack half carried +him to the streamlet. There the lads spent hours. First they bathed +their heads and hands, and then, stripping, lay down in the stream and +allowed it to flow over them, then they rubbed themselves with handfuls +of leaves dipped in the water, and when they at last put on their rags +again felt like new men. Percy was able to walk back to the spot they +had quitted with the assistance only of Jack's arm. The latter, feeling +that his breakfast had by no means appeased his hunger, now started for +a search through the wood, and presently returned to Percy laden with +nuts and berries. + +"The nuts are sure to be all right; I expect the berries are too. I have +certainly seen some like them in native markets, and I think it will be +quite safe to risk it." + +The rest of the day was spent in picking nuts and eating them. Then +they sat down and waited for the arrival of their friend. He came two +hours after nightfall with a wallet stored with provisions, and told +them that he had regained the village unobserved. The attack had been +repulsed, but with severe loss to the defenders as well as the +assailants; two of their guards had been among the killed. The others +had made a great clamour over the escape of the prisoners, and had made +a close search throughout the village and immediately round it, for they +were convinced that their captives had not had the strength to go any +distance. He thought, however, that although they had professed the +greatest indignation, and had offered many threats as to the vengeance +that Government would take upon the village, one of whose inhabitants, +at least, must have aided in the evasion of the prisoners, they would +not trouble themselves any further in the matter. They had already +reaped a rich harvest from the exhibition, and would divide among +themselves the share of their late comrades; nor was it at all +improbable that if they were to report the matter to the authorities +they would themselves get into serious trouble for not having handed +over the prisoners immediately after their capture. + +For a fortnight the pilot nursed and fed the two midshipmen. He had +already provided them with native clothes, so that if by chance any +villagers should catch sight of them they would not recognize them as +the escaped white men. At the end of that time both the lads had almost +recovered from the effects of their sufferings. Jack, indeed, had picked +up from the first, but Percy for some days continued so weak and ill +that Jack had feared that he was going to have an attack of fever of +some kind. His companion's cheery and hopeful chat did as much good for +Percy as the nourishing food with which their friend supplied them, and +at the end of the fortnight he declared that he felt sufficiently strong +to attempt to make his way down to the coast. + +The pilot acted as their guide. When they inquired about his wife, he +told them carelessly that she would remain with her kinsfolk, and would +travel on to Canton and join him there when she found an opportunity. +The journey was accomplished at night, by very short stages at first, +but by increasing distances as Percy gained strength. During the daytime +the lads lay hid in woods or jungles, while their companion went into +the village and purchased food. They struck the river many miles above +Canton, and the pilot, going down first to a village on its banks, +bargained for a boat to take him and two women down to the city. + +The lads went on board at night and took their places in the little +cabin formed of bamboos and covered with mats in the stern of the boat, +and remained thus sheltered not only from the view of people in boats +passing up or down the stream, but from the eyes of their own boatmen. + +After two days' journey down the river without incident, they arrived +off Canton, where the British fleet was still lying while negotiations +for peace were being carried on with the authorities at Pekin. Peeping +out between the mats, the lads caught sight of the English warships, +and, knowing that there was now no danger, they dashed out of the cabin, +to the surprise of the native boatmen, and shouted and waved their arms +to the distant ships. + +In ten minutes they were alongside the _Perseus_, when they were hailed +as if restored from the dead. The pilot was very handsomely rewarded by +the English authorities for his kindness to the prisoners, and was +highly satisfied with the result of his proceedings, which more than +doubled the little capital with which he had retired from business. Jack +Fothergill and Percy Adcock declare that they have never since eaten +chicken without thinking of their Christmas fare on the morning of their +escape from the hands of the Chinese pirates. + +THE END. + + + + +[Illustration: Blackie & Son's Books for Young People] + +_By the Author of "John Herring," "Mehalah," &c._ + +=Grettir the Outlaw:= A Story of Iceland. By S. Baring-Gould. +With 10 full-page Illustrations by M. Zeno Diemer and a +Coloured Map. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _6s_. + + A work of special interest, not only because of the high rank which + Mr. Baring-Gould has of late years acquired by his brilliant series + of novels, _Mehalah_, _John Herring_, _Court Royal_, &c., but + because of his earlier won reputation as a historian and explorer + of folk-legends and popular beliefs. In the story of Grettir, both + the art of the novelist and the lore of the archæologist have had + full scope, with the result that we have a narrative of adventure + of the most romantic kind, and at the same time an interesting and + minutely accurate account of the old Icelandic families, their + homes, their mode of life, their superstitions, their songs and + stories, their bear-serk fury, and their heroism by land and sea. + The story is told throughout with a simplicity which will make it + attractive even to the very young, and no boy will be able to + withstand the magic of such scenes as the fight of Grettir with the + twelve bear-serks, the wrestle with Karr the Old in the chamber of + the dead, the combat with the spirit of Glam the thrall, and the + defence of the dying Grettir by his younger brother. + + * * * * * + +BY G.A. HENTY. + + * * * * * + +=With Lee in Virginia:= A Story of the American Civil War. By G.A. +Henty. With 10 full-page Illustrations by Gordon Browne. +Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _6s_. + + The great war between the Northern and Southern States of America + has the special interest for English boys of having been a struggle + between two sections of a people akin to us in race and language--a + struggle fought out by each side with unusual intensity of + conviction in the rightness of its cause, and abounding in heroic + incidents. Of these points Mr. Henty has made admirable use in this + story of a young Virginian planter, who, after bravely proving his + sympathy with the slaves, serves with no less courage and + enthusiasm under Lee and Jackson through the most exciting events + of the struggle. He has many hairbreadth escapes, is several times + wounded and twice taken prisoner; but his courage and readiness + bring him safely through all difficulties. + +BY G.A. HENTY. + +"Mr. Henty is one of the best of story tellers for young +people."--_Spectator._ + + * * * * * + +=By Pike and Dyke:= A Tale of the Rise of the Dutch Republic. By +G.A. Henty. With 10 full-page Illustrations by Maynard +Brown and 4 Maps. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _6s_. + + A story covering the period which forms the thrilling subject of + Motley's _Rise of the Dutch Republic_, when the Netherlands, under + the guidance of William of Orange, revolted against the attempts of + Alva and the Spaniards to force upon them the Catholic religion. To + a story already of the keenest interest, Mr. Henty has added a + special attractiveness for boys in tracing through the historic + conflict the adventures and brave deeds of an English boy in the + household of the ablest man of his age--William the Silent. Edward + Martin; the son of an English sea-captain, after sharing in the + excitement of an escape from the Spaniards and a sea-fight, enters + the service of the Prince as a volunteer, and is employed by him in + many dangerous and responsible missions, in the discharge of which + he passes through the great sieges and more than one naval + engagement of the time. He is subsequently employed in Holland by + Queen Elizabeth, to whom he is recommended by Orange; and + ultimately settles down as Sir Edward Martin and the husband of the + lady to whom he owes his life, and whom he in turn has saved from + the Council of Blood. + +=The Lion Of St. Mark:= A Tale of Venice in the Fourteenth Century. By +G.A. Henty. With 10 full-page Illustrations by Gordon +Browne. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _6s_. + + "Every boy should read _The Lion of St. Mark_. Mr. Henty has never + produced any story more delightful, more wholesome, or more + vivacious. From first to last it will be read with keen + enjoyment."--_The Saturday Review._ + + "Mr. Henty has probably not published a more interesting story than + _The Lion of St. Mark_. He has certainly not published one in which + he has been at such pains to rise to the dignity of his subject. + Mr. Henty's battle-pieces are admirable."--_The Academy._ + + "The young hero has shrewdness, courage, enterprise, principle, all + the qualities that help the young in the race and battle of + life."--_Literary Churchman._ + +=Captain Bailey's Heir:= A Tale of the Gold Fields of California. By +G.A. Henty. With 12 full-page Illustrations by H.M. +Paget. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _6s_. + + "A Westminster boy who, like all this author's heroes, makes his + way in the world by hard work, good temper, and unfailing courage. + The descriptions given of life are just what a healthy intelligent + lad should delight in."--_St. James's Gazette._ + + "The portraits of Captain Bayley, and the head-master of + Westminster school, are admirably drawn; and the adventures in + California are told with that vigour which is peculiar to Mr. + Henty."--_The Academy._ + + "Mr. Henty is careful to mingle solid instruction with + entertainment; and the humorous touches, especially in the sketch + of John Holl, the Westminster dustman, Dickens himself could hardly + have excelled."--_Christian Leader._ + +BY G.A. HENTY. + +"Surely Mr. Henty should understand boys' tastes better than any man +living."--_The Times._ + + * * * * * + +=Bonnie Prince Charlie:= A Tale of Fontenoy and Culloden. By G.A. +Henty. With 12 full-page Illustrations by Gordon Browne. +Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _6s_. + + "Ronald, the hero, is very like the hero of _Quentin Durward_. The + lad's journey across France with his faithful attendant Malcolm, + and his hairbreadth escapes from the machinations of his father's + enemies, make up as good a narrative of the kind as we have ever + read. For freshness of treatment and variety of incident, Mr. Henty + has here surpassed himself."--_Spectator._ + + "A historical romance of the best quality. Mr. Henty has written + many more sensational stories, but never a more artistic + one."--_Academy._ + +=For the Temple:= A Tale of the Fall of Jerusalem. By G.A. +Henty. With 10 full-page Illustrations by Solomon J. +Solomon: and a coloured Map. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine +edges, _6s_. + + "Mr. Henty is ever one of the foremost writers of historical tales, + and his graphic prose pictures of the hopeless Jewish resistance to + Roman sway adds another leaf to his record of the famous wars of + the world. The book is one of Mr. Henty's cleverest + efforts."--_Graphic._ + + "The story is told with all the force of descriptive power which + has made the author's war stories so famous, and many an 'old boy' + as well as the younger ones will delight in this narrative of that + awful page of history."--_Church Times._ + +=The Lion Of the North:= A Tale of Gustavus Adolphus and the Wars of +Religion. By G.A. Henty. With 12 full-page Illustrations by +John Schönberg. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _6s_. + + "As we might expect from Mr. Henty the tale is a clever and + instructive piece of history, and as boys may be trusted to read it + conscientiously, they can hardly fail to be profited as well as + pleased."--_The Times._ + + "A praiseworthy attempt to interest British youth in the great + deeds of the Scotch Brigade in the wars of Gustavus Adolphus. + Mackay, Hepburn, and Munro live again in Mr. Henty's pages, as + those deserve to live whose disciplined bands formed really the + germ of the modern British army."--_Athenæum._ + + "A stirring story of stirring times. This book should hold a place + among the classics of youthful fiction."--_United Service Gazette._ + +=The Young Carthaginian:= A story of the Times of Hannibal. By G.A. +Henty. With 12 full-page Illustrations by C.J. Staniland, +R.I. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _6s_. + + "The effect of an interesting story, well constructed and vividly + told, is enhanced by the picturesque quality of the scenic + background. From first to last nothing stays the interest of the + narrative. It bears us along as on a stream, whose current varies + in direction, but never loses its force."--_Saturday Review._ + + "Ought to be popular with boys who are not too ill instructed or + too dandified to be affected by a graphic picture of the days and + deeds of Hannibal."--_Athenæum._ + +BY G.A. HENTY. + +"Among writers of stories of adventure for boys Mr. Henty stands in the +very first rank."--_Academy._ + + * * * * * + +=With Wolfe in Canada:= Or, The Winning of a Continent. By G.A. +Henty. With 12 full-page Illustrations by Gordon Browne. +Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _6s_. + + "A model of what a boys' story-book should be. Mr. Henty has a + great power of infusing into the dead facts of history new life, + and as no pains are spared by him to ensure accuracy in historic + details, his books supply useful aids to study as well as + amusement."--_School Guardian._ + + "It is not only a lesson in history as instructively as it is + graphically told, but also a deeply interesting and often thrilling + tale of adventure and peril by flood and field."--_Illustrated + London News._ + + "This is a narrative which will bear retelling, and to which Mr. + Henty, whose careful study of details is worthy of all praise, does + full justice.... His adventures are told with much spirit; the + escape when the birch canoes have been damaged by an enemy is + especially well described."--_Spectator._ + +=With Clive in India:= Or, The Beginnings of an Empire. By G.A. +Henty. With 12 full-page Illustrations by Gordon Browne. +Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _6s_. + + "In this book Mr. Henty has contrived to exceed himself in stirring + adventures and thrilling situations. The pictures add greatly to + the interest of the book."--_Saturday Review._ + + "Among writers of stories of adventure for boys Mr. Henty stands in + the very first rank. Those who know something about India will be + the most ready to thank Mr. Henty for giving them this instructive + volume to place in the hands of their children."--_Academy._ + +=True to the Old Flag:= A Tale of the American War of Independence. By +G.A. Henty. With 12 full-page Illustrations by Gordon +Browne. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _6s._ + + "Does justice to the pluck and determination of the British + soldiers. The son of an American loyalist, who remains true to our + flag, falls among the hostile redskins in that very Huron country + which has been endeared to us by the exploits of Hawkeye and + Chingachgook."--_The Times._ + + "Mr. Henty's extensive personal experience of adventures and moving + incidents by flood and field, combined with a gift of picturesque + narrative, make his books always welcome visitors in the home + circle."--_Daily News._ + +=In Freedom's Cause:= A Story of Wallace and Bruce. By G.A. +Henty. With 12 full-page Illustrations by Gordon Browne. +Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _6s_. + + "Mr. Henty has broken new ground as an historical novelist. His + tale of the days of Wallace and Bruce is full of stirring action, + and will commend itself to boys."--_Athenæum._ + + "Written in the author's best style. Full of the most remarkable + achievements, it is a tale of great interest, which a boy, once he + has begun it, will not willingly put on one side."--_Schoolmaster._ + + "Scarcely anywhere have we seen in prose a more lucid and + spirit-stirring description of Bannockburn than the one with which + the author fittingly closes his volume."--_Dumfries Standard._ + +BY G.A. HENTY. + +"Mr. Henty is one of our most successful writers of historical +tales."--_Scotsman._ + + * * * * * + +=Through the Fray:= A Story of the Luddite Riots. By G.A. +Henty. With 12 full-page Illustrations by H.M. Paget. +Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _6s._ + + "Mr. Henty inspires a love and admiration for straightforwardness, + truth, and courage. This is one of the best of the many good books + Mr. Henty has produced, and deserves to be classed with his _Facing + Death_."--_Standard._ + + "The interest of the story never flags. Were we to propose a + competition for the best list of novel writers for boys we have + little doubt that Mr. Henty's name would stand first."--_Journal of + Education._ + + "This story is told in Mr. Henty's own easy and often graphic + style. There is no 'padding' in the book, and its teaching is, that + we have enemies within as well as without, and therefore the power + of self-control is a quality that should be striven after by every + 'true' boy."--_Educational Times._ + +=Under Drake's Flag:= A Tale of the Spanish Main. By G.A. +Henty. Illustrated by 12 full-page Pictures by Gordon +Browne. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _6s._ + + "There is not a dull chapter, nor, indeed, a dull page in the hook; + but the author has so carefully worked up his subject that the + exciting deeds of his heroes are never incongruous or + absurd."--_Observer._ + + "Just such a book, indeed, as the youth of this maritime country + are likely to prize highly."--_Daily Telegraph._ + + "A book of adventure, where the hero meets with experience enough + one would think to turn his hair gray."--_Harper's Monthly + Magazine._ + + * * * * * + +BY PROFESSOR A.J. CHURCH. + + * * * * * + +=Two Thousand Years Ago:= Or, The Adventures of a Roman Boy. By +Professor A.J. Church. With 12 full-page Illustrations by +Adrien Marie. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _6s._ + + "Adventures well worth the telling. The book is extremely + entertaining as well as useful, and there is a wonderful freshness + in the Roman scenes and characters."--_The Times._ + + "Entertaining in the highest degree from beginning to end, and full + of adventure which is all the livelier for its close connection + with history."--_Spectator._ + + "We know of no book which will do more to make the Romans of that + day live again for the English reader."--_Guardian._ + + * * * * * + +=Robinson Crusoe.= By Daniel Defoe. Illustrated by above 100 +Pictures by Gordon Browne. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine +edges, _6s._ + + "One of the best issues, if not absolutely the best, of Defoe's + work which has ever appeared."--_The Standard._ + + "The best edition I have come across for years. If you know a boy + who has not a 'Robinson Crusoe,' just glance at any one of these + hundred illustrations, and you will go no further afield in search + of a present for him."--_Truth._ + +BY GEORGE MANVILLE FENN. + +"Mr. Fenn is in the front rank of writers of stories for +boys."--_Liverpool Mercury._ + + * * * * * + +=Quicksilver:= Or a Boy with no Skid to his Wheel. By George +Manville Fenn. With 10 full-page Illustrations by Frank +Dadd. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _6s._ + + "_Quicksilver_ is little short of an inspiration. In it that prince + of story-writers for boys--George Manville Fenn--has surpassed + himself. It is an ideal book for a boy's library."--_Practical + Teacher._ + + "The story is capitally told, it abounds in graphic and + well-described scenes, and it has an excellent and manly tone + throughout."--_The Guardian._ + + "This is one of Mr. Fenn's happiest efforts, and deserves to be + read and re-read by every school-boy in the land. We are not + exaggerating when we say that _Quicksilver_ has nothing to equal it + this season."--_Teacher's Aid._ + +=Dick o' the Fens:= A Romance of the Great East Swamp. By G. +Manville Fenn. With 12 full-page Illustrations by Frank +Dadd. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _6s._ + + "We conscientiously believe that boys will find it capital reading. + It is full of incident and mystery, and the mystery is kept up to + the last moment. It is rich in effective local colouring; and it + has a historical interest."--_Times._ + + "We have not of late come across a historical fiction, whether + intended for boys or for men, which deserves to be so heartily and + unreservedly praised as regards plot, incidents, and spirit as + _Dick o' the Fens_. It is its author's masterpiece as + yet."--_Spectator._ + +=Devon Boys:= A Tale of the North Shore. By G. Manville Fenn. +With 12 full-page Illustrations by Gordon Browne. Crown 8vo, +cloth elegant, olivine edges, _6s._ + + "An admirable story, as remarkable for the individuality of its + young heroes as for the excellent descriptions of coast scenery and + life in North Devon. It is one of the best books we have seen this + season."--_Athenæum._ + + "We do not know that Mr. Fenn has ever reached a higher level than + he has in _Devon Boys_. It must be put in the very front rank of + Christmas books."--_Spectator._ + +=Brownsmith's Boy:= A Romance in a Garden. By G. Manville Fenn. +With 12 full-page Illustrations by Gordon Browne. Crown 8vo, +cloth elegant, olivine edges, _6s._ + + "Mr. Fenn's books are among the best, if not altogether the best, + of the stories for boys. Mr. Fenn is at his best in _Brownsmith's + Boy_."--_Pictorial World._ + + "_Brownsmith's Boy_ must rank among the few undeniably good boys' + books. He will be a very dull boy indeed who lays it down without + wishing that it had gone on for at least 100 pages more."--_North + British Mail._ + +=In the King's Name:= Or the Cruise of the _Kestrel_. By G. Manville +Fenn. Illustrated by 12 full-page Pictures by Gordon +Browne. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _6s._ + + "A capital boys' story, full of incident and adventure, and told in + the lively style in which Mr. Fenn is such an adept."--_Globe._ + + "The best of all Mr. Fenn's productions in this field. It has the + great quality of always 'moving on,' adventure following adventure + in constant succession."--_Daily News._ + +BY GEORGE MANVILLE FENN. + +"Our boys know Mr. Fenn well, his stories having won for him a foremost +place in their estimation."--_Pall Mall Gazette._ + + * * * * * + +=Bunyip Land:= The Story of a Wild Journey in New Guinea. By G. +Manville Fenn. With 12 full-page Illustrations by Gordon +Browne. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _6s._ + + "Mr. Fenn deserves the thanks of everybody for _Bunyip Land_, and + we may venture to promise that a quiet week may be reckoned on + whilst the youngsters have such fascinating literature provided for + their evenings' amusement."--_Spectator._ + + "One of the best tales of adventure produced by any living writer, + combining the inventiveness of Jules Verne, and the solidity of + character and earnestness of spirit which have made the English + victorious in so many fields."--_Daily Chronicle._ + +=The Golden Magnet:= A Tale of the Land of the Incas. By G. +Manville Fenn. Illustrated by 12 full-page Pictures by Gordon +Browne. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _6s._ + + "This is, we think, the best boys' book Mr. Fenn has produced.... + The Illustrations are perfect in their way."--_Globe._ + + "There could be no more welcome present for a boy. There is not a + dull page in the book, and many will be read with breathless + interest. 'The Golden Magnet' is, of course, the same one that + attracted Raleigh and the heroes of _Westward Ho!_"--_Journal of + Education._ + + * * * * * + +BY HARRY COLLINGWOOD. + +=The Log Of the "Flying Fish:"= A Story of Aerial and Submarine Peril +and Adventure. By Harry Collingwood. With 12 full-page +Illustrations by Gordon Browne, Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, +olivine edges, _6s._ + + "The _Flying Fish_ actually surpasses all Jules Verne's creations; + with incredible speed she flies through the air, skims over the + surface of the water, and darts along the ocean bed. We strongly + recommend our school-boy friends to possess themselves of her + log."--_Athenæum._ + + * * * * * + +BY SARAH DOUDNEY. + +=Under False Colours.= By Sarah Doudney. With 12 full-page +Illustrations by G.G. Kilburne. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, +olivine edges, _6s._ + + "This is a charming story, abounding in delicate touches of + sentiment and pathos. Its plot is skilfully contrived. It will be + read with a warm interest by every girl who takes it + up."--_Scotsman._ + + "Sarah Doudney has no superior as a writer of high-toned + stories--pure in style, original in conception, and with skilfully + wrought-out plots; but we have seen nothing from this lady's pen + equal in dramatic energy to her latest work--_Under False + Colours_."--_Christian Leader._ + +BY G.A. HENTY. + +"The brightest of all the living writers whose office it is to enchant +the boys."--_Christian Leader._ + + * * * * * + +=One Of the 28th:= A Tale of Waterloo. By G.A. Henty. With 8 +full-page Illustrations by W.H. Overend, and 2 Maps. Crown 8vo, +cloth elegant, _5s._ + + Herbert Penfold, being desirous of benefiting the daughter of an + intimate friend, and Ralph Conway, the son of a lady to whom he had + once been engaged, draws up a will dividing his property between + them, and places it in a hiding-place only known to members of his + own family. At his death his two sisters determine to keep silence, + and the authorized search for the will, though apparently thorough, + fails to bring it to light. The mother of Ralph, however, succeeds + in entering the house as a servant, and after an arduous and + exciting search secures the will. In the meantime, her son has + himself passed through a series of adventures. The boat in which he + is fishing is run down by a French privateer, and Ralph, scrambling + on board, is forced to serve until the harbour of refuge is entered + by a British frigate. On his return he enters the army, and after + some rough service in Ireland, takes part in the Waterloo campaign, + from which he returns with the loss of an arm, but with a + substantial fortune, which is still further increased by his + marriage with his co-heir. + +=The Cat Of Bubastes:= A Story of Ancient Egypt. By G.A. Henty. +With 8 full-page Illustrations by J.R. Weguelin. Crown 8vo, +cloth elegant, olivine edges, _5s._ + + "The story is highly enjoyable. We have pictures of Egyptian + domestic life, of sport, of religious ceremonial, and of other + things which may still be seen vividly portrayed by the brush of + Egyptian artists."--_The Spectator._ + + "The story, from the critical moment of the killing of the sacred + cat to the perilous exodus into Asia with which it closes, is very + skilfully constructed and full of exciting adventures. It is + admirably illustrated."--_Saturday Review._ + + "Mr. Henty has fairly excelled himself in this admirable story of + romance and adventure. We have never examined a story-book that we + can recommend with more confidence as a boy's reward."--_Teachers' + Aid._ + +=The Dragon and the Raven:= Or, The Days of King Alfred. By G.A. +Henty. With 8 full-page Illustrations by C.J. Staniland, +R.I. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, _5s._ + + "Perhaps the best story of the early days of England which has yet + been told."--_Court Journal._ + + "We know of no popular book in which the stirring incidents of + Alfred's reign are made accessible to young readers as they are + here."--_Scotsman._ + +=St. George for England:= A Tale of Cressy and Poitiers. By G.A. +Henty. With 8 full-page Illustrations by Gordon Browne, in +black and tint. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, _5s._ + + "Mr. Henty has done his work well, producing a strong story at once + instructive and entertaining."--_Glasgow Herald._ + + "Mr. Henty's historical novels for boys bid fair to supplement, on + their behalf, the historical labours of Sir Walter Scott in the + land of fiction."--_Standard._ + +BY G.A. HENTY. + +"Mr. Henty is the king of story-tellers for boys."--_Sword and Trowel._ + + * * * * * + +=The Bravest Of the Brave:= With Peterborough in Spain. By G.A. +Henty. With 8 full-page Pictures by H.M. Paget. Crown 8vo, +cloth elegant, _5s._ + + "Mr. Henty never loses sight of the moral purpose of his work--to + enforce the doctrine of courage and truth, mercy and loving + kindness, as indispensable to the making of an English gentleman. + British lads will read _The Bravest of the Brave_ with pleasure and + profit; of that we are quite sure."--_Daily Telegraph._ + +=For Name and Fame:= Or, Through Afghan Passes. By G.A. Henty. +With 8 full-page Illustrations by Gordon Browne, in black and +tint. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, _5s._ + + "The best feature of the book, apart from its scenes of adventure, + is its honest effort to do justice to the patriotism of the Afghan + people."--_Daily News._ + + "Not only a rousing story, replete with all the varied forms of + excitement of a campaign, but, what is still more useful, an + account of a territory and its inhabitants which must for a long + time possess a supreme interest for Englishmen, as being the key to + our Indian Empire."--_Glasgow Herald._ + +=In the Reign Of Terror:= The Adventures of a Westminster Boy. By +G.A. Henty. With 8 full-page Illustrations by J. +Schönberg. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _5s_. + + "Harry Sandwith, the Westminster boy, may fairly be said to beat + Mr. Henty's record. His adventures will delight boys by the + audacity and peril they depict. The story is one of Mr. Henty's + best."--_Saturday Review._ + +=Orange and Green:= A Tale of the Boyne and Limerick. By G.A. +Henty. With 8 full-page Illustrations by Gordon Browne. +Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _5s._ + + "An extremely spirited story, based on the struggle in Ireland, + rendered memorable by the defence of 'Derry and the siege of + Limerick."--_Sat. Review._ + + "The narrative is free from the vice of prejudice, and ripples with + life as vivacious as if what is being described were really passing + before the eye.... _Orange and Green_ should be in the hands of + every young student of Irish history without delay."--_Belfast + Morning News._ + + +=By Sheer Pluck:= A Tale of the Ashanti War. By G.A. Henty. +With 8 full-page Pictures by Gordon Browne. Crown 8vo, cloth +elegant, _5s._ + + "_By Sheer Pluck_ will be eagerly read. The author's personal + knowledge of the west coast has been turned to full + advantage."--_Athenæum._ + + "Morally, the book is everything that could be desired, setting + before the boys a bright and bracing ideal of the English + gentleman."--_Christian Leader._ + +BY G.A. HENTY. + +"Mr. G.A. Henty's fame as a writer of boys' stories is deserved and +secure."--_Cork Herald._ + + * * * * * + +=A Final Reckoning:= A Tale of Bush Life in Australia. By G.A. +Henty. With 8 full-page Illustrations by W.B. Wollen. +Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, _5s._ + + "Exhibits Mr. Henty's talent as a story-teller at his best.... The + drawings possess the uncommon merit of really illustrating the + text."--_Saturday Review._ + + "All boys will read this story with eager and unflagging interest. + The episodes are in Mr. Henty's very best vein--graphic, exciting, + realistic; and, as in all Mr. Henty's books, the tendency is to the + formation of an honourable, manly, and even heroic + character."--_Birmingham Post._ + +=Facing Death:= Or the Hero of the Vaughan Pit. A Tale of the Coal +Mines. By G.A. Henty. With 8 full-page Illustrations by +Gordon Browne. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, _5s._ + + "If any father, godfather, clergyman, or schoolmaster is on the + look-out for a good book to give as a present to a boy who is worth + his salt, this is the book we would recommend."--_Standard._ + + * * * * * + +BY F. FRANKFORT MOORE. + +=Highways and High Seas:= Cyril Harley's Adventures on both. By F. +Frankfort Moore. With 8 full-page Illustrations by Alfred +Pearse. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _5s._ + + The story belongs to a period when highways meant post-chaises, + coaches, and highwaymen, and when high seas meant post-captains, + frigates, privateers, and smugglers; and the hero--a boy who has + some remarkable experiences upon both--tells his story with no less + humour than vividness. He shows incidentally how little real + courage and romance there frequently was about the favourite + law-breakers of fiction, but how they might give rise to the need + of the highest courage in others and lead to romantic adventures of + an exceedingly exciting kind. A certain piquancy is given to the + story by a slight trace of nineteenth century malice in the + picturing of eighteenth century life and manners. + +=Under Hatches:= Or Ned Woodthorpe's Adventures. By F. Frankfort +Moore. With 8 full-page Illustrations by A. Forestier. +Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _5s._ + + "Mr. Moore has never shown himself so thoroughly qualified to write + books for boys as he has done in _Under Hatches_."--_The Academy._ + + "A first-rate sea story, full of stirring incidents, and, from a + literary point of view, far better written than the majority of + books for boys."--_Pall Mall Gazette._ + + "The story as a story is one that will just suit boys all the world + over. The characters are well drawn and consistent; Patsy, the + Irish steward, will be found especially amusing."--_Schoolmaster._ + +BY GEORGE MANVILLE FENN. + +"No one can find his way to the hearts of lads more readily than Mr. +Fenn."--_Nottingham Guardian._ + + * * * * * + +=Yussuf the Guide:= Being the Strange Story of the Travels in Asia Minor +of Burne the Lawyer, Preston the Professor, and Lawrence the Sick. By +G. Manville Fenn. With 8 full-page Illustrations by John +Schönberg. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, _5s._ + + "The narrative will take its readers into scenes that will have + great novelty and attraction for them, and the experiences with the + brigands will be especially delightful to boys."--_Scotsman._ + +=Menhardoc:= A Story of Cornish Nets and Mines. By G. Manville +Fenn. With 8 full-page Illustrations by C.J. Staniland. +Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, _5s._ + + "They are real living boys, with their virtues and faults. The + Cornish fishermen are drawn from life, they are racy of the soil, + salt with the sea-water, and they stand out from the pages in their + jerseys and sea-boots all sprinkled with silvery pilchard + scales."--_Spectator._ + + "A description of Will Marion's descent into a flooded mine is + excellent. Josh is a delightfully amusing character. We may + cordially praise the illustrations."--_Saturday Review._ + + +=Mother Carey's Chicken:= Her Voyage to the Unknown Isle. By G. +Manville Fenn. With 8 full-page Illustrations by A. +Forestier. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _5s._ + + "Jules Verne himself never constructed a more marvellous tale. It + contains the strongly marked English features that are always + conspicuous in Mr. Fenn's stories--a humour racy of the British + soil, the manly vigour of his sentiment, and wholesome moral + lessons. For anything to match his realistic touch we must go to + Daniel Defoe."--_Christian Leader._ + + "When we get to the 'Unknown Isle,' the story becomes exciting. Mr. + Fenn keeps his readers in a suspense that is not intermitted for a + moment, and the _dénouement_ is a surprise which is as probable as + it is startling."--_Spectator._ + +=Patience Wins:= Or, War in the Works. By G. Manville Fenn. +With 8 full-page Illustrations by Gordon Browne. Crown 8vo, +cloth elegant, _5s._ + + "An excellent story, the interest being sustained from first to + last. One of the best books of its kind which has come before us + this year."--_Saturday Review._ + + "Mr. Fenn is at his best in _Patience Wins_. It is sure to prove + acceptable to youthful readers, and will give a good idea of that + which was the real state of one of our largest manufacturing towns + not many years ago."--_Guardian._ + +=Nat the Naturalist:= A Boy's Adventures in the Eastern Seas. By G. +Manville Fenn. With 8 full-page Pictures. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, +_5s._ + + "Among the best of the many good books for boys that have come out + this season."--_Times._ + + "This sort of book encourages independence of character, develops + resource, and teaches a boy to keep his eyes open."--_Saturday + Review._ + +BY HARRY COLLINGWOOD. + + * * * * * + +=The Missing Merchantman.= By Harry Collingwood. With 8 +full-page Illustrations by W.H. Overend. Crown 8vo, cloth +elegant, olivine edges, _5s._ + + "Mr. Collingwood is _facile princeps_ as a teller of sea stories + for boys, and the present is one of the best productions of his + pen."--_Standard._ + + "This is one of the author's best sea stories. The hero is as + heroic as any boy could desire, and the ending is extremely + happy."--_British Weekly._ + +=The Rover's Secret:= A Tale of the Pirate Cays and Lagoons of Cuba. By +Harry Collingwood. With 8 full-page Illustrations by W.C. +Symons. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _5s._ + + "_The Rover's Secret_ is by far the best sea story we have read for + years, and is certain to give unalloyed pleasure to boys. The + illustrations are fresh and vigorous."--_Saturday Review._ + +=The Pirate Island:= A Story of the South Pacific. By Harry +Collingwood. Illustrated by 8 full-page Pictures by C.J. +Staniland and J.R. Wells. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, _5s._ + + "A capital story of the sea; indeed in our opinion the author is + superior in some respects as a marine novelist to the better known + Mr. Clarke Russell."--_The Times._ + + "Told in the most vivid and graphic language. It would be difficult + to find a more thoroughly delightful gift-book."--_Guardian._ + +=The Congo Rovers:= A Story of the Slave Squadron. By Harry +Collingwood. With 8 full-page Illustrations by J. +Schönberg. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, _5s._ + + "No better sea story has lately been written than the _Congo + Rovers_. It is as original as any boy could desire."--_Morning + Post._ + + * * * * * + +BY ASCOTT R. HOPE. + +=The Seven Wise Scholars.= By Ascott R. Hope. With nearly One +Hundred Illustrations by Gordon Browne. Square 8vo, cloth +elegant, gilt edges, _5s._ + + "As full of fun as a volume of _Punch_; with illustrations, more + laughter-provoking than most we have seen since Leech + died."--_Sheffield Independent._ + + "A capital story, full of fun and happy comic fancies. The tale + would put the sourest-tempered _boy_ into a good humour, and to an + imaginative child would be a source of keen delight."--_Scotsman._ + +=The Wigwam and the War-path:= stories of the Red Indians. By Ascott +R. Hope. With 8 full-page Pictures by Gordon Browne. Crown +8vo, cloth elegant, _5s._ + + "All the stories are told well, in simple spirited language and + with a fulness of detail that make them instructive as well as + interesting."--_Journal of Education._ + +BY G. NORWAY. + +The Loss of John Humble: What Led to It, and what Came of It. By G. +Norway. With 8 full-page Illustrations by John Schönberg. +Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _5s._ + + John Humble, an orphan, is sent to sea with his Uncle Rolf, the + captain of the _Erl King_, but in the course of certain adventures + off the English coast, in which Rolf shows both skill and courage, + the boy is left behind at Portsmouth. He escapes from an English + gun-brig to a Norwegian vessel, the _Thor_, which is driven from + her course in a voyage to Hammerfest, and wrecked on a desolate + shore. The survivors experience the miseries of a long sojourn in + the Arctic circle, with inadequate means of supporting life, but + ultimately, with the aid of some friendly but thievish Lapps, they + succeed in making their way to a reindeer station and so southward + to Tornea and home again. The story throughout is singularly vivid + and truthful in its details, the individual characters are fresh + and well marked, and a pleasant vein of humour relieves the stress + of the more tragic incidents in the story. + +BY ROSA MULHOLLAND. + +Giannetta: A Girl's Story of Herself. By Rosa Mulholland. With +8 full-page Illustrations by Lockhart Bogle. Crown 8vo, cloth +elegant, _5s._ + + "Giannetta is a true heroine--warm-hearted, self-sacrificing, and, + as all good women nowadays are, largely touched with the enthusiasm + of humanity. The illustrations are unusually good, and combine with + the binding and printing to make this one of the most attractive + gift-books of the season."--_The Academy._ + + "No better book could be selected for a young girl's reading, as + its object is evidently to hold up a mirror, in which are seen some + of the brightest and noblest traits in the female + character."--_Schoolmistress._ + +Perseverance Island: Or the Robinson Crusoe of the 19th Century. By +Douglas Frazar. With 12 full-page Illustrations. Crown 8vo, +cloth elegant, _5s._ + + "This second Robinson Crusoe is certainly a marvellous man. His + determination to overcome all difficulties, and his subsequent + success, should alone make this a capital book for boys. It is + altogether a worthy successor to the ancient Robinson + Crusoe."--_Glasgow Herald._ + +Gulliver's Travels. Illustrated by more than 100 Pictures by Gordon +Browne. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _5s._ + + "By help of the admirable illustrations, and a little judicious + skipping, it has enchanted a family party of ages varying from six + to sixty. Which of the other Christmas books could stand this + test?"--Journal of Education. + + "Mr. Gordon Browne is, to my thinking, incomparably the most + artistic, spirited, and brilliant of our illustrators of books for + boys, and one of the most humorous also, as his illustrations of + 'Gulliver' amply testify."--Truth. + +NEW EDITION OF THE UNIVERSE. + +=The Universe:= Or the Infinitely Great and the Infinitely Little. A +Sketch of Contrasts in Creation, and Marvels revealed and explained by +Natural Science. By F.A. Pouchet, M.D. With 272 Engravings on +wood, of which 55 are full-page size, and a Coloured Frontispiece. Tenth +Edition, medium 8vo, cloth elegant, gilt edges, _7s. 6d._; also morocco +antique, _16s._ + + "We can honestly commend Professor Pouchet's book, which _is_ + admirably, as it is copiously illustrated."--_The Times._ + + "This book is as interesting as the most exciting romance, and a + great deal more likely to be remembered to good + purpose."--_Standard._ + + "Scarcely any book in French or in English is so likely to + stimulate in the young an interest in the physical + phenomena."--_Fortnightly Review._ + + + * * * * * + +BY GEORGE MAC DONALD. + +=At the Back of the North Wind.= By George Mac Donald, LL.D. +With 75 Illustrations by Arthur Hughes. Crown 8vo, cloth +elegant, olivine edges, _5s._ + + "In _At the Back of the North Wind_ we stand with one foot in + fairyland and one on common earth. The story is thoroughly + original, full of fancy and pathos, and underlaid with earnest but + not too obtrusive teaching."--_The Times._ + +=Ranald Bannerman's Boyhood.= By George Mac Donald, LL.D. With +36 Illustrations by Arthur Hughes. New Edition. Crown 8vo, +cloth elegant, olivine edges, _5s._ + + "The sympathy with boy-nature in _Ranald Bannerman's Boyhood_ is + perfect. It is a beautiful picture of childhood, teaching by its + impressions and suggestions all noble things."--_British Quarterly + Review._ + +=The Princess and the Goblin.= By George Mac Donald, LL.D. With +30 Illustrations by Arthur Hughes, and 2 full-page Pictures by +H. Petherick. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, _3s. 6d._ + + "Little of what is written for children has the lightness of touch + and play of fancy which are characteristic of George Mac Donald's + fairy tales. Mr. Arthur Hughes's illustrations are all that + illustrations should be."--_Manchester Guardian._ + + "A model of what a child's book ought to be--interesting, + instructive, and poetical. We cordially recommend it as one of the + very best gift-books we have yet come across."--_Elgin Courant._ + +=The Princess and Curdie.= By George Mac Donald, LL.D. With 8 +full-page Illustrations by James Allen. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, +_3s. 6d._ + + "There is the finest and rarest genius in this brilliant story. + Upgrown people would do wisely occasionally to lay aside their + newspapers and magazines to spend an hour with Curdie and the + Princess."--_Sheffield Independent._ + +=Girl Neighbours:= Or, The Old Fashion and the New. By Sarah +Tytler. With 8 full-page Illustrations by C.T. Garland. +Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _5s._ + + "One of the most effective and quietly humorous of Miss Sarah + Tytler's stories.... Very healthy, very agreeable, and very well + written."--_Spectator._ + + * * * * * + +BY MARY C. ROWSELL. + +=Thorndyke Manor:= A Tale of Jacobite Times. By Mary C. +Rowsell. With 6 full-page Illustrations by L. Leslie +Brooke. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, _3s. 6d._ + + Thorndyke Manor is an old house, near the mouth of the Thames, + which is convenient, on account of its secret vaults and situation, + as the base of operations in a Jacobite conspiracy. In consequence + its owner, a kindly, quiet, book-loving squire, who lives happily + with his sister, bright Mistress Amoril, finds himself suddenly + involved by a treacherous steward in the closest meshes of the + plot. He is conveyed to the Tower, but all difficulties are + ultimately overcome, and his innocence is triumphantly proved by + his sister. + +=Traitor or Patriot?= A Tale of the Rye-House Plot. By Mary C. +Rowsell. With 6 full-page Pictures. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, _3s. +6d._ + + "A romantic love episode, whose true characters are lifelike + beings, not dry sticks as in many historical tales."--_Graphic._ + + * * * * * + +BY ALICE CORKRAN. + + * * * * * + +=Meg's Friend.= By Alice Corkran. With 6 full-page +Illustrations by Robert Fowler. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, _3s. +6d._ + + "Another of Miss Corkran's charming books for girls, narrated in + that simple and picturesque style which marks the authoress as one + of the first amongst writers for young people."--_The Spectator._ + +=Margery Merton's Girlhood.= By Alice Corkran. With 6 full-page +Illustrations by Gordon Browne. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, _3s. +6d._ + + "Another book for girls we can warmly commend. There is a + delightful piquancy in the experiences and trials of a young + English girl who studies painting in Paris."--_Saturday Review._ + +=Down the Snow Stairs:= Or, From Good-night to Good-morning. By +Alice Corkran. With 60 character Illustrations by Gordon +Browne. New Edition. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _3s. +6d._ + + "A fascinating wonder-book for children."--_Athenæum._ + + "A gem of the first water, bearing upon every page the signet mark + of genius. All is told with such simplicity and perfect naturalness + that the dream appears to be a solid reality. It is indeed a Little + Pilgrim's Progress."--_Christian Leader._ + +BY JOHN C. HUTCHESON. + + * * * * * + +=Afloat at Last:= A Sailor Boy's Log of his Life at Sea. By John C. +Hutcheson. With 6 full-page Illustrations by W.H. Overend. +Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, _3s. 6d._ + + Mr. Hutcheson's reputation for the realistic treatment of life at + sea will be fully sustained by the present volume--the narrative of + a boy's experiences on board ship during his first voyage. From the + stowing of the vessel in the Thames to her recovery from the Pratas + Reef on which she is stranded, everything is described with the + accuracy of perfect practical knowledge of ships and sailors; and + the incidents of the story range from the broad humours of the + fo'c's'le to the perils of flight from and fight with the pirates + of the China Seas. The captain, the mate, the Irish boatswain, the + Portuguese steward, and the Chinese cook, are fresh and + cleverly-drawn characters, and the reader throughout has the sense + that he is on a real voyage with living men. + +=The White Squall:= A Story of the Sargasso Sea. By John C. +Hutcheson. With 6 full-page Illustrations by John +Schönberg. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, _3s. 6d._ + + "Few writers have made such rapid improvement in the course of a + few years as has the author of this capital story.... Boys will + find it difficult to lay down the book till they have got to the + end."--_Standard._ + + "The sketches of tropical life are so good as sometimes to remind + us of _Tom Cringle_ and the _Cruise of the Midge_."--_Times._ + +=The Wreck of the Nancy Bell:= Or Cast Away on Kerguelen Land. By +John C. Hutcheson. Illustrated by 6 full-page Pictures. Crown +8vo, cloth extra, _3s. 6d._ + + "A full circumstantial narrative such as boys delight in. The ship + so sadly destined to wreck on Kerguelen Land is manned by a very + lifelike party, passengers and crew. The life in the Antarctic + Iceland is well treated."--_Athenæum._ + +=Picked Up at Sea:= Or the Gold Miners of Minturne Creek. By John C. +Hutcheson. With 6 full-page Pictures. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, _3s. +6d._ + + "The author's success with this book is so marked that it may well + encourage him to further efforts. The description of mining life in + the Far-west is true and accurate."--_Standard._ + +=Sir Walter's Ward:= A Tale of the Crusades. By William +Everard. With 6 full-page Illustrations by Walter Paget. +Crown 8vo, cloth extra, _3s. 6d._ + + "This book will prove a very acceptable present either to boys or + girls. Both alike will take an interest in the career of Dodo, in + spite of his unheroic name, and follow him through his numerous and + exciting adventures."--_Academy._ + +=Stories Of Old Renown:= Tales of Knights and Heroes. By Ascott R. +Hope. With 100 Illustrations by Gordon Browne. New +Edition. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, _3s. 6d._ + + "A really fascinating book worthy of its telling title. There is, + we venture to say, not a dull page in the book, not a story which + will not bear a second reading."--_Guardian._ + +BY CAROLINE AUSTIN. + + * * * * * + +=Cousin Geoffrey and I.= By Caroline Austin. With 6 full-page +Illustrations by W. Parkinson. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, _3s. +6d._ + + The only daughter of a country gentleman finds herself unprovided + for at her father's death, and for some time lives as a dependant + upon the kinsman who has inherited the property. Life is kept from + being entirely unbearable to her by her young cousin Geoffrey, who + at length meets with a serious accident for which she is held + responsible. She is then passed on to other relatives, who prove + even more objectionable, and at length, in despair, she runs away + and makes a brave attempt to earn her own livelihood. Being a + splendid rider, she succeeds in doing this, until the startling + event which brings her cousin Geoffrey and herself together again, + and solves the problem of the missing will. + +=Hugh Herbert's Inheritance.= By Caroline Austin. With 6 +full-page Illustrations by C.T. Garland. Crown 8vo, cloth +elegant, _3s. 6d._ + + "Will please by its simplicity, its tenderness, and its healthy + interesting motive. It is admirably written."--_Scotsman._ + + "Well and gracefully written, full of interest, and excellent in + tone."--_School Guardian._ + + * * * * * + +BY E.S. BROOKS. + + * * * * * + +=Storied Holidays:= A Cycle of Red-letter Days. By E.S. Brooks. +With 12 full-page Illustrations by Howard Pyle. Crown 8vo, +cloth elegant, _3s. 6d._ + + "It is a downright good book for a senior boy, and is eminently + readable from first to last."--_Schoolmaster._ + + "Replete with interest from Chapter I. to _finis_, and can be + confidently recommended as one of the gems of Messrs. Blackie's + collection."--_Teachers' Aid._ + +=Chivalric Days:= Stories of Courtesy and Courage in the Olden Times. By +E.S. Brooks. With 20 Illustrations by Gordon Browne +and other Artists. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, _3s. 6d._ + + "We have seldom come across a prettier collection of tales. These + charming stories of boys and girls of olden days are no mere + fictitious or imaginary sketches, but are real and actual records + of their sayings and doings. The illustrations are in Gordon + Browne's happiest style."--_Literary World._ + +=Historic Boys:= Their Endeavours, their Achievements, and their Times. +By E.S. Brooks. With 12 full-page Illustrations by R.B. +Birch and John Schönberg. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, _3s. +6d._ + + "A wholesome book, manly in tone, its character sketches enlivened + by brisk dialogue. We advise schoolmasters to put it on their list + of prizes."--_Knowledge._ + +BY MRS. E.R. PITMAN. + + * * * * * + +=Garnered Sheaves.= A Tale for Boys. By Mrs. E.R. Pitman. With +4 full-page Illustrations. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, _3s. 6d._ + + "This is a story of the best sort ... a noble-looking book, + illustrating faith in God, and commending to young minds all that + is pure and true."--Rev. C.H. Spurgeon's _Sword and Trowel_. + +=Life's Daily Ministry:= A Story of Everyday Service for others. By Mrs. +E.R. Pitman. With 4 full-page Illustrations. Crown 8vo, cloth +extra, _3s. 6d._ + + "Shows exquisite touches of a master hand. She has not only made a + close study of human nature in all its phases, but she has acquired + the artist's skill in depicting in graphic outline the + characteristics of the beautiful and the good in life."--_Christian + Union._ + +=My Governess Life:= Or Earning my Living. By Mrs. E.R. Pitman. +With 4 full-page Illustrations. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, _3s. 6d._ + + "Full of sound teaching and bright examples of + character."--_Sunday-school Chronicle._ + + * * * * * + +BY MRS. R.H. READ. + + * * * * * + +=Silver Mill:= A Tale of the Don Valley. By Mrs. R.H. Read. +With 6 full-page Illustrations by John Schönberg. Crown 8vo, +cloth elegant, _3s. 6d._ + + "A good girl's story-book. The plot is interesting, and the + heroine, Ruth, a lady by birth, though brought up in a humble + station, well deserves the more elevated position in which the end + of the book leaves her. The pictures are very spirited."--_Saturday + Review._ + +=Dora:= Or a Girl without a Home. By Mrs. R.H. Read. With 6 +full-page Illustrations. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, _3s. 6d._ + + "It is no slight thing, in an age of rubbish, to get a story so + pure and healthy as this."--_The Academy._ + + * * * * * + +BY ELIZABETH J. LYSAGHT. + + * * * * * + +=Brother and Sister:= Or the Trials of the Moore Family. By +Elizabeth J. Lysaght. With 6 full-page Illustrations. Crown +8vo, cloth extra, _3s. 6d._ + + "A pretty story, and well told. The plot is cleverly constructed, + and the moral is excellent."--_Athenæum._ + +=Laugh and Learn:= A Home-book of Instruction and Amusement for the +Little Ones. By Jennett Humphreys. Charmingly Illustrated. +Square crown 8vo, cloth extra, _3s. 6d._ + + _Laugh and Learn_, a most comprehensive book for the nursery, + supplies, what has long been wanted, a means whereby the mother or + the governess may, in a series of pleasing lessons, commence and + carry on systematic home instruction of the little ones. The + various chapters of the _Learn_ section carry the child through the + "three R's" to easy stories for reading, and stories which the + mother may read aloud, or which more advanced children may read to + themselves. The Laugh section comprises simple drawing lessons, + home amusements of every kind, innumerable pleasant games and + occupations, rhymes to be learnt, songs for the very little ones, + action songs, and music drill. + +=The Search for the Talisman:= A Story of Labrador. By Henry +Frith. With 6 full-page Illustrations by J. Schönberg. +Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, _3s. 6d._ + + "Mr. Frith's volume will be among those most read and highest + valued. The adventures among seals, whales, and icebergs in + Labrador will delight many a young reader, and at the same time + give him an opportunity to widen his knowledge of the Esquimaux, + the heroes of many tales."--_Pall Mall Gazette._ + +=Self-Exiled:= A Story of the High Seas and East Africa. By J.A. +Steuart. With 6 full-page Illustrations by J. Schönberg. +Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, _3s. 6d._ + + "It is cram full of thrilling situations. The number of miraculous + escapes from death in all its shapes which the hero experiences in + the course of a few months must be sufficient to satisfy the most + voracious appetite."--_Schoolmaster._ + +=Reefer and Rifleman:= A Tale of the Two Services. By J. +Percy-Groves, late 27th Inniskillings. With 6 full-page +Illustrations by John Schönberg. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, _3s. +6d._ + + "A good, old-fashioned, amphibious story of our fighting with the + Frenchmen in the beginning of our century, with a fair sprinkling + of fun and frolic."--_Times._ + +=The Bubbling Teapot.= A Wonder Story. By Mrs. L.W. Champney. +With 12 full-page Pictures by Walter Satterlee. Crown 8vo, +cloth extra, _3s. 6d._ + + "Very literally a 'wonder story,' and a wild and fanciful one. + Nevertheless it is made realistic enough, and there is a good deal + of information to be gained from it. The steam from the magic + teapot bubbles up into a girl, and the little girl, when the fancy + takes her, can cry herself back into a teapot. Transformed and + enchanted she makes the tour of the globe."--_The Times._ + +=Dr. Jolliffe's Boys:= A Tale of Weston School. By Lewis Hough. +With 6 full-page Pictures. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, _3s. 6d._ + + "Young people who appreciate _Tom Brown's School-days_ will find + this story a worthy companion to that fascinating book. There is + the same manliness of tone, truthfulness of outline, avoidance of + exaggeration and caricature, and healthy morality as characterized + the masterpiece of Mr. Hughes."--_Newcastle Journal._ + +BLACKIE'S HALF-CROWN SERIES. + +Illustrated by eminent Artists. In crown 8vo, cloth elegant. + + * * * * * + +New Volumes. + +=The Hermit Hunter of the Wilds.= By Gordon Stables, C.M., +M.D., R.N. + + A dreamy boy, who likes to picture himself as the Hermit Hunter of + the Wilds, receives an original but excellent kind of training from + a sailor-naturalist uncle, and at length goes to sea with the hope + of one day finding the lost son of his uncle's close friend, + Captain Herbert. He succeeds in tracing him through the forests of + Ecuador, where the abducted boy has become an Indian chief. + Afterwards he is discovered on an island which had been used as a + treasure store by the buccaneers. The hero is accompanied through + his many adventures by the very king of cats, who deserves a place + amongst the most famous animals in fiction. + +=Miriam's Ambition:= A Story for Children. By Evelyn +Everett-Green. + + Miriam's ambition is to make some one happy, and her endeavour to + carry it out in the case of an invalid boy, carries with it a + pleasant train of romantic incident, solving a mystery which had + thrown a shadow over several lives. A charming foil to her grave + and earnest elder sister is to be found in Miss Babs, a small + coquette of five, whose humorous child-talk is one of the most + attractive features of an excellent story. + +=White Lilac:= Or The Queen of the May. By Amy Walton. + + When the vicar's wife proposed to call Mrs. White's daughter by the + heathen name of Lilac, all the villagers shook their heads; and + they continued to shake them sagely when Lilac's father was shot + dead by poachers just before the christening, and when, years + after, her mother died on the very day Lilac was crowned Queen of + the May. And yet White Lilac proved a fortune to the relatives to + whose charge she fell--a veritable good brownie, who brought luck + wherever she went. The story of her life forms a most readable and + admirable rustic idyl, and is told with a fine sense of rustic + character. + + * * * * * + +=Little Lady Clare.= By Evelyn Everett-Green. + + "Certainly one of the prettiest, reminding us in its quaintness and + tender pathos of Mrs. Ewing's delightful tales. This is quite one + of the best stories Miss Green's clever pen has yet given + us."--_Literary World._ + + "We would particularly bring it under the notice of those in charge + of girls' schools. The story is admirably told."--_Schoolmaster._ + +=The Eversley Secrets.= By Evelyn Everett-Green. + + "Is one of the best children's stories of the year."--_Academy._ + + "A clever and well-told story. Roy Eversley is a very touching + picture of high principle and unshrinking self-devotion in a good + purpose."--_Guardian._ + +=The Brig "Audacious."= By Alan Cole. + + "This is a real boys' book. We have great pleasure in recommending + it."--_English Teacher._ + + "Bright and vivacious in style, and fresh and wholesome as a breath + of sea air in tone."--_Court Journal._ + +=The Saucy May.= By H. Frith. + + "The book is certainly both interesting and + exciting."--_Spectator._ + + "Mr. Frith gives a new picture of life on the ocean wave which will + be acceptable to all young people."--_Sheffield Independent._ + +=Jasper's Conquest.= By Elizabeth J. Lysaght. + + "One of the best boys' books of the season. It is full of stirring + adventure and startling episodes, and yet conveys a splendid moral + throughout."--_Schoolmaster._ + +=Sturdy and Strong:= Or, How George Andrews made his Way. By G.A. +Henty. + + "The history of a hero of everyday life, whose love of truth, + clothing of modesty, and innate pluck carry him, naturally, from + poverty to affluence. He stands as a good instance of chivalry in + domestic life."--_The Empire._ + +=Gutta-Percha Willie=, The Working Genius. By George Mac +Donald, LL.D. + + "Had we space we would fain quote page after page. All we have room + to say is, get it for your boys and girls to read for themselves, + and if they can't do that read it to them."--_Practical Teacher._ + +=The War of the Axe:= Or Adventures in South Africa. By J. +Percy-Groves. + + "The story of their final escape from the Caffres is a marvellous + bit of writing.... The story is well and brilliantly told, and the + illustrations are especially good and effective."--_Literary + World._ + +=The Lads of Little Clayton:= Stories of Village Boy Life. By R. +Stead. + + "A capital book for boys. They will learn from its pages what true + boy courage is. They will learn further to avoid all that is petty + and mean if they read the tales aright. They may be read to a class + with great profit."--_Schoolmaster._ + +=Ten Boys= who lived on the Road from Long Ago to Now. By Jane +Andrews. With 20 Illustrations. + + "The idea of this book is a very happy one, and is admirably + carried out. We have followed the whole course of the work with + exquisite pleasure. Teachers should find it particularly + interesting and suggestive."--_Practical Teacher._ + +=Insect Ways on Summer Days= in Garden, Forest, Field, and Stream. By +Jennett Humphreys. With 70 Illustrations. + + "The book will prove not only instructive but delightful to every + child whose mind is beginning to inquire and reflect upon the + wonders of nature. It is capitally illustrated and very tastefully + bound."--_Academy._ + +=A Waif of the Sea:= Or the Lost Found. By Kate Wood. + + "A very touching and pretty tale of town and country, full of + pathos and interest, told in a style which deserves the highest + praise."--_Edinburgh Courant._ + +=Winnie's Secret:= A Story of Faith and Patience. By Kate +Wood. + + "One of the best story-books we have read. Girls will be charmed + with the tale, and delighted that everything turns out so + well."--_Schoolmaster._ + +=Miss Willowburn's Offer.= By Sarah Doudney. + + "Patience Willowburn is one of Miss Doudney's best creations, and + is the one personality in the story which can be said to give it + the character of a book not for young ladies but for + girls."--_Spectator._ + +=A Garland for Girls.= By Louisa M. Alcott. + + "The _Garland_ will delight our girls, and show them how to make + their lives fragrant with good deeds."--_British Weekly._ + + "These little tales are the beau ideal of girls' + stories."--_Christian World._ + +=Hetty Gray:= Or Nobody's Bairn. By Rosa Mulholland. + + "A charming story for young folks. Hetty is a delightful + creature--piquant, tender, and true--and her varying fortunes are + perfectly realistic."--_World._' + +=Brothers in Arms:= A Story of the Crusades. By F. Bayford +Harrison. + + "Full of striking incident, is very fairly illustrated, and may + safely be chosen as sure to prove interesting to young people of + both sexes."--_Guardian._ + +=The Ball Of Fortune:= Or Ned Somerset's Inheritance. By Charles +Pearce. + + "A capital story for boys. It is simply and brightly written. There + is plenty of incident, and the interest is sustained + throughout."--_Journal of Education._ + +=Miss Fenwick's Failures:= Or "Peggy Pepper-Pot." By Esmé +Stuart. + + "Esmé Stuart may be commended for producing a girl true to real + life, who will put no nonsense into young heads."--_Graphic._ + +=Gytha's Message:= A Tale of Saxon England. By Emma Leslie. + + "This is a charmingly told story. It is the sort of book that all + girls and some boys like, and can only get good from."--_Journal of + Education._ + +=My Mistress the Queen:= A Tale of the 17th Century. By M.A. +Paull. + + "The style is pure and graceful, the presentation of manners and + character has been well studied, and the story is full of + interest."--_Scotsman._ + + "This is a charming book. The old-time sentiment which pervades the + volume renders it all the more alluring."--_Western Mercury._ + +=The Stories of Wasa and Menzikoff:= The Deliverer of Sweden, and the +Favourite of Czar Peter. + + "Both are stories worth telling more than once, and it is a happy + thought to have put them side by side. Plutarch himself has no more + suggestive comparison."--_Spectator._ + +=Stories of the Sea in Former Days:= Narratives of Wreck and Rescue. + + "Next to an original sea-tale of sustained interest come + well-sketched collections of maritime peril and suffering which + awaken the sympathies by the realism of fact. 'Stories of the Sea' + are a very good specimen of the kind."--_The Times._ + +=Tales of Captivity and Exile.= + + "It would be difficult to place in the hands of young people a book + which combines interest and instruction in a higher + degree."--_Manchester Courier._ + +=Famous Discoveries by Sea and Land.= + + "Such a volume may providentially stir up some youths by the divine + fire kindled by these 'great of old' to lay open other lands, and + show their vast resources."--_Perthshire Advertiser._ + +=Stirring Events of History.= + + "The volume will fairly hold its place among those which make the + smaller ways of history pleasant and attractive. It is a gift-book + in which the interest will not be exhausted with one + reading."--_Guardian._ + +=Adventures in Field, Flood, and Forest.= Stories of Danger and Daring. + + "One of the series of books for young people which Messrs. Blackie' + excel in producing. The editor has beyond all question succeeded + admirably. The present book cannot fail to be read with interest + and advantage."--_Academy._ + +=Jack o' Lanthorn:= A Tale of Adventure. By Henry Frith. + + "The narrative is crushed full of stirring incident, and _is_ sure + to be a prime favourite with our boys, who will be assisted by it + in mastering a sufficiently exciting chapter in the history of + England."--_Christian Leader._ + +=The Family Failing.= By Darley Dale. + + "At once an amusing and an interesting story, and a capital lesson + on the value of contentedness to young and old alike."--_Aberdeen + Journal._ + +=The Joyous Story of Toto.= By Laura E. Richards. With 30 +humorous and fanciful Illustrations by E.H. Garrett. + + "An excellent book for children who are old enough to appreciate a + little delicate humour. It should take its place beside Lewis + Carroll's unique works, and find a special place in the affections + of boys and girls."--_Birmingham Gazette._ + +=BLACKIE'S TWO-SHILLING SERIES.= + +With Illustrations in Colour and black and tint. In crown 8vo, cloth +elegant. + + * * * * * + +New Volumes. + +=Sam Silvan'S Sacrifice:= The Story of Two Fatherless Boys. By Jesse +Colman. + + The story of two brothers--the elder a lad of good and steady + disposition; the younger nervous and finely-strung, but weaker and + more selfish. The death of their grandparents, by whom they are + being brought up, leads to their passing through a number of + adventures in uncomfortable homes and among strange people. In the + end the elder brother's generous care results in his sacrificing + his own life to save that of his brother, who realizes when it is + too late the full measure of his indebtedness. + +=A Warrior King:= The Story of a Boy's Adventures in Africa. By J. +Evelyn. + + A story full of adventure and romantic interest. Adrian Englefield, + an English boy of sixteen, accompanies his father on a journey of + exploration inland from the West Coast. He falls into the hands of + the Berinaquas, and becomes the friend of their prince, Moryosi, + but is on the point of being sacrificed when he is saved by the + capture of the kraelah by a neighbouring hostile tribe. He is soon + after retaken by the Berinaquas, and saves the life of Moryosi. The + two tribes are ultimately united, and Adrian and his friends are + set at liberty. + + * * * * * + +=Susan.= By Amy Walton. + + "A clever little story, written with some humour. The authoress + shows a great deal of insight into children's feelings and + motives."--_Pall Mall Gazette._ + +="A Pair of Clogs:"= And other Stories. By Amy Walton. + + "These stories are decidedly interesting, and unusually true to + nature. For children between nine and fourteen this book can be + thoroughly commended."--_Academy._ + +=The Hawthorns.= By Amy Walton. + + "A remarkably vivid and clever study of child-life. At this species + of work Amy Walton has no superior."--_Christian Leader._ + +=Dorothy's Dilemma:= A Tale of the Time of Charles I. By Caroline +Austin. + + "An exceptionally well-told story, and will be warmly welcomed by + children. The little heroine, Dorothy, is a charming + creation."--_Court Journal._ + +=Marie's Home:= Or, A Glimpse of the Past. By Caroline Austin. + + "An exquisitely told story. The heroine is as fine a type of + girlhood as one could wish to set before our little British damsels + of to-day."--_Christian Leader._ + +=Warner's Chase:= Or the Gentle Heart. By Annie S. Swan. + + "In Milly Warren, the heroine, who softens the hard heart of her + rich uncle and thus unwittingly restores the family fortunes, we + have a fine ideal of real womanly goodness."--_Schoolmaster._ + + "A good book for boys and girls. There is no sickly goodyism in it, + but a tone of quiet and true religion that keeps its own + place."--_Perthshire Advertiser._ + +=Aboard the "Atalanta:"= The Story of a Truant. By Henry Frith. + + "The story is very interesting and the descriptions most graphic. + We doubt if any boy after reading it would be tempted to the great + mistake of running away from school under almost any pretext + whatever."--_Practical Teacher._ + +=The Penang Pirate= and The Lost Pinnace. By John C. +Hutcheson. + + "A book which boys will thoroughly enjoy: rattling, adventurous, + and romantic, and the stories are thoroughly healthy in + tone."--_Aberdeen Journal._ + +=Teddy:= The Story of a "Little Pickle." By John C. Hutcheson. + + "He is an amusing little fellow with a rich fund of animal spirits, + and when at length he goes to sea with Uncle Jack he speedily + sobers down under the discipline of life."--_Saturday Review._ + +=Linda and the Boys.= By Cecilia Selby Lowndes. + + "The book is essentially a child's book, and will be heartily + appreciated by the young folk."--_The Academy._ + + "Is not only told in an artless, simple way, but is full of the + kind of humour that children love."--_Liverpool Mercury._ + +=Swiss Stories for Children and those who Love Children.= From the +German of Madam Johanna Spyri. By Lucy Wheelock. + + "Charming stories. They are rich in local colouring, and, what is + better, in genuine pathos."--_The Times._ + + "These most delightful children's tales are essentially for + children, but would fascinate older and less enthusiastic minds + with their delicate romance and the admirable portraiture of the + hard life of the Swiss peasantry."--_Spectator._ + +=The Squire's Grandson:= A Devonshire Story. By J.M. Callwell. + + "A healthy tone pervades this story, and the lessons of courage, + filial affection, and devotion to duty on the part of the young + hero cannot fail to favourably impress all young + readers."--_Schoolmaster._ + +=Magna Charta Stories:= Or Struggles for Freedom in the Olden Time. +Edited by Arthur Gilman, A.M. With 12 full-page Illustrations. + + "A book of special excellence, which ought to be in the hands of + all boys."--_Educational News._ + +=The Wings Of Courage:= And The Cloud-Spinner. Translated from +the French of George Sand, by Mrs. Corkran. + + "Mrs. Corkran has earned our gratitude by translating into readable + English these two charming little stories."--_Athenæum._ + +=Chirp and Chatter:= Or, Lessons from Field and Tree. By +Alice Banks. With 54 Illustrations by Gordon Browne. + + "We see the humbling influence of love on the haughty + harvest-mouse, we are touched by the sensibility of the + tender-hearted ant, and may profit by the moral of 'the disobedient + maggot.' The drawings are spirited and funny."--_The Times._ + +=Four Little Mischiefs.= By Rosa Mulholland. + + "Graphically written, and abounds in touches of genuine humour and + innocent fun."--_Freeman._ "A charming bright story about real + children."--_Watchman._ + +=New Light through Old Windows.= A Series of Stories illustrating Fables +of Æsop. By Gregson Gow. + + "The most delightfully-written little stories one can easily find + in the literature of the season. Well constructed and brightly + told."--_Glasgow Herald._ + +=Little Tottie=, and Two Other Stories. By Thomas Archer. + + "We can warmly commend all three stories; the book is a most + alluring prize for the younger ones."--_Schoolmaster._ + +=Naughty Miss Bunny:= Her Tricks and Troubles. By Clara +Mulholland. + + "This naughty child is positively delightful. Papas should not omit + _Naughty Miss Bunny_ from their list of juvenile presents."--_Land + and Water._ + +=Adventures of Mrs. Wishing-to-be=, and other Stories. By Alice +Corkran. + + "Simply a charming book for little girls."--_Saturday Review._ + + "Just in the style and spirit to win the hearts of + children."--_Daily News._ + +=Our Dolly:= Her Words and Ways. By Mrs. R.H. Read. With many +Woodcuts, and a Frontispiece in colours. + + "Prettily told and prettily illustrated."--_Guardian._ + + "Sure to be a great favourite with young children."--_School + Guardian._ + +=Fairy Fancy:= What she Heard and Saw. By Mrs. R.H. Read. With +many Woodcuts and a Coloured Frontispiece. + + "All is pleasant, nice reading, with a little knowledge of natural + history and other matters gently introduced and divested of + dryness."--_Practical Teacher._ + +=BLACKIE'S EIGHTEENPENNY SERIES.= + +With Illustrations in Colour, and black and tint. In crown 8vo, cloth +elegant. + + * * * * * + +New Volumes. + +=Tales of Daring and Danger.= By G.A. Henty. + + A selection of five of Mr. Henty's short stories of adventure by + land and sea. The volume contains the narrative of an officer's + bear-shooting expedition, and his subsequent captivity among the + Dacoits; a strange tale of an Indian fakir and two British + officers; a tale of the gold-diggings at Pine-tree Gulch, in which + a boy saves, at the cost of his own life, a miner who had + befriended him, and two others. + +=The Seven Golden Keys.= By James E. Arnold. + + Hilda gains entrance into fairy-land, and is there shown a golden + casket with seven locks. To obtain the treasure it contains, it is + necessary that she should make seven journeys to find the keys, and + in her travels she passes through a number of adventures and learns + seven important lessons--to speak the truth, to be kind, not to + trust to appearances, to hold fast to all that is good, &c. It is + one of the most interesting of recent fairy-books, as well as one + of the most instructive. + +=The Story of a Queen.= By Mary C. Rowsell. + + A pleasant version for young people of the romantic story of Marie + of Brabant, the young queen of Philip the Bold of France. Though + the interest centres in a heroine rather than in a hero, the book + has no lack of adventure, and will be read with no less eagerness + by boys than by girls. To the latter it will give a fine example of + patient, strong and noble woman-hood, to the former it will teach + many lessons in truthfulness and chivalry. + +=Joan's Adventures=, At the North Pole and Elsewhere. By Alice +Corkran. + + "This is a most delightful fairy story. The charming style and easy + prose narrative makes its resemblance striking to Hans + Andersen's."--_Spectator._ + +=Edwy:= Or, Was he a Coward? By Annette Lyster. + + "This is a charming story, and sufficiently varied to suit children + of all ages."--_The Academy._ + +=Filled with Gold.= By Jennie Perrett. + + "The tale is interesting, and gracefully told. Miss Perrett's + description of life on the quiet Jersey farm will have a great + charm."--_Spectator._ + +=The Battlefield Treasure.= By F. Bayford Harrison. + + "Jack Warren is a lad of the Tom Brown type, and his search for + treasure and the sequel are sure to prove interesting to + boys."--_English Teacher._ + +=By Order of Queen Maude:= A Story of Home Life. By Louisa +Crow. + + "The tale is brightly and cleverly told, and forms one of the best + children's books which the season has produced."--_Academy._ + +=Our General:= A Story for Girls. By Elizabeth J. Lysaght. + + "A young girl of indomitable spirit, to whom all instinctively turn + for guidance--a noble pattern for girls."--_Guardian._ + +=Aunt Hesba's Charge.= By Elizabeth J. Lysaght. + + "This well-written book tells how a maiden aunt is softened by the + influence of two Indian children who are unexpectedly left upon her + hands. Mrs. Lysaght's style is bright and pleasant."--_Academy._ + +=Into the Haven.= By Annie S. Swan. + + "No story more attractive, by reason of its breezy freshness, as + well as for the practical lessons it conveys."--_Christian Leader._ + +=Our Frank:= And other Stories. By Amy Walton. + + "These stories are of the sort that children of the clever kind are + sure to like."--_Academy._ + +=The Late Miss Hollingford.= By Rosa Mulholland. + + "No book for girls published this season approaches this in the + charm of its telling, which will be equally appreciated by persons + of all ages."--_Standard._ + +=The Pedlar and His Dog.= By Mary C. Rowsell. + + "The opening chapter, with its description of Necton Fair, will + forcibly remind many readers of George Eliot. Taken altogether it + is a delightful story."--_Western Morning News._ + +=Yarns on the Beach.= By G.A. Henty. + + "This little book should find special favour among boys. The yarns + are full of romance and adventure, and are admirably calculated to + foster a manly spirit."--_The Echo._ + +=A Terrible Coward.= By G. Manville Fenn. + + "Just such a tale as boys will delight to read, and as they are + certain to profit by."--_Aberdeen Journal._ + +=Tom Finch's Monkey:= And other Yarns. By J.C. Hutcheson. + + "Stories of an altogether unexceptionable character, with + adventures sufficient for a dozen books of its size."--_U. Service + Gazette._ + +=Miss Grantley's Girls=, And the Stories She Told Them. By Thomas +Archer. + + "For fireside reading more wholesome and highly entertaining + reading for young people could not be found."--_Northern + Chronicle._ + +=Down and Up Again:= Being some Account of the Felton Family, and the +Odd People they Met. By Gregson Gow. + + "The story is very neatly told, with some fairly dramatic + incidents, and calculated altogether to please young + people."--_Scotsman._ + +=The Troubles and Triumphs of Little Tim.= A City Story. By Gregson +Gow. + + "An undercurrent of sympathy with the struggles of the poor, and an + ability to describe their feelings, eminently characteristic of + Dickens, are marked features in Mr. Gow's story."--_N.B. Mail._ + +=The Happy Lad:= A Story of Peasant Life in Norway. From the Norwegian +of Björnson. + + "This pretty story has natural eloquence which seems to carry us + back to some of the love stories of the Bible."--_Aberdeen Free + Press._ + +=The Patriot Martyr:= And other Narratives of Female Heroism in Peace +and War. + + "It should be read with interest by every girl who loves to learn + what her sex can accomplish in times of danger."--_Bristol Times._ + +=Madge's Mistake:= A Recollection of Girlhood. By Annie E. +Armstrong. + + "We cannot speak too highly of this delightful little tale. It + abounds in interesting and laughable incidents."--_Bristol Times._ + +=Box of Stories.= Packed for Young Folk by Horace Happyman. + +=When I was a Boy in China.= By Yan Phou Lee, a native of +China, now resident in the United States. Illustrated. Crown 8vo, cloth +extra, _1s. 6d._ + + "This little book has the advantage of having been written not only + by a Chinaman, but by a man of culture. His book is as interesting + to adults as it is to children."--_The Guardian._ + + "Not only exceedingly interesting, but of great informative value, + for it gives to English readers a peep into the interior and + private life of China such as has perhaps never before been + afforded."--_The Scottish Leader._ + + * * * * * + +THE SHILLING SERIES OF BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. + +Square 16mo, neatly bound in cloth extra. Each book contains 128 pages +and a Coloured Illustration. + + * * * * * + +New Volumes. + +=Mr. Lipscombe's Apples.= By Julia Goddard. +=Gladys: or the Sister's Charge.= By E. O'Byrne. +=A Gypsy against Her Will.= By Emma Leslie. +=The Castle on the Shore.= By Isabel Hornibrook. +=An Emigrant Boy's Story.= By Ascott R. Hope. +=Jock and his Friend.= By Cora Langton. +=John a' Dale.= By Mary C. Rowsell. +=In the Summer Holidays.= By Jennett Humphreys. +=How the Strike Began.= By Emma Leslie. +=Tales from the Russian of Madame Kubalensky.= By G. Jenner. +=Cinderella's Cousin, and Other Stories.= By Penelope. +=Their New Home.= By Annie S. Fenn. +=Janie's Holiday.= By C. Redford. +=A Boy Musician:= Or, the Young Days of Mozart. +=Hatto's Tower.= By Mary C. Rowsell. +=Fairy Lovebairn's Favourites.= By J. Dickinson. +=Alf Jetsam:= or Found Afloat. By Mrs. George Cupples. +=The Redfords:= An Emigrant Story. By Mrs. George Cupples. +=Missy.= By F. Bayford Harrison. +=Hidden Seed:= or, A Year in a Girl's Life. By Emma Leslie. +=Ursula's Aunt.= By Annie S. Fenn. +=Jack's Two Sovereigns.= By Annie S. Fenn. +=A Little Adventurer:= or How Tommy Trefit went to look for his Father. + By Gregson Gow. +=Olive Mount.= By Annie S. Fenn. +=Three Little Ones.= Their Haps and Mishaps. By C. Langton. +=Tom Watkins' Mistake.= By Emma Leslie. +=Two Little Brothers.= By M. Harriet M. Capes. +=The New Boy at Merriton.= By Julia Goddard. +=The Children of Haycombe.= By Annie S. Fenn. +=The Cruise of the "Petrel."= By F.M. Holmes. +=The Wise Princess.= By M. Harriet M. Capes. +=The Blind Boy of Dresden and his Sister.= +=Jon of Iceland:= A Story of the Far North. +=Stories from Shakespeare.= +=Every Man In his Place:= Or a City Boy and a Forest Boy. +=Fireside Fairies and Flower Fancies.= Stories for Girls. +=To the Sea in Ships:= Stories of Suffering and Saving at Sea. +=Jack's Victory:= and other Stories about Dogs. +=Story of a King=, told by one of his Soldiers. +=Prince Alexis=, or "Beauty and the Beast." +=Little Daniel:= a Story of a Flood on the Rhine. +=Sasha the Serf:= and other Stories of Russian Life. +=True Stories of Foreign History.= + + * * * * * + +_THE ILLUSTRATIONS THROUGHOUT PRINTED IN COLOURS._ + +4TO, ONE SHILLING EACH. + +=GORDON BROWNE'S SERIES OF OLD FAIRY TALES.= + +1. HOP O' MY THUMB. +2. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. + +Each book contains 32 pages 4to, and is illustrated on every page by +Pictures printed in colours. + +=THE NINEPENNY SERIES OF BOOKS FOR CHILDREN.= + +Neatly bound in cloth extra. Each contains 96 pages and a Coloured +Illustration. + + * * * * * + +New Volumes. + +=Things will Take a Turn.= By Beatrice Harraden. +=The Lost Thimble:= and other Stories. By Mrs. Musgrave. +=Max or Baby:= the Story of a very Little Boy. By Ismay Thorn. +=Jack-a-Dandy:= or the Heir of Castle Fergus. By E.J. Lysaght. +=A Day of Adventures:= A Story for little Girls. By Charlotte Wyatt. +=The Golden Plums=, and other Stories. By Frances Clare. + +=The Queen of Squats.= By Isabel Hornibrook. +=Shucks:= A Story for Boys. By Emma Leslie. +=Sylvia Brooke.= By M. Harriet M. Capes. +=The Little Cousin.= By A.S. Fenn. +=In Cloudland.= By Mrs. Musgrave. +=Jack and the Gypsies.= By Kate Wood. +=Hans the Painter.= By Mary C. Rowsell. +=Little Troublesome.= By Isabel Hornibrook. +=My Lady May:= And one other Story. By Harriet Boultwood. +=A Little Hero.= By Mrs. Musgrave. +=Prince Jon's Pilgrimage.= By Jessie Fleming. +=Harold's Ambition:= Or a Dream of Fame. By Jennie Perrett. +=Sepperl the Drummer Boy.= By Mary C. Rowsell. +=Aboard the Mersey.= By Mrs. George Cupples. +=A Blind Pupil.= By Annie S. Fenn. +=Lost and Found.= By Mrs. Carl Rother. +=Fisherman Grim.= By Mary C. Rowsell. + + "The same good character pervades all these books. They are + admirably adapted for the young. The lessons deduced are such as to + mould children's minds in a good groove. We cannot too highly + commend them for their excellence."--_Schoolmistress._ + + * * * * * + +=SOMETHING FOR THE VERY LITTLE ONES.= + +Fully Illustrated with Woodcuts and Coloured Plates. 64 pp., 32mo, +cloth. Sixpence each. + +=Tales Easy and Small= for the Youngest of All. In no word will you see +more letters than three. By Jennett Humphreys. + +=Old Dick Grey= and Aunt Kate's Way. Stories in little words of not more +than four letters. By Jennett Humphreys. + +=Maud's Doll and Her Walk.= In Picture and Talk. In little words of not +more than four letters. By Jennett Humphreys. + +=In Holiday Time.= And other Stories. In little words of not more than +five letters. By Jennett Humphreys. + +=Whisk and Buzz.= By Mrs. A.H. Garlick. + +=THE SIXPENNY SERIES FOR CHILDREN.= + +Neatly bound in cloth extra. Each contains 64 pages and a Coloured Cut. + +=A Little Man of War.= By L.E. Tiddeman. +=Lady Daisy.= By Caroline Stewart. +=Dew.= By H. Mary Wilson. +=Chris's Old Violin.= By J. Lockhart. +=Mischievous Jack.= By A. Corkran. +=The Twins.= By L.E. Tiddeman. +=Pet's Project.= By Cora Langton. +=The Chosen Treat.= By Charlotte Wyatt. +=Little Neighbours.= By Annie S. Fenn. +=Jim:= A Story of Child Life. By Christian Burke. +=Little Curiosity:= Or, A German Christmas. By J.M. Callwell. +=Sara the Wool-gatherer.= By W.L. Rooper. +=Fairy Stories:= told by Penelope. +=A New Year's Tale:= and other Stories. From the German. By M.A. Currie. +=Little Mop:= and other Stories. By Mrs. Charles Bray. +=The Tree Cake:= and other Stories. By W.L. Rooper. +=Nurse Peggy, and Little Dog Trip.= +=Fanny's King.= By Darley Dale. +=Wild Marsh Marigolds.= By D. Dale. +=Kitty's Cousin.= By Hannah B. Mackenzie. +=Cleared at Last.= By Julia Goddard. +=Little Dolly Forbes.= By Annie S. Fenn. +=A Year with Nellie.= By A.S. Fenn. +=The Little Brown Bird.= +=The Maid of Domremy:= and other Tales. +=Little Eric:= a Story of Honesty. +=Uncle Ben the Whaler.= +=The Palace of Luxury.= +=The Charcoal Burner.= +=Willy Black:= a Story of Doing Right. +=The Horse and His Ways.= +=The Shoemaker's Present.= +=Lights to Walk by.= +=The Little Merchant.= +=Nicholina:= a Story about an Iceberg. + + "A very praiseworthy series of Prize Books. Most of the stories are + designed to enforce some important moral lesson, such as honesty, + industry, kindness, helpfulness."--_School Guardian._ + + * * * * * + +=A SERIES OF FOURPENNY REWARD BOOKS.= + +Each 64 pages, 18mo, Illustrated, in Picture Boards. + +=A Start in Life.= By J. Lockhart. +=Happy Childhood.= By Aimée de Venoix Dawson. +=Dorothy's Clock.= By Do. +=Toddy.= By L.E. Tiddeman. +=Stories about my Dolls.= By Felicia Melancthon. +=Stories about my Cat Timothy.= +=Delia's Boots.= By W.L. Rooper. +=Lost on the Rocks.= By R. Scotter. +=A Kitten's Adventures.= By Caroline Stewart. +=Holidays at Sunnycroft.= By Annie S. Swan. +=Climbing the Hill.= By Do. +=A Year at Coverley.= By Do. +=Phil Foster.= By J. Lockhart. +=Papa's Birthday.= By W.L. Rooper. +=The Charm Fairy.= By Penelope. +=Little Tales for Little Children.= By M.A. Currie. +=Worthy of Trust.= By H.B. Mackenzie. +=Brave and True.= By Gregson Gow. +=Johnnie Tupper's Temptation.= Do. +=Maudie and Bertie.= Do. +=The Children and the Water-Lily.= By Julia Goddard. +=Poor Tom Olliver.= By Do. +=Fritz's Experiment.= By Letitia M'Lintock. +=Lucy's Christmas-Box.= + +LONDON: BLACKIE & SON, 49 OLD BAILEY, E.C. +GLASGOW, EDINBURGH, AND DUBLIN. + + +[Transcriber's Note: The following section was at the beginning of the book +in the original copy.] + +MR. HENTY'S HISTORICAL TALES. + +_Crown 8vo, Cloth elegant, Olivine edges. Each Book is beautifully +Illustrated._ + +The Cat of Bubastes: A Story of Ancient Egypt. _5s._ + +The Young Carthaginian: A Story of the Times of Hannibal. _6s._ + +For the Temple: A Tale of the Fall of Jerusalem. _6s._ + +The Lion of St. Mark: A Story of Venice in the 14th Century. +6s. + +The Lion of the North: A Tale of Gustavus Adolphus and the Wars +of Religion. _6s._ + +In the Reign of Terror: The Adventures of a Westminster Boy +during the French Revolution. _5s._ + +The Dragon and the Raven: Or, The Days of King Alfred. _5s._ + +In Freedom's Cause: A Story of Wallace and Bruce. _6s._ + +St. George for England: A Tale of Cressy and Poitiers. _5s._ + +Under Drake's Flag: A Tale of the Spanish Main. _6s._ + +Orange and Green: A Tale of the Boyne and Limerick. _5s._ + +Bonnie Prince Charlie: A Tale of Fontenoy and Culloden. _6s._ + +The Bravest of the Brave: Or, With Peterborough in Spain. _5s._ + +With Wolfe in Canada: Or, The Winning of a Continent. _6s._ + +With Clive in India: Or, The Beginnings of an Empire. _6s._ + +True to the Old Flag: A Tale of the American War of +Independence. _6s._ + +Through the Fray: A Story of the Luddite Riots. _6s._ + +By Sheer Pluck: A Tale of the Ashanti War. _5s._ + +For Name and Fame: Or, Through Afghan Passes. _5s._ + +LONDON: BLACKIE & SON: GLASGOW AND EDINBURGH. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Tales of Daring and Danger, by George Alfred Henty + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TALES OF DARING AND DANGER *** + +***** This file should be named 7870-8.txt or 7870-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/7/8/7/7870/ + +Produced by Jason Isbell, Stacy Brown Thellend and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net +Merged with an earlier text produced by Juliet Sutherland, +Thomas Hutchinson and the Online Distributed Proofreading +Team + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Tales of Daring and Danger + +Author: George Alfred Henty + +Illustrator: George Alfred Henty + +Release Date: October 26, 2005 [EBook #7870] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TALES OF DARING AND DANGER *** + + + + +Produced by Jason Isbell, Stacy Brown Thellend and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net +Merged with an earlier text produced by Juliet Sutherland, +Thomas Hutchinson and the Online Distributed Proofreading +Team + + + + + + +</pre> + + + + +<p><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1"></a></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 324px;"> +<a href="images/cover.jpg"><img src="images/cover-th2.jpg" width="324" height="500" alt="Tales of Daring and Danger by G.A. Henty" title="Tales of Daring and Danger by G.A. Henty" /></a> +</div> +<h1>TALES OF DARING AND DANGER.</h1> + + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 324px;"> +<a href="images/frontis-fs.jpg"><img src="images/frontis.jpg" width="324" height="516" alt="Sighting the wreck of the steamer." title="SIGHTING THE WRECK OF THE STEAMER." /></a> +<span class="caption">SIGHTING THE WRECK OF THE STEAMER.</span> +</div> +<p><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3"></a></p><p><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4"></a></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5"></a></p> +<h3><a name="TALES_OF" id="TALES_OF"></a>TALES OF</h3> + +<h1>DARING AND DANGER.</h1> + +<h4>BY</h4> + +<h3>G. A. HENTY,</h3> + +<p class="center">Author of "Yarns on the Beach;" "Sturdy and Strong;" "Facing Death;"<br /> +"By Sheer Pluck;" "With Clive in India;" &c.</p> + +<h4><i>ILLUSTRATED.</i></h4> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 275px;"> +<img src="images/pub.jpg" width="275" height="118" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p class="center">LONDON:<br /> +BLACKIE & SON, 49 & 50 OLD BAILEY, E. C.<br /> +GLASGOW, EDINBURGH, AND DUBLIN.<br /> +1890.</p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 80px;"> +<img src="images/e1.jpg" width="80" height="44" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6"></a></p><p><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CONTENTS" id="CONTENTS"></a>CONTENTS.</h2> + +<table summary="contents" style="border: 0px;"> +<tr><td><div class="center" style="line-height: 20pt;"> +<a href="#BEARS_AND_DACOITS">BEARS AND DACOITS</a><br /> +<a href="#Paternosters">THE PATERNOSTERS</a><br /> +<a href="#A_PIPE_OF_MYSTERY">A PIPE OF MYSTERY</a><br /> +<a href="#WHITE-FACED_DICK">WHITE-FACED DICK</a><br /> +<a href="#A_BRUSH_WITH_THE_CHINESE">A BRUSH WITH THE CHINESE</a><br /> +</div> +</td></tr> +</table> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8"></a></p><p><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9"></a></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 324px;"> +<a name="BEARS_AND_DACOITS" id="BEARS_AND_DACOITS"></a> +<img src="images/bears.jpg" width="324" height="72" alt="" title="" /> +</div> +<h2>BEARS AND DACOITS.</h2> + +<h3>A TALE OF THE GHAUTS.</h3> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 75px;"> +<img src="images/b1.jpg" width="75" height="78" alt="A" title="" /></div> +<p>merry party were sitting in the verandah of one of the largest and +handsomest bungalows of Poonah. It belonged to Colonel Hastings, colonel +of a native regiment stationed there, and at present, in virtue of +seniority, commanding a brigade. Tiffin was on, and three or four +officers and four ladies had taken their seats in the comfortable cane +lounging chairs which form the invariable furniture of the verandah of a +well-ordered bungalow. Permission had been duly asked, and granted by +Mrs. Hastings, and the cheroots had just begun to draw, when Miss +Hastings, a niece of the colonel, who had only arrived the previous week +from England, said,—<br style="clear: both;" /></p> + +<p>"Uncle, I am quite disappointed. Mrs. Lyons <a name="Page_10" id="Page_10"></a>showed me the bear she has +got tied up in their compound, and it is the most wretched little thing, +not bigger than Rover, papa's retriever, and it's full-grown. I thought +bears were great fierce creatures, and this poor little thing seemed so +restless and unhappy that I thought it quite a shame not to let it go."</p> + +<p>Colonel Hastings smiled rather grimly.</p> + +<p>"And yet, small and insignificant as that bear is, my dear, it is a +question whether he is not as dangerous an animal to meddle with as a +man-eating tiger."</p> + +<p>"What, that wretched little bear, Uncle?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, that wretched little bear. Any experienced sportsman will tell you +that hunting those little bears is as dangerous a sport as tiger-hunting +on foot, to say nothing of tiger-hunting from an elephant's back, in +which there is scarcely any danger whatever. I can speak feelingly about +it, for my career was pretty nearly brought to an end by a bear, just +after I entered the army, some thirty years ago, at a spot within a few +miles from here. I have got the scars on my shoulder and arm still."</p> + +<p>"Oh, do tell me all about it," Miss Hastings said; and the request being +seconded by the rest of the party, none of whom, with the exception of<a name="Page_11" id="Page_11"></a> +Mrs. Hastings, had ever heard the story before—for the colonel was +somewhat chary of relating this special experience—he waited till they +had all drawn up their chairs as close as possible, and then giving two +or three vigorous puffs at his cheroot, began as follows:—</p> + +<p>"Thirty years ago, in 1855, things were not so settled in the Deccan as +they are now. There was no idea of insurrection on a large scale, but we +were going through one of those outbreaks of Dacoity, which have several +times proved so troublesome. Bands of marauders kept the country in +confusion, pouring down on a village, now carrying off three or four of +the Bombay money-lenders, who were then, as now, the curse of the +country; sometimes making an onslaught upon a body of traders; and +occasionally venturing to attack small detachments of troops or isolated +parties of police. They were not very formidable, but they were very +troublesome, and most difficult to catch, for the peasantry regarded +them as patriots, and aided and shielded them in every way. The +head-quarters of these gangs of Dacoits were the Ghauts. In the thick +bush and deep valleys and gorges there they could always take refuge, +while sometimes the more daring chiefs converted these detached peaks +and masses of <a name="Page_12" id="Page_12"></a>rock, numbers of which you can see as you come up the +Ghaut by railway, into almost impregnable fortresses. Many of these +masses of rock rise as sheer up from the hillside as walls of masonry, +and look at a short distance like ruined castles. Some are absolutely +inaccessible; others can only be scaled by experienced climbers; and, +although possible for the natives with their bare feet, are +impracticable to European troops. Many of these rock fortresses were at +various times the head-quarters of famous Dacoit leaders, and unless the +summits happened to be commanded from some higher ground within gunshot +range they were all but impregnable except by starvation. When driven to +bay, these fellows would fight well.</p> + +<p>"Well, about the time I joined, the Dacoits were unusually troublesome; +the police had a hard time of it, and almost lived in the saddle, and +the cavalry were constantly called up to help them, while detachments of +infantry from the station were under canvas at several places along the +top of the Ghauts to cut the bands off from their strongholds, and to +aid, if necessary, in turning them out of their rock fortresses. The +natives in the valleys at the foot of the Ghauts, who have always been a +semi-independent race, ready to rob whenever they saw a chance, were +<a name="Page_13" id="Page_13"></a>great friends with the Dacoits, and supplied them with provisions +whenever the hunt on the Deccan was too hot for them to make raids in +that direction.</p> + +<p>"This is a long introduction, you will say, and does not seem to have +much to do with bears; but it is really necessary, as you will see. I +had joined about six months when three companies of the regiment were +ordered to relieve a wing of the 15th, who had been under canvas at a +village some four miles to the north of the point where the line crosses +the top of the Ghauts. There were three white officers, and little +enough to do, except when a party was sent off to assist the police. We +had one or two brushes with the Dacoits, but I was not out on either +occasion. However, there was plenty of shooting, and a good many pigs +about, so we had very good fun. Of course, as a raw hand, I was very hot +for it, and as the others had both passed the enthusiastic age, except +for pig-sticking and big game, I could always get away. I was supposed +not to go far from camp, because, in the first place, I might be wanted; +and, in the second, because of the Dacoits; and Norworthy, who was in +command, used to impress upon me that I ought not to go beyond the sound +of a bugle. Of course we both knew <a name="Page_14" id="Page_14"></a>that if I intended to get any sport +I must go further afoot than this; but I merely used to say 'All right, +sir, I will keep an ear to the camp,' and he on his part never +considered it necessary to ask where the game which appeared on the +table came from. But in point of fact, I never went very far, and my +servant always had instructions which way to send for me if I was +wanted; while as to the Dacoits I did not believe in their having the +impudence to come in broad daylight within a mile or two of our camp. I +did not often go down the face of the Ghauts. The shooting was good, and +there were plenty of bears in those days, but it needed a long day for +such an expedition, and in view of the Dacoits who might be scattered +about, was not the sort of thing to be undertaken except with a strong +party. Norworthy had not given any precise orders about it, but I must +admit that he said one day:—</p> + +<p>"'Of course you won't be fool enough to think of going down the Ghauts, +Hastings?' But I did not look at that as equivalent to a direct +order—whatever I should do now," the colonel put in, on seeing a +furtive smile on the faces of his male listeners.</p> + +<p>"However, I never meant to go down, though I used to stand on the edge +and look longingly <a name="Page_15" id="Page_15"></a>down into the bush and fancy I saw bears moving +about in scores. But I don't think I should have gone into their country +if they had not come into mine. One day the fellow who always carried my +spare gun or flask, and who was a sort of shekarry in a small way, told +me he had heard that a farmer, whose house stood near the edge of the +Ghauts, some two miles away, had been seriously annoyed by his fruit and +corn being stolen by bears.</p> + +<p>"'I'll go and have a look at the place to-morrow,' I said, 'there is no +parade, and I can start early. You may as well tell the mess cook to put +up a basket with some tiffin and a bottle of claret, and get a boy to +carry it over.'</p> + +<p>"'The bears not come in day,' Rahman said.</p> + +<p>"'Of course not,' I replied; 'still I may like to find out which way +they come. Just do as you are told.'</p> + +<p>"The next morning, at seven o'clock, I was at the farmer's spoken of, +and there was no mistake as to the bears. A patch of Indian corn had +been ruined by them, and two dogs had been killed. The native was in a +terrible state of rage and alarm. He said that on moonlight nights he +had seen eight of them, and they came and sniffed around the door of the +cottage.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16"></a>"'Why don't you fire through the window at them?' I asked scornfully, +for I had seen a score of tame bears in captivity, and, like you, Mary, +was inclined to despise them, though there was far less excuse for me; +for I had heard stories which should have convinced me that, small as he +is, the Indian bear is not a beast to be attacked with impunity. Upon +walking to the edge of the Ghauts there was no difficulty in discovering +the route by which the bears came up to the farm. For a mile to the +right and left the ground fell away as if cut with a knife, leaving a +precipice of over a hundred feet sheer down; but close by where I was +standing was the head of a watercourse, which in time had gradually worn +a sort of cleft in the wall, up or down which it was not difficult to +make one's way. Further down this little gorge widened out and became a +deep ravine, and further still a wide valley, where it opened upon the +flats far below us. About half a mile down where the ravine was deepest +and darkest was a thick clump of trees and jungle.</p> + +<p>"'That's where the bears are?' I asked Rahman. He nodded. It seemed no +distance. I could get down and back in time for tiffin, and perhaps bag +a couple of bears. For a young sportsman the temptation was great. 'How +long would it <a name="Page_17" id="Page_17"></a>take us to go down and have a shot or two at them?'</p> + +<p>"'No good go down. Master come here at night, shoot bears when they come +up.'</p> + +<p>"I had thought of that; but, in the first place, it did not seem much +sport to shoot the beasts from cover when they were quietly eating, and, +in the next place, I knew that Norworthy could not, even if he were +willing, give me leave to go out of camp at night. I waited, hesitating +for a few minutes, and then I said to myself, 'It is of no use waiting. +I could go down and get a bear and be back again while I am thinking of +it;' then to Rahman, 'No, come along; we will have a look through that +wood anyhow.'</p> + +<p>"Rahman evidently did not like it.</p> + +<p>"'Not easy find bear, sahib. He very cunning.'</p> + +<p>"'Well, very likely we sha'n't find them,' I said, 'but we can try +anyhow. Bring that bottle with you; the tiffin basket can wait here till +we come back.' In another five minutes I had begun to climb down the +watercourse—the shekarry following me. I took the double-barrelled +rifle and handed him the shot-gun, having first dropped a bullet down +each barrel over the charge. The ravine was steep, but there were bushes +to hold on by, and although it was hot work and took <a name="Page_18" id="Page_18"></a>a good deal longer +than I expected, we at last got down to the place which I had fixed upon +as likely to be the bears' home.</p> + +<p>"'Sahib, climb up top,' Rahman said; 'come down through wood; no good +fire at bear when he above.'</p> + +<p>"I had heard that before; but I was hot, the sun was pouring down, there +was not a breath of wind, and it looked a long way up to the top of the +wood.</p> + +<p>"'Give me the claret. It would take too long to search the wood +regularly. We will sit down here for a bit, and if we can see anything +moving up in the wood, well and good; if not, we will come back again +another day with some beaters and dogs.' So saying, I sat down with my +back against a rock, at a spot where I could look up among the trees for +a long way through a natural vista. I had a drink of claret, and then I +sat and watched till gradually I dropped off to sleep. I don't know how +long I slept, but it was some time, and I woke up with a sudden start. +Rahman, who had, I fancy, been asleep too, also started up.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 324px;"> +<a href="images/rahman-fs.jpg"><img src="images/rahman.jpg" width="324" height="528" alt=""My gun, Rahman," I shouted." title=""My gun, Rahman," I shouted." /></a> +<span class="caption">"MY GUN, RAHMAN," I SHOUTED.</span> +</div> + +<p>"The noise which had aroused us was made by a rolling stone striking a +rock; and looking up I saw some fifty yards away, not in the wood, but +on the rocky hillside on our side of the <a name="Page_19" id="Page_19"></a><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20"></a><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21"></a>ravine, a bear standing, as +though unconscious of our presence, snuffing the air. As was natural, I +seized my rifle, cocked it, and took aim, unheeding a cry of 'No, no, +sahib,' from Rahman. However, I was not going to miss such a chance as +this, and I let fly. The beast had been standing sideways to me, and as +I saw him fall I felt sure I had hit him in the heart. I gave a shout of +triumph, and was about to climb up, when, from behind the rock on which +the bear had stood, appeared another growling fiercely; on seeing me, it +at once prepared to come down. Stupidly, being taken by surprise, and +being new at it, I fired at once at its head. The bear gave a spring, +and then—it seemed instantaneous—down it came at me. Whether it rolled +down, or slipped down, or ran down, I don't know, but it came almost as +if it had jumped straight at me.</p> + +<p>"'My gun, Rahman,' I shouted, holding out my hand. There was no answer. +I glanced round, and found that the scoundrel had bolted. I had time, +and only just time, to take a step backwards, and to club my rifle, when +the brute was upon me. I got one fair blow at the side of its head, a +blow that would have smashed the skull of any civilized beast into +pieces, and which did <a name="Page_22" id="Page_22"></a>fortunately break the brute's jaw; then in an +instant he was upon me, and I was fighting for life. My hunting-knife +was out, and with my left hand I had the beast by the throat; while with +my right I tried to drive my knife into its ribs. My bullet had gone +through his chest. The impetus of his charge had knocked me over, and we +rolled on the ground, he tearing with his claws at my shoulder and arm, +I stabbing and struggling, my great effort being to keep my knees up so +as to protect my body with them from his hind claws. After the first +blow with his paw, which laid my shoulder open, I do not think I felt +any special pain whatever. There was a strange faint sensation, and my +whole energy seemed centered in the two ideas—to strike and to keep my +knees up. I knew that I was getting faint, but I was dimly conscious +that his efforts, too, were relaxing. His weight on me seemed to +increase enormously, and the last idea that flashed across me was that +it was a drawn fight.</p> + +<p>"The next idea of which I was conscious was that I was being carried. I +seemed to be swinging about, and I thought I was at sea. Then there was +a little jolt and a sense of pain. 'A collision,' I muttered, and opened +my eyes. Beyond the fact that I seemed in a yellow world—<a name="Page_23" id="Page_23"></a>a bright +orange-yellow—my eyes did not help me, and I lay vaguely wondering +about it all, till the rocking ceased. There was another bump, and then +the yellow world seemed to come to an end; and as the daylight streamed +in upon me I fainted again. This time when I awoke to consciousness +things were clearer. I was stretched by a little stream. A native woman +was sprinkling my face and washing the blood from my wounds; while +another, who had with my own knife cut off my coat and shirt, was +tearing the latter into strips to bandage my wounds. The yellow world +was explained. I was lying on the yellow robe of one of the women. They +had tied the ends together, placed a long stick through them, and +carried me in the bag-like hammock. They nodded to me when they saw I +was conscious, and brought water in a large leaf, and poured it into my +mouth. Then one went away for some time, and came back with some leaves +and bark. These they chewed and put on my wounds, bound them up with +strips of my shirt, and then again knotted the ends of the cloth, and +lifting me up, went on as before.</p> + +<p>"I was sure that we were much lower down the Ghaut than we had been when +I was watching for the bears, and we were now going still <a name="Page_24" id="Page_24"></a>lower. +However, I knew very little Hindustani, nothing of the language the +women spoke. I was too weak to stand, too weak even to think much; and I +dozed and woke, and dozed again, until, after what seemed to me many +hours of travel, we stopped again, this time before a tent. Two or three +old women and four or five men came out, and there was great talking +between them and the young women—for they were young—who had carried +me down. Some of the party appeared angry; but at last things quieted +down, and I was carried into the tent. I had fever, and was, I suppose, +delirious for days. I afterwards found that for fully a fortnight I had +lost all consciousness; but a good constitution and the nursing of the +women pulled me round. When once the fever had gone, I began to mend +rapidly. I tried to explain to the women that if they would go up to the +camp and tell them where I was they would be well rewarded; but although +I was sure they understood, they shook their heads, and by the fact that +as I became stronger two or three armed men always hung about the tent, +I came to the conclusion that I was a sort of prisoner. This was +annoying, but did not seem serious. If these people were Dacoits, or, as +was more likely, allies of the Dacoits, I could be kept only <a name="Page_25" id="Page_25"></a>for ransom +or exchange. Moreover, I felt sure of my ability to escape when I got +strong, especially as I believed that in the young women who had saved +my life, both by bringing me down and by their careful nursing, I should +find friends."</p> + +<p>"Were they pretty, uncle?" Mary Hastings broke in.</p> + +<p>"Never mind whether they were pretty, Mary; they were better than +pretty."</p> + +<p>"No; but we like to know, uncle."</p> + +<p>"Well, except for the soft, dark eyes, common to the race, and the good +temper and lightheartedness, also so general among Hindu girls, and the +tenderness which women feel towards a creature whose life they have +saved, whether it is a wounded bird or a drowning puppy, I suppose they +were nothing remarkable in the way of beauty, but at the time I know +that I thought them charming.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> + + +<p>"Just as I was getting strong enough to walk, and was beginning to think +of making my escape, a band of five or six fellows, armed to the teeth, +came in, and made signs that I was to go with them. It was evidently an +arranged thing, <a name="Page_26" id="Page_26"></a>the girls only were surprised, but they were at once +turned out, and as we started I could see two crouching figures in the +shade with their cloths over their heads. I had a native garment thrown +over my shoulders, and in five minutes after the arrival of the fellows +found myself on my way. It took us some six hours before we reached our +destination, which was one of those natural rock citadels. Had I been in +my usual health I could have done the distance in an hour and a half, +but I had to rest constantly, and was finally carried rather than helped +up. I had gone not unwillingly, for the men were clearly, by their +dress, Dacoits of the Deccan, and I had no doubt that it was intended +either to ransom or exchange me.</p> + +<p>"At the foot of this natural castle were some twenty or thirty more +robbers, and I was led to a rough sort of arbour in which was lying, on +a pile of maize straw, a man who was evidently their chief. He rose and +we exchanged salaams.</p> + +<p>"'What is your name, sahib?' he asked in Mahratta.</p> + +<p>"'Hastings—Lieutenant Hastings,' I said. 'And yours?'</p> + +<p>"'Sivajee Punt!' he said.</p> + +<p>"This was bad. I had fallen into the hands of <a name="Page_27" id="Page_27"></a>the most troublesome, +most ruthless, and most famous of the Dacoit leaders. Over and over +again he had been hotly chased, but had always managed to get away; and +when I last heard anything of what was going on four or five troops of +native police were scouring the country after him. He gave an order +which I did not understand, and a wretched Bombay writer, I suppose a +clerk of some money-lender, was dragged forward. Sivajee Punt spoke to +him for some time, and the fellow then told me in English that I was to +write at once to the officer commanding the troops, telling him that I +was in his hands, and should be put to death directly he was attacked.</p> + +<p>"'Ask him,' I said, 'if he will take any sum of money to let me go?'</p> + +<p>"Sivajee shook his head very decidedly.</p> + +<p>"A piece of paper was put before me, and a pen and ink, and I wrote as I +had been ordered, adding, however, in French, that I had brought myself +into my present position by my own folly, and would take my chance, for +I well knew the importance which Government attached to Sivajee's +capture. I read out loud all that I had written in English, and the +interpreter translated it. Then the paper was folded and I addressed it, +'The Officer Commanding,' and I was given <a name="Page_28" id="Page_28"></a>some chupattis and a drink of +water, and allowed to sleep. The Dacoits had apparently no fear of any +immediate attack.</p> + +<p>"It was still dark, although morning was just breaking, when I was +awakened, and was got up to the citadel. I was hoisted rather than +climbed, two men standing above with a rope, tied round my body, so that +I was half-hauled, half-pushed up the difficult places, which would have +taxed all my climbing powers had I been in health.</p> + +<p>"The height of this mass of rock was about a hundred feet; the top was +fairly flat, with some depressions and risings, and about eighty feet +long by fifty wide. It had evidently been used as a fortress in ages +past. Along the side facing the hill were the remains of a rough wall. +In the centre of a depression was a cistern, some four feet square, +lined with stone-work, and in another depression a gallery had been cut, +leading to a subterranean store-room or chamber. This natural fortress +rose from the face of the hill at a distance of a thousand yards or so +from the edge of the plateau, which was fully two hundred feet higher +than the top of the rock. In the old days it would have been +impregnable, and even at that time it was an awkward place to <a name="Page_29" id="Page_29"></a>take, for +the troops were armed only with Brown Bess, and rifled cannon were not +thought of. Looking round, I could see that I was some four miles from +the point where I had descended. The camp was gone; but running my eye +along the edge of the plateau I could see the tops of tents a mile to my +right, and again two miles to my left; turning round, and looking down +into the wide valley, I saw a regimental camp.</p> + +<p>"It was evident that a vigorous effort was being made to surround and +capture the Dacoits, since troops had been brought up from Bombay. In +addition to the troops above and below, there would probably be a strong +police force, acting on the face of the hill. I did not see all these +things at the time, for I was, as soon as I got to the top, ordered to +sit down behind the parapet, a fellow armed to the teeth squatting down +by me, and signifying that if I showed my head above the stones he would +cut my throat without hesitation. There were, however, sufficient gaps +between the stones to allow me to have a view of the crest of the Ghaut, +while below my view extended down to the hills behind Bombay. It was +evident to me now why the Dacoits did not climb up into the fortress. +There were dozens of similar crags on the face of the Ghauts, and the +<a name="Page_30" id="Page_30"></a>troops did not as yet know their whereabouts. It was a sort of blockade +of the whole face of the hills which was being kept up, and there were, +probably enough, several other bands of Dacoits lurking in the jungle.</p> + +<p>"There were only two guards and myself on the rock plateau. I discussed +with myself the chances of my overpowering them and holding the top of +the rock till help came; but I was greatly weakened, and was not a match +for a boy, much less for the two stalwart Mahrattas; besides, I was by +no means sure that the way I had been brought up was the only possible +path to the top. The day passed off quietly. The heat on the bare rock +was frightful, but one of the men, seeing how weak and ill I really was, +fetched a thick rug from the storehouse, and with the aid of a stick +made a sort of lean-to against the wall, under which I lay sheltered +from the sun.</p> + +<p>"Once or twice during the day I heard a few distant musket-shots, and +once a sharp heavy outburst of firing. It must have been three or four +miles away, but it was on the side of the Ghaut, and showed that the +troops or police were at work. My guards looked anxiously in that +direction, and uttered sundry curses. When <a name="Page_31" id="Page_31"></a>it was dusk, Sivajee and +eight of the Dacoits came up. From what they said, I gathered that the +rest of the band had dispersed, trusting either to get through the line +of their pursuers, or, if caught, to escape with slight punishment, the +men who remained being too deeply concerned in murderous outrages to +hope for mercy. Sivajee himself handed me a letter, which the man who +had taken my note had brought back in reply. Major Knapp, the writer, +who was the second in command, said that he could not engage the +Government, but that if Lieutenant Hastings was given up the act would +certainly dispose the Government to take the most merciful view +possible; but that if, on the contrary, any harm was suffered by +Lieutenant Hastings, every man taken would be at once hung. Sivajee did +not appear put out about it. I do not think he expected any other +answer, and imagine that his real object in writing was simply to let +them know that I was a prisoner, and so enable him the better to +paralyse the attack upon a position which he no doubt considered all but +impregnable.</p> + +<p>"I was given food, and was then allowed to walk as I chose upon the +little plateau, two of the Dacoits taking post as sentries at the +steepest <a name="Page_32" id="Page_32"></a>part of the path, while the rest gathered, chatting and +smoking, in the depression in front of the storehouse. It was still +light enough for me to see for some distance down the face of the rock, +and I strained my eyes to see if I could discern any other spot at which +an ascent or descent was possible. The prospect was not encouraging. At +some places the face fell sheer away from the edge, and so evident was +the impracticability of escape that the only place which I glanced at +twice was the western side, that is the one away from the hill. Here it +sloped gradually for a few feet. I took off my shoes and went down to +the edge. Below, some ten feet, was a ledge, on to which with care I +could get down, but below that was a sheer fall of some fifty feet. As a +means of escape it was hopeless, but it struck me that if an attack was +made I might slip away and get on to the ledge. Once there I could not +be seen except by a person standing where I now was, just on the edge of +the slope, a spot to which it was very unlikely that anyone would come.</p> + +<p>"The thought gave me a shadow of hope, and, returning to the upper end +of the platform, I lay down, and in spite of the hardness of the rock, +was soon asleep. The pain of my aching bones <a name="Page_33" id="Page_33"></a>woke me up several times, +and once, just as the first tinge of dawn was coming, I thought I could +hear movements in the jungle. I raised myself somewhat, and I saw that +the sounds had been heard by the Dacoits, for they were standing +listening, and some of them were bringing spare fire-arms from the +storehouse, in evident preparation for attack.</p> + +<p>"As I afterwards learned, the police had caught one of the Dacoits +trying to effect his escape, and by means of a little of the ingenious +torture to which the Indian police then frequently resorted, when their +white officers were absent, they obtained from him the exact position of +Sivajee's band, and learned the side from which the ascent must be made. +That the Dacoit and his band were still upon the slopes of the Ghauts +they knew, and were gradually narrowing their circle, but there were so +many rocks and hiding-places that the process of searching was a slow +one, and the intelligence was so important that the news was off at once +to the colonel, who gave orders for the police to surround the rock at +daylight and to storm it if possible. The garrison was so small that the +police were alone ample for the work, supposing that the natural +difficulties were not altogether insuperable.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34"></a>"Just at daybreak there was a distant noise of men moving in the +jungle, and the Dacoit half-way down the path fired his gun. He was +answered by a shout and a volley. The Dacoits hurried out from the +chamber, and lay down on the edge, where, sheltered by a parapet, they +commanded the path. They paid no attention to me, and I kept as far away +as possible. The fire began—a quiet, steady fire, a shot at a time, and +in strong contrast to the rattle kept up from the surrounding jungle; +but every shot must have told, as man after man who strove to climb that +steep path, fell. It lasted only ten minutes, and then all was quiet +again.</p> + +<p>"The attack had failed, as I knew it must do, for two men could have +held the place against an army; a quarter of an hour later a gun from +the crest above spoke out, and a round shot whistled above our heads. +Beyond annoyance, an artillery fire could do no harm, for the party +could be absolutely safe in the store cave. The instant the shot flew +overhead, however, Sivajee Punt beckoned to me, and motioned me to take +my seat on the wall facing the guns. Hesitation was useless, and I took +my seat with my back to the Dacoits and my face to the hill. One of the +Dacoits, as I did so, pulled off the native <a name="Page_35" id="Page_35"></a>cloth which covered my +shoulders, in order that I might be clearly seen.</p> + +<p>"Just as I took my place another round shot hummed by; but then there +was a long interval of silence. With a field-glass every feature must +have been distinguishable to the gunners, and I had no doubt that they +were waiting for orders as to what to do next.</p> + +<p>"I glanced round and saw that with the exception of one fellow squatted +behind the parapet some half-dozen yards away, clearly as a sentry to +keep me in place, all the others had disappeared. Some, no doubt, were +on sentry down the path, the others were in the store beneath me. After +half an hour's silence the guns spoke out again. Evidently the gunners +were told to be as careful as they could, for some of the shots went +wide on the left, others on the right. A few struck the rock below me. +The situation was not pleasant, but I thought that at a thousand yards +they ought not to hit me, and I tried to distract my attention by +thinking out what I should do under every possible contingency.</p> + +<p>"Presently I felt a crash and a shock, and fell backwards to the ground. +I was not hurt, and on picking myself up saw that the ball had struck +<a name="Page_36" id="Page_36"></a>the parapet to the left, just where my guard was sitting, and he lay +covered with its fragments. His turban lay some yards behind him. +Whether he was dead or not I neither knew nor cared.</p> + +<p>"I pushed down some of the parapet where I had been sitting, dropped my +cap on the edge outside, so as to make it appear that I had fallen over, +and then picking up the man's turban, ran to the other end of the +platform and scrambled down to the ledge. Then I began to wave my arms +about—I had nothing on above the waist—and in a moment I saw a face +with a uniform cap peer out through the jungle, and a hand was waved. I +made signs to him to make his way to the foot of the perpendicular wall +of rock beneath me. I then unwound the turban, whose length was, I knew, +amply sufficient to reach to the bottom, and then looked round for +something to write on. I had my pencil still in my trousers pocket, but +not a scrap of paper.</p> + +<p>"I picked up a flattish piece of rock and wrote on it, 'Get a +rope-ladder quickly, I can haul it up. Ten men in garrison. They are all +under cover. Keep on firing to distract their attention."</p> + +<p>"I tied the stone to the end of the turban, and looked over. A +non-commissioned officer of the police was already standing below. I +lowered <a name="Page_37" id="Page_37"></a>the stone; he took it, waved his hand to me, and was gone.</p> + +<p>"An hour passed: it seemed an age. The round shots still rang overhead, +and the fire was now much more heavy and sustained than before. +Presently I again saw a movement in the jungle, and Norworthy's face +appeared, and he waved his arm in greeting.</p> + +<p>"Five minutes more and a party were gathered at the foot of the rock, +and a strong rope was tied to the cloth. I pulled it up. A rope-ladder +was attached to it, and the top rung was in a minute or two in my hands. +To it was tied a piece of paper with the words: 'Can you fasten the +ladder?" I wrote on the paper: 'No; but I can hold it for a light +weight.'</p> + +<p>"I put the paper with a stone in the end of the cloth, and lowered it +again. Then I sat down, tied the rope round my waist, got my feet +against two projections, and waited. There was a jerk, and then I felt +some one was coming up the rope-ladder. The strain was far less than I +expected, but the native policeman who came up first did not weigh half +so much as an average Englishman. There were now two of us to hold. The +officer in command of the police came up next, then Norworthy, then a +dozen more police. I <a name="Page_38" id="Page_38"></a>explained the situation, and we mounted to the +upper level. Not a soul was to be seen. Quickly we advanced and took up +a position to command the door of the underground chamber; while one of +the police waved a white cloth from his bayonet as a signal to the +gunners to cease firing. Then the police officer hailed the party within +the cave.</p> + +<p>"'Sivajee Punt! you may as well come out and give yourself up! We are in +possession, and resistance is useless!'</p> + +<p>"A yell of rage and surprise was heard, and the Dacoits, all desperate +men, came bounding out, firing as they did so. Half of their number were +shot down at once, and the rest, after a short, sharp struggle, were +bound hand and foot.</p> + +<p>"That is pretty well all of the story, I think. Sivajee Punt was one of +the killed. The prisoners were all either hung or imprisoned for life. I +escaped my blowing-up for having gone down the Ghauts after the bear, +because, after all, Sivajee Punt might have defied their force for +months had I not done so.</p> + +<p>"It seemed that that scoundrel Rahman had taken back word that I was +killed. Norworthy had sent down a strong party, who <a name="Page_39" id="Page_39"></a>found the two dead +bears, and who, having searched everywhere without finding any signs of +my body, came to the conclusion that I had been found and carried away, +especially as they ascertained that natives used that path. They had +offered rewards, but nothing was heard of me till my note saying I was +in Sivajee's hands arrived."</p> + +<p>"And did you ever see the women who carried you off?"</p> + +<p>"No, Mary, I never saw them again. I did, however, after immense +trouble, succeed in finding out where it was that I had been taken to. I +went down at once, but found the village deserted. Then after much +inquiry I found where the people had moved to, and sent messages to the +women to come up to the camp, but they never came; and I was reduced at +last to sending them down two sets of silver bracelets, necklaces, and +bangles, which must have rendered them the envy of all the women on the +Ghauts. They sent back a message of grateful thanks, and I never heard +of them afterwards. No doubt their relatives, who knew that their +connection with the Dacoits was now known, would not let them come. +However, I had done all I could, and I have no doubt the women were +perfectly <a name="Page_40" id="Page_40"></a>satisfied. So you see, my dear, that the Indian bear, small +as he is, is an animal which it is as well to leave alone, at any rate +when he happens to be up on the side of a hill while you are at the +foot."</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 150px;"> +<img src="images/e2.jpg" width="150" height="70" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41"></a></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 324px;"> +<a name="Paternosters" id="Paternosters"></a> +<img src="images/pater.jpg" width="324" height="73" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<h2>THE PATERNOSTERS.</h2> + +<h3>A YACHTING STORY.</h3> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 75px;"> +<img src="images/b1.jpg" width="75" height="78" alt="A" title="" /></div> +<p style="text-indent: -0.75em;">ND do you really mean that we are to cross by the steamer, Mr. Virtue, +while you go over in the <i>Seabird?</i> I do not approve of that at all. +Fanny, why do you not rebel, and say we won't be put ashore? I call it +horrid, after a fortnight on board this dear little yacht, to have to +get on to a crowded steamer, with no accommodation and lots of sea-sick +women, perhaps, and crying children. You surely cannot be in earnest?"<br style="clear: both;" /></p> + +<p>"I do not like it any more than you do, Minnie; but, as Tom says we had +better do it, and my husband agrees with him, I am afraid we must +submit. Do you really think it is quite necessary, Mr. Virtue? Minnie +and I are both good sailors, you know; and we would much rather have a +little extra tossing about on board the <i>Seabird</i> than the discomforts +of a steamer."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42"></a>"I certainly think that it will be best, Mrs. Grantham. You know very +well we would rather have you on board, and that we shall suffer from +your loss more than you will by going the other way; but there's no +doubt the wind is getting up, and though we don't feel it much here, it +must be blowing pretty hard outside. The <i>Seabird</i> is as good a sea-boat +as anything of her size that floats; but you don't know what it is to be +out in anything like a heavy sea in a thirty-tonner. It would be +impossible for you to stay on deck, and we should have our hands full, +and should not be able to give you the benefit of our society. +Personally, I should not mind being out in the <i>Seabird</i> in any weather, +but I would certainly rather not have ladies on board."</p> + +<p>"You don't think we should scream, or do anything foolish, Mr. Virtue?" +Minnie Graham said indignantly.</p> + +<p>"Not at all, Miss Graham. Still, I repeat, the knowledge that there are +women on board, delightful at other times, does not tend to comfort in +bad weather. Of course, if you prefer it, we can put off our start till +this puff of wind has blown itself out. It may have dropped before +morning. It may last some little time.<a name="Page_43" id="Page_43"></a> I don't think myself that it +will drop, for the glass has fallen, and I am afraid we may have a spell +of broken weather."</p> + +<p>"Oh no; don't put it off," Mrs. Grantham said; "we have only another +fortnight before James must be back again in London, and it would be a +great pity to lose three or four days perhaps; and we have been looking +forward to cruising about among the Channel Islands, and to St. Malo, +and all those places. Oh no; I think the other is much the better +plan—that is, if you won't take us with you."</p> + +<p>"It would be bad manners to say that I won't, Mrs. Grantham; but I must +say I would rather not. It will be a very short separation. Grantham +will take you on shore at once, and as soon as the boat comes back I +shall be off. You will start in the steamer this evening, and get into +Jersey at nine or ten o'clock to-morrow morning; and if I am not there +before you, I shall not be many hours after you."</p> + +<p>"Well, if it must be it must," Mrs. Grantham said, with an air of +resignation. "Come, Minnie, let us put a few things into a hand-bag for +to-night. You see the skipper is not to be moved by our pleadings."</p> + +<p>"That is the worst of you married women,<a name="Page_44" id="Page_44"></a> Fanny," Miss Graham said, with +a little pout. "You get into the way of doing as you are ordered. I call +it too bad. Here have we been cruising about for the last fortnight, +with scarcely a breath of wind, and longing for a good brisk breeze and +a little change and excitement, and now it comes at last, we are to be +packed off in a steamer. I call it horrid of you, Mr. Virtue. You may +laugh, but I do."</p> + +<p>Tom Virtue laughed, but he showed no signs of giving way, and ten +minutes later Mr. and Mrs. Grantham and Miss Graham took their places in +the gig, and were rowed into Southampton Harbour, off which the +<i>Seabird</i> was lying.</p> + +<p>The last fortnight had been a very pleasant one, and it had cost the +owner of the <i>Seabird</i> as much as his guests to come to the conclusion +that it was better to break up the party for a few hours.</p> + +<p>Tom Virtue had, up to the age of five-and-twenty, been possessed of a +sufficient income for his wants. He had entered at the bar, not that he +felt any particular vocation in that direction, but because he thought +it incumbent upon him to do something. Then, at the death of an uncle, +he had come into a considerable fortune, and was <a name="Page_45" id="Page_45"></a>able to indulge his +taste for yachting, which was the sole amusement for which he really +cared, to the fullest.</p> + +<p>He sold the little five-tonner he had formerly possessed, and purchased +the <i>Seabird</i>. He could well have afforded a much larger craft, but he +knew that there was far more real enjoyment in sailing to be obtained +from a small craft than a large one, for in the latter he would be +obliged to have a regular skipper, and would be little more than a +passenger, whereas on board the <i>Seabird</i>, although his first hand was +dignified by the name of skipper, he was himself the absolute master. +The boat carried the aforesaid skipper, three hands, and a steward, and +with them he had twice been up the Mediterranean, across to Norway, and +had several times made the circuit of the British Isles.</p> + +<p>He had unlimited confidence in his boat, and cared not what weather he +was out in her. This was the first time since his ownership of her that +the <i>Seabird</i> had carried lady passengers. His friend Grantham, an old +school and college chum, was a hard-working barrister, and Virtue had +proposed to him to take a month's holiday on board the <i>Seabird</i>.</p> + +<p>"Put aside your books, old man," he said.<a name="Page_46" id="Page_46"></a> "You look fagged and +overworked; a month's blow will do you all the good in the world."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Tom; I have made up my mind for a month's holiday, but I +can't accept your invitation, though I should enjoy it of all things. +But it would not be fair to my wife; she doesn't get very much of my +society, and she has been looking forward to our having a run together. +So I must decline."</p> + +<p>Virtue hesitated a moment. He was not very fond of ladies' society, and +thought them especially in the way on board a yacht; but he had a great +liking for his friend's wife, and was almost as much at home in his +house as in his own chambers.</p> + +<p>"Why not bring the wife with you?" he said, as soon as his mind was made +up. "It will be a nice change for her too; and I have heard her say that +she is a good sailor. The accommodation is not extensive, but the +after-cabin is a pretty good size, and I would do all I could to make +her comfortable. Perhaps she would like another lady with her; if so by +all means bring one. They could have the after-cabin, you could have the +little state-room, and I could sleep in the saloon."</p> + +<p>"It is very good of you, Tom, especially as I <a name="Page_47" id="Page_47"></a>know that it will put you +out frightfully; but the offer is a very tempting one. I will speak to +Fanny, and let you have an answer in the morning."</p> + +<p>"That will be delightful, James," Mrs. Grantham said, when the +invitation was repeated to her. "I should like it of all things; and I +am sure the rest and quiet and the sea air will be just the thing for +you. It is wonderful, Tom Virtue making the offer; and I take it as a +great personal compliment, for he certainly is not what is generally +called a lady's man. It is very nice, too, of him to think of my having +another lady on board. Whom shall we ask? Oh, I know," she said +suddenly; "that will be the thing of all others. We will ask my cousin +Minnie; she is full of fun and life, and will make a charming wife for +Tom!"</p> + +<p>James Grantham laughed.</p> + +<p>"What schemers you all are, Fanny! Now I should call it downright +treachery to take anyone on board the <i>Seabird</i> with the idea of +capturing its master."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense, treachery!" Mrs. Grantham said indignantly; "Minnie is the +nicest girl I know, and it would do Tom a world of good to have a wife +to look after him. Why, he is thirty now, <a name="Page_48" id="Page_48"></a>and will be settling down +into a confirmed old bachelor before long. It's the greatest kindness we +could do him, to take Minnie on board; and I am sure he is the sort of +man any girl might fall in love with when she gets to know him. The fact +is, he's shy! He never had any sisters, and spends all his time in +winter at that horrid club; so that really he has never had any women's +society, and even with us he will never come unless he knows we are +alone. I call it a great pity, for I don't know a pleasanter fellow than +he is. I think it will be doing him a real service in asking Minnie; so +that's settled. I will sit down and write him a note."</p> + +<p>"In for a penny, in for a pound, I suppose," was Tom Virtue's comment +when he received Mrs. Grantham's letter, thanking him warmly for the +invitation, and saying that she would bring her cousin, Miss Graham, +with her, if that young lady was disengaged.</p> + +<p>As a matter of self-defence he at once invited Jack Harvey, who was a +mutual friend of himself and Grantham, to be of the party.</p> + +<p>"Jack can help Grantham to amuse the women," he said to himself; "that +will be more in his line than mine. I will run down to Cowes to-morrow +and have a chat with Johnson; we shall want a <a name="Page_49" id="Page_49"></a>different sort of stores +altogether to those we generally carry, and I suppose we must do her up +a bit below."</p> + +<p>Having made up his mind to the infliction of female passengers, Tom +Virtue did it handsomely, and when the party came on board at Ryde they +were delighted with the aspect of the yacht below. She had been +repainted, the saloon and ladies' cabin were decorated in delicate +shades of gray, picked out with gold; and the upholsterer, into whose +hands the owner of the <i>Seabird</i> had placed her, had done his work with +taste and judgment, and the ladies' cabin resembled a little boudoir.</p> + +<p>"Why, Tom, I should have hardly known her!" Grantham, who had often +spent a day on board the <i>Seabird</i>, said.</p> + +<p>"I hardly know her myself," Tom said, rather ruefully; "but I hope she's +all right, Mrs. Grantham, and that you and Miss Graham will find +everything you want."</p> + +<p>"It is charming!" Mrs. Grantham said enthusiastically. "It's awfully +good of you, Tom, and we appreciate it; don't we, Minnie? It is such a +surprise, too; for James said that while I should find everything very +comfortable, I must not expect that a small yacht would be got up like a +palace."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50"></a>So a fortnight had passed; they had cruised along the coast as far as +Plymouth, anchoring at night at the various ports on the way. Then they +had returned to Southampton, and it had been settled that as none of the +party, with the exception of Virtue himself, had been to the Channel +Islands, the last fortnight of the trip should be spent there. The +weather had been delightful, save that there had been some deficiency in +wind, and throughout the cruise the <i>Seabird</i> had been under all the +sail she could spread. But when the gentlemen came on deck early in the +morning a considerable change had taken place; the sky was gray and the +clouds flying fast overhead.</p> + +<p>"We are going to have dirty weather," Tom Virtue said at once. "I don't +think it's going to be a gale, but there will be more sea on than will +be pleasant for ladies. I tell you what, Grantham; the best thing will +be for you to go on shore with the two ladies, and cross by the boat +to-night. If you don't mind going directly after breakfast I will start +at once, and shall be at St. Helier's as soon as you are."</p> + +<p>And so it had been agreed, but not, as has been seen, without opposition +and protest on the part of the ladies.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51"></a>Mrs. Grantham's chief reason for objecting had not been given. The +little scheme on which she had set her mind seemed to be working +satisfactorily. From the first day Tom Virtue had exerted himself to +play the part of host satisfactorily, and had ere long shaken off any +shyness he may have felt towards the one stranger of the party, and he +and Miss Graham had speedily got on friendly terms. So things were going +on as well as Mrs. Grantham could have expected.</p> + +<p>No sooner had his guests left the side of the yacht than her owner began +to make his preparations for a start.</p> + +<p>"What do you think of the weather, Watkins?" he asked his skipper.</p> + +<p>"It's going to blow hard, sir; that's my view of it, and if I was you I +shouldn't up anchor to-day. Still, it's just as you likes; the <i>Seabird</i> +won't mind it if we don't. She has had a rough time of it before now; +still, it will be a case of wet jackets, and no mistake."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I expect we shall have a rough time of it, Watkins, but I want to +get across. We don't often let ourselves be weather-bound, and I am not +going to begin it to-day. We had better house the topmast at once, and +get two reefs in the main-sail. We can get the other down when <a name="Page_52" id="Page_52"></a>we get +clear of the island. Get number three jib up, and the leg-of-mutton +mizzen; put two reefs in the foresail."</p> + +<p>Tom and his friend Harvey, who was a good sailor, assisted the crew in +reefing down the sails, and a few minutes after the gig had returned and +been hoisted in, the yawl was running rapidly down Southampton waters.</p> + +<p>"We need hardly have reefed quite so closely," Jack Harvey said, as he +puffed away at his pipe.</p> + +<p>"Not yet, Jack; but you will see she has as much as she can carry before +long. It's all the better to make all snug before starting; it saves a +lot of trouble afterwards, and the extra canvas would not have made ten +minutes' difference to us at the outside. We shall have pretty nearly a +dead beat down the Solent. Fortunately tide will be running strong with +us, but there will be a nasty kick-up there. You will see we shall feel +the short choppy seas there more than we shall when we get outside. She +is a grand boat in a really heavy sea, but in short waves she puts her +nose into it with a will. Now, if you will take my advice, you will do +as I am going to do; put on a pair of fisherman's boots and oilskin and +sou'-wester. There are several sets for you to choose from below."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53"></a>As her owner had predicted, the <i>Seabird</i> put her bowsprit under pretty +frequently in the Solent; the wind was blowing half a gale, and as it +met the tide it knocked up a short, angry sea, crested with white heads, +and Jack Harvey agreed that she had quite as much sail on her as she +wanted. The cabin doors were bolted, and all made snug to prevent the +water getting below before they got to the race off Hurst Castle; and it +was well that they did so, for she was as much under water as she was +above.</p> + +<p>"I think if I had given way to the ladies and brought them with us they +would have changed their minds by this time, Jack," Tom Virtue said, +with a laugh.</p> + +<p>"I should think so," his friend agreed; "this is not a day for a +fair-weather sailor. Look what a sea is breaking on the shingles!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, five minutes there would knock her into matchwood. Another ten +minutes and we shall be fairly out; and I sha'n't be sorry; one feels as +if one was playing football, only just at present the <i>Seabird</i> is the +ball and the waves the kickers."</p> + +<p>Another quarter of an hour and they had passed the Needles.</p> + +<p>"That is more pleasant, Jack," as the short, chopping motion was +exchanged for a regular <a name="Page_54" id="Page_54"></a>rise and fall; "this is what I enjoy—a steady +wind and a regular sea. The <i>Seabird</i> goes over it like one of her +namesakes; she is not taking a teacupful now over her bows.</p> + +<p>"Watkins, you may as well take the helm for a spell, while we go down to +lunch. I am not sorry to give it up for a bit, for it has been jerking +like the kick of a horse.</p> + +<p>"That's right, Jack, hang up your oilskin there. Johnson, give us a +couple of towels; we have been pretty well smothered up there on deck. +Now what have you got for us?"</p> + +<p>"There is some soup ready, sir, and that cold pie you had for dinner +yesterday."</p> + +<p>"That will do; open a couple of bottles of stout."</p> + +<p>Lunch, over, they went on deck again.</p> + +<p>"She likes a good blow as well as we do," Virtue said, enthusiastically, +as the yawl rose lightly over each wave. "What do you think of it, +Watkins? Is the wind going to lull a bit as the sun goes down?"</p> + +<p>"I think not, sir. It seems to me it's blowing harder than it was."</p> + +<p>"Then we will prepare for the worst, Watkins; get the try-sail up on +deck. When you are ready we will bring her up into the wind and set it.<a name="Page_55" id="Page_55"></a> +That's the comfort of a yawl, Jack; one can always lie to without any +bother, and one hasn't got such a tremendous boom to handle."</p> + +<p>The try-sail was soon on deck, and then the <i>Seabird</i> was brought up +into the wind, the weather fore-sheet hauled aft, the mizzen sheeted +almost fore and aft, and the <i>Seabird</i> lay, head to wind, rising and +falling with a gentle motion, in strong contrast to her impetuous rushes +when under sail.</p> + +<p>"She would ride out anything like that," her owner said. "Last time we +came through the Bay on our way from Gib., we were caught in a gale +strong enough to blow the hair off one's head, and we lay to for nearly +three days, and didn't ship a bucket of water all the time. Now let us +lend a hand to get the main-sail stowed."</p> + +<p>Ten minutes' work and it was securely fastened and its cover on; two +reefs were put in the try-sail. Two hands went to each of the halliards, +while, as the sail rose, Tom Virtue fastened the toggles round the mast.</p> + +<p>"All ready, Watkins?"</p> + +<p>"All ready, sir."</p> + +<p>"Slack off the weather fore-sheet, then, and haul aft the leeward. Slack +out the mizzen-sheet a little, Jack. That's it; now she's off again, +like a duck."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56"></a>The <i>Seabird</i> felt the relief from the pressure of the heavy boom to +leeward and rose easily and lightly over the waves.</p> + +<p>"She certainly is a splendid sea-boat, Tom; I don't wonder you are ready +to go anywhere in her. I thought we were rather fools for starting this +morning, although I enjoy a good blow; but now I don't care how hard it +comes on."</p> + +<p>By night it was blowing a downright gale.</p> + +<p>"We will lie to till morning, Watkins. So that we get in by daylight +to-morrow evening, that is all we want. See our side-lights are burning +well, and you had better get up a couple of blue lights, in case +anything comes running up Channel and don't see our lights. We had +better divide into two watches; I will keep one with Matthews and +Dawson, Mr. Harvey will go in your watch with Nicholls. We had better +get the try-sail down altogether, and lie to under the foresail and +mizzen, but don't put many lashings on the try-sail, one will be enough, +and have it ready to cast off in a moment, in case we want to hoist the +sail in a hurry. I will go down and have a glass of hot grog first, and +then I will take my watch to begin with. Let the two hands with me go +down; the steward will serve them out a tot each. Jack, you had better +turn in at once."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57"></a>Virtue was soon on deck again, muffled up in his oilskins.</p> + +<p>"Now, Watkins, you can go below and turn in."</p> + +<p>"I sha'n't go below to-night, sir—not to lie down. There's nothing much +to do here, but I couldn't sleep, if I did lie down."</p> + +<p>"Very well; you had better go below and get a glass of grog; tell the +steward to give you a big pipe with a cover like this, out of the +locker; and there's plenty of chewing tobacco, if the men are short."</p> + +<p>"I will take that instead of a pipe," Watkins said; "there's nothing +like a quid in weather like this, it ain't never in your way, and it +lasts. Even with a cover a pipe would soon be out."</p> + +<p>"Please yourself, Watkins; tell the two hands forward to keep a bright +look-out for lights."</p> + +<p>The night passed slowly. Occasionally a sea heavier than usual came on +board, curling over the bow and falling with a heavy thud on the deck, +but for the most part the <i>Seabird</i> breasted the waves easily; the +bowsprit had been reefed in to its fullest, thereby adding to the +lightness and buoyancy of the boat. Tom Virtue did not go below when his +friend came up to relieve him at the change of watch, but sat smoking +and <a name="Page_58" id="Page_58"></a>doing much talking in the short intervals between the gusts.</p> + +<p>The morning broke gray and misty, driving sleet came along on the wind, +and the horizon was closed in as by a dull curtain.</p> + +<p>"How far can we see, do you think, Watkins?"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps a couple of miles, sir."</p> + +<p>"That will be enough. I think we both know the position of every reef to +within a hundred yards, so we will shape our course for Guernsey. If we +happen to hit it off, we can hold on to St. Helier; but if when we think +we ought to be within sight of Guernsey we see nothing of it, we must +lie to again, till the storm has blown itself out or the clouds lift. It +would never do to go groping our way along with such currents as run +among the islands. Put the last reef in the try-sail before you hoist +it. I think you had better get the foresail down altogether, and run up +the spit-fire jib."</p> + +<p>The <i>Seabird</i> was soon under way again.</p> + +<p>"Now, Watkins, you take the helm; we will go down and have a cup of hot +coffee, and I will see that the steward has a good supply for you and +the hands; but first, do you take the helm, Jack, whilst Watkins and I +have a look at the <a name="Page_59" id="Page_59"></a>chart, and try and work out where we are, and the +course we had better lie for Guernsey."</p> + +<p>Five minutes were spent over the chart, then Watkins went up and Jack +Harvey came down.</p> + +<p>"You have got the coffee ready, I hope, Johnson?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir, coffee and chocolate. I didn't know which you would like."</p> + +<p>"Chocolate, by all means. Jack, I recommend the chocolate. Bring two +full-sized bowls, Johnson, and put that cold pie on the table, and a +couple of knives and forks; never mind about a cloth; but first of all +bring a couple of basins of hot water, we shall enjoy our food more +after a wash."</p> + +<p>The early breakfast was eaten, dry coats and mufflers put on, pipes +lighted, and they then went up upon deck. Tom took the helm.</p> + +<p>"What time do you calculate we ought to make Guernsey, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"About twelve. The wind is freer than it was, and we are walking along +at a good pace. Matthews, cast the log, and let's see what we are doing. +About seven knots, I should say."</p> + +<p>"Seven and a quarter, sir," the man said, when he checked the line.</p> + +<p>"Not a bad guess, Tom; it's always difficult to judge pace in a heavy +sea."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60"></a>At eleven o'clock the mist ceased.</p> + +<p>"That's fortunate," Tom Virtue said; "I shouldn't be surprised if we get +a glimpse of the sun between the clouds, presently. Will you get my +sextant and the chronometer up, Jack, and put them handy?"</p> + +<p>Jack Harvey did as he was asked, but there was no occasion to use the +instruments, for ten minutes later, Watkins, who was standing near the +bow gazing fixedly ahead, shouted:</p> + +<p>"There's Guernsey, sir, on her lee bow, about six miles away, I should +say."</p> + +<p>"That's it, sure enough," Tom agreed, as he gazed in the direction in +which Watkins was pointing. "There's a gleam of sunshine on it, or we +shouldn't have seen it yet. Yes, I think you are about right as to the +distance. Now let us take its bearings, we may lose it again directly."</p> + +<p>Having taken the bearings of the island they went below, and marked off +their position on the chart, and they shaped their course for Cape +Grosnez, the north-western point of Jersey. The gleam of sunshine was +transient—the clouds closed in again overhead, darker and grayer than +before. Soon the drops of rain came flying before the wind, the horizon +closed in, and they could not see half a mile away, but, though the sea +was <a name="Page_61" id="Page_61"></a>heavy, the <i>Seabird</i> was making capital weather of it, and the two +friends agreed that, after all, the excitement of a sail like this was +worth a month of pottering about in calms.</p> + +<p>"We must keep a bright look-out presently," the skipper said; "there are +some nasty rocks off the coast of Jersey. We must give them a wide +berth. We had best make round to the south of the island, and lay to +there till we can pick up a pilot to take us into St. Helier. I don't +think it will be worth while trying to get into St. Aubyn's Bay by +ourselves."</p> + +<p>"I think so, too, Watkins, but we will see what it is like before it +gets dark; if we can pick up a pilot all the better; if not, we will lie +to till morning, if the weather keeps thick; but if it clears so that we +can make out all the lights we ought to be able to get into the bay +anyhow."</p> + +<p>An hour later the rain ceased and the sky appeared somewhat clearer. +Suddenly Watkins exclaimed, "There is a wreck, sir! There, three miles +away to leeward. She is on the Paternosters."</p> + +<p>"Good heavens! she is a steamer," Tom exclaimed, as he caught sight of +her the next time the <i>Seabird</i> lifted on a wave. "Can she be the +Southampton boat, do you think?"</p> + +<p><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62"></a>"Like enough, sir, she may have had it thicker than we had, and may not +have calculated enough for the current."</p> + +<p>"Up helm, Jack, and bear away towards her. Shall we shake out a reef, +Watkins?"</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't, sir; she has got as much as she can carry on her now. We +must mind what we are doing, sir; the currents run like a millstream, +and if we get that reef under our lee, and the wind and current both +setting us on to it, it will be all up with us in no time."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know that, Watkins. Jack, take the helm a minute while we run +down and look at the chart.</p> + +<p>"Our only chance, Watkins, is to work up behind the reef, and try and +get so that they can either fasten a line to a buoy and let it float +down to us, or get into a boat, if they have one left, and drift to us."</p> + +<p>"They are an awful group of rocks," Watkins said, as they examined the +chart; "you see some of them show merely at high tide, and a lot of them +are above at low water. It will be an awful business to get among them +rocks, sir, just about as near certain death as a thing can be."</p> + +<p>"Well, it's got to be done, Watkins," Tom said, firmly. "I see the +danger as well as you do, but <a name="Page_63" id="Page_63"></a>whatever the risk, it must be tried. Mr. +Grantham and the two ladies went on board by my persuasion, and I should +never forgive myself if anything happened to them. But I will speak to +the men."</p> + +<p>He went on deck again and called the men to him. "Look here, lads; you +see that steamer ashore on the Paternosters. In such a sea as this she +may go to pieces in half an hour. I am determined to make an effort to +save the lives of those on board. As you can see for yourselves there is +no lying to weather of her, with the current and wind driving us on to +the reef; we must beat up from behind. Now, lads, the sea there is full +of rocks, and the chances are ten to one we strike on to them and go to +pieces; but, anyhow I am going to try; but I won't take you unless you +are willing. The boat is a good one, and the zinc chambers will keep her +afloat if she fills; well managed, you ought to be able to make the +coast of Jersey in her. Mr. Harvey, Watkins, and I can handle the yacht, +so you can take the boat if you like."</p> + +<p>The men replied that they would stick to the yacht wherever Mr. Virtue +chose to take her, and muttered something about the ladies, for the +pleasant faces of Mrs. Grantham and Miss Graham <a name="Page_64" id="Page_64"></a>had, during the +fortnight they had been on board, won the men's hearts.</p> + +<p>"Very well, lads, I am glad to find you will stick by me; if we pull +safely through it I will give each of you three months' wages. Now set +to work with a will and get the gig out. We will tow her after us, and +take to her if we make a smash of it."</p> + +<p>They were now near enough to see the white breakers, in the middle of +which the ship was lying. She was fast breaking up. The jagged outline +showed that the stern had been beaten in. The masts and funnel were +gone, and the waves seemed to make a clean breach over her, almost +hiding her from sight in a white cloud of spray.</p> + +<p>"Wood and iron can't stand that much longer," Jack Harvey said; "another +hour and I should say there won't be two planks left together."</p> + +<p>"It is awful, Jack; I would give all I have in the world if I had not +persuaded them to go on board. Keep her off a little more, Watkins."</p> + +<p>The <i>Seabird</i> passed within a cable's-length of the breakers at the +northern end of the reef.</p> + +<p>"Now, lads, take your places at the sheets, ready to haul or let go as I +give the word." So saying, Tom Virtue took his place in the bow, holding +on by the forestay.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65"></a>The wind was full on the <i>Seabird's</i> beam as she entered the broken +water. Here and there the dark heads of the rocks showed above the +water. These were easy enough to avoid, the danger lay in those hidden +beneath its surface, and whose position was indicated only by the +occasional break of a sea as it passed over them. Every time the +<i>Seabird</i> sank on a wave those on board involuntarily held their breath, +but the water here was comparatively smooth, the sea having spent its +first force upon the outer reef. With a wave of his hand Tom directed +the helmsman as to his course, and the little yacht was admirably +handled through the dangers.</p> + +<p>"I begin to think we shall do it," Tom said to Jack Harvey, who was +standing close to him. "Another five minutes and we shall be within +reach of her."</p> + +<p>It could be seen now that there was a group of people clustered in the +bow of the wreck. Two or three light lines were coiled in readiness for +throwing.</p> + +<p>"Now, Watkins," Tom said, going aft, "make straight for the wreck. I see +no broken water between us and them, and possibly there may be deep +water under their bow."</p> + +<p>It was an anxious moment, as, with the sails <a name="Page_66" id="Page_66"></a>flattened in, the yawl +forged up nearly in the eye of the wind towards the wreck. Her progress +was slow, for she was now stemming the current.</p> + +<p>Tom stood with a coil of line in his hand in the bow.</p> + +<p>"You get ready to throw, Jack, if I miss."</p> + +<p>Nearer and nearer the yacht approached the wreck, until the bowsprit of +the latter seemed to stand almost over her. Then Tom threw the line. It +fell over the bowsprit, and a cheer broke from those on board the wreck +and from the sailors of the <i>Seabird</i>. A stronger line was at once +fastened to that thrown, and to this a strong hawser was attached.</p> + +<p>"Down with the helm, Watkins. Now, lads, lower away the try-sail as fast +as you can. Now, one of you, clear that hawser as they haul on it. Now +out with the anchors."</p> + +<p>These had been got into readiness; it was not thought that they would +get any hold on the rocky bottom, still they might catch on a projecting +ledge, and at any rate their weight and that of the chain cable would +relieve the strain upon the hawser.</p> + +<p>Two sailors had run out on the bowsprit of the wreck as soon as the line +was thrown, and the end of the hawser was now on board the steamer.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67"></a>"Thank God, there's Grantham!" Jack Harvey exclaimed; "do you see him +waving his hand?"</p> + +<p>"I see him," Tom said, "but I don't see the ladies."</p> + +<p>"They are there, no doubt," Jack said, confidently; "crouching down, I +expect. He would not be there if they weren't, you may be sure. Yes, +there they are; those two muffled-up figures. There, one of them has +thrown back her cloak and is waving her arm."</p> + +<p>The two young men waved their caps.</p> + +<p>"Are the anchors holding, Watkins? There's a tremendous strain on that +hawser."</p> + +<p>"I think so, sir; they are both tight."</p> + +<p>"Put them round the windlass, and give a turn or two, we must relieve +the strain on that hawser."</p> + +<p>Since they had first seen the wreck the waves had made great progress in +the work of destruction, and the steamer had broken in two just aft of +the engines.</p> + +<p>"Get over the spare spars, Watkins, and fasten them to float in front of +her bows like a triangle. Matthews, catch hold of that boat-hook and try +to fend off any piece of timber that comes along. You get hold of the +sweeps, lads, and do the same.<a name="Page_68" id="Page_68"></a> They would stave her in like a nut-shell +if they struck her.</p> + +<p>"Thank God, here comes the first of them!"</p> + +<p>Those on board the steamer had not been idle. As soon as the yawl was +seen approaching slings were prepared, and no sooner was the hawser +securely fixed, than the slings were attached to it and a woman placed +in them. The hawser was tight and the descent sharp, and without a check +the figure ran down to the deck of the <i>Seabird</i>. She was lifted out of +the slings by Tom and Jack Harvey, who found she was an old woman and +had entirely lost consciousness.</p> + +<p>"Two of you carry her down below; tell Johnson to pour a little brandy +down her throat. Give her some hot soup as soon as she comes to."</p> + +<p>Another woman was lowered and helped below. The next to descend was Mrs. +Grantham.</p> + +<p>"Thank God, you are rescued!" Tom said, as he helped her out of the +sling.</p> + +<p>"Thank God, indeed," Mrs. Grantham said, "and thank you all! Oh, Tom, we +have had a terrible time of it, and had lost all hope till we saw your +sail, and even then the captain said that he was afraid nothing could be +done. Minnie was the first to make out it was you, and then <a name="Page_69" id="Page_69"></a>we began to +hope. She has been so brave, dear girl. Ah! here she comes."</p> + +<p>But Minnie's firmness came to an end now that she felt the need for it +was over. She was unable to stand when she was lifted from the slings; +and Tom carried her below.</p> + +<p>"Are there any more women, Mrs. Grantham?"</p> + +<p>"No; there was only one other lady passenger and the stewardess."</p> + +<p>"Then you had better take possession of your own cabin. I ordered +Johnson to spread a couple more mattresses and some bedding on the +floor, so you will all four be able to turn in. There's plenty of hot +coffee and soup. I should advise soup with two or three spoonfuls of +brandy in it. Now, excuse me; I must go upon deck."</p> + +<p>Twelve men descended by the hawser, one of them with both legs broken by +the fall of the mizzen. The last to come was the captain.</p> + +<p>"Is that all?" Tom asked.</p> + +<p>"That is all," the captain said. "Six men were swept overboard when she +first struck, and two were killed by the fall of the funnel. Fortunately +we had only three gentlemen passengers and three ladies on board. The +weather looked so wild when we started that no one else cared about +making the passage. God bless you, sir, for what <a name="Page_70" id="Page_70"></a>you have done! Another +half-hour and it would have been all over with us. But it seems like a +miracle your getting safe through the rocks to us."</p> + +<p>"It was fortunate indeed that we came along," Tom said; "three of the +passengers are dear friends of mine; and as it was by my persuasion that +they came across in the steamer instead of in the yacht, I should never +have forgiven myself if they had been lost. Take all your men below, +captain; you will find plenty of hot soup there. Now, Watkins, let us be +off; that steamer won't hold together many minutes longer, so there's no +time to lose. We will go back as we came. Give me a hatchet. Now, lads, +two of you stand at the chain-cables; knock out the shackles the moment +I cut the hawser. Watkins, you take the helm and let her head pay off +till the jib fills. Jack, you lend a hand to the other two, and get up +the try-sail again as soon as we are free."</p> + +<p>In a moment all were at their stations. The helm was put on the yacht, +and she payed off on the opposite tack to that on which she had before +been sailing. As soon as the jib filled, Tom gave two vigorous blows +with his hatchet on the hawser, and, as he lifted his hand for a third, +it parted. Then came the sharp rattle of the chains as they <a name="Page_71" id="Page_71"></a>ran round +the hawser-holes. The try-sail was hoisted and sheeted home, and the +<i>Seabird</i> was under way again. Tom, as before, conned the ship from the +bow. Several times she was in close proximity to the rocks, but each +time she avoided them. A shout of gladness rose from all on deck as she +passed the last patch of white water. Then she tacked and bore away for +Jersey.</p> + +<p>Tom had now time to go down below and look after his passengers. They +consisted of the captain and two sailors—the sole survivors of those +who had been on deck when the vessel struck—three male passengers, and +six engineers and stokers.</p> + +<p>"I have not had time to shake you by the hand before, Tom," Grantham +said, as Tom Virtue entered; "and I thought you would not want me on +deck at present. God bless you, old fellow! we all owe you our lives."</p> + +<p>"How did it happen, captain?" Tom asked, as the captain also came up to +him.</p> + +<p>"It was the currents, I suppose," the captain said; "it was so thick we +could not see a quarter of a mile any way. The weather was so wild I +would not put into Guernsey, and passed the island without seeing it. I +steered my usual course, but the gale must have altered the cur<a name="Page_72" id="Page_72"></a>rents, +for I thought I was three miles away from the reef, when we saw it on +our beam, not a hundred yards away. It was too late to avoid it then, +and in another minute we ran upon it, and the waves were sweeping over +us. Every one behaved well. I got all, except those who had been swept +overboard or crushed by the funnel, up into the bow of the ship, and +there we waited. There was nothing to be done. No boat would live for a +moment in the sea on that reef, and all I could advise was, that when +she went to pieces every one should try to get hold of a floating +fragment; but I doubt whether a man would have been alive a quarter of +an hour after she went to pieces."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps, captain, you will come on deck with me and give me the benefit +of your advice. My skipper and I know the islands pretty well, but no +doubt you know them a good deal better, and I don't want another +mishap."</p> + +<p>But the <i>Seabird</i> avoided all further dangers, and as it became dark, +the lights of St. Helier's were in sight, and an hour later the yacht +brought up in the port and landed her involuntary passengers.</p> + +<p>A fortnight afterwards the <i>Seabird</i> returned to England, and two months +later Mrs. Grantham <a name="Page_73" id="Page_73"></a>had the satisfaction of being present at the +ceremony which was the successful consummation of her little scheme in +inviting Minnie Graham to be her companion on board the <i>Seabird</i>.</p> + +<p>"Well, my dear," her husband said, when she indulged in a little natural +triumph, "I do not say that it has not turned out well, and I am +heartily glad for both Tom and Minnie's sake it has so; but you must +allow that it very nearly had a disastrous ending, and I think if I were +you I should leave matters to take their natural course in future. I +have accepted Tom's invitation for the same party to take a cruise in +the <i>Seabird</i> next summer, but I have bargained that next time a storm +is brewing up we shall stop quietly in port."</p> + +<p>"That's all very well, James," Mrs. Grantham said saucily; "but you must +remember that Tom Virtue will only be first-mate of the <i>Seabird</i> in +future."</p> + +<p>"That I shall be able to tell you better, my dear, after our next +cruise. All husbands are not as docile and easily led as I am."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74"></a></p> +<p><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75"></a></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 324px;"> +<a name="A_PIPE_OF_MYSTERY" id="A_PIPE_OF_MYSTERY"></a> +<img src="images/pipe.jpg" width="324" height="72" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<h2>A PIPE OF MYSTERY.</h2> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 75px;"> +<img src="images/b1.jpg" width="75" height="78" alt="A" title="" /></div> +<p>jovial party were gathered round a blazing fire in an old grange near +Warwick. The hour was getting late; the very little ones had, after +dancing round the Christmas-tree, enjoying the snapdragon, and playing a +variety of games, gone off to bed; and the elder boys and girls now +gathered round their uncle, Colonel Harley, and asked him for a +story—above all, a ghost story.<br style="clear: both;" /></p> + +<p>"But I have never seen any ghosts," the colonel said, laughing; "and, +moreover, I don't believe in them one bit. I have travelled pretty well +all over the world, I have slept in houses said to be haunted, but +nothing have I seen—no noises that could not be accounted for by rats +or the wind have I ever heard. I have never"—and here he paused—"never +but once met with any circumstances or occurrence that could not be +accounted for by the light of reason, and I know you prefer <a name="Page_76" id="Page_76"></a>hearing +stories of my own adventures to mere invention."</p> + +<p>"Yes, uncle. But what was the 'once' when circumstances happened that +you could not explain?"</p> + +<p>"It's rather a long story," the colonel said, "and it's getting late."</p> + +<p>"Oh! no, no, uncle; it does not matter a bit how late we sit up on +Christmas Eve, and the longer the story is, the better; and if you don't +believe in ghosts, how can it be a story of something you could not +account for by the light of nature?"</p> + +<p>"You will see when I have done," the colonel said. "It is rather a story +of what the Scotch call second sight, than one of ghosts. As to +accounting for it, you shall form your own opinion when you have heard +me to the end.</p> + +<p>"I landed in India in '50, and after going through the regular drill +work, marched with a detachment up country to join my regiment, which +was stationed at Jubbalpore, in the very heart of India. It has become +an important place since; the railroad across India passes through it, +and no end of changes have taken place; but at that time it was one of +the most out-of-the-way stations in India, and, I may say, one of the +most <a name="Page_77" id="Page_77"></a>pleasant. It lay high, there was capital boating on the Nerbudda, +and, above all, it was a grand place for sport, for it lay at the foot +of the hill country, an immense district, then but little known, covered +with forests and jungle, and abounding with big game of all kinds.</p> + +<p>"My great friend there was a man named Simmonds. He was just of my own +standing; we had come out in the same ship, had marched up the country +together, and were almost like brothers. He was an old Etonian, I an old +Westminster, and we were both fond of boating, and, indeed, of sport of +all kinds. But I am not going to tell you of that now. The people in +these hills are called Gonds, a true hill tribe—that is to say, +aborigines, somewhat of the negro type. The chiefs are of mixed blood, +but the people are almost black. They are supposed to accept the +religion of the Hindus, but are in reality deplorably ignorant and +superstitious. Their priests are a sort of compound of a Brahmin priest +and a negro fetish man, and among their principal duties is that of +charming away tigers from the villages by means of incantations. There, +as in other parts of India, were a few wandering fakirs, who enjoyed an +immense reputation for holiness and wisdom. The people would go to them +from <a name="Page_78" id="Page_78"></a>great distances for charms or predictions, and believed in their +power with implicit faith.</p> + +<p>"At the time when we were at Jubbalpore, there was one of these fellows, +whose reputation altogether eclipsed that of his rivals, and nothing +could be done until his permission had been asked and his blessing +obtained. All sorts of marvellous stories were constantly coming to our +ears of the unerring foresight with which he predicted the termination +of diseases, both in men and animals; and so generally was he believed +in that the colonel ordered that no one connected with the regiment +should consult him, for these predictions very frequently brought about +their own fulfilment; for those who were told that an illness would +terminate fatally, lost all hope, and literally lay down to die.</p> + +<p>"However, many of the stories that we heard could not be explained on +these grounds, and the fakir and his doings were often talked over at +mess, some of the officers scoffing at the whole business, others +maintaining that some of these fakirs had, in some way or another, the +power of foretelling the future, citing many well authenticated +anecdotes upon the subject.</p> + +<p>"The older officers were the believers, we young fellows were the +scoffers. But for the well-known <a name="Page_79" id="Page_79"></a>fact that it is very seldom indeed +that these fakirs will utter any of their predictions to Europeans, some +of us would have gone to him, to test his powers. As it was, none of us +had ever seen him.</p> + +<p>"He lived in an old ruined temple, in the middle of a large patch of +jungle at the foot of the hills, some ten or twelve miles away.</p> + +<p>"I had been at Jubbalpore about a year, when I was woke up one night by +a native, who came in to say that at about eight o'clock a tiger had +killed a man in his village, and had dragged off the body.</p> + +<p>"Simmonds and I were constantly out after tigers, and the people in all +the villages within twenty miles knew that we were always ready to pay +for early information. This tiger had been doing great damage, and had +carried off about thirty men, women, and children. So great was the fear +of him, indeed, that the people in the neighbourhood he frequented +scarcely dared stir out of doors, except in parties of five or six. We +had had several hunts after him, but, like all man-eaters, he was old +and awfully crafty; and although we got several snap shots at him, he +had always managed to save his skin.</p> + +<p>"In a quarter of an hour after the receipt of the message, Charley +Simmonds and I were on <a name="Page_80" id="Page_80"></a>the back of an elephant, which was our joint +property; our shekarry, a capital fellow, was on foot beside us, and +with the native trotting on ahead as guide we went off at the best pace +of old Begaum, for that was the elephant's name. The village was fifteen +miles away, but we got there soon after daybreak, and were received with +delight by the population. In half an hour the hunt was organized; all +the male population turned out as beaters, with sticks, guns, tom-toms, +and other instruments for making a noise.</p> + +<p>"The trail was not difficult to find. A broad path, with occasional +smears of blood, showed where he had dragged his victim through the long +grass to a cluster of trees a couple of hundred yards from the village.</p> + +<p>"We scarcely expected to find him there, but the villagers held back, +while we went forward with cocked rifles. We found, however, nothing but +a few bones and a quantity of blood. The tiger had made off at the +approach of daylight into the jungle, which was about two miles distant. +We traced him easily enough, and found that he had entered a large +ravine, from which several smaller ones branched off.</p> + +<p>"It was an awkward place, as it was next to impossible to surround it +with the number of <a name="Page_81" id="Page_81"></a>people at our command. We posted them at last all +along the upper ground, and told them to make up in noise what they +wanted in numbers. At last all was ready, and we gave the signal. +However, I am not telling you a hunting story, and need only say that we +could neither find nor disturb him. In vain we pushed Begaum through the +thickest of the jungle which clothed the sides and bottom of the ravine, +while the men shouted, beat their tom-toms, and showered imprecations +against the tiger himself and his ancestors up to the remotest +generations.</p> + +<p>"The day was tremendously hot, and, after three hours' march, we gave it +up for a time, and lay down in the shade, while the shekarries made a +long examination of the ground all round the hillside, to be sure that +he had not left the ravine. They came back with the news that no traces +could be discovered, and that, beyond a doubt, he was still there. A +tiger will crouch up in an exceedingly small clump of grass or bush, and +will sometimes almost allow himself to be trodden on before moving. +However, we determined to have one more search, and if that should prove +unsuccessful, to send off to Jubbalpore for some more of the men to come +out with elephants, while we kept up a circle of fires, and of noises +<a name="Page_82" id="Page_82"></a>of all descriptions, so as to keep him a prisoner until the arrival of +the reinforcements. Our next search was no more successful than our +first had been; and having, as we imagined, examined every clump and +crevice in which he could have been concealed, we had just reached the +upper end of the ravine, when we heard a tremendous roar, followed by a +perfect babel of yells and screams from the natives.</p> + +<p>"The outburst came from the mouth of the ravine, and we felt at once +that he had escaped. We hurried back to find, as we had expected, that +the tiger was gone. He had burst out suddenly from his hiding-place, had +seized a native, torn him horribly, and had made across the open plain.</p> + +<p>"This was terribly provoking, but we had nothing to do but follow him. +This was easy enough, and we traced him to a detached patch of wood and +jungle, two miles distant. This wood was four or five hundred yards +across, and the exclamations of the people at once told us that it was +the one in which stood the ruined temple of the fakir of whom I have +been telling you. I forgot to say, that as the tiger broke out one of +the village shekarries had fired at, and, he declared, wounded him.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83"></a>"It was already getting late in the afternoon, and it was hopeless to +attempt to beat the jungle that night. We therefore sent off a runner +with a note to the colonel, asking him to send the work-elephants, and +to allow a party of volunteers to march over at night, to help surround +the jungle when we commenced beating it in the morning.</p> + +<p>"We based our request upon the fact that the tiger was a notorious +man-eater, and had been doing immense damage. We then had a talk with +our shekarry, sent a man off to bring provisions for the people out with +us, and then set them to work cutting sticks and grass to make a circle +of fires.</p> + +<p>"We both felt much uneasiness respecting the fakir, who might be seized +at any moment by the enraged tiger. The natives would not allow that +there was any cause for fear, as the tiger would not dare to touch so +holy a man. Our belief in the respect of the tiger for sanctity was by +no means strong, and we determined to go in and warn him of the presence +of the brute in the wood. It was a mission which we could not intrust to +anyone else, for no native would have entered the jungle for untold +gold; so we mounted the Begaum again, and started. The path leading +towards the temple was pretty wide, and as <a name="Page_84" id="Page_84"></a>we went along almost +noiselessly, for the elephant was too well trained to tread upon fallen +sticks, it was just possible we might come upon the tiger suddenly, so +we kept our rifles in readiness in our hands.</p> + +<p>"Presently we came in sight of the ruins. No one was at first visible; +but at that very moment the fakir came out from the temple. He did not +see or hear us, for we were rather behind him and still among the trees, +but at once proceeded in a high voice to break into a sing-song prayer. +He had not said two words before his voice was drowned in a terrific +roar, and in an instant the tiger had sprung upon him, struck him to the +ground, seized him as a cat would a mouse, and started off with him at a +trot. The brute evidently had not detected our presence, for he came +right towards us. We halted the Begaum, and with our fingers on the +triggers, awaited the favourable moment. He was a hundred yards from us +when he struck down his victim; he was not more than fifty when he +caught sight of us. He stopped for an instant in surprise. Charley +muttered, 'Both barrels, Harley,' and as the beast turned to plunge into +the jungle, and so showed us his side, we sent four bullets crashing +into him, and he rolled over lifeless.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85"></a>"We went up to the spot, made the Begaum give him a kick, to be sure +that he was dead, and then got down to examine the unfortunate fakir. +The tiger had seized him by the shoulder, which was terribly torn, and +the bone broken. He was still perfectly conscious.</p> + +<p>"We at once fired three shots, our usual signal that the tiger was dead, +and in a few minutes were surrounded by the villagers, who hardly knew +whether to be delighted at the death of their enemy, or to grieve over +the injury to the fakir. We proposed taking the latter to our hospital +at Jubbalpore, but this he positively refused to listen to. However we +finally persuaded him to allow his arm to be set and the wounds dressed +in the first place by our regimental surgeon, after which he could go to +one of the native villages and have his arm dressed in accordance with +his own notions. A litter was soon improvised, and away we went to +Jubbalpore, which we reached about eight in the evening.</p> + +<p>"The fakir refused to enter the hospital, so we brought out a couple of +trestles, laid the litter upon them, and the surgeon set his arm and +dressed his wounds by torch-light, when he was lifted into a dhoolie, +and his bearers again prepared to start for the village.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86"></a>"Hitherto he had only spoken a few words; but he now briefly expressed +his deep gratitude to Simmonds and myself. We told him that we would +ride over to see him shortly, and hoped to find him getting on rapidly. +Another minute and he was gone.</p> + +<p>"It happened that we had three or four fellows away on leave or on staff +duty, and several others knocked up with fever just about this time, so +that the duty fell very heavily upon the rest of us, and it was over a +month before we had time to ride over to see the fakir.</p> + +<p>"We had heard he was going on well; but we were surprised, on reaching +the village, to find that he had already returned to his old abode in +the jungle. However, we had made up our minds to see him, especially as +we had agreed that we would endeavour to persuade him to do a prediction +for us; so we turned our horses' heads towards the jungle. We found the +fakir sitting on a rock in front of the temple, just where he had been +seized by the tiger. He rose as we rode up.</p> + +<p>"'I knew that you would come to-day, sahibs, and was joyful in the +thought of seeing those who have preserved my life.'</p> + +<p>"'We are glad to see you looking pretty strong <a name="Page_87" id="Page_87"></a>again, though your arm +is still in a sling,' I said, for Simmonds was not strong in Hindustani.</p> + +<p>"'How did you know that we were coming?' I asked, when we had tied up +our horses.</p> + +<p>"'Siva has given to his servant to know many things,' he said quietly.</p> + +<p>"'Did you know beforehand that the tiger was going to seize you?' I +asked.</p> + +<p>"'I knew that a great danger threatened, and that Siva would not let me +die before my time had come.'</p> + +<p>"'Could you see into our future?' I asked.</p> + +<p>"The fakir hesitated, looked at me for a moment earnestly to see if I +was speaking in mockery, and then said:</p> + +<p>"'The sahibs do not believe in the power of Siva or of his servants. +They call his messengers impostors, and scoff at them when they speak of +the events of the future.'</p> + +<p>"'No, indeed,' I said. 'My friend and I have no idea of scoffing. We +have heard of so many of your predictions coming true, that we are +really anxious that you should tell us something of the future.'</p> + +<p>"The fakir nodded his head, went into the temple, and returned in a +minute or two with two small pipes used by the natives for +opium-<a name="Page_88" id="Page_88"></a>smoking, and a brazier of burning charcoal. The pipes were +already charged. He made signs to us to sit down, and took his place in +front of us. Then he began singing in a low voice, rocking himself to +and fro, and waving a staff which he held in his hand. Gradually his +voice rose, and his gesticulations and actions became more violent. So +far as I could make out, it was a prayer to Siva that he would give some +glimpse of the future which might benefit the sahibs who had saved the +life of his servant. Presently he darted forward, gave us each a pipe, +took two pieces of red-hot charcoal from the brazier in his fingers, +without seeming to know that they were warm, and placed them in the +pipes; then he recommenced his singing and gesticulations.</p> + +<p>"A glance at Charley, to see if, like myself, he was ready to carry the +thing through, and then I put the pipe to my lips. I felt at once that +it was opium, of which I had before made experiment, but mixed with some +other substance, which was, I imagine, haschish, a preparation of hemp. +A few puffs, and I felt a drowsiness creeping over me. I saw, as through +a mist, the fakir swaying himself backwards and forwards, his arms +waving, and his face distorted. Another minute, and the pipe slipped +from my fingers, and I fell back insensible.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89"></a>"How long I lay there I do not know. I woke with a strange and not +unpleasant sensation, and presently became conscious that the fakir was +gently pressing, with a sort of shampooing action, my temples and head. +When he saw that I opened my eyes he left me, and performed the same +process upon Charley. In a few minutes he rose from his stooping +position, waved his hand in token of adieu, and walked slowly back into +the temple.</p> + +<p>"As he disappeared I sat up; Charley did the same.</p> + +<p>"We stared at each other for a minute without speaking, and then Charley +said:</p> + +<p>"'This is a rum go, and no mistake, old man.'</p> + +<p>"'You're right, Charley. My opinion is, we've made fools of ourselves. +Let's be off out of this.'</p> + +<p>"We staggered to our feet, for we both felt like drunken men, made our +way to our horses, poured a mussuk of water over our heads, took a drink +of brandy from our flasks, and then feeling more like ourselves, mounted +and rode out of the jungle.</p> + +<p>"'Well, Harley, if the glimpse of futurity which I had is true, all I +can say is that it was extremely unpleasant.'</p> + +<p>"'That was just my case, Charley.'</p> + +<p><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90"></a>"'My dream, or whatever you like to call it, was about a mutiny of the +men.'</p> + +<p>"'You don't say so, Charley; so was mine. This is monstrously strange, +to say the least of it. However, you tell your story first, and then I +will tell mine.'</p> + +<p>"'It was very short,' Charley said. 'We were at mess—not in our present +mess-room—we were dining with the fellows of some other regiment. +Suddenly, without any warning, the windows were filled with a crowd of +Sepoys, who opened fire right and left into us. Half the fellows were +shot down at once; the rest of us made a rush to our swords just as the +niggers came swarming into the room. There was a desperate fight for a +moment. I remember that Subadar Pirán—one of the best native officers +in the regiment, by the way—made a rush at me, and I shot him through +the head with a revolver. At the same moment a ball hit me, and down I +went. At the moment a Sepoy fell dead across me, hiding me partly from +sight. The fight lasted a minute or two longer. I fancy a few fellows +escaped, for I heard shots outside. Then the place became quiet. In +another minute I heard a crackling, and saw that the devils had set the +mess-room on fire. One of our men, who was lying close <a name="Page_91" id="Page_91"></a>by me, got up +and crawled to the window, but he was shot down the moment he showed +himself. I was hesitating whether to do the same or to lie still and be +smothered, when suddenly I rolled the dead sepoy off, crawled into the +ante-room half-suffocated by smoke, raised the lid of a very heavy +trap-door, and stumbled down some steps into a place, half storehouse +half cellar, under the mess-room. How I knew about it being there I +don't know. The trap closed over my head with a bang. That is all I +remember.'</p> + +<p>"'Well, Charley, curiously enough my dream was also about an +extraordinary escape from danger, lasting, like yours, only a minute or +two. The first thing I remember—there seems to have been something +before, but what, I don't know—I was on horseback, holding a very +pretty but awfully pale girl in front of me. We were pursued by a whole +troop of Sepoy cavalry, who were firing pistol-shots at us. We were not +more than seventy or eighty yards in front, and they were gaining fast, +just as I rode into a large deserted temple. In the centre was a huge +stone figure. I jumped off my horse with the lady, and as I did so she +said, 'Blow out my brains, Edward; don't let me fall alive into their +hands.'</p> + +<p>"'Instead of answering, I hurried her round <a name="Page_92" id="Page_92"></a>behind the idol, pushed +against one of the leaves of a flower in the carving, and the stone +swung back, and showed a hole just large enough to get through, with a +stone staircase inside the body of the idol, made no doubt for the +priest to go up and give responses through the mouth. I hurried the girl +through, crept in after her, and closed the stone, just as our pursuers +came clattering into the courtyard. That is all I remember.'</p> + +<p>"'Well, it is monstrously rum,' Charley said, after a pause. 'Did you +understand what the old fellow was singing about before he gave us the +pipes?'</p> + +<p>"'Yes; I caught the general drift. It was an entreaty to Siva to give us +some glimpse of futurity which might benefit us.'</p> + +<p>"We lit our cheroots and rode for some miles at a brisk canter without +remark. When we were within a short distance of home we reined up.</p> + +<p>"'I feel ever so much better,' Charley said. 'We have got that opium out +of our heads now. How do you account for it all, Harley?'</p> + +<p>"'I account for it in this way, Charley. The opium naturally had the +effect of making us both dream, and as we took similar doses of the same +mixture, under similar circumstances, it is scarcely extraordinary that +it should have effected the <a name="Page_93" id="Page_93"></a>same portion of the brain, and caused a +certain similarity in our dreams. In all nightmares something terrible +happens, or is on the point of happening; and so it was here. Not +unnaturally in both our cases, our thoughts turned to soldiers. If you +remember there was a talk at mess some little time since, as to what +would happen in the extremely unlikely event of the sepoys mutinying in +a body. I have no doubt that was the foundation of both our dreams. It +is all natural enough when we come to think it over calmly. I think, by +the way, we had better agree to say nothing at all about it in the +regiment.'</p> + +<p>"'I should think not,' Charley said. 'We should never hear the end of +it; they would chaff us out of our lives.'</p> + +<p>"We kept our secret, and came at last to laugh over it heartily when we +were together. Then the subject dropped, and by the end of a year had as +much escaped our minds as any other dream would have done. Three months +after the affair the regiment was ordered down to Allahabad, and the +change of place no doubt helped to erase all memory of the dream. Four +years after we had left Jubbalpore we went to Beerapore. The time is +very marked in my memory, because the very week we arrived there, your +aunt, then Miss<a name="Page_94" id="Page_94"></a> Gardiner, came out from England, to her father, our +colonel. The instant I saw her I was impressed with the idea that I knew +her intimately. I recollected her face, her figure, and the very tone of +her voice, but wherever I had met her I could not conceive. Upon the +occasion of my first introduction to her, I could not help telling her +that I was convinced that we had met, and asking her if she did not +remember it. No, she did not remember, but very likely she might have +done so, and she suggested the names of several people at whose houses +we might have met. I did not know any of them. Presently she asked how +long I had been out in India?</p> + +<p>"'Six years,' I said.</p> + +<p>"'And how old, Mr. Harley,' she said, 'do you take me to be?'</p> + +<p>"I saw in one instant my stupidity, and was stammering out an apology, +when she went on,—</p> + +<p>"'I am very little over eighteen, Mr. Harley, although I evidently look +ever so many years older; but papa can certify to my age; so I was only +twelve when you left England.'</p> + +<p>"I tried in vain to clear matters up. Your aunt would insist that I took +her to be forty, and the fun that my blunder made rather drew us +together, and gave me a start over the other <a name="Page_95" id="Page_95"></a>fellows at the station, +half of whom fell straightway in love with her. Some months went on, and +when the mutiny broke out we were engaged to be married. It is a proof +of how completely the opium-dreams had passed out of the minds of both +Simmonds and myself, that even when rumours of general disaffection +among the Sepoys began to be current, they never once recurred to us; +and even when the news of the actual mutiny reached us, we were just as +confident as were the others of the fidelity of our own regiment. It was +the old story, foolish confidence and black treachery. As at very many +other stations, the mutiny broke out when we were at mess. Our regiment +was dining with the 34th Bengalees. Suddenly, just as dinner was over, +the window was opened, and a tremendous fire poured in. Four or five men +fell dead at once, and the poor colonel, who was next to me, was shot +right through the head. Every one rushed to his sword and drew his +pistol—for we had been ordered to carry pistols as part of our uniform. +I was next to Charley Simmonds as the Sepoys of both regiments, headed +by Subadar Pirán, poured in at the windows.</p> + +<p>"'I have it now,' Charley said; 'it is the scene I dreamed.'</p> + +<p><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96"></a>"As he spoke he fired his revolver at the subadar, who fell dead in his +tracks.</p> + +<p>"A Sepoy close by levelled his musket and fired. Charley fell, and the +fellow rushed forward to bayonet him. As he did so I sent a bullet +through his head, and he fell across Charley. It was a wild fight for a +minute or two, and then a few of us made a sudden rush together, cut our +way through the mutineers, and darted through an open window on to the +parade. There were shouts, shots, and screams from the officers' +bungalows, and in several places flames were already rising. What became +of the other men I knew not; I made as hard as I could tear for the +colonel's bungalow. Suddenly I came upon a sowar sitting on his horse +watching the rising flames. Before he saw me I was on him, and ran him +through. I leapt on his horse and galloped down to Gardiner's compound. +I saw lots of Sepoys in and around the bungalow, all engaged in looting. +I dashed into the compound.</p> + +<p>"'May! May!' I shouted. 'Where are you?'</p> + +<p>"I had scarcely spoken before a dark figure rushed out of a clump of +bushes close by with a scream of delight.</p> + +<p>"In an instant she was on the horse before me, and shooting down a +couple of fellows who made <a name="Page_97" id="Page_97"></a>a rush at my reins, I dashed out again. +Stray shots were fired after us. But fortunately the Sepoys were all +busy looting, most of them had laid down their muskets, and no one +really took up the pursuit. I turned off from the parade-ground, dashed +down between the hedges of two compounds, and in another minute we were +in the open country.</p> + +<p>"Fortunately, the cavalry were all down looting their own lines, or we +must have been overtaken at once. May happily had fainted as I lifted +her on to my horse—happily, because the fearful screams that we heard +from the various bungalows almost drove me mad, and would probably have +killed her, for the poor ladies were all her intimate friends.</p> + +<p>"I rode on for some hours, till I felt quite safe from any immediate +pursuit, and then we halted in the shelter of a clump of trees.</p> + +<p>"By this time I had heard May's story. She had felt uneasy at being +alone, but had laughed at herself for being so, until upon her speaking +to one of the servants he had answered in a tone of gross insolence, +which had astonished her. She at once guessed that there was danger, and +the moment that she was alone caught up a large, dark carriage rug, +wrapped it round her so as to <a name="Page_98" id="Page_98"></a>conceal her white dress, and stole out +into the verandah. The night was dark, and scarcely had she left the +house than she heard a burst of firing across at the mess-house. She at +once ran in among the bushes and crouched there, as she heard the rush +of men into the room she had just left. She heard them searching for +her, but they were looking for a white dress, and her dark rug saved +her. What she must have suffered in the five minutes between the firing +of the first shots and my arrival, she only knows. May had spoken but +very little since we started. I believe that she was certain that her +father was dead, although I had given an evasive answer when she asked +me; and her terrible sense of loss, added to the horror of that time of +suspense in the garden, had completely stunned her. We waited in the +tope until the afternoon, and then set out again.</p> + +<p>"We had gone but a short distance when we saw a body of the rebel +cavalry in pursuit. They had no doubt been scouring the country +generally, and the discovery was accidental. For a short time we kept +away from them, but this could not be for long, as our horse was +carrying double. I made for a sort of ruin I saw at the foot of a hill +half a mile away. I did so with no idea of <a name="Page_99" id="Page_99"></a>the possibility of +concealment. My intention was simply to get my back to a rock and to +sell my life as dearly as I could, keeping the last two barrels of the +revolver for ourselves. Certainly no remembrance of my dream influenced +me in any way, and in the wild whirl of excitement I had not given a +second thought to Charley Simmonds' exclamation. As we rode up to the +ruins only a hundred yards ahead of us, May said,—</p> + +<p>"'Blow out my brains, Edward; don't let me fall alive into their hands.'</p> + +<p>"A shock of remembrance shot across me. The chase, her pale face, the +words, the temple—all my dream rushed into my mind.</p> + +<p>"'We are saved,' I cried, to her amazement, as we rode into the +courtyard, in whose centre a great figure was sitting.</p> + +<p>"I leapt from the horse, snatched the mussuk of water from the saddle, +and then hurried May round the idol, between which and the rock behind, +there was but just room to get along.</p> + +<p>"Not a doubt entered my mind but that I should find the spring as I had +dreamed. Sure enough there was the carving, fresh upon my memory as if I +had seen it but the day before. I placed my hand on the leaflet without +hesitation, a solid stone moved back, I hurried my <a name="Page_100" id="Page_100"></a>amazed companion in, +and shut to the stone. I found, and shot to, a massive bolt, evidently +placed to prevent the door being opened by accident or design when +anyone was in the idol.</p> + +<p>"At first it seemed quite dark, but a faint light streamed in from +above; we made our way up the stairs, and found that the light came +through a number of small holes pierced in the upper part of the head, +and through still smaller holes lower down, not much larger than a +good-sized knitting-needle could pass through. These holes, we +afterwards found, were in the ornaments round the idol's neck. The holes +enlarged inside, and enabled us to have a view all round.</p> + +<p>"The mutineers were furious at our disappearance, and for hours searched +about. Then, saying that we must be hidden somewhere, and that they +would wait till we came out, they proceeded to bivouac in the courtyard +of the temple.</p> + +<p>"We passed four terrible days, but on the morning of the fifth a scout +came in to tell the rebels that a column of British troops marching on +Delhi would pass close by the temple. They therefore hastily mounted and +galloped off.</p> + +<p>"Three quarters of an hour later we were safe among our own people. A +fortnight afterwards your aunt and I were married. It was no time <a name="Page_101" id="Page_101"></a>for +ceremony then; there were no means of sending her away; no place where +she could have waited until the time for her mourning for her father was +over. So we were married quietly by one of the chaplains of the troops, +and, as your story-books say, have lived very happily ever after."</p> + +<p>"And how about Mr. Simmonds, uncle? Did he get safe off too?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, his dream came as vividly to his mind as mine had done. He crawled +to the place where he knew the trap-door would be, and got into the +cellar. Fortunately for him there were plenty of eatables there, and he +lived there in concealment for a fortnight. After that he crawled out, +and found the mutineers had marched for Delhi. He went through a lot, +but at last joined us before that city. We often talked over our dreams +together, and there was no question that we owed our lives to them. Even +then we did not talk much to other people about them, for there would +have been a lot of talk, and inquiry, and questions, and you know +fellows hate that sort of thing. So we held our tongues. Poor Charley's +silence was sealed a year later at Lucknow, for on the advance with Lord +Clyde he was killed.</p> + +<p>"And now, boys and girls, you must run off to <a name="Page_102" id="Page_102"></a>bed. Five minutes more +and it will be Christmas-day. So you see, Frank, that although I don't +believe in ghosts, I have yet met with a circumstance which I cannot +account for."</p> + +<p>"It is very curious anyhow, uncle, and beats ghost stories into fits."</p> + +<p>"I like it better, certainly," one of the girls said, "for we can go to +bed without being afraid of dreaming about it."</p> + +<p>"Well, you must not talk any more now. Off to bed, off to bed," Colonel +Harley said, "or I shall get into terrible disgrace with your fathers +and mothers, who have been looking very gravely at me for the last three +quarters of an hour."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103"></a></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 150px;"> +<img src="images/e3.jpg" width="150" height="65" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 324px;"> +<a name="WHITE-FACED_DICK" id="WHITE-FACED_DICK"></a> +<img src="images/white.jpg" width="324" height="71" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<h2>WHITE-FACED DICK,</h2> + +<h3>A STORY OF PINE-TREE GULCH.</h3> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 75px;"> +<img src="images/b2.jpg" width="75" height="75" alt="H" title="" /></div> +<p style="text-indent: -0.75em;">OW Pine-tree Gulch got its name no one knew, for in the early days +every ravine and hillside was thickly covered with pines. It may be that +a tree of exceptional size caught the eye of the first explorer, that he +camped under it, and named the place in its honour; or, may be, some +fallen giant lay in the bottom and hindered the work of the first +prospectors. At any rate, Pine-tree Gulch it was, and the name was as +good as any other. The pine-trees were gone now. Cut up for firing, or +for the erection of huts, or the construction of sluices, but the +hillside was ragged with their stumps.<br style="clear: both;" /></p> + +<p>The principal camp was at the mouth of the Gulch, where the little +stream, which scarce <a name="Page_104" id="Page_104"></a>afforded water sufficient for the cradles in the +dry season, but which was a rushing torrent in winter, joined the Yuba. +The best ground was at the junction of the streams, and lay, indeed, in +the Yuba valley rather than in the Gulch. At first most gold had been +found higher up, but there was here comparatively little depth down to +the bed-rock, and as the ground became exhausted the miners moved down +towards the mouth of the Gulch. They were doing well as a whole, how +well no one knew, for miners are chary of giving information as to what +they are making; still, it was certain they were doing well, for the +bars were doing a roaring trade, and the store-keepers never refused +credit—a proof in itself that the prospects were good.</p> + +<p>The flat at the mouth of the Gulch was a busy scene, every foot was good +paying stuff, for in the eddy, where the torrents in winter rushed down +into the Yuba, the gold had settled down and lay thick among the gravel. +But most of the parties were sinking, and it was a long way down to the +bed-rock; for the hills on both sides sloped steeply, and the Yuba must +here at one time have rushed through a narrow gorge, until, in some +<a name="Page_105" id="Page_105"></a>wild freak, it brought down millions of tons of gravel, and resumed its +course seventy feet above its former level.</p> + +<p>A quarter of a mile higher up a ledge of rock ran across the valley, and +over it in the old time the Yuba had poured in a cascade seventy feet +deep into the ravine. But the rock now was level with the gravel, only +showing its jagged points here and there above it. This ledge had been +invaluable to the diggers: without it they could only have sunk their +shafts with the greatest difficulty, for the gravel would have been full +of water, and even with the greatest pains in puddling and timber-work +the pumps would scarcely have sufficed to keep it down as it rose in the +bottom of the shafts. But the miners had made common cause together, and +giving each so many ounces of gold or so many day's work had erected a +dam thirty feet high along the ledge of rock, and had cut a channel for +the Yuba along the lower slopes of the valley. Of course, when the rain +set in, as everybody knew, the dam would go, and the river diggings must +be abandoned till the water subsided and a fresh dam was made; but there +were two months before them yet, and <a name="Page_106" id="Page_106"></a>every one hoped to be down to the +bed-rock before the water interrupted their work.</p> + +<p>The hillside, both in the Yuba Valley and for some distance along +Pine-tree Gulch, was dotted by shanties and tents; the former +constructed for the most part of logs roughly squared, the walls being +some three feet in height, on which the sharp sloping roof was placed, +thatched in the first place with boughs, and made all snug, perhaps, +with an old sail stretched over all. The camp was quiet enough during +the day. The few women were away with their washing at the pools, a +quarter of a mile up the Gulch, and the only persons to be seen about +were the men told off for cooking for their respective parties.</p> + +<p>But in the evening the camp was lively. Groups of men in red shirts and +corded trousers tied at the knee, in high boots, sat round blazing +fires, and talked of their prospects or discussed the news of the luck +at other camps. The sound of music came from two or three plank +erections which rose conspicuously above the huts of the diggers, and +were bright externally with the glories of white and coloured paints. To +and from these men were always sauntering, and it <a name="Page_107" id="Page_107"></a>needed not the clink +of glasses and the sound of music to tell that they were the bars of the +camp.</p> + +<p>Here, standing at the counter, or seated at numerous small tables, men +were drinking villainous liquor, smoking and talking, and paying but +scant attention to the strains of the fiddle or the accordion, save when +some well-known air was played, when all would join in a boisterous +chorus. Some were always passing in or out of a door which led into a +room behind. Here there was comparative quiet, for men were gambling, +and gambling high.</p> + +<p>Going backwards and forwards with liquors into the gambling-room of the +Imperial Saloon, which stood just where Pine-tree Gulch opened into Yuba +valley, was a lad, whose appearance had earned for him the name of +White-faced Dick.</p> + +<p>White-faced Dick was not one of those who had done well at Pine-tree +Gulch; he had come across the plains with his father, who had died when +half-way over, and Dick had been thrown on the world to shift for +himself. Nature had not intended him for the work, for he was a +delicate, timid lad; what spirits he originally had <a name="Page_108" id="Page_108"></a>having been years +before beaten out of him by a brutal father. So far, indeed, Dick was +the better rather than the worse for the event which had left him an +orphan.</p> + +<p>They had been travelling with a large party for mutual security against +Indians and Mormons, and so long as the journey lasted Dick had got on +fairly well. He was always ready to do odd jobs, and as the draught +cattle were growing weaker and weaker, and every pound of weight was of +importance, no one grudged him his rations in return for his services; +but when the company began to descend the slopes of the Sierra Nevada +they began to break up, going off by twos and threes to the diggings, of +which they heard such glowing accounts. Some, however, kept straight on +to Sacramento, determining there to obtain news as to the doings at all +the different places, and then to choose that which seemed to offer the +best prospects of success.</p> + +<p>Dick proceeded with them to the town, and there found himself alone. His +companions were absorbed in the busy rush of population, and each had so +much to provide and arrange for, that none gave a thought to the +solitary boy. How<a name="Page_109" id="Page_109"></a>ever, at that time no one who had a pair of hands, +however feeble, to work need starve in Sacramento; and for some weeks +Dick hung around the town doing odd jobs, and then, having saved a few +dollars, determined to try his luck at the diggings, and started on foot +with a shovel on his shoulder and a few day's provisions slung across +it.</p> + +<p>Arrived at his destination, the lad soon discovered that gold-digging +was hard work for brawny and seasoned men, and after a few feeble +attempts in spots abandoned as worthless he gave up the effort, and +again began to drift; and even in Pine-tree Gulch it was not difficult +to get a living. At first he tried rocking cradles, but the work was far +harder than it appeared. He was standing ankle deep in water from +morning till night, and his cheeks grew paler, and his strength, instead +of increasing, seemed to fade away. Still, there were jobs within his +strength. He could keep a fire alight and watch a cooking-pot, he could +carry up buckets of water or wash a flannel shirt, and so he struggled +on, until at last some kind-hearted man suggested to him that he should +try to get a place at the new saloon which was about to be opened.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110"></a>"You are not fit for this work, young 'un, and you ought to be at home +with your mother; if you like I will go up with you this evening to +Jeffries. I knew him down on the flats, and I daresay he will take you +on. I don't say as a saloon is a good place for a boy, still you will +always get your bellyful of victuals and a dry place to sleep in, if +it's only under a table. What do you say?"</p> + +<p>Dick thankfully accepted the offer, and on Red George's recommendation +was that evening engaged. His work was not hard now, for till the miners +knocked off there was little doing in the saloon; a few men would come +in for a drink at dinner-time, but it was not until the lamps were lit +that business began in earnest, and then for four or five hours Dick was +busy.</p> + +<p>A rougher or healthier lad would not have minded the work, but to Dick +it was torture; every nerve in his body thrilled whenever rough miners +cursed him for not carrying out their orders more quickly, or for +bringing them the wrong liquors, which, as his brain was in a whirl with +the noise, the shouting, and the multiplicity of orders, happened +frequently. He might have <a name="Page_111" id="Page_111"></a>fared worse had not Red George always stood +his friend, and Red George was an authority in Pine-tree Gulch—powerful +in frame, reckless in bearing and temper, he had been in a score of +fights and had come off them, if not unscathed, at least victorious. He +was notoriously a lucky digger, but his earnings went as fast as they +were made, and he was always ready to open his belt and give a bountiful +pinch of dust to any mate down on his luck.</p> + +<p>One evening Dick was more helpless and confused than usual. The saloon +was full, and he had been shouted at and badgered and cursed until he +scarcely knew what he was doing. High play was going on in the saloon, +and a good many men were clustered round the table. Red George was +having a run of luck, and there was a big pile of gold dust on the table +before him. One of the gamblers who was losing had ordered old rye, and +instead of bringing it to him, Dick brought a tumbler of hot liquor +which someone else had called for. With an oath the man took it up and +threw it in his face.</p> + +<p>"You cowardly hound!" Red George exclaimed. "Are you man enough to do +that to a man?"</p> + +<p><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112"></a>"You bet," the gambler, who was a new arrival at Pine-tree Gulch, +replied; and picking up an empty glass, he hurled it at Red George. The +by-standers sprang aside, and in a moment the two men were facing each +other with outstretched pistols. The two reports rung out +simultaneously: Red George sat down unconcernedly with a streak of blood +flowing down his face, where the bullet had cut a furrow in his cheek; +the stranger fell back with the bullet hole in the centre of his +forehead.</p> + +<p>The body was carried outside, and the play continued as if no +interruption had taken place. They were accustomed to such occurrences +in Pine-tree Gulch, and the piece of ground at the top of the hill, that +had been set aside as a burial place, was already dotted thickly with +graves, filled in almost every instance by men who had died, in the +local phraseology, "with their boots on."</p> + +<p>Neither then nor afterwards did Red George allude to the subject to +Dick, whose life after this signal instance of his championship was +easier than it had hitherto been, for there were few in Pine-tree Gulch +who cared to excite Red George's <a name="Page_113" id="Page_113"></a>anger; and strangers going to the +place were sure to receive a friendly warning that it was best for their +health to keep their tempers over any shortcomings on the part of +White-faced Dick.</p> + +<p>Grateful as he was for Red George's interference on his behalf, Dick +felt the circumstance which had ensued more than anyone else in the +camp. With others it was the subject of five minutes' talk, but Dick +could not get out of his head the thought of the dead man's face as he +fell back. He had seen many such frays before, but he was too full of +his own troubles for them to make much impression upon him. But in the +present case he felt as if he himself was responsible for the death of +the gambler; if he had not blundered this would not have happened. He +wondered whether the dead man had a wife and children, and, if so, were +they expecting his return? Would they ever hear where he had died, and +how?</p> + +<p>But this feeling, which, tired out as he was when the time came for +closing the bar, often prevented him from sleeping for hours, in no way +lessened his gratitude and devotion towards Red <a name="Page_114" id="Page_114"></a>George, and he felt +that he could die willingly if his life would benefit his champion. +Sometimes he thought, too, that his life would not be much to give, for +in spite of shelter and food, the cough which he had caught while +working in the water still clung to him, and, as his employer said to +him angrily one day—</p> + +<p>"Your victuals don't do you no good, Dick; you get thinner and thinner, +and folks will think as I starve you. Darned if you ain't a disgrace to +the establishment."</p> + +<p>The wind was whistling down the gorges, and the clouds hung among the +pine-woods which still clothed the upper slopes of the hills, and the +diggers, as they turned out one morning, looked up apprehensively.</p> + +<p>"But it could not be," they assured each other. Every one knew that the +rains were not due for another month yet; it could only be a passing +shower if it rained at all.</p> + +<p>But as the morning went on, men came in from camps higher up the river, +and reports were current that it had been raining for the last two days +among the upper hills; while those who took the trouble to walk across +to the new channel could <a name="Page_115" id="Page_115"></a>see for themselves at noon that it was filled +very nigh to the brim, the water rushing along with thick and turbid +current. But those who repeated the rumours, or who reported that the +channel was full, were summarily put down. Men would not believe that +such a calamity as a flood and the destruction of all their season's +work could be impending. There had been some showers, no doubt, as there +had often been before, but it was ridiculous to talk of anything like +rain a month before its time. Still, in spite of these assertions, there +was uneasiness at Pine-tree Gulch, and men looked at the driving clouds +above and shook their heads before they went down to the shafts to work +after dinner.</p> + +<p>When the last customer had left and the bar was closed, Dick had nothing +to do till evening, and he wandered outside and sat down on a stump, at +first looking at the work going on in the valley, then so absorbed in +his own thoughts that he noticed nothing, not even the driving mist +which presently set in. He was calculating that he had, with his savings +from his wages and what had been given him by the miners, laid by eighty +dollars. When he got another hundred and <a name="Page_116" id="Page_116"></a>twenty he would go; he would +make his way down to San Francisco, and then by ship to Panama and up to +New York, and then west again to the village where he was born. There +would be people there who would know him, and who would give him work, +for his mother's sake. He did not care what it was; anything would be +better than this.</p> + +<p>Then his thoughts came back to Pine-tree Gulch, and he started to his +feet. Could he be mistaken? Were his eyes deceiving him? No; among the +stones and boulders of the old bed of the Yuba there was the gleam of +water, and even as he watched it he could see it widening out. He +started to run down the hill to give the alarm, but before he was +half-way he paused, for there were loud shouts, and a scene of bustle +and confusion instantly arose.</p> + +<p>The cradles were deserted, and the men working on the surface loaded +themselves with their tools and made for the high ground, while those at +the windlasses worked their hardest to draw up their comrades below. A +man coming down from above stopped close to Dick, with a low cry, and +stood gazing with a white scared face. Dick <a name="Page_117" id="Page_117"></a>had worked with him; he was +one of the company to which Red George belonged.</p> + +<p>"What is it, Saunders?"</p> + +<p>"My God! they are lost," the man replied. "I was at the windlass when +they shouted up to me to go up and fetch them a bottle of rum. They had +just struck it rich, and wanted a drink on the strength of it."</p> + +<p>Dick understood at once. Red George and his mates were still in the +bottom of the shaft, ignorant of the danger which was threatening them.</p> + +<p>"Come on," he cried; "we shall be in time yet," and at the top of his +speed dashed down the hill, followed by Saunders.</p> + +<p>"What is it, what is it?" asked parties of men mounting the hill. "Red +George's gang are still below."</p> + +<p>Dick's eyes were fixed on the water. There was a broad band now of +yellow with a white edge down the centre of the stony flat, and it was +widening with terrible rapidity. It was scarce ten yards from the +windlass at the top of Red George's shaft when Dick, followed closely by +Saunders, reached it.</p> + +<p>"Come up, mates; quick, for your lives! The <a name="Page_118" id="Page_118"></a>river is rising; you will +be flooded out directly. Every one else has gone!"</p> + +<p>As he spoke he pulled at the rope by which the bucket was hanging, and +the handles of the windlass flew round rapidly as it descended. When it +had run out, Dick and he grasped the handles.</p> + +<p>"All right below?"</p> + +<p>An answering call came up, and the two began their work, throwing their +whole strength into it. Quickly as the windlass revolved, it seemed an +endless time to Dick before the bucket came up, and the first man +stepped out. It was not Red George. Dick had hardly expected it would +be. Red George would be sure to see his two mates up before him, and the +man uttered a cry of alarm as he saw the water, now within a few feet of +the mouth of the shaft.</p> + +<p>It was a torrent now, for not only was it coming through the dam, but it +was rushing down in cascades from the new channel. Without a word the +miner placed himself facing Dick and the moment the bucket was again +down, the three grasped the handles. But quickly as they worked, the +edge of the water was within a few inches of the shaft when the next man +reached <a name="Page_119" id="Page_119"></a>the surface; but again the bucket descended before the rope +tightened. However, the water had began to run over the lip—at first in +a mere trickle, and then, almost instantaneously, in a cascade, which +grew larger and larger.</p> + +<p>The bucket was half-way up when a sound like thunder was heard, the +ground seemed to tremble under their feet, and then at the turn of the +valley above, a great wave of yellow water, crested with foam, was seen +tearing along at the speed of a race-horse.</p> + +<p>"The dam has burst!" Saunders shouted. "Run for your lives, or we are +all lost!"</p> + +<p>The three men dropped the handles and ran at full speed towards the +shore, while loud shouts to Dick to follow came from the crowd of men +standing on the slope. But the boy still grasped the handles, and with +lips tightly closed, still toiled on. Slowly the bucket ascended, for +Red George was a heavy man; then suddenly the weight slackened, and the +handle went round faster. The shaft was filling, the water had reached +the bucket, and had risen to Red George's neck, so that his weight was +no longer on the rope. So fast did the water pour in, that it was not +half a minute before <a name="Page_120" id="Page_120"></a>the bucket reached the surface, and Red George +sprang out. There was but time for one exclamation, and then the great +wave struck them. Red George was whirled like a straw in the current; +but he was a strong swimmer, and at a point where the valley widened +out, half a mile lower, he struggled to shore.</p> + +<p>Two days later the news reached Pine-tree Gulch that a boy's body had +been washed ashore twenty miles down, and ten men, headed by Red George, +went and brought it solemnly back to Pine-tree Gulch. There, among the +stumps of pine-trees, a grave was dug, and there, in the presence of the +whole camp, White-faced Dick was laid to rest.</p> + +<p>Pine-tree Gulch is a solitude now, the trees are growing again, and none +would dream that it was once a busy scene of industry; but if the +traveller searches among the pine-trees, he will find a stone with the +words:</p> + +<p>"Here lies White-faced Dick, who died to save Red George. 'What can a +man do more than give his life for a friend?'"</p> + +<p>The text was the suggestion of an ex-clergyman working as a miner in +Pine-tree Gulch.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121"></a>Red George worked no more at the diggings, but after seeing the stone +laid in its place, went east, and with what little money came to him +when the common fund of the company was divided after the flood on the +Yuba, bought a small farm, and settled down there; but to the end of his +life he was never weary of telling those who would listen to it the +story of Pine-tree Gulch.</p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 150px;"> +<img src="images/e4.jpg" width="150" height="77" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122"></a></p><p><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123"></a></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 324px;"> +<a name="A_BRUSH_WITH_THE_CHINESE" id="A_BRUSH_WITH_THE_CHINESE"></a> +<img src="images/brush.jpg" width="324" height="71" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<h2>A BRUSH WITH THE CHINESE,</h2> + +<h3>AND WHAT CAME OF IT.</h3> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 75px;"> +<img src="images/b3.jpg" width="75" height="77" alt="I" title="" /></div> +<p style="text-indent: -0.75em;">T was early in December that H.M.S. <i>Perseus</i> was cruising off the +mouth of the Canton River. War had been declared with China in +consequence of her continued evasions of the treaty she had made with +us, and it was expected that a strong naval force would soon gather to +bring her to reason. In the meantime the ships on the station had a busy +time of it, chasing the enemy's junks when they ventured to show +themselves beyond the reach of the guns of their forts, and occasionally +having a brush with the piratical boats which took advantage of the +general confusion to plunder friend as well as foe.<br style="clear: both;" /></p> + +<p>The <i>Perseus</i> had that afternoon chased two Government junks up a creek. +The sun had <a name="Page_124" id="Page_124"></a>already set when they took refuge there, and the captain +did not care to send his boats after them in the dark, as many of the +creeks ran up for miles into the flat country; and as they not +unfrequently had many arms or branches, the boats might, in the dark, +miss the junks altogether. Orders were issued that four boats should be +ready for starting at daybreak the next morning. The <i>Perseus</i> anchored +off the mouth of the creek, and two boats were ordered to row backwards +and forwards off its mouth all night to insure that the enemy did not +slip out in the darkness.</p> + +<p>Jack Fothergill, the senior midshipman, was commanding the gig, and two +of the other midshipmen were going in the pinnace and launch, commanded +respectively by the first lieutenant and the master. The three other +midshipmen of the <i>Perseus</i> were loud in their lamentations that they +were not to take share in the fun.</p> + +<p>"You can't all go, you know," Fothergill said, "and it's no use making a +row about it; the captain has been very good to let three of us go."</p> + +<p>"It's all very well for you, Jack," Percy Adcock, the youngest of the +lads, replied, "be<a name="Page_125" id="Page_125"></a>cause you are one of those chosen; and it is not so +hard for Simmons and Linthorpe, because they went the other day in the +boat that chased those junks under shelter of the guns of their battery, +but I haven't had a chance for ever so long."</p> + +<p>"What fun was there in chasing the junks?" Simmons said. "We never got +near the brutes till they were close to their battery, and then just as +the first shot came singing from their guns, and we thought that we were +going to have some excitement, the first lieutenant sung out 'Easy all,' +and there was nothing for it but to turn round and to row for the ship, +and a nice hot row it was—two hours and a half in a broiling sun. Of +course I am not blaming Oliphant, for the captain's orders were strict +that we were not to try to cut the junks out if they got under the guns +of any of their batteries. Still it was horribly annoying, and I do +think the captain might have remembered what beastly luck we had last +time, and given us a chance to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"It is clear we could not all go," Fothergill said, "and naturally +enough the captain chose <a name="Page_126" id="Page_126"></a>the three seniors. Besides, if you did have +bad luck last time, you had your chance, and I don't suppose we shall +have anything more exciting now; these fellows always set fire to their +junks and row for the shore directly they see us, after firing a shot or +two wildly in our direction."</p> + +<p>"Well, Jack, if you don't expect any fun," Simmons replied, "perhaps you +wouldn't mind telling the first lieutenant you do not care for going, +and that I am very anxious to take your place. Perhaps he will be good +enough to allow me to relieve you."</p> + +<p>"A likely thing that!" Fothergill laughed. "No, Tom, I am sorry you are +not going, but you must make the best of it till another chance comes."</p> + +<p>"Don't you think, Jack," Percy Adcock said to his senior in a coaxing +tone later on, "you could manage to smuggle me into the boat with you?"</p> + +<p>"Not I, Percy. Suppose you got hurt, what would the captain say then? +And firing as wildly as the Chinese do, a shot is just as likely to hit +your little carcase as to lodge in one of the sailors. No, you must just +make the best of it,<a name="Page_127" id="Page_127"></a> Percy, and I promise you that next time there is a +boat expedition, if you are not put in, I will say a good word to the +first luff for you."</p> + +<p>"That promise is better than nothing," the boy said; "but I would a deal +rather go this time and take my chance next."</p> + +<p>"But you see you can't, Percy, and there's no use talking any more about +it. I really do not expect there will be any fighting. Two junks would +hardly make any opposition to the boats of the ship, and I expect we +shall be back by nine o'clock with the news that they were well on fire +before we came up."</p> + +<p>Percy Adcock, however, was determined, if possible, to go. He was a +favourite among the men, and when he spoke to the bow oar of the gig, +the latter promised to do anything he could to aid him to carry out his +wishes.</p> + +<p>"We are to start at daybreak, Tom, so that it will be quite dark when +the boats are lowered. I will creep into the gig before that and hide +myself as well as I can under your thwart, and all you have got to do is +to take no notice of me. When the boat is lowered I think they will +hardly make me out from the deck, especially as <a name="Page_128" id="Page_128"></a>you will be standing up +in the bow holding on with the boat-hook till the rest get on board."</p> + +<p>"Well, sir, I will do my best; but if you are caught you must not let +out that I knew anything about it."</p> + +<p>"I won't do that," Percy said. "I don't think there is much chance of my +being noticed until we get on board the junks, and then they won't know +which boat I came off in, and the first lieutenant will be too busy to +blow me up. Of course I shall get it when I am on board again, but I +don't mind that so that I see the fun. Besides, I want to send home some +things to my sister, and she will like them all the better if I can tell +her I captured them on board some junks we seized and burnt."</p> + +<p>The next morning the crews mustered before daybreak. Percy had already +taken his place under the bow thwart of the gig. The davits were swung +overboard, and two men took their places in her as she was lowered down +by the falls. As soon as she touched the water the rest of the crew +clambered down by the ladder and took their places; then Fothergill took +his seat in the stern, and the boat pushed off and lay a <a name="Page_129" id="Page_129"></a>few lengths +away from the ship until the heavier boats put off. As soon as they were +under way Percy crawled out from his hiding-place and placed himself in +the bow, where he was sheltered by the body of the oarsmen from +Fothergill's sight.</p> + +<p>Day was just breaking now, but it was still dark on the water, and the +boat rowed very slowly until it became lighter. Percy could just make +out the shores of the creek on both sides; they were but two or three +feet above the level of the water, and were evidently submerged at high +tide. The creek was about a hundred yards wide, and the lad could not +see far ahead, for it was full of sharp windings and turnings. Here and +there branches joined it, but the boats were evidently following the +main channel. After another half-hour's rowing the first lieutenant +suddenly gave the order, "Easy all," and the men, looking over their +shoulders, saw a village a quarter of a mile ahead, with the two junks +they had chased the night before lying in front of it. Almost at the +same moment a sudden uproar was heard—drums were beaten and gongs +sounded.</p> + +<p>"They are on the look-out for us," the first <a name="Page_130" id="Page_130"></a>lieutenant said. "Mr. +Mason, do you keep with me and attack the junk highest up the river; Mr. +Bellew and Mr. Fothergill, do you take the one lower down. Row on, men."</p> + +<p>The oars all touched the water together, and the four boats leapt +forward. In a minute a scattering fire of gingals and matchlocks was +opened from the junks, and the bullets pattered on the water round the +boats. Percy was kneeling up in the bow now. As they passed a branch +channel three or four hundred yards from the village, he started and +leapt to his feet.</p> + +<p>"There are four or five junks in that passage, Fothergill; they are +poling out."</p> + +<p>The first lieutenant heard the words.</p> + +<p>"Row on, men; let us finish with these craft ahead before the others get +out. This must be that piratical village we have heard about, Mr. Mason, +as lying up one of these creeks; that accounts for those two junks not +going higher up. I was surprised at seeing them here, for they might +guess that we should try to get them this morning. Evidently they +calculated on catching us in a trap."</p> + +<p>Percy was delighted at finding that, in the <a name="Page_131" id="Page_131"></a>excitement caused by his +news, the first lieutenant had forgotten to take any notice of his being +there without orders, and he returned a defiant nod to the threat +conveyed by Fothergill shaking his fist at him. As they neared the junks +the fire of those on board redoubled, and was aided by that of many +villagers gathered on the bank of the creek. Suddenly from a bank of +rushes four cannons were fired. A ball struck the pinnace, smashing in +her side. The other boats gathered hastily round and took her crew on +board, and then dashed at the junks, which were but a hundred yards +distant. The valour of the Chinese evaporated as they saw the boats +approaching, and scores of them leapt overboard and swam for shore.</p> + +<p>In another minute the boats were alongside and the crews scrambling up +the sides of the junks. A few Chinamen only attempted to oppose them. +These were speedily overcome, and the British had now time to look +round, and saw that six junks crowded with men had issued from the side +creek and were making towards them.</p> + +<p>"Let the boats tow astern," the lieutenant <a name="Page_132" id="Page_132"></a>ordered. "We should have to +run the gauntlet of that battery on shore if we were to attack them, and +might lose another boat before we reached their side. We will fight them +here."</p> + +<p>The junks approached, those on board firing their guns, yelling and +shouting, while the drums and gongs were furiously beaten.</p> + +<p>"They will find themselves mistaken, Percy, if they think they are going +to frighten us with all that row," Fothergill said. "You young rascal, +how did you get on board the boat without being seen? The captain will +be sure to suspect I had a hand in concealing you."</p> + +<p>The tars were now at work firing the gingals attached to the bulwarks +and the matchlocks, with which the deck was strewn, at the approaching +junks. As they took steady aim, leaning their pieces on the bulwarks, +they did considerable execution among the Chinamen crowded on board the +junks, while the shot of the Chinese, for the most part, whistled far +overhead; but the guns of the shore battery, which had now been slewed +round to bear upon them, opened with a better aim, and several shots +came crashing into the sides of the two captured junks.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133"></a>"Get ready to board, lads!" Lieutenant Oliphant shouted. "Don't wait +for them to board you, but the moment they come alongside lash their +rigging to ours and spring on board them."</p> + +<p>The leading junk was now about twenty yards away, and presently grated +alongside. Half-a-dozen sailors at once sprang into her rigging with +ropes, and after lashing the junks together leaped down upon her deck, +where Fothergill was leading the gig's crew and some of those rescued +from the pinnace, while Mr. Bellew, with another party, had boarded her +at the stern. Several of the Chinese fought stoutly, but the greater +part lost heart at seeing themselves attacked by the "white devils," +instead of, as they expected, overwhelming them by their superior +numbers. Many began at once to jump overboard, and after two or three +minutes' sharp fighting, the rest either followed their example or were +beaten below.</p> + +<p>Fothergill looked round. The other junk had been attacked by two of the +enemy, one on each side, and the little body of sailors were gathered in +her waist, and were defending themselves against an overwhelming number +of the enemy.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134"></a>The other three piratical junks had been carried somewhat up the creek +by the tide that was sweeping inward, and could not for the moment take +part in the fight.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Oliphant is hard pressed, sir." He asked the master: "Shall we take +to the boats?"</p> + +<p>"That will be the best plan," Mr. Bellew replied. "Quick, lads, get the +boats alongside and tumble in; there is not a moment to be lost."</p> + +<p>The crew at once sprang to the boats and rowed to the other junk, which +was but some thirty yards away.</p> + +<p>The Chinese, absorbed in their contest with the crew of the pinnace, did +not perceive the new-comers until they gained the deck, and with a shout +fell furiously upon them. In their surprise and consternation the +pirates did not pause to note that they were still five to one superior +in number, but made a precipitate rush for their own vessels. The +English at once took the offensive. The first lieutenant with his party +boarded one, while the new-comers leapt on to the deck of the other. The +panic which had seized the Chinese was so complete that they attempted +no resist<a name="Page_135" id="Page_135"></a>ance whatever, but sprang overboard in great numbers and swam +to the shore, which was but twenty yards away, and in three minutes the +English were in undisputed possession of both vessels.</p> + +<p>"Back again, Mr. Fothergill, or you will lose the craft you captured," +Lieutenant Oliphant said; "they have already cut her free."</p> + +<p>The Chinese, indeed, who had been beaten below by the boarding party, +had soon perceived the sudden departure of their captors, and gaining +the deck again had cut the lashings which fastened them to the other +junk, and were proceeding to hoist their sails. They were too late, +however. Almost before the craft had way on her Fothergill and his crew +were alongside. The Chinese did not wait for the attack, but at once +sprang overboard and made for the shore. The other three junks, seeing +the capture of their comrades, had already hoisted their sails and were +making up the creek. Fothergill dropped an anchor, left four of his men +in charge, and rowed back to Mr. Oliphant.</p> + +<p>"What shall we do next, sir?"</p> + +<p>"We will give those fellows on shore a lesson, <a name="Page_136" id="Page_136"></a>and silence their +battery. Two men have been killed since you left. We must let the other +junks go for the present. Four of my men were killed and eleven wounded +before Mr. Bellew and you came to our assistance. The Chinese were +fighting pluckily up to that time, and it would have gone very hard with +us if you had not been at hand; the beggars will fight when they think +they have got it all their own way. But before we land we will set fire +to the five junks we have taken. Do you return and see that the two +astern are well lighted, Mr. Fothergill; Mr. Mason will see to these +three. When you have done your work take to your boat and lay off till I +join you; keep the junks between you and the shore, to protect you from +the fire of the rascals there."</p> + +<p>"I cannot come with you, I suppose, Fothergill?" Percy Adcock said, as +the midshipman was about to descend into his boat again.</p> + +<p>"Yes, come along, Percy. It doesn't matter what you do now. The captain +will be so pleased when he hears that we have captured and burnt five +junks, that you will get off with a very light wigging, I imagine."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137"></a>"That's just what I was thinking, Jack. Has it not been fun?"</p> + +<p>"You wouldn't have thought it fun if you had got one of those matchlock +balls in your body. There are a good many of our poor fellows just at +the present moment who do not see anything funny in the affair at all. +Here we are; clamber up."</p> + +<p>The crew soon set to work under Fothergill's orders. The sails were cut +off the masts and thrown down into the hold; bamboos, of which there +were an abundance down there, were heaped over them, a barrel of oil was +poured over the mass, and the fire then applied.</p> + +<p>"That will do, lads. Now take to your boats and let's make a bonfire of +the other junk."</p> + +<p>In ten minutes both vessels were a sheet of flame, and the boat was +lying a short distance from them waiting for further operations. The +inhabitants of the village, furious at the failure of the plan which had +been laid for the destruction of the "white devils," kept up a constant +fusilade, which, however, did no harm, for the gig was completely +sheltered by the burning junks close to her from their missiles.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138"></a>"There go the others!" Percy exclaimed after a minute or two, as three +columns of smoke arose simultaneously from the other junks, and the +sailors were seen dropping into their boats alongside.</p> + +<p>The killed and wounded were placed in the other gig with four sailors in +charge. They were directed to keep under shelter of the junks until +rejoined by the pinnace and Fothergill's gig, after these had done their +work on shore.</p> + +<p>When all was ready the first lieutenant raised his hand as a signal, and +the two boats dashed between the burning junks and rowed for the shore. +Such of the natives as had their weapons charged fired a hasty volley, +and then, as the sailors leapt from their boats, took to their heels.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Fothergill, take your party into the village and set fire to the +houses; shoot down every man you see. This place is a nest of pirates. I +will capture that battery and then join you."</p> + +<p>Fothergill and his sailors at once entered the village. The men had +already fled; the women were turned out of the houses, and these were +immediately set on fire. The tars regarded the <a name="Page_139" id="Page_139"></a>whole affair as a +glorious joke, and raced from house to house, making a hasty search in +each for concealed valuables before setting it on fire. In a short time +the whole village was in a blaze.</p> + +<p>"There is a house there, standing in that little grove a hundred yards +away," Percy said.</p> + +<p>"It looks like a temple," Fothergill replied. "However, we will have a +look at it." And calling two sailors to accompany him, he started at a +run towards it, Percy keeping by his side.</p> + +<p>"It is a temple," Fothergill said when they approached it. "Still, we +will have a look at it, but we won't burn it; it will be as well to +respect the religion, even of a set of piratical scoundrels like these."</p> + +<p>At the head of his men he rushed in at the entrance. There was a blaze +of fire as half a dozen muskets were discharged in their faces. One of +the sailors dropped dead, and before the others had time to realize what +had happened they were beaten to the ground by a storm of blows from +swords and other weapons.</p> + +<p>A heavy blow crashed down on Percy's head, and he fell insensible even +before he realized what had occurred.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140"></a>When he recovered, his first sensation was that of a vague wonder as to +what had happened to him. He seemed to be in darkness and unable to move +hand or foot. He was compressed in some way that he could not at first +understand, and was being bumped and jolted in an extraordinary manner. +It was some little time before he could understand the situation. He +first remembered the fight with the junks, then he recalled the landing +and burning the village; then, as his brain cleared, came the +recollection of his start with Fothergill for the temple among the +trees, his arrival there, and a loud report and flash of fire.</p> + +<p>"I must have been knocked down and stunned," he said to himself, "and I +suppose I am a prisoner now to these brutes, and one of them must be +carrying me on his back."</p> + +<p>Yes, he could understand it all now. His hands and his feet were tied, +ropes were passed round his body in every direction, and he was fastened +back to back upon the shoulders of a Chinaman. Percy remembered the +tales he had heard of the imprisonment and torture of those who fell +into the hands of the Chinese, and he bitterly regretted <a name="Page_141" id="Page_141"></a>that he had +not been killed instead of stunned in the surprise of the temple.</p> + +<p>"It would have been just the same feeling," he said to himself, "and +there would have been an end of it. Now, there is no saying what is +going to happen. I wonder whether Jack was killed, and the sailors."</p> + +<p>Presently there was a jabber of voices; the motion ceased. Percy could +feel that the cords were being unwound, and he was dropped on to his +feet; then the cloth was removed from his head, and he could look round.</p> + +<p>A dozen Chinese, armed with matchlocks and bristling with swords and +daggers, stood around, and among them, bound like himself and gagged by +a piece of bamboo forced lengthways across his mouth and kept there with +a string going round the back of the head, stood Fothergill. He was +bleeding from several cuts in the head. Percy's heart gave a bound of +joy at finding that he was not alone; then he tried to feel sorry that +Jack had not escaped, but failed to do so, although he told himself that +his comrade's presence would not in any way alleviate the fate which was +certain to befall him. Still the thought of com<a name="Page_142" id="Page_142"></a>panionship, even in +wretchedness, and perhaps a vague hope that Jack, with his energy and +spirit, might contrive some way for their escape, cheered him up.</p> + +<p>As Percy, too, was gagged, no word could be exchanged by the midshipmen, +but they nodded to each other. They were now put side by side and made +to walk in the centre of their captors. On the way they passed through +several villages, whose inhabitants poured out to gaze at the captives, +but the men in charge of them were evidently not disposed to delay, as +they passed through without a stop. At last they halted before two +cottages standing by themselves, thrust the prisoners into a small room, +removed their gags, and left them to themselves.</p> + +<p>"Well, Percy, my boy, so they caught you too? I am awfully sorry. It was +my fault for going with only two men into that temple, but as the +village had been deserted and scarcely a man was found there, it never +entered my mind that there might be a party in the temple."</p> + +<p>"Of course not, Jack; it was a surprise altogether. I don't know +anything about it, for I was knocked down, I suppose, just as we went +in, <a name="Page_143" id="Page_143"></a>and the first thing I knew about it was that I was being carried on +the back of one of those fellows. I thought it was awful at first, but I +don't seem to mind so much now you are with me."</p> + +<p>"It is a comfort to have someone to speak to," Jack said, "yet I wish +you were not here, Percy; I can't do you any good, and I shall never +cease blaming myself for having brought you into this scrape. I don't +know much more about the affair than you do. The guns were fired so +close to us that my face was scorched with one of them, and almost at +the same instant I got a lick across my cheek with a sword. I had just +time to hit at one of them, and then almost at the same moment I got two +or three other blows, and down I went; they threw themselves on the top +of me and tied and gagged me in no time. Then I was tied to a long +bamboo, and two fellows put the ends on their shoulders and went off +with me through the fields. Of course I was face downwards, and did not +know you were with us till they stopped and loosed me from the bamboo +and set me on my feet."</p> + +<p>"But what are they going to do with us do you think, Jack?"</p> + +<p><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144"></a>"I should say they are going to take us to Canton and claim a reward +for our capture, and there I suppose they will cut off our heads or saw +us in two, or put us to some other unpleasant kind of death. I expect +they are discussing it now; do you hear what a jabber they are kicking +up?"</p> + +<p>Voices were indeed heard raised in angry altercation in the next room. +After a time the din subsided and the conversation appeared to take a +more amiable turn.</p> + +<p>"I suppose they have settled it as far as they are concerned," Jack +said; "anyhow, you may be quite sure they mean to make something out of +us. If they hadn't they would have finished us at once, for they must +have been furious at the destruction of their junks and village. As to +the idea that mercy has anything to do with it, we may as well put it +out of our minds. The Chinaman, at the best of times, has no feeling of +pity in his nature, and after their defeat it is certain they would have +killed us at once had they not hoped to do better by us. If they had +been Indians I should have said they had carried us off to enjoy the +satisfaction of torturing us, but I don't suppose it is that with them."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145"></a>"Do you think there is any chance of our getting away?" Percy asked, +after a pause.</p> + +<p>"I should say not the least in the world, Percy. My hands are fastened +so tight now that the ropes seem cutting into my wrists, and after they +had set me on my feet and cut the cords of my legs I could scarcely +stand at first, my feet were so numbed by the pressure. However, we must +keep up our pluck. Possibly they may keep us at Canton for a bit, and if +they do the squadron may arrive and fight its way past the forts and +take the city before they have quite made up their minds as to what kind +of death will be most appropriate to the occasion. I wonder what they +are doing now? They seem to be chopping sticks."</p> + +<p>"I wish they would give us some water," Percy said. "I am frightfully +thirsty."</p> + +<p>"And so am I, Percy; there is one comfort, they won't let us die of +thirst, they could get no satisfaction out of our deaths now."</p> + +<p>Two hours later some of the Chinese re-entered the room and led the +captives outside, and the lads then saw what was the meaning of the +noise they had heard. A cage had been manufactured <a name="Page_146" id="Page_146"></a>of strong bamboos. +It was about four and a half feet long, four feet wide, and less than +three feet high; above it was fastened two long bamboos. Two or three of +the bars of the cage had been left open.</p> + +<p>"My goodness! they never intend to put us in there," Percy exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"That they do," Jack said. "They are going to carry us the rest of the +way."</p> + +<p>The cords which bound the prisoners' hands were now cut, and they were +motioned to crawl into the cage. This they did; the bars were then put +in their places and securely lashed. Four men went to the ends of the +poles and lifted the cage upon their shoulders; two others took their +places beside it, and one man, apparently the leader of the party, +walked on ahead; the rest remained behind.</p> + +<p>"I never quite realized what a fowl felt in a coop before," Jack said, +"but if its sensations are at all like mine they must be decidedly +unpleasant. It isn't high enough to sit upright in, it is nothing like +long enough to lie down, and as to getting out one might as well think +of flying. Do you know, Percy, I don't think they mean taking <a name="Page_147" id="Page_147"></a>us to +Canton at all. I did not think of it before, but from the direction of +the sun I feel sure that we cannot have been going that way. What they +are up to I can't imagine."</p> + +<p>In an hour they came to a large village. Here the cage was set down and +the villagers closed round. They were, however, kept a short distance +from the cage by the men in charge of it. Then a wooden platter was +placed on the ground, and persons throwing a few copper coins into this +were allowed to come near the cage.</p> + +<p>"They are making a show of us!" Fothergill exclaimed. "That's what they +are up to, you see if it isn't; they are going to travel up country to +show the 'white devils' whom their valour has captured."</p> + +<p>This was, indeed, the purpose of the pirates. At that time Europeans +seldom ventured beyond the limits assigned to them in the two or three +towns where they were permitted to trade, and few, indeed, of the +country people had ever obtained a sight of the white barbarians of +whose doings they had so frequently heard. Consequently a small crowd +soon gathered round the cage, eyeing the captives with the same interest +<a name="Page_148" id="Page_148"></a>they would have felt as to unknown and dangerous beasts; they laughed +and joked, passed remarks upon them, and even poked them with sticks. +Fothergill, furious at this treatment, caught one of the sticks, and +wrenching it from the hands of the Chinaman, tried to strike at him +through the bars, a proceeding which excited shouts of laughter from the +by-standers.</p> + +<p>"I think, Jack," Percy said, "it will be best to try and keep our +tempers and not to seem to mind what they do to us, then if they find +they can't get any fun out of us they will soon leave us alone."</p> + +<p>"Of course, that's the best plan," Fothergill agreed, "but it's not so +easy to follow. That fellow very nearly poked out my eye with his stick, +and no one's going to stand that if he can help it."</p> + +<p>It was some hours before the curiosity of the village was satisfied. +When all had paid who were likely to do so, the guards broke up their +circle, and leaving two of their number at the cage to see that no +actual harm was caused to their prisoners, the rest went off to a +refreshment house. The place of the <a name="Page_149" id="Page_149"></a>elders was now taken by the boys +and children of the village, who crowded round the cage, prodded the +prisoners with sticks, and, putting their hands through the bars, pulled +their ears and hair. This amusement, however, was brought to an abrupt +conclusion by Fothergill suddenly seizing the wrist of a big boy and +pulling his arm through the cage until his face was against the bars; +then he proceeded to punch him until the guard, coming to his rescue, +poked Fothergill with his stick until he released his hold.</p> + +<p>The punishment of their comrade excited neither anger nor resentment +among the other boys, who yelled with delight at his discomfiture, but +it made them more careful in approaching the cage, and though they +continued to poke the prisoners with sticks they did not venture again +to thrust a hand through the bars. At sunset the guards again came +round, lifted the cage and carried it into a shed. A platter of dirty +rice and a jug of water were put into the cage; two of the men lighted +their long pipes and sat down on guard beside it, and, the doors being +closed, the captives were left in peace.</p> + +<p>"If this sort of thing is to go on, as I suppose <a name="Page_150" id="Page_150"></a>it is," Fothergill +said, "the sooner they cut off our heads the better."</p> + +<p>"It is very bad, Jack. I am sore all over with those probes from their +sharp sticks."</p> + +<p>"I don't care for the pain, Percy, so much as the humiliation of the +thing. To be stared at and poked at as if we were wild beasts by these +curs, when with half a dozen of our men we could send a hundred of them +scampering, I feel as if I could choke with rage."</p> + +<p>"You had better try and eat some of this rice, Jack. It is beastly, but +I daresay we shall get no more until to-morrow night, and we must keep +up our strength if we can. At any rate, the water is not bad, that's a +comfort."</p> + +<p>"No thanks to them," Jack growled. "If there had been any bad water in +the neighbourhood they would have given it to us."</p> + +<p>For six weeks the sufferings of the prisoners continued. Their captors +avoided towns where the authorities would probably at once have taken +the prisoners out of their hands. No one would have recognized the two +captives as the midshipmen of the <i>Perseus</i>; their clothes were in +rags—torn to pieces by the thrusts of the sharp-pointed <a name="Page_151" id="Page_151"></a>bamboos, to +which they had daily been subjected—the bad food, the cramped position, +and the misery which they suffered had worn both lads to skeletons; +their hair was matted with filth, their faces begrimed with dirt. Percy +was so weak that he felt he could not stand. Fothergill, being three +years older, was less exhausted, but he knew that he, too, could not +support his sufferings for many days longer. Their bodies were covered +with sores, and try as they would they were able to catch only a few +minutes' sleep at a time, so much did the bamboo bars hurt their wasted +limbs.</p> + +<p>They seldom exchanged a word during the daytime, suffering in silence +the persecutions to which they were exposed, but at night they talked +over their homes and friends in England, and their comrades on board +ship, seldom saying a word as to their present position. They were now +in a hilly country, but had not the least idea of the direction in which +it lay from Canton or its distance from the coast.</p> + +<p>One evening Jack said to his companion, "I think it's nearly all over +now, Percy. The last two days we have made longer journeys, and <a name="Page_152" id="Page_152"></a>have +not stopped at any of the smaller villages we passed through. I fancy +our guards must see that we can't last much longer, and are taking us +down to some town to hand us over to the authorities and get their +reward for us."</p> + +<p>"I hope it is so, Jack; the sooner the better. Not that it makes much +difference now to me, for I do not think I can stand many more days of +it."</p> + +<p>"I am afraid I am tougher than you, Percy, and shall take longer to +kill, so I hope with all my heart that I may be right, and that they may +be going to give us up to the authorities."</p> + +<p>The next evening they stopped at a large place, and were subjected to +the usual persecution; this, however, was now less prolonged than during +the early days of their captivity, for they had now no longer strength +or spirits to resent their treatment, and as no fun was to be obtained +from passive victims, even the village boys soon ceased to find any +amusement in tormenting them.</p> + +<p>When most of their visitors had left them, an elderly Chinaman +approached the side of the cage. He spoke to their guards and looked at +them attentively for some minutes, then he said in pigeon English, "You +officer men?"</p> + +<p><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153"></a>"Yes!" Jack exclaimed, starting at the sound of the English words, the +first they had heard spoken since their captivity. "Yes, we are officers +of the <i>Perseus</i>."</p> + +<p>"Me speeke English velly well," the Chinaman said; "me pilot-man many +years on Canton river. How you get here?"</p> + +<p>"We were attacking some piratical junks, and landed to destroy the +village where the people were firing on us. We entered a place full of +pirates, and were knocked down and taken prisoners, and carried away up +the country; that is six weeks ago, and you see what we are now."</p> + +<p>"Pirate men velly bad," the Chinaman said; "plunder many junk on river +and kill crew. Me muchee hate them."</p> + +<p>"Can you do anything for us?" Jack asked. "You will be well rewarded if +you could manage to get us free."</p> + +<p>The man shook his head.</p> + +<p>"Me no see what can do, me stranger here; come to stay with wifey; +people no do what me ask them. English ships attack Canton, much fight +and take town, people all hate English.<a name="Page_154" id="Page_154"></a> Bad country dis. People in one +village fight against another. Velly bad men here."</p> + +<p>"How far is Canton away?" Jack asked. "Could you not send down to tell +the English we are here?"</p> + +<p>"Fourteen days' journey off," the man said; "no see how can do +anything."</p> + +<p>"Well," Jack said, "when you get back again to Canton let our people +know what has been the end of us; we shall not last much longer."</p> + +<p>"All light," the man said, "will see what me can do. Muchee think +to-night!" And after saying a few words to the guards, who had been +regarding this conversation with an air of surprise, the Chinaman +retired.</p> + +<p>The guards had for some time abandoned the precaution of sitting up at +night by the cage, convinced that their captives had no longer strength +to attempt to break through its fastenings or to drag themselves many +yards away if they could do so. They therefore left it standing in the +open, and, wrapping themselves in their thickly-wadded coats, for the +nights were cold, lay down by the side of the cage.</p> + +<p>The coolness of the nights had, indeed, assisted <a name="Page_155" id="Page_155"></a>to keep the two +prisoners alive. During the day the sun was excessively hot, and the +crowd of visitors round the cage impeded the circulation of the air and +added to their sufferings. It was true that the cold at night frequently +prevented them from sleeping, but it acted as a tonic and braced them +up.</p> + +<p>"What did he mean about the villages attacking each other?" Percy asked.</p> + +<p>"I have heard," Jack replied, "that in some parts of China things are +very much the same as they used to be in the highlands of Scotland. +There is no law or order. The different villages are like clans, and +wage war on each other. Sometimes the Government sends a number of +troops, who put the thing down for a time, chop off a good many heads, +and then march away, and the whole work begins again as soon as their +backs are turned."</p> + +<p>That night the uneasy slumber of the lads was disturbed by a sudden +firing; shouts and yells were heard, and the firing redoubled.</p> + +<p>"The village is attacked," Jack said. "I noticed that, like some other +places we have come into lately, there is a strong earthen wall round +it, <a name="Page_156" id="Page_156"></a>with gates. Well, there is one comfort—it does not make much +difference to us which side wins."</p> + +<p>The guards at the first alarm leapt to their feet, caught up their +matchlocks, and ran to aid in the defence of the wall. Two minutes later +a man ran up to the cage.</p> + +<p>"All lightee," he said; "just what me hopee."</p> + +<p>With his knife he cut the tough withes that held the bamboos in their +places, and pulled out three of the bars.</p> + +<p>"Come along," he said; "no time to lose."</p> + +<p>Jack scrambled out, but in trying to stand upright gave a sharp +exclamation of pain. Percy crawled out more slowly; he tried to stand +up, but could not. The Chinaman caught him up and threw him on his +shoulder.</p> + +<p>"Come along quickee," he said to Jack; "if takee village, kill evely +one." He set off at a run. Jack followed as fast as he could, groaning +at every step from the pain the movement caused to his bruised body.</p> + +<p>They went to the side of the village opposite to that at which the +attack was going on. They met no one on the way, the inhabitants having +all rushed to the other side to repel the attack.<a name="Page_157" id="Page_157"></a> They stopped at a +small gate in the wall, the Chinaman drew back the bolts and opened it, +and they passed out into the country. For an hour they kept on. By the +end of that time Jack could scarcely drag his limbs along. The Chinaman +halted at length in a clump of trees surrounded by a thick undergrowth.</p> + +<p>"Allee safee here," he said, "no searchee so far; here food;" and he +produced from a wallet a cold chicken and some boiled rice, and unslung +from his shoulder a gourd filled with cold tea.</p> + +<p>"Me go back now, see what happen. To-mollow nightee come again—bringee +more food." And without another word went off at a rapid pace.</p> + +<p>Jack moistened his lips with the tea, and then turned to his companion. +Percy had not spoken a word since he had been released from the cage, +and had been insensible during the greater part of his journey. Jack +poured some cold tea between his lips.</p> + +<p>"Cheer up, Percy, old boy, we are free now, and with luck and that good +fellow's help we will work our way down to Canton yet."</p> + +<p>"I shall never get down there; you may," Percy said feebly.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158"></a>"Oh, nonsense, you will pick up strength like a steam-engine now. Here, +let me prop you against this tree. That's better. Now drink a drop of +this tea; it's like nectar after that filthy water we have been +drinking. Now you will feel better. Now you must try and eat a little of +this chicken and rice. Oh, nonsense, you have got to do it. I am not +going to let you give way when our trouble is just over. Think of your +people at home, Percy, and make an effort, for their sakes. Good +heavens! now I think of it, it must be Christmas morning. We were caught +on the 2nd and we have been just twenty-two days on show. I am sure that +it must be past twelve o'clock, and it is Christmas-day. It is a good +omen, Percy. This food isn't like roast beef and plum-pudding, but it's +not to be despised, I can tell you. Come, fire away, that's a good +fellow."</p> + +<p>Percy made an effort and ate a few mouthfuls of rice and chicken, then +he took another draught of tea, and lay down, and was almost immediately +asleep.</p> + +<p>Jack ate his food slowly and contentedly till he finished half the +supply, then he, too, lay down, and, after a short but hearty +thanksgiving for <a name="Page_159" id="Page_159"></a>his escape from a slow and lingering death, he, too, +fell off to sleep. The sun was rising when he woke, being aroused by a +slight movement on the part of Percy; he opened his eyes and sat up.</p> + +<p>"Well, Percy, how do you feel this morning?" he asked cheerily.</p> + +<p>"I feel too weak to move," Percy replied languidly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you will be all right when you have sat up and eaten breakfast," +Jack said. "Here you are; here is a wing for you, and this rice is as +white as snow, and the tea is first rate. I thought last night after I +lay down that I heard a murmur of water, so after we have had breakfast +I will look about and see if I can find it. We should feel like new men +after a wash. You look awful, and I am sure I am just as bad."</p> + +<p>The thought of a wash inspirited Percy far more than that of eating, and +he sat up and made a great effort to do justice to breakfast. He +succeeded much better than he had done the night before, and Jack, +although he pretended to grumble, was satisfied with his companion's +progress, and finished off the rest of the food. Then he set out to +search for water. He had not very far <a name="Page_160" id="Page_160"></a>to go; a tiny stream, a few +inches wide and two or three inches deep, ran through the wood from the +higher ground. After throwing himself down and taking a drink, he +hurried back to Percy.</p> + +<p>"It is all right, Percy, I have found it. We can wash to our hearts' +content; think of that, lad."</p> + +<p>Percy could hardly stand, but he made an effort, and Jack half carried +him to the streamlet. There the lads spent hours. First they bathed +their heads and hands, and then, stripping, lay down in the stream and +allowed it to flow over them, then they rubbed themselves with handfuls +of leaves dipped in the water, and when they at last put on their rags +again felt like new men. Percy was able to walk back to the spot they +had quitted with the assistance only of Jack's arm. The latter, feeling +that his breakfast had by no means appeased his hunger, now started for +a search through the wood, and presently returned to Percy laden with +nuts and berries.</p> + +<p>"The nuts are sure to be all right; I expect the berries are too. I have +certainly seen some like them in native markets, and I think it will be +quite safe to risk it."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161"></a>The rest of the day was spent in picking nuts and eating them. Then +they sat down and waited for the arrival of their friend. He came two +hours after nightfall with a wallet stored with provisions, and told +them that he had regained the village unobserved. The attack had been +repulsed, but with severe loss to the defenders as well as the +assailants; two of their guards had been among the killed. The others +had made a great clamour over the escape of the prisoners, and had made +a close search throughout the village and immediately round it, for they +were convinced that their captives had not had the strength to go any +distance. He thought, however, that although they had professed the +greatest indignation, and had offered many threats as to the vengeance +that Government would take upon the village, one of whose inhabitants, +at least, must have aided in the evasion of the prisoners, they would +not trouble themselves any further in the matter. They had already +reaped a rich harvest from the exhibition, and would divide among +themselves the share of their late comrades; nor was it at all +improbable that if they were to report the matter to the authorities +they would <a name="Page_162" id="Page_162"></a>themselves get into serious trouble for not having handed +over the prisoners immediately after their capture.</p> + +<p>For a fortnight the pilot nursed and fed the two midshipmen. He had +already provided them with native clothes, so that if by chance any +villagers should catch sight of them they would not recognize them as +the escaped white men. At the end of that time both the lads had almost +recovered from the effects of their sufferings. Jack, indeed, had picked +up from the first, but Percy for some days continued so weak and ill +that Jack had feared that he was going to have an attack of fever of +some kind. His companion's cheery and hopeful chat did as much good for +Percy as the nourishing food with which their friend supplied them, and +at the end of the fortnight he declared that he felt sufficiently strong +to attempt to make his way down to the coast.</p> + +<p>The pilot acted as their guide. When they inquired about his wife, he +told them carelessly that she would remain with her kinsfolk, and would +travel on to Canton and join him there when she found an opportunity. +The journey was accomplished at night, by very short stages <a name="Page_163" id="Page_163"></a>at first, +but by increasing distances as Percy gained strength. During the daytime +the lads lay hid in woods or jungles, while their companion went into +the village and purchased food. They struck the river many miles above +Canton, and the pilot, going down first to a village on its banks, +bargained for a boat to take him and two women down to the city.</p> + +<p>The lads went on board at night and took their places in the little +cabin formed of bamboos and covered with mats in the stern of the boat, +and remained thus sheltered not only from the view of people in boats +passing up or down the stream, but from the eyes of their own boatmen.</p> + +<p>After two days' journey down the river without incident, they arrived +off Canton, where the British fleet was still lying while negotiations +for peace were being carried on with the authorities at Pekin. Peeping +out between the mats, the lads caught sight of the English warships, +and, knowing that there was now no danger, they dashed out of the cabin, +to the surprise of the native boatmen, and shouted and waved their arms +to the distant ships.</p> + +<p>In ten minutes they were alongside the <i>Perseus</i>, <a name="Page_164" id="Page_164"></a>when they were hailed +as if restored from the dead. The pilot was very handsomely rewarded by +the English authorities for his kindness to the prisoners, and was +highly satisfied with the result of his proceedings, which more than +doubled the little capital with which he had retired from business. Jack +Fothergill and Percy Adcock declare that they have never since eaten +chicken without thinking of their Christmas fare on the morning of their +escape from the hands of the Chinese pirates.</p> + +<p class="center">THE END.</p> + +<hr style='width: 80%;' /> +<p><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165"></a></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 324px;"> +<img src="images/blackie.jpg" width="324" height="116" alt="Blackie & Son's Books for Young People" title="Blackie & Son's Books for Young People" /> +</div> + +<p class="center"><i>By the Author of "John Herring," "Mehalah," &c.</i></p> + +<p><b>Grettir the Outlaw:</b> A Story of Iceland. By <span class="smcap">S. Baring-Gould</span>. +With 10 full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">M. Zeno Diemer</span> and a +Coloured Map. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, <i>6s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>A work of special interest, not only because of the high rank which +Mr. Baring-Gould has of late years acquired by his brilliant series +of novels, <i>Mehalah</i>, <i>John Herring</i>, <i>Court Royal</i>, &c., but +because of his earlier won reputation as a historian and explorer +of folk-legends and popular beliefs. In the story of Grettir, both +the art of the novelist and the lore of the archæologist have had +full scope, with the result that we have a narrative of adventure +of the most romantic kind, and at the same time an interesting and +minutely accurate account of the old Icelandic families, their +homes, their mode of life, their superstitions, their songs and +stories, their bear-serk fury, and their heroism by land and sea. +The story is told throughout with a simplicity which will make it +attractive even to the very young, and no boy will be able to +withstand the magic of such scenes as the fight of Grettir with the +twelve bear-serks, the wrestle with Karr the Old in the chamber of +the dead, the combat with the spirit of Glam the thrall, and the +defence of the dying Grettir by his younger brother.</p></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h4>BY G. A. HENTY.</h4> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><b>With Lee in Virginia:</b> A Story of the American Civil War. By <span class="smcap">G. A. +Henty</span>. With 10 full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Gordon Browne</span>. +Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, <i>6s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>The great war between the Northern and Southern States of America +has the special interest for English boys of having been a struggle +between two sections of a people akin to us in race and language—a +struggle fought out by each side with unusual intensity of +conviction in the rightness of its cause, and abounding in heroic +incidents. Of these points Mr. Henty has made admirable use in this +story of a young Virginian planter, who, after bravely proving his +sympathy with the slaves, serves with no less courage and +enthusiasm under Lee and Jackson through the most exciting events +of the struggle. He has many hairbreadth escapes, is several times +wounded and twice taken prisoner; but his courage and readiness +bring him safely through all difficulties.</p></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h4><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166"></a>BY G. A. HENTY.</h4> + +<p>"Mr. Henty is one of the best of story tellers for young +people."—<i>Spectator.</i></p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><b>By Pike and Dyke:</b> A Tale of the Rise of the Dutch Republic. By +<span class="smcap">G. A. Henty</span>. With 10 full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Maynard +Brown</span> and 4 Maps. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, <i>6s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>A story covering the period which forms the thrilling subject of +Motley's <i>Rise of the Dutch Republic</i>, when the Netherlands, under +the guidance of William of Orange, revolted against the attempts of +Alva and the Spaniards to force upon them the Catholic religion. To +a story already of the keenest interest, Mr. Henty has added a +special attractiveness for boys in tracing through the historic +conflict the adventures and brave deeds of an English boy in the +household of the ablest man of his age—William the Silent. Edward +Martin; the son of an English sea-captain, after sharing in the +excitement of an escape from the Spaniards and a sea-fight, enters +the service of the Prince as a volunteer, and is employed by him in +many dangerous and responsible missions, in the discharge of which +he passes through the great sieges and more than one naval +engagement of the time. He is subsequently employed in Holland by +Queen Elizabeth, to whom he is recommended by Orange; and +ultimately settles down as Sir Edward Martin and the husband of the +lady to whom he owes his life, and whom he in turn has saved from +the Council of Blood.</p></div> + +<p><b>The Lion Of St. Mark:</b> A Tale of Venice in the Fourteenth Century. By +<span class="smcap">G. A. Henty</span>. With 10 full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Gordon +Browne</span>. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, <i>6s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Every boy should read <i>The Lion of St. Mark</i>. Mr. Henty has never +produced any story more delightful, more wholesome, or more +vivacious. From first to last it will be read with keen +enjoyment."—<i>The Saturday Review.</i></p> + +<p>"Mr. Henty has probably not published a more interesting story than +<i>The Lion of St. Mark</i>. He has certainly not published one in which +he has been at such pains to rise to the dignity of his subject. +Mr. Henty's battle-pieces are admirable."—<i>The Academy.</i></p> + +<p>"The young hero has shrewdness, courage, enterprise, principle, all +the qualities that help the young in the race and battle of +life."—<i>Literary Churchman.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Captain Bailey's Heir:</b> A Tale of the Gold Fields of California. By +<span class="smcap">G. A. Henty</span>. With 12 full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">H. M. +Paget</span>. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, <i>6s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"A Westminster boy who, like all this author's heroes, makes his +way in the world by hard work, good temper, and unfailing courage. +The descriptions given of life are just what a healthy intelligent +lad should delight in."—<i>St. James's Gazette.</i></p> + +<p>"The portraits of Captain Bayley, and the head-master of +Westminster school, are admirably drawn; and the adventures in +California are told with that vigour which is peculiar to Mr. +Henty."—<i>The Academy.</i></p> + +<p>"Mr. Henty is careful to mingle solid instruction with +entertainment; and the humorous touches, especially in the sketch +of John Holl, the Westminster dustman, Dickens himself could hardly +have excelled."—<i>Christian Leader.</i></p></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h4><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167"></a>BY G. A. HENTY.</h4> + +<p>"Surely Mr. Henty should understand boys' tastes better than any man +living."—<i>The Times.</i></p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><b>Bonnie Prince Charlie:</b> A Tale of Fontenoy and Culloden. By <span class="smcap">G. A. +Henty</span>. With 12 full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Gordon Browne</span>. +Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, <i>6s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Ronald, the hero, is very like the hero of <i>Quentin Durward</i>. The +lad's journey across France with his faithful attendant Malcolm, +and his hairbreadth escapes from the machinations of his father's +enemies, make up as good a narrative of the kind as we have ever +read. For freshness of treatment and variety of incident, Mr. Henty +has here surpassed himself."—<i>Spectator.</i></p> + +<p>"A historical romance of the best quality. Mr. Henty has written +many more sensational stories, but never a more artistic +one."—<i>Academy.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>For the Temple:</b> A Tale of the Fall of Jerusalem. By <span class="smcap">G. A. +Henty</span>. With 10 full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Solomon J. +Solomon</span>: and a coloured Map. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine +edges, <i>6s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Mr. Henty is ever one of the foremost writers of historical tales, +and his graphic prose pictures of the hopeless Jewish resistance to +Roman sway adds another leaf to his record of the famous wars of +the world. The book is one of Mr. Henty's cleverest +efforts."—<i>Graphic.</i></p> + +<p>"The story is told with all the force of descriptive power which +has made the author's war stories so famous, and many an 'old boy' +as well as the younger ones will delight in this narrative of that +awful page of history."—<i>Church Times.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>The Lion Of the North:</b> A Tale of Gustavus Adolphus and the Wars of +Religion. By <span class="smcap">G. A. Henty</span>. With 12 full-page Illustrations by +<span class="smcap">John Schönberg</span>. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, <i>6s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"As we might expect from Mr. Henty the tale is a clever and +instructive piece of history, and as boys may be trusted to read it +conscientiously, they can hardly fail to be profited as well as +pleased."—<i>The Times.</i></p> + +<p>"A praiseworthy attempt to interest British youth in the great +deeds of the Scotch Brigade in the wars of Gustavus Adolphus. +Mackay, Hepburn, and Munro live again in Mr. Henty's pages, as +those deserve to live whose disciplined bands formed really the +germ of the modern British army."—<i>Athenæum.</i></p> + +<p>"A stirring story of stirring times. This book should hold a place +among the classics of youthful fiction."—<i>United Service Gazette.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>The Young Carthaginian:</b> A story of the Times of Hannibal. By <span class="smcap">G. A. +Henty</span>. With 12 full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">C. J. Staniland, +R. I.</span> Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, <i>6s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The effect of an interesting story, well constructed and vividly +told, is enhanced by the picturesque quality of the scenic +background. From first to last nothing stays the interest of the +narrative. It bears us along as on a stream, whose current varies +in direction, but never loses its force."—<i>Saturday Review.</i></p> + +<p>"Ought to be popular with boys who are not too ill instructed or +too dandified to be affected by a graphic picture of the days and +deeds of Hannibal."—<i>Athenæum.</i></p></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h4><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168"></a>BY G. A. HENTY.</h4> + +<p>"Among writers of stories of adventure for boys Mr. Henty stands in the +very first rank."—<i>Academy.</i></p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><b>With Wolfe in Canada:</b> Or, The Winning of a Continent. By <span class="smcap">G. A. +Henty</span>. With 12 full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Gordon Browne</span>. +Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, <i>6s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"A model of what a boys' story-book should be. Mr. Henty has a +great power of infusing into the dead facts of history new life, +and as no pains are spared by him to ensure accuracy in historic +details, his books supply useful aids to study as well as +amusement."—<i>School Guardian.</i></p> + +<p>"It is not only a lesson in history as instructively as it is +graphically told, but also a deeply interesting and often thrilling +tale of adventure and peril by flood and field."—<i>Illustrated +London News.</i></p> + +<p>"This is a narrative which will bear retelling, and to which Mr. +Henty, whose careful study of details is worthy of all praise, does +full justice.... His adventures are told with much spirit; the +escape when the birch canoes have been damaged by an enemy is +especially well described."—<i>Spectator.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>With Clive in India:</b> Or, The Beginnings of an Empire. By <span class="smcap">G. A. +Henty</span>. With 12 full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Gordon Browne</span>. +Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, <i>6s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"In this book Mr. Henty has contrived to exceed himself in stirring +adventures and thrilling situations. The pictures add greatly to +the interest of the book."—<i>Saturday Review.</i></p> + +<p>"Among writers of stories of adventure for boys Mr. Henty stands in +the very first rank. Those who know something about India will be +the most ready to thank Mr. Henty for giving them this instructive +volume to place in the hands of their children."—<i>Academy.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>True to the Old Flag:</b> A Tale of the American War of Independence. By +<span class="smcap">G. A. Henty</span>. With 12 full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Gordon +Browne</span>. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, <i>6s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Does justice to the pluck and determination of the British +soldiers. The son of an American loyalist, who remains true to our +flag, falls among the hostile redskins in that very Huron country +which has been endeared to us by the exploits of Hawkeye and +Chingachgook."—<i>The Times.</i></p> + +<p>"Mr. Henty's extensive personal experience of adventures and moving +incidents by flood and field, combined with a gift of picturesque +narrative, make his books always welcome visitors in the home +circle."—<i>Daily News.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>In Freedom's Cause:</b> A Story of Wallace and Bruce. By <span class="smcap">G. A. +Henty</span>. With 12 full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Gordon Browne</span>. +Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, <i>6s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Mr. Henty has broken new ground as an historical novelist. His +tale of the days of Wallace and Bruce is full of stirring action, +and will commend itself to boys."—<i>Athenæum.</i></p> + +<p>"Written in the author's best style. Full of the most remarkable +achievements, it is a tale of great interest, which a boy, once he +has begun it, will not willingly put on one side."—<i>Schoolmaster.</i></p> + +<p>"Scarcely anywhere have we seen in prose a more lucid and +spirit-stirring description of Bannockburn than the one with which +the author fittingly closes his volume."—<i>Dumfries Standard.</i></p></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h4><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169"></a>BY G. A. HENTY.</h4> + +<p>"Mr. Henty is one of our most successful writers of historical +tales."—<i>Scotsman.</i></p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><b>Through the Fray:</b> A Story of the Luddite Riots. By <span class="smcap">G. A. +Henty</span>. With 12 full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">H. M. Paget</span>. +Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, <i>6s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Mr. Henty inspires a love and admiration for straightforwardness, +truth, and courage. This is one of the best of the many good books +Mr. Henty has produced, and deserves to be classed with his <i>Facing +Death</i>."—<i>Standard.</i></p> + +<p>"The interest of the story never flags. Were we to propose a +competition for the best list of novel writers for boys we have +little doubt that Mr. Henty's name would stand first."—<i>Journal of +Education.</i></p> + +<p>"This story is told in Mr. Henty's own easy and often graphic +style. There is no 'padding' in the book, and its teaching is, that +we have enemies within as well as without, and therefore the power +of self-control is a quality that should be striven after by every +'true' boy."—<i>Educational Times.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Under Drake's Flag:</b> A Tale of the Spanish Main. By <span class="smcap">G. A. +Henty</span>. Illustrated by 12 full-page Pictures by <span class="smcap">Gordon +Browne</span>. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, <i>6s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"There is not a dull chapter, nor, indeed, a dull page in the hook; +but the author has so carefully worked up his subject that the +exciting deeds of his heroes are never incongruous or +absurd."—<i>Observer.</i></p> + +<p>"Just such a book, indeed, as the youth of this maritime country +are likely to prize highly."—<i>Daily Telegraph.</i></p> + +<p>"A book of adventure, where the hero meets with experience enough +one would think to turn his hair gray."—<i>Harper's Monthly +Magazine.</i></p></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h4>BY PROFESSOR A. J. CHURCH.</h4> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><b>Two Thousand Years Ago:</b> Or, The Adventures of a Roman Boy. By +Professor <span class="smcap">A. J. Church</span>. With 12 full-page Illustrations by +<span class="smcap">Adrien Marie</span>. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, <i>6s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Adventures well worth the telling. The book is extremely +entertaining as well as useful, and there is a wonderful freshness +in the Roman scenes and characters."—<i>The Times.</i></p> + +<p>"Entertaining in the highest degree from beginning to end, and full +of adventure which is all the livelier for its close connection +with history."—<i>Spectator.</i></p> + +<p>"We know of no book which will do more to make the Romans of that +day live again for the English reader."—<i>Guardian.</i></p></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><b>Robinson Crusoe.</b> By <span class="smcap">Daniel Defoe</span>. Illustrated by above 100 +Pictures by <span class="smcap">Gordon Browne</span>. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine +edges, <i>6s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"One of the best issues, if not absolutely the best, of Defoe's +work which has ever appeared."—<i>The Standard.</i></p> + +<p>"The best edition I have come across for years. If you know a boy +who has not a 'Robinson Crusoe,' just glance at any one of these +hundred illustrations, and you will go no further afield in search +of a present for him."—<i>Truth.</i></p></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h4><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170"></a>BY GEORGE MANVILLE FENN.</h4> + +<p>"Mr. Fenn is in the front rank of writers of stories for +boys."—<i>Liverpool Mercury.</i></p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><b>Quicksilver:</b> Or a Boy with no Skid to his Wheel. By <span class="smcap">George +Manville Fenn</span>. With 10 full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Frank +Dadd</span>. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, <i>6s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"<i>Quicksilver</i> is little short of an inspiration. In it that prince +of story-writers for boys—George Manville Fenn—has surpassed +himself. It is an ideal book for a boy's library."—<i>Practical +Teacher.</i></p> + +<p>"The story is capitally told, it abounds in graphic and +well-described scenes, and it has an excellent and manly tone +throughout."—<i>The Guardian.</i></p> + +<p>"This is one of Mr. Fenn's happiest efforts, and deserves to be +read and re-read by every school-boy in the land. We are not +exaggerating when we say that <i>Quicksilver</i> has nothing to equal it +this season."—<i>Teacher's Aid.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Dick o' the Fens:</b> A Romance of the Great East Swamp. By <span class="smcap">G. +Manville Fenn</span>. With 12 full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Frank +Dadd</span>. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, <i>6s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"We conscientiously believe that boys will find it capital reading. +It is full of incident and mystery, and the mystery is kept up to +the last moment. It is rich in effective local colouring; and it +has a historical interest."—<i>Times.</i></p> + +<p>"We have not of late come across a historical fiction, whether +intended for boys or for men, which deserves to be so heartily and +unreservedly praised as regards plot, incidents, and spirit as +<i>Dick o' the Fens</i>. It is its author's masterpiece as +yet."—<i>Spectator.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Devon Boys:</b> A Tale of the North Shore. By <span class="smcap">G. Manville Fenn</span>. +With 12 full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Gordon Browne</span>. Crown 8vo, +cloth elegant, olivine edges, <i>6s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"An admirable story, as remarkable for the individuality of its +young heroes as for the excellent descriptions of coast scenery and +life in North Devon. It is one of the best books we have seen this +season."—<i>Athenæum.</i></p> + +<p>"We do not know that Mr. Fenn has ever reached a higher level than +he has in <i>Devon Boys</i>. It must be put in the very front rank of +Christmas books."—<i>Spectator.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Brownsmith's Boy:</b> A Romance in a Garden. By G. <span class="smcap">Manville Fenn</span>. +With 12 full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Gordon Browne</span>. Crown 8vo, +cloth elegant, olivine edges, <i>6s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Mr. Fenn's books are among the best, if not altogether the best, +of the stories for boys. Mr. Fenn is at his best in <i>Brownsmith's +Boy</i>."—<i>Pictorial World.</i></p> + +<p>"<i>Brownsmith's Boy</i> must rank among the few undeniably good boys' +books. He will be a very dull boy indeed who lays it down without +wishing that it had gone on for at least 100 pages more."—<i>North +British Mail.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>In the King's Name:</b> Or the Cruise of the <i>Kestrel</i>. By <span class="smcap">G. Manville +Fenn</span>. Illustrated by 12 full-page Pictures by <span class="smcap">Gordon +Browne</span>. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, <i>6s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"A capital boys' story, full of incident and adventure, and told in +the lively style in which Mr. Fenn is such an adept."—<i>Globe.</i></p> + +<p>"The best of all Mr. Fenn's productions in this field. It has the +great quality of always 'moving on,' adventure following adventure +in constant succession."—<i>Daily News.</i></p></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h4><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171"></a>BY GEORGE MANVILLE FENN.</h4> + +<p>"Our boys know Mr. Fenn well, his stories having won for him a foremost +place in their estimation."—<i>Pall Mall Gazette.</i></p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><b>Bunyip Land:</b> The Story of a Wild Journey in New Guinea. By <span class="smcap">G. +Manville Fenn</span>. With 12 full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Gordon +Browne</span>. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, <i>6s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Mr. Fenn deserves the thanks of everybody for <i>Bunyip Land</i>, and +we may venture to promise that a quiet week may be reckoned on +whilst the youngsters have such fascinating literature provided for +their evenings' amusement."—<i>Spectator.</i></p> + +<p>"One of the best tales of adventure produced by any living writer, +combining the inventiveness of Jules Verne, and the solidity of +character and earnestness of spirit which have made the English +victorious in so many fields."—<i>Daily Chronicle.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>The Golden Magnet:</b> A Tale of the Land of the Incas. By <span class="smcap"> G. +Manville Fenn</span>. Illustrated by 12 full-page Pictures by <span class="smcap">Gordon +Browne</span>. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, <i>6s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"This is, we think, the best boys' book Mr. Fenn has produced.... +The Illustrations are perfect in their way."—<i>Globe.</i></p> + +<p>"There could be no more welcome present for a boy. There is not a +dull page in the book, and many will be read with breathless +interest. 'The Golden Magnet' is, of course, the same one that +attracted Raleigh and the heroes of <i>Westward Ho!</i>"—<i>Journal of +Education.</i></p></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h4>BY HARRY COLLINGWOOD.</h4> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><b>The Log Of the "Flying Fish:"</b> A Story of Aerial and Submarine Peril +and Adventure. By <span class="smcap">Harry Collingwood</span>. With 12 full-page +Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Gordon Browne</span>, Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, +olivine edges, <i>6s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The <i>Flying Fish</i> actually surpasses all Jules Verne's creations; +with incredible speed she flies through the air, skims over the +surface of the water, and darts along the ocean bed. We strongly +recommend our school-boy friends to possess themselves of her +log."—<i>Athenæum.</i></p></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h4>BY SARAH DOUDNEY.</h4> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><b>Under False Colours.</b> By <span class="smcap">Sarah Doudney</span>. With 12 full-page +Illustrations by <span class="smcap">G. G. Kilburne</span>. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, +olivine edges, <i>6s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"This is a charming story, abounding in delicate touches of +sentiment and pathos. Its plot is skilfully contrived. It will be +read with a warm interest by every girl who takes it +up."—<i>Scotsman.</i></p> + +<p>"Sarah Doudney has no superior as a writer of high-toned +stories—pure in style, original in conception, and with skilfully +wrought-out plots; but we have seen nothing from this lady's pen +equal in dramatic energy to her latest work—<i>Under False +Colours</i>."—<i>Christian Leader.</i></p></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h4><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172"></a>BY G. A. HENTY.</h4> + +<p>"The brightest of all the living writers whose office it is to enchant +the boys."—<i>Christian Leader.</i></p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><b>One Of the 28th:</b> A Tale of Waterloo. By <span class="smcap">G. A. Henty</span>. With 8 +full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">W. H. Overend</span>, and 2 Maps. Crown 8vo, +cloth elegant, <i>5s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Herbert Penfold, being desirous of benefiting the daughter of an +intimate friend, and Ralph Conway, the son of a lady to whom he had +once been engaged, draws up a will dividing his property between +them, and places it in a hiding-place only known to members of his +own family. At his death his two sisters determine to keep silence, +and the authorized search for the will, though apparently thorough, +fails to bring it to light. The mother of Ralph, however, succeeds +in entering the house as a servant, and after an arduous and +exciting search secures the will. In the meantime, her son has +himself passed through a series of adventures. The boat in which he +is fishing is run down by a French privateer, and Ralph, scrambling +on board, is forced to serve until the harbour of refuge is entered +by a British frigate. On his return he enters the army, and after +some rough service in Ireland, takes part in the Waterloo campaign, +from which he returns with the loss of an arm, but with a +substantial fortune, which is still further increased by his +marriage with his co-heir.</p></div> + +<p><b>The Cat Of Bubastes:</b> A Story of Ancient Egypt. By <span class="smcap">G. A. Henty</span>. +With 8 full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">J. R. Weguelin</span>. Crown 8vo, +cloth elegant, olivine edges, <i>5s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The story is highly enjoyable. We have pictures of Egyptian +domestic life, of sport, of religious ceremonial, and of other +things which may still be seen vividly portrayed by the brush of +Egyptian artists."—<i>The Spectator.</i></p> + +<p>"The story, from the critical moment of the killing of the sacred +cat to the perilous exodus into Asia with which it closes, is very +skilfully constructed and full of exciting adventures. It is +admirably illustrated."—<i>Saturday Review.</i></p> + +<p>"Mr. Henty has fairly excelled himself in this admirable story of +romance and adventure. We have never examined a story-book that we +can recommend with more confidence as a boy's reward."—<i>Teachers' +Aid.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>The Dragon and the Raven:</b> Or, The Days of King Alfred. By <span class="smcap">G. A. +Henty</span>. With 8 full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">C. J. Staniland, +R. I.</span> Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, <i>5s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Perhaps the best story of the early days of England which has yet +been told."—<i>Court Journal.</i></p> + +<p>"We know of no popular book in which the stirring incidents of +Alfred's reign are made accessible to young readers as they are +here."—<i>Scotsman.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>St. George for England:</b> A Tale of Cressy and Poitiers. By <span class="smcap">G. A. +Henty</span>. With 8 full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Gordon Browne</span>, in +black and tint. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, <i>5s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Mr. Henty has done his work well, producing a strong story at once +instructive and entertaining."—<i>Glasgow Herald.</i></p> + +<p>"Mr. Henty's historical novels for boys bid fair to supplement, on +their behalf, the historical labours of Sir Walter Scott in the +land of fiction."—<i>Standard.</i></p></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h4><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173"></a>BY G. A. HENTY.</h4> + +<p>"Mr. Henty is the king of story-tellers for boys."—<i>Sword and Trowel.</i></p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><b>The Bravest Of the Brave:</b> With Peterborough in Spain. By <span class="smcap">G. A. +Henty</span>. With 8 full-page Pictures by <span class="smcap">H. M. Paget</span>. Crown 8vo, +cloth elegant, <i>5s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Mr. Henty never loses sight of the moral purpose of his work—to +enforce the doctrine of courage and truth, mercy and loving +kindness, as indispensable to the making of an English gentleman. +British lads will read <i>The Bravest of the Brave</i> with pleasure and +profit; of that we are quite sure."—<i>Daily Telegraph.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>For Name and Fame:</b> Or, Through Afghan Passes. By <span class="smcap">G. A. Henty</span>. +With 8 full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Gordon Browne</span>, in black and +tint. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, <i>5s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The best feature of the book, apart from its scenes of adventure, +is its honest effort to do justice to the patriotism of the Afghan +people."—<i>Daily News.</i></p> + +<p>"Not only a rousing story, replete with all the varied forms of +excitement of a campaign, but, what is still more useful, an +account of a territory and its inhabitants which must for a long +time possess a supreme interest for Englishmen, as being the key to +our Indian Empire."—<i>Glasgow Herald.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>In the Reign Of Terror:</b> The Adventures of a Westminster Boy. By +<span class="smcap">G. A. Henty</span>. With 8 full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">J. +Schönberg</span>. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, <i>5s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Harry Sandwith, the Westminster boy, may fairly be said to beat +Mr. Henty's record. His adventures will delight boys by the +audacity and peril they depict. The story is one of Mr. Henty's +best."—<i>Saturday Review.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Orange and Green:</b> A Tale of the Boyne and Limerick. By <span class="smcap">G. A. +Henty</span>. With 8 full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Gordon Browne</span>. +Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, <i>5s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"An extremely spirited story, based on the struggle in Ireland, +rendered memorable by the defence of 'Derry and the siege of +Limerick."—<i>Sat. Review.</i></p> + +<p>"The narrative is free from the vice of prejudice, and ripples with +life as vivacious as if what is being described were really passing +before the eye.... <i>Orange and Green</i> should be in the hands of +every young student of Irish history without delay."—<i>Belfast +Morning News.</i></p></div> + + +<p><b>By Sheer Pluck:</b> A Tale of the Ashanti War. By <span class="smcap">G. A. Henty</span>. +With 8 full-page Pictures by <span class="smcap">Gordon Browne</span>. Crown 8vo, cloth +elegant, <i>5s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"<i>By Sheer Pluck</i> will be eagerly read. The author's personal +knowledge of the west coast has been turned to full +advantage."—<i>Athenæum.</i></p> + +<p>"Morally, the book is everything that could be desired, setting +before the boys a bright and bracing ideal of the English +gentleman."—<i>Christian Leader.</i></p></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h4><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174"></a>BY G. A. HENTY.</h4> + +<p>"Mr. G. A. Henty's fame as a writer of boys' stories is deserved and +secure."—<i>Cork Herald.</i></p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><b>A Final Reckoning:</b> A Tale of Bush Life in Australia. By <span class="smcap">G. A. +Henty</span>. With 8 full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">W. B. Wollen</span>. +Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, <i>5s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Exhibits Mr. Henty's talent as a story-teller at his best.... The +drawings possess the uncommon merit of really illustrating the +text."—<i>Saturday Review.</i></p> + +<p>"All boys will read this story with eager and unflagging interest. +The episodes are in Mr. Henty's very best vein—graphic, exciting, +realistic; and, as in all Mr. Henty's books, the tendency is to the +formation of an honourable, manly, and even heroic +character."—<i>Birmingham Post.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Facing Death:</b> Or the Hero of the Vaughan Pit. A Tale of the Coal +Mines. By <span class="smcap">G. A. Henty</span>. With 8 full-page Illustrations by +<span class="smcap">Gordon Browne</span>. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, <i>5s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"If any father, godfather, clergyman, or schoolmaster is on the +look-out for a good book to give as a present to a boy who is worth +his salt, this is the book we would recommend."—<i>Standard.</i></p></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h4>BY F. FRANKFORT MOORE.</h4> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><b>Highways and High Seas:</b> Cyril Harley's Adventures on both. By <span class="smcap">F. +Frankfort Moore</span>. With 8 full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Alfred +Pearse</span>. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, <i>5s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>The story belongs to a period when highways meant post-chaises, +coaches, and highwaymen, and when high seas meant post-captains, +frigates, privateers, and smugglers; and the hero—a boy who has +some remarkable experiences upon both—tells his story with no less +humour than vividness. He shows incidentally how little real +courage and romance there frequently was about the favourite +law-breakers of fiction, but how they might give rise to the need +of the highest courage in others and lead to romantic adventures of +an exceedingly exciting kind. A certain piquancy is given to the +story by a slight trace of nineteenth century malice in the +picturing of eighteenth century life and manners.</p></div> + +<p><b>Under Hatches:</b> Or Ned Woodthorpe's Adventures. By <span class="smcap">F. Frankfort +Moore</span>. With 8 full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">A. Forestier</span>. +Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, <i>5s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Mr. Moore has never shown himself so thoroughly qualified to write +books for boys as he has done in <i>Under Hatches</i>."—<i>The Academy.</i></p> + +<p>"A first-rate sea story, full of stirring incidents, and, from a +literary point of view, far better written than the majority of +books for boys."—<i>Pall Mall Gazette.</i></p> + +<p>"The story as a story is one that will just suit boys all the world +over. The characters are well drawn and consistent; Patsy, the +Irish steward, will be found especially amusing."—<i>Schoolmaster.</i></p></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h4><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175"></a>BY GEORGE MANVILLE FENN.</h4> + +<p>"No one can find his way to the hearts of lads more readily than Mr. +Fenn."—<i>Nottingham Guardian.</i></p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><b>Yussuf the Guide:</b> Being the Strange Story of the Travels in Asia Minor +of Burne the Lawyer, Preston the Professor, and Lawrence the Sick. By +<span class="smcap">G. Manville Fenn</span>. With 8 full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">John +Schönberg</span>. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, <i>5s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The narrative will take its readers into scenes that will have +great novelty and attraction for them, and the experiences with the +brigands will be especially delightful to boys."—<i>Scotsman.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Menhardoc:</b> A Story of Cornish Nets and Mines. By <span class="smcap">G. Manville +Fenn</span>. With 8 full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">C. J. Staniland</span>. +Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, <i>5s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"They are real living boys, with their virtues and faults. The +Cornish fishermen are drawn from life, they are racy of the soil, +salt with the sea-water, and they stand out from the pages in their +jerseys and sea-boots all sprinkled with silvery pilchard +scales."—<i>Spectator.</i></p> + +<p>"A description of Will Marion's descent into a flooded mine is +excellent. Josh is a delightfully amusing character. We may +cordially praise the illustrations."—<i>Saturday Review.</i></p></div> + + +<p><b>Mother Carey's Chicken:</b> Her Voyage to the Unknown Isle. By <span class="smcap">G. +Manville Fenn</span>. With 8 full-page Illustrations by A. +<span class="smcap">Forestier</span>. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, <i>5s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Jules Verne himself never constructed a more marvellous tale. It +contains the strongly marked English features that are always +conspicuous in Mr. Fenn's stories—a humour racy of the British +soil, the manly vigour of his sentiment, and wholesome moral +lessons. For anything to match his realistic touch we must go to +Daniel Defoe."—<i>Christian Leader.</i></p> + +<p>"When we get to the 'Unknown Isle,' the story becomes exciting. Mr. +Fenn keeps his readers in a suspense that is not intermitted for a +moment, and the <i>dénouement</i> is a surprise which is as probable as +it is startling."—<i>Spectator.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Patience Wins:</b> Or, War in the Works. By <span class="smcap">G. Manville Fenn</span>. +With 8 full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Gordon Browne</span>. Crown 8vo, +cloth elegant, <i>5s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"An excellent story, the interest being sustained from first to +last. One of the best books of its kind which has come before us +this year."—<i>Saturday Review.</i></p> + +<p>"Mr. Fenn is at his best in <i>Patience Wins</i>. It is sure to prove +acceptable to youthful readers, and will give a good idea of that +which was the real state of one of our largest manufacturing towns +not many years ago."—<i>Guardian.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Nat the Naturalist:</b> A Boy's Adventures in the Eastern Seas. By <span class="smcap">G. +Manville Fenn</span>. With 8 full-page Pictures. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, +<i>5s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Among the best of the many good books for boys that have come out +this season."—<i>Times.</i></p> + +<p>"This sort of book encourages independence of character, develops +resource, and teaches a boy to keep his eyes open."—<i>Saturday +Review.</i></p></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h4><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176"></a>BY HARRY COLLINGWOOD.</h4> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><b>The Missing Merchantman.</b> By <span class="smcap">Harry Collingwood</span>. With 8 +full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">W. H. Overend</span>. Crown 8vo, cloth +elegant, olivine edges, <i>5s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Mr. Collingwood is <i>facile princeps</i> as a teller of sea stories +for boys, and the present is one of the best productions of his +pen."—<i>Standard.</i></p> + +<p>"This is one of the author's best sea stories. The hero is as +heroic as any boy could desire, and the ending is extremely +happy."—<i>British Weekly.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>The Rover's Secret:</b> A Tale of the Pirate Cays and Lagoons of Cuba. By +<span class="smcap">Harry Collingwood</span>. With 8 full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">W. C. +Symons</span>. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, <i>5s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"<i>The Rover's Secret</i> is by far the best sea story we have read for +years, and is certain to give unalloyed pleasure to boys. The +illustrations are fresh and vigorous."—<i>Saturday Review.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>The Pirate Island:</b> A Story of the South Pacific. By <span class="smcap">Harry +Collingwood</span>. Illustrated by 8 full-page Pictures by <span class="smcap">C. J. +Staniland</span> and <span class="smcap">J. R. Wells</span>. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, <i>5s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"A capital story of the sea; indeed in our opinion the author is +superior in some respects as a marine novelist to the better known +Mr. Clarke Russell."—<i>The Times.</i></p> + +<p>"Told in the most vivid and graphic language. It would be difficult +to find a more thoroughly delightful gift-book."—<i>Guardian.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>The Congo Rovers:</b> A Story of the Slave Squadron. By <span class="smcap">Harry +Collingwood</span>. With 8 full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">J. +Schönberg</span>. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, <i>5s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"No better sea story has lately been written than the <i>Congo +Rovers</i>. It is as original as any boy could desire."—<i>Morning +Post.</i></p></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h4>BY ASCOTT R. HOPE.</h4> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><b>The Seven Wise Scholars.</b> By <span class="smcap">Ascott R. Hope</span>. With nearly One +Hundred Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Gordon Browne</span>. Square 8vo, cloth +elegant, gilt edges, <i>5s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"As full of fun as a volume of <i>Punch</i>; with illustrations, more +laughter-provoking than most we have seen since Leech +died."—<i>Sheffield Independent.</i></p> + +<p>"A capital story, full of fun and happy comic fancies. The tale +would put the sourest-tempered <i>boy</i> into a good humour, and to an +imaginative child would be a source of keen delight."—<i>Scotsman.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>The Wigwam and the War-path:</b> stories of the Red Indians. By <span class="smcap">Ascott +R. Hope</span>. With 8 full-page Pictures by <span class="smcap">Gordon Browne</span>. Crown +8vo, cloth elegant, <i>5s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"All the stories are told well, in simple spirited language and +with a fulness of detail that make them instructive as well as +interesting."—<i>Journal of Education.</i></p></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h4><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177"></a>BY G. NORWAY.</h4> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The Loss of John Humble: What Led to It, and what Came of It. By <span class="smcap">G. +Norway</span>. With 8 full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">John Schönberg</span>. +Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, <i>5s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>John Humble, an orphan, is sent to sea with his Uncle Rolf, the +captain of the <i>Erl King</i>, but in the course of certain adventures +off the English coast, in which Rolf shows both skill and courage, +the boy is left behind at Portsmouth. He escapes from an English +gun-brig to a Norwegian vessel, the <i>Thor</i>, which is driven from +her course in a voyage to Hammerfest, and wrecked on a desolate +shore. The survivors experience the miseries of a long sojourn in +the Arctic circle, with inadequate means of supporting life, but +ultimately, with the aid of some friendly but thievish Lapps, they +succeed in making their way to a reindeer station and so southward +to Tornea and home again. The story throughout is singularly vivid +and truthful in its details, the individual characters are fresh +and well marked, and a pleasant vein of humour relieves the stress +of the more tragic incidents in the story.</p></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h4>BY ROSA MULHOLLAND.</h4> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Giannetta: A Girl's Story of Herself. By <span class="smcap">Rosa Mulholland</span>. With +8 full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Lockhart Bogle</span>. Crown 8vo, cloth +elegant, <i>5s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Giannetta is a true heroine—warm-hearted, self-sacrificing, and, +as all good women nowadays are, largely touched with the enthusiasm +of humanity. The illustrations are unusually good, and combine with +the binding and printing to make this one of the most attractive +gift-books of the season."—<i>The Academy.</i></p> + +<p>"No better book could be selected for a young girl's reading, as +its object is evidently to hold up a mirror, in which are seen some +of the brightest and noblest traits in the female +character."—<i>Schoolmistress.</i></p></div> + +<p>Perseverance Island: Or the Robinson Crusoe of the 19th Century. By +<span class="smcap">Douglas Frazar</span>. With 12 full-page Illustrations. Crown 8vo, +cloth elegant, <i>5s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"This second Robinson Crusoe is certainly a marvellous man. His +determination to overcome all difficulties, and his subsequent +success, should alone make this a capital book for boys. It is +altogether a worthy successor to the ancient Robinson +Crusoe."—<i>Glasgow Herald.</i></p></div> + +<p>Gulliver's Travels. Illustrated by more than 100 Pictures by <span class="smcap">Gordon +Browne</span>. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, <i>5s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"By help of the admirable illustrations, and a little judicious +skipping, it has enchanted a family party of ages varying from six +to sixty. Which of the other Christmas books could stand this +test?"—Journal of Education.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Gordon Browne is, to my thinking, incomparably the most +artistic, spirited, and brilliant of our illustrators of books for +boys, and one of the most humorous also, as his illustrations of +'Gulliver' amply testify."—Truth.</p></div> + +<p class="center"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178"></a>NEW EDITION OF THE UNIVERSE.</p> + +<p><b>The Universe</b>: Or the Infinitely Great and the Infinitely Little. A +Sketch of Contrasts in Creation, and Marvels revealed and explained by +Natural Science. By <span class="smcap">F. A. Pouchet, m.d.</span> With 272 Engravings on +wood, of which 55 are full-page size, and a Coloured Frontispiece. Tenth +Edition, medium 8vo, cloth elegant, gilt edges, <i>7s. 6d.</i>; also morocco +antique, 16s.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"We can honestly commend Professor Pouchet's book, which <i>is</i> +admirably, as it is copiously illustrated."—<i>The Times.</i></p> + +<p>"This book is as interesting as the most exciting romance, and a +great deal more likely to be remembered to good +purpose."—<i>Standard.</i></p> + +<p>"Scarcely any book in French or in English is so likely to +stimulate in the young an interest in the physical +phenomena."—<i>Fortnightly Review.</i></p></div> + + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h4>BY GEORGE MAC DONALD.</h4> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><b>At the Back of the North Wind</b>. By <span class="smcap">George Mac Donald, LL.D.</span> +With 75 Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Arthur Hughes</span>. Crown 8vo, cloth +elegant, olivine edges, <i>5s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"In <i>At the Back of the North Wind</i> we stand with one foot in +fairyland and one on common earth. The story is thoroughly +original, full of fancy and pathos, and underlaid with earnest but +not too obtrusive teaching."—<i>The Times.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Ranald Bannerman's Boyhood</b>. By <span class="smcap">George Mac Donald, LL.D.</span> With +36 Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Arthur Hughes</span>. New Edition. Crown 8vo, +cloth elegant, olivine edges, <i>5s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The sympathy with boy-nature in <i>Ranald Bannerman's Boyhood</i> is +perfect. It is a beautiful picture of childhood, teaching by its +impressions and suggestions all noble things."—<i>British Quarterly +Review.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>The Princess and the Goblin</b>. By <span class="smcap">George Mac Donald, LL.D.</span> With +30 Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Arthur Hughes</span>, and 2 full-page Pictures by +<span class="smcap">H. Petherick</span>. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, <i>3s. 6d</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Little of what is written for children has the lightness of touch +and play of fancy which are characteristic of George Mac Donald's +fairy tales. Mr. Arthur Hughes's illustrations are all that +illustrations should be."—<i>Manchester Guardian.</i></p> + +<p>"A model of what a child's book ought to be—interesting, +instructive, and poetical. We cordially recommend it as one of the +very best gift-books we have yet come across."—<i>Elgin Courant.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>The Princess and Curdie</b>. By <span class="smcap">George Mac Donald, LL.D.</span> With 8 +full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">James Allen</span>. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, +<i>3s. 6d</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"There is the finest and rarest genius in this brilliant story. +Upgrown people would do wisely occasionally to lay aside their +newspapers and magazines to spend an hour with Curdie and the +Princess."—<i>Sheffield Independent.</i></p></div> + +<p><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179"></a><b>Girl Neighbours:</b> Or, The Old Fashion and the New. By <span class="smcap">Sarah +Tytler</span>. With 8 full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">C. T. Garland</span>. +Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, <i>5s</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"One of the most effective and quietly humorous of Miss Sarah +Tytler's stories.... Very healthy, very agreeable, and very well +written."—<i>Spectator.</i></p></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h4>BY MARY C. ROWSELL.</h4> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><b>Thorndyke Manor:</b> A Tale of Jacobite Times. By <span class="smcap">Mary C. +Rowsell</span>. With 6 full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">L. Leslie +Brooke</span>. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, <i>3s. 6d.</i></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Thorndyke Manor is an old house, near the mouth of the Thames, +which is convenient, on account of its secret vaults and situation, +as the base of operations in a Jacobite conspiracy. In consequence +its owner, a kindly, quiet, book-loving squire, who lives happily +with his sister, bright Mistress Amoril, finds himself suddenly +involved by a treacherous steward in the closest meshes of the +plot. He is conveyed to the Tower, but all difficulties are +ultimately overcome, and his innocence is triumphantly proved by +his sister.</p></div> + +<p><b>Traitor or Patriot?</b> A Tale of the Rye-House Plot. By <span class="smcap">Mary C. +Rowsell</span>. With 6 full-page Pictures. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, <i>3s. +6d.</i></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"A romantic love episode, whose true characters are lifelike +beings, not dry sticks as in many historical tales."—<i>Graphic.</i></p></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h4>BY ALICE CORKRAN.</h4> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><b>Meg's Friend.</b> By <span class="smcap">Alice Corkran</span>. With 6 full-page +Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Robert Fowler</span>. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, <i>3s. +6d.</i></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Another of Miss Corkran's charming books for girls, narrated in +that simple and picturesque style which marks the authoress as one +of the first amongst writers for young people."—<i>The Spectator.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Margery Merton's Girlhood.</b> By <span class="smcap">Alice Corkran</span>. With 6 full-page +Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Gordon Browne</span>. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, <i>3s. +6d.</i></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Another book for girls we can warmly commend. There is a +delightful piquancy in the experiences and trials of a young +English girl who studies painting in Paris."—<i>Saturday Review.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Down the Snow Stairs:</b> Or, From Good-night to Good-morning. By +<span class="smcap">Alice Corkran</span>. With 60 character Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Gordon +Browne</span>. New Edition. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, <i>3s. +6d.</i></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"A fascinating wonder-book for children."—<i>Athenæum.</i></p> + +<p>"A gem of the first water, bearing upon every page the signet mark +of genius. All is told with such simplicity and perfect naturalness +that the dream appears to be a solid reality. It is indeed a Little +Pilgrim's Progress."—<i>Christian Leader.</i></p></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h4><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180"></a>BY JOHN C. HUTCHESON.</h4> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><b>Afloat at Last:</b> A Sailor Boy's Log of his Life at Sea. By <span class="smcap">John C. +Hutcheson</span>. With 6 full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">W. H. Overend</span>. +Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, <i>3s. 6d.</i></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Mr. Hutcheson's reputation for the realistic treatment of life at +sea will be fully sustained by the present volume—the narrative of +a boy's experiences on board ship during his first voyage. From the +stowing of the vessel in the Thames to her recovery from the Pratas +Reef on which she is stranded, everything is described with the +accuracy of perfect practical knowledge of ships and sailors; and +the incidents of the story range from the broad humours of the +fo'c's'le to the perils of flight from and fight with the pirates +of the China Seas. The captain, the mate, the Irish boatswain, the +Portuguese steward, and the Chinese cook, are fresh and +cleverly-drawn characters, and the reader throughout has the sense +that he is on a real voyage with living men.</p></div> + +<p><b>The White Squall:</b> A Story of the Sargasso Sea. By <span class="smcap">John C. +Hutcheson</span>. With 6 full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">John +Schönberg</span>. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, <i>3s. 6d.</i></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Few writers have made such rapid improvement in the course of a +few years as has the author of this capital story.... Boys will +find it difficult to lay down the book till they have got to the +end."—<i>Standard.</i></p> + +<p>"The sketches of tropical life are so good as sometimes to remind +us of <i>Tom Cringle</i> and the <i>Cruise of the Midge</i>."—<i>Times.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>The Wreck of the Nancy Bell:</b> Or Cast Away on Kerguelen Land. By +<span class="smcap">John C. Hutcheson</span>. Illustrated by 6 full-page Pictures. Crown +8vo, cloth extra, <i>3s. 6d.</i></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"A full circumstantial narrative such as boys delight in. The ship +so sadly destined to wreck on Kerguelen Land is manned by a very +lifelike party, passengers and crew. The life in the Antarctic +Iceland is well treated."—<i>Athenæum.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Picked Up at Sea:</b> Or the Gold Miners of Minturne Creek. By <span class="smcap">John C. +Hutcheson</span>. With 6 full-page Pictures. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, <i>3s. +6d.</i></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The author's success with this book is so marked that it may well +encourage him to further efforts. The description of mining life in +the Far-west is true and accurate."—<i>Standard.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Sir Walter's Ward:</b> A Tale of the Crusades. By <span class="smcap">William +Everard</span>. With 6 full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Walter Paget</span>. +Crown 8vo, cloth extra, <i>3s. 6d.</i></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"This book will prove a very acceptable present either to boys or +girls. Both alike will take an interest in the career of Dodo, in +spite of his unheroic name, and follow him through his numerous and +exciting adventures."—<i>Academy.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Stories Of Old Renown:</b> Tales of Knights and Heroes. By <span class="smcap">Ascott R. +Hope</span>. With 100 Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Gordon Browne</span>. New +Edition. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, <i>3s. 6d.</i></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"A really fascinating book worthy of its telling title. There is, +we venture to say, not a dull page in the book, not a story which +will not bear a second reading."—<i>Guardian.</i></p></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h4><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181"></a>BY CAROLINE AUSTIN.</h4> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><b>Cousin Geoffrey and I.</b> By <span class="smcap">Caroline Austin</span>. With 6 full-page +Illustrations by <span class="smcap">W. Parkinson</span>. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, <i>3s. +6d.</i></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>The only daughter of a country gentleman finds herself unprovided +for at her father's death, and for some time lives as a dependant +upon the kinsman who has inherited the property. Life is kept from +being entirely unbearable to her by her young cousin Geoffrey, who +at length meets with a serious accident for which she is held +responsible. She is then passed on to other relatives, who prove +even more objectionable, and at length, in despair, she runs away +and makes a brave attempt to earn her own livelihood. Being a +splendid rider, she succeeds in doing this, until the startling +event which brings her cousin Geoffrey and herself together again, +and solves the problem of the missing will.</p></div> + +<p><b>Hugh Herbert's Inheritance.</b> By <span class="smcap">Caroline Austin</span>. With 6 +full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">C. T. Garland</span>. Crown 8vo, cloth +elegant, <i>3s. 6d.</i></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Will please by its simplicity, its tenderness, and its healthy +interesting motive. It is admirably written."—<i>Scotsman.</i></p> + +<p>"Well and gracefully written, full of interest, and excellent in +tone."—<i>School Guardian.</i></p></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h4>BY E. S. BROOKS.</h4> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><b>Storied Holidays:</b> A Cycle of Red-letter Days. By <span class="smcap">E. S. Brooks</span>. +With 12 full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Howard Pyle</span>. Crown 8vo, +cloth elegant, <i>3s. 6d.</i></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"It is a downright good book for a senior boy, and is eminently +readable from first to last."—<i>Schoolmaster.</i></p> + +<p>"Replete with interest from Chapter I. to <i>finis</i>, and can be +confidently recommended as one of the gems of Messrs. Blackie's +collection."—<i>Teachers' Aid.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Chivalric Days:</b> Stories of Courtesy and Courage in the Olden Times. By +<span class="smcap">E. S. Brooks</span>. With 20 Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Gordon Browne</span> +and other Artists. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, <i>3s. 6d.</i></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"We have seldom come across a prettier collection of tales. These +charming stories of boys and girls of olden days are no mere +fictitious or imaginary sketches, but are real and actual records +of their sayings and doings. The illustrations are in Gordon +Browne's happiest style."—<i>Literary World.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Historic Boys:</b> Their Endeavours, their Achievements, and their Times. +By <span class="smcap">E. S. Brooks</span>. With 12 full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">R. B. +Birch</span> and <span class="smcap">John Schönberg</span>. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, <i>3s. +6d.</i></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"A wholesome book, manly in tone, its character sketches enlivened +by brisk dialogue. We advise schoolmasters to put it on their list +of prizes."—<i>Knowledge.</i></p></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h4><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182"></a>BY MRS. E. R. PITMAN.</h4> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><b>Garnered Sheaves.</b> A Tale for Boys. By Mrs. <span class="smcap">E. R. Pitman</span>. With +4 full-page Illustrations. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, <i>3s. 6d.</i></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"This is a story of the best sort ... a noble-looking book, +illustrating faith in God, and commending to young minds all that +is pure and true."—Rev. C. H. Spurgeon's <i>Sword and Trowel</i>.</p></div> + +<p><b>Life's Daily Ministry:</b> A Story of Everyday Service for others. By Mrs. +<span class="smcap">E. R. Pitman</span>. With 4 full-page Illustrations. Crown 8vo, cloth +extra, <i>3s. 6d.</i></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Shows exquisite touches of a master hand. She has not only made a +close study of human nature in all its phases, but she has acquired +the artist's skill in depicting in graphic outline the +characteristics of the beautiful and the good in life."—<i>Christian +Union.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>My Governess Life:</b> Or Earning my Living. By Mrs. <span class="smcap">E. R. Pitman</span>. +With 4 full-page Illustrations. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, <i>3s. 6d.</i></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Full of sound teaching and bright examples of +character."—<i>Sunday-school Chronicle.</i></p></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h4>BY MRS. R. H. READ.</h4> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><b>Silver Mill:</b> A Tale of the Don Valley. By Mrs. <span class="smcap">R. H. Read</span>. +With 6 full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">John Schönberg</span>. Crown 8vo, +cloth elegant, <i>3s. 6d.</i></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"A good girl's story-book. The plot is interesting, and the +heroine, Ruth, a lady by birth, though brought up in a humble +station, well deserves the more elevated position in which the end +of the book leaves her. The pictures are very spirited."—<i>Saturday +Review.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Dora:</b> Or a Girl without a Home. By Mrs. <span class="smcap">R. H. Read</span>. With 6 +full-page Illustrations. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, <i>3s. 6d.</i></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"It is no slight thing, in an age of rubbish, to get a story so +pure and healthy as this."—<i>The Academy.</i></p></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h4>BY ELIZABETH J. LYSAGHT.</h4> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><b>Brother and Sister:</b> Or the Trials of the Moore Family. By +<span class="smcap">Elizabeth J. Lysaght</span>. With 6 full-page Illustrations. Crown +8vo, cloth extra, <i>3s. 6d.</i></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"A pretty story, and well told. The plot is cleverly constructed, +and the moral is excellent."—<i>Athenæum.</i></p></div> + +<p><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183"></a><b>Laugh and Learn:</b> A Home-book of Instruction and Amusement for the +Little Ones. By <span class="smcap">Jennett Humphreys</span>. Charmingly Illustrated. +Square crown 8vo, cloth extra, <i>3s. 6d.</i></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>Laugh and Learn</i>, a most comprehensive book for the nursery, +supplies, what has long been wanted, a means whereby the mother or +the governess may, in a series of pleasing lessons, commence and +carry on systematic home instruction of the little ones. The +various chapters of the <i>Learn</i> section carry the child through the +"three R's" to easy stories for reading, and stories which the +mother may read aloud, or which more advanced children may read to +themselves. The Laugh section comprises simple drawing lessons, +home amusements of every kind, innumerable pleasant games and +occupations, rhymes to be learnt, songs for the very little ones, +action songs, and music drill.</p></div> + +<p><b>The Search for the Talisman:</b> A Story of Labrador. By <span class="smcap">Henry +Frith</span>. With 6 full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">J. Schönberg</span>. +Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, <i>3s. 6d.</i></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Mr. Frith's volume will be among those most read and highest +valued. The adventures among seals, whales, and icebergs in +Labrador will delight many a young reader, and at the same time +give him an opportunity to widen his knowledge of the Esquimaux, +the heroes of many tales."—<i>Pall Mall Gazette.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Self-Exiled:</b> A Story of the High Seas and East Africa. By <span class="smcap">J. A. +Steuart</span>. With 6 full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">J. Schönberg</span>. +Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, <i>3s. 6d.</i></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"It is cram full of thrilling situations. The number of miraculous +escapes from death in all its shapes which the hero experiences in +the course of a few months must be sufficient to satisfy the most +voracious appetite."—<i>Schoolmaster.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Reefer and Rifleman:</b> A Tale of the Two Services. By <span class="smcap">J. +Percy-Groves</span>, late 27th Inniskillings. With 6 full-page +Illustrations by <span class="smcap">John Schönberg</span>. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, <i>3s. +6d.</i></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"A good, old-fashioned, amphibious story of our fighting with the +Frenchmen in the beginning of our century, with a fair sprinkling +of fun and frolic."—<i>Times.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>The Bubbling Teapot.</b> A Wonder Story. By Mrs. <span class="smcap">L. W. Champney</span>. +With 12 full-page Pictures by <span class="smcap">Walter Satterlee</span>. Crown 8vo, +cloth extra, <i>3s. 6d.</i></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Very literally a 'wonder story,' and a wild and fanciful one. +Nevertheless it is made realistic enough, and there is a good deal +of information to be gained from it. The steam from the magic +teapot bubbles up into a girl, and the little girl, when the fancy +takes her, can cry herself back into a teapot. Transformed and +enchanted she makes the tour of the globe."—<i>The Times.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Dr. Jolliffe's Boys:</b> A Tale of Weston School. By <span class="smcap">Lewis Hough</span>. +With 6 full-page Pictures. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, <i>3s. 6d.</i></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Young people who appreciate <i>Tom Brown's School-days</i> will find +this story a worthy companion to that fascinating book. There is +the same manliness of tone, truthfulness of outline, avoidance of +exaggeration and caricature, and healthy morality as characterized +the masterpiece of Mr. Hughes."—<i>Newcastle Journal.</i></p></div> +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<h3><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184"></a>BLACKIE'S HALF-CROWN SERIES.</h3> + +<p>Illustrated by eminent Artists. In crown 8vo, cloth elegant.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">New Volumes</span>.</p> + +<p><b>The Hermit Hunter of the Wilds.</b> By <span class="smcap">Gordon Stables</span>, C. M., +M. D., R. N.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>A dreamy boy, who likes to picture himself as the Hermit Hunter of +the Wilds, receives an original but excellent kind of training from +a sailor-naturalist uncle, and at length goes to sea with the hope +of one day finding the lost son of his uncle's close friend, +Captain Herbert. He succeeds in tracing him through the forests of +Ecuador, where the abducted boy has become an Indian chief. +Afterwards he is discovered on an island which had been used as a +treasure store by the buccaneers. The hero is accompanied through +his many adventures by the very king of cats, who deserves a place +amongst the most famous animals in fiction.</p></div> + +<p><b>Miriam's Ambition:</b> A Story for Children. By <span class="smcap">Evelyn +Everett-Green</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Miriam's ambition is to make some one happy, and her endeavour to +carry it out in the case of an invalid boy, carries with it a +pleasant train of romantic incident, solving a mystery which had +thrown a shadow over several lives. A charming foil to her grave +and earnest elder sister is to be found in Miss Babs, a small +coquette of five, whose humorous child-talk is one of the most +attractive features of an excellent story.</p></div> + +<p><b>White Lilac:</b> Or The Queen of the May. By <span class="smcap">Amy Walton</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>When the vicar's wife proposed to call Mrs. White's daughter by the +heathen name of Lilac, all the villagers shook their heads; and +they continued to shake them sagely when Lilac's father was shot +dead by poachers just before the christening, and when, years +after, her mother died on the very day Lilac was crowned Queen of +the May. And yet White Lilac proved a fortune to the relatives to +whose charge she fell—a veritable good brownie, who brought luck +wherever she went. The story of her life forms a most readable and +admirable rustic idyl, and is told with a fine sense of rustic +character.</p></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><b>Little Lady Clare.</b> By <span class="smcap">Evelyn Everett-Green</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Certainly one of the prettiest, reminding us in its quaintness and +tender pathos of Mrs. Ewing's delightful tales. This is quite one +of the best stories Miss Green's clever pen has yet given +us."—<i>Literary World.</i></p> + +<p>"We would particularly bring it under the notice of those in charge +of girls' schools. The story is admirably told."—<i>Schoolmaster.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>The Eversley Secrets.</b> By <span class="smcap">Evelyn Everett-Green</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Is one of the best children's stories of the year."—<i>Academy.</i></p> + +<p>"A clever and well-told story. Roy Eversley is a very touching +picture of high principle and unshrinking self-devotion in a good +purpose."—<i>Guardian.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>The Brig "Audacious."</b> By <span class="smcap">Alan Cole</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"This is a real boys' book. We have great pleasure in recommending +it."—<i>English Teacher.</i></p> + +<p>"Bright and vivacious in style, and fresh and wholesome as a breath +of sea air in tone."—<i>Court Journal.</i></p></div> + +<p><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185"></a><b>The Saucy May.</b> By <span class="smcap">H. Frith</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The book is certainly both interesting and +exciting."—<i>Spectator.</i></p> + +<p>"Mr. Frith gives a new picture of life on the ocean wave which will +be acceptable to all young people."—<i>Sheffield Independent.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Jasper's Conquest.</b> By <span class="smcap">Elizabeth J. Lysaght</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"One of the best boys' books of the season. It is full of stirring +adventure and startling episodes, and yet conveys a splendid moral +throughout."—<i>Schoolmaster.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Sturdy and Strong:</b> Or, How George Andrews made his Way. By <span class="smcap">G. A. +Henty</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The history of a hero of everyday life, whose love of truth, +clothing of modesty, and innate pluck carry him, naturally, from +poverty to affluence. He stands as a good instance of chivalry in +domestic life."—<i>The Empire.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Gutta-Percha Willie</b>, The Working Genius. By <span class="smcap">George Mac +Donald</span>, LL.D.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Had we space we would fain quote page after page. All we have room +to say is, get it for your boys and girls to read for themselves, +and if they can't do that read it to them."—<i>Practical Teacher.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>The War of the Axe:</b> Or Adventures in South Africa. By <span class="smcap">J. +Percy-Groves</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The story of their final escape from the Caffres is a marvellous +bit of writing.... The story is well and brilliantly told, and the +illustrations are especially good and effective."—<i>Literary +World.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>The Lads of Little Clayton:</b> Stories of Village Boy Life. By <span class="smcap">R. +Stead</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"A capital book for boys. They will learn from its pages what true +boy courage is. They will learn further to avoid all that is petty +and mean if they read the tales aright. They may be read to a class +with great profit."—<i>Schoolmaster.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Ten Boys</b> who lived on the Road from Long Ago to Now. By <span class="smcap">Jane +Andrews</span>. With 20 Illustrations.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The idea of this book is a very happy one, and is admirably +carried out. We have followed the whole course of the work with +exquisite pleasure. Teachers should find it particularly +interesting and suggestive."—<i>Practical Teacher.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Insect Ways on Summer Days</b> in Garden, Forest, Field, and Stream. By +<span class="smcap">Jennett Humphreys</span>. With 70 Illustrations.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The book will prove not only instructive but delightful to every +child whose mind is beginning to inquire and reflect upon the +wonders of nature. It is capitally illustrated and very tastefully +bound."—<i>Academy.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>A Waif of the Sea:</b> Or the Lost Found. By <span class="smcap">Kate Wood</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"A very touching and pretty tale of town and country, full of +pathos and interest, told in a style which deserves the highest +praise."—<i>Edinburgh Courant.</i></p></div> + +<p><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186"></a><b>Winnie's Secret:</b> A Story of Faith and Patience. By <span class="smcap">Kate +Wood</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"One of the best story-books we have read. Girls will be charmed +with the tale, and delighted that everything turns out so +well."—<i>Schoolmaster.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Miss Willowburn's Offer.</b> By <span class="smcap">Sarah Doudney</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Patience Willowburn is one of Miss Doudney's best creations, and +is the one personality in the story which can be said to give it +the character of a book not for young ladies but for +girls."—<i>Spectator.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>A Garland for Girls.</b> By <span class="smcap">Louisa M. Alcott</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The <i>Garland</i> will delight our girls, and show them how to make +their lives fragrant with good deeds."—<i>British Weekly.</i></p> + +<p>"These little tales are the beau ideal of girls' +stories."—<i>Christian World.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Hetty Gray:</b> Or Nobody's Bairn. By <span class="smcap">Rosa Mulholland</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"A charming story for young folks. Hetty is a delightful +creature—piquant, tender, and true—and her varying fortunes are +perfectly realistic."—<i>World.</i>'</p></div> + +<p><b>Brothers in Arms:</b> A Story of the Crusades. By <span class="smcap">F. Bayford +Harrison</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Full of striking incident, is very fairly illustrated, and may +safely be chosen as sure to prove interesting to young people of +both sexes."—<i>Guardian.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>The Ball Of Fortune:</b> Or Ned Somerset's Inheritance. By <span class="smcap">Charles +Pearce</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"A capital story for boys. It is simply and brightly written. There +is plenty of incident, and the interest is sustained +throughout."—<i>Journal of Education.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Miss Fenwick's Failures:</b> Or "Peggy Pepper-Pot." By <span class="smcap">Esmé +Stuart</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Esmé Stuart may be commended for producing a girl true to real +life, who will put no nonsense into young heads."—<i>Graphic.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Gytha's Message:</b> A Tale of Saxon England. By <span class="smcap">Emma Leslie</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"This is a charmingly told story. It is the sort of book that all +girls and some boys like, and can only get good from."—<i>Journal of +Education.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>My Mistress the Queen:</b> A Tale of the 17th Century. By <span class="smcap">M. A. +Paull</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The style is pure and graceful, the presentation of manners and +character has been well studied, and the story is full of +interest."—<i>Scotsman.</i></p> + +<p>"This is a charming book. The old-time sentiment which pervades the +volume renders it all the more alluring."—<i>Western Mercury.</i></p></div> + +<p><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187"></a><b>The Stories of Wasa and Menzikoff:</b> The Deliverer of Sweden, and the +Favourite of Czar Peter.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Both are stories worth telling more than once, and it is a happy +thought to have put them side by side. Plutarch himself has no more +suggestive comparison."—<i>Spectator.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Stories of the Sea in Former Days:</b> Narratives of Wreck and Rescue.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Next to an original sea-tale of sustained interest come +well-sketched collections of maritime peril and suffering which +awaken the sympathies by the realism of fact. 'Stories of the Sea' +are a very good specimen of the kind."—<i>The Times.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Tales of Captivity and Exile.</b></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"It would be difficult to place in the hands of young people a book +which combines interest and instruction in a higher +degree."—<i>Manchester Courier.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Famous Discoveries by Sea and Land.</b></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Such a volume may providentially stir up some youths by the divine +fire kindled by these 'great of old' to lay open other lands, and +show their vast resources."—<i>Perthshire Advertiser.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Stirring Events of History.</b></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The volume will fairly hold its place among those which make the +smaller ways of history pleasant and attractive. It is a gift-book +in which the interest will not be exhausted with one +reading."—<i>Guardian.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Adventures in Field, Flood, and Forest.</b> Stories of Danger and Daring.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"One of the series of books for young people which Messrs. Blackie' +excel in producing. The editor has beyond all question succeeded +admirably. The present book cannot fail to be read with interest +and advantage."—<i>Academy.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Jack o' Lanthorn:</b> A Tale of Adventure. By <span class="smcap">Henry Frith</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The narrative is crushed full of stirring incident, and <i>is</i> sure +to be a prime favourite with our boys, who will be assisted by it +in mastering a sufficiently exciting chapter in the history of +England."—<i>Christian Leader.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>The Family Failing.</b> By <span class="smcap">Darley Dale</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"At once an amusing and an interesting story, and a capital lesson +on the value of contentedness to young and old alike."—<i>Aberdeen +Journal.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>The Joyous Story of Toto.</b> By <span class="smcap">Laura E. Richards</span>. With 30 +humorous and fanciful Illustrations by <span class="smcap">E. H. Garrett</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"An excellent book for children who are old enough to appreciate a +little delicate humour. It should take its place beside Lewis +Carroll's unique works, and find a special place in the affections +of boys and girls."—<i>Birmingham Gazette.</i></p></div> +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<h3><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188"></a>BLACKIE'S TWO-SHILLING SERIES.</h3> + +<p>With Illustrations in Colour and black and tint. In crown 8vo, cloth +elegant.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">New Volumes.</span></p> + +<p><b>Sam Silvan's Sacrifice:</b> The Story of Two Fatherless Boys. By <span class="smcap">Jesse +Colman</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>The story of two brothers—the elder a lad of good and steady +disposition; the younger nervous and finely-strung, but weaker and +more selfish. The death of their grandparents, by whom they are +being brought up, leads to their passing through a number of +adventures in uncomfortable homes and among strange people. In the +end the elder brother's generous care results in his sacrificing +his own life to save that of his brother, who realizes when it is +too late the full measure of his indebtedness.</p></div> + +<p><b>A Warrior King:</b> The Story of a Boy's Adventures in Africa. By <span class="smcap">J. +Evelyn.</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>A story full of adventure and romantic interest. Adrian Englefield, +an English boy of sixteen, accompanies his father on a journey of +exploration inland from the West Coast. He falls into the hands of +the Berinaquas, and becomes the friend of their prince, Moryosi, +but is on the point of being sacrificed when he is saved by the +capture of the kraelah by a neighbouring hostile tribe. He is soon +after retaken by the Berinaquas, and saves the life of Moryosi. The +two tribes are ultimately united, and Adrian and his friends are +set at liberty.</p></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><b>Susan.</b> By <span class="smcap">Amy Walton.</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"A clever little story, written with some humour. The authoress +shows a great deal of insight into children's feelings and +motives."—<i>Pall Mall Gazette.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>"A Pair of Clogs:"</b> And other Stories. By <span class="smcap">Amy Walton</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"These stories are decidedly interesting, and unusually true to +nature. For children between nine and fourteen this book can be +thoroughly commended."—<i>Academy.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>The Hawthorns.</b> By <span class="smcap">Amy Walton</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"A remarkably vivid and clever study of child-life. At this species +of work Amy Walton has no superior."—<i>Christian Leader.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Dorothy's Dilemma:</b> A Tale of the Time of Charles I. By <span class="smcap">Caroline +Austin</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"An exceptionally well-told story, and will be warmly welcomed by +children. The little heroine, Dorothy, is a charming +creation."—<i>Court Journal.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Marie's Home:</b> Or, A Glimpse of the Past. By <span class="smcap">Caroline Austin</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"An exquisitely told story. The heroine is as fine a type of +girlhood as one could wish to set before our little British damsels +of to-day."—<i>Christian Leader.</i></p></div> + +<p><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189"></a><b>Warner's Chase:</b> Or the Gentle Heart. By <span class="smcap">Annie S. Swan</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"In Milly Warren, the heroine, who softens the hard heart of her +rich uncle and thus unwittingly restores the family fortunes, we +have a fine ideal of real womanly goodness."—<i>Schoolmaster.</i></p> + +<p>"A good book for boys and girls. There is no sickly goodyism in it, +but a tone of quiet and true religion that keeps its own +place."—<i>Perthshire Advertiser.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Aboard the "Atalanta:"</b> The Story of a Truant. By <span class="smcap">Henry Frith</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The story is very interesting and the descriptions most graphic. +We doubt if any boy after reading it would be tempted to the great +mistake of running away from school under almost any pretext +whatever."—<i>Practical Teacher.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>The Penang Pirate</b> and <span class="smcap">The Lost Pinnace</span>. By <span class="smcap">John C. +Hutcheson</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"A book which boys will thoroughly enjoy: rattling, adventurous, +and romantic, and the stories are thoroughly healthy in +tone."—<i>Aberdeen Journal.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Teddy:</b> The Story of a "Little Pickle." By <span class="smcap">John C. Hutcheson</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"He is an amusing little fellow with a rich fund of animal spirits, +and when at length he goes to sea with Uncle Jack he speedily +sobers down under the discipline of life."—<i>Saturday Review.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Linda and the Boys.</b> By <span class="smcap">Cecilia Selby Lowndes</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The book is essentially a child's book, and will be heartily +appreciated by the young folk."—<i>The Academy.</i></p> + +<p>"Is not only told in an artless, simple way, but is full of the +kind of humour that children love."—<i>Liverpool Mercury.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Swiss Stories for Children and those who Love Children.</b> From the +German of <span class="smcap">Madam Johanna Spyri</span>. By <span class="smcap">Lucy Wheelock</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Charming stories. They are rich in local colouring, and, what is +better, in genuine pathos."—<i>The Times.</i></p> + +<p>"These most delightful children's tales are essentially for +children, but would fascinate older and less enthusiastic minds +with their delicate romance and the admirable portraiture of the +hard life of the Swiss peasantry."—<i>Spectator.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>The Squire's Grandson:</b> A Devonshire Story. By <span class="smcap">J. M. Callwell</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"A healthy tone pervades this story, and the lessons of courage, +filial affection, and devotion to duty on the part of the young +hero cannot fail to favourably impress all young +readers."—<i>Schoolmaster.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Magna Charta Stories:</b> Or Struggles for Freedom in the Olden Time. +Edited by <span class="smcap">Arthur Gilman, a.m.</span> With 12 full-page Illustrations.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"A book of special excellence, which ought to be in the hands of +all boys."—<i>Educational News.</i></p></div> + +<p><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190"></a><b>The Wings Of Courage:</b> <span class="smcap">And The Cloud-Spinner</span>. Translated from +the French of <span class="smcap">George Sand</span>, by Mrs. <span class="smcap">Corkran</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Mrs. Corkran has earned our gratitude by translating into readable +English these two charming little stories."—<i>Athenæum.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Chirp and Chatter:</b> Or, <span class="smcap">Lessons from Field and Tree</span>. By +<span class="smcap">Alice Banks</span>. With 54 Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Gordon Browne</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"We see the humbling influence of love on the haughty +harvest-mouse, we are touched by the sensibility of the +tender-hearted ant, and may profit by the moral of 'the disobedient +maggot.' The drawings are spirited and funny."—<i>The Times.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Four Little Mischiefs.</b> By <span class="smcap">Rosa Mulholland</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Graphically written, and abounds in touches of genuine humour and +innocent fun."—<i>Freeman.</i> "A charming bright story about real +children."—<i>Watchman.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>New Light through Old Windows.</b> A Series of Stories illustrating Fables +of Æsop. By <span class="smcap">Gregson Gow</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The most delightfully-written little stories one can easily find +in the literature of the season. Well constructed and brightly +told."—<i>Glasgow Herald.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Little Tottie</b>, and Two Other Stories. By <span class="smcap">Thomas Archer</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"We can warmly commend all three stories; the book is a most +alluring prize for the younger ones."—<i>Schoolmaster.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Naughty Miss Bunny:</b> Her Tricks and Troubles. By <span class="smcap">Clara +Mulholland</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"This naughty child is positively delightful. Papas should not omit +<i>Naughty Miss Bunny</i> from their list of juvenile presents."—<i>Land +and Water.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Adventures of Mrs. Wishing-to-be</b>, and other Stories. By <span class="smcap">Alice +Corkran</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Simply a charming book for little girls."—<i>Saturday Review.</i></p> + +<p>"Just in the style and spirit to win the hearts of +children."—<i>Daily News.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Our Dolly:</b> Her Words and Ways. By <span class="smcap">Mrs. R. H. Read</span>. With many +Woodcuts, and a Frontispiece in colours.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Prettily told and prettily illustrated."—<i>Guardian.</i></p> + +<p>"Sure to be a great favourite with young children."—<i>School +Guardian.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Fairy Fancy:</b> What she Heard and Saw. By <span class="smcap">Mrs. R. H. Read</span>. With +many Woodcuts and a Coloured Frontispiece.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"All is pleasant, nice reading, with a little knowledge of natural +history and other matters gently introduced and divested of +dryness."—<i>Practical Teacher.</i></p></div> +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<h3><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191"></a>BLACKIE'S EIGHTEENPENNY SERIES.</h3> + +<p>With Illustrations in Colour, and black and tint. In crown 8vo, cloth +elegant.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">New Volumes</span>.</p> + +<p><b>Tales of Daring and Danger.</b> By <span class="smcap">G. A. Henty</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>A selection of five of Mr. Henty's short stories of adventure by +land and sea. The volume contains the narrative of an officer's +bear-shooting expedition, and his subsequent captivity among the +Dacoits; a strange tale of an Indian fakir and two British +officers; a tale of the gold-diggings at Pine-tree Gulch, in which +a boy saves, at the cost of his own life, a miner who had +befriended him, and two others.</p></div> + +<p><b>The Seven Golden Keys.</b> By <span class="smcap">James E. Arnold</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Hilda gains entrance into fairy-land, and is there shown a golden +casket with seven locks. To obtain the treasure it contains, it is +necessary that she should make seven journeys to find the keys, and +in her travels she passes through a number of adventures and learns +seven important lessons—to speak the truth, to be kind, not to +trust to appearances, to hold fast to all that is good, &c. It is +one of the most interesting of recent fairy-books, as well as one +of the most instructive.</p></div> + +<p><b>The Story of a Queen.</b> By <span class="smcap">Mary C. Rowsell</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>A pleasant version for young people of the romantic story of Marie +of Brabant, the young queen of Philip the Bold of France. Though +the interest centres in a heroine rather than in a hero, the book +has no lack of adventure, and will be read with no less eagerness +by boys than by girls. To the latter it will give a fine example of +patient, strong and noble woman-hood, to the former it will teach +many lessons in truthfulness and chivalry.</p></div> + +<p><b>Joan's Adventures</b>, At the North Pole and Elsewhere. By <span class="smcap">Alice +Corkran</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"This is a most delightful fairy story. The charming style and easy +prose narrative makes its resemblance striking to Hans +Andersen's."—<i>Spectator.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Edwy:</b> Or, Was he a Coward? By <span class="smcap">Annette Lyster</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"This is a charming story, and sufficiently varied to suit children +of all ages."—<i>The Academy.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Filled with Gold.</b> By <span class="smcap">Jennie Perrett</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The tale is interesting, and gracefully told. Miss Perrett's +description of life on the quiet Jersey farm will have a great +charm."—<i>Spectator.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>The Battlefield Treasure.</b> By <span class="smcap">F. Bayford Harrison</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Jack Warren is a lad of the Tom Brown type, and his search for +treasure and the sequel are sure to prove interesting to +boys."—<i>English Teacher.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>By Order of Queen Maude:</b> A Story of Home Life. By <span class="smcap">Louisa +Crow</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The tale is brightly and cleverly told, and forms one of the best +children's books which the season has produced."—<i>Academy.</i></p></div> + +<p><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192"></a><b>Our General:</b> A Story for Girls. By <span class="smcap">Elizabeth J. Lysaght</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"A young girl of indomitable spirit, to whom all instinctively turn +for guidance—a noble pattern for girls."—<i>Guardian.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Aunt Hesba's Charge.</b> By <span class="smcap">Elizabeth J. Lysaght</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"This well-written book tells how a maiden aunt is softened by the +influence of two Indian children who are unexpectedly left upon her +hands. Mrs. Lysaght's style is bright and pleasant."—<i>Academy.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Into the Haven.</b> By <span class="smcap">Annie S. Swan</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"No story more attractive, by reason of its breezy freshness, as +well as for the practical lessons it conveys."—<i>Christian Leader.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Our Frank:</b> And other Stories. By <span class="smcap">Amy Walton</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"These stories are of the sort that children of the clever kind are +sure to like."—<i>Academy.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>The Late Miss Hollingford.</b> By <span class="smcap">Rosa Mulholland</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"No book for girls published this season approaches this in the +charm of its telling, which will be equally appreciated by persons +of all ages."—<i>Standard.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>The Pedlar and His Dog.</b> By <span class="smcap">Mary C. Rowsell</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The opening chapter, with its description of Necton Fair, will +forcibly remind many readers of George Eliot. Taken altogether it +is a delightful story."—<i>Western Morning News.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Yarns on the Beach.</b> By <span class="smcap">G. A. Henty</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"This little book should find special favour among boys. The yarns +are full of romance and adventure, and are admirably calculated to +foster a manly spirit."—<i>The Echo.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>A Terrible Coward.</b> By <span class="smcap">G. Manville Fenn</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Just such a tale as boys will delight to read, and as they are +certain to profit by."—<i>Aberdeen Journal.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Tom Finch's Monkey:</b> And other Yarns. By <span class="smcap">J. C. Hutcheson</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Stories of an altogether unexceptionable character, with +adventures sufficient for a dozen books of its size."—<i>U. Service +Gazette.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Miss Grantley's Girls</b>, And the Stories She Told Them. By <span class="smcap">Thomas +Archer</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"For fireside reading more wholesome and highly entertaining +reading for young people could not be found."—<i>Northern +Chronicle.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Down and Up Again:</b> Being some Account of the Felton Family, and the +Odd People they Met. By <span class="smcap">Gregson Gow</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The story is very neatly told, with some fairly dramatic +incidents, and calculated altogether to please young +people."—<i>Scotsman.</i></p></div> + +<p><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193"></a><b>The Troubles and Triumphs of Little Tim.</b> A City Story. By <span class="smcap">Gregson +Gow.</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"An undercurrent of sympathy with the struggles of the poor, and an +ability to describe their feelings, eminently characteristic of +Dickens, are marked features in Mr. Gow's story."—<i>N. B. Mail.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>The Happy Lad:</b> A Story of Peasant Life in Norway. From the Norwegian +of Björnson.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"This pretty story has natural eloquence which seems to carry us +back to some of the love stories of the Bible."—<i>Aberdeen Free +Press.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>The Patriot Martyr:</b> And other Narratives of Female Heroism in Peace +and War.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"It should be read with interest by every girl who loves to learn +what her sex can accomplish in times of danger."—<i>Bristol Times.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Madge's Mistake:</b> A Recollection of Girlhood. By <span class="smcap">Annie E. +Armstrong</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"We cannot speak too highly of this delightful little tale. It +abounds in interesting and laughable incidents."—<i>Bristol Times.</i></p></div> + +<p><b>Box of Stories.</b> Packed for Young Folk by <span class="smcap">Horace Happyman</span>.</p> + +<p><b>When I was a Boy in China.</b> By <span class="smcap">Yan Phou Lee</span>, a native of +China, now resident in the United States. Illustrated. Crown 8vo, cloth +extra, <i>1s. 6d.</i></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"This little book has the advantage of having been written not only +by a Chinaman, but by a man of culture. His book is as interesting +to adults as it is to children."—<i>The Guardian.</i></p> + +<p>"Not only exceedingly interesting, but of great informative value, +for it gives to English readers a peep into the interior and +private life of China such as has perhaps never before been +afforded."—<i>The Scottish Leader.</i></p></div> + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> + +<h3>THE SHILLING SERIES OF BOOKS</h3> +<h3>FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.</h3> + +<p>Square 16mo, neatly bound in cloth extra. Each book contains 128 pages +and a Coloured Illustration.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">New Volumes</span>.</p> + +<table class="center" summary="table"><tr><td> +<div style="text-align: left;"> +<b>Mr. Lipscombe's Apples.</b> By <span class="smcap">Julia Goddard</span>.<br /> +<b>Gladys: or the Sister's Charge.</b> By <span class="smcap">E. O'Byrne</span>.<br /> +<b>A Gypsy against Her Will.</b> By <span class="smcap">Emma Leslie</span>.<br /> +<b>The Castle on the Shore.</b> By <span class="smcap">Isabel Hornibrook</span>.<br /> +<b>An Emigrant Boy's Story.</b> By <span class="smcap">Ascott R. Hope</span>.<br /> +<b>Jock and his Friend.</b> By <span class="smcap">Cora Langton</span>.<br /> +<b>John a' Dale.</b> By <span class="smcap">Mary C. Rowsell</span>.<br /> +<b>In the Summer Holidays.</b> By <span class="smcap">Jennett Humphreys</span>.<br /><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194"></a> +<b>How the Strike Began.</b> By <span class="smcap">Emma Leslie</span>.<br /> +<b>Tales from the Russian of Madame Kubalensky.</b> By <span class="smcap">G. Jenner</span>.<br /> +<b>Cinderella's Cousin, and Other Stories.</b> By <span class="smcap">Penelope</span>.<br /> +<b>Their New Home.</b> By <span class="smcap">Annie S. Fenn</span>.<br /> +<b>Janie's Holiday.</b> By <span class="smcap">C. Redford</span>.<br /> +<b>A Boy Musician:</b> Or, the Young Days of Mozart.<br /> +<b>Hatto's Tower.</b> By <span class="smcap">Mary C. Rowsell</span>.<br /> +<b>Fairy Lovebairn's Favourites.</b> By <span class="smcap">J. Dickinson</span>.<br /> +<b>Alf Jetsam:</b> or Found Afloat. By Mrs. <span class="smcap">George Cupples</span>.<br /> +<b>The Redfords:</b> An Emigrant Story. By Mrs. <span class="smcap">George Cupples</span>.<br /> +<b>Missy.</b> By <span class="smcap">F. Bayford Harrison</span>.<br /> +<b>Hidden Seed:</b> or, A Year in a Girl's Life. By <span class="smcap">Emma Leslie</span>.<br /> +<b>Ursula's Aunt.</b> By <span class="smcap">Annie S. Fenn</span>.<br /> +<b>Jack's Two Sovereigns.</b> By <span class="smcap">Annie S. Fenn</span>.<br /> +<b>A Little Adventurer:</b> or How Tommy Trefit went to look for his Father. By <span class="smcap">Gregson Gow</span>.<br /> +<b>Olive Mount.</b> By <span class="smcap">Annie S. Fenn</span>.<br /> +<b>Three Little Ones.</b> Their Haps and Mishaps. By <span class="smcap">C. Langton</span>.<br /> +<b>Tom Watkins' Mistake.</b> By <span class="smcap">Emma Leslie</span>.<br /> +<b>Two Little Brothers.</b> By <span class="smcap">M. Harriet M. Capes.</span><br /> +<b>The New Boy at Merriton.</b> By <span class="smcap">Julia Goddard</span>.<br /> +<b>The Children of Haycombe.</b> By <span class="smcap">Annie S. Fenn</span>.<br /> +<b>The Cruise of the "Petrel."</b> By <span class="smcap">F. M. Holmes</span>.<br /> +<b>The Wise Princess.</b> By <span class="smcap">M. Harriet M. Capes</span>.<br /> +<b>The Blind Boy of Dresden and his Sister.</b><br /> +<b>Jon of Iceland:</b> A Story of the Far North.<br /> +<b>Stories from Shakespeare.</b><br /> +<b>Every Man In his Place:</b> Or a City Boy and a Forest Boy.<br /> +<b>Fireside Fairies and Flower Fancies.</b> Stories for Girls.<br /> +<b>To the Sea in Ships:</b> Stories of Suffering and Saving at Sea.<br /> +<b>Jack's Victory:</b> and other Stories about Dogs.<br /> +<b>Story of a King</b>, told by one of his Soldiers.<br /> +<b>Prince Alexis</b>, or "<span class="smcap">Beauty and the Beast</span>."<br /> +<b>Little Daniel:</b> a Story of a Flood on the Rhine.<br /> +<b>Sasha the Serf:</b> and other Stories of Russian Life.<br /> +<b>True Stories of Foreign History.</b><br /> +</div> +</td></tr> +</table> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p class="center"><i>THE ILLUSTRATIONS THROUGHOUT PRINTED IN COLOURS.</i></p> + +<p class="center">4TO, ONE SHILLING EACH.</p> + +<h3>GORDON BROWNE'S SERIES OF OLD FAIRY TALES.</h3> + +<table class="center" summary="table"><tr><td> +<div style="text-align: left;"> +1. HOP O' MY THUMB.<br /> +2. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.<br /> +</div></td></tr></table> + +<p>Each book contains 32 pages 4to, and is illustrated on every page by +Pictures printed in colours.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h4><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195"></a><b>THE NINEPENNY SERIES OF BOOKS FOR CHILDREN.</b></h4> + +<p class="center">Neatly bound in cloth extra. Each contains 96 pages and a Coloured +Illustration.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">New Volumes</span>.</p> + +<table class="center" summary="table"><tr><td> +<div style="text-align: left;"> +<b>Things will Take a Turn.</b> By <span class="smcap">Beatrice Harraden</span>.<br /> +<b>The Lost Thimble:</b> and other Stories. By Mrs. <span class="smcap">Musgrave</span>.<br /> +<b>Max or Baby:</b> the Story of a very Little Boy. By <span class="smcap">Ismay Thorn</span>.<br /> +<b>Jack-a-Dandy:</b> or the Heir of Castle Fergus. By <span class="smcap">E. J. Lysaght</span>.<br /> +<b>A Day of Adventures:</b> A Story for little Girls. By <span class="smcap">Charlotte Wyatt</span>.<br /> +<b>The Golden Plums</b>, and other Stories. By <span class="smcap">Frances Clare</span>.<br /> +<b>The Queen of Squats.</b> By <span class="smcap">Isabel Hornibrook</span>.<br /> +<b>Shucks:</b> A Story for Boys. By <span class="smcap">Emma Leslie</span>.<br /> +<b>Sylvia Brooke.</b> By <span class="smcap">M. Harriet M. Capes.</span><br /> +<b>The Little Cousin.</b> By <span class="smcap">A. S. Fenn</span>.<br /> +<b>In Cloudland.</b> By Mrs. <span class="smcap">Musgrave</span>.<br /> +<b>Jack and the Gypsies.</b> By <span class="smcap">Kate Wood</span>.<br /> +<b>Hans the Painter.</b> By <span class="smcap">Mary C. Rowsell</span>.<br /> +<b>Little Troublesome.</b> By <span class="smcap">Isabel Hornibrook</span>.<br /> +<b>My Lady May:</b> And one other Story. By <span class="smcap">Harriet Boultwood</span>.<br /> +<b>A Little Hero.</b> By Mrs. <span class="smcap">Musgrave</span>.<br /> +<b>Prince Jon's Pilgrimage.</b> By <span class="smcap">Jessie Fleming</span>.<br /> +<b>Harold's Ambition:</b> Or a Dream of Fame. By <span class="smcap">Jennie Perrett</span>.<br /> +<b>Sepperl the Drummer Boy.</b> By <span class="smcap">Mary C. Rowsell</span>.<br /> +<b>Aboard the Mersey.</b> By Mrs. <span class="smcap">George Cupples</span>.<br /> +<b>A Blind Pupil.</b> By <span class="smcap">Annie S. Fenn</span>.<br /> +<b>Lost and Found.</b> By Mrs. <span class="smcap">Carl Rother</span>.<br /> +<b>Fisherman Grim.</b> By <span class="smcap">Mary C. Rowsell</span>.<br /> +</div> +</td></tr> +</table> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The same good character pervades all these books. They are +admirably adapted for the young. The lessons deduced are such as to +mould children's minds in a good groove. We cannot too highly +commend them for their excellence."—<i>Schoolmistress.</i></p></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h4>SOMETHING FOR THE VERY LITTLE ONES.</h4> + +<p class="center">Fully Illustrated with Woodcuts and Coloured Plates. 64 pp., 32mo, +cloth. Sixpence each.</p> + +<p><b>Tales Easy and Small</b> for the Youngest of All. In no word will you see +more letters than three. By <span class="smcap">Jennett Humphreys</span>.</p> + +<p><b>Old Dick Grey</b> and Aunt Kate's Way. Stories in little words of not more +than four letters. By <span class="smcap">Jennett Humphreys</span>.</p> + +<p><b>Maud's Doll and Her Walk.</b> In Picture and Talk. In little words of not +more than four letters. By <span class="smcap">Jennett Humphreys</span>.</p> + +<p><b>In Holiday Time.</b> And other Stories. In little words of not more than +five letters. By <span class="smcap">Jennett Humphreys</span>.</p> + +<p><b>Whisk and Buzz.</b> By Mrs. <span class="smcap">A. H. Garlick</span>.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h4><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196"></a>THE SIXPENNY SERIES FOR CHILDREN.</h4> + +<p class="center">Neatly bound in cloth extra. Each contains 64 pages and a Coloured Cut.</p> + +<table class="center" summary="table"><tr><td> +<div style="text-align: left;"> +<b>A Little Man of War.</b> By <span class="smcap">L. E. Tiddeman</span>.<br /> +<b>Lady Daisy.</b> By <span class="smcap">Caroline Stewart</span>.<br /> +<b>Dew.</b> By <span class="smcap">H. Mary Wilson</span>.<br /> +<b>Chris's Old Violin.</b> By <span class="smcap">J. Lockhart</span>.<br /> +<b>Mischievous Jack.</b> By <span class="smcap">A. Corkran</span>.<br /> +<b>The Twins.</b> By <span class="smcap">L. E. Tiddeman</span>.<br /> +<b>Pet's Project.</b> By <span class="smcap">Cora Langton</span>.<br /> +<b>The Chosen Treat.</b> By <span class="smcap">Charlotte Wyatt</span>.<br /> +<b>Little Neighbours.</b> By <span class="smcap">Annie S. Fenn</span>.<br /> +<b>Jim:</b> A Story of Child Life. By <span class="smcap">Christian Burke</span>.<br /> +<b>Little Curiosity:</b> Or, A German Christmas. By <span class="smcap">J. M. Callwell</span>.<br /> +<b>Sara the Wool-gatherer.</b> By <span class="smcap">W. L. Rooper</span>.<br /> +<b>Fairy Stories:</b> told by <span class="smcap">Penelope</span>.<br /> +<b>A New Year's Tale:</b> and other Stories. From the German. By <span class="smcap">M. A. Currie</span>.<br /> +<b>Little Mop:</b> and other Stories. By Mrs. <span class="smcap">Charles Bray</span>.<br /> +<b>The Tree Cake:</b> and other Stories. By <span class="smcap">W. L. Rooper</span>.<br /> +<b>Nurse Peggy, and Little Dog Trip.</b><br /> +<b>Fanny's King.</b> By <span class="smcap">Darley Dale</span>.<br /> +<b>Wild Marsh Marigolds.</b> By <span class="smcap">D. Dale</span>.<br /> +<b>Kitty's Cousin.</b> By <span class="smcap">Hannah B. Mackenzie</span>.<br /> +<b>Cleared at Last.</b> By <span class="smcap">Julia Goddard</span>.<br /> +<b>Little Dolly Forbes.</b> By <span class="smcap">Annie S. Fenn</span>.<br /> +<b>A Year with Nellie.</b> By <span class="smcap">A. S. Fenn</span>.<br /> +<b>The Little Brown Bird.</b><br /> +<b>The Maid of Domremy:</b> and other Tales.<br /> +<b>Little Eric:</b> a Story of Honesty.<br /> +<b>Uncle Ben the Whaler.</b><br /> +<b>The Palace of Luxury.</b><br /> +<b>The Charcoal Burner.</b><br /> +<b>Willy Black:</b> a Story of Doing Right.<br /> +<b>The Horse and His Ways.</b><br /> +<b>The Shoemaker's Present.</b><br /> +<b>Lights to Walk by.</b><br /> +<b>The Little Merchant.</b><br /> +<b>Nicholina:</b> a Story about an Iceberg.<br /> +</div></td></tr></table> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"A very praiseworthy series of Prize Books. Most of the stories are +designed to enforce some important moral lesson, such as honesty, +industry, kindness, helpfulness."—<i>School Guardian.</i></p></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h4>A SERIES OF FOURPENNY REWARD BOOKS.</h4> + +<p class="center">Each 64 pages, 18mo, Illustrated, in Picture Boards.</p> + +<table class="center" summary="table"><tr><td> +<div style="text-align: left;"> +<b>A Start in Life.</b> By <span class="smcap">J. Lockhart</span>.<br /> +<b>Happy Childhood.</b> By <span class="smcap">Aimée de Venoix Dawson</span>.<br /> +<b>Dorothy's Clock.</b> By Do.<br /> +<b>Toddy.</b> By <span class="smcap">L. E. Tiddeman</span>.<br /> +<b>Stories about my Dolls.</b> By <span class="smcap">Felicia Melancthon</span>.<br /> +<b>Stories about my Cat Timothy.</b><br /> +<b>Delia's Boots.</b> By <span class="smcap">W. L. Rooper</span>.<br /> +<b>Lost on the Rocks.</b> By <span class="smcap">R. Scotter</span>.<br /> +<b>A Kitten's Adventures.</b> By <span class="smcap">Caroline Stewart</span>.<br /> +<b>Holidays at Sunnycroft.</b> By <span class="smcap">Annie S. Swan</span>.<br /> +<b>Climbing the Hill.</b> By Do.<br /> +<b>A Year at Coverley.</b> By Do.<br /> +<b>Phil Foster.</b> By <span class="smcap">J. Lockhart</span>.<br /> +<b>Papa's Birthday.</b> By <span class="smcap">W. L. Rooper</span>.<br /> +<b>The Charm Fairy.</b> By <span class="smcap">Penelope</span>.<br /> +<b>Little Tales for Little Children.</b> By <span class="smcap">M. A. Currie</span>.<br /> +<b>Worthy of Trust.</b> By <span class="smcap">H. B. Mackenzie</span>.<br /> +<b>Brave and True.</b> By <span class="smcap">Gregson Gow</span>.<br /> +<b>Johnnie Tupper's Temptation.</b> Do.<br /> +<b>Maudie and Bertie.</b> Do.<br /> +<b>The Children and the Water-Lily.</b> By <span class="smcap">Julia Goddard</span>.<br /> +<b>Poor Tom Olliver.</b> By Do.<br /> +<b>Fritz's Experiment.</b> By <span class="smcap">Letitia M'Lintock</span>.<br /> +<b>Lucy's Christmas-Box.</b><br /> +</div></td></tr></table> + +<p class="center"> +LONDON: BLACKIE & SON, 49 OLD BAILEY, E. C.<br /> +GLASGOW, EDINBURGH, AND DUBLIN.<br /> +</p> +<hr style='width: 65%;'/> +<p>Transcribers Note: The following section was at the beginning of the text in the +original copy.</p> + +<h4>MR. HENTY'S HISTORICAL TALES.</h4> +<p><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2"></a></p> + +<p class="center"><i>Crown 8vo, Cloth elegant, Olivine edges. Each Book is beautifully +Illustrated.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Cat of Bubastes</span>: A Story of Ancient Egypt. <i>5s.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Young Carthaginian</span>: A Story of the Times of Hannibal. <i>6s.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">For the Temple</span>: A Tale of the Fall of Jerusalem. <i>6s.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Lion of St. Mark</span>: A Story of Venice in the 14th Century. +<i>6s.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Lion of the North</span>: A Tale of Gustavus Adolphus and the Wars +of Religion. <i>6s.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">In the Reign of Terror</span>: The Adventures of a Westminster Boy +during the French Revolution. <i>5s.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Dragon and the Raven</span>: Or, The Days of King Alfred. <i>5s.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">In Freedom's Cause</span>: A Story of Wallace and Bruce. <i>6s.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">St. George for England</span>: A Tale of Cressy and Poitiers. <i>5s.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Under Drake's Flag</span>: A Tale of the Spanish Main. <i>6s.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Orange and Green</span>: A Tale of the Boyne and Limerick. <i>5s.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Bonnie Prince Charlie</span>: A Tale of Fontenoy and Culloden. <i>6s.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Bravest of the Brave</span>: Or, With Peterborough in Spain. <i>5s.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">With Wolfe in Canada</span>: Or, The Winning of a Continent. <i>6s.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">With Clive in India</span>: Or, The Beginnings of an Empire. <i>6s.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">True to the Old Flag</span>: A Tale of the American War of +Independence. <i>6s.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Through the Fray</span>: A Story of the Luddite Riots. <i>6s.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">By Sheer Pluck</span>: A Tale of the Ashanti War. <i>5s.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">For Name and Fame</span>: Or, Through Afghan Passes. <i>5s.</i></p> +<hr /> +<p>LONDON: BLACKIE & SON: GLASGOW AND EDINBURGH.</p> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Tales of Daring and Danger, by George Alfred Henty + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TALES OF DARING AND DANGER *** + +***** This file should be named 7870-h.htm or 7870-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/7/8/7/7870/ + +Produced by Jason Isbell, Stacy Brown Thellend and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net +Merged with an earlier text produced by Juliet Sutherland, +Thomas Hutchinson and the Online Distributed Proofreading +Team + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Tales of Daring and Danger + +Author: George Alfred Henty + +Illustrator: George Alfred Henty + +Release Date: October 26, 2005 [EBook #7870] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TALES OF DARING AND DANGER *** + + + + +Produced by Jason Isbell, Stacy Brown Thellend and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net +Merged with an earlier text produced by Juliet Sutherland, +Thomas Hutchinson and the Online Distributed Proofreading +Team + + + + + + + + + +[Illustration] + +TALES OF DARING AND DANGER. + +[Illustration] + + + + +[Illustration: SIGHTING THE WRECK OF THE STEAMER.] + + + + +TALES OF + +DARING AND DANGER. + +BY + +G.A. HENTY, + +Author of "Yarns on the Beach;" "Sturdy and Strong;" "Facing Death;" "By +Sheer Pluck;" "With Clive in India;" &c. + +_ILLUSTRATED._ + +[Illustration] + +LONDON: BLACKIE & SON, 49 & 50 OLD BAILEY, E.C. GLASGOW, EDINBURGH, AND +DUBLIN. + +1890. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + Page +BEARS AND DACOITS, 7 + +THE PATERNOSTERS, 37 + +A PIPE OF MYSTERY, 71 + +WHITE-FACED DICK, 99 + +A BRUSH WITH THE CHINESE, 119 + + + + +[Illustration] + +BEARS AND DACOITS. + +A TALE OF THE GHAUTS. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + +A merry party were sitting in the verandah of one of the largest and +handsomest bungalows of Poonah. It belonged to Colonel Hastings, colonel +of a native regiment stationed there, and at present, in virtue of +seniority, commanding a brigade. Tiffin was on, and three or four +officers and four ladies had taken their seats in the comfortable cane +lounging chairs which form the invariable furniture of the verandah of a +well-ordered bungalow. Permission had been duly asked, and granted by +Mrs. Hastings, and the cheroots had just begun to draw, when Miss +Hastings, a niece of the colonel, who had only arrived the previous week +from England, said,-- + +"Uncle, I am quite disappointed. Mrs. Lyons showed me the bear she has +got tied up in their compound, and it is the most wretched little thing, +not bigger than Rover, papa's retriever, and it's full-grown. I thought +bears were great fierce creatures, and this poor little thing seemed so +restless and unhappy that I thought it quite a shame not to let it go." + +Colonel Hastings smiled rather grimly. + +"And yet, small and insignificant as that bear is, my dear, it is a +question whether he is not as dangerous an animal to meddle with as a +man-eating tiger." + +"What, that wretched little bear, Uncle?" + +"Yes, that wretched little bear. Any experienced sportsman will tell you +that hunting those little bears is as dangerous a sport as tiger-hunting +on foot, to say nothing of tiger-hunting from an elephant's back, in +which there is scarcely any danger whatever. I can speak feelingly about +it, for my career was pretty nearly brought to an end by a bear, just +after I entered the army, some thirty years ago, at a spot within a few +miles from here. I have got the scars on my shoulder and arm still." + +"Oh, do tell me all about it," Miss Hastings said; and the request being +seconded by the rest of the party, none of whom, with the exception of +Mrs. Hastings, had ever heard the story before--for the colonel was +somewhat chary of relating this special experience--he waited till they +had all drawn up their chairs as close as possible, and then giving two +or three vigorous puffs at his cheroot, began as follows:-- + +"Thirty years ago, in 1855, things were not so settled in the Deccan as +they are now. There was no idea of insurrection on a large scale, but we +were going through one of those outbreaks of Dacoity, which have several +times proved so troublesome. Bands of marauders kept the country in +confusion, pouring down on a village, now carrying off three or four of +the Bombay money-lenders, who were then, as now, the curse of the +country; sometimes making an onslaught upon a body of traders; and +occasionally venturing to attack small detachments of troops or isolated +parties of police. They were not very formidable, but they were very +troublesome, and most difficult to catch, for the peasantry regarded +them as patriots, and aided and shielded them in every way. The +head-quarters of these gangs of Dacoits were the Ghauts. In the thick +bush and deep valleys and gorges there they could always take refuge, +while sometimes the more daring chiefs converted these detached peaks +and masses of rock, numbers of which you can see as you come up the +Ghaut by railway, into almost impregnable fortresses. Many of these +masses of rock rise as sheer up from the hillside as walls of masonry, +and look at a short distance like ruined castles. Some are absolutely +inaccessible; others can only be scaled by experienced climbers; and, +although possible for the natives with their bare feet, are +impracticable to European troops. Many of these rock fortresses were at +various times the head-quarters of famous Dacoit leaders, and unless the +summits happened to be commanded from some higher ground within gunshot +range they were all but impregnable except by starvation. When driven to +bay, these fellows would fight well. + +"Well, about the time I joined, the Dacoits were unusually troublesome; +the police had a hard time of it, and almost lived in the saddle, and +the cavalry were constantly called up to help them, while detachments of +infantry from the station were under canvas at several places along the +top of the Ghauts to cut the bands off from their strongholds, and to +aid, if necessary, in turning them out of their rock fortresses. The +natives in the valleys at the foot of the Ghauts, who have always been a +semi-independent race, ready to rob whenever they saw a chance, were +great friends with the Dacoits, and supplied them with provisions +whenever the hunt on the Deccan was too hot for them to make raids in +that direction. + +"This is a long introduction, you will say, and does not seem to have +much to do with bears; but it is really necessary, as you will see. I +had joined about six months when three companies of the regiment were +ordered to relieve a wing of the 15th, who had been under canvas at a +village some four miles to the north of the point where the line crosses +the top of the Ghauts. There were three white officers, and little +enough to do, except when a party was sent off to assist the police. We +had one or two brushes with the Dacoits, but I was not out on either +occasion. However, there was plenty of shooting, and a good many pigs +about, so we had very good fun. Of course, as a raw hand, I was very hot +for it, and as the others had both passed the enthusiastic age, except +for pig-sticking and big game, I could always get away. I was supposed +not to go far from camp, because, in the first place, I might be wanted; +and, in the second, because of the Dacoits; and Norworthy, who was in +command, used to impress upon me that I ought not to go beyond the sound +of a bugle. Of course we both knew that if I intended to get any sport +I must go further afoot than this; but I merely used to say 'All right, +sir, I will keep an ear to the camp,' and he on his part never +considered it necessary to ask where the game which appeared on the +table came from. But in point of fact, I never went very far, and my +servant always had instructions which way to send for me if I was +wanted; while as to the Dacoits I did not believe in their having the +impudence to come in broad daylight within a mile or two of our camp. I +did not often go down the face of the Ghauts. The shooting was good, and +there were plenty of bears in those days, but it needed a long day for +such an expedition, and in view of the Dacoits who might be scattered +about, was not the sort of thing to be undertaken except with a strong +party. Norworthy had not given any precise orders about it, but I must +admit that he said one day:-- + +"'Of course you won't be fool enough to think of going down the Ghauts, +Hastings?' But I did not look at that as equivalent to a direct +order--whatever I should do now," the colonel put in, on seeing a +furtive smile on the faces of his male listeners. + +"However, I never meant to go down, though I used to stand on the edge +and look longingly down into the bush and fancy I saw bears moving +about in scores. But I don't think I should have gone into their country +if they had not come into mine. One day the fellow who always carried my +spare gun or flask, and who was a sort of shekarry in a small way, told +me he had heard that a farmer, whose house stood near the edge of the +Ghauts, some two miles away, had been seriously annoyed by his fruit and +corn being stolen by bears. + +"'I'll go and have a look at the place to-morrow,' I said, 'there is no +parade, and I can start early. You may as well tell the mess cook to put +up a basket with some tiffin and a bottle of claret, and get a boy to +carry it over.' + +"'The bears not come in day,' Rahman said. + +"'Of course not,' I replied; 'still I may like to find out which way +they come. Just do as you are told.' + +"The next morning, at seven o'clock, I was at the farmer's spoken of, +and there was no mistake as to the bears. A patch of Indian corn had +been ruined by them, and two dogs had been killed. The native was in a +terrible state of rage and alarm. He said that on moonlight nights he +had seen eight of them, and they came and sniffed around the door of the +cottage. + +"'Why don't you fire through the window at them?' I asked scornfully, +for I had seen a score of tame bears in captivity, and, like you, Mary, +was inclined to despise them, though there was far less excuse for me; +for I had heard stories which should have convinced me that, small as he +is, the Indian bear is not a beast to be attacked with impunity. Upon +walking to the edge of the Ghauts there was no difficulty in discovering +the route by which the bears came up to the farm. For a mile to the +right and left the ground fell away as if cut with a knife, leaving a +precipice of over a hundred feet sheer down; but close by where I was +standing was the head of a watercourse, which in time had gradually worn +a sort of cleft in the wall, up or down which it was not difficult to +make one's way. Further down this little gorge widened out and became a +deep ravine, and further still a wide valley, where it opened upon the +flats far below us. About half a mile down where the ravine was deepest +and darkest was a thick clump of trees and jungle. + +"'That's where the bears are?' I asked Rahman. He nodded. It seemed no +distance. I could get down and back in time for tiffin, and perhaps bag +a couple of bears. For a young sportsman the temptation was great. 'How +long would it take us to go down and have a shot or two at them?' + +"'No good go down. Master come here at night, shoot bears when they come +up.' + +"I had thought of that; but, in the first place, it did not seem much +sport to shoot the beasts from cover when they were quietly eating, and, +in the next place, I knew that Norworthy could not, even if he were +willing, give me leave to go out of camp at night. I waited, hesitating +for a few minutes, and then I said to myself, 'It is of no use waiting. +I could go down and get a bear and be back again while I am thinking of +it;' then to Rahman, 'No, come along; we will have a look through that +wood anyhow.' + +"Rahman evidently did not like it. + +"'Not easy find bear, sahib. He very cunning.' + +"'Well, very likely we sha'n't find them,' I said, 'but we can try +anyhow. Bring that bottle with you; the tiffin basket can wait here till +we come back.' In another five minutes I had begun to climb down the +watercourse--the shekarry following me. I took the double-barrelled +rifle and handed him the shot-gun, having first dropped a bullet down +each barrel over the charge. The ravine was steep, but there were bushes +to hold on by, and although it was hot work and took a good deal longer +than I expected, we at last got down to the place which I had fixed upon +as likely to be the bears' home. + +"'Sahib, climb up top,' Rahman said; 'come down through wood; no good +fire at bear when he above.' + +"I had heard that before; but I was hot, the sun was pouring down, there +was not a breath of wind, and it looked a long way up to the top of the +wood. + +"'Give me the claret. It would take too long to search the wood +regularly. We will sit down here for a bit, and if we can see anything +moving up in the wood, well and good; if not, we will come back again +another day with some beaters and dogs.' So saying, I sat down with my +back against a rock, at a spot where I could look up among the trees for +a long way through a natural vista. I had a drink of claret, and then I +sat and watched till gradually I dropped off to sleep. I don't know how +long I slept, but it was some time, and I woke up with a sudden start. +Rahman, who had, I fancy, been asleep too, also started up. + +[Illustration: "MY GUN, RAHMAN," I SHOUTED.] + +"The noise which had aroused us was made by a rolling stone striking a +rock; and looking up I saw some fifty yards away, not in the wood, but +on the rocky hillside on our side of the ravine, a bear standing, as +though unconscious of our presence, snuffing the air. As was natural, I +seized my rifle, cocked it, and took aim, unheeding a cry of 'No, no, +sahib,' from Rahman. However, I was not going to miss such a chance as +this, and I let fly. The beast had been standing sideways to me, and as +I saw him fall I felt sure I had hit him in the heart. I gave a shout of +triumph, and was about to climb up, when, from behind the rock on which +the bear had stood, appeared another growling fiercely; on seeing me, it +at once prepared to come down. Stupidly, being taken by surprise, and +being new at it, I fired at once at its head. The bear gave a spring, +and then--it seemed instantaneous--down it came at me. Whether it rolled +down, or slipped down, or ran down, I don't know, but it came almost as +if it had jumped straight at me. + +"'My gun, Rahman,' I shouted, holding out my hand. There was no answer. +I glanced round, and found that the scoundrel had bolted. I had time, +and only just time, to take a step backwards, and to club my rifle, when +the brute was upon me. I got one fair blow at the side of its head, a +blow that would have smashed the skull of any civilized beast into +pieces, and which did fortunately break the brute's jaw; then in an +instant he was upon me, and I was fighting for life. My hunting-knife +was out, and with my left hand I had the beast by the throat; while with +my right I tried to drive my knife into its ribs. My bullet had gone +through his chest. The impetus of his charge had knocked me over, and we +rolled on the ground, he tearing with his claws at my shoulder and arm, +I stabbing and struggling, my great effort being to keep my knees up so +as to protect my body with them from his hind claws. After the first +blow with his paw, which laid my shoulder open, I do not think I felt +any special pain whatever. There was a strange faint sensation, and my +whole energy seemed centered in the two ideas--to strike and to keep my +knees up. I knew that I was getting faint, but I was dimly conscious +that his efforts, too, were relaxing. His weight on me seemed to +increase enormously, and the last idea that flashed across me was that +it was a drawn fight. + +"The next idea of which I was conscious was that I was being carried. I +seemed to be swinging about, and I thought I was at sea. Then there was +a little jolt and a sense of pain. 'A collision,' I muttered, and opened +my eyes. Beyond the fact that I seemed in a yellow world--a bright +orange-yellow--my eyes did not help me, and I lay vaguely wondering +about it all, till the rocking ceased. There was another bump, and then +the yellow world seemed to come to an end; and as the daylight streamed +in upon me I fainted again. This time when I awoke to consciousness +things were clearer. I was stretched by a little stream. A native woman +was sprinkling my face and washing the blood from my wounds; while +another, who had with my own knife cut off my coat and shirt, was +tearing the latter into strips to bandage my wounds. The yellow world +was explained. I was lying on the yellow robe of one of the women. They +had tied the ends together, placed a long stick through them, and +carried me in the bag-like hammock. They nodded to me when they saw I +was conscious, and brought water in a large leaf, and poured it into my +mouth. Then one went away for some time, and came back with some leaves +and bark. These they chewed and put on my wounds, bound them up with +strips of my shirt, and then again knotted the ends of the cloth, and +lifting me up, went on as before. + +"I was sure that we were much lower down the Ghaut than we had been when +I was watching for the bears, and we were now going still lower. +However, I knew very little Hindustani, nothing of the language the +women spoke. I was too weak to stand, too weak even to think much; and I +dozed and woke, and dozed again, until, after what seemed to me many +hours of travel, we stopped again, this time before a tent. Two or three +old women and four or five men came out, and there was great talking +between them and the young women--for they were young--who had carried +me down. Some of the party appeared angry; but at last things quieted +down, and I was carried into the tent. I had fever, and was, I suppose, +delirious for days. I afterwards found that for fully a fortnight I had +lost all consciousness; but a good constitution and the nursing of the +women pulled me round. When once the fever had gone, I began to mend +rapidly. I tried to explain to the women that if they would go up to the +camp and tell them where I was they would be well rewarded; but although +I was sure they understood, they shook their heads, and by the fact that +as I became stronger two or three armed men always hung about the tent, +I came to the conclusion that I was a sort of prisoner. This was +annoying, but did not seem serious. If these people were Dacoits, or, as +was more likely, allies of the Dacoits, I could be kept only for ransom +or exchange. Moreover, I felt sure of my ability to escape when I got +strong, especially as I believed that in the young women who had saved +my life, both by bringing me down and by their careful nursing, I should +find friends." + +"Were they pretty, uncle?" Mary Hastings broke in. + +"Never mind whether they were pretty, Mary; they were better than +pretty." + +"No; but we like to know, uncle." + +"Well, except for the soft, dark eyes, common to the race, and the good +temper and lightheartedness, also so general among Hindu girls, and the +tenderness which women feel towards a creature whose life they have +saved, whether it is a wounded bird or a drowning puppy, I suppose they +were nothing remarkable in the way of beauty, but at the time I know +that I thought them charming. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + +"Just as I was getting strong enough to walk, and was beginning to think +of making my escape, a band of five or six fellows, armed to the teeth, +came in, and made signs that I was to go with them. It was evidently an +arranged thing, the girls only were surprised, but they were at once +turned out, and as we started I could see two crouching figures in the +shade with their cloths over their heads. I had a native garment thrown +over my shoulders, and in five minutes after the arrival of the fellows +found myself on my way. It took us some six hours before we reached our +destination, which was one of those natural rock citadels. Had I been in +my usual health I could have done the distance in an hour and a half, +but I had to rest constantly, and was finally carried rather than helped +up. I had gone not unwillingly, for the men were clearly, by their +dress, Dacoits of the Deccan, and I had no doubt that it was intended +either to ransom or exchange me. + +"At the foot of this natural castle were some twenty or thirty more +robbers, and I was led to a rough sort of arbour in which was lying, on +a pile of maize straw, a man who was evidently their chief. He rose and +we exchanged salaams. + +"'What is your name, sahib?' he asked in Mahratta. + +"'Hastings--Lieutenant Hastings,' I said. 'And yours?' + +"'Sivajee Punt!' he said. + +"This was bad. I had fallen into the hands of the most troublesome, +most ruthless, and most famous of the Dacoit leaders. Over and over +again he had been hotly chased, but had always managed to get away; and +when I last heard anything of what was going on four or five troops of +native police were scouring the country after him. He gave an order +which I did not understand, and a wretched Bombay writer, I suppose a +clerk of some money-lender, was dragged forward. Sivajee Punt spoke to +him for some time, and the fellow then told me in English that I was to +write at once to the officer commanding the troops, telling him that I +was in his hands, and should be put to death directly he was attacked. + +"'Ask him,' I said, 'if he will take any sum of money to let me go?' + +"Sivajee shook his head very decidedly. + +"A piece of paper was put before me, and a pen and ink, and I wrote as I +had been ordered, adding, however, in French, that I had brought myself +into my present position by my own folly, and would take my chance, for +I well knew the importance which Government attached to Sivajee's +capture. I read out loud all that I had written in English, and the +interpreter translated it. Then the paper was folded and I addressed it, +'The Officer Commanding,' and I was given some chupattis and a drink of +water, and allowed to sleep. The Dacoits had apparently no fear of any +immediate attack. + +"It was still dark, although morning was just breaking, when I was +awakened, and was got up to the citadel. I was hoisted rather than +climbed, two men standing above with a rope, tied round my body, so that +I was half-hauled, half-pushed up the difficult places, which would have +taxed all my climbing powers had I been in health. + +"The height of this mass of rock was about a hundred feet; the top was +fairly flat, with some depressions and risings, and about eighty feet +long by fifty wide. It had evidently been used as a fortress in ages +past. Along the side facing the hill were the remains of a rough wall. +In the centre of a depression was a cistern, some four feet square, +lined with stone-work, and in another depression a gallery had been cut, +leading to a subterranean store-room or chamber. This natural fortress +rose from the face of the hill at a distance of a thousand yards or so +from the edge of the plateau, which was fully two hundred feet higher +than the top of the rock. In the old days it would have been +impregnable, and even at that time it was an awkward place to take, for +the troops were armed only with Brown Bess, and rifled cannon were not +thought of. Looking round, I could see that I was some four miles from +the point where I had descended. The camp was gone; but running my eye +along the edge of the plateau I could see the tops of tents a mile to my +right, and again two miles to my left; turning round, and looking down +into the wide valley, I saw a regimental camp. + +"It was evident that a vigorous effort was being made to surround and +capture the Dacoits, since troops had been brought up from Bombay. In +addition to the troops above and below, there would probably be a strong +police force, acting on the face of the hill. I did not see all these +things at the time, for I was, as soon as I got to the top, ordered to +sit down behind the parapet, a fellow armed to the teeth squatting down +by me, and signifying that if I showed my head above the stones he would +cut my throat without hesitation. There were, however, sufficient gaps +between the stones to allow me to have a view of the crest of the Ghaut, +while below my view extended down to the hills behind Bombay. It was +evident to me now why the Dacoits did not climb up into the fortress. +There were dozens of similar crags on the face of the Ghauts, and the +troops did not as yet know their whereabouts. It was a sort of blockade +of the whole face of the hills which was being kept up, and there were, +probably enough, several other bands of Dacoits lurking in the jungle. + +"There were only two guards and myself on the rock plateau. I discussed +with myself the chances of my overpowering them and holding the top of +the rock till help came; but I was greatly weakened, and was not a match +for a boy, much less for the two stalwart Mahrattas; besides, I was by +no means sure that the way I had been brought up was the only possible +path to the top. The day passed off quietly. The heat on the bare rock +was frightful, but one of the men, seeing how weak and ill I really was, +fetched a thick rug from the storehouse, and with the aid of a stick +made a sort of lean-to against the wall, under which I lay sheltered +from the sun. + +"Once or twice during the day I heard a few distant musket-shots, and +once a sharp heavy outburst of firing. It must have been three or four +miles away, but it was on the side of the Ghaut, and showed that the +troops or police were at work. My guards looked anxiously in that +direction, and uttered sundry curses. When it was dusk, Sivajee and +eight of the Dacoits came up. From what they said, I gathered that the +rest of the band had dispersed, trusting either to get through the line +of their pursuers, or, if caught, to escape with slight punishment, the +men who remained being too deeply concerned in murderous outrages to +hope for mercy. Sivajee himself handed me a letter, which the man who +had taken my note had brought back in reply. Major Knapp, the writer, +who was the second in command, said that he could not engage the +Government, but that if Lieutenant Hastings was given up the act would +certainly dispose the Government to take the most merciful view +possible; but that if, on the contrary, any harm was suffered by +Lieutenant Hastings, every man taken would be at once hung. Sivajee did +not appear put out about it. I do not think he expected any other +answer, and imagine that his real object in writing was simply to let +them know that I was a prisoner, and so enable him the better to +paralyse the attack upon a position which he no doubt considered all but +impregnable. + +"I was given food, and was then allowed to walk as I chose upon the +little plateau, two of the Dacoits taking post as sentries at the +steepest part of the path, while the rest gathered, chatting and +smoking, in the depression in front of the storehouse. It was still +light enough for me to see for some distance down the face of the rock, +and I strained my eyes to see if I could discern any other spot at which +an ascent or descent was possible. The prospect was not encouraging. At +some places the face fell sheer away from the edge, and so evident was +the impracticability of escape that the only place which I glanced at +twice was the western side, that is the one away from the hill. Here it +sloped gradually for a few feet. I took off my shoes and went down to +the edge. Below, some ten feet, was a ledge, on to which with care I +could get down, but below that was a sheer fall of some fifty feet. As a +means of escape it was hopeless, but it struck me that if an attack was +made I might slip away and get on to the ledge. Once there I could not +be seen except by a person standing where I now was, just on the edge of +the slope, a spot to which it was very unlikely that anyone would come. + +"The thought gave me a shadow of hope, and, returning to the upper end +of the platform, I lay down, and in spite of the hardness of the rock, +was soon asleep. The pain of my aching bones woke me up several times, +and once, just as the first tinge of dawn was coming, I thought I could +hear movements in the jungle. I raised myself somewhat, and I saw that +the sounds had been heard by the Dacoits, for they were standing +listening, and some of them were bringing spare fire-arms from the +storehouse, in evident preparation for attack. + +"As I afterwards learned, the police had caught one of the Dacoits +trying to effect his escape, and by means of a little of the ingenious +torture to which the Indian police then frequently resorted, when their +white officers were absent, they obtained from him the exact position of +Sivajee's band, and learned the side from which the ascent must be made. +That the Dacoit and his band were still upon the slopes of the Ghauts +they knew, and were gradually narrowing their circle, but there were so +many rocks and hiding-places that the process of searching was a slow +one, and the intelligence was so important that the news was off at once +to the colonel, who gave orders for the police to surround the rock at +daylight and to storm it if possible. The garrison was so small that the +police were alone ample for the work, supposing that the natural +difficulties were not altogether insuperable. + +"Just at daybreak there was a distant noise of men moving in the +jungle, and the Dacoit half-way down the path fired his gun. He was +answered by a shout and a volley. The Dacoits hurried out from the +chamber, and lay down on the edge, where, sheltered by a parapet, they +commanded the path. They paid no attention to me, and I kept as far away +as possible. The fire began--a quiet, steady fire, a shot at a time, and +in strong contrast to the rattle kept up from the surrounding jungle; +but every shot must have told, as man after man who strove to climb that +steep path, fell. It lasted only ten minutes, and then all was quiet +again. + +"The attack had failed, as I knew it must do, for two men could have +held the place against an army; a quarter of an hour later a gun from +the crest above spoke out, and a round shot whistled above our heads. +Beyond annoyance, an artillery fire could do no harm, for the party +could be absolutely safe in the store cave. The instant the shot flew +overhead, however, Sivajee Punt beckoned to me, and motioned me to take +my seat on the wall facing the guns. Hesitation was useless, and I took +my seat with my back to the Dacoits and my face to the hill. One of the +Dacoits, as I did so, pulled off the native cloth which covered my +shoulders, in order that I might be clearly seen. + +"Just as I took my place another round shot hummed by; but then there +was a long interval of silence. With a field-glass every feature must +have been distinguishable to the gunners, and I had no doubt that they +were waiting for orders as to what to do next. + +"I glanced round and saw that with the exception of one fellow squatted +behind the parapet some half-dozen yards away, clearly as a sentry to +keep me in place, all the others had disappeared. Some, no doubt, were +on sentry down the path, the others were in the store beneath me. After +half an hour's silence the guns spoke out again. Evidently the gunners +were told to be as careful as they could, for some of the shots went +wide on the left, others on the right. A few struck the rock below me. +The situation was not pleasant, but I thought that at a thousand yards +they ought not to hit me, and I tried to distract my attention by +thinking out what I should do under every possible contingency. + +"Presently I felt a crash and a shock, and fell backwards to the ground. +I was not hurt, and on picking myself up saw that the ball had struck +the parapet to the left, just where my guard was sitting, and he lay +covered with its fragments. His turban lay some yards behind him. +Whether he was dead or not I neither knew nor cared. + +"I pushed down some of the parapet where I had been sitting, dropped my +cap on the edge outside, so as to make it appear that I had fallen over, +and then picking up the man's turban, ran to the other end of the +platform and scrambled down to the ledge. Then I began to wave my arms +about--I had nothing on above the waist--and in a moment I saw a face +with a uniform cap peer out through the jungle, and a hand was waved. I +made signs to him to make his way to the foot of the perpendicular wall +of rock beneath me. I then unwound the turban, whose length was, I knew, +amply sufficient to reach to the bottom, and then looked round for +something to write on. I had my pencil still in my trousers pocket, but +not a scrap of paper. + +"I picked up a flattish piece of rock and wrote on it, 'Get a +rope-ladder quickly, I can haul it up. Ten men in garrison. They are all +under cover. Keep on firing to distract their attention." + +"I tied the stone to the end of the turban, and looked over. A +non-commissioned officer of the police was already standing below. I +lowered the stone; he took it, waved his hand to me, and was gone. + +"An hour passed: it seemed an age. The round shots still rang overhead, +and the fire was now much more heavy and sustained than before. +Presently I again saw a movement in the jungle, and Norworthy's face +appeared, and he waved his arm in greeting. + +"Five minutes more and a party were gathered at the foot of the rock, +and a strong rope was tied to the cloth. I pulled it up. A rope-ladder +was attached to it, and the top rung was in a minute or two in my hands. +To it was tied a piece of paper with the words: 'Can you fasten the +ladder?" I wrote on the paper: 'No; but I can hold it for a light +weight.' + +"I put the paper with a stone in the end of the cloth, and lowered it +again. Then I sat down, tied the rope round my waist, got my feet +against two projections, and waited. There was a jerk, and then I felt +some one was coming up the rope-ladder. The strain was far less than I +expected, but the native policeman who came up first did not weigh half +so much as an average Englishman. There were now two of us to hold. The +officer in command of the police came up next, then Norworthy, then a +dozen more police. I explained the situation, and we mounted to the +upper level. Not a soul was to be seen. Quickly we advanced and took up +a position to command the door of the underground chamber; while one of +the police waved a white cloth from his bayonet as a signal to the +gunners to cease firing. Then the police officer hailed the party within +the cave. + +"'Sivajee Punt! you may as well come out and give yourself up! We are in +possession, and resistance is useless!' + +"A yell of rage and surprise was heard, and the Dacoits, all desperate +men, came bounding out, firing as they did so. Half of their number were +shot down at once, and the rest, after a short, sharp struggle, were +bound hand and foot. + +"That is pretty well all of the story, I think. Sivajee Punt was one of +the killed. The prisoners were all either hung or imprisoned for life. I +escaped my blowing-up for having gone down the Ghauts after the bear, +because, after all, Sivajee Punt might have defied their force for +months had I not done so. + +"It seemed that that scoundrel Rahman had taken back word that I was +killed. Norworthy had sent down a strong party, who found the two dead +bears, and who, having searched everywhere without finding any signs of +my body, came to the conclusion that I had been found and carried away, +especially as they ascertained that natives used that path. They had +offered rewards, but nothing was heard of me till my note saying I was +in Sivajee's hands arrived." + +"And did you ever see the women who carried you off?" + +"No, Mary, I never saw them again. I did, however, after immense +trouble, succeed in finding out where it was that I had been taken to. I +went down at once, but found the village deserted. Then after much +inquiry I found where the people had moved to, and sent messages to the +women to come up to the camp, but they never came; and I was reduced at +last to sending them down two sets of silver bracelets, necklaces, and +bangles, which must have rendered them the envy of all the women on the +Ghauts. They sent back a message of grateful thanks, and I never heard +of them afterwards. No doubt their relatives, who knew that their +connection with the Dacoits was now known, would not let them come. +However, I had done all I could, and I have no doubt the women were +perfectly satisfied. So you see, my dear, that the Indian bear, small +as he is, is an animal which it is as well to leave alone, at any rate +when he happens to be up on the side of a hill while you are at the +foot." + +[Illustration] + + + + +[Illustration] + +THE PATERNOSTERS. + +A YACHTING STORY. + + +"And do you really mean that we are to cross by the steamer, Mr. Virtue, +while you go over in the _Seabird_? I do not approve of that at all. +Fanny, why do you not rebel, and say we won't be put ashore? I call it +horrid, after a fortnight on board this dear little yacht, to have to +get on to a crowded steamer, with no accommodation and lots of sea-sick +women, perhaps, and crying children. You surely cannot be in earnest?" + +"I do not like it any more than you do, Minnie; but, as Tom says we had +better do it, and my husband agrees with him, I am afraid we must +submit. Do you really think it is quite necessary, Mr. Virtue? Minnie +and I are both good sailors, you know; and we would much rather have a +little extra tossing about on board the _Seabird_ than the discomforts +of a steamer." + +"I certainly think that it will be best, Mrs. Grantham. You know very +well we would rather have you on board, and that we shall suffer from +your loss more than you will by going the other way; but there's no +doubt the wind is getting up, and though we don't feel it much here, it +must be blowing pretty hard outside. The _Seabird_ is as good a sea-boat +as anything of her size that floats; but you don't know what it is to be +out in anything like a heavy sea in a thirty-tonner. It would be +impossible for you to stay on deck, and we should have our hands full, +and should not be able to give you the benefit of our society. +Personally, I should not mind being out in the _Seabird_ in any weather, +but I would certainly rather not have ladies on board." + +"You don't think we should scream, or do anything foolish, Mr. Virtue?" +Minnie Graham said indignantly. + +"Not at all, Miss Graham. Still, I repeat, the knowledge that there are +women on board, delightful at other times, does not tend to comfort in +bad weather. Of course, if you prefer it, we can put off our start till +this puff of wind has blown itself out. It may have dropped before +morning. It may last some little time. I don't think myself that it +will drop, for the glass has fallen, and I am afraid we may have a spell +of broken weather." + +"Oh no; don't put it off," Mrs. Grantham said; "we have only another +fortnight before James must be back again in London, and it would be a +great pity to lose three or four days perhaps; and we have been looking +forward to cruising about among the Channel Islands, and to St. Malo, +and all those places. Oh no; I think the other is much the better +plan--that is, if you won't take us with you." + +"It would be bad manners to say that I won't, Mrs. Grantham; but I must +say I would rather not. It will be a very short separation. Grantham +will take you on shore at once, and as soon as the boat comes back I +shall be off. You will start in the steamer this evening, and get into +Jersey at nine or ten o'clock to-morrow morning; and if I am not there +before you, I shall not be many hours after you." + +"Well, if it must be it must," Mrs. Grantham said, with an air of +resignation. "Come, Minnie, let us put a few things into a hand-bag for +to-night. You see the skipper is not to be moved by our pleadings." + +"That is the worst of you married women, Fanny," Miss Graham said, with +a little pout. "You get into the way of doing as you are ordered. I call +it too bad. Here have we been cruising about for the last fortnight, +with scarcely a breath of wind, and longing for a good brisk breeze and +a little change and excitement, and now it comes at last, we are to be +packed off in a steamer. I call it horrid of you, Mr. Virtue. You may +laugh, but I do." + +Tom Virtue laughed, but he showed no signs of giving way, and ten +minutes later Mr. and Mrs. Grantham and Miss Graham took their places in +the gig, and were rowed into Southampton Harbour, off which the +_Seabird_ was lying. + +The last fortnight had been a very pleasant one, and it had cost the +owner of the _Seabird_ as much as his guests to come to the conclusion +that it was better to break up the party for a few hours. + +Tom Virtue had, up to the age of five-and-twenty, been possessed of a +sufficient income for his wants. He had entered at the bar, not that he +felt any particular vocation in that direction, but because he thought +it incumbent upon him to do something. Then, at the death of an uncle, +he had come into a considerable fortune, and was able to indulge his +taste for yachting, which was the sole amusement for which he really +cared, to the fullest. + +He sold the little five-tonner he had formerly possessed, and purchased +the _Seabird_. He could well have afforded a much larger craft, but he +knew that there was far more real enjoyment in sailing to be obtained +from a small craft than a large one, for in the latter he would be +obliged to have a regular skipper, and would be little more than a +passenger, whereas on board the _Seabird_, although his first hand was +dignified by the name of skipper, he was himself the absolute master. +The boat carried the aforesaid skipper, three hands, and a steward, and +with them he had twice been up the Mediterranean, across to Norway, and +had several times made the circuit of the British Isles. + +He had unlimited confidence in his boat, and cared not what weather he +was out in her. This was the first time since his ownership of her that +the _Seabird_ had carried lady passengers. His friend Grantham, an old +school and college chum, was a hard-working barrister, and Virtue had +proposed to him to take a month's holiday on board the _Seabird_. + +"Put aside your books, old man," he said. "You look fagged and +overworked; a month's blow will do you all the good in the world." + +"Thank you, Tom; I have made up my mind for a month's holiday, but I +can't accept your invitation, though I should enjoy it of all things. +But it would not be fair to my wife; she doesn't get very much of my +society, and she has been looking forward to our having a run together. +So I must decline." + +Virtue hesitated a moment. He was not very fond of ladies' society, and +thought them especially in the way on board a yacht; but he had a great +liking for his friend's wife, and was almost as much at home in his +house as in his own chambers. + +"Why not bring the wife with you?" he said, as soon as his mind was made +up. "It will be a nice change for her too; and I have heard her say that +she is a good sailor. The accommodation is not extensive, but the +after-cabin is a pretty good size, and I would do all I could to make +her comfortable. Perhaps she would like another lady with her; if so by +all means bring one. They could have the after-cabin, you could have the +little state-room, and I could sleep in the saloon." + +"It is very good of you, Tom, especially as I know that it will put you +out frightfully; but the offer is a very tempting one. I will speak to +Fanny, and let you have an answer in the morning." + +"That will be delightful, James," Mrs. Grantham said, when the +invitation was repeated to her. "I should like it of all things; and I +am sure the rest and quiet and the sea air will be just the thing for +you. It is wonderful, Tom Virtue making the offer; and I take it as a +great personal compliment, for he certainly is not what is generally +called a lady's man. It is very nice, too, of him to think of my having +another lady on board. Whom shall we ask? Oh, I know," she said +suddenly; "that will be the thing of all others. We will ask my cousin +Minnie; she is full of fun and life, and will make a charming wife for +Tom!" + +James Grantham laughed. + +"What schemers you all are, Fanny! Now I should call it downright +treachery to take anyone on board the _Seabird_ with the idea of +capturing its master." + +"Nonsense, treachery!" Mrs. Grantham said indignantly; "Minnie is the +nicest girl I know, and it would do Tom a world of good to have a wife +to look after him. Why, he is thirty now, and will be settling down +into a confirmed old bachelor before long. It's the greatest kindness we +could do him, to take Minnie on board; and I am sure he is the sort of +man any girl might fall in love with when she gets to know him. The fact +is, he's shy! He never had any sisters, and spends all his time in +winter at that horrid club; so that really he has never had any women's +society, and even with us he will never come unless he knows we are +alone. I call it a great pity, for I don't know a pleasanter fellow than +he is. I think it will be doing him a real service in asking Minnie; so +that's settled. I will sit down and write him a note." + +"In for a penny, in for a pound, I suppose," was Tom Virtue's comment +when he received Mrs. Grantham's letter, thanking him warmly for the +invitation, and saying that she would bring her cousin, Miss Graham, +with her, if that young lady was disengaged. + +As a matter of self-defence he at once invited Jack Harvey, who was a +mutual friend of himself and Grantham, to be of the party. + +"Jack can help Grantham to amuse the women," he said to himself; "that +will be more in his line than mine. I will run down to Cowes to-morrow +and have a chat with Johnson; we shall want a different sort of stores +altogether to those we generally carry, and I suppose we must do her up +a bit below." + +Having made up his mind to the infliction of female passengers, Tom +Virtue did it handsomely, and when the party came on board at Ryde they +were delighted with the aspect of the yacht below. She had been +repainted, the saloon and ladies' cabin were decorated in delicate +shades of gray, picked out with gold; and the upholsterer, into whose +hands the owner of the _Seabird_ had placed her, had done his work with +taste and judgment, and the ladies' cabin resembled a little boudoir. + +"Why, Tom, I should have hardly known her!" Grantham, who had often +spent a day on board the _Seabird_, said. + +"I hardly know her myself," Tom said, rather ruefully; "but I hope she's +all right, Mrs. Grantham, and that you and Miss Graham will find +everything you want." + +"It is charming!" Mrs. Grantham said enthusiastically. "It's awfully +good of you, Tom, and we appreciate it; don't we, Minnie? It is such a +surprise, too; for James said that while I should find everything very +comfortable, I must not expect that a small yacht would be got up like a +palace." + +So a fortnight had passed; they had cruised along the coast as far as +Plymouth, anchoring at night at the various ports on the way. Then they +had returned to Southampton, and it had been settled that as none of the +party, with the exception of Virtue himself, had been to the Channel +Islands, the last fortnight of the trip should be spent there. The +weather had been delightful, save that there had been some deficiency in +wind, and throughout the cruise the _Seabird_ had been under all the +sail she could spread. But when the gentlemen came on deck early in the +morning a considerable change had taken place; the sky was gray and the +clouds flying fast overhead. + +"We are going to have dirty weather," Tom Virtue said at once. "I don't +think it's going to be a gale, but there will be more sea on than will +be pleasant for ladies. I tell you what, Grantham; the best thing will +be for you to go on shore with the two ladies, and cross by the boat +to-night. If you don't mind going directly after breakfast I will start +at once, and shall be at St. Helier's as soon as you are." + +And so it had been agreed, but not, as has been seen, without opposition +and protest on the part of the ladies. + +Mrs. Grantham's chief reason for objecting had not been given. The +little scheme on which she had set her mind seemed to be working +satisfactorily. From the first day Tom Virtue had exerted himself to +play the part of host satisfactorily, and had ere long shaken off any +shyness he may have felt towards the one stranger of the party, and he +and Miss Graham had speedily got on friendly terms. So things were going +on as well as Mrs. Grantham could have expected. + +No sooner had his guests left the side of the yacht than her owner began +to make his preparations for a start. + +"What do you think of the weather, Watkins?" he asked his skipper. + +"It's going to blow hard, sir; that's my view of it, and if I was you I +shouldn't up anchor to-day. Still, it's just as you likes; the _Seabird_ +won't mind it if we don't. She has had a rough time of it before now; +still, it will be a case of wet jackets, and no mistake." + +"Yes, I expect we shall have a rough time of it, Watkins, but I want to +get across. We don't often let ourselves be weather-bound, and I am not +going to begin it to-day. We had better house the topmast at once, and +get two reefs in the main-sail. We can get the other down when we get +clear of the island. Get number three jib up, and the leg-of-mutton +mizzen; put two reefs in the foresail." + +Tom and his friend Harvey, who was a good sailor, assisted the crew in +reefing down the sails, and a few minutes after the gig had returned and +been hoisted in, the yawl was running rapidly down Southampton waters. + +"We need hardly have reefed quite so closely," Jack Harvey said, as he +puffed away at his pipe. + +"Not yet, Jack; but you will see she has as much as she can carry before +long. It's all the better to make all snug before starting; it saves a +lot of trouble afterwards, and the extra canvas would not have made ten +minutes' difference to us at the outside. We shall have pretty nearly a +dead beat down the Solent. Fortunately tide will be running strong with +us, but there will be a nasty kick-up there. You will see we shall feel +the short choppy seas there more than we shall when we get outside. She +is a grand boat in a really heavy sea, but in short waves she puts her +nose into it with a will. Now, if you will take my advice, you will do +as I am going to do; put on a pair of fisherman's boots and oilskin and +sou'-wester. There are several sets for you to choose from below." + +As her owner had predicted, the _Seabird_ put her bowsprit under pretty +frequently in the Solent; the wind was blowing half a gale, and as it +met the tide it knocked up a short, angry sea, crested with white heads, +and Jack Harvey agreed that she had quite as much sail on her as she +wanted. The cabin doors were bolted, and all made snug to prevent the +water getting below before they got to the race off Hurst Castle; and it +was well that they did so, for she was as much under water as she was +above. + +"I think if I had given way to the ladies and brought them with us they +would have changed their minds by this time, Jack," Tom Virtue said, +with a laugh. + +"I should think so," his friend agreed; "this is not a day for a +fair-weather sailor. Look what a sea is breaking on the shingles!" + +"Yes, five minutes there would knock her into matchwood. Another ten +minutes and we shall be fairly out; and I sha'n't be sorry; one feels as +if one was playing football, only just at present the _Seabird_ is the +ball and the waves the kickers." + +Another quarter of an hour and they had passed the Needles. + +"That is more pleasant, Jack," as the short, chopping motion was +exchanged for a regular rise and fall; "this is what I enjoy--a steady +wind and a regular sea. The _Seabird_ goes over it like one of her +namesakes; she is not taking a teacupful now over her bows. + +"Watkins, you may as well take the helm for a spell, while we go down to +lunch. I am not sorry to give it up for a bit, for it has been jerking +like the kick of a horse. + +"That's right, Jack, hang up your oilskin there. Johnson, give us a +couple of towels; we have been pretty well smothered up there on deck. +Now what have you got for us?" + +"There is some soup ready, sir, and that cold pie you had for dinner +yesterday." + +"That will do; open a couple of bottles of stout." + +Lunch, over, they went on deck again. + +"She likes a good blow as well as we do," Virtue said, enthusiastically, +as the yawl rose lightly over each wave. "What do you think of it, +Watkins? Is the wind going to lull a bit as the sun goes down?" + +"I think not, sir. It seems to me it's blowing harder than it was." + +"Then we will prepare for the worst, Watkins; get the try-sail up on +deck. When you are ready we will bring her up into the wind and set it. +That's the comfort of a yawl, Jack; one can always lie to without any +bother, and one hasn't got such a tremendous boom to handle." + +The try-sail was soon on deck, and then the _Seabird_ was brought up +into the wind, the weather fore-sheet hauled aft, the mizzen sheeted +almost fore and aft, and the _Seabird_ lay, head to wind, rising and +falling with a gentle motion, in strong contrast to her impetuous rushes +when under sail. + +"She would ride out anything like that," her owner said. "Last time we +came through the Bay on our way from Gib., we were caught in a gale +strong enough to blow the hair off one's head, and we lay to for nearly +three days, and didn't ship a bucket of water all the time. Now let us +lend a hand to get the main-sail stowed." + +Ten minutes' work and it was securely fastened and its cover on; two +reefs were put in the try-sail. Two hands went to each of the halliards, +while, as the sail rose, Tom Virtue fastened the toggles round the mast. + +"All ready, Watkins?" + +"All ready, sir." + +"Slack off the weather fore-sheet, then, and haul aft the leeward. Slack +out the mizzen-sheet a little, Jack. That's it; now she's off again, +like a duck." + +The _Seabird_ felt the relief from the pressure of the heavy boom to +leeward and rose easily and lightly over the waves. + +"She certainly is a splendid sea-boat, Tom; I don't wonder you are ready +to go anywhere in her. I thought we were rather fools for starting this +morning, although I enjoy a good blow; but now I don't care how hard it +comes on." + +By night it was blowing a downright gale. + +"We will lie to till morning, Watkins. So that we get in by daylight +to-morrow evening, that is all we want. See our side-lights are burning +well, and you had better get up a couple of blue lights, in case +anything comes running up Channel and don't see our lights. We had +better divide into two watches; I will keep one with Matthews and +Dawson, Mr. Harvey will go in your watch with Nicholls. We had better +get the try-sail down altogether, and lie to under the foresail and +mizzen, but don't put many lashings on the try-sail, one will be enough, +and have it ready to cast off in a moment, in case we want to hoist the +sail in a hurry. I will go down and have a glass of hot grog first, and +then I will take my watch to begin with. Let the two hands with me go +down; the steward will serve them out a tot each. Jack, you had better +turn in at once." + +Virtue was soon on deck again, muffled up in his oilskins. + +"Now, Watkins, you can go below and turn in." + +"I sha'n't go below to-night, sir--not to lie down. There's nothing much +to do here, but I couldn't sleep, if I did lie down." + +"Very well; you had better go below and get a glass of grog; tell the +steward to give you a big pipe with a cover like this, out of the +locker; and there's plenty of chewing tobacco, if the men are short." + +"I will take that instead of a pipe," Watkins said; "there's nothing +like a quid in weather like this, it ain't never in your way, and it +lasts. Even with a cover a pipe would soon be out." + +"Please yourself, Watkins; tell the two hands forward to keep a bright +look-out for lights." + +The night passed slowly. Occasionally a sea heavier than usual came on +board, curling over the bow and falling with a heavy thud on the deck, +but for the most part the _Seabird_ breasted the waves easily; the +bowsprit had been reefed in to its fullest, thereby adding to the +lightness and buoyancy of the boat. Tom Virtue did not go below when his +friend came up to relieve him at the change of watch, but sat smoking +and doing much talking in the short intervals between the gusts. + +The morning broke gray and misty, driving sleet came along on the wind, +and the horizon was closed in as by a dull curtain. + +"How far can we see, do you think, Watkins?" + +"Perhaps a couple of miles, sir." + +"That will be enough. I think we both know the position of every reef to +within a hundred yards, so we will shape our course for Guernsey. If we +happen to hit it off, we can hold on to St. Helier; but if when we think +we ought to be within sight of Guernsey we see nothing of it, we must +lie to again, till the storm has blown itself out or the clouds lift. It +would never do to go groping our way along with such currents as run +among the islands. Put the last reef in the try-sail before you hoist +it. I think you had better get the foresail down altogether, and run up +the spit-fire jib." + +The _Seabird_ was soon under way again. + +"Now, Watkins, you take the helm; we will go down and have a cup of hot +coffee, and I will see that the steward has a good supply for you and +the hands; but first, do you take the helm, Jack, whilst Watkins and I +have a look at the chart, and try and work out where we are, and the +course we had better lie for Guernsey." + +Five minutes were spent over the chart, then Watkins went up and Jack +Harvey came down. + +"You have got the coffee ready, I hope, Johnson?" + +"Yes, sir, coffee and chocolate. I didn't know which you would like." + +"Chocolate, by all means. Jack, I recommend the chocolate. Bring two +full-sized bowls, Johnson, and put that cold pie on the table, and a +couple of knives and forks; never mind about a cloth; but first of all +bring a couple of basins of hot water, we shall enjoy our food more +after a wash." + +The early breakfast was eaten, dry coats and mufflers put on, pipes +lighted, and they then went up upon deck. Tom took the helm. + +"What time do you calculate we ought to make Guernsey, Tom?" + +"About twelve. The wind is freer than it was, and we are walking along +at a good pace. Matthews, cast the log, and let's see what we are doing. +About seven knots, I should say." + +"Seven and a quarter, sir," the man said, when he checked the line. + +"Not a bad guess, Tom; it's always difficult to judge pace in a heavy +sea." + +At eleven o'clock the mist ceased. + +"That's fortunate," Tom Virtue said; "I shouldn't be surprised if we get +a glimpse of the sun between the clouds, presently. Will you get my +sextant and the chronometer up, Jack, and put them handy?" + +Jack Harvey did as he was asked, but there was no occasion to use the +instruments, for ten minutes later, Watkins, who was standing near the +bow gazing fixedly ahead, shouted: + +"There's Guernsey, sir, on her lee bow, about six miles away, I should +say." + +"That's it, sure enough," Tom agreed, as he gazed in the direction in +which Watkins was pointing. "There's a gleam of sunshine on it, or we +shouldn't have seen it yet. Yes, I think you are about right as to the +distance. Now let us take its bearings, we may lose it again directly." + +Having taken the bearings of the island they went below, and marked off +their position on the chart, and they shaped their course for Cape +Grosnez, the north-western point of Jersey. The gleam of sunshine was +transient--the clouds closed in again overhead, darker and grayer than +before. Soon the drops of rain came flying before the wind, the horizon +closed in, and they could not see half a mile away, but, though the sea +was heavy, the _Seabird_ was making capital weather of it, and the two +friends agreed that, after all, the excitement of a sail like this was +worth a month of pottering about in calms. + +"We must keep a bright look-out presently," the skipper said; "there are +some nasty rocks off the coast of Jersey. We must give them a wide +berth. We had best make round to the south of the island, and lay to +there till we can pick up a pilot to take us into St. Helier. I don't +think it will be worth while trying to get into St. Aubyn's Bay by +ourselves." + +"I think so, too, Watkins, but we will see what it is like before it +gets dark; if we can pick up a pilot all the better; if not, we will lie +to till morning, if the weather keeps thick; but if it clears so that we +can make out all the lights we ought to be able to get into the bay +anyhow." + +An hour later the rain ceased and the sky appeared somewhat clearer. +Suddenly Watkins exclaimed, "There is a wreck, sir! There, three miles +away to leeward. She is on the Paternosters." + +"Good heavens! she is a steamer," Tom exclaimed, as he caught sight of +her the next time the _Seabird_ lifted on a wave. "Can she be the +Southampton boat, do you think?" + +"Like enough, sir, she may have had it thicker than we had, and may not +have calculated enough for the current." + +"Up helm, Jack, and bear away towards her. Shall we shake out a reef, +Watkins?" + +"I wouldn't, sir; she has got as much as she can carry on her now. We +must mind what we are doing, sir; the currents run like a millstream, +and if we get that reef under our lee, and the wind and current both +setting us on to it, it will be all up with us in no time." + +"Yes, I know that, Watkins. Jack, take the helm a minute while we run +down and look at the chart. + +"Our only chance, Watkins, is to work up behind the reef, and try and +get so that they can either fasten a line to a buoy and let it float +down to us, or get into a boat, if they have one left, and drift to us." + +"They are an awful group of rocks," Watkins said, as they examined the +chart; "you see some of them show merely at high tide, and a lot of them +are above at low water. It will be an awful business to get among them +rocks, sir, just about as near certain death as a thing can be." + +"Well, it's got to be done, Watkins," Tom said, firmly. "I see the +danger as well as you do, but whatever the risk, it must be tried. Mr. +Grantham and the two ladies went on board by my persuasion, and I should +never forgive myself if anything happened to them. But I will speak to +the men." + +He went on deck again and called the men to him. "Look here, lads; you +see that steamer ashore on the Paternosters. In such a sea as this she +may go to pieces in half an hour. I am determined to make an effort to +save the lives of those on board. As you can see for yourselves there is +no lying to weather of her, with the current and wind driving us on to +the reef; we must beat up from behind. Now, lads, the sea there is full +of rocks, and the chances are ten to one we strike on to them and go to +pieces; but, anyhow I am going to try; but I won't take you unless you +are willing. The boat is a good one, and the zinc chambers will keep her +afloat if she fills; well managed, you ought to be able to make the +coast of Jersey in her. Mr. Harvey, Watkins, and I can handle the yacht, +so you can take the boat if you like." + +The men replied that they would stick to the yacht wherever Mr. Virtue +chose to take her, and muttered something about the ladies, for the +pleasant faces of Mrs. Grantham and Miss Graham had, during the +fortnight they had been on board, won the men's hearts. + +"Very well, lads, I am glad to find you will stick by me; if we pull +safely through it I will give each of you three months' wages. Now set +to work with a will and get the gig out. We will tow her after us, and +take to her if we make a smash of it." + +They were now near enough to see the white breakers, in the middle of +which the ship was lying. She was fast breaking up. The jagged outline +showed that the stern had been beaten in. The masts and funnel were +gone, and the waves seemed to make a clean breach over her, almost +hiding her from sight in a white cloud of spray. + +"Wood and iron can't stand that much longer," Jack Harvey said; "another +hour and I should say there won't be two planks left together." + +"It is awful, Jack; I would give all I have in the world if I had not +persuaded them to go on board. Keep her off a little more, Watkins." + +The _Seabird_ passed within a cable's-length of the breakers at the +northern end of the reef. + +"Now, lads, take your places at the sheets, ready to haul or let go as I +give the word." So saying, Tom Virtue took his place in the bow, holding +on by the forestay. + +The wind was full on the _Seabird's_ beam as she entered the broken +water. Here and there the dark heads of the rocks showed above the +water. These were easy enough to avoid, the danger lay in those hidden +beneath its surface, and whose position was indicated only by the +occasional break of a sea as it passed over them. Every time the +_Seabird_ sank on a wave those on board involuntarily held their breath, +but the water here was comparatively smooth, the sea having spent its +first force upon the outer reef. With a wave of his hand Tom directed +the helmsman as to his course, and the little yacht was admirably +handled through the dangers. + +"I begin to think we shall do it," Tom said to Jack Harvey, who was +standing close to him. "Another five minutes and we shall be within +reach of her." + +It could be seen now that there was a group of people clustered in the +bow of the wreck. Two or three light lines were coiled in readiness for +throwing. + +"Now, Watkins," Tom said, going aft, "make straight for the wreck. I see +no broken water between us and them, and possibly there may be deep +water under their bow." + +It was an anxious moment, as, with the sails flattened in, the yawl +forged up nearly in the eye of the wind towards the wreck. Her progress +was slow, for she was now stemming the current. + +Tom stood with a coil of line in his hand in the bow. + +"You get ready to throw, Jack, if I miss." + +Nearer and nearer the yacht approached the wreck, until the bowsprit of +the latter seemed to stand almost over her. Then Tom threw the line. It +fell over the bowsprit, and a cheer broke from those on board the wreck +and from the sailors of the _Seabird_. A stronger line was at once +fastened to that thrown, and to this a strong hawser was attached. + +"Down with the helm, Watkins. Now, lads, lower away the try-sail as fast +as you can. Now, one of you, clear that hawser as they haul on it. Now +out with the anchors." + +These had been got into readiness; it was not thought that they would +get any hold on the rocky bottom, still they might catch on a projecting +ledge, and at any rate their weight and that of the chain cable would +relieve the strain upon the hawser. + +Two sailors had run out on the bowsprit of the wreck as soon as the line +was thrown, and the end of the hawser was now on board the steamer. + +"Thank God, there's Grantham!" Jack Harvey exclaimed; "do you see him +waving his hand?" + +"I see him," Tom said, "but I don't see the ladies." + +"They are there, no doubt," Jack said, confidently; "crouching down, I +expect. He would not be there if they weren't, you may be sure. Yes, +there they are; those two muffled-up figures. There, one of them has +thrown back her cloak and is waving her arm." + +The two young men waved their caps. + +"Are the anchors holding, Watkins? There's a tremendous strain on that +hawser." + +"I think so, sir; they are both tight." + +"Put them round the windlass, and give a turn or two, we must relieve +the strain on that hawser." + +Since they had first seen the wreck the waves had made great progress in +the work of destruction, and the steamer had broken in two just aft of +the engines. + +"Get over the spare spars, Watkins, and fasten them to float in front of +her bows like a triangle. Matthews, catch hold of that boat-hook and try +to fend off any piece of timber that comes along. You get hold of the +sweeps, lads, and do the same. They would stave her in like a nut-shell +if they struck her. + +"Thank God, here comes the first of them!" + +Those on board the steamer had not been idle. As soon as the yawl was +seen approaching slings were prepared, and no sooner was the hawser +securely fixed, than the slings were attached to it and a woman placed +in them. The hawser was tight and the descent sharp, and without a check +the figure ran down to the deck of the _Seabird_. She was lifted out of +the slings by Tom and Jack Harvey, who found she was an old woman and +had entirely lost consciousness. + +"Two of you carry her down below; tell Johnson to pour a little brandy +down her throat. Give her some hot soup as soon as she comes to." + +Another woman was lowered and helped below. The next to descend was Mrs. +Grantham. + +"Thank God, you are rescued!" Tom said, as he helped her out of the +sling. + +"Thank God, indeed," Mrs. Grantham said, "and thank you all! Oh, Tom, we +have had a terrible time of it, and had lost all hope till we saw your +sail, and even then the captain said that he was afraid nothing could be +done. Minnie was the first to make out it was you, and then we began to +hope. She has been so brave, dear girl. Ah! here she comes." + +But Minnie's firmness came to an end now that she felt the need for it +was over. She was unable to stand when she was lifted from the slings; +and Tom carried her below. + +"Are there any more women, Mrs. Grantham?" + +"No; there was only one other lady passenger and the stewardess." + +"Then you had better take possession of your own cabin. I ordered +Johnson to spread a couple more mattresses and some bedding on the +floor, so you will all four be able to turn in. There's plenty of hot +coffee and soup. I should advise soup with two or three spoonfuls of +brandy in it. Now, excuse me; I must go upon deck." + +Twelve men descended by the hawser, one of them with both legs broken by +the fall of the mizzen. The last to come was the captain. + +"Is that all?" Tom asked. + +"That is all," the captain said. "Six men were swept overboard when she +first struck, and two were killed by the fall of the funnel. Fortunately +we had only three gentlemen passengers and three ladies on board. The +weather looked so wild when we started that no one else cared about +making the passage. God bless you, sir, for what you have done! Another +half-hour and it would have been all over with us. But it seems like a +miracle your getting safe through the rocks to us." + +"It was fortunate indeed that we came along," Tom said; "three of the +passengers are dear friends of mine; and as it was by my persuasion that +they came across in the steamer instead of in the yacht, I should never +have forgiven myself if they had been lost. Take all your men below, +captain; you will find plenty of hot soup there. Now, Watkins, let us be +off; that steamer won't hold together many minutes longer, so there's no +time to lose. We will go back as we came. Give me a hatchet. Now, lads, +two of you stand at the chain-cables; knock out the shackles the moment +I cut the hawser. Watkins, you take the helm and let her head pay off +till the jib fills. Jack, you lend a hand to the other two, and get up +the try-sail again as soon as we are free." + +In a moment all were at their stations. The helm was put on the yacht, +and she payed off on the opposite tack to that on which she had before +been sailing. As soon as the jib filled, Tom gave two vigorous blows +with his hatchet on the hawser, and, as he lifted his hand for a third, +it parted. Then came the sharp rattle of the chains as they ran round +the hawser-holes. The try-sail was hoisted and sheeted home, and the +_Seabird_ was under way again. Tom, as before, conned the ship from the +bow. Several times she was in close proximity to the rocks, but each +time she avoided them. A shout of gladness rose from all on deck as she +passed the last patch of white water. Then she tacked and bore away for +Jersey. + +Tom had now time to go down below and look after his passengers. They +consisted of the captain and two sailors--the sole survivors of those +who had been on deck when the vessel struck--three male passengers, and +six engineers and stokers. + +"I have not had time to shake you by the hand before, Tom," Grantham +said, as Tom Virtue entered; "and I thought you would not want me on +deck at present. God bless you, old fellow! we all owe you our lives." + +"How did it happen, captain?" Tom asked, as the captain also came up to +him. + +"It was the currents, I suppose," the captain said; "it was so thick we +could not see a quarter of a mile any way. The weather was so wild I +would not put into Guernsey, and passed the island without seeing it. I +steered my usual course, but the gale must have altered the currents, +for I thought I was three miles away from the reef, when we saw it on +our beam, not a hundred yards away. It was too late to avoid it then, +and in another minute we ran upon it, and the waves were sweeping over +us. Every one behaved well. I got all, except those who had been swept +overboard or crushed by the funnel, up into the bow of the ship, and +there we waited. There was nothing to be done. No boat would live for a +moment in the sea on that reef, and all I could advise was, that when +she went to pieces every one should try to get hold of a floating +fragment; but I doubt whether a man would have been alive a quarter of +an hour after she went to pieces." + +"Perhaps, captain, you will come on deck with me and give me the benefit +of your advice. My skipper and I know the islands pretty well, but no +doubt you know them a good deal better, and I don't want another +mishap." + +But the _Seabird_ avoided all further dangers, and as it became dark, +the lights of St. Helier's were in sight, and an hour later the yacht +brought up in the port and landed her involuntary passengers. + +A fortnight afterwards the _Seabird_ returned to England, and two months +later Mrs. Grantham had the satisfaction of being present at the +ceremony which was the successful consummation of her little scheme in +inviting Minnie Graham to be her companion on board the _Seabird_. + +"Well, my dear," her husband said, when she indulged in a little natural +triumph, "I do not say that it has not turned out well, and I am +heartily glad for both Tom and Minnie's sake it has so; but you must +allow that it very nearly had a disastrous ending, and I think if I were +you I should leave matters to take their natural course in future. I +have accepted Tom's invitation for the same party to take a cruise in +the _Seabird_ next summer, but I have bargained that next time a storm +is brewing up we shall stop quietly in port." + +"That's all very well, James," Mrs. Grantham said saucily; "but you must +remember that Tom Virtue will only be first-mate of the _Seabird_ in +future." + +"That I shall be able to tell you better, my dear, after our next +cruise. All husbands are not as docile and easily led as I am." + + + + +[Illustration] + +A PIPE OF MYSTERY. + + +A jovial party were gathered round a blazing fire in an old grange near +Warwick. The hour was getting late; the very little ones had, after +dancing round the Christmas-tree, enjoying the snapdragon, and playing a +variety of games, gone off to bed; and the elder boys and girls now +gathered round their uncle, Colonel Harley, and asked him for a +story--above all, a ghost story. + +"But I have never seen any ghosts," the colonel said, laughing; "and, +moreover, I don't believe in them one bit. I have travelled pretty well +all over the world, I have slept in houses said to be haunted, but +nothing have I seen--no noises that could not be accounted for by rats +or the wind have I ever heard. I have never"--and here he paused--"never +but once met with any circumstances or occurrence that could not be +accounted for by the light of reason, and I know you prefer hearing +stories of my own adventures to mere invention." + +"Yes, uncle. But what was the 'once' when circumstances happened that +you could not explain?" + +"It's rather a long story," the colonel said, "and it's getting late." + +"Oh! no, no, uncle; it does not matter a bit how late we sit up on +Christmas Eve, and the longer the story is, the better; and if you don't +believe in ghosts, how can it be a story of something you could not +account for by the light of nature?" + +"You will see when I have done," the colonel said. "It is rather a story +of what the Scotch call second sight, than one of ghosts. As to +accounting for it, you shall form your own opinion when you have heard +me to the end. + +"I landed in India in '50, and after going through the regular drill +work, marched with a detachment up country to join my regiment, which +was stationed at Jubbalpore, in the very heart of India. It has become +an important place since; the railroad across India passes through it, +and no end of changes have taken place; but at that time it was one of +the most out-of-the-way stations in India, and, I may say, one of the +most pleasant. It lay high, there was capital boating on the Nerbudda, +and, above all, it was a grand place for sport, for it lay at the foot +of the hill country, an immense district, then but little known, covered +with forests and jungle, and abounding with big game of all kinds. + +"My great friend there was a man named Simmonds. He was just of my own +standing; we had come out in the same ship, had marched up the country +together, and were almost like brothers. He was an old Etonian, I an old +Westminster, and we were both fond of boating, and, indeed, of sport of +all kinds. But I am not going to tell you of that now. The people in +these hills are called Gonds, a true hill tribe--that is to say, +aborigines, somewhat of the negro type. The chiefs are of mixed blood, +but the people are almost black. They are supposed to accept the +religion of the Hindus, but are in reality deplorably ignorant and +superstitious. Their priests are a sort of compound of a Brahmin priest +and a negro fetish man, and among their principal duties is that of +charming away tigers from the villages by means of incantations. There, +as in other parts of India, were a few wandering fakirs, who enjoyed an +immense reputation for holiness and wisdom. The people would go to them +from great distances for charms or predictions, and believed in their +power with implicit faith. + +"At the time when we were at Jubbalpore, there was one of these fellows, +whose reputation altogether eclipsed that of his rivals, and nothing +could be done until his permission had been asked and his blessing +obtained. All sorts of marvellous stories were constantly coming to our +ears of the unerring foresight with which he predicted the termination +of diseases, both in men and animals; and so generally was he believed +in that the colonel ordered that no one connected with the regiment +should consult him, for these predictions very frequently brought about +their own fulfilment; for those who were told that an illness would +terminate fatally, lost all hope, and literally lay down to die. + +"However, many of the stories that we heard could not be explained on +these grounds, and the fakir and his doings were often talked over at +mess, some of the officers scoffing at the whole business, others +maintaining that some of these fakirs had, in some way or another, the +power of foretelling the future, citing many well authenticated +anecdotes upon the subject. + +"The older officers were the believers, we young fellows were the +scoffers. But for the well-known fact that it is very seldom indeed +that these fakirs will utter any of their predictions to Europeans, some +of us would have gone to him, to test his powers. As it was, none of us +had ever seen him. + +"He lived in an old ruined temple, in the middle of a large patch of +jungle at the foot of the hills, some ten or twelve miles away. + +"I had been at Jubbalpore about a year, when I was woke up one night by +a native, who came in to say that at about eight o'clock a tiger had +killed a man in his village, and had dragged off the body. + +"Simmonds and I were constantly out after tigers, and the people in all +the villages within twenty miles knew that we were always ready to pay +for early information. This tiger had been doing great damage, and had +carried off about thirty men, women, and children. So great was the fear +of him, indeed, that the people in the neighbourhood he frequented +scarcely dared stir out of doors, except in parties of five or six. We +had had several hunts after him, but, like all man-eaters, he was old +and awfully crafty; and although we got several snap shots at him, he +had always managed to save his skin. + +"In a quarter of an hour after the receipt of the message, Charley +Simmonds and I were on the back of an elephant, which was our joint +property; our shekarry, a capital fellow, was on foot beside us, and +with the native trotting on ahead as guide we went off at the best pace +of old Begaum, for that was the elephant's name. The village was fifteen +miles away, but we got there soon after daybreak, and were received with +delight by the population. In half an hour the hunt was organized; all +the male population turned out as beaters, with sticks, guns, tom-toms, +and other instruments for making a noise. + +"The trail was not difficult to find. A broad path, with occasional +smears of blood, showed where he had dragged his victim through the long +grass to a cluster of trees a couple of hundred yards from the village. + +"We scarcely expected to find him there, but the villagers held back, +while we went forward with cocked rifles. We found, however, nothing but +a few bones and a quantity of blood. The tiger had made off at the +approach of daylight into the jungle, which was about two miles distant. +We traced him easily enough, and found that he had entered a large +ravine, from which several smaller ones branched off. + +"It was an awkward place, as it was next to impossible to surround it +with the number of people at our command. We posted them at last all +along the upper ground, and told them to make up in noise what they +wanted in numbers. At last all was ready, and we gave the signal. +However, I am not telling you a hunting story, and need only say that we +could neither find nor disturb him. In vain we pushed Begaum through the +thickest of the jungle which clothed the sides and bottom of the ravine, +while the men shouted, beat their tom-toms, and showered imprecations +against the tiger himself and his ancestors up to the remotest +generations. + +"The day was tremendously hot, and, after three hours' march, we gave it +up for a time, and lay down in the shade, while the shekarries made a +long examination of the ground all round the hillside, to be sure that +he had not left the ravine. They came back with the news that no traces +could be discovered, and that, beyond a doubt, he was still there. A +tiger will crouch up in an exceedingly small clump of grass or bush, and +will sometimes almost allow himself to be trodden on before moving. +However, we determined to have one more search, and if that should prove +unsuccessful, to send off to Jubbalpore for some more of the men to come +out with elephants, while we kept up a circle of fires, and of noises +of all descriptions, so as to keep him a prisoner until the arrival of +the reinforcements. Our next search was no more successful than our +first had been; and having, as we imagined, examined every clump and +crevice in which he could have been concealed, we had just reached the +upper end of the ravine, when we heard a tremendous roar, followed by a +perfect babel of yells and screams from the natives. + +"The outburst came from the mouth of the ravine, and we felt at once +that he had escaped. We hurried back to find, as we had expected, that +the tiger was gone. He had burst out suddenly from his hiding-place, had +seized a native, torn him horribly, and had made across the open plain. + +"This was terribly provoking, but we had nothing to do but follow him. +This was easy enough, and we traced him to a detached patch of wood and +jungle, two miles distant. This wood was four or five hundred yards +across, and the exclamations of the people at once told us that it was +the one in which stood the ruined temple of the fakir of whom I have +been telling you. I forgot to say, that as the tiger broke out one of +the village shekarries had fired at, and, he declared, wounded him. + +"It was already getting late in the afternoon, and it was hopeless to +attempt to beat the jungle that night. We therefore sent off a runner +with a note to the colonel, asking him to send the work-elephants, and +to allow a party of volunteers to march over at night, to help surround +the jungle when we commenced beating it in the morning. + +"We based our request upon the fact that the tiger was a notorious +man-eater, and had been doing immense damage. We then had a talk with +our shekarry, sent a man off to bring provisions for the people out with +us, and then set them to work cutting sticks and grass to make a circle +of fires. + +"We both felt much uneasiness respecting the fakir, who might be seized +at any moment by the enraged tiger. The natives would not allow that +there was any cause for fear, as the tiger would not dare to touch so +holy a man. Our belief in the respect of the tiger for sanctity was by +no means strong, and we determined to go in and warn him of the presence +of the brute in the wood. It was a mission which we could not intrust to +anyone else, for no native would have entered the jungle for untold +gold; so we mounted the Begaum again, and started. The path leading +towards the temple was pretty wide, and as we went along almost +noiselessly, for the elephant was too well trained to tread upon fallen +sticks, it was just possible we might come upon the tiger suddenly, so +we kept our rifles in readiness in our hands. + +"Presently we came in sight of the ruins. No one was at first visible; +but at that very moment the fakir came out from the temple. He did not +see or hear us, for we were rather behind him and still among the trees, +but at once proceeded in a high voice to break into a sing-song prayer. +He had not said two words before his voice was drowned in a terrific +roar, and in an instant the tiger had sprung upon him, struck him to the +ground, seized him as a cat would a mouse, and started off with him at a +trot. The brute evidently had not detected our presence, for he came +right towards us. We halted the Begaum, and with our fingers on the +triggers, awaited the favourable moment. He was a hundred yards from us +when he struck down his victim; he was not more than fifty when he +caught sight of us. He stopped for an instant in surprise. Charley +muttered, 'Both barrels, Harley,' and as the beast turned to plunge into +the jungle, and so showed us his side, we sent four bullets crashing +into him, and he rolled over lifeless. + +"We went up to the spot, made the Begaum give him a kick, to be sure +that he was dead, and then got down to examine the unfortunate fakir. +The tiger had seized him by the shoulder, which was terribly torn, and +the bone broken. He was still perfectly conscious. + +"We at once fired three shots, our usual signal that the tiger was dead, +and in a few minutes were surrounded by the villagers, who hardly knew +whether to be delighted at the death of their enemy, or to grieve over +the injury to the fakir. We proposed taking the latter to our hospital +at Jubbalpore, but this he positively refused to listen to. However we +finally persuaded him to allow his arm to be set and the wounds dressed +in the first place by our regimental surgeon, after which he could go to +one of the native villages and have his arm dressed in accordance with +his own notions. A litter was soon improvised, and away we went to +Jubbalpore, which we reached about eight in the evening. + +"The fakir refused to enter the hospital, so we brought out a couple of +trestles, laid the litter upon them, and the surgeon set his arm and +dressed his wounds by torch-light, when he was lifted into a dhoolie, +and his bearers again prepared to start for the village. + +"Hitherto he had only spoken a few words; but he now briefly expressed +his deep gratitude to Simmonds and myself. We told him that we would +ride over to see him shortly, and hoped to find him getting on rapidly. +Another minute and he was gone. + +"It happened that we had three or four fellows away on leave or on staff +duty, and several others knocked up with fever just about this time, so +that the duty fell very heavily upon the rest of us, and it was over a +month before we had time to ride over to see the fakir. + +"We had heard he was going on well; but we were surprised, on reaching +the village, to find that he had already returned to his old abode in +the jungle. However, we had made up our minds to see him, especially as +we had agreed that we would endeavour to persuade him to do a prediction +for us; so we turned our horses' heads towards the jungle. We found the +fakir sitting on a rock in front of the temple, just where he had been +seized by the tiger. He rose as we rode up. + +"'I knew that you would come to-day, sahibs, and was joyful in the +thought of seeing those who have preserved my life.' + +"'We are glad to see you looking pretty strong again, though your arm +is still in a sling,' I said, for Simmonds was not strong in Hindustani. + +"'How did you know that we were coming?' I asked, when we had tied up +our horses. + +"'Siva has given to his servant to know many things,' he said quietly. + +"'Did you know beforehand that the tiger was going to seize you?' I +asked. + +"'I knew that a great danger threatened, and that Siva would not let me +die before my time had come.' + +"'Could you see into our future?' I asked. + +"The fakir hesitated, looked at me for a moment earnestly to see if I +was speaking in mockery, and then said: + +"'The sahibs do not believe in the power of Siva or of his servants. +They call his messengers impostors, and scoff at them when they speak of +the events of the future.' + +"'No, indeed,' I said. 'My friend and I have no idea of scoffing. We +have heard of so many of your predictions coming true, that we are +really anxious that you should tell us something of the future.' + +"The fakir nodded his head, went into the temple, and returned in a +minute or two with two small pipes used by the natives for +opium-smoking, and a brazier of burning charcoal. The pipes were +already charged. He made signs to us to sit down, and took his place in +front of us. Then he began singing in a low voice, rocking himself to +and fro, and waving a staff which he held in his hand. Gradually his +voice rose, and his gesticulations and actions became more violent. So +far as I could make out, it was a prayer to Siva that he would give some +glimpse of the future which might benefit the sahibs who had saved the +life of his servant. Presently he darted forward, gave us each a pipe, +took two pieces of red-hot charcoal from the brazier in his fingers, +without seeming to know that they were warm, and placed them in the +pipes; then he recommenced his singing and gesticulations. + +"A glance at Charley, to see if, like myself, he was ready to carry the +thing through, and then I put the pipe to my lips. I felt at once that +it was opium, of which I had before made experiment, but mixed with some +other substance, which was, I imagine, haschish, a preparation of hemp. +A few puffs, and I felt a drowsiness creeping over me. I saw, as through +a mist, the fakir swaying himself backwards and forwards, his arms +waving, and his face distorted. Another minute, and the pipe slipped +from my fingers, and I fell back insensible. + +"How long I lay there I do not know. I woke with a strange and not +unpleasant sensation, and presently became conscious that the fakir was +gently pressing, with a sort of shampooing action, my temples and head. +When he saw that I opened my eyes he left me, and performed the same +process upon Charley. In a few minutes he rose from his stooping +position, waved his hand in token of adieu, and walked slowly back into +the temple. + +"As he disappeared I sat up; Charley did the same. + +"We stared at each other for a minute without speaking, and then Charley +said: + +"'This is a rum go, and no mistake, old man.' + +"'You're right, Charley. My opinion is, we've made fools of ourselves. +Let's be off out of this.' + +"We staggered to our feet, for we both felt like drunken men, made our +way to our horses, poured a mussuk of water over our heads, took a drink +of brandy from our flasks, and then feeling more like ourselves, mounted +and rode out of the jungle. + +"'Well, Harley, if the glimpse of futurity which I had is true, all I +can say is that it was extremely unpleasant.' + +"'That was just my case, Charley.' + +"'My dream, or whatever you like to call it, was about a mutiny of the +men.' + +"'You don't say so, Charley; so was mine. This is monstrously strange, +to say the least of it. However, you tell your story first, and then I +will tell mine.' + +"'It was very short,' Charley said. 'We were at mess--not in our present +mess-room--we were dining with the fellows of some other regiment. +Suddenly, without any warning, the windows were filled with a crowd of +Sepoys, who opened fire right and left into us. Half the fellows were +shot down at once; the rest of us made a rush to our swords just as the +niggers came swarming into the room. There was a desperate fight for a +moment. I remember that Subadar Piran--one of the best native officers +in the regiment, by the way--made a rush at me, and I shot him through +the head with a revolver. At the same moment a ball hit me, and down I +went. At the moment a Sepoy fell dead across me, hiding me partly from +sight. The fight lasted a minute or two longer. I fancy a few fellows +escaped, for I heard shots outside. Then the place became quiet. In +another minute I heard a crackling, and saw that the devils had set the +mess-room on fire. One of our men, who was lying close by me, got up +and crawled to the window, but he was shot down the moment he showed +himself. I was hesitating whether to do the same or to lie still and be +smothered, when suddenly I rolled the dead sepoy off, crawled into the +ante-room half-suffocated by smoke, raised the lid of a very heavy +trap-door, and stumbled down some steps into a place, half storehouse +half cellar, under the mess-room. How I knew about it being there I +don't know. The trap closed over my head with a bang. That is all I +remember.' + +"'Well, Charley, curiously enough my dream was also about an +extraordinary escape from danger, lasting, like yours, only a minute or +two. The first thing I remember--there seems to have been something +before, but what, I don't know--I was on horseback, holding a very +pretty but awfully pale girl in front of me. We were pursued by a whole +troop of Sepoy cavalry, who were firing pistol-shots at us. We were not +more than seventy or eighty yards in front, and they were gaining fast, +just as I rode into a large deserted temple. In the centre was a huge +stone figure. I jumped off my horse with the lady, and as I did so she +said, 'Blow out my brains, Edward; don't let me fall alive into their +hands.' + +"'Instead of answering, I hurried her round behind the idol, pushed +against one of the leaves of a flower in the carving, and the stone +swung back, and showed a hole just large enough to get through, with a +stone staircase inside the body of the idol, made no doubt for the +priest to go up and give responses through the mouth. I hurried the girl +through, crept in after her, and closed the stone, just as our pursuers +came clattering into the courtyard. That is all I remember.' + +"'Well, it is monstrously rum,' Charley said, after a pause. 'Did you +understand what the old fellow was singing about before he gave us the +pipes?' + +"'Yes; I caught the general drift. It was an entreaty to Siva to give us +some glimpse of futurity which might benefit us.' + +"We lit our cheroots and rode for some miles at a brisk canter without +remark. When we were within a short distance of home we reined up. + +"'I feel ever so much better,' Charley said. 'We have got that opium out +of our heads now. How do you account for it all, Harley?' + +"'I account for it in this way, Charley. The opium naturally had the +effect of making us both dream, and as we took similar doses of the same +mixture, under similar circumstances, it is scarcely extraordinary that +it should have effected the same portion of the brain, and caused a +certain similarity in our dreams. In all nightmares something terrible +happens, or is on the point of happening; and so it was here. Not +unnaturally in both our cases, our thoughts turned to soldiers. If you +remember there was a talk at mess some little time since, as to what +would happen in the extremely unlikely event of the sepoys mutinying in +a body. I have no doubt that was the foundation of both our dreams. It +is all natural enough when we come to think it over calmly. I think, by +the way, we had better agree to say nothing at all about it in the +regiment.' + +"'I should think not,' Charley said. 'We should never hear the end of +it; they would chaff us out of our lives.' + +"We kept our secret, and came at last to laugh over it heartily when we +were together. Then the subject dropped, and by the end of a year had as +much escaped our minds as any other dream would have done. Three months +after the affair the regiment was ordered down to Allahabad, and the +change of place no doubt helped to erase all memory of the dream. Four +years after we had left Jubbalpore we went to Beerapore. The time is +very marked in my memory, because the very week we arrived there, your +aunt, then Miss Gardiner, came out from England, to her father, our +colonel. The instant I saw her I was impressed with the idea that I knew +her intimately. I recollected her face, her figure, and the very tone of +her voice, but wherever I had met her I could not conceive. Upon the +occasion of my first introduction to her, I could not help telling her +that I was convinced that we had met, and asking her if she did not +remember it. No, she did not remember, but very likely she might have +done so, and she suggested the names of several people at whose houses +we might have met. I did not know any of them. Presently she asked how +long I had been out in India? + +"'Six years,' I said. + +"'And how old, Mr. Harley,' she said, 'do you take me to be?' + +"I saw in one instant my stupidity, and was stammering out an apology, +when she went on,-- + +"'I am very little over eighteen, Mr. Harley, although I evidently look +ever so many years older; but papa can certify to my age; so I was only +twelve when you left England.' + +"I tried in vain to clear matters up. Your aunt would insist that I took +her to be forty, and the fun that my blunder made rather drew us +together, and gave me a start over the other fellows at the station, +half of whom fell straightway in love with her. Some months went on, and +when the mutiny broke out we were engaged to be married. It is a proof +of how completely the opium-dreams had passed out of the minds of both +Simmonds and myself, that even when rumours of general disaffection +among the Sepoys began to be current, they never once recurred to us; +and even when the news of the actual mutiny reached us, we were just as +confident as were the others of the fidelity of our own regiment. It was +the old story, foolish confidence and black treachery. As at very many +other stations, the mutiny broke out when we were at mess. Our regiment +was dining with the 34th Bengalees. Suddenly, just as dinner was over, +the window was opened, and a tremendous fire poured in. Four or five men +fell dead at once, and the poor colonel, who was next to me, was shot +right through the head. Every one rushed to his sword and drew his +pistol--for we had been ordered to carry pistols as part of our uniform. +I was next to Charley Simmonds as the Sepoys of both regiments, headed +by Subadar Piran, poured in at the windows. + +"'I have it now,' Charley said; 'it is the scene I dreamed.' + +"As he spoke he fired his revolver at the subadar, who fell dead in his +tracks. + +"A Sepoy close by levelled his musket and fired. Charley fell, and the +fellow rushed forward to bayonet him. As he did so I sent a bullet +through his head, and he fell across Charley. It was a wild fight for a +minute or two, and then a few of us made a sudden rush together, cut our +way through the mutineers, and darted through an open window on to the +parade. There were shouts, shots, and screams from the officers' +bungalows, and in several places flames were already rising. What became +of the other men I knew not; I made as hard as I could tear for the +colonel's bungalow. Suddenly I came upon a sowar sitting on his horse +watching the rising flames. Before he saw me I was on him, and ran him +through. I leapt on his horse and galloped down to Gardiner's compound. +I saw lots of Sepoys in and around the bungalow, all engaged in looting. +I dashed into the compound. + +"'May! May!' I shouted. 'Where are you?' + +"I had scarcely spoken before a dark figure rushed out of a clump of +bushes close by with a scream of delight. + +"In an instant she was on the horse before me, and shooting down a +couple of fellows who made a rush at my reins, I dashed out again. +Stray shots were fired after us. But fortunately the Sepoys were all +busy looting, most of them had laid down their muskets, and no one +really took up the pursuit. I turned off from the parade-ground, dashed +down between the hedges of two compounds, and in another minute we were +in the open country. + +"Fortunately, the cavalry were all down looting their own lines, or we +must have been overtaken at once. May happily had fainted as I lifted +her on to my horse--happily, because the fearful screams that we heard +from the various bungalows almost drove me mad, and would probably have +killed her, for the poor ladies were all her intimate friends. + +"I rode on for some hours, till I felt quite safe from any immediate +pursuit, and then we halted in the shelter of a clump of trees. + +"By this time I had heard May's story. She had felt uneasy at being +alone, but had laughed at herself for being so, until upon her speaking +to one of the servants he had answered in a tone of gross insolence, +which had astonished her. She at once guessed that there was danger, and +the moment that she was alone caught up a large, dark carriage rug, +wrapped it round her so as to conceal her white dress, and stole out +into the verandah. The night was dark, and scarcely had she left the +house than she heard a burst of firing across at the mess-house. She at +once ran in among the bushes and crouched there, as she heard the rush +of men into the room she had just left. She heard them searching for +her, but they were looking for a white dress, and her dark rug saved +her. What she must have suffered in the five minutes between the firing +of the first shots and my arrival, she only knows. May had spoken but +very little since we started. I believe that she was certain that her +father was dead, although I had given an evasive answer when she asked +me; and her terrible sense of loss, added to the horror of that time of +suspense in the garden, had completely stunned her. We waited in the +tope until the afternoon, and then set out again. + +"We had gone but a short distance when we saw a body of the rebel +cavalry in pursuit. They had no doubt been scouring the country +generally, and the discovery was accidental. For a short time we kept +away from them, but this could not be for long, as our horse was +carrying double. I made for a sort of ruin I saw at the foot of a hill +half a mile away. I did so with no idea of the possibility of +concealment. My intention was simply to get my back to a rock and to +sell my life as dearly as I could, keeping the last two barrels of the +revolver for ourselves. Certainly no remembrance of my dream influenced +me in any way, and in the wild whirl of excitement I had not given a +second thought to Charley Simmonds' exclamation. As we rode up to the +ruins only a hundred yards ahead of us, May said,-- + +"'Blow out my brains, Edward; don't let me fall alive into their hands.' + +"A shock of remembrance shot across me. The chase, her pale face, the +words, the temple--all my dream rushed into my mind. + +"'We are saved,' I cried, to her amazement, as we rode into the +courtyard, in whose centre a great figure was sitting. + +"I leapt from the horse, snatched the mussuk of water from the saddle, +and then hurried May round the idol, between which and the rock behind, +there was but just room to get along. + +"Not a doubt entered my mind but that I should find the spring as I had +dreamed. Sure enough there was the carving, fresh upon my memory as if I +had seen it but the day before. I placed my hand on the leaflet without +hesitation, a solid stone moved back, I hurried my amazed companion in, +and shut to the stone. I found, and shot to, a massive bolt, evidently +placed to prevent the door being opened by accident or design when +anyone was in the idol. + +"At first it seemed quite dark, but a faint light streamed in from +above; we made our way up the stairs, and found that the light came +through a number of small holes pierced in the upper part of the head, +and through still smaller holes lower down, not much larger than a +good-sized knitting-needle could pass through. These holes, we +afterwards found, were in the ornaments round the idol's neck. The holes +enlarged inside, and enabled us to have a view all round. + +"The mutineers were furious at our disappearance, and for hours searched +about. Then, saying that we must be hidden somewhere, and that they +would wait till we came out, they proceeded to bivouac in the courtyard +of the temple. + +"We passed four terrible days, but on the morning of the fifth a scout +came in to tell the rebels that a column of British troops marching on +Delhi would pass close by the temple. They therefore hastily mounted and +galloped off. + +"Three quarters of an hour later we were safe among our own people. A +fortnight afterwards your aunt and I were married. It was no time for +ceremony then; there were no means of sending her away; no place where +she could have waited until the time for her mourning for her father was +over. So we were married quietly by one of the chaplains of the troops, +and, as your story-books say, have lived very happily ever after." + +"And how about Mr. Simmonds, uncle? Did he get safe off too?" + +"Yes, his dream came as vividly to his mind as mine had done. He crawled +to the place where he knew the trap-door would be, and got into the +cellar. Fortunately for him there were plenty of eatables there, and he +lived there in concealment for a fortnight. After that he crawled out, +and found the mutineers had marched for Delhi. He went through a lot, +but at last joined us before that city. We often talked over our dreams +together, and there was no question that we owed our lives to them. Even +then we did not talk much to other people about them, for there would +have been a lot of talk, and inquiry, and questions, and you know +fellows hate that sort of thing. So we held our tongues. Poor Charley's +silence was sealed a year later at Lucknow, for on the advance with Lord +Clyde he was killed. + +"And now, boys and girls, you must run off to bed. Five minutes more +and it will be Christmas-day. So you see, Frank, that although I don't +believe in ghosts, I have yet met with a circumstance which I cannot +account for." + +"It is very curious anyhow, uncle, and beats ghost stories into fits." + +"I like it better, certainly," one of the girls said, "for we can go to +bed without being afraid of dreaming about it." + +"Well, you must not talk any more now. Off to bed, off to bed," Colonel +Harley said, "or I shall get into terrible disgrace with your fathers +and mothers, who have been looking very gravely at me for the last three +quarters of an hour." + +[Illustration] + + + + +[Illustration] + +WHITE-FACED DICK, + +A STORY OF PINE-TREE GULCH. + + +How Pine-tree Gulch got its name no one knew, for in the early days +every ravine and hillside was thickly covered with pines. It may be that +a tree of exceptional size caught the eye of the first explorer, that he +camped under it, and named the place in its honour; or, may be, some +fallen giant lay in the bottom and hindered the work of the first +prospectors. At any rate, Pine-tree Gulch it was, and the name was as +good as any other. The pine-trees were gone now. Cut up for firing, or +for the erection of huts, or the construction of sluices, but the +hillside was ragged with their stumps. + +The principal camp was at the mouth of the Gulch, where the little +stream, which scarce afforded water sufficient for the cradles in the +dry season, but which was a rushing torrent in winter, joined the Yuba. +The best ground was at the junction of the streams, and lay, indeed, in +the Yuba valley rather than in the Gulch. At first most gold had been +found higher up, but there was here comparatively little depth down to +the bed-rock, and as the ground became exhausted the miners moved down +towards the mouth of the Gulch. They were doing well as a whole, how +well no one knew, for miners are chary of giving information as to what +they are making; still, it was certain they were doing well, for the +bars were doing a roaring trade, and the store-keepers never refused +credit--a proof in itself that the prospects were good. + +The flat at the mouth of the Gulch was a busy scene, every foot was good +paying stuff, for in the eddy, where the torrents in winter rushed down +into the Yuba, the gold had settled down and lay thick among the gravel. +But most of the parties were sinking, and it was a long way down to the +bed-rock; for the hills on both sides sloped steeply, and the Yuba must +here at one time have rushed through a narrow gorge, until, in some +wild freak, it brought down millions of tons of gravel, and resumed its +course seventy feet above its former level. + +A quarter of a mile higher up a ledge of rock ran across the valley, and +over it in the old time the Yuba had poured in a cascade seventy feet +deep into the ravine. But the rock now was level with the gravel, only +showing its jagged points here and there above it. This ledge had been +invaluable to the diggers: without it they could only have sunk their +shafts with the greatest difficulty, for the gravel would have been full +of water, and even with the greatest pains in puddling and timber-work +the pumps would scarcely have sufficed to keep it down as it rose in the +bottom of the shafts. But the miners had made common cause together, and +giving each so many ounces of gold or so many day's work had erected a +dam thirty feet high along the ledge of rock, and had cut a channel for +the Yuba along the lower slopes of the valley. Of course, when the rain +set in, as everybody knew, the dam would go, and the river diggings must +be abandoned till the water subsided and a fresh dam was made; but there +were two months before them yet, and every one hoped to be down to the +bed-rock before the water interrupted their work. + +The hillside, both in the Yuba Valley and for some distance along +Pine-tree Gulch, was dotted by shanties and tents; the former +constructed for the most part of logs roughly squared, the walls being +some three feet in height, on which the sharp sloping roof was placed, +thatched in the first place with boughs, and made all snug, perhaps, +with an old sail stretched over all. The camp was quiet enough during +the day. The few women were away with their washing at the pools, a +quarter of a mile up the Gulch, and the only persons to be seen about +were the men told off for cooking for their respective parties. + +But in the evening the camp was lively. Groups of men in red shirts and +corded trousers tied at the knee, in high boots, sat round blazing +fires, and talked of their prospects or discussed the news of the luck +at other camps. The sound of music came from two or three plank +erections which rose conspicuously above the huts of the diggers, and +were bright externally with the glories of white and coloured paints. To +and from these men were always sauntering, and it needed not the clink +of glasses and the sound of music to tell that they were the bars of the +camp. + +Here, standing at the counter, or seated at numerous small tables, men +were drinking villainous liquor, smoking and talking, and paying but +scant attention to the strains of the fiddle or the accordion, save when +some well-known air was played, when all would join in a boisterous +chorus. Some were always passing in or out of a door which led into a +room behind. Here there was comparative quiet, for men were gambling, +and gambling high. + +Going backwards and forwards with liquors into the gambling-room of the +Imperial Saloon, which stood just where Pine-tree Gulch opened into Yuba +valley, was a lad, whose appearance had earned for him the name of +White-faced Dick. + +White-faced Dick was not one of those who had done well at Pine-tree +Gulch; he had come across the plains with his father, who had died when +half-way over, and Dick had been thrown on the world to shift for +himself. Nature had not intended him for the work, for he was a +delicate, timid lad; what spirits he originally had having been years +before beaten out of him by a brutal father. So far, indeed, Dick was +the better rather than the worse for the event which had left him an +orphan. + +They had been travelling with a large party for mutual security against +Indians and Mormons, and so long as the journey lasted Dick had got on +fairly well. He was always ready to do odd jobs, and as the draught +cattle were growing weaker and weaker, and every pound of weight was of +importance, no one grudged him his rations in return for his services; +but when the company began to descend the slopes of the Sierra Nevada +they began to break up, going off by twos and threes to the diggings, of +which they heard such glowing accounts. Some, however, kept straight on +to Sacramento, determining there to obtain news as to the doings at all +the different places, and then to choose that which seemed to offer the +best prospects of success. + +Dick proceeded with them to the town, and there found himself alone. His +companions were absorbed in the busy rush of population, and each had so +much to provide and arrange for, that none gave a thought to the +solitary boy. However, at that time no one who had a pair of hands, +however feeble, to work need starve in Sacramento; and for some weeks +Dick hung around the town doing odd jobs, and then, having saved a few +dollars, determined to try his luck at the diggings, and started on foot +with a shovel on his shoulder and a few day's provisions slung across +it. + +Arrived at his destination, the lad soon discovered that gold-digging +was hard work for brawny and seasoned men, and after a few feeble +attempts in spots abandoned as worthless he gave up the effort, and +again began to drift; and even in Pine-tree Gulch it was not difficult +to get a living. At first he tried rocking cradles, but the work was far +harder than it appeared. He was standing ankle deep in water from +morning till night, and his cheeks grew paler, and his strength, instead +of increasing, seemed to fade away. Still, there were jobs within his +strength. He could keep a fire alight and watch a cooking-pot, he could +carry up buckets of water or wash a flannel shirt, and so he struggled +on, until at last some kind-hearted man suggested to him that he should +try to get a place at the new saloon which was about to be opened. + +"You are not fit for this work, young 'un, and you ought to be at home +with your mother; if you like I will go up with you this evening to +Jeffries. I knew him down on the flats, and I daresay he will take you +on. I don't say as a saloon is a good place for a boy, still you will +always get your bellyful of victuals and a dry place to sleep in, if +it's only under a table. What do you say?" + +Dick thankfully accepted the offer, and on Red George's recommendation +was that evening engaged. His work was not hard now, for till the miners +knocked off there was little doing in the saloon; a few men would come +in for a drink at dinner-time, but it was not until the lamps were lit +that business began in earnest, and then for four or five hours Dick was +busy. + +A rougher or healthier lad would not have minded the work, but to Dick +it was torture; every nerve in his body thrilled whenever rough miners +cursed him for not carrying out their orders more quickly, or for +bringing them the wrong liquors, which, as his brain was in a whirl with +the noise, the shouting, and the multiplicity of orders, happened +frequently. He might have fared worse had not Red George always stood +his friend, and Red George was an authority in Pine-tree Gulch--powerful +in frame, reckless in bearing and temper, he had been in a score of +fights and had come off them, if not unscathed, at least victorious. He +was notoriously a lucky digger, but his earnings went as fast as they +were made, and he was always ready to open his belt and give a bountiful +pinch of dust to any mate down on his luck. + +One evening Dick was more helpless and confused than usual. The saloon +was full, and he had been shouted at and badgered and cursed until he +scarcely knew what he was doing. High play was going on in the saloon, +and a good many men were clustered round the table. Red George was +having a run of luck, and there was a big pile of gold dust on the table +before him. One of the gamblers who was losing had ordered old rye, and +instead of bringing it to him, Dick brought a tumbler of hot liquor +which someone else had called for. With an oath the man took it up and +threw it in his face. + +"You cowardly hound!" Red George exclaimed. "Are you man enough to do +that to a man?" + +"You bet," the gambler, who was a new arrival at Pine-tree Gulch, +replied; and picking up an empty glass, he hurled it at Red George. The +by-standers sprang aside, and in a moment the two men were facing each +other with outstretched pistols. The two reports rung out +simultaneously: Red George sat down unconcernedly with a streak of blood +flowing down his face, where the bullet had cut a furrow in his cheek; +the stranger fell back with the bullet hole in the centre of his +forehead. + +The body was carried outside, and the play continued as if no +interruption had taken place. They were accustomed to such occurrences +in Pine-tree Gulch, and the piece of ground at the top of the hill, that +had been set aside as a burial place, was already dotted thickly with +graves, filled in almost every instance by men who had died, in the +local phraseology, "with their boots on." + +Neither then nor afterwards did Red George allude to the subject to +Dick, whose life after this signal instance of his championship was +easier than it had hitherto been, for there were few in Pine-tree Gulch +who cared to excite Red George's anger; and strangers going to the +place were sure to receive a friendly warning that it was best for their +health to keep their tempers over any shortcomings on the part of +White-faced Dick. + +Grateful as he was for Red George's interference on his behalf, Dick +felt the circumstance which had ensued more than anyone else in the +camp. With others it was the subject of five minutes' talk, but Dick +could not get out of his head the thought of the dead man's face as he +fell back. He had seen many such frays before, but he was too full of +his own troubles for them to make much impression upon him. But in the +present case he felt as if he himself was responsible for the death of +the gambler; if he had not blundered this would not have happened. He +wondered whether the dead man had a wife and children, and, if so, were +they expecting his return? Would they ever hear where he had died, and +how? + +But this feeling, which, tired out as he was when the time came for +closing the bar, often prevented him from sleeping for hours, in no way +lessened his gratitude and devotion towards Red George, and he felt +that he could die willingly if his life would benefit his champion. +Sometimes he thought, too, that his life would not be much to give, for +in spite of shelter and food, the cough which he had caught while +working in the water still clung to him, and, as his employer said to +him angrily one day-- + +"Your victuals don't do you no good, Dick; you get thinner and thinner, +and folks will think as I starve you. Darned if you ain't a disgrace to +the establishment." + +The wind was whistling down the gorges, and the clouds hung among the +pine-woods which still clothed the upper slopes of the hills, and the +diggers, as they turned out one morning, looked up apprehensively. + +"But it could not be," they assured each other. Every one knew that the +rains were not due for another month yet; it could only be a passing +shower if it rained at all. + +But as the morning went on, men came in from camps higher up the river, +and reports were current that it had been raining for the last two days +among the upper hills; while those who took the trouble to walk across +to the new channel could see for themselves at noon that it was filled +very nigh to the brim, the water rushing along with thick and turbid +current. But those who repeated the rumours, or who reported that the +channel was full, were summarily put down. Men would not believe that +such a calamity as a flood and the destruction of all their season's +work could be impending. There had been some showers, no doubt, as there +had often been before, but it was ridiculous to talk of anything like +rain a month before its time. Still, in spite of these assertions, there +was uneasiness at Pine-tree Gulch, and men looked at the driving clouds +above and shook their heads before they went down to the shafts to work +after dinner. + +When the last customer had left and the bar was closed, Dick had nothing +to do till evening, and he wandered outside and sat down on a stump, at +first looking at the work going on in the valley, then so absorbed in +his own thoughts that he noticed nothing, not even the driving mist +which presently set in. He was calculating that he had, with his savings +from his wages and what had been given him by the miners, laid by eighty +dollars. When he got another hundred and twenty he would go; he would +make his way down to San Francisco, and then by ship to Panama and up to +New York, and then west again to the village where he was born. There +would be people there who would know him, and who would give him work, +for his mother's sake. He did not care what it was; anything would be +better than this. + +Then his thoughts came back to Pine-tree Gulch, and he started to his +feet. Could he be mistaken? Were his eyes deceiving him? No; among the +stones and boulders of the old bed of the Yuba there was the gleam of +water, and even as he watched it he could see it widening out. He +started to run down the hill to give the alarm, but before he was +half-way he paused, for there were loud shouts, and a scene of bustle +and confusion instantly arose. + +The cradles were deserted, and the men working on the surface loaded +themselves with their tools and made for the high ground, while those at +the windlasses worked their hardest to draw up their comrades below. A +man coming down from above stopped close to Dick, with a low cry, and +stood gazing with a white scared face. Dick had worked with him; he was +one of the company to which Red George belonged. + +"What is it, Saunders?" + +"My God! they are lost," the man replied. "I was at the windlass when +they shouted up to me to go up and fetch them a bottle of rum. They had +just struck it rich, and wanted a drink on the strength of it." + +Dick understood at once. Red George and his mates were still in the +bottom of the shaft, ignorant of the danger which was threatening them. + +"Come on," he cried; "we shall be in time yet," and at the top of his +speed dashed down the hill, followed by Saunders. + +"What is it, what is it?" asked parties of men mounting the hill. "Red +George's gang are still below." + +Dick's eyes were fixed on the water. There was a broad band now of +yellow with a white edge down the centre of the stony flat, and it was +widening with terrible rapidity. It was scarce ten yards from the +windlass at the top of Red George's shaft when Dick, followed closely by +Saunders, reached it. + +"Come up, mates; quick, for your lives! The river is rising; you will +be flooded out directly. Every one else has gone!" + +As he spoke he pulled at the rope by which the bucket was hanging, and +the handles of the windlass flew round rapidly as it descended. When it +had run out, Dick and he grasped the handles. + +"All right below?" + +An answering call came up, and the two began their work, throwing their +whole strength into it. Quickly as the windlass revolved, it seemed an +endless time to Dick before the bucket came up, and the first man +stepped out. It was not Red George. Dick had hardly expected it would +be. Red George would be sure to see his two mates up before him, and the +man uttered a cry of alarm as he saw the water, now within a few feet of +the mouth of the shaft. + +It was a torrent now, for not only was it coming through the dam, but it +was rushing down in cascades from the new channel. Without a word the +miner placed himself facing Dick and the moment the bucket was again +down, the three grasped the handles. But quickly as they worked, the +edge of the water was within a few inches of the shaft when the next man +reached the surface; but again the bucket descended before the rope +tightened. However, the water had began to run over the lip--at first in +a mere trickle, and then, almost instantaneously, in a cascade, which +grew larger and larger. + +The bucket was half-way up when a sound like thunder was heard, the +ground seemed to tremble under their feet, and then at the turn of the +valley above, a great wave of yellow water, crested with foam, was seen +tearing along at the speed of a race-horse. + +"The dam has burst!" Saunders shouted. "Run for your lives, or we are +all lost!" + +The three men dropped the handles and ran at full speed towards the +shore, while loud shouts to Dick to follow came from the crowd of men +standing on the slope. But the boy still grasped the handles, and with +lips tightly closed, still toiled on. Slowly the bucket ascended, for +Red George was a heavy man; then suddenly the weight slackened, and the +handle went round faster. The shaft was filling, the water had reached +the bucket, and had risen to Red George's neck, so that his weight was +no longer on the rope. So fast did the water pour in, that it was not +half a minute before the bucket reached the surface, and Red George +sprang out. There was but time for one exclamation, and then the great +wave struck them. Red George was whirled like a straw in the current; +but he was a strong swimmer, and at a point where the valley widened +out, half a mile lower, he struggled to shore. + +Two days later the news reached Pine-tree Gulch that a boy's body had +been washed ashore twenty miles down, and ten men, headed by Red George, +went and brought it solemnly back to Pine-tree Gulch. There, among the +stumps of pine-trees, a grave was dug, and there, in the presence of the +whole camp, White-faced Dick was laid to rest. + +Pine-tree Gulch is a solitude now, the trees are growing again, and none +would dream that it was once a busy scene of industry; but if the +traveller searches among the pine-trees, he will find a stone with the +words: + +"Here lies White-faced Dick, who died to save Red George. 'What can a +man do more than give his life for a friend?'" + +The text was the suggestion of an ex-clergyman working as a miner in +Pine-tree Gulch. + +Red George worked no more at the diggings, but after seeing the stone +laid in its place, went east, and with what little money came to him +when the common fund of the company was divided after the flood on the +Yuba, bought a small farm, and settled down there; but to the end of his +life he was never weary of telling those who would listen to it the +story of Pine-tree Gulch. + +[Illustration] + + + + +[Illustration] + +A BRUSH WITH THE CHINESE, + +AND WHAT CAME OF IT. + + +It was early in December that H.M.S. _Perseus_ was cruising off the +mouth of the Canton River. War had been declared with China in +consequence of her continued evasions of the treaty she had made with +us, and it was expected that a strong naval force would soon gather to +bring her to reason. In the meantime the ships on the station had a busy +time of it, chasing the enemy's junks when they ventured to show +themselves beyond the reach of the guns of their forts, and occasionally +having a brush with the piratical boats which took advantage of the +general confusion to plunder friend as well as foe. + +The _Perseus_ had that afternoon chased two Government junks up a creek. +The sun had already set when they took refuge there, and the captain +did not care to send his boats after them in the dark, as many of the +creeks ran up for miles into the flat country; and as they not +unfrequently had many arms or branches, the boats might, in the dark, +miss the junks altogether. Orders were issued that four boats should be +ready for starting at daybreak the next morning. The _Perseus_ anchored +off the mouth of the creek, and two boats were ordered to row backwards +and forwards off its mouth all night to insure that the enemy did not +slip out in the darkness. + +Jack Fothergill, the senior midshipman, was commanding the gig, and two +of the other midshipmen were going in the pinnace and launch, commanded +respectively by the first lieutenant and the master. The three other +midshipmen of the _Perseus_ were loud in their lamentations that they +were not to take share in the fun. + +"You can't all go, you know," Fothergill said, "and it's no use making a +row about it; the captain has been very good to let three of us go." + +"It's all very well for you, Jack," Percy Adcock, the youngest of the +lads, replied, "because you are one of those chosen; and it is not so +hard for Simmons and Linthorpe, because they went the other day in the +boat that chased those junks under shelter of the guns of their battery, +but I haven't had a chance for ever so long." + +"What fun was there in chasing the junks?" Simmons said. "We never got +near the brutes till they were close to their battery, and then just as +the first shot came singing from their guns, and we thought that we were +going to have some excitement, the first lieutenant sung out 'Easy all,' +and there was nothing for it but to turn round and to row for the ship, +and a nice hot row it was--two hours and a half in a broiling sun. Of +course I am not blaming Oliphant, for the captain's orders were strict +that we were not to try to cut the junks out if they got under the guns +of any of their batteries. Still it was horribly annoying, and I do +think the captain might have remembered what beastly luck we had last +time, and given us a chance to-morrow." + +"It is clear we could not all go," Fothergill said, "and naturally +enough the captain chose the three seniors. Besides, if you did have +bad luck last time, you had your chance, and I don't suppose we shall +have anything more exciting now; these fellows always set fire to their +junks and row for the shore directly they see us, after firing a shot or +two wildly in our direction." + +"Well, Jack, if you don't expect any fun," Simmons replied, "perhaps you +wouldn't mind telling the first lieutenant you do not care for going, +and that I am very anxious to take your place. Perhaps he will be good +enough to allow me to relieve you." + +"A likely thing that!" Fothergill laughed. "No, Tom, I am sorry you are +not going, but you must make the best of it till another chance comes." + +"Don't you think, Jack," Percy Adcock said to his senior in a coaxing +tone later on, "you could manage to smuggle me into the boat with you?" + +"Not I, Percy. Suppose you got hurt, what would the captain say then? +And firing as wildly as the Chinese do, a shot is just as likely to hit +your little carcase as to lodge in one of the sailors. No, you must just +make the best of it, Percy, and I promise you that next time there is a +boat expedition, if you are not put in, I will say a good word to the +first luff for you." + +"That promise is better than nothing," the boy said; "but I would a deal +rather go this time and take my chance next." + +"But you see you can't, Percy, and there's no use talking any more about +it. I really do not expect there will be any fighting. Two junks would +hardly make any opposition to the boats of the ship, and I expect we +shall be back by nine o'clock with the news that they were well on fire +before we came up." + +Percy Adcock, however, was determined, if possible, to go. He was a +favourite among the men, and when he spoke to the bow oar of the gig, +the latter promised to do anything he could to aid him to carry out his +wishes. + +"We are to start at daybreak, Tom, so that it will be quite dark when +the boats are lowered. I will creep into the gig before that and hide +myself as well as I can under your thwart, and all you have got to do is +to take no notice of me. When the boat is lowered I think they will +hardly make me out from the deck, especially as you will be standing up +in the bow holding on with the boat-hook till the rest get on board." + +"Well, sir, I will do my best; but if you are caught you must not let +out that I knew anything about it." + +"I won't do that," Percy said. "I don't think there is much chance of my +being noticed until we get on board the junks, and then they won't know +which boat I came off in, and the first lieutenant will be too busy to +blow me up. Of course I shall get it when I am on board again, but I +don't mind that so that I see the fun. Besides, I want to send home some +things to my sister, and she will like them all the better if I can tell +her I captured them on board some junks we seized and burnt." + +The next morning the crews mustered before daybreak. Percy had already +taken his place under the bow thwart of the gig. The davits were swung +overboard, and two men took their places in her as she was lowered down +by the falls. As soon as she touched the water the rest of the crew +clambered down by the ladder and took their places; then Fothergill took +his seat in the stern, and the boat pushed off and lay a few lengths +away from the ship until the heavier boats put off. As soon as they were +under way Percy crawled out from his hiding-place and placed himself in +the bow, where he was sheltered by the body of the oarsmen from +Fothergill's sight. + +Day was just breaking now, but it was still dark on the water, and the +boat rowed very slowly until it became lighter. Percy could just make +out the shores of the creek on both sides; they were but two or three +feet above the level of the water, and were evidently submerged at high +tide. The creek was about a hundred yards wide, and the lad could not +see far ahead, for it was full of sharp windings and turnings. Here and +there branches joined it, but the boats were evidently following the +main channel. After another half-hour's rowing the first lieutenant +suddenly gave the order, "Easy all," and the men, looking over their +shoulders, saw a village a quarter of a mile ahead, with the two junks +they had chased the night before lying in front of it. Almost at the +same moment a sudden uproar was heard--drums were beaten and gongs +sounded. + +"They are on the look-out for us," the first lieutenant said. "Mr. +Mason, do you keep with me and attack the junk highest up the river; Mr. +Bellew and Mr. Fothergill, do you take the one lower down. Row on, men." + +The oars all touched the water together, and the four boats leapt +forward. In a minute a scattering fire of gingals and matchlocks was +opened from the junks, and the bullets pattered on the water round the +boats. Percy was kneeling up in the bow now. As they passed a branch +channel three or four hundred yards from the village, he started and +leapt to his feet. + +"There are four or five junks in that passage, Fothergill; they are +poling out." + +The first lieutenant heard the words. + +"Row on, men; let us finish with these craft ahead before the others get +out. This must be that piratical village we have heard about, Mr. Mason, +as lying up one of these creeks; that accounts for those two junks not +going higher up. I was surprised at seeing them here, for they might +guess that we should try to get them this morning. Evidently they +calculated on catching us in a trap." + +Percy was delighted at finding that, in the excitement caused by his +news, the first lieutenant had forgotten to take any notice of his being +there without orders, and he returned a defiant nod to the threat +conveyed by Fothergill shaking his fist at him. As they neared the junks +the fire of those on board redoubled, and was aided by that of many +villagers gathered on the bank of the creek. Suddenly from a bank of +rushes four cannons were fired. A ball struck the pinnace, smashing in +her side. The other boats gathered hastily round and took her crew on +board, and then dashed at the junks, which were but a hundred yards +distant. The valour of the Chinese evaporated as they saw the boats +approaching, and scores of them leapt overboard and swam for shore. + +In another minute the boats were alongside and the crews scrambling up +the sides of the junks. A few Chinamen only attempted to oppose them. +These were speedily overcome, and the British had now time to look +round, and saw that six junks crowded with men had issued from the side +creek and were making towards them. + +"Let the boats tow astern," the lieutenant ordered. "We should have to +run the gauntlet of that battery on shore if we were to attack them, and +might lose another boat before we reached their side. We will fight them +here." + +The junks approached, those on board firing their guns, yelling and +shouting, while the drums and gongs were furiously beaten. + +"They will find themselves mistaken, Percy, if they think they are going +to frighten us with all that row," Fothergill said. "You young rascal, +how did you get on board the boat without being seen? The captain will +be sure to suspect I had a hand in concealing you." + +The tars were now at work firing the gingals attached to the bulwarks +and the matchlocks, with which the deck was strewn, at the approaching +junks. As they took steady aim, leaning their pieces on the bulwarks, +they did considerable execution among the Chinamen crowded on board the +junks, while the shot of the Chinese, for the most part, whistled far +overhead; but the guns of the shore battery, which had now been slewed +round to bear upon them, opened with a better aim, and several shots +came crashing into the sides of the two captured junks. + +"Get ready to board, lads!" Lieutenant Oliphant shouted. "Don't wait +for them to board you, but the moment they come alongside lash their +rigging to ours and spring on board them." + +The leading junk was now about twenty yards away, and presently grated +alongside. Half-a-dozen sailors at once sprang into her rigging with +ropes, and after lashing the junks together leaped down upon her deck, +where Fothergill was leading the gig's crew and some of those rescued +from the pinnace, while Mr. Bellew, with another party, had boarded her +at the stern. Several of the Chinese fought stoutly, but the greater +part lost heart at seeing themselves attacked by the "white devils," +instead of, as they expected, overwhelming them by their superior +numbers. Many began at once to jump overboard, and after two or three +minutes' sharp fighting, the rest either followed their example or were +beaten below. + +Fothergill looked round. The other junk had been attacked by two of the +enemy, one on each side, and the little body of sailors were gathered in +her waist, and were defending themselves against an overwhelming number +of the enemy. + +The other three piratical junks had been carried somewhat up the creek +by the tide that was sweeping inward, and could not for the moment take +part in the fight. + +"Mr. Oliphant is hard pressed, sir." He asked the master: "Shall we take +to the boats?" + +"That will be the best plan," Mr. Bellew replied. "Quick, lads, get the +boats alongside and tumble in; there is not a moment to be lost." + +The crew at once sprang to the boats and rowed to the other junk, which +was but some thirty yards away. + +The Chinese, absorbed in their contest with the crew of the pinnace, did +not perceive the new-comers until they gained the deck, and with a shout +fell furiously upon them. In their surprise and consternation the +pirates did not pause to note that they were still five to one superior +in number, but made a precipitate rush for their own vessels. The +English at once took the offensive. The first lieutenant with his party +boarded one, while the new-comers leapt on to the deck of the other. The +panic which had seized the Chinese was so complete that they attempted +no resistance whatever, but sprang overboard in great numbers and swam +to the shore, which was but twenty yards away, and in three minutes the +English were in undisputed possession of both vessels. + +"Back again, Mr. Fothergill, or you will lose the craft you captured," +Lieutenant Oliphant said; "they have already cut her free." + +The Chinese, indeed, who had been beaten below by the boarding party, +had soon perceived the sudden departure of their captors, and gaining +the deck again had cut the lashings which fastened them to the other +junk, and were proceeding to hoist their sails. They were too late, +however. Almost before the craft had way on her Fothergill and his crew +were alongside. The Chinese did not wait for the attack, but at once +sprang overboard and made for the shore. The other three junks, seeing +the capture of their comrades, had already hoisted their sails and were +making up the creek. Fothergill dropped an anchor, left four of his men +in charge, and rowed back to Mr. Oliphant. + +"What shall we do next, sir?" + +"We will give those fellows on shore a lesson, and silence their +battery. Two men have been killed since you left. We must let the other +junks go for the present. Four of my men were killed and eleven wounded +before Mr. Bellew and you came to our assistance. The Chinese were +fighting pluckily up to that time, and it would have gone very hard with +us if you had not been at hand; the beggars will fight when they think +they have got it all their own way. But before we land we will set fire +to the five junks we have taken. Do you return and see that the two +astern are well lighted, Mr. Fothergill; Mr. Mason will see to these +three. When you have done your work take to your boat and lay off till I +join you; keep the junks between you and the shore, to protect you from +the fire of the rascals there." + +"I cannot come with you, I suppose, Fothergill?" Percy Adcock said, as +the midshipman was about to descend into his boat again. + +"Yes, come along, Percy. It doesn't matter what you do now. The captain +will be so pleased when he hears that we have captured and burnt five +junks, that you will get off with a very light wigging, I imagine." + +"That's just what I was thinking, Jack. Has it not been fun?" + +"You wouldn't have thought it fun if you had got one of those matchlock +balls in your body. There are a good many of our poor fellows just at +the present moment who do not see anything funny in the affair at all. +Here we are; clamber up." + +The crew soon set to work under Fothergill's orders. The sails were cut +off the masts and thrown down into the hold; bamboos, of which there +were an abundance down there, were heaped over them, a barrel of oil was +poured over the mass, and the fire then applied. + +"That will do, lads. Now take to your boats and let's make a bonfire of +the other junk." + +In ten minutes both vessels were a sheet of flame, and the boat was +lying a short distance from them waiting for further operations. The +inhabitants of the village, furious at the failure of the plan which had +been laid for the destruction of the "white devils," kept up a constant +fusilade, which, however, did no harm, for the gig was completely +sheltered by the burning junks close to her from their missiles. + +"There go the others!" Percy exclaimed after a minute or two, as three +columns of smoke arose simultaneously from the other junks, and the +sailors were seen dropping into their boats alongside. + +The killed and wounded were placed in the other gig with four sailors in +charge. They were directed to keep under shelter of the junks until +rejoined by the pinnace and Fothergill's gig, after these had done their +work on shore. + +When all was ready the first lieutenant raised his hand as a signal, and +the two boats dashed between the burning junks and rowed for the shore. +Such of the natives as had their weapons charged fired a hasty volley, +and then, as the sailors leapt from their boats, took to their heels. + +"Mr. Fothergill, take your party into the village and set fire to the +houses; shoot down every man you see. This place is a nest of pirates. I +will capture that battery and then join you." + +Fothergill and his sailors at once entered the village. The men had +already fled; the women were turned out of the houses, and these were +immediately set on fire. The tars regarded the whole affair as a +glorious joke, and raced from house to house, making a hasty search in +each for concealed valuables before setting it on fire. In a short time +the whole village was in a blaze. + +"There is a house there, standing in that little grove a hundred yards +away," Percy said. + +"It looks like a temple," Fothergill replied. "However, we will have a +look at it." And calling two sailors to accompany him, he started at a +run towards it, Percy keeping by his side. + +"It is a temple," Fothergill said when they approached it. "Still, we +will have a look at it, but we won't burn it; it will be as well to +respect the religion, even of a set of piratical scoundrels like these." + +At the head of his men he rushed in at the entrance. There was a blaze +of fire as half a dozen muskets were discharged in their faces. One of +the sailors dropped dead, and before the others had time to realize what +had happened they were beaten to the ground by a storm of blows from +swords and other weapons. + +A heavy blow crashed down on Percy's head, and he fell insensible even +before he realized what had occurred. + +When he recovered, his first sensation was that of a vague wonder as to +what had happened to him. He seemed to be in darkness and unable to move +hand or foot. He was compressed in some way that he could not at first +understand, and was being bumped and jolted in an extraordinary manner. +It was some little time before he could understand the situation. He +first remembered the fight with the junks, then he recalled the landing +and burning the village; then, as his brain cleared, came the +recollection of his start with Fothergill for the temple among the +trees, his arrival there, and a loud report and flash of fire. + +"I must have been knocked down and stunned," he said to himself, "and I +suppose I am a prisoner now to these brutes, and one of them must be +carrying me on his back." + +Yes, he could understand it all now. His hands and his feet were tied, +ropes were passed round his body in every direction, and he was fastened +back to back upon the shoulders of a Chinaman. Percy remembered the +tales he had heard of the imprisonment and torture of those who fell +into the hands of the Chinese, and he bitterly regretted that he had +not been killed instead of stunned in the surprise of the temple. + +"It would have been just the same feeling," he said to himself, "and +there would have been an end of it. Now, there is no saying what is +going to happen. I wonder whether Jack was killed, and the sailors." + +Presently there was a jabber of voices; the motion ceased. Percy could +feel that the cords were being unwound, and he was dropped on to his +feet; then the cloth was removed from his head, and he could look round. + +A dozen Chinese, armed with matchlocks and bristling with swords and +daggers, stood around, and among them, bound like himself and gagged by +a piece of bamboo forced lengthways across his mouth and kept there with +a string going round the back of the head, stood Fothergill. He was +bleeding from several cuts in the head. Percy's heart gave a bound of +joy at finding that he was not alone; then he tried to feel sorry that +Jack had not escaped, but failed to do so, although he told himself that +his comrade's presence would not in any way alleviate the fate which was +certain to befall him. Still the thought of companionship, even in +wretchedness, and perhaps a vague hope that Jack, with his energy and +spirit, might contrive some way for their escape, cheered him up. + +As Percy, too, was gagged, no word could be exchanged by the midshipmen, +but they nodded to each other. They were now put side by side and made +to walk in the centre of their captors. On the way they passed through +several villages, whose inhabitants poured out to gaze at the captives, +but the men in charge of them were evidently not disposed to delay, as +they passed through without a stop. At last they halted before two +cottages standing by themselves, thrust the prisoners into a small room, +removed their gags, and left them to themselves. + +"Well, Percy, my boy, so they caught you too? I am awfully sorry. It was +my fault for going with only two men into that temple, but as the +village had been deserted and scarcely a man was found there, it never +entered my mind that there might be a party in the temple." + +"Of course not, Jack; it was a surprise altogether. I don't know +anything about it, for I was knocked down, I suppose, just as we went +in, and the first thing I knew about it was that I was being carried on +the back of one of those fellows. I thought it was awful at first, but I +don't seem to mind so much now you are with me." + +"It is a comfort to have someone to speak to," Jack said, "yet I wish +you were not here, Percy; I can't do you any good, and I shall never +cease blaming myself for having brought you into this scrape. I don't +know much more about the affair than you do. The guns were fired so +close to us that my face was scorched with one of them, and almost at +the same instant I got a lick across my cheek with a sword. I had just +time to hit at one of them, and then almost at the same moment I got two +or three other blows, and down I went; they threw themselves on the top +of me and tied and gagged me in no time. Then I was tied to a long +bamboo, and two fellows put the ends on their shoulders and went off +with me through the fields. Of course I was face downwards, and did not +know you were with us till they stopped and loosed me from the bamboo +and set me on my feet." + +"But what are they going to do with us do you think, Jack?" + +"I should say they are going to take us to Canton and claim a reward +for our capture, and there I suppose they will cut off our heads or saw +us in two, or put us to some other unpleasant kind of death. I expect +they are discussing it now; do you hear what a jabber they are kicking +up?" + +Voices were indeed heard raised in angry altercation in the next room. +After a time the din subsided and the conversation appeared to take a +more amiable turn. + +"I suppose they have settled it as far as they are concerned," Jack +said; "anyhow, you may be quite sure they mean to make something out of +us. If they hadn't they would have finished us at once, for they must +have been furious at the destruction of their junks and village. As to +the idea that mercy has anything to do with it, we may as well put it +out of our minds. The Chinaman, at the best of times, has no feeling of +pity in his nature, and after their defeat it is certain they would have +killed us at once had they not hoped to do better by us. If they had +been Indians I should have said they had carried us off to enjoy the +satisfaction of torturing us, but I don't suppose it is that with them." + +"Do you think there is any chance of our getting away?" Percy asked, +after a pause. + +"I should say not the least in the world, Percy. My hands are fastened +so tight now that the ropes seem cutting into my wrists, and after they +had set me on my feet and cut the cords of my legs I could scarcely +stand at first, my feet were so numbed by the pressure. However, we must +keep up our pluck. Possibly they may keep us at Canton for a bit, and if +they do the squadron may arrive and fight its way past the forts and +take the city before they have quite made up their minds as to what kind +of death will be most appropriate to the occasion. I wonder what they +are doing now? They seem to be chopping sticks." + +"I wish they would give us some water," Percy said. "I am frightfully +thirsty." + +"And so am I, Percy; there is one comfort, they won't let us die of +thirst, they could get no satisfaction out of our deaths now." + +Two hours later some of the Chinese re-entered the room and led the +captives outside, and the lads then saw what was the meaning of the +noise they had heard. A cage had been manufactured of strong bamboos. +It was about four and a half feet long, four feet wide, and less than +three feet high; above it was fastened two long bamboos. Two or three of +the bars of the cage had been left open. + +"My goodness! they never intend to put us in there," Percy exclaimed. + +"That they do," Jack said. "They are going to carry us the rest of the +way." + +The cords which bound the prisoners' hands were now cut, and they were +motioned to crawl into the cage. This they did; the bars were then put +in their places and securely lashed. Four men went to the ends of the +poles and lifted the cage upon their shoulders; two others took their +places beside it, and one man, apparently the leader of the party, +walked on ahead; the rest remained behind. + +"I never quite realized what a fowl felt in a coop before," Jack said, +"but if its sensations are at all like mine they must be decidedly +unpleasant. It isn't high enough to sit upright in, it is nothing like +long enough to lie down, and as to getting out one might as well think +of flying. Do you know, Percy, I don't think they mean taking us to +Canton at all. I did not think of it before, but from the direction of +the sun I feel sure that we cannot have been going that way. What they +are up to I can't imagine." + +In an hour they came to a large village. Here the cage was set down and +the villagers closed round. They were, however, kept a short distance +from the cage by the men in charge of it. Then a wooden platter was +placed on the ground, and persons throwing a few copper coins into this +were allowed to come near the cage. + +"They are making a show of us!" Fothergill exclaimed. "That's what they +are up to, you see if it isn't; they are going to travel up country to +show the 'white devils' whom their valour has captured." + +This was, indeed, the purpose of the pirates. At that time Europeans +seldom ventured beyond the limits assigned to them in the two or three +towns where they were permitted to trade, and few, indeed, of the +country people had ever obtained a sight of the white barbarians of +whose doings they had so frequently heard. Consequently a small crowd +soon gathered round the cage, eyeing the captives with the same interest +they would have felt as to unknown and dangerous beasts; they laughed +and joked, passed remarks upon them, and even poked them with sticks. +Fothergill, furious at this treatment, caught one of the sticks, and +wrenching it from the hands of the Chinaman, tried to strike at him +through the bars, a proceeding which excited shouts of laughter from the +by-standers. + +"I think, Jack," Percy said, "it will be best to try and keep our +tempers and not to seem to mind what they do to us, then if they find +they can't get any fun out of us they will soon leave us alone." + +"Of course, that's the best plan," Fothergill agreed, "but it's not so +easy to follow. That fellow very nearly poked out my eye with his stick, +and no one's going to stand that if he can help it." + +It was some hours before the curiosity of the village was satisfied. +When all had paid who were likely to do so, the guards broke up their +circle, and leaving two of their number at the cage to see that no +actual harm was caused to their prisoners, the rest went off to a +refreshment house. The place of the elders was now taken by the boys +and children of the village, who crowded round the cage, prodded the +prisoners with sticks, and, putting their hands through the bars, pulled +their ears and hair. This amusement, however, was brought to an abrupt +conclusion by Fothergill suddenly seizing the wrist of a big boy and +pulling his arm through the cage until his face was against the bars; +then he proceeded to punch him until the guard, coming to his rescue, +poked Fothergill with his stick until he released his hold. + +The punishment of their comrade excited neither anger nor resentment +among the other boys, who yelled with delight at his discomfiture, but +it made them more careful in approaching the cage, and though they +continued to poke the prisoners with sticks they did not venture again +to thrust a hand through the bars. At sunset the guards again came +round, lifted the cage and carried it into a shed. A platter of dirty +rice and a jug of water were put into the cage; two of the men lighted +their long pipes and sat down on guard beside it, and, the doors being +closed, the captives were left in peace. + +"If this sort of thing is to go on, as I suppose it is," Fothergill +said, "the sooner they cut off our heads the better." + +"It is very bad, Jack. I am sore all over with those probes from their +sharp sticks." + +"I don't care for the pain, Percy, so much as the humiliation of the +thing. To be stared at and poked at as if we were wild beasts by these +curs, when with half a dozen of our men we could send a hundred of them +scampering, I feel as if I could choke with rage." + +"You had better try and eat some of this rice, Jack. It is beastly, but +I daresay we shall get no more until to-morrow night, and we must keep +up our strength if we can. At any rate, the water is not bad, that's a +comfort." + +"No thanks to them," Jack growled. "If there had been any bad water in +the neighbourhood they would have given it to us." + +For six weeks the sufferings of the prisoners continued. Their captors +avoided towns where the authorities would probably at once have taken +the prisoners out of their hands. No one would have recognized the two +captives as the midshipmen of the _Perseus_; their clothes were in +rags--torn to pieces by the thrusts of the sharp-pointed bamboos, to +which they had daily been subjected--the bad food, the cramped position, +and the misery which they suffered had worn both lads to skeletons; +their hair was matted with filth, their faces begrimed with dirt. Percy +was so weak that he felt he could not stand. Fothergill, being three +years older, was less exhausted, but he knew that he, too, could not +support his sufferings for many days longer. Their bodies were covered +with sores, and try as they would they were able to catch only a few +minutes' sleep at a time, so much did the bamboo bars hurt their wasted +limbs. + +They seldom exchanged a word during the daytime, suffering in silence +the persecutions to which they were exposed, but at night they talked +over their homes and friends in England, and their comrades on board +ship, seldom saying a word as to their present position. They were now +in a hilly country, but had not the least idea of the direction in which +it lay from Canton or its distance from the coast. + +One evening Jack said to his companion, "I think it's nearly all over +now, Percy. The last two days we have made longer journeys, and have +not stopped at any of the smaller villages we passed through. I fancy +our guards must see that we can't last much longer, and are taking us +down to some town to hand us over to the authorities and get their +reward for us." + +"I hope it is so, Jack; the sooner the better. Not that it makes much +difference now to me, for I do not think I can stand many more days of +it." + +"I am afraid I am tougher than you, Percy, and shall take longer to +kill, so I hope with all my heart that I may be right, and that they may +be going to give us up to the authorities." + +The next evening they stopped at a large place, and were subjected to +the usual persecution; this, however, was now less prolonged than during +the early days of their captivity, for they had now no longer strength +or spirits to resent their treatment, and as no fun was to be obtained +from passive victims, even the village boys soon ceased to find any +amusement in tormenting them. + +When most of their visitors had left them, an elderly Chinaman +approached the side of the cage. He spoke to their guards and looked at +them attentively for some minutes, then he said in pigeon English, "You +officer men?" + +"Yes!" Jack exclaimed, starting at the sound of the English words, the +first they had heard spoken since their captivity. "Yes, we are officers +of the _Perseus_." + +"Me speeke English velly well," the Chinaman said; "me pilot-man many +years on Canton river. How you get here?" + +"We were attacking some piratical junks, and landed to destroy the +village where the people were firing on us. We entered a place full of +pirates, and were knocked down and taken prisoners, and carried away up +the country; that is six weeks ago, and you see what we are now." + +"Pirate men velly bad," the Chinaman said; "plunder many junk on river +and kill crew. Me muchee hate them." + +"Can you do anything for us?" Jack asked. "You will be well rewarded if +you could manage to get us free." + +The man shook his head. + +"Me no see what can do, me stranger here; come to stay with wifey; +people no do what me ask them. English ships attack Canton, much fight +and take town, people all hate English. Bad country dis. People in one +village fight against another. Velly bad men here." + +"How far is Canton away?" Jack asked. "Could you not send down to tell +the English we are here?" + +"Fourteen days' journey off," the man said; "no see how can do +anything." + +"Well," Jack said, "when you get back again to Canton let our people +know what has been the end of us; we shall not last much longer." + +"All light," the man said, "will see what me can do. Muchee think +to-night!" And after saying a few words to the guards, who had been +regarding this conversation with an air of surprise, the Chinaman +retired. + +The guards had for some time abandoned the precaution of sitting up at +night by the cage, convinced that their captives had no longer strength +to attempt to break through its fastenings or to drag themselves many +yards away if they could do so. They therefore left it standing in the +open, and, wrapping themselves in their thickly-wadded coats, for the +nights were cold, lay down by the side of the cage. + +The coolness of the nights had, indeed, assisted to keep the two +prisoners alive. During the day the sun was excessively hot, and the +crowd of visitors round the cage impeded the circulation of the air and +added to their sufferings. It was true that the cold at night frequently +prevented them from sleeping, but it acted as a tonic and braced them +up. + +"What did he mean about the villages attacking each other?" Percy asked. + +"I have heard," Jack replied, "that in some parts of China things are +very much the same as they used to be in the highlands of Scotland. +There is no law or order. The different villages are like clans, and +wage war on each other. Sometimes the Government sends a number of +troops, who put the thing down for a time, chop off a good many heads, +and then march away, and the whole work begins again as soon as their +backs are turned." + +That night the uneasy slumber of the lads was disturbed by a sudden +firing; shouts and yells were heard, and the firing redoubled. + +"The village is attacked," Jack said. "I noticed that, like some other +places we have come into lately, there is a strong earthen wall round +it, with gates. Well, there is one comfort--it does not make much +difference to us which side wins." + +The guards at the first alarm leapt to their feet, caught up their +matchlocks, and ran to aid in the defence of the wall. Two minutes later +a man ran up to the cage. + +"All lightee," he said; "just what me hopee." + +With his knife he cut the tough withes that held the bamboos in their +places, and pulled out three of the bars. + +"Come along," he said; "no time to lose." + +Jack scrambled out, but in trying to stand upright gave a sharp +exclamation of pain. Percy crawled out more slowly; he tried to stand +up, but could not. The Chinaman caught him up and threw him on his +shoulder. + +"Come along quickee," he said to Jack; "if takee village, kill evely +one." He set off at a run. Jack followed as fast as he could, groaning +at every step from the pain the movement caused to his bruised body. + +They went to the side of the village opposite to that at which the +attack was going on. They met no one on the way, the inhabitants having +all rushed to the other side to repel the attack. They stopped at a +small gate in the wall, the Chinaman drew back the bolts and opened it, +and they passed out into the country. For an hour they kept on. By the +end of that time Jack could scarcely drag his limbs along. The Chinaman +halted at length in a clump of trees surrounded by a thick undergrowth. + +"Allee safee here," he said, "no searchee so far; here food;" and he +produced from a wallet a cold chicken and some boiled rice, and unslung +from his shoulder a gourd filled with cold tea. + +"Me go back now, see what happen. To-mollow nightee come again--bringee +more food." And without another word went off at a rapid pace. + +Jack moistened his lips with the tea, and then turned to his companion. +Percy had not spoken a word since he had been released from the cage, +and had been insensible during the greater part of his journey. Jack +poured some cold tea between his lips. + +"Cheer up, Percy, old boy, we are free now, and with luck and that good +fellow's help we will work our way down to Canton yet." + +"I shall never get down there; you may," Percy said feebly. + +"Oh, nonsense, you will pick up strength like a steam-engine now. Here, +let me prop you against this tree. That's better. Now drink a drop of +this tea; it's like nectar after that filthy water we have been +drinking. Now you will feel better. Now you must try and eat a little of +this chicken and rice. Oh, nonsense, you have got to do it. I am not +going to let you give way when our trouble is just over. Think of your +people at home, Percy, and make an effort, for their sakes. Good +heavens! now I think of it, it must be Christmas morning. We were caught +on the 2nd and we have been just twenty-two days on show. I am sure that +it must be past twelve o'clock, and it is Christmas-day. It is a good +omen, Percy. This food isn't like roast beef and plum-pudding, but it's +not to be despised, I can tell you. Come, fire away, that's a good +fellow." + +Percy made an effort and ate a few mouthfuls of rice and chicken, then +he took another draught of tea, and lay down, and was almost immediately +asleep. + +Jack ate his food slowly and contentedly till he finished half the +supply, then he, too, lay down, and, after a short but hearty +thanksgiving for his escape from a slow and lingering death, he, too, +fell off to sleep. The sun was rising when he woke, being aroused by a +slight movement on the part of Percy; he opened his eyes and sat up. + +"Well, Percy, how do you feel this morning?" he asked cheerily. + +"I feel too weak to move," Percy replied languidly. + +"Oh, you will be all right when you have sat up and eaten breakfast," +Jack said. "Here you are; here is a wing for you, and this rice is as +white as snow, and the tea is first rate. I thought last night after I +lay down that I heard a murmur of water, so after we have had breakfast +I will look about and see if I can find it. We should feel like new men +after a wash. You look awful, and I am sure I am just as bad." + +The thought of a wash inspirited Percy far more than that of eating, and +he sat up and made a great effort to do justice to breakfast. He +succeeded much better than he had done the night before, and Jack, +although he pretended to grumble, was satisfied with his companion's +progress, and finished off the rest of the food. Then he set out to +search for water. He had not very far to go; a tiny stream, a few +inches wide and two or three inches deep, ran through the wood from the +higher ground. After throwing himself down and taking a drink, he +hurried back to Percy. + +"It is all right, Percy, I have found it. We can wash to our hearts' +content; think of that, lad." + +Percy could hardly stand, but he made an effort, and Jack half carried +him to the streamlet. There the lads spent hours. First they bathed +their heads and hands, and then, stripping, lay down in the stream and +allowed it to flow over them, then they rubbed themselves with handfuls +of leaves dipped in the water, and when they at last put on their rags +again felt like new men. Percy was able to walk back to the spot they +had quitted with the assistance only of Jack's arm. The latter, feeling +that his breakfast had by no means appeased his hunger, now started for +a search through the wood, and presently returned to Percy laden with +nuts and berries. + +"The nuts are sure to be all right; I expect the berries are too. I have +certainly seen some like them in native markets, and I think it will be +quite safe to risk it." + +The rest of the day was spent in picking nuts and eating them. Then +they sat down and waited for the arrival of their friend. He came two +hours after nightfall with a wallet stored with provisions, and told +them that he had regained the village unobserved. The attack had been +repulsed, but with severe loss to the defenders as well as the +assailants; two of their guards had been among the killed. The others +had made a great clamour over the escape of the prisoners, and had made +a close search throughout the village and immediately round it, for they +were convinced that their captives had not had the strength to go any +distance. He thought, however, that although they had professed the +greatest indignation, and had offered many threats as to the vengeance +that Government would take upon the village, one of whose inhabitants, +at least, must have aided in the evasion of the prisoners, they would +not trouble themselves any further in the matter. They had already +reaped a rich harvest from the exhibition, and would divide among +themselves the share of their late comrades; nor was it at all +improbable that if they were to report the matter to the authorities +they would themselves get into serious trouble for not having handed +over the prisoners immediately after their capture. + +For a fortnight the pilot nursed and fed the two midshipmen. He had +already provided them with native clothes, so that if by chance any +villagers should catch sight of them they would not recognize them as +the escaped white men. At the end of that time both the lads had almost +recovered from the effects of their sufferings. Jack, indeed, had picked +up from the first, but Percy for some days continued so weak and ill +that Jack had feared that he was going to have an attack of fever of +some kind. His companion's cheery and hopeful chat did as much good for +Percy as the nourishing food with which their friend supplied them, and +at the end of the fortnight he declared that he felt sufficiently strong +to attempt to make his way down to the coast. + +The pilot acted as their guide. When they inquired about his wife, he +told them carelessly that she would remain with her kinsfolk, and would +travel on to Canton and join him there when she found an opportunity. +The journey was accomplished at night, by very short stages at first, +but by increasing distances as Percy gained strength. During the daytime +the lads lay hid in woods or jungles, while their companion went into +the village and purchased food. They struck the river many miles above +Canton, and the pilot, going down first to a village on its banks, +bargained for a boat to take him and two women down to the city. + +The lads went on board at night and took their places in the little +cabin formed of bamboos and covered with mats in the stern of the boat, +and remained thus sheltered not only from the view of people in boats +passing up or down the stream, but from the eyes of their own boatmen. + +After two days' journey down the river without incident, they arrived +off Canton, where the British fleet was still lying while negotiations +for peace were being carried on with the authorities at Pekin. Peeping +out between the mats, the lads caught sight of the English warships, +and, knowing that there was now no danger, they dashed out of the cabin, +to the surprise of the native boatmen, and shouted and waved their arms +to the distant ships. + +In ten minutes they were alongside the _Perseus_, when they were hailed +as if restored from the dead. The pilot was very handsomely rewarded by +the English authorities for his kindness to the prisoners, and was +highly satisfied with the result of his proceedings, which more than +doubled the little capital with which he had retired from business. Jack +Fothergill and Percy Adcock declare that they have never since eaten +chicken without thinking of their Christmas fare on the morning of their +escape from the hands of the Chinese pirates. + +THE END. + + + + +[Illustration: Blackie & Son's Books for Young People] + +_By the Author of "John Herring," "Mehalah," &c._ + +=Grettir the Outlaw:= A Story of Iceland. By S. Baring-Gould. +With 10 full-page Illustrations by M. Zeno Diemer and a +Coloured Map. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _6s_. + + A work of special interest, not only because of the high rank which + Mr. Baring-Gould has of late years acquired by his brilliant series + of novels, _Mehalah_, _John Herring_, _Court Royal_, &c., but + because of his earlier won reputation as a historian and explorer + of folk-legends and popular beliefs. In the story of Grettir, both + the art of the novelist and the lore of the archaeologist have had + full scope, with the result that we have a narrative of adventure + of the most romantic kind, and at the same time an interesting and + minutely accurate account of the old Icelandic families, their + homes, their mode of life, their superstitions, their songs and + stories, their bear-serk fury, and their heroism by land and sea. + The story is told throughout with a simplicity which will make it + attractive even to the very young, and no boy will be able to + withstand the magic of such scenes as the fight of Grettir with the + twelve bear-serks, the wrestle with Karr the Old in the chamber of + the dead, the combat with the spirit of Glam the thrall, and the + defence of the dying Grettir by his younger brother. + + * * * * * + +BY G.A. HENTY. + + * * * * * + +=With Lee in Virginia:= A Story of the American Civil War. By G.A. +Henty. With 10 full-page Illustrations by Gordon Browne. +Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _6s_. + + The great war between the Northern and Southern States of America + has the special interest for English boys of having been a struggle + between two sections of a people akin to us in race and language--a + struggle fought out by each side with unusual intensity of + conviction in the rightness of its cause, and abounding in heroic + incidents. Of these points Mr. Henty has made admirable use in this + story of a young Virginian planter, who, after bravely proving his + sympathy with the slaves, serves with no less courage and + enthusiasm under Lee and Jackson through the most exciting events + of the struggle. He has many hairbreadth escapes, is several times + wounded and twice taken prisoner; but his courage and readiness + bring him safely through all difficulties. + +BY G.A. HENTY. + +"Mr. Henty is one of the best of story tellers for young +people."--_Spectator._ + + * * * * * + +=By Pike and Dyke:= A Tale of the Rise of the Dutch Republic. By +G.A. Henty. With 10 full-page Illustrations by Maynard +Brown and 4 Maps. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _6s_. + + A story covering the period which forms the thrilling subject of + Motley's _Rise of the Dutch Republic_, when the Netherlands, under + the guidance of William of Orange, revolted against the attempts of + Alva and the Spaniards to force upon them the Catholic religion. To + a story already of the keenest interest, Mr. Henty has added a + special attractiveness for boys in tracing through the historic + conflict the adventures and brave deeds of an English boy in the + household of the ablest man of his age--William the Silent. Edward + Martin; the son of an English sea-captain, after sharing in the + excitement of an escape from the Spaniards and a sea-fight, enters + the service of the Prince as a volunteer, and is employed by him in + many dangerous and responsible missions, in the discharge of which + he passes through the great sieges and more than one naval + engagement of the time. He is subsequently employed in Holland by + Queen Elizabeth, to whom he is recommended by Orange; and + ultimately settles down as Sir Edward Martin and the husband of the + lady to whom he owes his life, and whom he in turn has saved from + the Council of Blood. + +=The Lion Of St. Mark:= A Tale of Venice in the Fourteenth Century. By +G.A. Henty. With 10 full-page Illustrations by Gordon +Browne. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _6s_. + + "Every boy should read _The Lion of St. Mark_. Mr. Henty has never + produced any story more delightful, more wholesome, or more + vivacious. From first to last it will be read with keen + enjoyment."--_The Saturday Review._ + + "Mr. Henty has probably not published a more interesting story than + _The Lion of St. Mark_. He has certainly not published one in which + he has been at such pains to rise to the dignity of his subject. + Mr. Henty's battle-pieces are admirable."--_The Academy._ + + "The young hero has shrewdness, courage, enterprise, principle, all + the qualities that help the young in the race and battle of + life."--_Literary Churchman._ + +=Captain Bailey's Heir:= A Tale of the Gold Fields of California. By +G.A. Henty. With 12 full-page Illustrations by H.M. +Paget. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _6s_. + + "A Westminster boy who, like all this author's heroes, makes his + way in the world by hard work, good temper, and unfailing courage. + The descriptions given of life are just what a healthy intelligent + lad should delight in."--_St. James's Gazette._ + + "The portraits of Captain Bayley, and the head-master of + Westminster school, are admirably drawn; and the adventures in + California are told with that vigour which is peculiar to Mr. + Henty."--_The Academy._ + + "Mr. Henty is careful to mingle solid instruction with + entertainment; and the humorous touches, especially in the sketch + of John Holl, the Westminster dustman, Dickens himself could hardly + have excelled."--_Christian Leader._ + +BY G.A. HENTY. + +"Surely Mr. Henty should understand boys' tastes better than any man +living."--_The Times._ + + * * * * * + +=Bonnie Prince Charlie:= A Tale of Fontenoy and Culloden. By G.A. +Henty. With 12 full-page Illustrations by Gordon Browne. +Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _6s_. + + "Ronald, the hero, is very like the hero of _Quentin Durward_. The + lad's journey across France with his faithful attendant Malcolm, + and his hairbreadth escapes from the machinations of his father's + enemies, make up as good a narrative of the kind as we have ever + read. For freshness of treatment and variety of incident, Mr. Henty + has here surpassed himself."--_Spectator._ + + "A historical romance of the best quality. Mr. Henty has written + many more sensational stories, but never a more artistic + one."--_Academy._ + +=For the Temple:= A Tale of the Fall of Jerusalem. By G.A. +Henty. With 10 full-page Illustrations by Solomon J. +Solomon: and a coloured Map. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine +edges, _6s_. + + "Mr. Henty is ever one of the foremost writers of historical tales, + and his graphic prose pictures of the hopeless Jewish resistance to + Roman sway adds another leaf to his record of the famous wars of + the world. The book is one of Mr. Henty's cleverest + efforts."--_Graphic._ + + "The story is told with all the force of descriptive power which + has made the author's war stories so famous, and many an 'old boy' + as well as the younger ones will delight in this narrative of that + awful page of history."--_Church Times._ + +=The Lion Of the North:= A Tale of Gustavus Adolphus and the Wars of +Religion. By G.A. Henty. With 12 full-page Illustrations by +John Schoenberg. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _6s_. + + "As we might expect from Mr. Henty the tale is a clever and + instructive piece of history, and as boys may be trusted to read it + conscientiously, they can hardly fail to be profited as well as + pleased."--_The Times._ + + "A praiseworthy attempt to interest British youth in the great + deeds of the Scotch Brigade in the wars of Gustavus Adolphus. + Mackay, Hepburn, and Munro live again in Mr. Henty's pages, as + those deserve to live whose disciplined bands formed really the + germ of the modern British army."--_Athenaeum._ + + "A stirring story of stirring times. This book should hold a place + among the classics of youthful fiction."--_United Service Gazette._ + +=The Young Carthaginian:= A story of the Times of Hannibal. By G.A. +Henty. With 12 full-page Illustrations by C.J. Staniland, +R.I. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _6s_. + + "The effect of an interesting story, well constructed and vividly + told, is enhanced by the picturesque quality of the scenic + background. From first to last nothing stays the interest of the + narrative. It bears us along as on a stream, whose current varies + in direction, but never loses its force."--_Saturday Review._ + + "Ought to be popular with boys who are not too ill instructed or + too dandified to be affected by a graphic picture of the days and + deeds of Hannibal."--_Athenaeum._ + +BY G.A. HENTY. + +"Among writers of stories of adventure for boys Mr. Henty stands in the +very first rank."--_Academy._ + + * * * * * + +=With Wolfe in Canada:= Or, The Winning of a Continent. By G.A. +Henty. With 12 full-page Illustrations by Gordon Browne. +Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _6s_. + + "A model of what a boys' story-book should be. Mr. Henty has a + great power of infusing into the dead facts of history new life, + and as no pains are spared by him to ensure accuracy in historic + details, his books supply useful aids to study as well as + amusement."--_School Guardian._ + + "It is not only a lesson in history as instructively as it is + graphically told, but also a deeply interesting and often thrilling + tale of adventure and peril by flood and field."--_Illustrated + London News._ + + "This is a narrative which will bear retelling, and to which Mr. + Henty, whose careful study of details is worthy of all praise, does + full justice.... His adventures are told with much spirit; the + escape when the birch canoes have been damaged by an enemy is + especially well described."--_Spectator._ + +=With Clive in India:= Or, The Beginnings of an Empire. By G.A. +Henty. With 12 full-page Illustrations by Gordon Browne. +Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _6s_. + + "In this book Mr. Henty has contrived to exceed himself in stirring + adventures and thrilling situations. The pictures add greatly to + the interest of the book."--_Saturday Review._ + + "Among writers of stories of adventure for boys Mr. Henty stands in + the very first rank. Those who know something about India will be + the most ready to thank Mr. Henty for giving them this instructive + volume to place in the hands of their children."--_Academy._ + +=True to the Old Flag:= A Tale of the American War of Independence. By +G.A. Henty. With 12 full-page Illustrations by Gordon +Browne. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _6s._ + + "Does justice to the pluck and determination of the British + soldiers. The son of an American loyalist, who remains true to our + flag, falls among the hostile redskins in that very Huron country + which has been endeared to us by the exploits of Hawkeye and + Chingachgook."--_The Times._ + + "Mr. Henty's extensive personal experience of adventures and moving + incidents by flood and field, combined with a gift of picturesque + narrative, make his books always welcome visitors in the home + circle."--_Daily News._ + +=In Freedom's Cause:= A Story of Wallace and Bruce. By G.A. +Henty. With 12 full-page Illustrations by Gordon Browne. +Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _6s_. + + "Mr. Henty has broken new ground as an historical novelist. His + tale of the days of Wallace and Bruce is full of stirring action, + and will commend itself to boys."--_Athenaeum._ + + "Written in the author's best style. Full of the most remarkable + achievements, it is a tale of great interest, which a boy, once he + has begun it, will not willingly put on one side."--_Schoolmaster._ + + "Scarcely anywhere have we seen in prose a more lucid and + spirit-stirring description of Bannockburn than the one with which + the author fittingly closes his volume."--_Dumfries Standard._ + +BY G.A. HENTY. + +"Mr. Henty is one of our most successful writers of historical +tales."--_Scotsman._ + + * * * * * + +=Through the Fray:= A Story of the Luddite Riots. By G.A. +Henty. With 12 full-page Illustrations by H.M. Paget. +Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _6s._ + + "Mr. Henty inspires a love and admiration for straightforwardness, + truth, and courage. This is one of the best of the many good books + Mr. Henty has produced, and deserves to be classed with his _Facing + Death_."--_Standard._ + + "The interest of the story never flags. Were we to propose a + competition for the best list of novel writers for boys we have + little doubt that Mr. Henty's name would stand first."--_Journal of + Education._ + + "This story is told in Mr. Henty's own easy and often graphic + style. There is no 'padding' in the book, and its teaching is, that + we have enemies within as well as without, and therefore the power + of self-control is a quality that should be striven after by every + 'true' boy."--_Educational Times._ + +=Under Drake's Flag:= A Tale of the Spanish Main. By G.A. +Henty. Illustrated by 12 full-page Pictures by Gordon +Browne. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _6s._ + + "There is not a dull chapter, nor, indeed, a dull page in the hook; + but the author has so carefully worked up his subject that the + exciting deeds of his heroes are never incongruous or + absurd."--_Observer._ + + "Just such a book, indeed, as the youth of this maritime country + are likely to prize highly."--_Daily Telegraph._ + + "A book of adventure, where the hero meets with experience enough + one would think to turn his hair gray."--_Harper's Monthly + Magazine._ + + * * * * * + +BY PROFESSOR A.J. CHURCH. + + * * * * * + +=Two Thousand Years Ago:= Or, The Adventures of a Roman Boy. By +Professor A.J. Church. With 12 full-page Illustrations by +Adrien Marie. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _6s._ + + "Adventures well worth the telling. The book is extremely + entertaining as well as useful, and there is a wonderful freshness + in the Roman scenes and characters."--_The Times._ + + "Entertaining in the highest degree from beginning to end, and full + of adventure which is all the livelier for its close connection + with history."--_Spectator._ + + "We know of no book which will do more to make the Romans of that + day live again for the English reader."--_Guardian._ + + * * * * * + +=Robinson Crusoe.= By Daniel Defoe. Illustrated by above 100 +Pictures by Gordon Browne. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine +edges, _6s._ + + "One of the best issues, if not absolutely the best, of Defoe's + work which has ever appeared."--_The Standard._ + + "The best edition I have come across for years. If you know a boy + who has not a 'Robinson Crusoe,' just glance at any one of these + hundred illustrations, and you will go no further afield in search + of a present for him."--_Truth._ + +BY GEORGE MANVILLE FENN. + +"Mr. Fenn is in the front rank of writers of stories for +boys."--_Liverpool Mercury._ + + * * * * * + +=Quicksilver:= Or a Boy with no Skid to his Wheel. By George +Manville Fenn. With 10 full-page Illustrations by Frank +Dadd. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _6s._ + + "_Quicksilver_ is little short of an inspiration. In it that prince + of story-writers for boys--George Manville Fenn--has surpassed + himself. It is an ideal book for a boy's library."--_Practical + Teacher._ + + "The story is capitally told, it abounds in graphic and + well-described scenes, and it has an excellent and manly tone + throughout."--_The Guardian._ + + "This is one of Mr. Fenn's happiest efforts, and deserves to be + read and re-read by every school-boy in the land. We are not + exaggerating when we say that _Quicksilver_ has nothing to equal it + this season."--_Teacher's Aid._ + +=Dick o' the Fens:= A Romance of the Great East Swamp. By G. +Manville Fenn. With 12 full-page Illustrations by Frank +Dadd. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _6s._ + + "We conscientiously believe that boys will find it capital reading. + It is full of incident and mystery, and the mystery is kept up to + the last moment. It is rich in effective local colouring; and it + has a historical interest."--_Times._ + + "We have not of late come across a historical fiction, whether + intended for boys or for men, which deserves to be so heartily and + unreservedly praised as regards plot, incidents, and spirit as + _Dick o' the Fens_. It is its author's masterpiece as + yet."--_Spectator._ + +=Devon Boys:= A Tale of the North Shore. By G. Manville Fenn. +With 12 full-page Illustrations by Gordon Browne. Crown 8vo, +cloth elegant, olivine edges, _6s._ + + "An admirable story, as remarkable for the individuality of its + young heroes as for the excellent descriptions of coast scenery and + life in North Devon. It is one of the best books we have seen this + season."--_Athenaeum._ + + "We do not know that Mr. Fenn has ever reached a higher level than + he has in _Devon Boys_. It must be put in the very front rank of + Christmas books."--_Spectator._ + +=Brownsmith's Boy:= A Romance in a Garden. By G. Manville Fenn. +With 12 full-page Illustrations by Gordon Browne. Crown 8vo, +cloth elegant, olivine edges, _6s._ + + "Mr. Fenn's books are among the best, if not altogether the best, + of the stories for boys. Mr. Fenn is at his best in _Brownsmith's + Boy_."--_Pictorial World._ + + "_Brownsmith's Boy_ must rank among the few undeniably good boys' + books. He will be a very dull boy indeed who lays it down without + wishing that it had gone on for at least 100 pages more."--_North + British Mail._ + +=In the King's Name:= Or the Cruise of the _Kestrel_. By G. Manville +Fenn. Illustrated by 12 full-page Pictures by Gordon +Browne. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _6s._ + + "A capital boys' story, full of incident and adventure, and told in + the lively style in which Mr. Fenn is such an adept."--_Globe._ + + "The best of all Mr. Fenn's productions in this field. It has the + great quality of always 'moving on,' adventure following adventure + in constant succession."--_Daily News._ + +BY GEORGE MANVILLE FENN. + +"Our boys know Mr. Fenn well, his stories having won for him a foremost +place in their estimation."--_Pall Mall Gazette._ + + * * * * * + +=Bunyip Land:= The Story of a Wild Journey in New Guinea. By G. +Manville Fenn. With 12 full-page Illustrations by Gordon +Browne. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _6s._ + + "Mr. Fenn deserves the thanks of everybody for _Bunyip Land_, and + we may venture to promise that a quiet week may be reckoned on + whilst the youngsters have such fascinating literature provided for + their evenings' amusement."--_Spectator._ + + "One of the best tales of adventure produced by any living writer, + combining the inventiveness of Jules Verne, and the solidity of + character and earnestness of spirit which have made the English + victorious in so many fields."--_Daily Chronicle._ + +=The Golden Magnet:= A Tale of the Land of the Incas. By G. +Manville Fenn. Illustrated by 12 full-page Pictures by Gordon +Browne. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _6s._ + + "This is, we think, the best boys' book Mr. Fenn has produced.... + The Illustrations are perfect in their way."--_Globe._ + + "There could be no more welcome present for a boy. There is not a + dull page in the book, and many will be read with breathless + interest. 'The Golden Magnet' is, of course, the same one that + attracted Raleigh and the heroes of _Westward Ho!_"--_Journal of + Education._ + + * * * * * + +BY HARRY COLLINGWOOD. + +=The Log Of the "Flying Fish:"= A Story of Aerial and Submarine Peril +and Adventure. By Harry Collingwood. With 12 full-page +Illustrations by Gordon Browne, Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, +olivine edges, _6s._ + + "The _Flying Fish_ actually surpasses all Jules Verne's creations; + with incredible speed she flies through the air, skims over the + surface of the water, and darts along the ocean bed. We strongly + recommend our school-boy friends to possess themselves of her + log."--_Athenaeum._ + + * * * * * + +BY SARAH DOUDNEY. + +=Under False Colours.= By Sarah Doudney. With 12 full-page +Illustrations by G.G. Kilburne. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, +olivine edges, _6s._ + + "This is a charming story, abounding in delicate touches of + sentiment and pathos. Its plot is skilfully contrived. It will be + read with a warm interest by every girl who takes it + up."--_Scotsman._ + + "Sarah Doudney has no superior as a writer of high-toned + stories--pure in style, original in conception, and with skilfully + wrought-out plots; but we have seen nothing from this lady's pen + equal in dramatic energy to her latest work--_Under False + Colours_."--_Christian Leader._ + +BY G.A. HENTY. + +"The brightest of all the living writers whose office it is to enchant +the boys."--_Christian Leader._ + + * * * * * + +=One Of the 28th:= A Tale of Waterloo. By G.A. Henty. With 8 +full-page Illustrations by W.H. Overend, and 2 Maps. Crown 8vo, +cloth elegant, _5s._ + + Herbert Penfold, being desirous of benefiting the daughter of an + intimate friend, and Ralph Conway, the son of a lady to whom he had + once been engaged, draws up a will dividing his property between + them, and places it in a hiding-place only known to members of his + own family. At his death his two sisters determine to keep silence, + and the authorized search for the will, though apparently thorough, + fails to bring it to light. The mother of Ralph, however, succeeds + in entering the house as a servant, and after an arduous and + exciting search secures the will. In the meantime, her son has + himself passed through a series of adventures. The boat in which he + is fishing is run down by a French privateer, and Ralph, scrambling + on board, is forced to serve until the harbour of refuge is entered + by a British frigate. On his return he enters the army, and after + some rough service in Ireland, takes part in the Waterloo campaign, + from which he returns with the loss of an arm, but with a + substantial fortune, which is still further increased by his + marriage with his co-heir. + +=The Cat Of Bubastes:= A Story of Ancient Egypt. By G.A. Henty. +With 8 full-page Illustrations by J.R. Weguelin. Crown 8vo, +cloth elegant, olivine edges, _5s._ + + "The story is highly enjoyable. We have pictures of Egyptian + domestic life, of sport, of religious ceremonial, and of other + things which may still be seen vividly portrayed by the brush of + Egyptian artists."--_The Spectator._ + + "The story, from the critical moment of the killing of the sacred + cat to the perilous exodus into Asia with which it closes, is very + skilfully constructed and full of exciting adventures. It is + admirably illustrated."--_Saturday Review._ + + "Mr. Henty has fairly excelled himself in this admirable story of + romance and adventure. We have never examined a story-book that we + can recommend with more confidence as a boy's reward."--_Teachers' + Aid._ + +=The Dragon and the Raven:= Or, The Days of King Alfred. By G.A. +Henty. With 8 full-page Illustrations by C.J. Staniland, +R.I. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, _5s._ + + "Perhaps the best story of the early days of England which has yet + been told."--_Court Journal._ + + "We know of no popular book in which the stirring incidents of + Alfred's reign are made accessible to young readers as they are + here."--_Scotsman._ + +=St. George for England:= A Tale of Cressy and Poitiers. By G.A. +Henty. With 8 full-page Illustrations by Gordon Browne, in +black and tint. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, _5s._ + + "Mr. Henty has done his work well, producing a strong story at once + instructive and entertaining."--_Glasgow Herald._ + + "Mr. Henty's historical novels for boys bid fair to supplement, on + their behalf, the historical labours of Sir Walter Scott in the + land of fiction."--_Standard._ + +BY G.A. HENTY. + +"Mr. Henty is the king of story-tellers for boys."--_Sword and Trowel._ + + * * * * * + +=The Bravest Of the Brave:= With Peterborough in Spain. By G.A. +Henty. With 8 full-page Pictures by H.M. Paget. Crown 8vo, +cloth elegant, _5s._ + + "Mr. Henty never loses sight of the moral purpose of his work--to + enforce the doctrine of courage and truth, mercy and loving + kindness, as indispensable to the making of an English gentleman. + British lads will read _The Bravest of the Brave_ with pleasure and + profit; of that we are quite sure."--_Daily Telegraph._ + +=For Name and Fame:= Or, Through Afghan Passes. By G.A. Henty. +With 8 full-page Illustrations by Gordon Browne, in black and +tint. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, _5s._ + + "The best feature of the book, apart from its scenes of adventure, + is its honest effort to do justice to the patriotism of the Afghan + people."--_Daily News._ + + "Not only a rousing story, replete with all the varied forms of + excitement of a campaign, but, what is still more useful, an + account of a territory and its inhabitants which must for a long + time possess a supreme interest for Englishmen, as being the key to + our Indian Empire."--_Glasgow Herald._ + +=In the Reign Of Terror:= The Adventures of a Westminster Boy. By +G.A. Henty. With 8 full-page Illustrations by J. +Schoenberg. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _5s_. + + "Harry Sandwith, the Westminster boy, may fairly be said to beat + Mr. Henty's record. His adventures will delight boys by the + audacity and peril they depict. The story is one of Mr. Henty's + best."--_Saturday Review._ + +=Orange and Green:= A Tale of the Boyne and Limerick. By G.A. +Henty. With 8 full-page Illustrations by Gordon Browne. +Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _5s._ + + "An extremely spirited story, based on the struggle in Ireland, + rendered memorable by the defence of 'Derry and the siege of + Limerick."--_Sat. Review._ + + "The narrative is free from the vice of prejudice, and ripples with + life as vivacious as if what is being described were really passing + before the eye.... _Orange and Green_ should be in the hands of + every young student of Irish history without delay."--_Belfast + Morning News._ + + +=By Sheer Pluck:= A Tale of the Ashanti War. By G.A. Henty. +With 8 full-page Pictures by Gordon Browne. Crown 8vo, cloth +elegant, _5s._ + + "_By Sheer Pluck_ will be eagerly read. The author's personal + knowledge of the west coast has been turned to full + advantage."--_Athenaeum._ + + "Morally, the book is everything that could be desired, setting + before the boys a bright and bracing ideal of the English + gentleman."--_Christian Leader._ + +BY G.A. HENTY. + +"Mr. G.A. Henty's fame as a writer of boys' stories is deserved and +secure."--_Cork Herald._ + + * * * * * + +=A Final Reckoning:= A Tale of Bush Life in Australia. By G.A. +Henty. With 8 full-page Illustrations by W.B. Wollen. +Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, _5s._ + + "Exhibits Mr. Henty's talent as a story-teller at his best.... The + drawings possess the uncommon merit of really illustrating the + text."--_Saturday Review._ + + "All boys will read this story with eager and unflagging interest. + The episodes are in Mr. Henty's very best vein--graphic, exciting, + realistic; and, as in all Mr. Henty's books, the tendency is to the + formation of an honourable, manly, and even heroic + character."--_Birmingham Post._ + +=Facing Death:= Or the Hero of the Vaughan Pit. A Tale of the Coal +Mines. By G.A. Henty. With 8 full-page Illustrations by +Gordon Browne. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, _5s._ + + "If any father, godfather, clergyman, or schoolmaster is on the + look-out for a good book to give as a present to a boy who is worth + his salt, this is the book we would recommend."--_Standard._ + + * * * * * + +BY F. FRANKFORT MOORE. + +=Highways and High Seas:= Cyril Harley's Adventures on both. By F. +Frankfort Moore. With 8 full-page Illustrations by Alfred +Pearse. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _5s._ + + The story belongs to a period when highways meant post-chaises, + coaches, and highwaymen, and when high seas meant post-captains, + frigates, privateers, and smugglers; and the hero--a boy who has + some remarkable experiences upon both--tells his story with no less + humour than vividness. He shows incidentally how little real + courage and romance there frequently was about the favourite + law-breakers of fiction, but how they might give rise to the need + of the highest courage in others and lead to romantic adventures of + an exceedingly exciting kind. A certain piquancy is given to the + story by a slight trace of nineteenth century malice in the + picturing of eighteenth century life and manners. + +=Under Hatches:= Or Ned Woodthorpe's Adventures. By F. Frankfort +Moore. With 8 full-page Illustrations by A. Forestier. +Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _5s._ + + "Mr. Moore has never shown himself so thoroughly qualified to write + books for boys as he has done in _Under Hatches_."--_The Academy._ + + "A first-rate sea story, full of stirring incidents, and, from a + literary point of view, far better written than the majority of + books for boys."--_Pall Mall Gazette._ + + "The story as a story is one that will just suit boys all the world + over. The characters are well drawn and consistent; Patsy, the + Irish steward, will be found especially amusing."--_Schoolmaster._ + +BY GEORGE MANVILLE FENN. + +"No one can find his way to the hearts of lads more readily than Mr. +Fenn."--_Nottingham Guardian._ + + * * * * * + +=Yussuf the Guide:= Being the Strange Story of the Travels in Asia Minor +of Burne the Lawyer, Preston the Professor, and Lawrence the Sick. By +G. Manville Fenn. With 8 full-page Illustrations by John +Schoenberg. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, _5s._ + + "The narrative will take its readers into scenes that will have + great novelty and attraction for them, and the experiences with the + brigands will be especially delightful to boys."--_Scotsman._ + +=Menhardoc:= A Story of Cornish Nets and Mines. By G. Manville +Fenn. With 8 full-page Illustrations by C.J. Staniland. +Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, _5s._ + + "They are real living boys, with their virtues and faults. The + Cornish fishermen are drawn from life, they are racy of the soil, + salt with the sea-water, and they stand out from the pages in their + jerseys and sea-boots all sprinkled with silvery pilchard + scales."--_Spectator._ + + "A description of Will Marion's descent into a flooded mine is + excellent. Josh is a delightfully amusing character. We may + cordially praise the illustrations."--_Saturday Review._ + + +=Mother Carey's Chicken:= Her Voyage to the Unknown Isle. By G. +Manville Fenn. With 8 full-page Illustrations by A. +Forestier. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _5s._ + + "Jules Verne himself never constructed a more marvellous tale. It + contains the strongly marked English features that are always + conspicuous in Mr. Fenn's stories--a humour racy of the British + soil, the manly vigour of his sentiment, and wholesome moral + lessons. For anything to match his realistic touch we must go to + Daniel Defoe."--_Christian Leader._ + + "When we get to the 'Unknown Isle,' the story becomes exciting. Mr. + Fenn keeps his readers in a suspense that is not intermitted for a + moment, and the _denouement_ is a surprise which is as probable as + it is startling."--_Spectator._ + +=Patience Wins:= Or, War in the Works. By G. Manville Fenn. +With 8 full-page Illustrations by Gordon Browne. Crown 8vo, +cloth elegant, _5s._ + + "An excellent story, the interest being sustained from first to + last. One of the best books of its kind which has come before us + this year."--_Saturday Review._ + + "Mr. Fenn is at his best in _Patience Wins_. It is sure to prove + acceptable to youthful readers, and will give a good idea of that + which was the real state of one of our largest manufacturing towns + not many years ago."--_Guardian._ + +=Nat the Naturalist:= A Boy's Adventures in the Eastern Seas. By G. +Manville Fenn. With 8 full-page Pictures. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, +_5s._ + + "Among the best of the many good books for boys that have come out + this season."--_Times._ + + "This sort of book encourages independence of character, develops + resource, and teaches a boy to keep his eyes open."--_Saturday + Review._ + +BY HARRY COLLINGWOOD. + + * * * * * + +=The Missing Merchantman.= By Harry Collingwood. With 8 +full-page Illustrations by W.H. Overend. Crown 8vo, cloth +elegant, olivine edges, _5s._ + + "Mr. Collingwood is _facile princeps_ as a teller of sea stories + for boys, and the present is one of the best productions of his + pen."--_Standard._ + + "This is one of the author's best sea stories. The hero is as + heroic as any boy could desire, and the ending is extremely + happy."--_British Weekly._ + +=The Rover's Secret:= A Tale of the Pirate Cays and Lagoons of Cuba. By +Harry Collingwood. With 8 full-page Illustrations by W.C. +Symons. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _5s._ + + "_The Rover's Secret_ is by far the best sea story we have read for + years, and is certain to give unalloyed pleasure to boys. The + illustrations are fresh and vigorous."--_Saturday Review._ + +=The Pirate Island:= A Story of the South Pacific. By Harry +Collingwood. Illustrated by 8 full-page Pictures by C.J. +Staniland and J.R. Wells. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, _5s._ + + "A capital story of the sea; indeed in our opinion the author is + superior in some respects as a marine novelist to the better known + Mr. Clarke Russell."--_The Times._ + + "Told in the most vivid and graphic language. It would be difficult + to find a more thoroughly delightful gift-book."--_Guardian._ + +=The Congo Rovers:= A Story of the Slave Squadron. By Harry +Collingwood. With 8 full-page Illustrations by J. +Schoenberg. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, _5s._ + + "No better sea story has lately been written than the _Congo + Rovers_. It is as original as any boy could desire."--_Morning + Post._ + + * * * * * + +BY ASCOTT R. HOPE. + +=The Seven Wise Scholars.= By Ascott R. Hope. With nearly One +Hundred Illustrations by Gordon Browne. Square 8vo, cloth +elegant, gilt edges, _5s._ + + "As full of fun as a volume of _Punch_; with illustrations, more + laughter-provoking than most we have seen since Leech + died."--_Sheffield Independent._ + + "A capital story, full of fun and happy comic fancies. The tale + would put the sourest-tempered _boy_ into a good humour, and to an + imaginative child would be a source of keen delight."--_Scotsman._ + +=The Wigwam and the War-path:= stories of the Red Indians. By Ascott +R. Hope. With 8 full-page Pictures by Gordon Browne. Crown +8vo, cloth elegant, _5s._ + + "All the stories are told well, in simple spirited language and + with a fulness of detail that make them instructive as well as + interesting."--_Journal of Education._ + +BY G. NORWAY. + +The Loss of John Humble: What Led to It, and what Came of It. By G. +Norway. With 8 full-page Illustrations by John Schoenberg. +Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _5s._ + + John Humble, an orphan, is sent to sea with his Uncle Rolf, the + captain of the _Erl King_, but in the course of certain adventures + off the English coast, in which Rolf shows both skill and courage, + the boy is left behind at Portsmouth. He escapes from an English + gun-brig to a Norwegian vessel, the _Thor_, which is driven from + her course in a voyage to Hammerfest, and wrecked on a desolate + shore. The survivors experience the miseries of a long sojourn in + the Arctic circle, with inadequate means of supporting life, but + ultimately, with the aid of some friendly but thievish Lapps, they + succeed in making their way to a reindeer station and so southward + to Tornea and home again. The story throughout is singularly vivid + and truthful in its details, the individual characters are fresh + and well marked, and a pleasant vein of humour relieves the stress + of the more tragic incidents in the story. + +BY ROSA MULHOLLAND. + +Giannetta: A Girl's Story of Herself. By Rosa Mulholland. With +8 full-page Illustrations by Lockhart Bogle. Crown 8vo, cloth +elegant, _5s._ + + "Giannetta is a true heroine--warm-hearted, self-sacrificing, and, + as all good women nowadays are, largely touched with the enthusiasm + of humanity. The illustrations are unusually good, and combine with + the binding and printing to make this one of the most attractive + gift-books of the season."--_The Academy._ + + "No better book could be selected for a young girl's reading, as + its object is evidently to hold up a mirror, in which are seen some + of the brightest and noblest traits in the female + character."--_Schoolmistress._ + +Perseverance Island: Or the Robinson Crusoe of the 19th Century. By +Douglas Frazar. With 12 full-page Illustrations. Crown 8vo, +cloth elegant, _5s._ + + "This second Robinson Crusoe is certainly a marvellous man. His + determination to overcome all difficulties, and his subsequent + success, should alone make this a capital book for boys. It is + altogether a worthy successor to the ancient Robinson + Crusoe."--_Glasgow Herald._ + +Gulliver's Travels. Illustrated by more than 100 Pictures by Gordon +Browne. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _5s._ + + "By help of the admirable illustrations, and a little judicious + skipping, it has enchanted a family party of ages varying from six + to sixty. Which of the other Christmas books could stand this + test?"--Journal of Education. + + "Mr. Gordon Browne is, to my thinking, incomparably the most + artistic, spirited, and brilliant of our illustrators of books for + boys, and one of the most humorous also, as his illustrations of + 'Gulliver' amply testify."--Truth. + +NEW EDITION OF THE UNIVERSE. + +=The Universe:= Or the Infinitely Great and the Infinitely Little. A +Sketch of Contrasts in Creation, and Marvels revealed and explained by +Natural Science. By F.A. Pouchet, M.D. With 272 Engravings on +wood, of which 55 are full-page size, and a Coloured Frontispiece. Tenth +Edition, medium 8vo, cloth elegant, gilt edges, _7s. 6d._; also morocco +antique, _16s._ + + "We can honestly commend Professor Pouchet's book, which _is_ + admirably, as it is copiously illustrated."--_The Times._ + + "This book is as interesting as the most exciting romance, and a + great deal more likely to be remembered to good + purpose."--_Standard._ + + "Scarcely any book in French or in English is so likely to + stimulate in the young an interest in the physical + phenomena."--_Fortnightly Review._ + + + * * * * * + +BY GEORGE MAC DONALD. + +=At the Back of the North Wind.= By George Mac Donald, LL.D. +With 75 Illustrations by Arthur Hughes. Crown 8vo, cloth +elegant, olivine edges, _5s._ + + "In _At the Back of the North Wind_ we stand with one foot in + fairyland and one on common earth. The story is thoroughly + original, full of fancy and pathos, and underlaid with earnest but + not too obtrusive teaching."--_The Times._ + +=Ranald Bannerman's Boyhood.= By George Mac Donald, LL.D. With +36 Illustrations by Arthur Hughes. New Edition. Crown 8vo, +cloth elegant, olivine edges, _5s._ + + "The sympathy with boy-nature in _Ranald Bannerman's Boyhood_ is + perfect. It is a beautiful picture of childhood, teaching by its + impressions and suggestions all noble things."--_British Quarterly + Review._ + +=The Princess and the Goblin.= By George Mac Donald, LL.D. With +30 Illustrations by Arthur Hughes, and 2 full-page Pictures by +H. Petherick. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, _3s. 6d._ + + "Little of what is written for children has the lightness of touch + and play of fancy which are characteristic of George Mac Donald's + fairy tales. Mr. Arthur Hughes's illustrations are all that + illustrations should be."--_Manchester Guardian._ + + "A model of what a child's book ought to be--interesting, + instructive, and poetical. We cordially recommend it as one of the + very best gift-books we have yet come across."--_Elgin Courant._ + +=The Princess and Curdie.= By George Mac Donald, LL.D. With 8 +full-page Illustrations by James Allen. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, +_3s. 6d._ + + "There is the finest and rarest genius in this brilliant story. + Upgrown people would do wisely occasionally to lay aside their + newspapers and magazines to spend an hour with Curdie and the + Princess."--_Sheffield Independent._ + +=Girl Neighbours:= Or, The Old Fashion and the New. By Sarah +Tytler. With 8 full-page Illustrations by C.T. Garland. +Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _5s._ + + "One of the most effective and quietly humorous of Miss Sarah + Tytler's stories.... Very healthy, very agreeable, and very well + written."--_Spectator._ + + * * * * * + +BY MARY C. ROWSELL. + +=Thorndyke Manor:= A Tale of Jacobite Times. By Mary C. +Rowsell. With 6 full-page Illustrations by L. Leslie +Brooke. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, _3s. 6d._ + + Thorndyke Manor is an old house, near the mouth of the Thames, + which is convenient, on account of its secret vaults and situation, + as the base of operations in a Jacobite conspiracy. In consequence + its owner, a kindly, quiet, book-loving squire, who lives happily + with his sister, bright Mistress Amoril, finds himself suddenly + involved by a treacherous steward in the closest meshes of the + plot. He is conveyed to the Tower, but all difficulties are + ultimately overcome, and his innocence is triumphantly proved by + his sister. + +=Traitor or Patriot?= A Tale of the Rye-House Plot. By Mary C. +Rowsell. With 6 full-page Pictures. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, _3s. +6d._ + + "A romantic love episode, whose true characters are lifelike + beings, not dry sticks as in many historical tales."--_Graphic._ + + * * * * * + +BY ALICE CORKRAN. + + * * * * * + +=Meg's Friend.= By Alice Corkran. With 6 full-page +Illustrations by Robert Fowler. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, _3s. +6d._ + + "Another of Miss Corkran's charming books for girls, narrated in + that simple and picturesque style which marks the authoress as one + of the first amongst writers for young people."--_The Spectator._ + +=Margery Merton's Girlhood.= By Alice Corkran. With 6 full-page +Illustrations by Gordon Browne. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, _3s. +6d._ + + "Another book for girls we can warmly commend. There is a + delightful piquancy in the experiences and trials of a young + English girl who studies painting in Paris."--_Saturday Review._ + +=Down the Snow Stairs:= Or, From Good-night to Good-morning. By +Alice Corkran. With 60 character Illustrations by Gordon +Browne. New Edition. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, olivine edges, _3s. +6d._ + + "A fascinating wonder-book for children."--_Athenaeum._ + + "A gem of the first water, bearing upon every page the signet mark + of genius. All is told with such simplicity and perfect naturalness + that the dream appears to be a solid reality. It is indeed a Little + Pilgrim's Progress."--_Christian Leader._ + +BY JOHN C. HUTCHESON. + + * * * * * + +=Afloat at Last:= A Sailor Boy's Log of his Life at Sea. By John C. +Hutcheson. With 6 full-page Illustrations by W.H. Overend. +Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, _3s. 6d._ + + Mr. Hutcheson's reputation for the realistic treatment of life at + sea will be fully sustained by the present volume--the narrative of + a boy's experiences on board ship during his first voyage. From the + stowing of the vessel in the Thames to her recovery from the Pratas + Reef on which she is stranded, everything is described with the + accuracy of perfect practical knowledge of ships and sailors; and + the incidents of the story range from the broad humours of the + fo'c's'le to the perils of flight from and fight with the pirates + of the China Seas. The captain, the mate, the Irish boatswain, the + Portuguese steward, and the Chinese cook, are fresh and + cleverly-drawn characters, and the reader throughout has the sense + that he is on a real voyage with living men. + +=The White Squall:= A Story of the Sargasso Sea. By John C. +Hutcheson. With 6 full-page Illustrations by John +Schoenberg. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, _3s. 6d._ + + "Few writers have made such rapid improvement in the course of a + few years as has the author of this capital story.... Boys will + find it difficult to lay down the book till they have got to the + end."--_Standard._ + + "The sketches of tropical life are so good as sometimes to remind + us of _Tom Cringle_ and the _Cruise of the Midge_."--_Times._ + +=The Wreck of the Nancy Bell:= Or Cast Away on Kerguelen Land. By +John C. Hutcheson. Illustrated by 6 full-page Pictures. Crown +8vo, cloth extra, _3s. 6d._ + + "A full circumstantial narrative such as boys delight in. The ship + so sadly destined to wreck on Kerguelen Land is manned by a very + lifelike party, passengers and crew. The life in the Antarctic + Iceland is well treated."--_Athenaeum._ + +=Picked Up at Sea:= Or the Gold Miners of Minturne Creek. By John C. +Hutcheson. With 6 full-page Pictures. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, _3s. +6d._ + + "The author's success with this book is so marked that it may well + encourage him to further efforts. The description of mining life in + the Far-west is true and accurate."--_Standard._ + +=Sir Walter's Ward:= A Tale of the Crusades. By William +Everard. With 6 full-page Illustrations by Walter Paget. +Crown 8vo, cloth extra, _3s. 6d._ + + "This book will prove a very acceptable present either to boys or + girls. Both alike will take an interest in the career of Dodo, in + spite of his unheroic name, and follow him through his numerous and + exciting adventures."--_Academy._ + +=Stories Of Old Renown:= Tales of Knights and Heroes. By Ascott R. +Hope. With 100 Illustrations by Gordon Browne. New +Edition. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, _3s. 6d._ + + "A really fascinating book worthy of its telling title. There is, + we venture to say, not a dull page in the book, not a story which + will not bear a second reading."--_Guardian._ + +BY CAROLINE AUSTIN. + + * * * * * + +=Cousin Geoffrey and I.= By Caroline Austin. With 6 full-page +Illustrations by W. Parkinson. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, _3s. +6d._ + + The only daughter of a country gentleman finds herself unprovided + for at her father's death, and for some time lives as a dependant + upon the kinsman who has inherited the property. Life is kept from + being entirely unbearable to her by her young cousin Geoffrey, who + at length meets with a serious accident for which she is held + responsible. She is then passed on to other relatives, who prove + even more objectionable, and at length, in despair, she runs away + and makes a brave attempt to earn her own livelihood. Being a + splendid rider, she succeeds in doing this, until the startling + event which brings her cousin Geoffrey and herself together again, + and solves the problem of the missing will. + +=Hugh Herbert's Inheritance.= By Caroline Austin. With 6 +full-page Illustrations by C.T. Garland. Crown 8vo, cloth +elegant, _3s. 6d._ + + "Will please by its simplicity, its tenderness, and its healthy + interesting motive. It is admirably written."--_Scotsman._ + + "Well and gracefully written, full of interest, and excellent in + tone."--_School Guardian._ + + * * * * * + +BY E.S. BROOKS. + + * * * * * + +=Storied Holidays:= A Cycle of Red-letter Days. By E.S. Brooks. +With 12 full-page Illustrations by Howard Pyle. Crown 8vo, +cloth elegant, _3s. 6d._ + + "It is a downright good book for a senior boy, and is eminently + readable from first to last."--_Schoolmaster._ + + "Replete with interest from Chapter I. to _finis_, and can be + confidently recommended as one of the gems of Messrs. Blackie's + collection."--_Teachers' Aid._ + +=Chivalric Days:= Stories of Courtesy and Courage in the Olden Times. By +E.S. Brooks. With 20 Illustrations by Gordon Browne +and other Artists. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, _3s. 6d._ + + "We have seldom come across a prettier collection of tales. These + charming stories of boys and girls of olden days are no mere + fictitious or imaginary sketches, but are real and actual records + of their sayings and doings. The illustrations are in Gordon + Browne's happiest style."--_Literary World._ + +=Historic Boys:= Their Endeavours, their Achievements, and their Times. +By E.S. Brooks. With 12 full-page Illustrations by R.B. +Birch and John Schoenberg. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, _3s. +6d._ + + "A wholesome book, manly in tone, its character sketches enlivened + by brisk dialogue. We advise schoolmasters to put it on their list + of prizes."--_Knowledge._ + +BY MRS. E.R. PITMAN. + + * * * * * + +=Garnered Sheaves.= A Tale for Boys. By Mrs. E.R. Pitman. With +4 full-page Illustrations. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, _3s. 6d._ + + "This is a story of the best sort ... a noble-looking book, + illustrating faith in God, and commending to young minds all that + is pure and true."--Rev. C.H. Spurgeon's _Sword and Trowel_. + +=Life's Daily Ministry:= A Story of Everyday Service for others. By Mrs. +E.R. Pitman. With 4 full-page Illustrations. Crown 8vo, cloth +extra, _3s. 6d._ + + "Shows exquisite touches of a master hand. She has not only made a + close study of human nature in all its phases, but she has acquired + the artist's skill in depicting in graphic outline the + characteristics of the beautiful and the good in life."--_Christian + Union._ + +=My Governess Life:= Or Earning my Living. By Mrs. E.R. Pitman. +With 4 full-page Illustrations. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, _3s. 6d._ + + "Full of sound teaching and bright examples of + character."--_Sunday-school Chronicle._ + + * * * * * + +BY MRS. R.H. READ. + + * * * * * + +=Silver Mill:= A Tale of the Don Valley. By Mrs. R.H. Read. +With 6 full-page Illustrations by John Schoenberg. Crown 8vo, +cloth elegant, _3s. 6d._ + + "A good girl's story-book. The plot is interesting, and the + heroine, Ruth, a lady by birth, though brought up in a humble + station, well deserves the more elevated position in which the end + of the book leaves her. The pictures are very spirited."--_Saturday + Review._ + +=Dora:= Or a Girl without a Home. By Mrs. R.H. Read. With 6 +full-page Illustrations. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, _3s. 6d._ + + "It is no slight thing, in an age of rubbish, to get a story so + pure and healthy as this."--_The Academy._ + + * * * * * + +BY ELIZABETH J. LYSAGHT. + + * * * * * + +=Brother and Sister:= Or the Trials of the Moore Family. By +Elizabeth J. Lysaght. With 6 full-page Illustrations. Crown +8vo, cloth extra, _3s. 6d._ + + "A pretty story, and well told. The plot is cleverly constructed, + and the moral is excellent."--_Athenaeum._ + +=Laugh and Learn:= A Home-book of Instruction and Amusement for the +Little Ones. By Jennett Humphreys. Charmingly Illustrated. +Square crown 8vo, cloth extra, _3s. 6d._ + + _Laugh and Learn_, a most comprehensive book for the nursery, + supplies, what has long been wanted, a means whereby the mother or + the governess may, in a series of pleasing lessons, commence and + carry on systematic home instruction of the little ones. The + various chapters of the _Learn_ section carry the child through the + "three R's" to easy stories for reading, and stories which the + mother may read aloud, or which more advanced children may read to + themselves. The Laugh section comprises simple drawing lessons, + home amusements of every kind, innumerable pleasant games and + occupations, rhymes to be learnt, songs for the very little ones, + action songs, and music drill. + +=The Search for the Talisman:= A Story of Labrador. By Henry +Frith. With 6 full-page Illustrations by J. Schoenberg. +Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, _3s. 6d._ + + "Mr. Frith's volume will be among those most read and highest + valued. The adventures among seals, whales, and icebergs in + Labrador will delight many a young reader, and at the same time + give him an opportunity to widen his knowledge of the Esquimaux, + the heroes of many tales."--_Pall Mall Gazette._ + +=Self-Exiled:= A Story of the High Seas and East Africa. By J.A. +Steuart. With 6 full-page Illustrations by J. Schoenberg. +Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, _3s. 6d._ + + "It is cram full of thrilling situations. The number of miraculous + escapes from death in all its shapes which the hero experiences in + the course of a few months must be sufficient to satisfy the most + voracious appetite."--_Schoolmaster._ + +=Reefer and Rifleman:= A Tale of the Two Services. By J. +Percy-Groves, late 27th Inniskillings. With 6 full-page +Illustrations by John Schoenberg. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, _3s. +6d._ + + "A good, old-fashioned, amphibious story of our fighting with the + Frenchmen in the beginning of our century, with a fair sprinkling + of fun and frolic."--_Times._ + +=The Bubbling Teapot.= A Wonder Story. By Mrs. L.W. Champney. +With 12 full-page Pictures by Walter Satterlee. Crown 8vo, +cloth extra, _3s. 6d._ + + "Very literally a 'wonder story,' and a wild and fanciful one. + Nevertheless it is made realistic enough, and there is a good deal + of information to be gained from it. The steam from the magic + teapot bubbles up into a girl, and the little girl, when the fancy + takes her, can cry herself back into a teapot. Transformed and + enchanted she makes the tour of the globe."--_The Times._ + +=Dr. Jolliffe's Boys:= A Tale of Weston School. By Lewis Hough. +With 6 full-page Pictures. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, _3s. 6d._ + + "Young people who appreciate _Tom Brown's School-days_ will find + this story a worthy companion to that fascinating book. There is + the same manliness of tone, truthfulness of outline, avoidance of + exaggeration and caricature, and healthy morality as characterized + the masterpiece of Mr. Hughes."--_Newcastle Journal._ + +BLACKIE'S HALF-CROWN SERIES. + +Illustrated by eminent Artists. In crown 8vo, cloth elegant. + + * * * * * + +New Volumes. + +=The Hermit Hunter of the Wilds.= By Gordon Stables, C.M., +M.D., R.N. + + A dreamy boy, who likes to picture himself as the Hermit Hunter of + the Wilds, receives an original but excellent kind of training from + a sailor-naturalist uncle, and at length goes to sea with the hope + of one day finding the lost son of his uncle's close friend, + Captain Herbert. He succeeds in tracing him through the forests of + Ecuador, where the abducted boy has become an Indian chief. + Afterwards he is discovered on an island which had been used as a + treasure store by the buccaneers. The hero is accompanied through + his many adventures by the very king of cats, who deserves a place + amongst the most famous animals in fiction. + +=Miriam's Ambition:= A Story for Children. By Evelyn +Everett-Green. + + Miriam's ambition is to make some one happy, and her endeavour to + carry it out in the case of an invalid boy, carries with it a + pleasant train of romantic incident, solving a mystery which had + thrown a shadow over several lives. A charming foil to her grave + and earnest elder sister is to be found in Miss Babs, a small + coquette of five, whose humorous child-talk is one of the most + attractive features of an excellent story. + +=White Lilac:= Or The Queen of the May. By Amy Walton. + + When the vicar's wife proposed to call Mrs. White's daughter by the + heathen name of Lilac, all the villagers shook their heads; and + they continued to shake them sagely when Lilac's father was shot + dead by poachers just before the christening, and when, years + after, her mother died on the very day Lilac was crowned Queen of + the May. And yet White Lilac proved a fortune to the relatives to + whose charge she fell--a veritable good brownie, who brought luck + wherever she went. The story of her life forms a most readable and + admirable rustic idyl, and is told with a fine sense of rustic + character. + + * * * * * + +=Little Lady Clare.= By Evelyn Everett-Green. + + "Certainly one of the prettiest, reminding us in its quaintness and + tender pathos of Mrs. Ewing's delightful tales. This is quite one + of the best stories Miss Green's clever pen has yet given + us."--_Literary World._ + + "We would particularly bring it under the notice of those in charge + of girls' schools. The story is admirably told."--_Schoolmaster._ + +=The Eversley Secrets.= By Evelyn Everett-Green. + + "Is one of the best children's stories of the year."--_Academy._ + + "A clever and well-told story. Roy Eversley is a very touching + picture of high principle and unshrinking self-devotion in a good + purpose."--_Guardian._ + +=The Brig "Audacious."= By Alan Cole. + + "This is a real boys' book. We have great pleasure in recommending + it."--_English Teacher._ + + "Bright and vivacious in style, and fresh and wholesome as a breath + of sea air in tone."--_Court Journal._ + +=The Saucy May.= By H. Frith. + + "The book is certainly both interesting and + exciting."--_Spectator._ + + "Mr. Frith gives a new picture of life on the ocean wave which will + be acceptable to all young people."--_Sheffield Independent._ + +=Jasper's Conquest.= By Elizabeth J. Lysaght. + + "One of the best boys' books of the season. It is full of stirring + adventure and startling episodes, and yet conveys a splendid moral + throughout."--_Schoolmaster._ + +=Sturdy and Strong:= Or, How George Andrews made his Way. By G.A. +Henty. + + "The history of a hero of everyday life, whose love of truth, + clothing of modesty, and innate pluck carry him, naturally, from + poverty to affluence. He stands as a good instance of chivalry in + domestic life."--_The Empire._ + +=Gutta-Percha Willie=, The Working Genius. By George Mac +Donald, LL.D. + + "Had we space we would fain quote page after page. All we have room + to say is, get it for your boys and girls to read for themselves, + and if they can't do that read it to them."--_Practical Teacher._ + +=The War of the Axe:= Or Adventures in South Africa. By J. +Percy-Groves. + + "The story of their final escape from the Caffres is a marvellous + bit of writing.... The story is well and brilliantly told, and the + illustrations are especially good and effective."--_Literary + World._ + +=The Lads of Little Clayton:= Stories of Village Boy Life. By R. +Stead. + + "A capital book for boys. They will learn from its pages what true + boy courage is. They will learn further to avoid all that is petty + and mean if they read the tales aright. They may be read to a class + with great profit."--_Schoolmaster._ + +=Ten Boys= who lived on the Road from Long Ago to Now. By Jane +Andrews. With 20 Illustrations. + + "The idea of this book is a very happy one, and is admirably + carried out. We have followed the whole course of the work with + exquisite pleasure. Teachers should find it particularly + interesting and suggestive."--_Practical Teacher._ + +=Insect Ways on Summer Days= in Garden, Forest, Field, and Stream. By +Jennett Humphreys. With 70 Illustrations. + + "The book will prove not only instructive but delightful to every + child whose mind is beginning to inquire and reflect upon the + wonders of nature. It is capitally illustrated and very tastefully + bound."--_Academy._ + +=A Waif of the Sea:= Or the Lost Found. By Kate Wood. + + "A very touching and pretty tale of town and country, full of + pathos and interest, told in a style which deserves the highest + praise."--_Edinburgh Courant._ + +=Winnie's Secret:= A Story of Faith and Patience. By Kate +Wood. + + "One of the best story-books we have read. Girls will be charmed + with the tale, and delighted that everything turns out so + well."--_Schoolmaster._ + +=Miss Willowburn's Offer.= By Sarah Doudney. + + "Patience Willowburn is one of Miss Doudney's best creations, and + is the one personality in the story which can be said to give it + the character of a book not for young ladies but for + girls."--_Spectator._ + +=A Garland for Girls.= By Louisa M. Alcott. + + "The _Garland_ will delight our girls, and show them how to make + their lives fragrant with good deeds."--_British Weekly._ + + "These little tales are the beau ideal of girls' + stories."--_Christian World._ + +=Hetty Gray:= Or Nobody's Bairn. By Rosa Mulholland. + + "A charming story for young folks. Hetty is a delightful + creature--piquant, tender, and true--and her varying fortunes are + perfectly realistic."--_World._' + +=Brothers in Arms:= A Story of the Crusades. By F. Bayford +Harrison. + + "Full of striking incident, is very fairly illustrated, and may + safely be chosen as sure to prove interesting to young people of + both sexes."--_Guardian._ + +=The Ball Of Fortune:= Or Ned Somerset's Inheritance. By Charles +Pearce. + + "A capital story for boys. It is simply and brightly written. There + is plenty of incident, and the interest is sustained + throughout."--_Journal of Education._ + +=Miss Fenwick's Failures:= Or "Peggy Pepper-Pot." By Esme +Stuart. + + "Esme Stuart may be commended for producing a girl true to real + life, who will put no nonsense into young heads."--_Graphic._ + +=Gytha's Message:= A Tale of Saxon England. By Emma Leslie. + + "This is a charmingly told story. It is the sort of book that all + girls and some boys like, and can only get good from."--_Journal of + Education._ + +=My Mistress the Queen:= A Tale of the 17th Century. By M.A. +Paull. + + "The style is pure and graceful, the presentation of manners and + character has been well studied, and the story is full of + interest."--_Scotsman._ + + "This is a charming book. The old-time sentiment which pervades the + volume renders it all the more alluring."--_Western Mercury._ + +=The Stories of Wasa and Menzikoff:= The Deliverer of Sweden, and the +Favourite of Czar Peter. + + "Both are stories worth telling more than once, and it is a happy + thought to have put them side by side. Plutarch himself has no more + suggestive comparison."--_Spectator._ + +=Stories of the Sea in Former Days:= Narratives of Wreck and Rescue. + + "Next to an original sea-tale of sustained interest come + well-sketched collections of maritime peril and suffering which + awaken the sympathies by the realism of fact. 'Stories of the Sea' + are a very good specimen of the kind."--_The Times._ + +=Tales of Captivity and Exile.= + + "It would be difficult to place in the hands of young people a book + which combines interest and instruction in a higher + degree."--_Manchester Courier._ + +=Famous Discoveries by Sea and Land.= + + "Such a volume may providentially stir up some youths by the divine + fire kindled by these 'great of old' to lay open other lands, and + show their vast resources."--_Perthshire Advertiser._ + +=Stirring Events of History.= + + "The volume will fairly hold its place among those which make the + smaller ways of history pleasant and attractive. It is a gift-book + in which the interest will not be exhausted with one + reading."--_Guardian._ + +=Adventures in Field, Flood, and Forest.= Stories of Danger and Daring. + + "One of the series of books for young people which Messrs. Blackie' + excel in producing. The editor has beyond all question succeeded + admirably. The present book cannot fail to be read with interest + and advantage."--_Academy._ + +=Jack o' Lanthorn:= A Tale of Adventure. By Henry Frith. + + "The narrative is crushed full of stirring incident, and _is_ sure + to be a prime favourite with our boys, who will be assisted by it + in mastering a sufficiently exciting chapter in the history of + England."--_Christian Leader._ + +=The Family Failing.= By Darley Dale. + + "At once an amusing and an interesting story, and a capital lesson + on the value of contentedness to young and old alike."--_Aberdeen + Journal._ + +=The Joyous Story of Toto.= By Laura E. Richards. With 30 +humorous and fanciful Illustrations by E.H. Garrett. + + "An excellent book for children who are old enough to appreciate a + little delicate humour. It should take its place beside Lewis + Carroll's unique works, and find a special place in the affections + of boys and girls."--_Birmingham Gazette._ + +=BLACKIE'S TWO-SHILLING SERIES.= + +With Illustrations in Colour and black and tint. In crown 8vo, cloth +elegant. + + * * * * * + +New Volumes. + +=Sam Silvan'S Sacrifice:= The Story of Two Fatherless Boys. By Jesse +Colman. + + The story of two brothers--the elder a lad of good and steady + disposition; the younger nervous and finely-strung, but weaker and + more selfish. The death of their grandparents, by whom they are + being brought up, leads to their passing through a number of + adventures in uncomfortable homes and among strange people. In the + end the elder brother's generous care results in his sacrificing + his own life to save that of his brother, who realizes when it is + too late the full measure of his indebtedness. + +=A Warrior King:= The Story of a Boy's Adventures in Africa. By J. +Evelyn. + + A story full of adventure and romantic interest. Adrian Englefield, + an English boy of sixteen, accompanies his father on a journey of + exploration inland from the West Coast. He falls into the hands of + the Berinaquas, and becomes the friend of their prince, Moryosi, + but is on the point of being sacrificed when he is saved by the + capture of the kraelah by a neighbouring hostile tribe. He is soon + after retaken by the Berinaquas, and saves the life of Moryosi. The + two tribes are ultimately united, and Adrian and his friends are + set at liberty. + + * * * * * + +=Susan.= By Amy Walton. + + "A clever little story, written with some humour. The authoress + shows a great deal of insight into children's feelings and + motives."--_Pall Mall Gazette._ + +="A Pair of Clogs:"= And other Stories. By Amy Walton. + + "These stories are decidedly interesting, and unusually true to + nature. For children between nine and fourteen this book can be + thoroughly commended."--_Academy._ + +=The Hawthorns.= By Amy Walton. + + "A remarkably vivid and clever study of child-life. At this species + of work Amy Walton has no superior."--_Christian Leader._ + +=Dorothy's Dilemma:= A Tale of the Time of Charles I. By Caroline +Austin. + + "An exceptionally well-told story, and will be warmly welcomed by + children. The little heroine, Dorothy, is a charming + creation."--_Court Journal._ + +=Marie's Home:= Or, A Glimpse of the Past. By Caroline Austin. + + "An exquisitely told story. The heroine is as fine a type of + girlhood as one could wish to set before our little British damsels + of to-day."--_Christian Leader._ + +=Warner's Chase:= Or the Gentle Heart. By Annie S. Swan. + + "In Milly Warren, the heroine, who softens the hard heart of her + rich uncle and thus unwittingly restores the family fortunes, we + have a fine ideal of real womanly goodness."--_Schoolmaster._ + + "A good book for boys and girls. There is no sickly goodyism in it, + but a tone of quiet and true religion that keeps its own + place."--_Perthshire Advertiser._ + +=Aboard the "Atalanta:"= The Story of a Truant. By Henry Frith. + + "The story is very interesting and the descriptions most graphic. + We doubt if any boy after reading it would be tempted to the great + mistake of running away from school under almost any pretext + whatever."--_Practical Teacher._ + +=The Penang Pirate= and The Lost Pinnace. By John C. +Hutcheson. + + "A book which boys will thoroughly enjoy: rattling, adventurous, + and romantic, and the stories are thoroughly healthy in + tone."--_Aberdeen Journal._ + +=Teddy:= The Story of a "Little Pickle." By John C. Hutcheson. + + "He is an amusing little fellow with a rich fund of animal spirits, + and when at length he goes to sea with Uncle Jack he speedily + sobers down under the discipline of life."--_Saturday Review._ + +=Linda and the Boys.= By Cecilia Selby Lowndes. + + "The book is essentially a child's book, and will be heartily + appreciated by the young folk."--_The Academy._ + + "Is not only told in an artless, simple way, but is full of the + kind of humour that children love."--_Liverpool Mercury._ + +=Swiss Stories for Children and those who Love Children.= From the +German of Madam Johanna Spyri. By Lucy Wheelock. + + "Charming stories. They are rich in local colouring, and, what is + better, in genuine pathos."--_The Times._ + + "These most delightful children's tales are essentially for + children, but would fascinate older and less enthusiastic minds + with their delicate romance and the admirable portraiture of the + hard life of the Swiss peasantry."--_Spectator._ + +=The Squire's Grandson:= A Devonshire Story. By J.M. Callwell. + + "A healthy tone pervades this story, and the lessons of courage, + filial affection, and devotion to duty on the part of the young + hero cannot fail to favourably impress all young + readers."--_Schoolmaster._ + +=Magna Charta Stories:= Or Struggles for Freedom in the Olden Time. +Edited by Arthur Gilman, A.M. With 12 full-page Illustrations. + + "A book of special excellence, which ought to be in the hands of + all boys."--_Educational News._ + +=The Wings Of Courage:= And The Cloud-Spinner. Translated from +the French of George Sand, by Mrs. Corkran. + + "Mrs. Corkran has earned our gratitude by translating into readable + English these two charming little stories."--_Athenaeum._ + +=Chirp and Chatter:= Or, Lessons from Field and Tree. By +Alice Banks. With 54 Illustrations by Gordon Browne. + + "We see the humbling influence of love on the haughty + harvest-mouse, we are touched by the sensibility of the + tender-hearted ant, and may profit by the moral of 'the disobedient + maggot.' The drawings are spirited and funny."--_The Times._ + +=Four Little Mischiefs.= By Rosa Mulholland. + + "Graphically written, and abounds in touches of genuine humour and + innocent fun."--_Freeman._ "A charming bright story about real + children."--_Watchman._ + +=New Light through Old Windows.= A Series of Stories illustrating Fables +of AEsop. By Gregson Gow. + + "The most delightfully-written little stories one can easily find + in the literature of the season. Well constructed and brightly + told."--_Glasgow Herald._ + +=Little Tottie=, and Two Other Stories. By Thomas Archer. + + "We can warmly commend all three stories; the book is a most + alluring prize for the younger ones."--_Schoolmaster._ + +=Naughty Miss Bunny:= Her Tricks and Troubles. By Clara +Mulholland. + + "This naughty child is positively delightful. Papas should not omit + _Naughty Miss Bunny_ from their list of juvenile presents."--_Land + and Water._ + +=Adventures of Mrs. Wishing-to-be=, and other Stories. By Alice +Corkran. + + "Simply a charming book for little girls."--_Saturday Review._ + + "Just in the style and spirit to win the hearts of + children."--_Daily News._ + +=Our Dolly:= Her Words and Ways. By Mrs. R.H. Read. With many +Woodcuts, and a Frontispiece in colours. + + "Prettily told and prettily illustrated."--_Guardian._ + + "Sure to be a great favourite with young children."--_School + Guardian._ + +=Fairy Fancy:= What she Heard and Saw. By Mrs. R.H. Read. With +many Woodcuts and a Coloured Frontispiece. + + "All is pleasant, nice reading, with a little knowledge of natural + history and other matters gently introduced and divested of + dryness."--_Practical Teacher._ + +=BLACKIE'S EIGHTEENPENNY SERIES.= + +With Illustrations in Colour, and black and tint. In crown 8vo, cloth +elegant. + + * * * * * + +New Volumes. + +=Tales of Daring and Danger.= By G.A. Henty. + + A selection of five of Mr. Henty's short stories of adventure by + land and sea. The volume contains the narrative of an officer's + bear-shooting expedition, and his subsequent captivity among the + Dacoits; a strange tale of an Indian fakir and two British + officers; a tale of the gold-diggings at Pine-tree Gulch, in which + a boy saves, at the cost of his own life, a miner who had + befriended him, and two others. + +=The Seven Golden Keys.= By James E. Arnold. + + Hilda gains entrance into fairy-land, and is there shown a golden + casket with seven locks. To obtain the treasure it contains, it is + necessary that she should make seven journeys to find the keys, and + in her travels she passes through a number of adventures and learns + seven important lessons--to speak the truth, to be kind, not to + trust to appearances, to hold fast to all that is good, &c. It is + one of the most interesting of recent fairy-books, as well as one + of the most instructive. + +=The Story of a Queen.= By Mary C. Rowsell. + + A pleasant version for young people of the romantic story of Marie + of Brabant, the young queen of Philip the Bold of France. Though + the interest centres in a heroine rather than in a hero, the book + has no lack of adventure, and will be read with no less eagerness + by boys than by girls. To the latter it will give a fine example of + patient, strong and noble woman-hood, to the former it will teach + many lessons in truthfulness and chivalry. + +=Joan's Adventures=, At the North Pole and Elsewhere. By Alice +Corkran. + + "This is a most delightful fairy story. The charming style and easy + prose narrative makes its resemblance striking to Hans + Andersen's."--_Spectator._ + +=Edwy:= Or, Was he a Coward? By Annette Lyster. + + "This is a charming story, and sufficiently varied to suit children + of all ages."--_The Academy._ + +=Filled with Gold.= By Jennie Perrett. + + "The tale is interesting, and gracefully told. Miss Perrett's + description of life on the quiet Jersey farm will have a great + charm."--_Spectator._ + +=The Battlefield Treasure.= By F. Bayford Harrison. + + "Jack Warren is a lad of the Tom Brown type, and his search for + treasure and the sequel are sure to prove interesting to + boys."--_English Teacher._ + +=By Order of Queen Maude:= A Story of Home Life. By Louisa +Crow. + + "The tale is brightly and cleverly told, and forms one of the best + children's books which the season has produced."--_Academy._ + +=Our General:= A Story for Girls. By Elizabeth J. Lysaght. + + "A young girl of indomitable spirit, to whom all instinctively turn + for guidance--a noble pattern for girls."--_Guardian._ + +=Aunt Hesba's Charge.= By Elizabeth J. Lysaght. + + "This well-written book tells how a maiden aunt is softened by the + influence of two Indian children who are unexpectedly left upon her + hands. Mrs. Lysaght's style is bright and pleasant."--_Academy._ + +=Into the Haven.= By Annie S. Swan. + + "No story more attractive, by reason of its breezy freshness, as + well as for the practical lessons it conveys."--_Christian Leader._ + +=Our Frank:= And other Stories. By Amy Walton. + + "These stories are of the sort that children of the clever kind are + sure to like."--_Academy._ + +=The Late Miss Hollingford.= By Rosa Mulholland. + + "No book for girls published this season approaches this in the + charm of its telling, which will be equally appreciated by persons + of all ages."--_Standard._ + +=The Pedlar and His Dog.= By Mary C. Rowsell. + + "The opening chapter, with its description of Necton Fair, will + forcibly remind many readers of George Eliot. Taken altogether it + is a delightful story."--_Western Morning News._ + +=Yarns on the Beach.= By G.A. Henty. + + "This little book should find special favour among boys. The yarns + are full of romance and adventure, and are admirably calculated to + foster a manly spirit."--_The Echo._ + +=A Terrible Coward.= By G. Manville Fenn. + + "Just such a tale as boys will delight to read, and as they are + certain to profit by."--_Aberdeen Journal._ + +=Tom Finch's Monkey:= And other Yarns. By J.C. Hutcheson. + + "Stories of an altogether unexceptionable character, with + adventures sufficient for a dozen books of its size."--_U. Service + Gazette._ + +=Miss Grantley's Girls=, And the Stories She Told Them. By Thomas +Archer. + + "For fireside reading more wholesome and highly entertaining + reading for young people could not be found."--_Northern + Chronicle._ + +=Down and Up Again:= Being some Account of the Felton Family, and the +Odd People they Met. By Gregson Gow. + + "The story is very neatly told, with some fairly dramatic + incidents, and calculated altogether to please young + people."--_Scotsman._ + +=The Troubles and Triumphs of Little Tim.= A City Story. By Gregson +Gow. + + "An undercurrent of sympathy with the struggles of the poor, and an + ability to describe their feelings, eminently characteristic of + Dickens, are marked features in Mr. Gow's story."--_N.B. Mail._ + +=The Happy Lad:= A Story of Peasant Life in Norway. From the Norwegian +of Bjoernson. + + "This pretty story has natural eloquence which seems to carry us + back to some of the love stories of the Bible."--_Aberdeen Free + Press._ + +=The Patriot Martyr:= And other Narratives of Female Heroism in Peace +and War. + + "It should be read with interest by every girl who loves to learn + what her sex can accomplish in times of danger."--_Bristol Times._ + +=Madge's Mistake:= A Recollection of Girlhood. By Annie E. +Armstrong. + + "We cannot speak too highly of this delightful little tale. It + abounds in interesting and laughable incidents."--_Bristol Times._ + +=Box of Stories.= Packed for Young Folk by Horace Happyman. + +=When I was a Boy in China.= By Yan Phou Lee, a native of +China, now resident in the United States. Illustrated. Crown 8vo, cloth +extra, _1s. 6d._ + + "This little book has the advantage of having been written not only + by a Chinaman, but by a man of culture. His book is as interesting + to adults as it is to children."--_The Guardian._ + + "Not only exceedingly interesting, but of great informative value, + for it gives to English readers a peep into the interior and + private life of China such as has perhaps never before been + afforded."--_The Scottish Leader._ + + * * * * * + +THE SHILLING SERIES OF BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. + +Square 16mo, neatly bound in cloth extra. Each book contains 128 pages +and a Coloured Illustration. + + * * * * * + +New Volumes. + +=Mr. Lipscombe's Apples.= By Julia Goddard. +=Gladys: or the Sister's Charge.= By E. O'Byrne. +=A Gypsy against Her Will.= By Emma Leslie. +=The Castle on the Shore.= By Isabel Hornibrook. +=An Emigrant Boy's Story.= By Ascott R. Hope. +=Jock and his Friend.= By Cora Langton. +=John a' Dale.= By Mary C. Rowsell. +=In the Summer Holidays.= By Jennett Humphreys. +=How the Strike Began.= By Emma Leslie. +=Tales from the Russian of Madame Kubalensky.= By G. Jenner. +=Cinderella's Cousin, and Other Stories.= By Penelope. +=Their New Home.= By Annie S. Fenn. +=Janie's Holiday.= By C. Redford. +=A Boy Musician:= Or, the Young Days of Mozart. +=Hatto's Tower.= By Mary C. Rowsell. +=Fairy Lovebairn's Favourites.= By J. Dickinson. +=Alf Jetsam:= or Found Afloat. By Mrs. George Cupples. +=The Redfords:= An Emigrant Story. By Mrs. George Cupples. +=Missy.= By F. Bayford Harrison. +=Hidden Seed:= or, A Year in a Girl's Life. By Emma Leslie. +=Ursula's Aunt.= By Annie S. Fenn. +=Jack's Two Sovereigns.= By Annie S. Fenn. +=A Little Adventurer:= or How Tommy Trefit went to look for his Father. + By Gregson Gow. +=Olive Mount.= By Annie S. Fenn. +=Three Little Ones.= Their Haps and Mishaps. By C. Langton. +=Tom Watkins' Mistake.= By Emma Leslie. +=Two Little Brothers.= By M. Harriet M. Capes. +=The New Boy at Merriton.= By Julia Goddard. +=The Children of Haycombe.= By Annie S. Fenn. +=The Cruise of the "Petrel."= By F.M. Holmes. +=The Wise Princess.= By M. Harriet M. Capes. +=The Blind Boy of Dresden and his Sister.= +=Jon of Iceland:= A Story of the Far North. +=Stories from Shakespeare.= +=Every Man In his Place:= Or a City Boy and a Forest Boy. +=Fireside Fairies and Flower Fancies.= Stories for Girls. +=To the Sea in Ships:= Stories of Suffering and Saving at Sea. +=Jack's Victory:= and other Stories about Dogs. +=Story of a King=, told by one of his Soldiers. +=Prince Alexis=, or "Beauty and the Beast." +=Little Daniel:= a Story of a Flood on the Rhine. +=Sasha the Serf:= and other Stories of Russian Life. +=True Stories of Foreign History.= + + * * * * * + +_THE ILLUSTRATIONS THROUGHOUT PRINTED IN COLOURS._ + +4TO, ONE SHILLING EACH. + +=GORDON BROWNE'S SERIES OF OLD FAIRY TALES.= + +1. HOP O' MY THUMB. +2. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. + +Each book contains 32 pages 4to, and is illustrated on every page by +Pictures printed in colours. + +=THE NINEPENNY SERIES OF BOOKS FOR CHILDREN.= + +Neatly bound in cloth extra. Each contains 96 pages and a Coloured +Illustration. + + * * * * * + +New Volumes. + +=Things will Take a Turn.= By Beatrice Harraden. +=The Lost Thimble:= and other Stories. By Mrs. Musgrave. +=Max or Baby:= the Story of a very Little Boy. By Ismay Thorn. +=Jack-a-Dandy:= or the Heir of Castle Fergus. By E.J. Lysaght. +=A Day of Adventures:= A Story for little Girls. By Charlotte Wyatt. +=The Golden Plums=, and other Stories. By Frances Clare. + +=The Queen of Squats.= By Isabel Hornibrook. +=Shucks:= A Story for Boys. By Emma Leslie. +=Sylvia Brooke.= By M. Harriet M. Capes. +=The Little Cousin.= By A.S. Fenn. +=In Cloudland.= By Mrs. Musgrave. +=Jack and the Gypsies.= By Kate Wood. +=Hans the Painter.= By Mary C. Rowsell. +=Little Troublesome.= By Isabel Hornibrook. +=My Lady May:= And one other Story. By Harriet Boultwood. +=A Little Hero.= By Mrs. Musgrave. +=Prince Jon's Pilgrimage.= By Jessie Fleming. +=Harold's Ambition:= Or a Dream of Fame. By Jennie Perrett. +=Sepperl the Drummer Boy.= By Mary C. Rowsell. +=Aboard the Mersey.= By Mrs. George Cupples. +=A Blind Pupil.= By Annie S. Fenn. +=Lost and Found.= By Mrs. Carl Rother. +=Fisherman Grim.= By Mary C. Rowsell. + + "The same good character pervades all these books. They are + admirably adapted for the young. The lessons deduced are such as to + mould children's minds in a good groove. We cannot too highly + commend them for their excellence."--_Schoolmistress._ + + * * * * * + +=SOMETHING FOR THE VERY LITTLE ONES.= + +Fully Illustrated with Woodcuts and Coloured Plates. 64 pp., 32mo, +cloth. Sixpence each. + +=Tales Easy and Small= for the Youngest of All. In no word will you see +more letters than three. By Jennett Humphreys. + +=Old Dick Grey= and Aunt Kate's Way. Stories in little words of not more +than four letters. By Jennett Humphreys. + +=Maud's Doll and Her Walk.= In Picture and Talk. In little words of not +more than four letters. By Jennett Humphreys. + +=In Holiday Time.= And other Stories. In little words of not more than +five letters. By Jennett Humphreys. + +=Whisk and Buzz.= By Mrs. A.H. Garlick. + +=THE SIXPENNY SERIES FOR CHILDREN.= + +Neatly bound in cloth extra. Each contains 64 pages and a Coloured Cut. + +=A Little Man of War.= By L.E. Tiddeman. +=Lady Daisy.= By Caroline Stewart. +=Dew.= By H. Mary Wilson. +=Chris's Old Violin.= By J. Lockhart. +=Mischievous Jack.= By A. Corkran. +=The Twins.= By L.E. Tiddeman. +=Pet's Project.= By Cora Langton. +=The Chosen Treat.= By Charlotte Wyatt. +=Little Neighbours.= By Annie S. Fenn. +=Jim:= A Story of Child Life. By Christian Burke. +=Little Curiosity:= Or, A German Christmas. By J.M. Callwell. +=Sara the Wool-gatherer.= By W.L. Rooper. +=Fairy Stories:= told by Penelope. +=A New Year's Tale:= and other Stories. From the German. By M.A. Currie. +=Little Mop:= and other Stories. By Mrs. Charles Bray. +=The Tree Cake:= and other Stories. By W.L. Rooper. +=Nurse Peggy, and Little Dog Trip.= +=Fanny's King.= By Darley Dale. +=Wild Marsh Marigolds.= By D. Dale. +=Kitty's Cousin.= By Hannah B. Mackenzie. +=Cleared at Last.= By Julia Goddard. +=Little Dolly Forbes.= By Annie S. Fenn. +=A Year with Nellie.= By A.S. Fenn. +=The Little Brown Bird.= +=The Maid of Domremy:= and other Tales. +=Little Eric:= a Story of Honesty. +=Uncle Ben the Whaler.= +=The Palace of Luxury.= +=The Charcoal Burner.= +=Willy Black:= a Story of Doing Right. +=The Horse and His Ways.= +=The Shoemaker's Present.= +=Lights to Walk by.= +=The Little Merchant.= +=Nicholina:= a Story about an Iceberg. + + "A very praiseworthy series of Prize Books. Most of the stories are + designed to enforce some important moral lesson, such as honesty, + industry, kindness, helpfulness."--_School Guardian._ + + * * * * * + +=A SERIES OF FOURPENNY REWARD BOOKS.= + +Each 64 pages, 18mo, Illustrated, in Picture Boards. + +=A Start in Life.= By J. Lockhart. +=Happy Childhood.= By Aimee de Venoix Dawson. +=Dorothy's Clock.= By Do. +=Toddy.= By L.E. Tiddeman. +=Stories about my Dolls.= By Felicia Melancthon. +=Stories about my Cat Timothy.= +=Delia's Boots.= By W.L. Rooper. +=Lost on the Rocks.= By R. Scotter. +=A Kitten's Adventures.= By Caroline Stewart. +=Holidays at Sunnycroft.= By Annie S. Swan. +=Climbing the Hill.= By Do. +=A Year at Coverley.= By Do. +=Phil Foster.= By J. Lockhart. +=Papa's Birthday.= By W.L. Rooper. +=The Charm Fairy.= By Penelope. +=Little Tales for Little Children.= By M.A. Currie. +=Worthy of Trust.= By H.B. Mackenzie. +=Brave and True.= By Gregson Gow. +=Johnnie Tupper's Temptation.= Do. +=Maudie and Bertie.= Do. +=The Children and the Water-Lily.= By Julia Goddard. +=Poor Tom Olliver.= By Do. +=Fritz's Experiment.= By Letitia M'Lintock. +=Lucy's Christmas-Box.= + +LONDON: BLACKIE & SON, 49 OLD BAILEY, E.C. +GLASGOW, EDINBURGH, AND DUBLIN. + + +[Transcriber's Note: The following section was at the beginning of the book +in the original copy.] + +MR. HENTY'S HISTORICAL TALES. + +_Crown 8vo, Cloth elegant, Olivine edges. Each Book is beautifully +Illustrated._ + +The Cat of Bubastes: A Story of Ancient Egypt. _5s._ + +The Young Carthaginian: A Story of the Times of Hannibal. _6s._ + +For the Temple: A Tale of the Fall of Jerusalem. _6s._ + +The Lion of St. Mark: A Story of Venice in the 14th Century. +6s. + +The Lion of the North: A Tale of Gustavus Adolphus and the Wars +of Religion. _6s._ + +In the Reign of Terror: The Adventures of a Westminster Boy +during the French Revolution. _5s._ + +The Dragon and the Raven: Or, The Days of King Alfred. _5s._ + +In Freedom's Cause: A Story of Wallace and Bruce. _6s._ + +St. George for England: A Tale of Cressy and Poitiers. _5s._ + +Under Drake's Flag: A Tale of the Spanish Main. _6s._ + +Orange and Green: A Tale of the Boyne and Limerick. _5s._ + +Bonnie Prince Charlie: A Tale of Fontenoy and Culloden. _6s._ + +The Bravest of the Brave: Or, With Peterborough in Spain. _5s._ + +With Wolfe in Canada: Or, The Winning of a Continent. _6s._ + +With Clive in India: Or, The Beginnings of an Empire. _6s._ + +True to the Old Flag: A Tale of the American War of +Independence. _6s._ + +Through the Fray: A Story of the Luddite Riots. _6s._ + +By Sheer Pluck: A Tale of the Ashanti War. _5s._ + +For Name and Fame: Or, Through Afghan Passes. _5s._ + +LONDON: BLACKIE & SON: GLASGOW AND EDINBURGH. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Tales of Daring and Danger, by George Alfred Henty + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TALES OF DARING AND DANGER *** + +***** This file should be named 7870.txt or 7870.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/7/8/7/7870/ + +Produced by Jason Isbell, Stacy Brown Thellend and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net +Merged with an earlier text produced by Juliet Sutherland, +Thomas Hutchinson and the Online Distributed Proofreading +Team + + +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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Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..925a502 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #7870 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/7870) diff --git a/old/7tdar10.txt b/old/7tdar10.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a131498 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/7tdar10.txt @@ -0,0 +1,3625 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Tales of Daring and Danger, by G. A. Henty +#22 in our series by G. A. Henty + +Copyright laws are changing all over the world. Be sure to check the +copyright laws for your country before downloading or redistributing +this or any other Project Gutenberg eBook. + +This header should be the first thing seen when viewing this Project +Gutenberg file. Please do not remove it. 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Henty + +Release Date: April, 2005 [EBook #7870] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on May 28, 2003] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TALES OF DARING AND DANGER *** + + + + +Produce by Juliet Sutherland, Thomas Hutchinson +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team + + + + +TALES OF DARING AND DANGER. + + +by G. A. Henty + + + + +CONTENTS + +BEARS AND DACOITS +THE PATERNOSTERS +A PIPE OF MYSTERY +WHITE-FACED DICK +A BRUSH WITH THE CHINESE + + + + + +BEARS AND DACOITS. + +A TALE OF THE GHAUTS + + + +CHAPTER I. + + +A merry party were sitting in the verandah of one of the largest and +handsomest bungalows of Poonah. It belonged to Colonel Hastings, colonel +of a native regiment stationed there, and at present, in virtue of +seniority, commanding a brigade. Tiffin was on, and three or four +officers and four ladies had taken their seats in the comfortable cane +lounging chairs which form the invariable furniture of the verandah of a +well-ordered bungalow. Permission had been duly asked, and granted by +Mrs. Hastings and the cheroots had just begun to draw, when Miss +Hastings, a niece of the colonel, who had only arrived the previous week +from England, said,-- + +"Uncle, I am quite disappointed. Mrs. Lyons showed me the bear she has +got tied up in their compound, and it is the most wretched little thing, +not bigger than Rover, papa's retriever, and it's full-grown. I thought +bears were great fierce creatures, and this poor little thing seemed so +restless and unhappy that I thought it quite a shame not to let it go." + +Colonel Hastings smiled rather grimly. + +"And yet, small and insignificant as that bear is, my dear, it is a +question whether he is not as dangerous an animal to meddle with as a +man-eating tiger." + +"What, that wretched little bear, Uncle?" + +"Yes, that wretched little bear. Any experienced sportsman will tell you +that hunting those little bears is as dangerous a sport as tiger-hunting +on foot, to say nothing of tiger-hunting from an elephant's back, in +which there is scarcely any danger whatever. I can speak feelingly about +it, for my career was pretty nearly brought to an end by a bear, just +after I entered the army, some thirty years ago, at a spot within a few +miles from here. I have got the scars on my shoulder and arm still." + +"Oh, do tell me all about it," Miss Hastings said, and the request being +seconded by the rest of the party, none of whom, with the exception of +Mrs. Hastings, had ever heard the story before--for the colonel was +somewhat chary of relating this special experience--he waited till they +had all drawn up their chairs as close as possible, and then giving two +or three vigorous puffs at his cheroot, began as follows-- + +"Thirty years ago, in 1855, things were not so settled in the Deccan as +they are now. There was no idea of insurrection on a large scale, but we +were going through one of those outbreaks of Dacoity, which have several +times proved so troublesome. Bands of marauders kept the country in +confusion, pouring down on a village, now carrying off three or four of +the Bombay money-lenders, who were then, as now, the curse of the +country; sometimes making an onslaught upon a body of traders; and +occasionally venturing to attack small detachments of troops or isolated +parties of police. They were not very formidable, but they were very +troublesome, and most difficult to catch, for the peasantry regarded +them as patriots, and aided and shielded them in every way. The +head-quarters of these gangs of Dacoits were the Ghauts. In the thick +bush and deep valleys and gorges there they could always take refuge, +while sometimes the more daring chiefs converted these detached peaks +and masses of rock, numbers of which you can see as you come up the +Ghaut by railway, into almost impregnable fortresses. Many of these +masses of rock rise as sheer up from the hillside as walls of masonry, +and look at a short distance like ruined castles. Some are absolutely +inaccessible, others can only be scaled by experienced climbers, and, +although possible for the natives with their bare feet, are +impracticable to European troops. Many of these rock fortresses were at +various times the headquarters of famous Dacoit leaders, and unless the +summits happened to be commanded from some higher ground within gunshot +range they were all but impregnable except by starvation. When driven to +bay, these fellows would fight well. + +"Well, about the time I joined, the Dacoits were unusually troublesome; +the police had a hard time of it, and almost lived in the saddle, and +the cavalry were constantly called up to help them, while detachments of +infantry from the station were under canvas at several places along the +top of the Ghauts to cut the bands off from their strongholds, and to +aid, if necessary, in turning them out of their rock fortresses. The +natives in the valleys at the foot of the Ghauts, who have always been a +semi-independent race, ready to rob whenever they saw a chance, were +great friends with the Dacoits, and supplied them with provisions +whenever the hunt on the Deccan was too hot for them to make raids in +that direction. + +"This is a long introduction, you will say, and does not seem to have +much to do with bears; but it is really necessary, as you will see. I +had joined about six months when three companies of the regiment were +ordered to relieve a wing of the 15th, who had been under canvas at a +village some four miles to the north of the point where the line crosses +the top of the Ghauts. There were three white officers, and little +enough to do, except when a party was sent off to assist the police. We +had one or two brushes with the Dacoits, but I was not out on either +occasion. However, there was plenty of shooting, and a good many pigs +about, so we had very good fun. Of course, as a raw hand, I was very +hot for it, and as the others had both passed the enthusiastic age, +except for pig-sticking and big game, I could always get away. I was +supposed not to go far from camp, because, in the first place, I might +be wanted; and, in the second, because of the Dacoits; and Norworthy, +who was in command, used to impress upon me that I ought not to go +beyond the sound of a bugle. Of course we both knew that if I intended +to get any sport I must go further afoot than this; but I merely used to +say 'All right, sir, I will keep an ear to the camp,' and he on his part +never considered it necessary to ask where the game which appeared on +the table came from. But in point of fact, I never went very far, and my +servant always had instructions which way to send for me if I was +wanted; while as to the Dacoits I did not believe in their having the +impudence to come in broad daylight within a mile or two of our camp. I +did not often go down the face of the Ghauts. The shooting was good, and +there were plenty of bears in those days, but it needed a long day for +such an expedition, and in view of the Dacoits who might be scattered +about, was not the sort of thing to be undertaken except with a strong +party. Norworthy had not given any precise orders about it, but I must +admit that he said one day:-- + +"'Of course you won't be fool enough to think of going down the Ghauts, +Hastings?' But I did not look at that as equivalent to a direct +order--whatever I should do now," the colonel put in, on seeing a +furtive smile on the faces of his male listeners. + +"However, I never meant to go down, though I used to stand on the edge +and look longingly down into the bush and fancy I saw bears moving about +in scores. But I don't think I should have gone into their country if +they had not come into mine. One day the fellow who always carried my +spare gun or flask, and who was a sort of shekarry in a small way, told +me he had heard that a farmer, whose house stood near the edge of the +Ghauts, some two miles away, had been seriously annoyed by his fruit and +corn being stolen by bears. + +"'I'll go and have a look at the place tomorrow,' I said, 'there is no +parade, and I can start early. You may as well tell the mess cook to put +up a basket with some tiffin and a bottle of claret, and get a boy to +carry it over.' + +"'The bears not come in day,' Rahman said. + +"'Of course not,' I replied, 'still I may like to find out which way +they come. Just do as you are told.' + +"The next morning, at seven o'clock, I was at the farmer's spoken of, +and there was no mistake as to the bears. A patch of Indian corn had +been ruined by them, and two dogs had been killed. The native was in a +terrible state of rage and alarm. He said that on moonlight nights he +had seen eight of them, and they came and sniffed around the door of the +cottage. + +"'Why don't you fire through the window at them?' I asked scornfully, +for I had seen a score of tame bears in captivity, and, like you, Mary, +was inclined to despise them, though there was far less excuse for me, +for I had heard stories which should have convinced me that, small as he +is, the Indian bear is not a beast to be attacked with impunity. Upon +walking to the edge of the Ghauts there was no difficulty in discovering +the route by which the bears came up to the farm. For a mile to the +right and left the ground fell away as if cut with a knife, leaving a +precipice of over a hundred feet sheer down; but close by where I was +standing was the head of a water-course, which in time had gradually +worn a sort of cleft in the wall, up or down which it was not difficult +to make one's way. Further down this little gorge widened out and became +a deep ravine, and further still a wide valley, where it opened upon the +flats far below us. About half a mile down where the ravine was deepest +and darkest was a thick clump of trees and jungle. + +"'That's where the bears are?' I asked Rahman. He nodded. It seemed no +distance. I could get down and back in time for tiffin, and perhaps bag +a couple of bears. For a young sportsman the temptation was great. 'How +long would it take us to go down and have a shot or two at them?' + +"'No good go down. Master come here at night, shoot bears when they come +up.' + +"I had thought of that; but, in the first place, it did not seem much +sport to shoot the beasts from cover when they were quietly eating, and, +in the next place, I knew that Norworthy could not, even if he were +willing, give me leave to go out of camp at night. I waited, hesitating +for a few minutes, and then I said to myself, 'It is of no use +waiting. I could go down and get a bear and be back again while I am +thinking of it;' then to Rahman, 'No, come along; we will have a look +through that wood anyhow.' + +"Rahman evidently did not like it. + +"'Not easy find bear, sahib. He very cunning.' + +"'Well, very likely we sha'n't find them,' I said, 'but we can try +anyhow. Bring that bottle with you; the tiffin basket can wait here till +we come back.' In another five minutes I had begun to climb down the +watercourse--the shekarry following me. I took the double-barrelled +rifle and handed him the shot-gun, having first dropped a bullet down +each barrel over the charge. The ravine was steep, but there were bushes +to hold on by, and although it was hot work and took a good deal longer +than I expected, we at last got down to the place which I had fixed upon +as likely to be the bears' home. + +"'Sahib, climb up top,' Rahman said; 'come down through wood; no good +fire at bear when he above.' + +"I had heard that before; but I was hot, the sun was pouring down, there +was not a breath of wind, and it looked a long way up to the top of the +wood. + +"'Give me the claret. It would take too long to search the wood +regularly. We will sit down here for a bit, and if we can see anything +moving up in the wood, well and good; if not, we will come back again +another day with some beaters and dogs.' So saying, I sat down with my +back against a rock, at a spot where I could look up among the trees for +a long way through a natural vista. I had a drink of claret, and then I +sat and watched till gradually I dropped off to sleep. I don't know how +long I slept, but it was some time, and I woke up with a sudden +start. Rahman, who had, I fancy, been asleep too, also started up. + +"The noise which had aroused us was made by a rolling stone striking a +rock; and looking up I saw some fifty yards away, not in the wood, but +on the rocky hillside on our side of the ravine, a bear standing, as +though unconscious of our presence, snuffing the air. As was natural, I +seized my rifle, cocked it, and took aim, unheeding a cry of 'No, no, +sahib,' from Rahman. However, I was not going to miss such a chance as +this, and I let fly. The beast had been standing sideways to me, and as +I saw him fall I felt sure I had hit him in the heart. I gave a shout of +triumph, and was about to climb up, when, from behind the rock on which +the bear had stood, appeared another growling fiercely; on seeing me, it +at once prepared to come down. Stupidly, being taken by surprise, and +being new at it, I fired at once at its head. The bear gave a spring, +and then--it seemed instantaneous--down it came at me. Whether it rolled +down, or slipped down, or ran down, I don't know, but it came almost as +if it had jumped straight at me. + +[Illustration: "My Gun, Rahman," I Shouted.] + +"'My gun, Rahman,' I shouted, holding out my hand. There was no +answer. I glanced round, and found that the scoundrel had bolted. I had +time, and only just time, to take a step backwards, and to club my +rifle, when the brute was upon me. I got one fair blow at the side of +its head, a blow that would have smashed the skull of any civilized +beast into pieces, and which did fortunately break the brute's jaw, then +in an instant he was upon me, and I was fighting for life. My +hunting-knife was out, and with my left hand I had the beast by the +throat; while with my right I tried to drive my knife into its ribs. My +bullet had gone through his chest. The impetus of his charge had +knocked me over, and we rolled on the ground, he tearing with his claws +at my shoulder and arm, I stabbing and struggling, my great effort being +to keep my knees up so as to protect my body with them from his hind +claws. After the first blow with his paw, which laid my shoulder open, I +do not think I felt any special pain whatever. There was a strange faint +sensation, and my whole energy seemed centered in the two ideas--to +strike and to keep my knees up. I knew that I was getting faint, but I +was dimly conscious that his efforts, too, were relaxing. His weight on +me seemed to increase enormously, and the last idea that flashed across +me was that it was a drawn fight. + +"The next idea of which I was conscious was that I was being carried. I +seemed to be swinging about, and I thought I was at sea. Then there was +a little jolt and a sense of pain. 'A collision,' I muttered, and opened +my eyes. Beyond the fact that I seemed in a yellow world--a bright +orange-yellow--my eyes did not help me, and I lay vaguely wondering +about it all, till the rocking ceased. There was another bump, and then +the yellow world seemed to come to an end; and as the daylight streamed +in upon me I fainted again. This time when I awoke to consciousness +things were clearer. I was stretched by a little stream. A native woman +was sprinkling my face and washing the blood from my wounds; while +another, who had with my own knife cut off my coat and shirt, was +tearing the latter into strips to bandage my wounds. The yellow world +was explained. I was lying on the yellow robe of one of the women. They +had tied the ends together, placed a long stick through them, and +carried me in the bag-like hammock. They nodded to me when they saw I +was conscious, and brought water in a large leaf, and poured it into my +mouth. Then one went away for some time, and came back with some leaves +and bark. These they chewed and put on my wounds, bound them up with +strips of my shirt, and then again knotted the ends of the cloth, and +lifting me up, went on as before. + +"I was sure that we were much lower down the Ghaut than we had been when +I was watching for the bears, and we were now going still +lower. However, I knew very little Hindustani, nothing of the language +the women spoke. I was too weak to stand, too weak even to think much, +and I dozed and woke, and dozed again, until, after what seemed to me +many hours of travel, we stopped again, this time before a tent. Two or +three old women and four or five men came out, and there was great +talking between them and the young women--for they were young--who had +carried me down. Some of the party appeared angry, but at last things +quieted down, and I was carried into the tent. I had fever, and was, I +suppose, delirious for days. I afterwards found that for fully a +fortnight I had lost all consciousness, but a good constitution and the +nursing of the women pulled me round. When once the fever had gone, I +began to mend rapidly. I tried to explain to the women that if they +would go up to the camp and tell them where I was they would be well +rewarded, but although I was sure they understood, they shook then +heads, and by the fact that as I became stronger two or three armed men +always hung about the tent, I came to the conclusion that I was a sort +of prisoner. This was annoying, but did not seem serious. If these +people were Dacoits, or as was more likely, allies of the Dacoits, I +could be kept only for ransom or exchange. Moreover, I felt sure of my +ability to escape when I got strong, especially as I believed that in +the young women who had saved my life, both by bringing me down and by +their careful nursing, I should find friends." + +"Were they pretty, uncle?" Mary Hastings broke in. + +"Never mind whether they were pretty, Mary; they were better than +pretty." + +"No; but we like to know, uncle." + +"Well, except for the soft, dark eyes, common to the race, and the good +temper and lightheartedness, also so general among Hindu girls, and the +tenderness which women feel towards a creature whose life they have +saved, whether it is a wounded bird or a drowning puppy, I suppose they +were nothing remarkable in the way of beauty, but at the time I know +that I thought them charming." + + + +CHAPTER II. + + +"Just as I was getting strong enough to walk, and was beginning to think +of making my escape, a band of five or six fellows, armed to the teeth, +came in, and made signs that I was to go with them. It was evidently an +arranged thing, the girls only were surprised, but they were at once +turned out, and as we started I could see two crouching figures in the +shade with their cloths over their heads. I had a native garment thrown +over my shoulders, and in five minutes after the arrival of the fellows +found myself on my way. It took us some six hours before we reached our +destination, which was one of those natural rock citadels. Had I been in +my usual health I could have done the distance in an hour and a half, +but I had to rest constantly, and was finally carried rather than helped +up. I had gone not unwillingly, for the men were clearly, by their +dress, Dacoits of the Deccan, and I had no doubt that it was intended +either to ransom or exchange me. + +"At the foot of this natural castle were some twenty or thirty more +robbers, and I was led to a rough sort of arbour in which was lying, on +a pile of maize straw, a man who was evidently their chief. He rose and +we exchanged salaams. + +"'What is your name, sahib?' he asked in Mahratta. + +"'Hastings--Lieutenant Hastings,' I said. 'And yours?' + +"'Sivajee Punt!' he said. + +"This was bad. I had fallen into the hands of the most troublesome, most +ruthless, and most famous of the Dacoit leaders. Over and over again he +had been hotly chased, but had always managed to get away; and when I +last heard anything of what was going on four or five troops of native +police were scouring the country after him. He gave an order which I did +not understand, and a wretched Bombay writer, I suppose a clerk of some +money-lender, was dragged forward. Sivajee Punt spoke to him for some +time, and the fellow then told me in English that I was to write at once +to the officer commanding the troops, telling him that I was in his +hands, and should be put to death directly he was attacked. + +"'Ask him,' I said, 'if he will take any sum of money to let me go?' + +"Sivajee shook his head very decidedly. + +"A piece of paper was put before me, and a pen and ink, and I wrote as I +had been ordered, adding, however, in French, that I had brought myself +into my present position by my own folly, and would take my chance, for +I well knew the importance which Government attached to Sivajee's +capture. I read out loud all that I had written in English, and the +interpreter translated it. Then the paper was folded and I addressed it, +'The Officer Commanding,' and I was given some chupattis and a drink of +water, and allowed to sleep. The Dacoits had apparently no fear of any +immediate attack. + +"It was still dark, although morning was just breaking, when I was +awakened, and was got up to the citadel. I was hoisted rather than +climbed, two men standing above with a rope, tied round my body, so that +I was half-hauled, half-pushed up the difficult places, which would have +taxed all my climbing powers had I been in health. + +"The height of this mass of rock was about a hundred feet; the top was +fairly flat, with some depressions and risings, and about eighty feet +long by fifty wide. It had evidently been used as a fortress in ages +past. Along the side facing the hill were the remains of a rough +wall. In the centre of a depression was a cistern, some four feet +square, lined with stone-work, and in another depression a gallery had +been cut, leading to a subterranean store-room or chamber. This natural +fortress rose from the face of the hill at a distance of a thousand +yards or so from the edge of the plateau, which was fully two hundred +feet higher than the top of the rock. In the old days it would have +been impregnable, and even at that time it was an awkward place to take, +for the troops were armed only with Brown Bess, and rifled cannon were +not thought of. Looking round, I could see that I was some four miles +from the point where I had descended. The camp was gone; but running my +eye along the edge of the plateau I could see the tops of tents a mile +to my right, and again two miles to my left; turning round, and looking +down into the wide valley, I saw a regimental camp. + +"It was evident that a vigorous effort was being made to surround and +capture the Dacoits, since troops had been brought up from Bombay. In +addition to the troops above and below, there would probably be a strong +police force, acting on the face of the hill. I did not see all these +things at the time, for I was, as soon as I got to the top, ordered to +sit down behind the parapet, a fellow armed to the teeth squatting down +by me, and signifying that if I showed my head above the stones he would +cut my throat without hesitation. There were, however, sufficient gaps +between the stones to allow me to have a view of the crest of the Ghaut, +while below my view extended down to the hills behind Bombay. It was +evident to me now why the Dacoits did not climb up into the +fortress. There were dozens of similar crags on the face of the Ghauts, +and the troops did not as yet know their whereabouts. It was a sort of +blockade of the whole face of the hills which was being kept up, and +there were, probably enough, several other bands of Dacoits lurking in +the jungle. + +"There were only two guards and myself on the rock plateau. I discussed +with myself the chances of my overpowering them and holding the top of +the rock till help came, but I was greatly weakened, and was not a match +for a boy, much less for the two stalwart Mahrattas; besides, I was by +no means sure that the way I had been brought up was the only possible +path to the top. The day passed off quietly. The heat on the bare rock +was frightful, but one of the men, seeing how weak and ill I really was, +fetched a thick rug from the storehouse, and with the aid of a stick +made a sort of lean-to against the wall, under which I lay sheltered +from the sun. + +"Once or twice during the day I heard a few distant musket-shots, and +once a sharp heavy outburst of firing. It must have been three or four +miles away, but it was on the side of the Ghaut, and showed that the +troops or police were at work. My guards looked anxiously in that +direction, and uttered sundry curses. When it was dusk, Sivajee and +eight of the Dacoits came up. From what they said, I gathered that the +rest of the band had dispersed, trusting either to get through the line +of their pursuers, or, if caught, to escape with slight punishment, the +men who remained being too deeply concerned in murderous outrages to +hope for mercy. Sivajee himself handed me a letter, which the man who +had taken my note had brought back in reply. Major Knapp, the writer, +who was the second in command, said that he could not engage the +Government, but that if Lieutenant Hastings was given up the act would +certainly dispose the Government to take the most merciful view +possible; but that if, on the contrary, any harm was suffered by +Lieutenant Hastings, every man taken would be at once hung. Sivajee did +not appear put out about it. I do not think he expected any other +answer, and imagine that his real object in writing was simply to let +them know that I was a prisoner, and so enable him the better to +paralyse the attack upon a position which he no doubt considered all but +impregnable. + +"I was given food, and was then allowed to walk as I chose upon the +little plateau, two of the Dacoits taking post as sentries at the +steepest part of the path, while the rest gathered, chatting and +smoking, in the depression in front of the storehouse. It was still +light enough for me to see for some distance down the face of the rock, +and I strained my eyes to see if I could discern any other spot at which +an ascent or descent was possible. The prospect was not encouraging. At +some places the face fell sheer away from the edge, and so evident was +the impracticability of escape that the only place which I glanced at +twice was the western side, that is the one away from the hill. Here it +sloped gradually for a few feet. I took off my shoes and went down to +the edge. Below, some ten feet, was a ledge, on to which with care I +could get down, but below that was a sheer fall of some fifty feet. As a +means of escape it was hopeless, but it struck me that if an attack was +made I might slip away and get on to the ledge. Once there I could not +be seen except by a person standing where I now was, just on the edge of +the slope, a spot to which it was very unlikely that anyone would come. + +"The thought gave me a shadow of hope, and, returning to the upper end +of the platform, I lay down, and in spite of the hardness of the rock, +was soon asleep. The pain of my aching bones woke me up several times, +and once, just as the first tinge of dawn was coming, I thought I could +hear movements in the jungle. I raised myself somewhat, and I saw that +the sounds had been heard by the Dacoits, for they were standing +listening, and some of them were bringing spare fire-arms from the +storehouse, in evident preparation for attack. + +"As I afterwards learned, the police had caught one of the Dacoits +trying to effect his escape, and by means of a little of the ingenious +torture to which the Indian police then frequently resorted, when their +white officers were absent, they obtained from him the exact position of +Sivajee's band, and learned the side from which the ascent must be +made. That the Dacoit and his band were still upon the slopes of the +Ghauts they knew, and were gradually narrowing their circle, but there +were so many rocks and hiding-places that the process of searching was a +slow one, and the intelligence was so important that the news was off at +once to the colonel, who gave orders for the police to surround the rock +at daylight and to storm it if possible. The garrison was so small that +the police were alone ample for the work, supposing that the natural +difficulties were not altogether insuperable. + +"Just at daybreak there was a distant noise of men moving in the jungle, +and the Dacoit halfway down the path fired his gun. He was answered by a +shout and a volley. The Dacoits hurried out from the chamber, and lay +down on the edge, where, sheltered by a parapet, they commanded the +path. They paid no attention to me, and I kept as far away as +possible. The fire began--a quiet, steady fire, a shot at a time, and in +strong contrast to the rattle kept up from the surrounding jungle; but +every shot must have told, as man after man who strove to climb that +steep path, fell. It lasted only ten minutes, and then all was quiet +again. + +"The attack had failed, as I knew it must do, for two men could have +held the place against an army; a quarter of an hour later a gun from +the crest above spoke out, and a round shot whistled above our +heads. Beyond annoyance, an artillery fire could do no harm, for the +party could be absolutely safe in the store cave. The instant the shot +flew overhead, however, Sivajee Punt beckoned to me, and motioned me to +take my seat on the wall facing the guns. Hesitation was useless, and I +took my seat with my back to the Dacoits and my face to the hill. One of +the Dacoits, as I did so, pulled off the native cloth which covered my +shoulders, in order that I might be clearly seen. + +"Just as I took my place another round shot hummed by; but then there +was a long interval of silence. With a field-glass every feature must +have been distinguishable to the gunners, and I had no doubt that they +were waiting for orders as to what to do next. + +"I glanced round and saw that with the exception of one fellow squatted +behind the parapet some half-dozen yards away, clearly as a sentry to +keep me in place, all the others had disappeared. Some, no doubt, were +on sentry down the path, the others were in the store beneath me. After +half an hour's silence the guns spoke out again. Evidently the gunners +were told to be as careful as they could, for some of the shots went +wide on the left, others on the right. A few struck the rock below me. +The situation was not pleasant, but I thought that at a thousand yards +they ought not to hit me, and I tried to distract my attention by +thinking out what I should do under every possible contingency. + +"Presently I felt a crash and a shock, and fell backwards to the +ground. I was not hurt, and on picking myself up saw that the ball had +struck the parapet to the left, just where my guard was sitting, and he +lay covered with its fragments. His turban lay some yards behind +him. Whether he was dead or not I neither knew nor cared. + +"I pushed down some of the parapet where I had been sitting, dropped my +cap on the edge outside, so as to make it appear that I had fallen over, +and then picking up the man's turban, ran to the other end of the +platform and scrambled down to the ledge. Then I began to wave my arms +about--I had nothing on above the waist--and in a moment I saw a face +with a uniform cap peer out through the jungle, and a hand was waved. I +made signs to him to make his way to the foot of the perpendicular wall +of rock beneath me. I then unwound the turban, whose length was, I knew, +amply sufficient to reach to the bottom, and then looked round for +something to write on. I had my pencil still in my trousers pocket, but +not a scrap of paper. + +"I picked up a flattish piece of rock and wrote on it, 'Get a +rope-ladder quickly, I can haul it up. Ten men in garrison. They are all +under cover. Keep on firing to distract their attention." + +"I tied the stone to the end of the turban, and looked over. A +non-commissioned officer of the police was already standing below. I +lowered the stone; he took it, waved his hand to me, and was gone. + +"An hour passed: it seemed an age. The round shots still rang overhead, +and the fire was now much more heavy and sustained than before. +Presently I again saw a movement in the jungle, and Norworthy's face +appeared, and he waved his arm in greeting. + +"Five minutes more and a party were gathered at the foot of the rock, +and a strong rope was tied to the cloth. I pulled it up. A rope-ladder +was attached to it, and the top rung was in a minute or two in my +hands. To it was tied a piece of paper with the words: 'Can you fasten +the ladder?" I wrote on the paper: 'No; but I can hold it for a light +weight.' + +"I put the paper with a stone in the end of the cloth, and lowered it +again. Then I sat down, tied the rope round my waist, got my feet +against two projections, and waited. There was a jerk, and then I felt +some one was coming up the rope-ladder. The strain was far less than I +expected, but the native policeman who came up first did not weigh half +so much as an average Englishman. There were now two of us to hold. The +officer in command of the police came up next, then Norworthy, then a +dozen more police. I explained the situation, and we mounted to the +upper level. Not a soul was to be seen. Quickly we advanced and took up +a position to command the door of the underground chamber; while one of +the police waved a white cloth from his bayonet as a signal to the +gunners to cease firing. Then the police officer hailed the party within +the scave. + +"'Sivajee Punt! you may as well come out and give yourself up! We are in +possession, and resistance is useless!' + +"A yell of rage and surprise was heard, and the Dacoits, all desperate +men, came bounding out, firing as they did so. Half of their number were +shot down at once, and the rest, after a short, sharp struggle, were +bound hand and foot. + +"That is pretty well all of the story, I think. Sivajee Punt was one of +the killed. The prisoners were all either hung or imprisoned for life. I +escaped my blowing-up for having gone down the Ghauts after the bear, +because, after all, Sivajee Punt might have defied their force for +months had I not done so. + +"It seemed that that scoundrel Rahman had taken back word that I was +killed. Norworthy had sent down a strong party, who found the two dead +bears, and who, having searched everywhere without finding any signs of +my body, came to the conclusion that I had been found and carried away, +especially as they ascertained that natives used that path. They had +offered rewards, but nothing was heard of me till my note saying I was +in Sivajee's hands arrived." + +"And did you ever see the women who carried you off?" + +"No, Mary, I never saw them again. I did, however, after immense +trouble, succeed in finding out where it was that I had been taken to. +I went down at once, but found the village deserted. Then after much +inquiry I found where the people had moved to, and sent messages to the +women to come up to the camp, but they never came; and I was reduced at +last to sending them down two sets of silver bracelets, necklaces, and +bangles, which must have rendered them the envy of all the women on the +Ghauts. They sent back a message of grateful thanks, and I never heard +of them afterwards. No doubt their relatives, who knew that their +connection with the Dacoits was now known, would not let them +come. However, I had done all I could, and I have no doubt the women +were perfectly satisfied. So you see, my dear, that the Indian bear, +small as he is, is an animal which it is as well to leave alone, at any +rate when he happens to be up on the side of a hill while you are at the +foot." + + + + + +THE PATERNOSTERS. + +A YACHTING STORY. + + + + +And do you really mean that we are to cross by the steamer, Mr. Virtue, +while you go over in the _Seabird_? I do not approve of that at all. +Fanny, why do you not rebel, and say we won't be put ashore? I call it +horrid, after a fortnight on board this dear little yacht, to have to +get on to a crowded steamer, with no accommodation and lots of sea-sick +women, perhaps, and crying children. You surely cannot be in earnest?" + +"I do not like it any more than you do, Minnie; but, as Tom says we had +better do it, and my husband agrees with him, I am afraid we must +submit. Do you really think it is quite necessary, Mr. Virtue? Minnie +and I are both good sailors, you know; and we would much rather have a +little extra tossing about on board the _Seabird_ than the discomforts +of a steamer." + +'I certainly think that it will be best, Mrs. Grantham. You know very +well we would rather have you on board, and that we shall suffer from +your loss more than you will by going the other way; but there's no +doubt the wind is getting up, and though we don't feel it much here, it +must be blowing pretty hard outside. The _Seabird_ is as good a +sea-boat as anything of her size that floats, but you don't know what it +is to be out in anything like a heavy sea in a thirty-tonner. It would +be impossible for you to stay on deck, and we should have our hands +full, and should not be able to give you the benefit of our +society. Personally, I should not mind being out in the _Seabird_ in any +weather, but I would certainly rather not have ladies on board." + +"You don't think we should scream, or do anything foolish, Mr. Virtue?" +Minnie Graham said indignantly. + +"Not at all, Miss Graham. Still, I repeat, the knowledge that there are +women on board, delightful at other times, does not tend to comfort in +bad weather. Of course, if you prefer it, we can put off our start till +this puff of wind has blown itself out. It may have dropped before +morning. It may last some little time. I don't think myself that it +will drop, for the glass has fallen, and I am afraid we may have a spell +of broken weather." + +"Oh no; don't put it off," Mrs. Grantham said; "we have only another +fortnight before James must be back again in London, and it would be a +great pity to lose three or four days perhaps; and we have been looking +forward to cruising about among the Channel Islands, and to St. Malo, +and all those places. Oh no; I think the other is much the better +plan--that is, if you won't take us with you." + +"It would be bad manners to say that I won't, Mrs. Grantham; but I must +say I would rather not. It will be a very short separation. Grantham +will take you on shore at once, and as soon as the boat comes back I +shall be off. You will start in the steamer this evening, and get into +Jersey at nine or ten o'clock to-morrow morning; and if I am not there +before you, I shall not be many hours after you." + +"Well, if it must be it must," Mrs. Grantham said, with an air of +resignation. "Come, Minnie, let us put a few things into a hand-bag for +to-night. You see the skipper is not to be moved by our pleadings." + +"That is the worst of you married women, Fanny," Miss Graham said, with +a little pout. "You get into the way of doing as you are ordered. I +call it too bad. Here have we been cruising about for the last +fortnight, with scarcely a breath of wind, and longing for a good brisk +breeze and a little change and excitement, and now it comes at last, we +are to be packed off in a steamer. I call it horrid of you, Mr. Virtue. +You may laugh, but I do" + +Tom Virtue laughed, but he showed no signs of giving way, and ten +minutes later Mr. and Mrs. Grantham and Miss Graham took their places in +the gig, and were rowed into Southampton Harbour, off which the +_Seabird_ was lying. + +The last fortnight had been a very pleasant one, and it had cost the +owner of the _Seabird_ as much as his guests to come to the conclusion +that it was better to break up the party for a few hours. + +Tom Virtue had, up to the age of five-and-twenty, been possessed of a +sufficient income for his wants. He had entered at the bar, not that he +felt any particular vocation in that direction, but because he thought +it incumbent upon him to do something. Then, at the death of an uncle, +he had come into a considerable fortune, and was able to indulge his +taste for yachting, which was the sole amusement for which he really +cared, to the fullest. + +He sold the little five-tonner he had formerly possessed, and purchased +the _Seabird_. He could well have afforded a much larger craft, but he +knew that there was far more real enjoyment in sailing to be obtained +from a small craft than a large one, for in the latter he would be +obliged to have a regular skipper, and would be little more than a +passenger, whereas on board the _Seabird_, although his first hand was +dignified by the name of skipper, he was himself the absolute +master. The boat carried the aforesaid skipper, three hands, and a +steward, and with them he had twice been up the Mediterranean, across to +Norway, and had several times made the circuit of the British Isles. + +He had unlimited confidence in his boat, and cared not what weather he +was out in her. This was the first time since his ownership of her that +the _Seabird_ had carried lady passengers. His friend Grantham, an old +school and college chum, was a hard-working barrister, and Virtue had +proposed to him to take a month's holiday on board the _Seabird_. + +"Put aside your books, old man," he said. "You look fagged and +overworked; a month's blow will do you all the good in the world" + +"Thank you, Tom; I have made up my mind for a month's holiday, but I +can't accept your invitation, though I should enjoy it of all things. +But it would not be fair to my wife; she doesn't get very much of my +society, and she has been looking forward to our having a run together. +So I must decline." + +Virtue hesitated a moment. He was not very fond of ladies' society, and +thought them especially in the way on board a yacht; but he had a great +liking for his friend's wife, and was almost as much at home in his +house as in his own chambers. + +"Why not bring the wife with you?" he said, as soon as his mind was made +up. "It will be a nice change for her too; and I have heard her say that +she is a good sailor. The accommodation is not extensive, but the +after-cabin is a pretty good size, and I would do all I could to make +her comfortable. Perhaps she would like another lady with her; if so by +all means bring one. They could have the after-cabin, you could have the +little state-room, and I could sleep in the saloon." + +"It is very good of you, Tom, especially as I know that it will put you +out frightfully; but the offer is a very tempting one. I will speak to +Fanny, and let you have an answer in the morning." + +"That will be delightful, James," Mrs. Grantham said, when the +invitation was repeated to her. "I should like it of all things; and I +am sure the rest and quiet and the sea air will be just the thing for +you. It is wonderful, Tom Virtue making the offer; and I take it as a +great personal compliment, for he certainly is not what is generally +called a lady's man. It is very nice, too, of him to think of my having +another lady on board. Whom shall we ask? Oh, I know," she said +suddenly; "that will be the thing of all others. We will ask my cousin +Minnie; she is full of fun and life, and will make a charming wife for +Tom!" + +James Grantham laughed. + +"What schemers you all are, Fanny! Now I should call it downright +treachery to take anyone on board the _Seabird_ with the idea of +capturing its master." + +"Nonsense, treachery!" Mrs. Grantham said indignantly; "Minnie is the +nicest girl I know, and it would do Tom a world of good to have a wife +to look after him. Why, he is thirty now, and will be settling down into +a confirmed old bachelor before long. It's the greatest kindness we +could do him, to take Minnie on board; and I am sure he is the sort of +man any girl might fall in love with when she gets to know him. The +fact is, he's shy! He never had any sisters, and spends all his time in +winter at that horrid club; so that really he has never had any women's +society, and even with us he will never come unless he knows we are +alone. I call it a great pity, for I don't know a pleasanter fellow than +he is. I think it will be doing him a real service in asking Minnie; so +that's settled. I will sit down and write him a note." + +"In for a penny, in for a pound, I suppose," was Tom Virtue's comment +when he received Mrs. Grantham's letter, thanking him warmly for the +invitation, and saying that she would bring her cousin, Miss Graham, +with her, if that young lady was disengaged. + +As a matter of self-defence he at once invited Jack Harvey, who was a +mutual friend of himself and Grantham, to be of the party. + +"Jack can help Grantham to amuse the women," he said to himself; "that +will be more in his line than mine. I will run down to Cowes to-morrow +and have a chat with Johnson; we shall want a different sort of stores +altogether to those we generally carry, and I suppose we must do her up +a bit below." + +Having made up his mind to the infliction of female passengers, Tom +Virtue did it handsomely, and when the party came on board at Ryde they +were delighted with the aspect of the yacht below. She had been +repainted, the saloon and ladies' cabin were decorated in delicate +shades of gray, picked out with gold; and the upholsterer, into whose +hands the owner of the _Seabird_ had placed her, had done his work with +taste and judgment, and the ladies' cabin resembled a little boudoir. + +"Why, Tom, I should have hardly known her!" Grantham, who had often +spent a day on board the _Seabird_, said. + +"I hardly know her myself," Tom said, rather ruefully; "but I hope she's +all right, Mrs. Grantham, and that you and Miss Graham will find +everything you want." + +"It is charming!" Mrs. Grantham said enthusiastically. "It's awfully +good of you, Tom, and we appreciate it; don't we, Minnie? It is such a +surprise, too; for James said that while I should find everything very +comfortable, I must not expect that a small yacht would be got up like a +palace." + +So a fortnight had passed; they had cruised along the coast as far as +Plymouth, anchoring at night at the various ports on the way. Then they +had returned to Southampton, and it had been settled that as none of the +party, with the exception of Virtue himself, had been to the Channel +Islands, the last fortnight of the trip should be spent there. The +weather had been delightful, save that there had been some deficiency in +wind, and throughout the cruise the _Seabird_ had been under all the +sail she could spread. But when the gentlemen came on deck early in the +morning a considerable change had taken place; the sky was gray and the +clouds flying fast overhead. + +"We are going to have dirty weather," Tom Virtue said at once. "I don't +think it's going to be a gale, but there will be more sea on than will +be pleasant for ladies. I tell you what, Grantham; the best thing will +be for you to go on shore with the two ladies, and cross by the boat +to-night. If you don't mind going directly after breakfast I will start +at once, and shall be at St. Helier's as soon as you are." + +And so it had been agreed, but not, as has been seen, without opposition +and protest on the part of the ladies. + +Mrs. Grantham's chief reason for objecting had not been given. The +little scheme on which she had set her mind seemed to be working +satisfactorily. From the first day Tom Virtue had exerted himself to +play the part of host satisfactorily, and had ere long shaken off any +shyness he may have felt towards the one stranger of the party, and he +and Miss Graham had speedily got on friendly terms. So things were going +on as well as Mrs. Grantham could have expected. + +No sooner had his guests left the side of the yacht than her owner began +to make his preparations for a start. + +"What do you think of the weather, Watkins?" he asked his skipper. + +"It's going to blow hard, sir; that's my view of it, and if I was you I +shouldn't up anchor today. Still, it's just as you likes; the _Seabird_ +won't mind it if we don't. She has had a rough time of it before now; +still, it will be a case of wet jackets, and no mistake." + +"Yes, I expect we shall have a rough time of it, Watkins, but I want to +get across. We don't often let ourselves be weather-bound, and I am not +going to begin it to-day. We had better house the topmast at once, and +get two reefs in the main-sail. We can get the other down when we get +clear of the island. Get number three jib up, and the leg-of-mutton +mizzen; put two reefs in the foresail." + +Tom and his friend Harvey, who was a good sailor, assisted the crew in +reefing down the sails, and a few minutes after the gig had returned and +been hoisted in, the yawl was running rapidly down Southampton waters. + +"We need hardly have reefed quite so closely," Jack Harvey said, as he +puffed away at his pipe. + +"Not yet, Jack; but you will see she has as much as she can carry before +long. It's all the better to make all snug before starting; it saves a +lot of trouble afterwards, and the extra canvas would not have made ten +minutes' difference to us at the outside. We shall have pretty nearly a +dead beat down the Solent. Fortunately tide will be running strong with +us, but there will be a nasty kick-up there. You will see we shall feel +the short choppy seas there more than we shall when we get outside. She +is a grand boat in a really heavy sea, but in short waves she puts her +nose into it with a will. Now, if you will take my advice, you will do +as I am going to do, put on a pair of fisherman's boots and oilskin and +sou'-wester. There are several sets for you to choose from below." + +As her owner had predicted, the _Seabird_ put her bowsprit under pretty +frequently in the Solent; the wind was blowing half a gale, and as it +met the tide it knocked up a short, angry sea, crested with white heads, +and Jack Harvey agreed that she had quite as much sail on her as she +wanted. The cabin doors were bolted, and all made snug to prevent the +water getting below before they got to the race off Hurst Castle; and it +was well that they did so, for she was as much under water as she was +above. + +"I think if I had given way to the ladies and brought them with us they +would have changed their minds by this time, Jack," Tom Virtue said, +with a laugh. + +"I should think so," his friend agreed; "this is not a day for a +fair-weather sailor. Look what a sea is breaking on the shingles!" + +"Yes, five minutes there would knock her into matchwood. Another ten +minutes and we shall be fairly out; and I sha'n't be sorry; one feels as +if one was playing football, only just at present the _Seabird_ is the +ball and the waves the kickers." + +Another quarter of an hour and they had passed the Needles. + +"That is more pleasant, Jack," as the short, chopping motion was +exchanged for a regular rise and fall; "this is what I enjoy--a steady +wind and a regular sea. The _Seabird_ goes over it like one of her +namesakes; she is not taking a teacupful now over her bows. + +"Watkins, you may as well take the helm for a spell, while we go down to +lunch. I am not sorry to give it up for a bit, for it has been jerking +like the kick of a horse. + +"That's right, Jack, hang up your oilskin there. Johnson, give us a +couple of towels; we have been pretty well smothered up there on +deck. Now what have you got for us?" + +"There is some soup ready, sir, and that cold pie you had for dinner +yesterday." + +"That will do; open a couple of bottles of stout." + +Lunch over, they went on deck again. + +"She likes a good blow as well as we do," Virtue said, enthusiastically, +as the yawl rose lightly over each wave. "What do you think of it, +Watkins? Is the wind going to lull a bit as the sun goes down?" + +"I think not, sir. It seems to me it's blowing harder than it was." + +"Then we will prepare for the worst, Watkins; get the try-sail up on +deck. When you are ready we will bring her up into the wind and set it. +That's the comfort of a yawl, Jack; one can always lie to without any +bother, and one hasn't got such a tremendous boom to handle." + +The try-sail was soon on deck, and then the _Seabird_ was brought up +into the wind, the weather fore-sheet hauled aft, the mizzen sheeted +almost fore and aft, and the _Seabird_ lay, head to wind, rising and +falling with a gentle motion, in strong contrast to her impetuous rushes +when under sail. + +"She would ride out anything like that," her owner said. "Last time we +came through the Bay on our way from Gib., we were caught in a gale +strong enough to blow the hair off one's head, and we lay to for nearly +three days, and didn't ship a bucket of water all the time. Now let us +lend a hand to get the mainsail stowed." + +Ten minutes' work and it was securely fastened and its cover on; two +reefs were put in the trysail. Two hands went to each of the halliards, +while, as the sail rose, Tom Virtue fastened the toggles round the mast. + +"All ready, Watkins?" + +"All ready, sir." + +"Slack off the weather fore-sheet, then, and haul aft the leeward. Slack +out the mizzen-sheet a little, Jack. That's it; now she's off again, +like a duck." + +The _Seabird_ felt the relief from the pressure of the heavy boom to +leeward and rose easily and lightly over the waves. + +"She certainly is a splendid sea-boat, Tom; I don't wonder you are ready +to go anywhere in her. I thought we were rather fools for starting this +morning, although I enjoy a good blow; but now I don't care how hard it +comes on." + +By night it was blowing a downright gale. + +"We will lie to till morning, Watkins. So that we get in by daylight +to-morrow evening, that is all we want. See our side-lights are burning +well, and you had better get up a couple of blue lights, in case +anything comes running up Channel and don't see our lights. We had +better divide into two watches; I will keep one with Matthews and +Dawson, Mr. Harvey will go in your watch with Nicholls. We had better +get the try-sail down altogether, and lie to under the foresail and +mizzen, but don't put many lashings on the trysail, one will be enough, +and have it ready to cast off in a moment, in case we want to hoist the +sail in a hurry. I will go down and have a glass of hot grog first, and +then I will take my watch to begin with. Let the two hands with me go +down; the steward will serve them out a tot each. Jack, you had better +turn in at once." Virtue was soon on deck again, muffled up in his +oilskins. + +"Now, Watkins, you can go below and turn in." + +"I sha'n't go below to-night, sir--not to lie down. There's nothing much +to do here, but I couldn't sleep, if I did lie down." + +"Very well; you had better go below and get a glass of grog; tell the +steward to give you a big pipe with a cover like this, out of the +locker; and there's plenty of chewing tobacco, if the men are short." + +"I will take that instead of a pipe," Watkins said; "there's nothing +like a quid in weather like this, it ain't never in your way, and it +lasts. Even with a cover a pipe would soon be out." + +"Please yourself, Watkins; tell the two hands forward to keep a bright +look-out for lights." + +The night passed slowly. Occasionally a sea heavier than usual came on +board, curling over the bow and falling with a heavy thud on the deck, +but for the most part the _Seabird_ breasted the waves easily; the +bowsprit had been reefed in to its fullest, thereby adding to the +lightness and buoyancy of the boat. Tom Virtue did not go below when his +friend came up to relieve him at the change of watch, but sat smoking +and doing much talking in the short intervals between the gusts. + +The morning broke gray and misty, driving sleet came along on the wind, +and the horizon was closed in as by a dull curtain. + +"How far can we see, do you think, Watkins?" + +"Perhaps a couple of miles, sir." + +"That will be enough. I think we both know the position of every reef to +within a hundred yards, so we will shape our course for Guernsey. If we +happen to hit it off, we can hold on to St Helier; but if when we think +we ought to be within sight of Guernsey we see nothing of it, we must +lie to again, till the storm has blown itself out or the clouds lift. It +would never do to go groping our way along with such currents as run +among the islands. Put the last reef in the try-sail before you hoist +it. I think you had better get the foresail down altogether, and run up +the spit-fire jib." + +The _Seabird_ was soon under way again. + +"Now, Watkins, you take the helm; we will go down and have a cup of hot +coffee, and I will see that the steward has a good supply for you and +the hands, but first, do you take the helm, Jack, whilst Watkins and I +have a look at the chart, and try and work out where we are, and the +course we had better lie for Guernsey." + +Five minutes were spent over the chart, then Watkins went up and Jack +Harvey came down. + +"You have got the coffee ready, I hope, Johnson?" + +"Yes, sir, coffee and chocolate. I didn't know which you would like." + +"Chocolate, by all means. Jack, I recommend the chocolate. Bring two +full-sized bowls, Johnson, and put that cold pie on the table, and a +couple of knives and forks; never mind about a cloth; but first of all +bring a couple of basins of hot water, we shall enjoy our food more +after a wash." + +The early breakfast was eaten, dry coats and mufflers put on, pipes +lighted, and they then went up upon deck. Tom took the helm. + +"What time do you calculate we ought to make Guernsey, Tom?" + +"About twelve. The wind is freer than it was, and we are walking along +at a good pace. Matthews, cast the log, and let's see what we are +doing. About seven knots, I should say." + +"Seven and a quarter, sir," the man said, when he checked the line. + +"Not a bad guess, Tom; it's always difficult to judge pace in a heavy +sea." + +At eleven o'clock the mist ceased. + +"That's fortunate," Tom Virtue said; "I shouldn't be surprised if we get +a glimpse of the sun between the clouds, presently. Will you get my +sextant and the chronometer up, Jack, and put them handy?" + +Jack Harvey did as he was asked, but there was no occasion to use the +instruments, for ten minutes later, Watkins, who was standing near the +bow gazing fixedly ahead, shouted: + +"There's Guernsey, sir, on her lee bow, about six miles away, I should +say." + +"That's it, sure enough," Tom agreed, as he gazed in the direction in +which Watkins was pointing. "There's a gleam of sunshine on it, or we +shouldn't have seen it yet. Yes, I think you are about right as to the +distance. Now let us take its bearings, we may lose it again directly." + +Having taken the bearings of the island they went below, and marked off +their position on the chart, and they shaped their course for Cape +Grosnez, the north-western point of Jersey. The gleam of sunshine was +transient--the clouds closed in again overhead, darker and grayer than +before. Soon the drops of rain came flying before the wind, the horizon +closed in, and they could not see half a mile away, but, though the sea +was heavy, the _Seabird_ was making capital weather of it, and the two +friends agreed that, after all, the excitement of a sail like this was +worth a month of pottering about in calms. + +"We must keep a bright look-out presently," the skipper said; "there are +some nasty rocks off the coast of Jersey. We must give them a wide +berth. We had best make round to the south of the island, and lay to +there till we can pick up a pilot to take us into St. Helier. I don't +think it will be worth while trying to get into St. Aubyn's Bay by +ourselves." + +"I think so, too, Watkins, but we will see what it is like before it +gets dark; if we can pick up a pilot all the better; if not, we will lie +to till morning, if the weather keeps thick; but if it clears so that we +can make out all the lights we ought to be able to get into the bay +anyhow." + +An hour later the rain ceased and the sky appeared somewhat +clearer. Suddenly Watkins exclaimed, "There is a wreck, sir! There, +three miles away to leeward. She is on the Paternosters." + +"Good heavens! she is a steamer," Tom exclaimed, as he caught sight of +her the next time the _Seabird_ lifted on a wave. "Can she be the +Southampton boat, do you think?" + +"Like enough, sir, she may have had it thicker than we had, and may not +have calculated enough for the current." + +"Up helm, Jack, and bear away towards her. Shall we shake out a reef, +Watkins?" + +"I wouldn't, sir; she has got as much as she can carry on her now. We +must mind what we are doing, sir; the currents run like a millstream, +and if we get that reef under our lee, and the wind and current both +setting us on to it, it will be all up with us in no time." + +"Yes, I know that, Watkins. Jack, take the helm a minute while we run +down and look at the chart. + +"Our only chance, Watkins, is to work up behind the reef, and try and +get so that they can either fasten a line to a buoy and let it float +down to us, or get into a boat, if they have one left, and drift to us." + +"They are an awful group of rocks," Watkins said, as they examined the +chart; "you see some of them show merely at high tide, and a lot of them +are above at low water. It will be an awful business to get among them +rocks, sir, just about as near certain death as a thing can be." + +"Well, it's got to be done, Watkins," Tom said, firmly. "I see the +danger as well as you do, but whatever the risk, it must be +tried. Mr. Grantham and the two ladies went on board by my persuasion, +and I should never forgive myself if anything happened to them. But I +will speak to the men." + +He went on deck again and called the men to him. "Look here, lads; you +see that steamer ashore on the Paternosters. In such a sea as this she +may go to pieces in half an hour. I am determined to make an effort to +save the lives of those on board. As you can see for yourselves there is +no lying to weather of her, with the current and wind driving us on to +the reef; we must beat up from behind. Now, lads, the sea there is full +of rocks, and the chances are ten to one we strike on to them and go to +pieces; but, anyhow I am going to try; but I won't take you unless you +are willing. The boat is a good one, and the zinc chambers will keep her +afloat if she fills; well managed, you ought to be able to make the +coast of Jersey in her. Mr. Harvey, Watkins, and I can handle the yacht, +so you can take the boat if you like." + +The men replied that they would stick to the yacht wherever Mr. Virtue +chose to take her, and muttered something about the ladies, for the +pleasant faces of Mrs. Grantham and Miss Graham had, during the +fortnight they had been on board, won the men's hearts. + +"Very well, lads, I am glad to find you will stick by me; if we pull +safely through it I will give each of you three months' wages. Now set +to work with a will and get the gig out. We will tow her after us, and +take to her if we make a smash of it." + +They were now near enough to see the white breakers, in the middle of +which the ship was lying. She was fast breaking up. The jagged outline +showed that the stern had been beaten in. The masts and funnel were +gone, and the waves seemed to make a clean breach over her, almost +hiding her from sight in a white cloud of spray. + +"Wood and iron can't stand that much longer," Jack Harvey said; "another +hour and I should say there won't be two planks left together." + +"It is awful, Jack; I would give all I have in the world if I had not +persuaded them to go on board. Keep her off a little more, Watkins." + +The _Seabird_ passed within a cable's-length of the breakers at the +northern end of the reef. + +"Now, lads, take your places at the sheets, ready to haul or let go as I +give the word." So saying, Tom Virtue took his place in the bow, holding +on by the forestay. + +The wind was full on the _Seabird's_ beam as she entered the broken +water. Here and there the dark heads of the rocks showed above the +water. These were easy enough to avoid, the danger lay in those hidden +beneath its surface, and whose position was indicated only by the +occasional break of a sea as it passed over them. Every time the +_Seabird_ sank on a wave those on board involuntarily held their breath, +but the water here was comparatively smooth, the sea having spent its +first force upon the outer reef. With a wave of his hand Tom directed +the helmsman as to his course, and the little yacht was admirably +handled through the dangers. + +"I begin to think we shall do it," Tom said to Jack Harvey, who was +standing close to him. "Another five minutes and we shall be within +reach of her." + +It could be seen now that there was a group of people clustered in the +bow of the wreck. Two or three light lines were coiled in readiness for +throwing. + +"Now, Watkins," Tom said, going aft, "make straight for the wreck. I see +no broken water between us and them, and possibly there may be deep +water under their bow." + +It was an anxious moment, as, with the sails flattened in, the yawl +forged up nearly in the eye of the wind towards the wreck. Her progress +was slow, for she was now stemming the current. + +Tom stood with a coil of line in his hand in the bow. + +"You get ready to throw, Jack, if I miss." + +Nearer and nearer the yacht approached the wreck, until the bowsprit of +the latter seemed to stand almost over her. Then Tom threw the line. It +fell over the bowsprit, and a cheer broke from those on board the wreck +and from the sailors of the _Seabird_. A stronger line was at once +fastened to that thrown, and to this a strong hawser was attached. + +"Down with the helm, Watkins. Now, lads, lower away the try-sail as fast +as you can. Now, one of you, clear that hawser as they haul on it. Now +out with the anchors." + +These had been got into readiness; it was not thought that they would +get any hold on the rocky bottom, still they might catch on a projecting +ledge, and at any rate their weight and that of the chain cable would +relieve the strain upon the hawser. + +Two sailors had run out on the bowsprit of the wreck as soon as the line +was thrown, and the end of the hawser was now on board the steamer. + +"Thank God, there's Grantham!" Jack Harvey exclaimed; "do you see him +waving his hand?" + +"I see him," Tom said, "but I don't see the ladies." + +"They are there, no doubt," Jack said, confidently; "crouching down, I +expect. He would not be there if they weren't, you may be sure. Yes, +there they are; those two muffled-up figures. There, one of them has +thrown back her cloak and is waving her arm." + +The two young men waved their caps. + +"Are the anchors holding, Watkins? There's a tremendous strain on that +hawser." + +"I think so, sir; they are both tight." + +"Put them round the windlass, and give a turn or two, we must relieve +the strain on that hawser." + +Since they had first seen the wreck the waves had made great progress in +the work of destruction, and the steamer had broken in two just aft of +the engines. + +"Get over the spare spars, Watkins, and fasten them to float in front of +her bows like a triangle. Matthews, catch hold of that boat-hook and +try to fend off any piece of timber that comes along. You get hold of +the sweeps, lads, and do the same. They would stave her in like a +nut-shell if they struck her. + +"Thank God, here comes the first of them!" + +Those on board the steamer had not been idle. As soon as the yawl was +seen approaching slings were prepared, and no sooner was the hawser +securely fixed, than the slings were attached to it and a woman placed +in them. The hawser was tight and the descent sharp, and without a check +the figure ran down to the deck of the _Seabird_. She was lifted out of +the slings by Tom and Jack Harvey, who found she was an old woman and +had entirely lost consciousness. + +"Two of you carry her down below; tell Johnson to pour a little brandy +down her throat. Give her some hot soup as soon as she comes to." + +Another woman was lowered and helped below. The next to descend was +Mrs. Grantham. + +"Thank God, you are rescued!" Tom said, as he helped her out of the +sling. + +"Thank God, indeed," Mrs. Grantham said, "and thank you all! Oh, Tom, we +have had a terrible time of it, and had lost all hope till we saw your +sail, and even then the captain said that he was afraid nothing could be +done. Minnie was the first to make out it was you, and then we began to +hope. She has been so brave, dear girl. Ah! here she comes." + +But Minnie's firmness came to an end now that she felt the need for it +was over. She was unable to stand when she was lifted from the slings, +and Tom carried her below. + +"Are there any more women, Mrs. Grantham?" + +"No; there was only one other lady passenger and the stewardess." + +"Then you had better take possession of your own cabin. I ordered +Johnson to spread a couple more mattresses and some bedding on the +floor, so you will all four be able to turn in. There's plenty of hot +coffee and soup. I should advise soup with two or three spoonfuls of +brandy in it. Now, excuse me; I must go upon deck." + +Twelve men descended by the hawser, one of them with both legs broken by +the fall of the mizzen. The last to come was the captain. + +"Is that all?" Tom asked. + +"That is all," the captain said. "Six men were swept overboard when she +first struck, and two were killed by the fall of the funnel. Fortunately +we had only three gentlemen passengers and three ladies on board. The +weather looked so wild when we started that no one else cared about +making the passage. God bless you, sir, for what you have done! Another +half-hour and it would have been all over with us. But it seems like a +miracle your getting safe through the rocks to us." + +"It was fortunate indeed that we came along," Tom said; "three of the +passengers are dear friends of mine; and as it was by my persuasion that +they came across in the steamer instead of in the yacht, I should never +have forgiven myself if they had been lost. Take all your men below, +captain; you will find plenty of hot soup there. Now, Watkins, let us +be off; that steamer won't hold together many minutes longer, so there's +no time to lose. We will go back as we came. Give me a hatchet. Now, +lads, two of you stand at the chain-cables; knock out the shackles the +moment I cut the hawser. Watkins, you take the helm and let her head pay +off till the jib fills. Jack, you lend a hand to the other two, and get +up the try-sail again as soon as we are free." + +In a moment all were at their stations. The helm was put on the yacht, +and she payed off on the opposite tack to that on which she had before +been sailing. As soon as the jib filled, Tom gave two vigorous blows +with his hatchet on the hawser, and, as he lifted his hand for a third, +it parted. Then came the sharp rattle of the chains as they ran round +the hawser-holes. The try-sail was hoisted and sheeted home, and the +_Seabird_ was under way again. Tom, as before, conned the ship from the +bow. Several times she was in close proximity to the rocks, but each +time she avoided them. A shout of gladness rose from all on deck as she +passed the last patch of white water. Then she tacked and bore away for +Jersey. + +Tom had now time to go down below and look after his passengers. They +consisted of the captain and two sailors--the sole survivors of those +who had been on deck when the vessel struck--three male passengers, and +six engineers and stokers. + +"I have not had time to shake you by the hand before, Tom," Grantham +said, as Tom Virtue entered; "and I thought you would not want me on +deck at present. God bless you, old fellow! we all owe you our lives." + +"How did it happen, captain?" Tom asked, as the captain also came up to +him. + +"It was the currents, I suppose," the captain said; "it was so thick we +could not see a quarter of a mile any way. The weather was so wild I +would not put into Guernsey, and passed the island without seeing it. I +steered my usual course, but the gale must have altered the currents, +for I thought I was three miles away from the reef, when we saw it on +our beam, not a hundred yards away. It was too late to avoid it then, +and in another minute we ran upon it, and the waves were sweeping over +us. Every one behaved well. I got all, except those who had been swept +overboard or crushed by the funnel, up into the bow of the ship, and +there we waited. There was nothing to be done. No boat would live for a +moment in the sea on that reef, and all I could advise was, that when +she went to pieces every one should try to get hold of a floating +fragment; but I doubt whether a man would have been alive a quarter of +an hour after she went to pieces." + +"Perhaps, captain, you will come on deck with me and give me the benefit +of your advice. My skipper and I know the islands pretty well, but no +doubt you know them a good deal better, and I don't want another +mishap." + +But the _Seabird_ avoided all further dangers, and as it became dark, +the lights of St. Helier's were in sight, and an hour later the yacht +brought up in the port and landed her involuntary passengers. + +A fortnight afterwards the _Seabird_ returned to England, and two months +later Mrs. Grantham had the satisfaction of being present at the +ceremony which was the successful consummation of her little scheme in +inviting Minnie Graham to be her companion on board the _Seabird_. + +"Well, my dear," her husband said, when she indulged in a little natural +triumph, "I do not say that it has not turned out well, and I am +heartily glad for both Tom and Minnie's sake it has so; but you must +allow that it very nearly had a disastrous ending, and I think if I were +you I should leave matters to take their natural course in future. I +have accepted Tom's invitation for the same party to take a cruise in +the _Seabird_ next summer, but I have bargained that next time a storm +is brewing up we shall stop quietly in port." + +"That's all very well, James," Mrs. Grantham said saucily; "but you must +remember that Tom Virtue will only be first-mate of the _Seabird_ in +future." + +"That I shall be able to tell you better, my dear, after our next +cruise. All husbands are not as docile and easily led as I am." + + + + + +A PIPE OF MYSTERY + + + +A jovial party were gathered round a blazing fire in an old grange near +Warwick. The hour was getting late; the very little ones had, after +dancing round the Christmas-tree, enjoying the snapdragon, and playing a +variety of games, gone off to bed; and the elder boys and girls now +gathered round their uncle, Colonel Harley, and asked him for a +story--above all, a ghost story. + +"But I have never seen any ghosts," the colonel said, laughing; "and, +moreover, I don't believe in them one bit. I have travelled pretty well +all over the world, I have slept in houses said to be haunted, but +nothing have I seen--no noises that could not be accounted for by rats +or the wind have I ever heard. I have never"--and here he paused--"never +but once met with any circumstances or occurrence that could not be +accounted for by the light of reason, and I know you prefer hearing +stories of my own adventures to mere invention." + +"Yes, uncle. But what was the 'once' when circumstances happened that +you could not explain?" + +"It's rather a long story," the colonel said, "and it's getting late." + +"Oh! no, no, uncle; it does not matter a bit how late we sit up on +Christmas Eve, and the longer the story is, the better; and if you don't +believe in ghosts, how can it be a story of something you could not +account for by the light of nature?" + +"You will see when I have done," the colonel said. "It is rather a story +of what the Scotch call second sight, than one of ghosts. As to +accounting for it, you shall form your own opinion when you have heard +me to the end. + +"I landed in India in '50, and after going through the regular drill +work, marched with a detachment up country to join my regiment, which +was stationed at Jubbalpore, in the very heart of India. It has become +an important place since; the railroad across India passes through it, +and no end of changes have taken place; but at that time it was one of +the most out-of-the-way stations in India, and, I may say, one of the +most pleasant. It lay high, there was capital boating on the Nerbudda, +and, above all, it was a grand place for sport, for it lay at the foot +of the hill country, an immense district, then but little known, covered +with forests and jungle, and abounding with big game of all kinds. + +"My great friend there was a man named Simmonds. He was just of my own +standing; we had come out in the same ship, had marched up the country +together, and were almost like brothers. He was an old Etonian, I an +old Westminster, and we were both fond of boating, and, indeed, of sport +of all kinds. But I am not going to tell you of that now. The people in +these hills are called Gonds, a true hill tribe--that is to say, +aborigines, somewhat of the negro type. The chiefs are of mixed blood, +but the people are almost black. They are supposed to accept the +religion of the Hindus, but are in reality deplorably ignorant and +superstitious. Their priests are a sort of compound of a Brahmin priest +and a negro fetish man, and among their principal duties is that of +charming away tigers from the villages by means of incantations. There, +as in other parts of India, were a few wandering fakirs, who enjoyed an +immense reputation for holiness and wisdom. The people would go to them +from great distances for charms or predictions, and believed in their +power with implicit faith. + +"At the time when we were at Jubbalpore, there was one of these fellows, +whose reputation altogether eclipsed that of his rivals, and nothing +could be done until his permission had been asked and his blessing +obtained. All sorts of marvellous stories were constantly coming to our +ears of the unerring foresight with which he predicted the termination +of diseases, both in men and animals; and so generally was he believed +in that the colonel ordered that no one connected with the regiment +should consult him, for these predictions very frequently brought about +their own fulfilment; for those who were told that an illness would +terminate fatally, lost all hope, and literally lay down to die. + +"However, many of the stories that we heard could not be explained on +these grounds, and the fakir and his doings were often talked over at +mess, some of the officers scoffing at the whole business, others +maintaining that some of these fakirs had, in some way or another, the +power of foretelling the future, citing many well authenticated +anecdotes upon the subject. + +"The older officers were the believers, we young fellows were the +scoffers. But for the well-known fact that it is very seldom indeed that +these fakirs will utter any of their predictions to Europeans, some of +us would have gone to him, to test his powers. As it was, none of us had +ever seen him. + +"He lived in an old ruined temple, in the middle of a large patch of +jungle at the foot of the hills, some ten or twelve miles away. + +"I had been at Jubbalpore about a year, when I was woke up one night by +a native, who came in to say that at about eight o'clock a tiger had +killed a man in his village, and had dragged off the body. + +"Simmonds and I were constantly out after tigers, and the people in all +the villages within twenty miles knew that we were always ready to pay +for early information. This tiger had been doing great damage, and had +carried off about thirty men, women, and children. So great was the fear +of him, indeed, that the people in the neighbourhood he frequented +scarcely dared stir out of doors, except in parties of five or six. We +had had several hunts after him, but, like all man-eaters, he was old +and awfully crafty; and although we got several snap shots at him, he +had always managed to save his skin. + +"In a quarter of an hour after the receipt of the message, Charley +Simmonds and I were on the back of an elephant, which was our joint +property, our shekarry, a capital fellow, was on foot beside us, and +with the native trotting on ahead as guide we went off at the best pace +of old Begaum, for that was the elephant's name. The village was fifteen +miles away, but we got there soon after daybreak, and were received with +delight by the population. In half an hour the hunt was organized; all +the male population turned out as beaters, with sticks, guns, tom-toms, +and other instruments for making a noise. + +"The trail was not difficult to find. A broad path, with occasional +smears of blood, showed where he had dragged his victim through the long +grass to a cluster of trees a couple of hundred yards from the village. + +"We scarcely expected to find him there, but the villagers held back, +while we went forward with cocked rifles. We found, however, nothing but +a few bones and a quantity of blood The tiger had made off at the +approach of daylight into the jungle, which was about two miles distant +We traced him easily enough, and found that he had entered a large +ravine, from which several smaller ones branched off. + +"It was an awkward place, as it was next to impossible to surround it +with the number of people at our command. We posted them at last all +along the upper ground, and told them to make up in noise what they +wanted in numbers. At last all was ready, and we gave the +signal. However, I am not telling you a hunting story, and need only say +that we could neither find nor disturb him. In vain we pushed Begaum +through the thickest of the jungle which clothed the sides, and bottom +of the ravine, while the men shouted, beat their tom-toms, and showered +imprecations against the tiger himself and his ancestors up to the +remotest generations. + +"The day was tremendously hot, and, after three hours' march, we gave it +up for a time, and lay down in the shade, while the shekarries made a +long examination of the ground all round the hillside, to be sure that +he had not left the ravine. They came back with the news that no traces +could be discovered, and that, beyond a doubt, he was still there. A +tiger will crouch up in an exceedingly small clump of grass or bush, and +will sometimes almost allow himself to be trodden on before +moving. However, we determined to have one more search, and if that +should prove unsuccessful, to send off to Jubbalpore for some more of +the men to come out with elephants, while we kept up a circle of fires, +and of noises of all descriptions, so as to keep him a prisoner until +the arrival of the reinforcements. Our next search was no more +successful than our first had been; and having, as we imagined, examined +every clump and crevice in which he could have been concealed, we had +just reached the upper end of the ravine, when we heard a tremendous +roar, followed by a perfect babel of yells and screams from the natives. + +"The outburst came from the mouth of the ravine, and we felt at once +that he had escaped. We hurried back to find, as we had expected, that +the tiger was gone. He had burst out suddenly from his hiding-place, had +seized a native, torn him horribly, and had made across the open plain. + +"This was terribly provoking, but we had nothing to do but follow +him. This was easy enough, and we traced him to a detached patch of wood +and jungle, two miles distant. This wood was four or five hundred yards +across, and the exclamations of the people at once told us that it was +the one in which stood the ruined temple of the fakir of whom I have +been telling you. I forgot to say, that as the tiger broke out one of +the village shekarries had fired at, and, he declared, wounded him. + +"It was already getting late in the afternoon, and it was hopeless to +attempt to beat the jungle that night. We therefore sent off a runner +with a note to the colonel, asking him to send the work-elephants, and +to allow a party of volunteers to march over at night, to help surround +the jungle when we commenced beating it in the morning. + +"We based our request upon the fact that the tiger was a notorious +man-eater, and had been doing immense damage. We then had a talk with +our shekarry, sent a man off to bring provisions for the people out with +us, and then set them to work cutting sticks and grass to make a circle +of fires. + +"We both felt much uneasiness respecting the fakir, who might be seized +at any moment by the enraged tiger. The natives would not allow that +there was any cause for fear, as the tiger would not dare to touch so +holy a man. Our belief in the respect of the tiger for sanctity was by +no means strong, and we determined to go in and warn him of the presence +of the brute in the wood. It was a mission which we could not intrust to +anyone else, for no native would have entered the jungle for untold +gold; so we mounted the Begaum again, and started. The path leading +towards the temple was pretty wide, and as we went along almost +noiselessly, for the elephant was too well trained to tread upon fallen +sticks, it was just possible we might come upon the tiger suddenly, so +we kept our rifles in readiness in our hands. + +"Presently we came in sight of the ruins. No one was at first visible; +but at that very moment the fakir came out from the temple. He did not +see or hear us, for we were rather behind him and still among the trees, +but at once proceeded in a high voice to break into a sing-song prayer. +He had not said two words before his voice was drowned in a terrific +roar, and in an instant the tiger had sprung upon him, struck him to the +ground, seized him as a cat would a mouse, and started off with him at a +trot. The brute evidently had not detected our presence, for he came +right towards us. We halted the Begaum, and with our fingers on the +triggers, awaited the favourable moment. He was a hundred yards from us +when he struck down his victim; he was not more than fifty when he +caught sight of us. He stopped for an instant in surprise. Charley +muttered, 'Both barrels, Harley,' and as the beast turned to plunge into +the jungle, and so showed us his side, we sent four bullets crashing +into him, and he rolled over lifeless. + +"We went up to the spot, made the Begaum give him a kick, to be sure +that he was dead, and then got down to examine the unfortunate fakir. +The tiger had seized him by the shoulder, which was terribly torn, and +the bone broken. He was still perfectly conscious. + +"We at once fired three shots, our usual signal that the tiger was dead, +and in a few minutes were surrounded by the villagers, who hardly knew +whether to be delighted at the death of their enemy, or to grieve over +the injury to the fakir. We proposed taking the latter to our hospital +at Jubbalpore, but this he positively refused to listen to. However we +finally persuaded him to allow his arm to be set and the wounds dressed +in the first place by our regimental surgeon, after which he could go to +one of the native villages and have his arm dressed in accordance with +his own notions. A litter was soon improvised, and away we went to +Jubbalpore, which we reached about eight in the evening. + +"The fakir refused to enter the hospital, so we brought out a couple of +trestles, laid the litter upon them, and the surgeon set his arm and +dressed his wounds by torch-light, when he was lifted into a dhoolie, +and his bearers again prepared to start for the village. + +"Hitherto he had only spoken a few words; but he now briefly expressed +his deep gratitude to Simmonds and myself. We told him that we would +ride over to see him shortly, and hoped to find him getting on +rapidly. Another minute and he was gone. + +"It happened that we had three or four fellows away on leave or on staff +duty, and several others knocked up with fever just about this time, so +that the duty fell very heavily upon the rest of us, and it was over a +month before we had time to ride over to see the fakir. + +"We had heard he was going on well; but we were surprised, on reaching +the village, to find that he had already returned to his old abode in +the jungle. However, we had made up our minds to see him, especially as +we had agreed that we would endeavour to persuade him to do a prediction +for us, so we turned our horses' heads towards the jungle. We found the +fakir sitting on a rock in front of the temple, just where he had been +seized by the tiger. He rose as we rode up. + +"'I knew that you would come to-day, sahibs, and was joyful in the +thought of seeing those who have preserved my life.' + +"'We are glad to see you looking pretty strong again, though your arm is +still in a sling,' I said, for Simmonds was not strong in Hindustani. + +"'How did you know that we were coming?' I asked, when we had tied up +our horses. + +"'Siva has given to his servant to know many things,' he said quietly. + +"'Did you know beforehand that the tiger was going to seize you?' I +asked. + +"'I knew that a great danger threatened, and that Siva would not let me +die before my time had come. + +"'Could you see into our future?' I asked. + +"The fakir hesitated, looked at me for a moment earnestly to see if I +was speaking in mockery, and then said: + +"'The sahibs do not believe in the power of Siva or of his +servants. They call his messengers impostors, and scoff at them when +they speak of the events of the future.' + +"'No, indeed,' I said. 'My friend and I have no idea of scoffing. We +have heard of so many of your predictions coming true, that we are +really anxious that you should tell us something of the future.' + +"The fakir nodded his head, went into the temple, and returned in a +minute or two with two small pipes used by the natives for +opium-smoking, and a brazier of burning charcoal. The pipes were already +charged. He made signs to us to sit down, and took his place in front of +us. Then he began singing in a low voice, rocking himself to and fro, +and waving a staff which he held in his hand. Gradually his voice rose, +and his gesticulations and actions became more violent. So far as I +could make out, it was a prayer to Siva that he would give some glimpse +of the future which might benefit the sahibs who had saved the life of +his servant. Presently he darted forward, gave us each a pipe, took two +pieces of red-hot charcoal from the brazier in his fingers, without +seeming to know that they were warm, and placed them in the pipes; then +he recommenced his singing and gesticulations. + +"A glance at Charley, to see if, like myself, he was ready to carry the +thing through, and then I put the pipe to my lips. I felt at once that +it was opium, of which I had before made experiment, but mixed with some +other substance, which was, I imagine, haschish, a preparation of +hemp. A few puffs, and I felt a drowsiness creeping over me. I saw, as +through a mist, the fakir swaying himself backwards and forwards, his +arms waving, and his face distorted. Another minute, and the pipe +slipped from my fingers, and I fell back insensible. + +"How long I lay there I do not know. I woke with a strange and not +unpleasant sensation, and presently became conscious that the fakir was +gently pressing, with a sort of shampooing action, my temples and +head. When he saw that I opened my eyes he left me, and performed the +same process upon Charley. In a few minutes he rose from his stooping +position, waved his hand in token of adieu, and walked slowly back into +the temple. + +"As he disappeared I sat up; Charley did the same. + +"We stared at each other for a minute without speaking, and then Charley +said: + +"'This is a rum go, and no mistake, old man.' + +"'You're right, Charley. My opinion is, we've made fools of +ourselves. Let's be off out of this.' + +"We staggered to our feet, for we both felt like drunken men, made our +way to our horses, poured a mussuk of water over our heads, took a drink +of brandy from our flasks, and then feeling more like ourselves, mounted +and rode out of the jungle. + +"'Well, Harley, if the glimpse of futurity which I had is true, all I +can say is that it was extremely unpleasant.' + +"'That was just my case, Charley.' + +"'My dream, or whatever you like to call it, was about a mutiny of the +men.' + +"'You don't say so, Charley; so was mine. This is monstrously strange, +to say the least of it. However, you tell your story first, and then I +will tell mine.' + +"'It was very short,' Charley said. 'We were at mess--not in our present +mess-room--we were dining with the fellows of some other regiment. +Suddenly, without any warning, the windows were filled with a crowd of +Sepoys, who opened fire right and left into us. Half the fellows were +shot down at once; the rest of us made a rush to our swords just as the +niggers came swarming into the room. There was a desperate fight for a +moment. I remember that Subadar Piran--one of the best native officers +in the regiment, by the way--made a rush at me, and I shot him through +the head with a revolver. At the same moment a ball hit me, and down I +went. At the moment a Sepoy fell dead across me, hiding me partly from +sight. The fight lasted a minute or two longer. I fancy a few fellows +escaped, for I heard shots outside. Then the place became quiet. In +another minute I heard a crackling, and saw that the devils had set the +mess-room on fire. One of our men, who was lying close by me, got up and +crawled to the window, but he was shot down the moment he showed +himself. I was hesitating whether to do the same or to lie still and be +smothered, when suddenly I rolled the dead sepoy off, crawled into the +ante-room half-suffocated by smoke, raised the lid of a very heavy +trap-door, and stumbled down some steps into a place, half store-house +half cellar, under the mess-room. How I knew about it being there I +don't know. The trap closed over my head with a bang. That is all I +remember.' + +"'Well, Charley, curiously enough my dream was also about an +extraordinary escape from danger, lasting, like yours, only a minute or +two. The first thing I remember--there seems to have been something +before, but what, I don't know--I was on horseback, holding a very +pretty but awfully pale girl in front of me. We were pursued by a whole +troop of Sepoy cavalry, who were firing pistol-shots at us. We were not +more than seventy or eighty yards in front, and they were gaining fast, +just as I rode into a large deserted temple. In the centre was a huge +stone figure. I jumped off my horse with the lady, and as I did so she +said, 'Blow out my brains, Edward; don't let me fall alive into their +hands.' + +"'Instead of answering, I hurried her round behind the idol, pushed +against one of the leaves of a flower in the carving, and the stone +swung back, and showed a hole just large enough to get through, with a +stone staircase inside the body of the idol, made no doubt for the +priest to go up and give responses through the mouth. I hurried the girl +through, crept in after her, and closed the stone, just as our pursuers +came clattering into the courtyard. That is all I remember.' + +"'Well, it is monstrously rum,' Charley said, after a pause. 'Did you +understand what the old fellow was singing about before he gave us the +pipes?' + +"'Yes; I caught the general drift. It was an entreaty to Siva to give us +some glimpse of futurity which might benefit us.' + +"We lit our cheroots and rode for some miles at a brisk canter without +remark. When we were within a short distance of home we reined up. + +"'I feel ever so much better,' Charley said. 'We have got that opium +out of our heads now. How do you account for it all, Harley?' + +"'I account for it in this way, Charley. The opium naturally had the +effect of making us both dream, and as we took similar doses of the same +mixture, under similar circumstances, it is scarcely extraordinary that +it should have effected the same portion of the brain, and caused a +certain similarity in our dreams. In all nightmares something terrible +happens, or is on the point of happening; and so it was here. Not +unnaturally in both our cases, our thoughts turned to soldiers. If you +remember there was a talk at mess some little time since, as to what +would happen in the extremely unlikely event of the sepoys mutinying in +a body. I have no doubt that was the foundation of both our dreams. It +is all natural enough when we come to think it over calmly. I think, by +the way, we had better agree to say nothing at all about it in the +regiment.' + +"'I should think not,' Charley said. 'We should never hear the end of +it; they would chaff us out of our lives.' + +"We kept our secret, and came at last to laugh over it heartily when we +were together. Then the subject dropped, and by the end of a year had as +much escaped our minds as any other dream would have done. Three months +after the affair the regiment was ordered down to Allahabad, and the +change of place no doubt helped to erase all memory of the dream. Four +years after we had left Jubbalpore we went to Beerapore. The time is +very marked in my memory, because the very week we arrived there, your +aunt, then Miss Gardiner, came out from England, to her father, our +colonel. The instant I saw her I was impressed with the idea that I knew +her intimately. I recollected her face, her figure, and the very tone +of her voice, but wherever I had met her I could not conceive. Upon the +occasion of my first introduction to her, I could not help telling her +that I was convinced that we had met, and asking her if she did not +remember it. No, she did not remember, but very likely she might have +done so, and she suggested the names of several people at whose houses +we might have met. I did not know any of them. Presently she asked how +long I had been out in India? + +"'Six years,' I said. + +"'And how old, Mr. Harley,' she said, 'do you take me to be?' + +"I saw in one instant my stupidity, and was stammering out an apology, +when she went on,-- + +"'I am very little over eighteen, Mr. Harley, although I evidently look +ever so many years older, but papa can certify to my age, so I was only +twelve when you left England.' + +"I tried in vain to clear matters up. Your aunt would insist that I took +her to be forty, and the fun that my blunder made rather drew us +together, and gave me a start over the other fellows at the station, +half of whom fell straightway in love with her. Some months went on, and +when the mutiny broke out we were engaged to be married. It is a proof +of how completely the opium-dreams had passed out of the minds of both +Simmonds and myself, that even when rumours of general disaffection +among the Sepoys began to be current, they never once recurred to us; +and even when the news of the actual mutiny reached us, we were just as +confident as were the others of the fidelity of our own regiment. It was +the old story, foolish confidence and black treachery. As at very many +other stations, the mutiny broke out when we were at mess. Our regiment +was dining with the 34th Bengalees. Suddenly, just as dinner was over, +the window was opened, and a tremendous fire poured in. Four or five +men fell dead at once, and the poor colonel, who was next to me, was +shot right through the head. Every one rushed to his sword and drew his +pistol--for we had been ordered to carry pistols as part of our uniform. +I was next to Charley Simmonds as the Sepoys of both regiments, headed +by Subadar Piran, poured in at the windows. + +"'I have it now,' Charley said; 'it is the scene I dreamed.' + +"As he spoke he fired his revolver at the subadar, who fell dead in his +tracks. + +"A Sepoy close by levelled his musket and fired. Charley fell, and the +fellow rushed forward to bayonet him. As he did so I sent a bullet +through his head, and he fell across Charley. It was a wild fight for a +minute or two, and then a few of us made a sudden rush together, cut our +way through the mutineers, and darted through an open window on to the +parade. There were shouts, shots, and screams from the officers' +bungalows, and in several places flames were already rising. What became +of the other men I knew not, I made as hard as I could tear for the +colonel's bungalow. Suddenly I came upon a sowar sitting on his horse +watching the rising flames. Before he saw me I was on him, and ran him +through. I leapt on his horse and galloped down to Gardiner's +compound. I saw lots of Sepoys in and around the bungalow, all engaged +in looting. I dashed into the compound. + +"'May! May"! I shouted. 'Where are you?' + +"I had scarcely spoken before a dark figure rushed out of a clump of +bushes close by with a scream of delight. + +"In an instant she was on the horse before me, and shooting down a +couple of fellows who made a rush at my reins, I dashed out again. Stray +shots were fired after us. But fortunately the Sepoys were all busy +looting, most of them had laid down their muskets, and no one really +took up the pursuit. I turned off from the parade-ground, dashed down +between the hedges of two compounds, and in another minute we were in +the open country. + +"Fortunately, the cavalry were all down looting their own lines, or we +must have been overtaken at once. May happily had fainted as I lifted +her on to my horse--happily, because the fearful screams that we heard +from the various bungalows almost drove me mad, and would probably have +killed her, for the poor ladies were all her intimate friends. + +"I rode on for some hours, till I felt quite safe from any immediate +pursuit, and then we halted in the shelter of a clump of trees. + +"By this time I had heard May's story. She had felt uneasy at being +alone, but had laughed at herself for being so, until upon her speaking +to one of the servants he had answered in a tone of gross insolence, +which had astonished her. She at once guessed that there was danger, and +the moment that she was alone caught up a large, dark carriage rug, +wrapped it round her so as to conceal her white dress, and stole out +into the verandah. The night was dark, and scarcely had she left the +house than she heard a burst of firing across at the mess-house. She at +once ran in among the bushes and crouched there, as she heard the rush +of men into the room she had just left. She heard them searching for +her, but they were looking for a white dress, and her dark rug saved +her. What she must have suffered in the five minutes between the firing +of the first shots and my arrival, she only knows. May had spoken but +very little since we started. I believe that she was certain that her +father was dead, although I had given an evasive answer when she asked +me; and her terrible sense of loss, added to the horror of that time of +suspense in the garden, had completely stunned her. We waited in the +tope until the afternoon, and then set out again. + +"We had gone but a short distance when we saw a body of the rebel +cavalry in pursuit. They had no doubt been scouring the country +generally, and the discovery was accidental. For a short time we kept +away from them, but this could not be for long, as our horse was +carrying double. I made for a sort of ruin I saw at the foot of a hill +half a mile away. I did so with no idea of the possibility of +concealment. My intention was simply to get my back to a rock and to +sell my life as dearly as I could, keeping the last two barrels of the +revolver for ourselves. Certainly no remembrance of my dream influenced +me in any way, and in the wild whirl of excitement I had not given a +second thought to Charley Simmonds' exclamation. As we rode up to the +ruins only a hundred yards ahead of us, May said,-- + +"'Blow out my brains, Edward; don't let me fall alive into their hands.' + +"A shock of remembrance shot across me. The chase, her pale face, the +words, the temple--all my dream rushed into my mind. + +"'We are saved,' I cried, to her amazement, as we rode into the +courtyard, in whose centre a great figure was sitting. + +"I leapt from the horse, snatched the mussuk of water from the saddle, +and then hurried May round the idol, between which and the rock behind, +there was but just room to get along. + +"Not a doubt entered my mind but that I should find the spring as I had +dreamed. Sure enough there was the carving, fresh upon my memory as if I +had seen it but the day before. I placed my hand on the leaflet without +hesitation, a solid stone moved back, I hurried my amazed companion in, +and shut to the stone. I found, and shot to, a massive bolt, evidently +placed to prevent the door being opened by accident or design when +anyone was in the idol. + +"At first it seemed quite dark, but a faint light streamed in from +above; we made our way up the stairs, and found that the light came +through a number of small holes pierced in the upper part of the head, +and through still smaller holes lower down, not much larger than a +good-sized knitting-needle could pass through. These holes, we +afterwards found, were in the ornaments round the idol's neck. The holes +enlarged inside, and enabled us to have a view all round. + +"The mutineers were furious at our disappearance, and for hours searched +about. Then, saying that we must be hidden somewhere, and that they +would wait till we came out, they proceeded to bivouac in the courtyard +of the temple. + +"We passed four terrible days, but on the morning of the fifth a scout +came in to tell the rebels that a column of British troops marching on +Delhi would pass close by the temple. They therefore hastily mounted and +galloped off. + +"Three quarters of an hour later we were safe among our own people. A +fortnight afterwards your aunt and I were married. It was no time for +ceremony then; there were no means of sending her away; no place where +she could have waited until the time for her mourning for her father was +over. So we were married quietly by one of the chaplains of the troops, +and, as your story-books say, have lived very happily ever after." + +"And how about Mr. Simmonds, uncle? Did he get safe off too?" + +"Yes, his dream came as vividly to his mind as mine had done. He crawled +to the place where he knew the trap-door would be, and got into the +cellar. Fortunately for him there were plenty of eatables there, and he +lived there in concealment for a fortnight. After that he crawled out, +and found the mutineers had marched for Delhi. He went through a lot, +but at last joined us before that city. We often talked over our dreams +together, and there was no question that we owed our lives to them. Even +then we did not talk much to other people about them, for there would +have been a lot of talk, and inquiry, and questions, and you know +fellows hate that sort of thing. So we held our tongues. Poor Charley's +silence was sealed a year later at Lucknow, for on the advance with Lord +Clyde he was killed. + +"And now, boys and girls, you must run off to bed. Five minutes more and +it will be Christmas-day So you see, Frank, that although I don't +believe in ghosts, I have yet met with a circumstance which I cannot +account for." + +"It is very curious anyhow, uncle, and beats ghost stories into fits." + +"I like it better, certainly," one of the girls said, "for we can go to +bed without being afraid of dreaming about it." + +"Well, you must not talk any more now Off to bed, off to bed," Colonel +Harley said, "or I shall get into terrible disgrace with your fathers +and mothers, who have been looking very gravely at me for the last three +quarters of an hour." + + + + + +WHITE-FACED DICK + +A STORY OF PINE-TREE GULCH. + + + +How Pine-tree Gulch got its name no one knew, for in the early days +every ravine and hillside was thickly covered with pines. It may be that +a tree of exceptional size caught the eye of the first explorer, that he +camped under it, and named the place in its honour; or, may be, some +fallen giant lay in the bottom and hindered the work of the first +prospectors. At any rate, Pine-tree Gulch it was, and the name was as +good as any other. The pine-trees were gone now. Cut up for firing, or +for the erection of huts, or the construction of sluices, but the +hillside was ragged with their stumps. + +The principal camp was at the mouth of the Gulch, where the little +stream, which scarce afforded water sufficient for the cradles in the +dry season, but which was a rushing torrent in winter, joined the +Yuba. The best ground was at the junction of the streams, and lay, +indeed, in the Yuba valley rather than in the Gulch. At first most gold +had been found higher up, but there was here comparatively little depth +down to the bed-rock, and as the ground became exhausted the miners +moved down towards the mouth of the Gulch. They were doing well as a +whole, how well no one knew, for miners are chary of giving information +as to what they are making; still, it was certain they were doing well, +for the bars were doing a roaring trade, and the store-keepers never +refused credit--a proof in itself that the prospects were good. + +The flat at the mouth of the Gulch was a busy scene, every foot was good +paying stuff, for in the eddy, where the torrents in winter rushed down +into the Yuba, the gold had settled down and lay thick among the +gravel. But most of the parties were sinking, and it was a long way down +to the bed-rock; for the hills on both sides sloped steeply, and the +Yuba must here at one time have rushed through a narrow gorge, until, in +some wild freak, it brought down millions of tons of gravel, and resumed +its course seventy feet above its former level. + +A quarter of a mile higher up a ledge of rock ran across the valley, and +over it in the old time the Yuba had poured in a cascade seventy feet +deep into the ravine. But the rock now was level with the gravel, only +showing its jagged points here and there above it. This ledge had been +invaluable to the diggers: without it they could only have sunk their +shafts with the greatest difficulty, for the gravel would have been full +of water, and even with the greatest pains in puddling and timber-work +the pumps would scarcely have sufficed to keep it down as it rose in the +bottom of the shafts. But the miners had made common cause together, and +giving each so many ounces of gold or so many day's work had erected a +dam thirty feet high along the ledge of rock, and had cut a channel for +the Yuba along the lower slopes of the valley. Of course, when the rain +set in, as everybody knew, the dam would go, and the river diggings must +be abandoned till the water subsided and a fresh dam was made; but there +were two months before them yet, and every one hoped to be down to the +bed-rock before the water interrupted their work. + +The hillside, both in the Yuba Valley and for some distance along +Pine-tree Gulch, was dotted by shanties and tents; the former +constructed for the most part of logs roughly squared, the walls being +some three feet in height, on which the sharp sloping roof was placed, +thatched in the first place with boughs, and made all snug, perhaps, +with an old sail stretched over all. The camp was quiet enough during +the day. The few women were away with their washing at the pools, a +quarter of a mile up the Gulch, and the only persons to be seen about +were the men told off for cooking for their respective parties. + +But in the evening the camp was lively. Groups of men in red shirts and +corded trousers tied at the knee, in high boots, sat round blazing +fires, and talked of their prospects or discussed the news of the luck +at other camps. The sound of music came from two or three plank +erections which rose conspicuously above the huts of the diggers, and +were bright externally with the glories of white and coloured paints. To +and from these men were always sauntering, and it needed not the clink +of glasses and the sound of music to tell that they were the bars of the +camp. + +Here, standing at the counter, or seated at numerous small tables, men +were drinking villainous liquor, smoking and talking, and paying but +scant attention to the strains of the fiddle or the accordion, save when +some well-known air was played, when all would join in a boisterous +chorus. Some were always passing in or out of a door which led into a +room behind. Here there was comparative quiet, for men were gambling, +and gambling high. + +Going backwards and forwards with liquors into the gambling-room of the +Imperial Saloon, which stood just where Pine-tree Gulch opened into Yuba +valley, was a lad, whose appearance had earned for him the name of +White-faced Dick. + +White-faced Dick was not one of those who had done well at Pine-tree +Gulch; he had come across the plains with his father, who had died when +half-way over, and Dick had been thrown on the world to shift for +himself. Nature had not intended him for the work, for he was a +delicate, timid lad; what spirits he originally had having been years +before beaten out of him by a brutal father. So far, indeed, Dick was +the better rather than the worse for the event which had left him an +orphan. + +They had been travelling with a large party for mutual security against +Indians and Mormons, and so long as the journey lasted Dick had got on +fairly well. He was always ready to do odd jobs, and as the draught +cattle were growing weaker and weaker, and every pound of weight was of +importance, no one grudged him his rations in return for his services, +but when the company began to descend the slopes of the Sierra Nevada +they began to break up, going off by twos and threes to the diggings, of +which they heard such glowing accounts. Some, however, kept straight on +to Sacramento, determining there to obtain news as to the doings at all +the different places, and then to choose that which seemed to offer the +best prospects of success. + +Dick proceeded with them to the town, and there found himself alone. His +companions were absorbed in the busy rush of population, and each had so +much to provide and arrange for, that none gave a thought to the +solitary boy. However, at that time no one who had a pair of hands, +however feeble, to work need starve in Sacramento; and for some weeks +Dick hung around the town doing odd jobs, and then, having saved a few +dollars, determined to try his luck at the diggings, and started on foot +with a shovel on his shoulder and a few day's provisions slung across +it. + +Arrived at his destination, the lad soon discovered that gold-digging +was hard work for brawny and seasoned men, and after a few feeble +attempts in spots abandoned as worthless he gave up the effort, and +again began to drift; and even in Pine-tree Gulch it was not difficult +to get a living. At first he tried rocking cradles, but the work was far +harder than it appeared. He was standing ankle deep in water from +morning till night, and his cheeks grew paler, and his strength, instead +of increasing, seemed to fade away. Still, there were jobs within his +strength. He could keep a fire alight and watch a cooking-pot, he could +carry up buckets of water or wash a flannel shirt, and so he struggled +on, until at last some kind-hearted man suggested to him that he should +try to get a place at the new saloon which was about to be opened. + +"You are not fit for this work, young 'un, and you ought to be at home +with your mother; if you like I will go up with you this evening to +Jeffries. I knew him down on the flats, and I daresay he will take you +on. I don't say as a saloon is a good place for a boy, still you will +always get your bellyful of victuals and a dry place to sleep in, if +it's only under a table. What do you say?" + +Dick thankfully accepted the offer, and on Red George's recommendation +was that evening engaged. His work was not hard now, for till the +miners knocked off there was little doing in the saloon; a few men would +come in for a drink at dinner-time, but it was not until the lamps were +lit that business began in earnest, and then for four or five hours Dick +was busy. + +A rougher or healthier lad would not have minded the work, but to Dick +it was torture; every nerve in his body thrilled whenever rough miners +cursed him for not carrying out their orders more quickly, or for +bringing them the wrong liquors, which, as his brain was in a whirl with +the noise, the shouting, and the multiplicity of orders, happened +frequently. He might have fared worse had not Red George always stood +his friend, and Red George was an authority in Pine-tree Gulch--powerful +in frame, reckless in bearing and temper, he had been in a score of +fights and had come off them, if not unscathed, at least victorious. He +was notoriously a lucky digger, but his earnings went as fast as they +were made, and he was always ready to open his belt and give a bountiful +pinch of dust to any mate down on his luck. + +One evening Dick was more helpless and confused than usual. The saloon +was full, and he had been shouted at and badgered and cursed until he +scarcely knew what he was doing. High play was going on in the saloon, +and a good many men were clustered round the table. Red George was +having a run of luck, and there was a big pile of gold dust on the table +before him. One of the gamblers who was losing had ordered old rye, and +instead of bringing it to him, Dick brought a tumbler of hot liquor +which someone else had called for. With an oath the man took it up and +threw it in his face. + +"You cowardly hound!" Red George exclaimed. "Are you man enough to do +that to a man?" + +"You bet," the gambler, who was a new arrival at Pine-tree Gulch, +replied; and picking up an empty glass, he hurled it at Red George. The +by-standers sprang aside, and in a moment the two men were facing each +other with outstretched pistols. The two reports rung out +simultaneously: Red George sat down unconcernedly with a streak of blood +flowing down his face, where the bullet had cut a furrow in his cheek; +the stranger fell back with the bullet hole in the centre of his +forehead. + +The body was carried outside, and the play continued as if no +interruption had taken place. They were accustomed to such occurrences +in Pine-tree Gulch, and the piece of ground at the top of the hill, that +had been set aside as a burial place, was already dotted thickly with +graves, filled in almost every instance by men who had died, in the +local phraseology, "with their boots on." + +Neither then nor afterwards did Red George allude to the subject to +Dick, whose life after this signal instance of his championship was +easier than it had hitherto been, for there were few in Pine-tree Gulch +who cared to excite Red George's anger; and strangers going to the place +were sure to receive a friendly warning that it was best for their +health to keep their tempers over any shortcomings on the part of +White-faced Dick. + +Grateful as he was for Red George's interference on his behalf, Dick +felt the circumstance which had ensued more than anyone else in the +camp. With others it was the subject of five minutes' talk, but Dick +could not get out of his head the thought of the dead man's face as he +fell back. He had seen many such frays before, but he was too full of +his own troubles for them to make much impression upon him. But in the +present case he felt as if he himself was responsible for the death of +the gambler; if he had not blundered this would not have happened. He +wondered whether the dead man had a wife and children, and, if so, were +they expecting his return? Would they ever hear where he had died, and +how? + +But this feeling, which, tired out as he was when the time came for +closing the bar, often prevented him from sleeping for hours, in no way +lessened his gratitude and devotion towards Red George, and he felt that +he could die willingly if his life would benefit his champion. Sometimes +he thought, too, that his life would not be much to give, for in spite +of shelter and food, the cough which he had caught while working in the +water still clung to him, and, as his employer said to him angrily one +day-- + +"Your victuals don't do you no good, Dick; you get thinner and thinner, +and folks will think as I starve you. Darned if you ain't a disgrace to +the establishment." + +The wind was whistling down the gorges, and the clouds hung among the +pine-woods which still clothed the upper slopes of the hills, and the +diggers, as they turned out one morning, looked up apprehensively. + +"But it could not be," they assured each other. Every one knew that the +rains were not due for another month yet; it could only be a passing +shower if it rained at all. + +But as the morning went on, men came in from camps higher up the river, +and reports were current that it had been raining for the last two days +among the upper hills; while those who took the trouble to walk across +to the new channel could see for themselves at noon that it was filled +very nigh to the brim, the water rushing along with thick and turbid +current. But those who repeated the rumours, or who reported that the +channel was full, were summarily put down. Men would not believe that +such a calamity as a flood and the destruction of all their season's +work could be impending. There had been some showers, no doubt, as there +had often been before, but it was ridiculous to talk of anything like +rain a month before its time. Still, in spite of these assertions, there +was uneasiness at Pine-tree Gulch, and men looked at the driving clouds +above and shook their heads before they went down to the shafts to work +after dinner. + +When the last customer had left and the bar was closed, Dick had nothing +to do till evening, and he wandered outside and sat down on a stump, at +first looking at the work going on in the valley, then so absorbed in +his own thoughts that he noticed nothing, not even the driving mist +which presently set in. He was calculating that he had, with his savings +from his wages and what had been given him by the miners, laid by eighty +dollars. When he got another hundred and twenty he would go; he would +make his way down to San Francisco, and then by ship to Panama and up to +New York, and then west again to the village where he was born. There +would be people there who would know him, and who would give him work, +for his mother's sake. He did not care what it was; anything would be +better than this. + +Then his thoughts came back to Pine-tree Gulch, and he started to his +feet. Could he be mistaken? Were his eyes deceiving him? No; among the +stones and boulders of the old bed of the Yuba there was the gleam of +water, and even as he watched it he could see it widening out. He +started to run down the hill to give the alarm, but before he was +half-way he paused, for there were loud shouts, and a scene of bustle +and confusion instantly arose. + +The cradles were deserted, and the men working on the surface loaded +themselves with their tools and made for the high ground, while those at +the windlasses worked their hardest to draw up their comrades below. A +man coming down from above stopped close to Dick, with a low cry, and +stood gazing with a white scared face. Dick had worked with him; he was +one of the company to which Red George belonged. + +"What is it, Saunders?" + +"My God! they are lost," the man replied. "I was at the windlass when +they shouted up to me to go up and fetch them a bottle of rum. They had +just struck it rich, and wanted a drink on the strength of it." + +Dick understood at once. Red George and his mates were still in the +bottom of the shaft, ignorant of the danger which was threatening them. + +"'Come on," he cried; "we shall be in time yet," and at the top of his +speed dashed down the hill, followed by Saunders. + +"What is it, what is it?" asked parties of men mounting the hill. "Red +George's gang are still below." + +Dick's eyes were fixed on the water. There was a broad band now of +yellow with a white edge down the centre of the stony flat, and it was +widening with terrible rapidity. It was scarce ten yards from the +windlass at the top of Red George's shaft when Dick, followed closely by +Saunders, reached it. + +"Come up, mates; quick, for your lives! The river is rising; you will be +flooded out directly. Every one else has gone!" + +As he spoke he pulled at the rope by which the bucket was hanging, and +the handles of the windlass flew round rapidly as it descended. When it +had run out. Dick and he grasped the handles. + +"All right below?" + +An answering call came up, and the two began their work, throwing their +whole strength into it. Quickly as the windlass revolved, it seemed an +endless time to Dick before the bucket came up, and the first man +stepped out. It was not Red George. Dick had hardly expected it would +be. Red George would be sure to see his two mates up before him, and the +man uttered a cry of alarm as he saw the water, now within a few feet of +the mouth of the shaft. + +It was a torrent now, for not only was it coming through the dam, but it +was rushing down in cascades from the new channel. Without a word the +miner placed himself facing Dick and the moment the bucket was again +down, the three grasped the handles. But quickly as they worked, the +edge of the water was within a few inches of the shaft when the next man +reached the surface, but again the bucket descended before the rope +tightened. However, the water had began to run over the lip--at first in +a mere trickle, and then, almost instantaneously, in a cascade, which +grew larger and larger. + +The bucket was half-way up when a sound like thunder was heard, the +ground seemed to tremble under their feet, and then at the turn of the +valley above, a great wave of yellow water, crested with foam, was seen +tearing along at the speed of a race-horse. + +"The dam has burst!" Saunders shouted. "Run for your lives, or we are +all lost!" + +The three men dropped the handles and ran at full speed towards the +shore, while loud shouts to Dick to follow came from the crowd of men +standing on the slope. But the boy still grasped the handles, and with +lips tightly closed, still toiled on. Slowly the bucket ascended, for +Red George was a heavy man; then suddenly the weight slackened, and the +handle went round faster. The shaft was filling, the water had reached +the bucket, and had risen to Red George's neck, so that his weight was +no longer on the rope. So fast did the water pour in, that it was not +half a minute before the bucket reached the surface, and Red George +sprang out. There was but time for one exclamation, and then the great +wave struck them. Red George was whirled like a straw in the current, +but he was a strong swimmer, and at a point where the valley widened +out, half a mile lower, he struggled to shore. + +Two days later the news reached Pine-tree Gulch that a boy's body had +been washed ashore twenty miles down, and ten men, headed by Red George, +went and brought it solemnly back to Pine-tree Gulch. There, among the +stumps of pine-trees, a grave was dug, and there, in the presence of the +whole camp, White-faced Dick was laid to rest. + +Pine-tree Gulch is a solitude now, the trees are growing again, and none +would dream that it was once a busy scene of industry; but if the +traveller searches among the pine-trees, he will find a stone with the +words: + +"Here lies White-faced Dick, who died to save Red George. 'What can a +man do more than give his life for a friend?'" + +The text was the suggestion of an ex-clergyman working as a miner in +Pine-tree Gulch. + +Red George worked no more at the diggings, but after seeing the stone +laid in its place, went east, and with what little money came to him +when the common fund of the company was divided after the flood on the +Yuba, bought a small farm, and settled down there; but to the end of his +life he was never weary of telling those who would listen to it the +story of Pine-tree Gulch. + + + + + +A BRUSH WITH THE CHINESE + +AND WHAT CAME OF IT. + + + +It was early in December that H.M.S. _Perseus_ was cruising off the +mouth of the Canton River. War had been declared with China in +consequence of her continued evasions of the treaty she had made with +us, and it was expected that a strong naval force would soon gather to +bring her to reason. In the meantime the ships on the station had a busy +time of it, chasing the enemy's junks when they ventured to show +themselves beyond the reach of the guns of their forts, and occasionally +having a brush with the piratical boats which took advantage of the +general confusion to plunder friend as well as foe. + +The _Perseus_ had that afternoon chased two Government junks up a +creek. The sun had already set when they took refuge there, and the +captain did not care to send his boats after them in the dark, as many +of the creeks ran up for miles into the flat country; and as they not +unfrequently had many arms or branches, the boats might, in the dark, +miss the junks altogether. Orders were issued that four boats should be +ready for starting at daybreak the next morning. The _Perseus_ anchored +off the mouth of the creek, and two boats were ordered to row backwards +and forwards off its mouth all night to insure that the enemy did not +slip out in the darkness. + +Jack Fothergill, the senior midshipman, was commanding the gig, and two +of the other midshipmen were going in the pinnace and launch, commanded +respectively by the first lieutenant and the master. The three other +midshipmen of the _Perseus_ were loud in their lamentations that they +were not to take share in the fun. + +"You can't all go, you know," Fothergill said, "and it's no use making a +row about it; the captain has been very good to let three of us go." + +"It's all very well for you, Jack," Percy Adcock, the youngest of the +lads, replied, "because you are one of those chosen; and it is not so +hard for Simmons and Linthorpe, because they went the other day in the +boat that chased those junks under shelter of the guns of their battery, +but I haven't had a chance for ever so long." + +"'What fun was there in chasing the junks?" Simmons said. "We never got +near the brutes till they were close to their battery, and then just as +the first shot came singing from their guns, and we thought that we were +going to have some excitement, the first lieutenant sung out 'Easy all,' +and there was nothing for it but to turn round and to row for the ship, +and a nice hot row it was--two hours and a half in a broiling sun. Of +course I am not blaming Oliphant, for the captain's orders were strict +that we were not to try to cut the junks out if they got under the guns +of any of their batteries. Still it was horribly annoying, and I do +think the captain might have remembered what beastly luck we had last +time, and given us a chance tomorrow." + +"It is clear we could not all go," Fothergill said, "and naturally +enough the captain chose the three seniors. Besides, if you did have bad +luck last time, you had your chance, and I don't suppose we shall have +anything more exciting now, these fellows always set fire to their junks +and row for the shore directly they see us, after firing a shot or two +wildly in our direction." + +"Well, Jack, if you don't expect any fun," Simmons replied, "perhaps you +wouldn't mind telling the first lieutenant you do not care for going, +and that I am very anxious to take your place. Perhaps he will be good +enough to allow me to relieve you." + +"A likely thing that!" Fothergill laughed. "No, Tom, I am sorry you are +not going, but you must make the best of it till another chance comes." + +"Don't you think, Jack," Percy Adcock said to his senior in a coaxing +tone later on, "you could manage to smuggle me into the boat with you?" + +"Not I, Percy. Suppose you got hurt, what would the captain say then? +And firing as wildly as the Chinese do, a shot is just as likely to hit +your little carcase as to lodge in one of the sailors. No, you must just +make the best of it, Percy, and I promise you that next time there is a +boat expedition, if you are not put in, I will say a good word to the +first luff for you." + +"That promise is better than nothing," the boy said; "but I would a deal +rather go this time and take my chance next." + +"But you see you can't, Percy, and there's no use talking any more about +it. I really do not expect there will be any fighting. Two junks would +hardly make any opposition to the boats of the ship, and I expect we +shall be back by nine o'clock with the news that they were well on fire +before we came up." + +Percy Adcock, however, was determined, if possible, to go. He was a +favourite among the men, and when he spoke to the bow oar of the gig, +the latter promised to do anything he could to aid him to carry out his +wishes. + +"We are to start at daybreak, Tom, so that it will be quite dark when +the boats are lowered. I will creep into the gig before that and hide +myself as well as I can under your thwart, and all you have got to do is +to take no notice of me. When the boat is lowered I think they will +hardly make me out from the deck, especially as you will be standing up +in the bow holding on with the boat-hook till the rest get on board." + +"Well, sir, I will do my best, but if you are caught you must not let +out that I knew anything about it." + +"I won't do that," Percy said. "I don't think there is much chance of my +being noticed until we get on board the junks, and then they won't know +which boat I came off in, and the first lieutenant will be too busy to +blow me up. Of course I shall get it when I am on board again, but I +don't mind that so that I see the fun. Besides, I want to send home +some things to my sister, and she will like them all the better if I can +tell her I captured them on board some junks we seized and burnt." + +The next morning the crews mustered before daybreak. Percy had already +taken his place under the bow thwart of the gig. The davits were swung +overboard, and two men took their places in her as she was lowered down +by the falls. As soon as she touched the water the rest of the crew +clambered down by the ladder and took their places, then Fothergill took +his seat in the stern, and the boat pushed off and lay a few lengths +away from the ship until the heavier boats put off. As soon as they were +under way Percy crawled out from his hiding-place and placed himself in +the bow, where he was sheltered by the body of the oarsmen from +Fothergill's sight. + +Day was just breaking now, but it was still dark on the water, and the +boat rowed very slowly until it became lighter. Percy could just make +out the shores of the creek on both sides; they were but two or three +feet above the level of the water, and were evidently submerged at high +tide. The creek was about a hundred yards wide, and the lad could not +see far ahead, for it was full of sharp windings and turnings. Here and +there branches joined it, but the boats were evidently following the +main channel. After another half-hour's rowing the first lieutenant +suddenly gave the order, "Easy all," and the men, looking over their +shoulders, saw a village a quarter of a mile ahead, with the two junks +they had chased the night before lying in front of it. Almost at the +same moment a sudden uproar was heard--drums were beaten and gongs +sounded. + +"They are on the look-out for us," the first lieutenant +said. "Mr. Mason, do you keep with me and attack the junk highest up the +river; Mr. Bellew and Mr. Fothergill, do you take the one lower +down. Row on, men." + +The oars all touched the water together, and the four boats leapt +forward. In a minute a scattering fire of gingals and matchlocks was +opened from the junks, and the bullets pattered on the water round the +boats. Percy was kneeling up in the bow now. As they passed a branch +channel three or four hundred yards from the village, he started and +leapt to his feet. + +"There are four or five junks in that passage, Fothergill; they are +poling out." + +The first lieutenant heard the words. + +"Row on, men; let us finish with these craft ahead before the others get +out. This must be that piratical village we have heard about, Mr. +Mason, as lying up one of these creeks; that accounts for those two +junks not going higher up. I was surprised at seeing them here, for they +might guess that we should try to get them this morning. Evidently they +calculated on catching us in a trap." + +Percy was delighted at finding that, in the excitement caused by his +news, the first lieutenant had forgotten to take any notice of his being +there without orders, and he returned a defiant nod to the threat +conveyed by Fothergill shaking his fist at him. As they neared the junks +the fire of those on board redoubled, and was aided by that of many +villagers gathered on the bank of the creek. Suddenly from a bank of +rushes four cannons were fired. A ball struck the pinnace, smashing in +her side. The other boats gathered hastily round and took her crew on +board, and then dashed at the junks, which were but a hundred yards +distant. The valour of the Chinese evaporated as they saw the boats +approaching, and scores of them leapt overboard and swam for shore. + +In another minute the boats were alongside and the crews scrambling up +the sides of the junks. A few Chinamen only attempted to oppose +them. These were speedily overcome, and the British had now time to look +round, and saw that six junks crowded with men had issued from the side +creek and were making towards them. + +"Let the boats tow astern," the lieutenant ordered. "We should have to +run the gauntlet of that battery on shore if we were to attack them, and +might lose another boat before we reached their side. We will fight them +here." + +The junks approached, those on board firing their guns, yelling and +shouting, while the drums and gongs were furiously beaten. + +"They will find themselves mistaken, Percy, if they think they are going +to frighten us with all that row," Fothergill said. "You young rascal, +how did you get on board the boat without being seen? The captain will +be sure to suspect I had a hand in concealing you." + +The tars were now at work firing the gingals attached to the bulwarks +and the matchlocks, with which the deck was strewn, at the approaching +junks. As they took steady aim, leaning their pieces on the bulwarks, +they did considerable execution among the Chinamen crowded on board the +junks, while the shot of the Chinese, for the most part, whistled far +overhead; but the guns of the shore battery, which had now been slewed +round to bear upon them, opened with a better aim, and several shots +came crashing into the sides of the two captured junks. + +"Get ready to board, lads!" Lieutenant Oliphant shouted. "Don't wait for +them to board you, but the moment they come alongside lash their rigging +to ours and spring on board them." + +The leading junk was now about twenty yards away, and presently grated +alongside. Half-a-dozen sailors at once sprang into her rigging with +ropes, and after lashing the junks together leaped down upon her deck, +where Fothergill was leading the gig's crew and some of those rescued +from the pinnace, while Mr. Bellew, with another party, had boarded her +at the stern. Several of the Chinese fought stoutly, but the greater +part lost heart at seeing themselves attacked by the "white devils," +instead of, as they expected, overwhelming them by their superior +numbers. Many began at once to jump overboard, and after two or three +minutes' sharp fighting, the rest either followed their example or were +beaten below. + +Fothergill looked round. The other junk had been attacked by two of the +enemy, one on each side, and the little body of sailors were gathered in +her waist, and were defending themselves against an overwhelming number +of the enemy. The other three piratical junks had been carried somewhat +up the creek by the tide that was sweeping inward, and could not for the +moment take part in the fight. + +"Mr. Oliphant is hard pressed, sir." He asked the master: "Shall we take +to the boats?" + +"That will be the best plan," Mr. Bellew replied. "Quick, lads, get the +boats alongside and tumble in; there is not a moment to be lost." + +The crew at once sprang to the boats and rowed to the other junk, which +was but some thirty yards away. + +The Chinese, absorbed in their contest with the crew of the pinnace, did +not perceive the newcomers until they gained the deck, and with a shout +fell furiously upon them. In their surprise and consternation the +pirates did not pause to note that they were still five to one superior +in number, but made a precipitate rush for their own vessels. The +English at once took the offensive. The first lieutenant with his party +boarded one, while the new-comers leapt on to the deck of the other. The +panic which had seized the Chinese was so complete that they attempted +no resistance whatever, but sprang overboard in great numbers and swam +to the shore, which was but twenty yards away, and in three minutes the +English were in undisputed possession of both vessels. + +"Back again, Mr. Fothergill, or you will lose the craft you captured," +Lieutenant Oliphant said; "they have already cut her free." + +The Chinese, indeed, who had been beaten below by the boarding party, +had soon perceived the sudden departure of their captors, and gaining +the deck again had cut the lashings which fastened them to the other +junk, and were proceeding to hoist their sails. They were too late, +however. Almost before the craft had way on her Fothergill and his crew +were alongside. The Chinese did not wait for the attack, but at once +sprang overboard and made for the shore. The other three junks, seeing +the capture of their comrades, had already hoisted their sails and were +making up the creek. Fothergill dropped an anchor, left four of his men +in charge, and rowed back to Mr. Oliphant. + +"What shall we do next, sir?" + +"We will give those fellows on shore a lesson, and silence their +battery. Two men have been killed since you left. We must let the other +junks go for the present. Four of my men were killed and eleven wounded +before Mr. Bellew and you came to our assistance. The Chinese were +fighting pluckily up to that time, and it would have gone very hard with +us if you had not been at hand; the beggars will fight when they think +they have got it all their own way. But before we land we will set fire +to the five junks we have taken. Do you return and see that the two +astern are well lighted, Mr. Fothergill; Mr. Mason will see to these +three. When you have done your work take to your boat and lay off till I +join you; keep the junks between you and the shore, to protect you from +the fire of the rascals there." + +"I cannot come with you, I suppose, Fothergill?" Percy Adcock said, as +the midshipman was about to descend into his boat again. + +"Yes, come along, Percy. It doesn't matter what you do now. The captain +will be so pleased when he hears that we have captured and burnt five +junks, that you will get off with a very light wigging, I imagine." + +"That's just what I was thinking, Jack. Has it not been fun?" + +"You wouldn't have thought it fun if you had got one of those matchlock +balls in your body. There are a good many of our poor fellows just at +the present moment who do not see anything funny in the affair at +all. Here we are; clamber up." + +The crew soon set to work under Fothergill's orders. The sails were cut +off the masts and thrown down into the hold; bamboos, of which there +were an abundance down there, were heaped over them, a barrel of oil was +poured over the mass, and the fire then applied. + +"That will do, lads. Now take to your boats and let's make a bonfire of +the other junk." + +In ten minutes both vessels were a sheet of flame, and the boat was +lying a short distance from them waiting for further operations. The +inhabitants of the village, furious at the failure of the plan which had +been laid for the destruction of the "white devils," kept up a constant +fusilade, which, however, did no harm, for the gig was completely +sheltered by the burning junks close to her from their missiles. + +"There go the others!" Percy exclaimed after a minute or two, as three +columns of smoke arose simultaneously from the other junks, and the +sailors were seen dropping into their boats alongside. + +The killed and wounded were placed in the other gig with four sailors in +charge. They were directed to keep under shelter of the junks until +rejoined by the pinnace and Fothergill's gig, after these had done their +work on shore. + +When all was ready the first lieutenant raised his hand as a signal, and +the two boats dashed between the burning junks and rowed for the +shore. Such of the natives as had their weapons charged fired a hasty +volley, and then, as the sailors leapt from their boats, took to their +heels. + +"Mr. Fothergill, take your party into the village and set fire to the +houses; shoot down every man you see. This place is a nest of pirates. I +will capture that battery and then join you." + +Fothergill and his sailors at once entered the village. The men had +already fled; the women were turned out of the houses, and these were +immediately set on fire. The tars regarded the whole affair as a +glorious joke, and raced from house to house, making a hasty search in +each for concealed valuables before setting it on fire. In a short time +the whole village was in a blaze. + +"There is a house there, standing in that little grove a hundred yards +away," Percy said. + +"It looks like a temple," Fothergill replied. "However, we will have a +look at it." And calling two sailors to accompany him, he started at a +run towards it, Percy keeping by his side. + +"It is a temple," Fothergill said when they approached it. "Still, we +will have a look at it, but we won't burn it; it will be as well to +respect the religion, even of a set of piratical scoundrels like these." + +At the head of his men he rushed in at the entrance. There was a blaze +of fire as half a dozen muskets were discharged in their faces. One of +the sailors dropped dead, and before the others had time to realize what +had happened they were beaten to the ground by a storm of blows from +swords and other weapons. + +A heavy blow crashed down on Percy's head, and he fell insensible even +before he realized what had occurred. + +When he recovered, his first sensation was that of a vague wonder as to +what had happened to him. He seemed to be in darkness and unable to move +hand or foot. He was compressed in some way that he could not at first +understand, and was being bumped and jolted in an extraordinary +manner. It was some little time before he could understand the +situation. He first remembered the fight with the junks, then he +recalled the landing and burning the village; then, as his brain +cleared, came the recollection of his start with Fothergill for the +temple among the trees, his arrival there, and a loud report and flash +of fire. + +"I must have been knocked down and stunned," he said to himself, "and I +suppose I am a prisoner now to these brutes, and one of them must be +carrying me on his back." + +Yes, he could understand it all now. His hands and his feet were tied, +ropes were passed round his body in every direction, and he was fastened +back to back upon the shoulders of a Chinaman. Percy remembered the +tales he had heard of the imprisonment and torture of those who fell +into the hands of the Chinese, and he bitterly regretted that he had not +been killed instead of stunned in the surprise of the temple. + +"It would have been just the same feeling," he said to himself, "and +there would have been an end of it. Now, there is no saying what is +going to happen. I wonder whether Jack was killed, and the sailors." + +Presently there was a jabber of voices; the motion ceased. Percy could +feel that the cords were being unwound, and he was dropped on to his +feet; then the cloth was removed from his head, and he could look round. + +A dozen Chinese, armed with matchlocks and bristling with swords and +daggers, stood around, and among them, bound like himself and gagged by +a piece of bamboo forced lengthways across his mouth and kept there with +a string going round the back of the head, stood Fothergill. He was +bleeding from several cuts in the head. Percy's heart gave a bound of +joy at finding that he was not alone; then he tried to feel sorry that +Jack had not escaped, but failed to do so, although he told himself that +his comrade's presence would not in any way alleviate the fate which was +certain to befall him. Still the thought of companionship, even in +wretchedness, and perhaps a vague hope that Jack, with his energy and +spirit, might contrive some way for their escape, cheered him up. + +As Percy, too, was gagged, no word could be exchanged by the midshipmen, +but they nodded to each other. They were now put side by side and made +to walk in the centre of their captors. On the way they passed through +several villages, whose inhabitants poured out to gaze at the captives, +but the men in charge of them were evidently not disposed to delay, as +they passed through without a stop. At last they halted before two +cottages standing by themselves, thrust the prisoners into a small room, +removed their gags, and left them to themselves. + +"Well, Percy, my boy, so they caught you too? I am awfully sorry. It was +my fault for going with only two men into that temple, but as the +village had been deserted and scarcely a man was found there, it never +entered my mind that there might be a party in the temple." + +"Of course not, Jack; it was a surprise altogether. I don't know +anything about it, for I was knocked down, I suppose, just as we went +in, and the first thing I knew about it was that I was being carried on +the back of one of those fellows. I thought it was awful at first, but I +don't seem to mind so much now you are with me." + +"It is a comfort to have someone to speak to," Jack said, "yet I wish +you were not here, Percy; I can't do you any good, and I shall never +cease blaming myself for having brought you into this scrape. I don't +know much more about the affair than you do. The guns were fired so +close to us that my face was scorched with one of them, and almost at +the same instant I got a lick across my cheek with a sword. I had just +time to hit at one of them, and then almost at the same moment I got two +or three other blows, and down I went; they threw themselves on the top +of me and tied and gagged me in no time. Then I was tied to a long +bamboo, and two fellows put the ends on their shoulders and went off +with me through the fields. Of course I was face downwards, and did not +know you were with us till they stopped and loosed me from the bamboo +and set me on my feet." + +"But what are they going to do with us do you think, Jack?" + +"I should say they are going to take us to Canton and claim a reward for +our capture, and there I suppose they will cut off our heads or saw us +in two, or put us to some other unpleasant kind of death. I expect they +are discussing it now; do you hear what a jabber they are kicking up?" + +Voices were indeed heard raised in angry altercation in the next +room. After a time the din subsided and the conversation appeared to +take a more amiable turn. + +"I suppose they have settled it as far as they are concerned," Jack +said; "anyhow, you may be quite sure they mean to make something out of +us. If they hadn't they would have finished us at once, for they must +have been furious at the destruction of their junks and village. As to +the idea that mercy has anything to do with it, we may as well put it +out of our minds. The Chinaman, at the best of times, has no feeling of +pity in his nature, and after their defeat it is certain they would have +killed us at once had they not hoped to do better by us. If they had +been Indians I should have said they had carried us off to enjoy the +satisfaction of torturing us, but I don't suppose it is that with them." + +"Do you think there is any chance of our getting away?" Percy asked, +after a pause. + +"I should say not the least in the world, Percy. My hands are fastened +so tight now that the ropes seem cutting into my wrists, and after they +had set me on my feet and cut the cords of my legs I could scarcely +stand at first, my feet were so numbed by the pressure. However, we must +keep up our pluck. Possibly they may keep us at Canton for a bit, and if +they do the squadron may arrive and fight its way past the forts and +take the city before they have quite made up their minds as to what kind +of death will be most appropriate to the occasion. I wonder what they +are doing now? They seem to be chopping sticks." + +"I wish they would give us some water," Percy said "I am frightfully +thirsty." + +"And so am I, Percy; there is one comfort, they won't let us die of +thirst, they could get no satisfaction out of our deaths now." + +Two hours later some of the Chinese re-entered the room and led the +captives outside, and the lads then saw what was the meaning of the +noise they had heard. A cage had been manufactured of strong bamboos. It +was about four and a half feet long, four feet wide, and less than three +feet high; above it was fastened two long bamboos. Two or three of the +bars of the cage had been left open. + +"My goodness! they never intend to put us in there," Percy exclaimed. + +"That they do," Jack said. "They are going to carry us the rest of the +way." + +The cords which bound the prisoners' hands were now cut, and they were +motioned to crawl into the cage. This they did; the bars were then put +in their places and securely lashed. Four men went to the ends of the +poles and lifted the cage upon their shoulders; two others took their +places beside it, and one man, apparently the leader of the party, +walked on ahead, the rest remained behind. + +"I never quite realized what a fowl felt in a coop before," Jack said, +"but if its sensations are at all like mine they must be decidedly +unpleasant. It isn't high enough to sit upright in, it is nothing like +long enough to lie down, and as to getting out one might as well think +of flying. Do you know, Percy, I don't think they mean taking us to +Canton at all. I did not think of it before, but from the direction of +the sun I feel sure that we cannot have been going that way. What they +are up to I can't imagine." + +In an hour they came to a large village. Here the cage was set down and +the villagers closed round. They were, however, kept a short distance +from the cage by the men in charge of it. Then a wooden platter was +placed on the ground, and persons throwing a few copper coins into this +were allowed to come near the cage. + +"They are making a show of us!" Fothergill exclaimed. "That's what they +are up to, you see if it isn't; they are going to travel up country to +show the 'white devils' whom their valour has captured." + +This was, indeed, the purpose of the pirates. At that time Europeans +seldom ventured beyond the limits assigned to them in the two or three +towns where they were permitted to trade, and few, indeed, of the +country people had ever obtained a sight of the white barbarians of +whose doings they had so frequently heard. Consequently a small crowd +soon gathered round the cage, eyeing the captives with the same interest +they would have felt as to unknown and dangerous beasts; they laughed +and joked, passed remarks upon them, and even poked them with +sticks. Fothergill, furious at this treatment, caught one of the sticks, +and wrenching it from the hands of the Chinaman, tried to strike at him +through the bars, a proceeding which excited shouts of laughter from the +bystanders. + +"I think, Jack," Percy said, "it will be best to try and keep our +tempers and not to seem to mind what they do to us, then if they find +they can't get any fun out of us they will soon leave us alone." + +"Of course, that's the best plan," Fothergill agreed, "but it's not so +easy to follow. That fellow very nearly poked out my eye with his stick, +and no one's going to stand that if he can help it." + +It was some hours before the curiosity of the village was +satisfied. When all had paid who were likely to do so, the guards broke +up their circle, and leaving two of their number at the cage to see that +no actual harm was caused to their prisoners, the rest went off to a +refreshment house. The place of the elders was now taken by the boys and +children of the village, who crowded round the cage, prodded the +prisoners with sticks, and, putting their hands through the bars, pulled +their ears and hair. This amusement, however, was brought to an abrupt +conclusion by Fothergill suddenly seizing the wrist of a big boy and +pulling his arm through the cage until his face was against the bars; +then he proceeded to punch him until the guard, coming to his rescue, +poked Fothergill with his stick until he released his hold. + +The punishment of their comrade excited neither anger nor resentment +among the other boys, who yelled with delight at his discomfiture, but +it made them more careful in approaching the cage, and though they +continued to poke the prisoners with sticks they did not venture again +to thrust a hand through the bars. At sunset the guards again came +round, lifted the cage and carried it into a shed. A platter of dirty +rice and a jug of water were put into the cage; two of the men lighted +their long pipes and sat down on guard beside it, and, the doors being +closed, the captives were left in peace. + +"If this sort of thing is to go on, as I suppose it is," Fothergill +said, "the sooner they cut off our heads the better." + +"It is very bad, Jack. I am sore all over with those probes from their +sharp sticks." + +"I don't care for the pain, Percy, so much as the humiliation of the +thing. To be stared at and poked at as if we were wild beasts by these +curs, when with half a dozen of our men we could send a hundred of them +scampering, I feel as if I could choke with rage." + +"You had better try and eat some of this rice, Jack. It is beastly, but +I daresay we shall get no more until to-morrow night, and we must keep +up our strength if we can. At any rate, the water is not bad, that's a +comfort." + +"No thanks to them," Jack growled. "If there had been any bad water in +the neighbourhood they would have given it to us." + +For six weeks the sufferings of the prisoners continued. Their captors +avoided towns where the authorities would probably at once have taken +the prisoners out of their hands. No one would have recognized the two +captives as the midshipmen of the _Perseus_; their clothes were in +rags--torn to pieces by the thrusts of the sharp-pointed bamboos, to +which they had daily been subjected--the bad food, the cramped position, +and the misery which they suffered had worn both lads to skeletons; +their hair was matted with filth, their faces begrimed with dirt. Percy +was so weak that he felt he could not stand. Fothergill, being three +years older, was less exhausted, but he knew that he, too, could not +support his sufferings for many days longer. Their bodies were covered +with sores, and try as they would they were able to catch only a few +minutes' sleep at a time, so much did the bamboo bars hurt their wasted +limbs. + +They seldom exchanged a word during the daytime, suffering in silence +the persecutions to which they were exposed, but at night they talked +over their homes and friends in England, and their comrades on board +ship, seldom saying a word as to their present position. They were now +in a hilly country, but had not the least idea of the direction in which +it lay from Canton or its distance from the coast. + +One evening Jack said to his companion, "I think it's nearly all over +now, Percy. The last two days we have made longer journeys, and have not +stopped at any of the smaller villages we passed through. I fancy our +guards must see that we can't last much longer, and are taking us down +to some town to hand us over to the authorities and get their reward for +us." + +"I hope it is so, Jack; the sooner the better. Not that it makes much +difference now to me, for I do not think I can stand many more days of +it." + +"I am afraid I am tougher than you, Percy, and shall take longer to +kill, so I hope with all my heart that I may be right, and that they may +be going to give us up to the authorities." + +The next evening they stopped at a large place, and were subjected to +the usual persecution; this, however, was now less prolonged than during +the early days of their captivity, for they had now no longer strength +or spirits to resent their treatment, and as no fun was to be obtained +from passive victims, even the village boys soon ceased to find any +amusement in tormenting them. + +When most of their visitors had left them, an elderly Chinaman +approached the side of the cage. He spoke to their guards and looked at +them attentively for some minutes, then he said in pigeon English, "You +officer men?" + +"Yes!" Jack exclaimed, starting at the sound of the English words, the +first they had heard spoken since their captivity. "Yes, we are officers +of the _Perseus_." + +"Me speeke English velly well," the Chinaman said; "me pilot-man many +years on Canton river. How you get here?" + +"We were attacking some piratical junks, and landed to destroy the +village where the people were firing on us. We entered a place full of +pirates, and were knocked down and taken prisoners, and carried away up +the country; that is six weeks ago, and you see what we are now." + +"Pirate men velly bad," the Chinaman said; "plunder many junk on river +and kill crew. Me muchee hate them." + +"Can you do anything for us?" Jack asked. "You will be well rewarded if +you could manage to get us free." + +The man shook his head. + +"Me no see what can do, me stranger here; come to stay with wifey; +people no do what me ask them. English ships attack Canton, much fight +and take town, people all hate English. Bad country dis. People in one +village fight against another. Velly bad men here." + +"How far is Canton away?" Jack asked. "Could you not send down to tell +the English we are here?" + +"Fourteen days' journey off," the man said, "no see how can do +anything." + +"Well," Jack said, "when you get back again to Canton let our people +know what has been the end of us, we shall not last much longer." + +"All light," the man said, "will see what me can do. Muchee think +to-night!" And after saying a few words to the guards, who had been +regarding this conversation with an air of surprise, the Chinaman +retired. + +The guards had for some time abandoned the precaution of sitting up at +night by the cage, convinced that their captives had no longer strength +to attempt to break through its fastenings or to drag themselves many +yards away if they could do so. They therefore left it standing in the +open, and, wrapping themselves in their thickly-wadded coats, for the +nights were cold, lay down by the side of the cage. + +The coolness of the nights had, indeed, assisted to keep the two +prisoners alive. During the day the sun was excessively hot, and the +crowd of visitors round the cage impeded the circulation of the air and +added to their sufferings. It was true that the cold at night frequently +prevented them from sleeping, but it acted as a tonic and braced them +up. + +"What did he mean about the villages attacking each other?" Percy asked. + +"I have heard," Jack replied, "that in some parts of China things are +very much the same as they used to be in the highlands of Scotland. +There is no law or order. The different villages are like clans, and +wage war on each other. Sometimes the Government sends a number of +troops, who put the thing down for a time, chop off a good many heads, +and then march away, and the whole work begins again as soon as their +backs are turned." + +That night the uneasy slumber of the lads was disturbed by a sudden +firing; shouts and yells were heard, and the firing redoubled. + +"The village is attacked," Jack said. "I noticed that, like some other +places we have come into lately, there is a strong earthen wall round +it, with gates. Well, there is one comfort--it does not make much +difference to us which side wins." + +The guards at the first alarm leapt to their feet, caught up their +matchlocks, and ran to aid in the defence of the wall. Two minutes later +a man ran up to the cage. + +"All lightee," he said; "just what me hopee." + +With his knife he cut the tough withes that held the bamboos in their +places, and pulled out three of the bars. + +"Come along," he said; "no time to lose." + +Jack scrambled out, but in trying to stand upright gave a sharp +exclamation of pain. Percy crawled out more slowly; he tried to stand +up, but could not. The Chinaman caught him up and threw him on his +shoulder. + +"Come along quickee," he said to Jack; "if takee village, kill evely +one." He set off at a run. Jack followed as fast as he could, groaning +at every step from the pain the movement caused to his bruised body. + +They went to the side of the village opposite to that at which the +attack was going on. They met no one on the way, the inhabitants having +all rushed to the other side to repel the attack. They stopped at a +small gate in the wall, the Chinaman drew back the bolts and opened it, +and they passed out into the country. For an hour they kept on. By the +end of that time Jack could scarcely drag his limbs along. The Chinaman +halted at length in a clump of trees surrounded by a thick undergrowth. + +"Allee safee here," he said, "no searchee so far; here food;" and he +produced from a wallet a cold chicken and some boiled rice, and unslung +from his shoulder a gourd filled with cold tea. + +"Me go back now, see what happen. To-mollow nightee come again--bringee +more food." And without another word went off at a rapid pace. + +Jack moistened his lips with the tea, and then turned to his +companion. Percy had not spoken a word since he had been released from +the cage, and had been insensible during the greater part of his +journey. Jack poured some cold tea between his lips. + +"Cheer up, Percy, old boy, we are free now, and with luck and that good +fellow's help we will work our way down to Canton yet." + +"I shall never get down there; you may," Percy said feebly. + +"Oh, nonsense, you will pick up strength like a steam-engine now. Here, +let me prop you against this tree. That's better. Now drink a drop of +this tea; it's like nectar after that filthy water we have been +drinking. Now you will feel better. Now you must try and eat a little of +this chicken and rice. Oh, nonsense, you have got to do it. I am not +going to let you give way when our trouble is just over. Think of your +people at home, Percy, and make an effort, for their sakes. Good +heavens! now I think of it, it must be Christmas morning. We were caught +on the 2nd and we have been just twenty-two days on show. I am sure that +it must be past twelve o'clock, and it is Christmas-day. It is a good +omen, Percy. This food isn't like roast beef and plum-pudding, but it's +not to be despised, I can tell you. Come, fire away, that's a good +fellow." + +Percy made an effort and ate a few mouthfuls of rice and chicken, then +he took another draught of tea, and lay down, and was almost immediately +asleep. + +Jack ate his food slowly and contentedly till he finished half the +supply, then he, too, lay down, and, after a short but hearty +thanksgiving for his escape from a slow and lingering death, he, too, +fell off to sleep. The sun was rising when he woke, being aroused by a +slight movement on the part of Percy; he opened his eyes and sat up. + +"Well, Percy, how do you feel this morning?" he asked cheerily. + +"I feel too weak to move," Percy replied languidly. + +"Oh, you will be all right when you have sat up and eaten breakfast," +Jack said. "Here you are; here is a wing for you, and this rice is as +white as snow, and the tea is first rate. I thought last night after I +lay down that I heard a murmur of water, so after we have had breakfast +I will look about and see if I can find it. We should feel like new men +after a wash. You look awful, and I am sure I am just as bad." + +The thought of a wash inspirited Percy far more than that of eating, and +he sat up and made a great effort to do justice to breakfast. He +succeeded much better than he had done the night before, and Jack, +although he pretended to grumble, was satisfied with his companion's +progress, and finished off the rest of the food. Then he set out to +search for water. He had not very far to go; a tiny stream, a few inches +wide and two or three inches deep, ran through the wood from the higher +ground. After throwing himself down and taking a drink, he hurried back +to Percy. + +"It is all right, Percy, I have found it. We can wash to our hearts' +content; think of that, lad." + +Percy could hardly stand, but he made an effort, and Jack half carried +him to the streamlet. There the lads spent hours. First they bathed +their heads and hands, and then, stripping, lay down in the stream and +allowed it to flow over them, then they rubbed themselves with handfuls +of leaves dipped in the water, and when they at last put on their rags +again felt like new men. Percy was able to walk back to the spot they +had quitted with the assistance only of Jack's arm. The latter, feeling +that his breakfast had by no means appeased his hunger, now started for +a search through the wood, and presently returned to Percy laden with +nuts and berries. + +"The nuts are sure to be all right; I expect the berries are too. I have +certainly seen some like them in native markets, and I think it will be +quite safe to risk it." + +The rest of the day was spent in picking nuts and eating them. Then they +sat down and waited for the arrival of their friend. He came two hours +after nightfall with a wallet stored with provisions, and told them that +he had regained the village unobserved. The attack had been repulsed, +but with severe loss to the defenders as well as the assailants; two of +their guards had been among the killed. The others had made a great +clamour over the escape of the prisoners, and had made a close search +throughout the village and immediately round it, for they were convinced +that their captives had not had the strength to go any distance. He +thought, however, that although they had professed the greatest +indignation, and had offered many threats as to the vengeance that +Government would take upon the village, one of whose inhabitants, at +least, must have aided in the evasion of the prisoners, they would not +trouble themselves any further in the matter. They had already reaped a +rich harvest from the exhibition, and would divide among themselves the +share of their late comrades; nor was it at all improbable that if they +were to report the matter to the authorities they would themselves get +into serious trouble for not having handed over the prisoners +immediately after their capture. + +For a fortnight the pilot nursed and fed the two midshipmen. He had +already provided them with native clothes, so that if by chance any +villagers should catch sight of them they would not recognize them as +the escaped white men. At the end of that time both the lads had almost +recovered from the effects of their sufferings. Jack, indeed, had +picked up from the first, but Percy for some days continued so weak and +ill that Jack had feared that he was going to have an attack of fever of +some kind. His companion's cheery and hopeful chat did as much good for +Percy as the nourishing food with which their friend supplied them, and +at the end of the fortnight he declared that he felt sufficiently strong +to attempt to make his way down to the coast. + +The pilot acted as their guide. When they inquired about his wife, he +told them carelessly that she would remain with her kinsfolk, and would +travel on to Canton and join him there when she found an opportunity. +The journey was accomplished at night, by very short stages at first, +but by increasing distances as Percy gained strength. During the daytime +the lads lay hid in woods or jungles, while their companion went into +the village and purchased food. They struck the river many miles above +Canton, and the pilot, going down first to a village on its banks, +bargained for a boat to take him and two women down to the city. + +The lads went on board at night and took their places in the little +cabin formed of bamboos and covered with mats in the stern of the boat, +and remained thus sheltered not only from the view of people in boats +passing up or down the stream, but from the eyes of their own boatmen. + +After two days' journey down the river without incident, they arrived +off Canton, where the British fleet was still lying while negotiations +for peace were being carried on with the authorities at Pekin. Peeping +out between the mats, the lads caught sight of the English warships, +and, knowing that there was now no danger, they dashed out of the cabin, +to the surprise of the native boatmen, and shouted and waved their arms +to the distant ships. + +In ten minutes they were alongside the _Perseus_, when they were hailed +as if restored from the dead. The pilot was very handsomely rewarded by +the English authorities for his kindness to the prisoners, and was +highly satisfied with the result of his proceedings, which more than +doubled the little capital with which he had retired from business. Jack +Fothergill and Percy Adcock declare that they have never since eaten +chicken without thinking of their Christmas fare on the morning of their +escape from the hands of the Chinese pirates. + +THE END. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Tales of Daring and Danger, by G. A. 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Do not change or edit the +header without written permission. + +Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the +eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is +important information about your specific rights and restrictions in +how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: Tales of Daring and Danger + +Author: G. A. Henty + +Release Date: April, 2005 [EBook #7870] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on May 28, 2003] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-Latin-1 + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TALES OF DARING AND DANGER *** + + + + +Produce by Juliet Sutherland, Thomas Hutchinson +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team + + + + +TALES OF DARING AND DANGER. + + +by G. A. Henty + + + +CONTENTS + +BEARS AND DACOITS +THE PATERNOSTERS +A PIPE OF MYSTERY +WHITE-FACED DICK +A BRUSH WITH THE CHINESE + + + + + +BEARS AND DACOITS. + +A TALE OF THE GHAUTS + + + +CHAPTER I. + + +A merry party were sitting in the verandah of one of the largest and +handsomest bungalows of Poonah. It belonged to Colonel Hastings, colonel +of a native regiment stationed there, and at present, in virtue of +seniority, commanding a brigade. Tiffin was on, and three or four +officers and four ladies had taken their seats in the comfortable cane +lounging chairs which form the invariable furniture of the verandah of a +well-ordered bungalow. Permission had been duly asked, and granted by +Mrs. Hastings and the cheroots had just begun to draw, when Miss +Hastings, a niece of the colonel, who had only arrived the previous week +from England, said,-- + +"Uncle, I am quite disappointed. Mrs. Lyons showed me the bear she has +got tied up in their compound, and it is the most wretched little thing, +not bigger than Rover, papa's retriever, and it's full-grown. I thought +bears were great fierce creatures, and this poor little thing seemed so +restless and unhappy that I thought it quite a shame not to let it go." + +Colonel Hastings smiled rather grimly. + +"And yet, small and insignificant as that bear is, my dear, it is a +question whether he is not as dangerous an animal to meddle with as a +man-eating tiger." + +"What, that wretched little bear, Uncle?" + +"Yes, that wretched little bear. Any experienced sportsman will tell you +that hunting those little bears is as dangerous a sport as tiger-hunting +on foot, to say nothing of tiger-hunting from an elephant's back, in +which there is scarcely any danger whatever. I can speak feelingly about +it, for my career was pretty nearly brought to an end by a bear, just +after I entered the army, some thirty years ago, at a spot within a few +miles from here. I have got the scars on my shoulder and arm still." + +"Oh, do tell me all about it," Miss Hastings said, and the request being +seconded by the rest of the party, none of whom, with the exception of +Mrs. Hastings, had ever heard the story before--for the colonel was +somewhat chary of relating this special experience--he waited till they +had all drawn up their chairs as close as possible, and then giving two +or three vigorous puffs at his cheroot, began as follows-- + +"Thirty years ago, in 1855, things were not so settled in the Deccan as +they are now. There was no idea of insurrection on a large scale, but we +were going through one of those outbreaks of Dacoity, which have several +times proved so troublesome. Bands of marauders kept the country in +confusion, pouring down on a village, now carrying off three or four of +the Bombay money-lenders, who were then, as now, the curse of the +country; sometimes making an onslaught upon a body of traders; and +occasionally venturing to attack small detachments of troops or isolated +parties of police. They were not very formidable, but they were very +troublesome, and most difficult to catch, for the peasantry regarded +them as patriots, and aided and shielded them in every way. The +head-quarters of these gangs of Dacoits were the Ghauts. In the thick +bush and deep valleys and gorges there they could always take refuge, +while sometimes the more daring chiefs converted these detached peaks +and masses of rock, numbers of which you can see as you come up the +Ghaut by railway, into almost impregnable fortresses. Many of these +masses of rock rise as sheer up from the hillside as walls of masonry, +and look at a short distance like ruined castles. Some are absolutely +inaccessible, others can only be scaled by experienced climbers, and, +although possible for the natives with their bare feet, are +impracticable to European troops. Many of these rock fortresses were at +various times the headquarters of famous Dacoit leaders, and unless the +summits happened to be commanded from some higher ground within gunshot +range they were all but impregnable except by starvation. When driven to +bay, these fellows would fight well. + +"Well, about the time I joined, the Dacoits were unusually troublesome; +the police had a hard time of it, and almost lived in the saddle, and +the cavalry were constantly called up to help them, while detachments of +infantry from the station were under canvas at several places along the +top of the Ghauts to cut the bands off from their strongholds, and to +aid, if necessary, in turning them out of their rock fortresses. The +natives in the valleys at the foot of the Ghauts, who have always been a +semi-independent race, ready to rob whenever they saw a chance, were +great friends with the Dacoits, and supplied them with provisions +whenever the hunt on the Deccan was too hot for them to make raids in +that direction. + +"This is a long introduction, you will say, and does not seem to have +much to do with bears; but it is really necessary, as you will see. I +had joined about six months when three companies of the regiment were +ordered to relieve a wing of the 15th, who had been under canvas at a +village some four miles to the north of the point where the line crosses +the top of the Ghauts. There were three white officers, and little +enough to do, except when a party was sent off to assist the police. We +had one or two brushes with the Dacoits, but I was not out on either +occasion. However, there was plenty of shooting, and a good many pigs +about, so we had very good fun. Of course, as a raw hand, I was very +hot for it, and as the others had both passed the enthusiastic age, +except for pig-sticking and big game, I could always get away. I was +supposed not to go far from camp, because, in the first place, I might +be wanted; and, in the second, because of the Dacoits; and Norworthy, +who was in command, used to impress upon me that I ought not to go +beyond the sound of a bugle. Of course we both knew that if I intended +to get any sport I must go further afoot than this; but I merely used to +say 'All right, sir, I will keep an ear to the camp,' and he on his part +never considered it necessary to ask where the game which appeared on +the table came from. But in point of fact, I never went very far, and my +servant always had instructions which way to send for me if I was +wanted; while as to the Dacoits I did not believe in their having the +impudence to come in broad daylight within a mile or two of our camp. I +did not often go down the face of the Ghauts. The shooting was good, and +there were plenty of bears in those days, but it needed a long day for +such an expedition, and in view of the Dacoits who might be scattered +about, was not the sort of thing to be undertaken except with a strong +party. Norworthy had not given any precise orders about it, but I must +admit that he said one day:-- + +"'Of course you won't be fool enough to think of going down the Ghauts, +Hastings?' But I did not look at that as equivalent to a direct +order--whatever I should do now," the colonel put in, on seeing a +furtive smile on the faces of his male listeners. + +"However, I never meant to go down, though I used to stand on the edge +and look longingly down into the bush and fancy I saw bears moving about +in scores. But I don't think I should have gone into their country if +they had not come into mine. One day the fellow who always carried my +spare gun or flask, and who was a sort of shekarry in a small way, told +me he had heard that a farmer, whose house stood near the edge of the +Ghauts, some two miles away, had been seriously annoyed by his fruit and +corn being stolen by bears. + +"'I'll go and have a look at the place tomorrow,' I said, 'there is no +parade, and I can start early. You may as well tell the mess cook to put +up a basket with some tiffin and a bottle of claret, and get a boy to +carry it over.' + +"'The bears not come in day,' Rahman said. + +"'Of course not,' I replied, 'still I may like to find out which way +they come. Just do as you are told.' + +"The next morning, at seven o'clock, I was at the farmer's spoken of, +and there was no mistake as to the bears. A patch of Indian corn had +been ruined by them, and two dogs had been killed. The native was in a +terrible state of rage and alarm. He said that on moonlight nights he +had seen eight of them, and they came and sniffed around the door of the +cottage. + +"'Why don't you fire through the window at them?' I asked scornfully, +for I had seen a score of tame bears in captivity, and, like you, Mary, +was inclined to despise them, though there was far less excuse for me, +for I had heard stories which should have convinced me that, small as he +is, the Indian bear is not a beast to be attacked with impunity. Upon +walking to the edge of the Ghauts there was no difficulty in discovering +the route by which the bears came up to the farm. For a mile to the +right and left the ground fell away as if cut with a knife, leaving a +precipice of over a hundred feet sheer down; but close by where I was +standing was the head of a water-course, which in time had gradually +worn a sort of cleft in the wall, up or down which it was not difficult +to make one's way. Further down this little gorge widened out and became +a deep ravine, and further still a wide valley, where it opened upon the +flats far below us. About half a mile down where the ravine was deepest +and darkest was a thick clump of trees and jungle. + +"'That's where the bears are?' I asked Rahman. He nodded. It seemed no +distance. I could get down and back in time for tiffin, and perhaps bag +a couple of bears. For a young sportsman the temptation was great. 'How +long would it take us to go down and have a shot or two at them?' + +"'No good go down. Master come here at night, shoot bears when they come +up.' + +"I had thought of that; but, in the first place, it did not seem much +sport to shoot the beasts from cover when they were quietly eating, and, +in the next place, I knew that Norworthy could not, even if he were +willing, give me leave to go out of camp at night. I waited, hesitating +for a few minutes, and then I said to myself, 'It is of no use +waiting. I could go down and get a bear and be back again while I am +thinking of it;' then to Rahman, 'No, come along; we will have a look +through that wood anyhow.' + +"Rahman evidently did not like it. + +"'Not easy find bear, sahib. He very cunning.' + +"'Well, very likely we sha'n't find them,' I said, 'but we can try +anyhow. Bring that bottle with you; the tiffin basket can wait here till +we come back.' In another five minutes I had begun to climb down the +watercourse--the shekarry following me. I took the double-barrelled +rifle and handed him the shot-gun, having first dropped a bullet down +each barrel over the charge. The ravine was steep, but there were bushes +to hold on by, and although it was hot work and took a good deal longer +than I expected, we at last got down to the place which I had fixed upon +as likely to be the bears' home. + +"'Sahib, climb up top,' Rahman said; 'come down through wood; no good +fire at bear when he above.' + +"I had heard that before; but I was hot, the sun was pouring down, there +was not a breath of wind, and it looked a long way up to the top of the +wood. + +"'Give me the claret. It would take too long to search the wood +regularly. We will sit down here for a bit, and if we can see anything +moving up in the wood, well and good; if not, we will come back again +another day with some beaters and dogs.' So saying, I sat down with my +back against a rock, at a spot where I could look up among the trees for +a long way through a natural vista. I had a drink of claret, and then I +sat and watched till gradually I dropped off to sleep. I don't know how +long I slept, but it was some time, and I woke up with a sudden +start. Rahman, who had, I fancy, been asleep too, also started up. + +"The noise which had aroused us was made by a rolling stone striking a +rock; and looking up I saw some fifty yards away, not in the wood, but +on the rocky hillside on our side of the ravine, a bear standing, as +though unconscious of our presence, snuffing the air. As was natural, I +seized my rifle, cocked it, and took aim, unheeding a cry of 'No, no, +sahib,' from Rahman. However, I was not going to miss such a chance as +this, and I let fly. The beast had been standing sideways to me, and as +I saw him fall I felt sure I had hit him in the heart. I gave a shout of +triumph, and was about to climb up, when, from behind the rock on which +the bear had stood, appeared another growling fiercely; on seeing me, it +at once prepared to come down. Stupidly, being taken by surprise, and +being new at it, I fired at once at its head. The bear gave a spring, +and then--it seemed instantaneous--down it came at me. Whether it rolled +down, or slipped down, or ran down, I don't know, but it came almost as +if it had jumped straight at me. + +[Illustration: "My Gun, Rahman," I Shouted.] + +"'My gun, Rahman,' I shouted, holding out my hand. There was no +answer. I glanced round, and found that the scoundrel had bolted. I had +time, and only just time, to take a step backwards, and to club my +rifle, when the brute was upon me. I got one fair blow at the side of +its head, a blow that would have smashed the skull of any civilized +beast into pieces, and which did fortunately break the brute's jaw, then +in an instant he was upon me, and I was fighting for life. My +hunting-knife was out, and with my left hand I had the beast by the +throat; while with my right I tried to drive my knife into its ribs. My +bullet had gone through his chest. The impetus of his charge had +knocked me over, and we rolled on the ground, he tearing with his claws +at my shoulder and arm, I stabbing and struggling, my great effort being +to keep my knees up so as to protect my body with them from his hind +claws. After the first blow with his paw, which laid my shoulder open, I +do not think I felt any special pain whatever. There was a strange faint +sensation, and my whole energy seemed centered in the two ideas--to +strike and to keep my knees up. I knew that I was getting faint, but I +was dimly conscious that his efforts, too, were relaxing. His weight on +me seemed to increase enormously, and the last idea that flashed across +me was that it was a drawn fight. + +"The next idea of which I was conscious was that I was being carried. I +seemed to be swinging about, and I thought I was at sea. Then there was +a little jolt and a sense of pain. 'A collision,' I muttered, and opened +my eyes. Beyond the fact that I seemed in a yellow world--a bright +orange-yellow--my eyes did not help me, and I lay vaguely wondering +about it all, till the rocking ceased. There was another bump, and then +the yellow world seemed to come to an end; and as the daylight streamed +in upon me I fainted again. This time when I awoke to consciousness +things were clearer. I was stretched by a little stream. A native woman +was sprinkling my face and washing the blood from my wounds; while +another, who had with my own knife cut off my coat and shirt, was +tearing the latter into strips to bandage my wounds. The yellow world +was explained. I was lying on the yellow robe of one of the women. They +had tied the ends together, placed a long stick through them, and +carried me in the bag-like hammock. They nodded to me when they saw I +was conscious, and brought water in a large leaf, and poured it into my +mouth. Then one went away for some time, and came back with some leaves +and bark. These they chewed and put on my wounds, bound them up with +strips of my shirt, and then again knotted the ends of the cloth, and +lifting me up, went on as before. + +"I was sure that we were much lower down the Ghaut than we had been when +I was watching for the bears, and we were now going still +lower. However, I knew very little Hindustani, nothing of the language +the women spoke. I was too weak to stand, too weak even to think much, +and I dozed and woke, and dozed again, until, after what seemed to me +many hours of travel, we stopped again, this time before a tent. Two or +three old women and four or five men came out, and there was great +talking between them and the young women--for they were young--who had +carried me down. Some of the party appeared angry, but at last things +quieted down, and I was carried into the tent. I had fever, and was, I +suppose, delirious for days. I afterwards found that for fully a +fortnight I had lost all consciousness, but a good constitution and the +nursing of the women pulled me round. When once the fever had gone, I +began to mend rapidly. I tried to explain to the women that if they +would go up to the camp and tell them where I was they would be well +rewarded, but although I was sure they understood, they shook then +heads, and by the fact that as I became stronger two or three armed men +always hung about the tent, I came to the conclusion that I was a sort +of prisoner. This was annoying, but did not seem serious. If these +people were Dacoits, or as was more likely, allies of the Dacoits, I +could be kept only for ransom or exchange. Moreover, I felt sure of my +ability to escape when I got strong, especially as I believed that in +the young women who had saved my life, both by bringing me down and by +their careful nursing, I should find friends." + +"Were they pretty, uncle?" Mary Hastings broke in. + +"Never mind whether they were pretty, Mary; they were better than +pretty." + +"No; but we like to know, uncle." + +"Well, except for the soft, dark eyes, common to the race, and the good +temper and lightheartedness, also so general among Hindu girls, and the +tenderness which women feel towards a creature whose life they have +saved, whether it is a wounded bird or a drowning puppy, I suppose they +were nothing remarkable in the way of beauty, but at the time I know +that I thought them charming." + + + +CHAPTER II. + + +"Just as I was getting strong enough to walk, and was beginning to think +of making my escape, a band of five or six fellows, armed to the teeth, +came in, and made signs that I was to go with them. It was evidently an +arranged thing, the girls only were surprised, but they were at once +turned out, and as we started I could see two crouching figures in the +shade with their cloths over their heads. I had a native garment thrown +over my shoulders, and in five minutes after the arrival of the fellows +found myself on my way. It took us some six hours before we reached our +destination, which was one of those natural rock citadels. Had I been in +my usual health I could have done the distance in an hour and a half, +but I had to rest constantly, and was finally carried rather than helped +up. I had gone not unwillingly, for the men were clearly, by their +dress, Dacoits of the Deccan, and I had no doubt that it was intended +either to ransom or exchange me. + +"At the foot of this natural castle were some twenty or thirty more +robbers, and I was led to a rough sort of arbour in which was lying, on +a pile of maize straw, a man who was evidently their chief. He rose and +we exchanged salaams. + +"'What is your name, sahib?' he asked in Mahratta. + +"'Hastings--Lieutenant Hastings,' I said. 'And yours?' + +"'Sivajee Punt!' he said. + +"This was bad. I had fallen into the hands of the most troublesome, most +ruthless, and most famous of the Dacoit leaders. Over and over again he +had been hotly chased, but had always managed to get away; and when I +last heard anything of what was going on four or five troops of native +police were scouring the country after him. He gave an order which I did +not understand, and a wretched Bombay writer, I suppose a clerk of some +money-lender, was dragged forward. Sivajee Punt spoke to him for some +time, and the fellow then told me in English that I was to write at once +to the officer commanding the troops, telling him that I was in his +hands, and should be put to death directly he was attacked. + +"'Ask him,' I said, 'if he will take any sum of money to let me go?' + +"Sivajee shook his head very decidedly. + +"A piece of paper was put before me, and a pen and ink, and I wrote as I +had been ordered, adding, however, in French, that I had brought myself +into my present position by my own folly, and would take my chance, for +I well knew the importance which Government attached to Sivajee's +capture. I read out loud all that I had written in English, and the +interpreter translated it. Then the paper was folded and I addressed it, +'The Officer Commanding,' and I was given some chupattis and a drink of +water, and allowed to sleep. The Dacoits had apparently no fear of any +immediate attack. + +"It was still dark, although morning was just breaking, when I was +awakened, and was got up to the citadel. I was hoisted rather than +climbed, two men standing above with a rope, tied round my body, so that +I was half-hauled, half-pushed up the difficult places, which would have +taxed all my climbing powers had I been in health. + +"The height of this mass of rock was about a hundred feet; the top was +fairly flat, with some depressions and risings, and about eighty feet +long by fifty wide. It had evidently been used as a fortress in ages +past. Along the side facing the hill were the remains of a rough +wall. In the centre of a depression was a cistern, some four feet +square, lined with stone-work, and in another depression a gallery had +been cut, leading to a subterranean store-room or chamber. This natural +fortress rose from the face of the hill at a distance of a thousand +yards or so from the edge of the plateau, which was fully two hundred +feet higher than the top of the rock. In the old days it would have +been impregnable, and even at that time it was an awkward place to take, +for the troops were armed only with Brown Bess, and rifled cannon were +not thought of. Looking round, I could see that I was some four miles +from the point where I had descended. The camp was gone; but running my +eye along the edge of the plateau I could see the tops of tents a mile +to my right, and again two miles to my left; turning round, and looking +down into the wide valley, I saw a regimental camp. + +"It was evident that a vigorous effort was being made to surround and +capture the Dacoits, since troops had been brought up from Bombay. In +addition to the troops above and below, there would probably be a strong +police force, acting on the face of the hill. I did not see all these +things at the time, for I was, as soon as I got to the top, ordered to +sit down behind the parapet, a fellow armed to the teeth squatting down +by me, and signifying that if I showed my head above the stones he would +cut my throat without hesitation. There were, however, sufficient gaps +between the stones to allow me to have a view of the crest of the Ghaut, +while below my view extended down to the hills behind Bombay. It was +evident to me now why the Dacoits did not climb up into the +fortress. There were dozens of similar crags on the face of the Ghauts, +and the troops did not as yet know their whereabouts. It was a sort of +blockade of the whole face of the hills which was being kept up, and +there were, probably enough, several other bands of Dacoits lurking in +the jungle. + +"There were only two guards and myself on the rock plateau. I discussed +with myself the chances of my overpowering them and holding the top of +the rock till help came, but I was greatly weakened, and was not a match +for a boy, much less for the two stalwart Mahrattas; besides, I was by +no means sure that the way I had been brought up was the only possible +path to the top. The day passed off quietly. The heat on the bare rock +was frightful, but one of the men, seeing how weak and ill I really was, +fetched a thick rug from the storehouse, and with the aid of a stick +made a sort of lean-to against the wall, under which I lay sheltered +from the sun. + +"Once or twice during the day I heard a few distant musket-shots, and +once a sharp heavy outburst of firing. It must have been three or four +miles away, but it was on the side of the Ghaut, and showed that the +troops or police were at work. My guards looked anxiously in that +direction, and uttered sundry curses. When it was dusk, Sivajee and +eight of the Dacoits came up. From what they said, I gathered that the +rest of the band had dispersed, trusting either to get through the line +of their pursuers, or, if caught, to escape with slight punishment, the +men who remained being too deeply concerned in murderous outrages to +hope for mercy. Sivajee himself handed me a letter, which the man who +had taken my note had brought back in reply. Major Knapp, the writer, +who was the second in command, said that he could not engage the +Government, but that if Lieutenant Hastings was given up the act would +certainly dispose the Government to take the most merciful view +possible; but that if, on the contrary, any harm was suffered by +Lieutenant Hastings, every man taken would be at once hung. Sivajee did +not appear put out about it. I do not think he expected any other +answer, and imagine that his real object in writing was simply to let +them know that I was a prisoner, and so enable him the better to +paralyse the attack upon a position which he no doubt considered all but +impregnable. + +"I was given food, and was then allowed to walk as I chose upon the +little plateau, two of the Dacoits taking post as sentries at the +steepest part of the path, while the rest gathered, chatting and +smoking, in the depression in front of the storehouse. It was still +light enough for me to see for some distance down the face of the rock, +and I strained my eyes to see if I could discern any other spot at which +an ascent or descent was possible. The prospect was not encouraging. At +some places the face fell sheer away from the edge, and so evident was +the impracticability of escape that the only place which I glanced at +twice was the western side, that is the one away from the hill. Here it +sloped gradually for a few feet. I took off my shoes and went down to +the edge. Below, some ten feet, was a ledge, on to which with care I +could get down, but below that was a sheer fall of some fifty feet. As a +means of escape it was hopeless, but it struck me that if an attack was +made I might slip away and get on to the ledge. Once there I could not +be seen except by a person standing where I now was, just on the edge of +the slope, a spot to which it was very unlikely that anyone would come. + +"The thought gave me a shadow of hope, and, returning to the upper end +of the platform, I lay down, and in spite of the hardness of the rock, +was soon asleep. The pain of my aching bones woke me up several times, +and once, just as the first tinge of dawn was coming, I thought I could +hear movements in the jungle. I raised myself somewhat, and I saw that +the sounds had been heard by the Dacoits, for they were standing +listening, and some of them were bringing spare fire-arms from the +storehouse, in evident preparation for attack. + +"As I afterwards learned, the police had caught one of the Dacoits +trying to effect his escape, and by means of a little of the ingenious +torture to which the Indian police then frequently resorted, when their +white officers were absent, they obtained from him the exact position of +Sivajee's band, and learned the side from which the ascent must be +made. That the Dacoit and his band were still upon the slopes of the +Ghauts they knew, and were gradually narrowing their circle, but there +were so many rocks and hiding-places that the process of searching was a +slow one, and the intelligence was so important that the news was off at +once to the colonel, who gave orders for the police to surround the rock +at daylight and to storm it if possible. The garrison was so small that +the police were alone ample for the work, supposing that the natural +difficulties were not altogether insuperable. + +"Just at daybreak there was a distant noise of men moving in the jungle, +and the Dacoit halfway down the path fired his gun. He was answered by a +shout and a volley. The Dacoits hurried out from the chamber, and lay +down on the edge, where, sheltered by a parapet, they commanded the +path. They paid no attention to me, and I kept as far away as +possible. The fire began--a quiet, steady fire, a shot at a time, and in +strong contrast to the rattle kept up from the surrounding jungle; but +every shot must have told, as man after man who strove to climb that +steep path, fell. It lasted only ten minutes, and then all was quiet +again. + +"The attack had failed, as I knew it must do, for two men could have +held the place against an army; a quarter of an hour later a gun from +the crest above spoke out, and a round shot whistled above our +heads. Beyond annoyance, an artillery fire could do no harm, for the +party could be absolutely safe in the store cave. The instant the shot +flew overhead, however, Sivajee Punt beckoned to me, and motioned me to +take my seat on the wall facing the guns. Hesitation was useless, and I +took my seat with my back to the Dacoits and my face to the hill. One of +the Dacoits, as I did so, pulled off the native cloth which covered my +shoulders, in order that I might be clearly seen. + +"Just as I took my place another round shot hummed by; but then there +was a long interval of silence. With a field-glass every feature must +have been distinguishable to the gunners, and I had no doubt that they +were waiting for orders as to what to do next. + +"I glanced round and saw that with the exception of one fellow squatted +behind the parapet some half-dozen yards away, clearly as a sentry to +keep me in place, all the others had disappeared. Some, no doubt, were +on sentry down the path, the others were in the store beneath me. After +half an hour's silence the guns spoke out again. Evidently the gunners +were told to be as careful as they could, for some of the shots went +wide on the left, others on the right. A few struck the rock below me. +The situation was not pleasant, but I thought that at a thousand yards +they ought not to hit me, and I tried to distract my attention by +thinking out what I should do under every possible contingency. + +"Presently I felt a crash and a shock, and fell backwards to the +ground. I was not hurt, and on picking myself up saw that the ball had +struck the parapet to the left, just where my guard was sitting, and he +lay covered with its fragments. His turban lay some yards behind +him. Whether he was dead or not I neither knew nor cared. + +"I pushed down some of the parapet where I had been sitting, dropped my +cap on the edge outside, so as to make it appear that I had fallen over, +and then picking up the man's turban, ran to the other end of the +platform and scrambled down to the ledge. Then I began to wave my arms +about--I had nothing on above the waist--and in a moment I saw a face +with a uniform cap peer out through the jungle, and a hand was waved. I +made signs to him to make his way to the foot of the perpendicular wall +of rock beneath me. I then unwound the turban, whose length was, I knew, +amply sufficient to reach to the bottom, and then looked round for +something to write on. I had my pencil still in my trousers pocket, but +not a scrap of paper. + +"I picked up a flattish piece of rock and wrote on it, 'Get a +rope-ladder quickly, I can haul it up. Ten men in garrison. They are all +under cover. Keep on firing to distract their attention." + +"I tied the stone to the end of the turban, and looked over. A +non-commissioned officer of the police was already standing below. I +lowered the stone; he took it, waved his hand to me, and was gone. + +"An hour passed: it seemed an age. The round shots still rang overhead, +and the fire was now much more heavy and sustained than before. +Presently I again saw a movement in the jungle, and Norworthy's face +appeared, and he waved his arm in greeting. + +"Five minutes more and a party were gathered at the foot of the rock, +and a strong rope was tied to the cloth. I pulled it up. A rope-ladder +was attached to it, and the top rung was in a minute or two in my +hands. To it was tied a piece of paper with the words: 'Can you fasten +the ladder?" I wrote on the paper: 'No; but I can hold it for a light +weight.' + +"I put the paper with a stone in the end of the cloth, and lowered it +again. Then I sat down, tied the rope round my waist, got my feet +against two projections, and waited. There was a jerk, and then I felt +some one was coming up the rope-ladder. The strain was far less than I +expected, but the native policeman who came up first did not weigh half +so much as an average Englishman. There were now two of us to hold. The +officer in command of the police came up next, then Norworthy, then a +dozen more police. I explained the situation, and we mounted to the +upper level. Not a soul was to be seen. Quickly we advanced and took up +a position to command the door of the underground chamber; while one of +the police waved a white cloth from his bayonet as a signal to the +gunners to cease firing. Then the police officer hailed the party within +the scave. + +"'Sivajee Punt! you may as well come out and give yourself up! We are in +possession, and resistance is useless!' + +"A yell of rage and surprise was heard, and the Dacoits, all desperate +men, came bounding out, firing as they did so. Half of their number were +shot down at once, and the rest, after a short, sharp struggle, were +bound hand and foot. + +"That is pretty well all of the story, I think. Sivajee Punt was one of +the killed. The prisoners were all either hung or imprisoned for life. I +escaped my blowing-up for having gone down the Ghauts after the bear, +because, after all, Sivajee Punt might have defied their force for +months had I not done so. + +"It seemed that that scoundrel Rahman had taken back word that I was +killed. Norworthy had sent down a strong party, who found the two dead +bears, and who, having searched everywhere without finding any signs of +my body, came to the conclusion that I had been found and carried away, +especially as they ascertained that natives used that path. They had +offered rewards, but nothing was heard of me till my note saying I was +in Sivajee's hands arrived." + +"And did you ever see the women who carried you off?" + +"No, Mary, I never saw them again. I did, however, after immense +trouble, succeed in finding out where it was that I had been taken to. +I went down at once, but found the village deserted. Then after much +inquiry I found where the people had moved to, and sent messages to the +women to come up to the camp, but they never came; and I was reduced at +last to sending them down two sets of silver bracelets, necklaces, and +bangles, which must have rendered them the envy of all the women on the +Ghauts. They sent back a message of grateful thanks, and I never heard +of them afterwards. No doubt their relatives, who knew that their +connection with the Dacoits was now known, would not let them +come. However, I had done all I could, and I have no doubt the women +were perfectly satisfied. So you see, my dear, that the Indian bear, +small as he is, is an animal which it is as well to leave alone, at any +rate when he happens to be up on the side of a hill while you are at the +foot." + + + + + +THE PATERNOSTERS. + +A YACHTING STORY. + + + + +And do you really mean that we are to cross by the steamer, Mr. Virtue, +while you go over in the _Seabird_? I do not approve of that at all. +Fanny, why do you not rebel, and say we won't be put ashore? I call it +horrid, after a fortnight on board this dear little yacht, to have to +get on to a crowded steamer, with no accommodation and lots of sea-sick +women, perhaps, and crying children. You surely cannot be in earnest?" + +"I do not like it any more than you do, Minnie; but, as Tom says we had +better do it, and my husband agrees with him, I am afraid we must +submit. Do you really think it is quite necessary, Mr. Virtue? Minnie +and I are both good sailors, you know; and we would much rather have a +little extra tossing about on board the _Seabird_ than the discomforts +of a steamer." + +'I certainly think that it will be best, Mrs. Grantham. You know very +well we would rather have you on board, and that we shall suffer from +your loss more than you will by going the other way; but there's no +doubt the wind is getting up, and though we don't feel it much here, it +must be blowing pretty hard outside. The _Seabird_ is as good a +sea-boat as anything of her size that floats, but you don't know what it +is to be out in anything like a heavy sea in a thirty-tonner. It would +be impossible for you to stay on deck, and we should have our hands +full, and should not be able to give you the benefit of our +society. Personally, I should not mind being out in the _Seabird_ in any +weather, but I would certainly rather not have ladies on board." + +"You don't think we should scream, or do anything foolish, Mr. Virtue?" +Minnie Graham said indignantly. + +"Not at all, Miss Graham. Still, I repeat, the knowledge that there are +women on board, delightful at other times, does not tend to comfort in +bad weather. Of course, if you prefer it, we can put off our start till +this puff of wind has blown itself out. It may have dropped before +morning. It may last some little time. I don't think myself that it +will drop, for the glass has fallen, and I am afraid we may have a spell +of broken weather." + +"Oh no; don't put it off," Mrs. Grantham said; "we have only another +fortnight before James must be back again in London, and it would be a +great pity to lose three or four days perhaps; and we have been looking +forward to cruising about among the Channel Islands, and to St. Malo, +and all those places. Oh no; I think the other is much the better +plan--that is, if you won't take us with you." + +"It would be bad manners to say that I won't, Mrs. Grantham; but I must +say I would rather not. It will be a very short separation. Grantham +will take you on shore at once, and as soon as the boat comes back I +shall be off. You will start in the steamer this evening, and get into +Jersey at nine or ten o'clock to-morrow morning; and if I am not there +before you, I shall not be many hours after you." + +"Well, if it must be it must," Mrs. Grantham said, with an air of +resignation. "Come, Minnie, let us put a few things into a hand-bag for +to-night. You see the skipper is not to be moved by our pleadings." + +"That is the worst of you married women, Fanny," Miss Graham said, with +a little pout. "You get into the way of doing as you are ordered. I +call it too bad. Here have we been cruising about for the last +fortnight, with scarcely a breath of wind, and longing for a good brisk +breeze and a little change and excitement, and now it comes at last, we +are to be packed off in a steamer. I call it horrid of you, Mr. Virtue. +You may laugh, but I do" + +Tom Virtue laughed, but he showed no signs of giving way, and ten +minutes later Mr. and Mrs. Grantham and Miss Graham took their places in +the gig, and were rowed into Southampton Harbour, off which the +_Seabird_ was lying. + +The last fortnight had been a very pleasant one, and it had cost the +owner of the _Seabird_ as much as his guests to come to the conclusion +that it was better to break up the party for a few hours. + +Tom Virtue had, up to the age of five-and-twenty, been possessed of a +sufficient income for his wants. He had entered at the bar, not that he +felt any particular vocation in that direction, but because he thought +it incumbent upon him to do something. Then, at the death of an uncle, +he had come into a considerable fortune, and was able to indulge his +taste for yachting, which was the sole amusement for which he really +cared, to the fullest. + +He sold the little five-tonner he had formerly possessed, and purchased +the _Seabird_. He could well have afforded a much larger craft, but he +knew that there was far more real enjoyment in sailing to be obtained +from a small craft than a large one, for in the latter he would be +obliged to have a regular skipper, and would be little more than a +passenger, whereas on board the _Seabird_, although his first hand was +dignified by the name of skipper, he was himself the absolute +master. The boat carried the aforesaid skipper, three hands, and a +steward, and with them he had twice been up the Mediterranean, across to +Norway, and had several times made the circuit of the British Isles. + +He had unlimited confidence in his boat, and cared not what weather he +was out in her. This was the first time since his ownership of her that +the _Seabird_ had carried lady passengers. His friend Grantham, an old +school and college chum, was a hard-working barrister, and Virtue had +proposed to him to take a month's holiday on board the _Seabird_. + +"Put aside your books, old man," he said. "You look fagged and +overworked; a month's blow will do you all the good in the world" + +"Thank you, Tom; I have made up my mind for a month's holiday, but I +can't accept your invitation, though I should enjoy it of all things. +But it would not be fair to my wife; she doesn't get very much of my +society, and she has been looking forward to our having a run together. +So I must decline." + +Virtue hesitated a moment. He was not very fond of ladies' society, and +thought them especially in the way on board a yacht; but he had a great +liking for his friend's wife, and was almost as much at home in his +house as in his own chambers. + +"Why not bring the wife with you?" he said, as soon as his mind was made +up. "It will be a nice change for her too; and I have heard her say that +she is a good sailor. The accommodation is not extensive, but the +after-cabin is a pretty good size, and I would do all I could to make +her comfortable. Perhaps she would like another lady with her; if so by +all means bring one. They could have the after-cabin, you could have the +little state-room, and I could sleep in the saloon." + +"It is very good of you, Tom, especially as I know that it will put you +out frightfully; but the offer is a very tempting one. I will speak to +Fanny, and let you have an answer in the morning." + +"That will be delightful, James," Mrs. Grantham said, when the +invitation was repeated to her. "I should like it of all things; and I +am sure the rest and quiet and the sea air will be just the thing for +you. It is wonderful, Tom Virtue making the offer; and I take it as a +great personal compliment, for he certainly is not what is generally +called a lady's man. It is very nice, too, of him to think of my having +another lady on board. Whom shall we ask? Oh, I know," she said +suddenly; "that will be the thing of all others. We will ask my cousin +Minnie; she is full of fun and life, and will make a charming wife for +Tom!" + +James Grantham laughed. + +"What schemers you all are, Fanny! Now I should call it downright +treachery to take anyone on board the _Seabird_ with the idea of +capturing its master." + +"Nonsense, treachery!" Mrs. Grantham said indignantly; "Minnie is the +nicest girl I know, and it would do Tom a world of good to have a wife +to look after him. Why, he is thirty now, and will be settling down into +a confirmed old bachelor before long. It's the greatest kindness we +could do him, to take Minnie on board; and I am sure he is the sort of +man any girl might fall in love with when she gets to know him. The +fact is, he's shy! He never had any sisters, and spends all his time in +winter at that horrid club; so that really he has never had any women's +society, and even with us he will never come unless he knows we are +alone. I call it a great pity, for I don't know a pleasanter fellow than +he is. I think it will be doing him a real service in asking Minnie; so +that's settled. I will sit down and write him a note." + +"In for a penny, in for a pound, I suppose," was Tom Virtue's comment +when he received Mrs. Grantham's letter, thanking him warmly for the +invitation, and saying that she would bring her cousin, Miss Graham, +with her, if that young lady was disengaged. + +As a matter of self-defence he at once invited Jack Harvey, who was a +mutual friend of himself and Grantham, to be of the party. + +"Jack can help Grantham to amuse the women," he said to himself; "that +will be more in his line than mine. I will run down to Cowes to-morrow +and have a chat with Johnson; we shall want a different sort of stores +altogether to those we generally carry, and I suppose we must do her up +a bit below." + +Having made up his mind to the infliction of female passengers, Tom +Virtue did it handsomely, and when the party came on board at Ryde they +were delighted with the aspect of the yacht below. She had been +repainted, the saloon and ladies' cabin were decorated in delicate +shades of gray, picked out with gold; and the upholsterer, into whose +hands the owner of the _Seabird_ had placed her, had done his work with +taste and judgment, and the ladies' cabin resembled a little boudoir. + +"Why, Tom, I should have hardly known her!" Grantham, who had often +spent a day on board the _Seabird_, said. + +"I hardly know her myself," Tom said, rather ruefully; "but I hope she's +all right, Mrs. Grantham, and that you and Miss Graham will find +everything you want." + +"It is charming!" Mrs. Grantham said enthusiastically. "It's awfully +good of you, Tom, and we appreciate it; don't we, Minnie? It is such a +surprise, too; for James said that while I should find everything very +comfortable, I must not expect that a small yacht would be got up like a +palace." + +So a fortnight had passed; they had cruised along the coast as far as +Plymouth, anchoring at night at the various ports on the way. Then they +had returned to Southampton, and it had been settled that as none of the +party, with the exception of Virtue himself, had been to the Channel +Islands, the last fortnight of the trip should be spent there. The +weather had been delightful, save that there had been some deficiency in +wind, and throughout the cruise the _Seabird_ had been under all the +sail she could spread. But when the gentlemen came on deck early in the +morning a considerable change had taken place; the sky was gray and the +clouds flying fast overhead. + +"We are going to have dirty weather," Tom Virtue said at once. "I don't +think it's going to be a gale, but there will be more sea on than will +be pleasant for ladies. I tell you what, Grantham; the best thing will +be for you to go on shore with the two ladies, and cross by the boat +to-night. If you don't mind going directly after breakfast I will start +at once, and shall be at St. Helier's as soon as you are." + +And so it had been agreed, but not, as has been seen, without opposition +and protest on the part of the ladies. + +Mrs. Grantham's chief reason for objecting had not been given. The +little scheme on which she had set her mind seemed to be working +satisfactorily. From the first day Tom Virtue had exerted himself to +play the part of host satisfactorily, and had ere long shaken off any +shyness he may have felt towards the one stranger of the party, and he +and Miss Graham had speedily got on friendly terms. So things were going +on as well as Mrs. Grantham could have expected. + +No sooner had his guests left the side of the yacht than her owner began +to make his preparations for a start. + +"What do you think of the weather, Watkins?" he asked his skipper. + +"It's going to blow hard, sir; that's my view of it, and if I was you I +shouldn't up anchor today. Still, it's just as you likes; the _Seabird_ +won't mind it if we don't. She has had a rough time of it before now; +still, it will be a case of wet jackets, and no mistake." + +"Yes, I expect we shall have a rough time of it, Watkins, but I want to +get across. We don't often let ourselves be weather-bound, and I am not +going to begin it to-day. We had better house the topmast at once, and +get two reefs in the main-sail. We can get the other down when we get +clear of the island. Get number three jib up, and the leg-of-mutton +mizzen; put two reefs in the foresail." + +Tom and his friend Harvey, who was a good sailor, assisted the crew in +reefing down the sails, and a few minutes after the gig had returned and +been hoisted in, the yawl was running rapidly down Southampton waters. + +"We need hardly have reefed quite so closely," Jack Harvey said, as he +puffed away at his pipe. + +"Not yet, Jack; but you will see she has as much as she can carry before +long. It's all the better to make all snug before starting; it saves a +lot of trouble afterwards, and the extra canvas would not have made ten +minutes' difference to us at the outside. We shall have pretty nearly a +dead beat down the Solent. Fortunately tide will be running strong with +us, but there will be a nasty kick-up there. You will see we shall feel +the short choppy seas there more than we shall when we get outside. She +is a grand boat in a really heavy sea, but in short waves she puts her +nose into it with a will. Now, if you will take my advice, you will do +as I am going to do, put on a pair of fisherman's boots and oilskin and +sou'-wester. There are several sets for you to choose from below." + +As her owner had predicted, the _Seabird_ put her bowsprit under pretty +frequently in the Solent; the wind was blowing half a gale, and as it +met the tide it knocked up a short, angry sea, crested with white heads, +and Jack Harvey agreed that she had quite as much sail on her as she +wanted. The cabin doors were bolted, and all made snug to prevent the +water getting below before they got to the race off Hurst Castle; and it +was well that they did so, for she was as much under water as she was +above. + +"I think if I had given way to the ladies and brought them with us they +would have changed their minds by this time, Jack," Tom Virtue said, +with a laugh. + +"I should think so," his friend agreed; "this is not a day for a +fair-weather sailor. Look what a sea is breaking on the shingles!" + +"Yes, five minutes there would knock her into matchwood. Another ten +minutes and we shall be fairly out; and I sha'n't be sorry; one feels as +if one was playing football, only just at present the _Seabird_ is the +ball and the waves the kickers." + +Another quarter of an hour and they had passed the Needles. + +"That is more pleasant, Jack," as the short, chopping motion was +exchanged for a regular rise and fall; "this is what I enjoy--a steady +wind and a regular sea. The _Seabird_ goes over it like one of her +namesakes; she is not taking a teacupful now over her bows. + +"Watkins, you may as well take the helm for a spell, while we go down to +lunch. I am not sorry to give it up for a bit, for it has been jerking +like the kick of a horse. + +"That's right, Jack, hang up your oilskin there. Johnson, give us a +couple of towels; we have been pretty well smothered up there on +deck. Now what have you got for us?" + +"There is some soup ready, sir, and that cold pie you had for dinner +yesterday." + +"That will do; open a couple of bottles of stout." + +Lunch over, they went on deck again. + +"She likes a good blow as well as we do," Virtue said, enthusiastically, +as the yawl rose lightly over each wave. "What do you think of it, +Watkins? Is the wind going to lull a bit as the sun goes down?" + +"I think not, sir. It seems to me it's blowing harder than it was." + +"Then we will prepare for the worst, Watkins; get the try-sail up on +deck. When you are ready we will bring her up into the wind and set it. +That's the comfort of a yawl, Jack; one can always lie to without any +bother, and one hasn't got such a tremendous boom to handle." + +The try-sail was soon on deck, and then the _Seabird_ was brought up +into the wind, the weather fore-sheet hauled aft, the mizzen sheeted +almost fore and aft, and the _Seabird_ lay, head to wind, rising and +falling with a gentle motion, in strong contrast to her impetuous rushes +when under sail. + +"She would ride out anything like that," her owner said. "Last time we +came through the Bay on our way from Gib., we were caught in a gale +strong enough to blow the hair off one's head, and we lay to for nearly +three days, and didn't ship a bucket of water all the time. Now let us +lend a hand to get the mainsail stowed." + +Ten minutes' work and it was securely fastened and its cover on; two +reefs were put in the trysail. Two hands went to each of the halliards, +while, as the sail rose, Tom Virtue fastened the toggles round the mast. + +"All ready, Watkins?" + +"All ready, sir." + +"Slack off the weather fore-sheet, then, and haul aft the leeward. Slack +out the mizzen-sheet a little, Jack. That's it; now she's off again, +like a duck." + +The _Seabird_ felt the relief from the pressure of the heavy boom to +leeward and rose easily and lightly over the waves. + +"She certainly is a splendid sea-boat, Tom; I don't wonder you are ready +to go anywhere in her. I thought we were rather fools for starting this +morning, although I enjoy a good blow; but now I don't care how hard it +comes on." + +By night it was blowing a downright gale. + +"We will lie to till morning, Watkins. So that we get in by daylight +to-morrow evening, that is all we want. See our side-lights are burning +well, and you had better get up a couple of blue lights, in case +anything comes running up Channel and don't see our lights. We had +better divide into two watches; I will keep one with Matthews and +Dawson, Mr. Harvey will go in your watch with Nicholls. We had better +get the try-sail down altogether, and lie to under the foresail and +mizzen, but don't put many lashings on the trysail, one will be enough, +and have it ready to cast off in a moment, in case we want to hoist the +sail in a hurry. I will go down and have a glass of hot grog first, and +then I will take my watch to begin with. Let the two hands with me go +down; the steward will serve them out a tot each. Jack, you had better +turn in at once." Virtue was soon on deck again, muffled up in his +oilskins. + +"Now, Watkins, you can go below and turn in." + +"I sha'n't go below to-night, sir--not to lie down. There's nothing much +to do here, but I couldn't sleep, if I did lie down." + +"Very well; you had better go below and get a glass of grog; tell the +steward to give you a big pipe with a cover like this, out of the +locker; and there's plenty of chewing tobacco, if the men are short." + +"I will take that instead of a pipe," Watkins said; "there's nothing +like a quid in weather like this, it ain't never in your way, and it +lasts. Even with a cover a pipe would soon be out." + +"Please yourself, Watkins; tell the two hands forward to keep a bright +look-out for lights." + +The night passed slowly. Occasionally a sea heavier than usual came on +board, curling over the bow and falling with a heavy thud on the deck, +but for the most part the _Seabird_ breasted the waves easily; the +bowsprit had been reefed in to its fullest, thereby adding to the +lightness and buoyancy of the boat. Tom Virtue did not go below when his +friend came up to relieve him at the change of watch, but sat smoking +and doing much talking in the short intervals between the gusts. + +The morning broke gray and misty, driving sleet came along on the wind, +and the horizon was closed in as by a dull curtain. + +"How far can we see, do you think, Watkins?" + +"Perhaps a couple of miles, sir." + +"That will be enough. I think we both know the position of every reef to +within a hundred yards, so we will shape our course for Guernsey. If we +happen to hit it off, we can hold on to St Helier; but if when we think +we ought to be within sight of Guernsey we see nothing of it, we must +lie to again, till the storm has blown itself out or the clouds lift. It +would never do to go groping our way along with such currents as run +among the islands. Put the last reef in the try-sail before you hoist +it. I think you had better get the foresail down altogether, and run up +the spit-fire jib." + +The _Seabird_ was soon under way again. + +"Now, Watkins, you take the helm; we will go down and have a cup of hot +coffee, and I will see that the steward has a good supply for you and +the hands, but first, do you take the helm, Jack, whilst Watkins and I +have a look at the chart, and try and work out where we are, and the +course we had better lie for Guernsey." + +Five minutes were spent over the chart, then Watkins went up and Jack +Harvey came down. + +"You have got the coffee ready, I hope, Johnson?" + +"Yes, sir, coffee and chocolate. I didn't know which you would like." + +"Chocolate, by all means. Jack, I recommend the chocolate. Bring two +full-sized bowls, Johnson, and put that cold pie on the table, and a +couple of knives and forks; never mind about a cloth; but first of all +bring a couple of basins of hot water, we shall enjoy our food more +after a wash." + +The early breakfast was eaten, dry coats and mufflers put on, pipes +lighted, and they then went up upon deck. Tom took the helm. + +"What time do you calculate we ought to make Guernsey, Tom?" + +"About twelve. The wind is freer than it was, and we are walking along +at a good pace. Matthews, cast the log, and let's see what we are +doing. About seven knots, I should say." + +"Seven and a quarter, sir," the man said, when he checked the line. + +"Not a bad guess, Tom; it's always difficult to judge pace in a heavy +sea." + +At eleven o'clock the mist ceased. + +"That's fortunate," Tom Virtue said; "I shouldn't be surprised if we get +a glimpse of the sun between the clouds, presently. Will you get my +sextant and the chronometer up, Jack, and put them handy?" + +Jack Harvey did as he was asked, but there was no occasion to use the +instruments, for ten minutes later, Watkins, who was standing near the +bow gazing fixedly ahead, shouted: + +"There's Guernsey, sir, on her lee bow, about six miles away, I should +say." + +"That's it, sure enough," Tom agreed, as he gazed in the direction in +which Watkins was pointing. "There's a gleam of sunshine on it, or we +shouldn't have seen it yet. Yes, I think you are about right as to the +distance. Now let us take its bearings, we may lose it again directly." + +Having taken the bearings of the island they went below, and marked off +their position on the chart, and they shaped their course for Cape +Grosnez, the north-western point of Jersey. The gleam of sunshine was +transient--the clouds closed in again overhead, darker and grayer than +before. Soon the drops of rain came flying before the wind, the horizon +closed in, and they could not see half a mile away, but, though the sea +was heavy, the _Seabird_ was making capital weather of it, and the two +friends agreed that, after all, the excitement of a sail like this was +worth a month of pottering about in calms. + +"We must keep a bright look-out presently," the skipper said; "there are +some nasty rocks off the coast of Jersey. We must give them a wide +berth. We had best make round to the south of the island, and lay to +there till we can pick up a pilot to take us into St. Helier. I don't +think it will be worth while trying to get into St. Aubyn's Bay by +ourselves." + +"I think so, too, Watkins, but we will see what it is like before it +gets dark; if we can pick up a pilot all the better; if not, we will lie +to till morning, if the weather keeps thick; but if it clears so that we +can make out all the lights we ought to be able to get into the bay +anyhow." + +An hour later the rain ceased and the sky appeared somewhat +clearer. Suddenly Watkins exclaimed, "There is a wreck, sir! There, +three miles away to leeward. She is on the Paternosters." + +"Good heavens! she is a steamer," Tom exclaimed, as he caught sight of +her the next time the _Seabird_ lifted on a wave. "Can she be the +Southampton boat, do you think?" + +"Like enough, sir, she may have had it thicker than we had, and may not +have calculated enough for the current." + +"Up helm, Jack, and bear away towards her. Shall we shake out a reef, +Watkins?" + +"I wouldn't, sir; she has got as much as she can carry on her now. We +must mind what we are doing, sir; the currents run like a millstream, +and if we get that reef under our lee, and the wind and current both +setting us on to it, it will be all up with us in no time." + +"Yes, I know that, Watkins. Jack, take the helm a minute while we run +down and look at the chart. + +"Our only chance, Watkins, is to work up behind the reef, and try and +get so that they can either fasten a line to a buoy and let it float +down to us, or get into a boat, if they have one left, and drift to us." + +"They are an awful group of rocks," Watkins said, as they examined the +chart; "you see some of them show merely at high tide, and a lot of them +are above at low water. It will be an awful business to get among them +rocks, sir, just about as near certain death as a thing can be." + +"Well, it's got to be done, Watkins," Tom said, firmly. "I see the +danger as well as you do, but whatever the risk, it must be +tried. Mr. Grantham and the two ladies went on board by my persuasion, +and I should never forgive myself if anything happened to them. But I +will speak to the men." + +He went on deck again and called the men to him. "Look here, lads; you +see that steamer ashore on the Paternosters. In such a sea as this she +may go to pieces in half an hour. I am determined to make an effort to +save the lives of those on board. As you can see for yourselves there is +no lying to weather of her, with the current and wind driving us on to +the reef; we must beat up from behind. Now, lads, the sea there is full +of rocks, and the chances are ten to one we strike on to them and go to +pieces; but, anyhow I am going to try; but I won't take you unless you +are willing. The boat is a good one, and the zinc chambers will keep her +afloat if she fills; well managed, you ought to be able to make the +coast of Jersey in her. Mr. Harvey, Watkins, and I can handle the yacht, +so you can take the boat if you like." + +The men replied that they would stick to the yacht wherever Mr. Virtue +chose to take her, and muttered something about the ladies, for the +pleasant faces of Mrs. Grantham and Miss Graham had, during the +fortnight they had been on board, won the men's hearts. + +"Very well, lads, I am glad to find you will stick by me; if we pull +safely through it I will give each of you three months' wages. Now set +to work with a will and get the gig out. We will tow her after us, and +take to her if we make a smash of it." + +They were now near enough to see the white breakers, in the middle of +which the ship was lying. She was fast breaking up. The jagged outline +showed that the stern had been beaten in. The masts and funnel were +gone, and the waves seemed to make a clean breach over her, almost +hiding her from sight in a white cloud of spray. + +"Wood and iron can't stand that much longer," Jack Harvey said; "another +hour and I should say there won't be two planks left together." + +"It is awful, Jack; I would give all I have in the world if I had not +persuaded them to go on board. Keep her off a little more, Watkins." + +The _Seabird_ passed within a cable's-length of the breakers at the +northern end of the reef. + +"Now, lads, take your places at the sheets, ready to haul or let go as I +give the word." So saying, Tom Virtue took his place in the bow, holding +on by the forestay. + +The wind was full on the _Seabird's_ beam as she entered the broken +water. Here and there the dark heads of the rocks showed above the +water. These were easy enough to avoid, the danger lay in those hidden +beneath its surface, and whose position was indicated only by the +occasional break of a sea as it passed over them. Every time the +_Seabird_ sank on a wave those on board involuntarily held their breath, +but the water here was comparatively smooth, the sea having spent its +first force upon the outer reef. With a wave of his hand Tom directed +the helmsman as to his course, and the little yacht was admirably +handled through the dangers. + +"I begin to think we shall do it," Tom said to Jack Harvey, who was +standing close to him. "Another five minutes and we shall be within +reach of her." + +It could be seen now that there was a group of people clustered in the +bow of the wreck. Two or three light lines were coiled in readiness for +throwing. + +"Now, Watkins," Tom said, going aft, "make straight for the wreck. I see +no broken water between us and them, and possibly there may be deep +water under their bow." + +It was an anxious moment, as, with the sails flattened in, the yawl +forged up nearly in the eye of the wind towards the wreck. Her progress +was slow, for she was now stemming the current. + +Tom stood with a coil of line in his hand in the bow. + +"You get ready to throw, Jack, if I miss." + +Nearer and nearer the yacht approached the wreck, until the bowsprit of +the latter seemed to stand almost over her. Then Tom threw the line. It +fell over the bowsprit, and a cheer broke from those on board the wreck +and from the sailors of the _Seabird_. A stronger line was at once +fastened to that thrown, and to this a strong hawser was attached. + +"Down with the helm, Watkins. Now, lads, lower away the try-sail as fast +as you can. Now, one of you, clear that hawser as they haul on it. Now +out with the anchors." + +These had been got into readiness; it was not thought that they would +get any hold on the rocky bottom, still they might catch on a projecting +ledge, and at any rate their weight and that of the chain cable would +relieve the strain upon the hawser. + +Two sailors had run out on the bowsprit of the wreck as soon as the line +was thrown, and the end of the hawser was now on board the steamer. + +"Thank God, there's Grantham!" Jack Harvey exclaimed; "do you see him +waving his hand?" + +"I see him," Tom said, "but I don't see the ladies." + +"They are there, no doubt," Jack said, confidently; "crouching down, I +expect. He would not be there if they weren't, you may be sure. Yes, +there they are; those two muffled-up figures. There, one of them has +thrown back her cloak and is waving her arm." + +The two young men waved their caps. + +"Are the anchors holding, Watkins? There's a tremendous strain on that +hawser." + +"I think so, sir; they are both tight." + +"Put them round the windlass, and give a turn or two, we must relieve +the strain on that hawser." + +Since they had first seen the wreck the waves had made great progress in +the work of destruction, and the steamer had broken in two just aft of +the engines. + +"Get over the spare spars, Watkins, and fasten them to float in front of +her bows like a triangle. Matthews, catch hold of that boat-hook and +try to fend off any piece of timber that comes along. You get hold of +the sweeps, lads, and do the same. They would stave her in like a +nut-shell if they struck her. + +"Thank God, here comes the first of them!" + +Those on board the steamer had not been idle. As soon as the yawl was +seen approaching slings were prepared, and no sooner was the hawser +securely fixed, than the slings were attached to it and a woman placed +in them. The hawser was tight and the descent sharp, and without a check +the figure ran down to the deck of the _Seabird_. She was lifted out of +the slings by Tom and Jack Harvey, who found she was an old woman and +had entirely lost consciousness. + +"Two of you carry her down below; tell Johnson to pour a little brandy +down her throat. Give her some hot soup as soon as she comes to." + +Another woman was lowered and helped below. The next to descend was +Mrs. Grantham. + +"Thank God, you are rescued!" Tom said, as he helped her out of the +sling. + +"Thank God, indeed," Mrs. Grantham said, "and thank you all! Oh, Tom, we +have had a terrible time of it, and had lost all hope till we saw your +sail, and even then the captain said that he was afraid nothing could be +done. Minnie was the first to make out it was you, and then we began to +hope. She has been so brave, dear girl. Ah! here she comes." + +But Minnie's firmness came to an end now that she felt the need for it +was over. She was unable to stand when she was lifted from the slings, +and Tom carried her below. + +"Are there any more women, Mrs. Grantham?" + +"No; there was only one other lady passenger and the stewardess." + +"Then you had better take possession of your own cabin. I ordered +Johnson to spread a couple more mattresses and some bedding on the +floor, so you will all four be able to turn in. There's plenty of hot +coffee and soup. I should advise soup with two or three spoonfuls of +brandy in it. Now, excuse me; I must go upon deck." + +Twelve men descended by the hawser, one of them with both legs broken by +the fall of the mizzen. The last to come was the captain. + +"Is that all?" Tom asked. + +"That is all," the captain said. "Six men were swept overboard when she +first struck, and two were killed by the fall of the funnel. Fortunately +we had only three gentlemen passengers and three ladies on board. The +weather looked so wild when we started that no one else cared about +making the passage. God bless you, sir, for what you have done! Another +half-hour and it would have been all over with us. But it seems like a +miracle your getting safe through the rocks to us." + +"It was fortunate indeed that we came along," Tom said; "three of the +passengers are dear friends of mine; and as it was by my persuasion that +they came across in the steamer instead of in the yacht, I should never +have forgiven myself if they had been lost. Take all your men below, +captain; you will find plenty of hot soup there. Now, Watkins, let us +be off; that steamer won't hold together many minutes longer, so there's +no time to lose. We will go back as we came. Give me a hatchet. Now, +lads, two of you stand at the chain-cables; knock out the shackles the +moment I cut the hawser. Watkins, you take the helm and let her head pay +off till the jib fills. Jack, you lend a hand to the other two, and get +up the try-sail again as soon as we are free." + +In a moment all were at their stations. The helm was put on the yacht, +and she payed off on the opposite tack to that on which she had before +been sailing. As soon as the jib filled, Tom gave two vigorous blows +with his hatchet on the hawser, and, as he lifted his hand for a third, +it parted. Then came the sharp rattle of the chains as they ran round +the hawser-holes. The try-sail was hoisted and sheeted home, and the +_Seabird_ was under way again. Tom, as before, conned the ship from the +bow. Several times she was in close proximity to the rocks, but each +time she avoided them. A shout of gladness rose from all on deck as she +passed the last patch of white water. Then she tacked and bore away for +Jersey. + +Tom had now time to go down below and look after his passengers. They +consisted of the captain and two sailors--the sole survivors of those +who had been on deck when the vessel struck--three male passengers, and +six engineers and stokers. + +"I have not had time to shake you by the hand before, Tom," Grantham +said, as Tom Virtue entered; "and I thought you would not want me on +deck at present. God bless you, old fellow! we all owe you our lives." + +"How did it happen, captain?" Tom asked, as the captain also came up to +him. + +"It was the currents, I suppose," the captain said; "it was so thick we +could not see a quarter of a mile any way. The weather was so wild I +would not put into Guernsey, and passed the island without seeing it. I +steered my usual course, but the gale must have altered the currents, +for I thought I was three miles away from the reef, when we saw it on +our beam, not a hundred yards away. It was too late to avoid it then, +and in another minute we ran upon it, and the waves were sweeping over +us. Every one behaved well. I got all, except those who had been swept +overboard or crushed by the funnel, up into the bow of the ship, and +there we waited. There was nothing to be done. No boat would live for a +moment in the sea on that reef, and all I could advise was, that when +she went to pieces every one should try to get hold of a floating +fragment; but I doubt whether a man would have been alive a quarter of +an hour after she went to pieces." + +"Perhaps, captain, you will come on deck with me and give me the benefit +of your advice. My skipper and I know the islands pretty well, but no +doubt you know them a good deal better, and I don't want another +mishap." + +But the _Seabird_ avoided all further dangers, and as it became dark, +the lights of St. Helier's were in sight, and an hour later the yacht +brought up in the port and landed her involuntary passengers. + +A fortnight afterwards the _Seabird_ returned to England, and two months +later Mrs. Grantham had the satisfaction of being present at the +ceremony which was the successful consummation of her little scheme in +inviting Minnie Graham to be her companion on board the _Seabird_. + +"Well, my dear," her husband said, when she indulged in a little natural +triumph, "I do not say that it has not turned out well, and I am +heartily glad for both Tom and Minnie's sake it has so; but you must +allow that it very nearly had a disastrous ending, and I think if I were +you I should leave matters to take their natural course in future. I +have accepted Tom's invitation for the same party to take a cruise in +the _Seabird_ next summer, but I have bargained that next time a storm +is brewing up we shall stop quietly in port." + +"That's all very well, James," Mrs. Grantham said saucily; "but you must +remember that Tom Virtue will only be first-mate of the _Seabird_ in +future." + +"That I shall be able to tell you better, my dear, after our next +cruise. All husbands are not as docile and easily led as I am." + + + + + +A PIPE OF MYSTERY + + + +A jovial party were gathered round a blazing fire in an old grange near +Warwick. The hour was getting late; the very little ones had, after +dancing round the Christmas-tree, enjoying the snapdragon, and playing a +variety of games, gone off to bed; and the elder boys and girls now +gathered round their uncle, Colonel Harley, and asked him for a +story--above all, a ghost story. + +"But I have never seen any ghosts," the colonel said, laughing; "and, +moreover, I don't believe in them one bit. I have travelled pretty well +all over the world, I have slept in houses said to be haunted, but +nothing have I seen--no noises that could not be accounted for by rats +or the wind have I ever heard. I have never"--and here he paused--"never +but once met with any circumstances or occurrence that could not be +accounted for by the light of reason, and I know you prefer hearing +stories of my own adventures to mere invention." + +"Yes, uncle. But what was the 'once' when circumstances happened that +you could not explain?" + +"It's rather a long story," the colonel said, "and it's getting late." + +"Oh! no, no, uncle; it does not matter a bit how late we sit up on +Christmas Eve, and the longer the story is, the better; and if you don't +believe in ghosts, how can it be a story of something you could not +account for by the light of nature?" + +"You will see when I have done," the colonel said. "It is rather a story +of what the Scotch call second sight, than one of ghosts. As to +accounting for it, you shall form your own opinion when you have heard +me to the end. + +"I landed in India in '50, and after going through the regular drill +work, marched with a detachment up country to join my regiment, which +was stationed at Jubbalpore, in the very heart of India. It has become +an important place since; the railroad across India passes through it, +and no end of changes have taken place; but at that time it was one of +the most out-of-the-way stations in India, and, I may say, one of the +most pleasant. It lay high, there was capital boating on the Nerbudda, +and, above all, it was a grand place for sport, for it lay at the foot +of the hill country, an immense district, then but little known, covered +with forests and jungle, and abounding with big game of all kinds. + +"My great friend there was a man named Simmonds. He was just of my own +standing; we had come out in the same ship, had marched up the country +together, and were almost like brothers. He was an old Etonian, I an +old Westminster, and we were both fond of boating, and, indeed, of sport +of all kinds. But I am not going to tell you of that now. The people in +these hills are called Gonds, a true hill tribe--that is to say, +aborigines, somewhat of the negro type. The chiefs are of mixed blood, +but the people are almost black. They are supposed to accept the +religion of the Hindus, but are in reality deplorably ignorant and +superstitious. Their priests are a sort of compound of a Brahmin priest +and a negro fetish man, and among their principal duties is that of +charming away tigers from the villages by means of incantations. There, +as in other parts of India, were a few wandering fakirs, who enjoyed an +immense reputation for holiness and wisdom. The people would go to them +from great distances for charms or predictions, and believed in their +power with implicit faith. + +"At the time when we were at Jubbalpore, there was one of these fellows, +whose reputation altogether eclipsed that of his rivals, and nothing +could be done until his permission had been asked and his blessing +obtained. All sorts of marvellous stories were constantly coming to our +ears of the unerring foresight with which he predicted the termination +of diseases, both in men and animals; and so generally was he believed +in that the colonel ordered that no one connected with the regiment +should consult him, for these predictions very frequently brought about +their own fulfilment; for those who were told that an illness would +terminate fatally, lost all hope, and literally lay down to die. + +"However, many of the stories that we heard could not be explained on +these grounds, and the fakir and his doings were often talked over at +mess, some of the officers scoffing at the whole business, others +maintaining that some of these fakirs had, in some way or another, the +power of foretelling the future, citing many well authenticated +anecdotes upon the subject. + +"The older officers were the believers, we young fellows were the +scoffers. But for the well-known fact that it is very seldom indeed that +these fakirs will utter any of their predictions to Europeans, some of +us would have gone to him, to test his powers. As it was, none of us had +ever seen him. + +"He lived in an old ruined temple, in the middle of a large patch of +jungle at the foot of the hills, some ten or twelve miles away. + +"I had been at Jubbalpore about a year, when I was woke up one night by +a native, who came in to say that at about eight o'clock a tiger had +killed a man in his village, and had dragged off the body. + +"Simmonds and I were constantly out after tigers, and the people in all +the villages within twenty miles knew that we were always ready to pay +for early information. This tiger had been doing great damage, and had +carried off about thirty men, women, and children. So great was the fear +of him, indeed, that the people in the neighbourhood he frequented +scarcely dared stir out of doors, except in parties of five or six. We +had had several hunts after him, but, like all man-eaters, he was old +and awfully crafty; and although we got several snap shots at him, he +had always managed to save his skin. + +"In a quarter of an hour after the receipt of the message, Charley +Simmonds and I were on the back of an elephant, which was our joint +property, our shekarry, a capital fellow, was on foot beside us, and +with the native trotting on ahead as guide we went off at the best pace +of old Begaum, for that was the elephant's name. The village was fifteen +miles away, but we got there soon after daybreak, and were received with +delight by the population. In half an hour the hunt was organized; all +the male population turned out as beaters, with sticks, guns, tom-toms, +and other instruments for making a noise. + +"The trail was not difficult to find. A broad path, with occasional +smears of blood, showed where he had dragged his victim through the long +grass to a cluster of trees a couple of hundred yards from the village. + +"We scarcely expected to find him there, but the villagers held back, +while we went forward with cocked rifles. We found, however, nothing but +a few bones and a quantity of blood The tiger had made off at the +approach of daylight into the jungle, which was about two miles distant +We traced him easily enough, and found that he had entered a large +ravine, from which several smaller ones branched off. + +"It was an awkward place, as it was next to impossible to surround it +with the number of people at our command. We posted them at last all +along the upper ground, and told them to make up in noise what they +wanted in numbers. At last all was ready, and we gave the +signal. However, I am not telling you a hunting story, and need only say +that we could neither find nor disturb him. In vain we pushed Begaum +through the thickest of the jungle which clothed the sides, and bottom +of the ravine, while the men shouted, beat their tom-toms, and showered +imprecations against the tiger himself and his ancestors up to the +remotest generations. + +"The day was tremendously hot, and, after three hours' march, we gave it +up for a time, and lay down in the shade, while the shekarries made a +long examination of the ground all round the hillside, to be sure that +he had not left the ravine. They came back with the news that no traces +could be discovered, and that, beyond a doubt, he was still there. A +tiger will crouch up in an exceedingly small clump of grass or bush, and +will sometimes almost allow himself to be trodden on before +moving. However, we determined to have one more search, and if that +should prove unsuccessful, to send off to Jubbalpore for some more of +the men to come out with elephants, while we kept up a circle of fires, +and of noises of all descriptions, so as to keep him a prisoner until +the arrival of the reinforcements. Our next search was no more +successful than our first had been; and having, as we imagined, examined +every clump and crevice in which he could have been concealed, we had +just reached the upper end of the ravine, when we heard a tremendous +roar, followed by a perfect babel of yells and screams from the natives. + +"The outburst came from the mouth of the ravine, and we felt at once +that he had escaped. We hurried back to find, as we had expected, that +the tiger was gone. He had burst out suddenly from his hiding-place, had +seized a native, torn him horribly, and had made across the open plain. + +"This was terribly provoking, but we had nothing to do but follow +him. This was easy enough, and we traced him to a detached patch of wood +and jungle, two miles distant. This wood was four or five hundred yards +across, and the exclamations of the people at once told us that it was +the one in which stood the ruined temple of the fakir of whom I have +been telling you. I forgot to say, that as the tiger broke out one of +the village shekarries had fired at, and, he declared, wounded him. + +"It was already getting late in the afternoon, and it was hopeless to +attempt to beat the jungle that night. We therefore sent off a runner +with a note to the colonel, asking him to send the work-elephants, and +to allow a party of volunteers to march over at night, to help surround +the jungle when we commenced beating it in the morning. + +"We based our request upon the fact that the tiger was a notorious +man-eater, and had been doing immense damage. We then had a talk with +our shekarry, sent a man off to bring provisions for the people out with +us, and then set them to work cutting sticks and grass to make a circle +of fires. + +"We both felt much uneasiness respecting the fakir, who might be seized +at any moment by the enraged tiger. The natives would not allow that +there was any cause for fear, as the tiger would not dare to touch so +holy a man. Our belief in the respect of the tiger for sanctity was by +no means strong, and we determined to go in and warn him of the presence +of the brute in the wood. It was a mission which we could not intrust to +anyone else, for no native would have entered the jungle for untold +gold; so we mounted the Begaum again, and started. The path leading +towards the temple was pretty wide, and as we went along almost +noiselessly, for the elephant was too well trained to tread upon fallen +sticks, it was just possible we might come upon the tiger suddenly, so +we kept our rifles in readiness in our hands. + +"Presently we came in sight of the ruins. No one was at first visible; +but at that very moment the fakir came out from the temple. He did not +see or hear us, for we were rather behind him and still among the trees, +but at once proceeded in a high voice to break into a sing-song prayer. +He had not said two words before his voice was drowned in a terrific +roar, and in an instant the tiger had sprung upon him, struck him to the +ground, seized him as a cat would a mouse, and started off with him at a +trot. The brute evidently had not detected our presence, for he came +right towards us. We halted the Begaum, and with our fingers on the +triggers, awaited the favourable moment. He was a hundred yards from us +when he struck down his victim; he was not more than fifty when he +caught sight of us. He stopped for an instant in surprise. Charley +muttered, 'Both barrels, Harley,' and as the beast turned to plunge into +the jungle, and so showed us his side, we sent four bullets crashing +into him, and he rolled over lifeless. + +"We went up to the spot, made the Begaum give him a kick, to be sure +that he was dead, and then got down to examine the unfortunate fakir. +The tiger had seized him by the shoulder, which was terribly torn, and +the bone broken. He was still perfectly conscious. + +"We at once fired three shots, our usual signal that the tiger was dead, +and in a few minutes were surrounded by the villagers, who hardly knew +whether to be delighted at the death of their enemy, or to grieve over +the injury to the fakir. We proposed taking the latter to our hospital +at Jubbalpore, but this he positively refused to listen to. However we +finally persuaded him to allow his arm to be set and the wounds dressed +in the first place by our regimental surgeon, after which he could go to +one of the native villages and have his arm dressed in accordance with +his own notions. A litter was soon improvised, and away we went to +Jubbalpore, which we reached about eight in the evening. + +"The fakir refused to enter the hospital, so we brought out a couple of +trestles, laid the litter upon them, and the surgeon set his arm and +dressed his wounds by torch-light, when he was lifted into a dhoolie, +and his bearers again prepared to start for the village. + +"Hitherto he had only spoken a few words; but he now briefly expressed +his deep gratitude to Simmonds and myself. We told him that we would +ride over to see him shortly, and hoped to find him getting on +rapidly. Another minute and he was gone. + +"It happened that we had three or four fellows away on leave or on staff +duty, and several others knocked up with fever just about this time, so +that the duty fell very heavily upon the rest of us, and it was over a +month before we had time to ride over to see the fakir. + +"We had heard he was going on well; but we were surprised, on reaching +the village, to find that he had already returned to his old abode in +the jungle. However, we had made up our minds to see him, especially as +we had agreed that we would endeavour to persuade him to do a prediction +for us, so we turned our horses' heads towards the jungle. We found the +fakir sitting on a rock in front of the temple, just where he had been +seized by the tiger. He rose as we rode up. + +"'I knew that you would come to-day, sahibs, and was joyful in the +thought of seeing those who have preserved my life.' + +"'We are glad to see you looking pretty strong again, though your arm is +still in a sling,' I said, for Simmonds was not strong in Hindustani. + +"'How did you know that we were coming?' I asked, when we had tied up +our horses. + +"'Siva has given to his servant to know many things,' he said quietly. + +"'Did you know beforehand that the tiger was going to seize you?' I +asked. + +"'I knew that a great danger threatened, and that Siva would not let me +die before my time had come. + +"'Could you see into our future?' I asked. + +"The fakir hesitated, looked at me for a moment earnestly to see if I +was speaking in mockery, and then said: + +"'The sahibs do not believe in the power of Siva or of his +servants. They call his messengers impostors, and scoff at them when +they speak of the events of the future.' + +"'No, indeed,' I said. 'My friend and I have no idea of scoffing. We +have heard of so many of your predictions coming true, that we are +really anxious that you should tell us something of the future.' + +"The fakir nodded his head, went into the temple, and returned in a +minute or two with two small pipes used by the natives for +opium-smoking, and a brazier of burning charcoal. The pipes were already +charged. He made signs to us to sit down, and took his place in front of +us. Then he began singing in a low voice, rocking himself to and fro, +and waving a staff which he held in his hand. Gradually his voice rose, +and his gesticulations and actions became more violent. So far as I +could make out, it was a prayer to Siva that he would give some glimpse +of the future which might benefit the sahibs who had saved the life of +his servant. Presently he darted forward, gave us each a pipe, took two +pieces of red-hot charcoal from the brazier in his fingers, without +seeming to know that they were warm, and placed them in the pipes; then +he recommenced his singing and gesticulations. + +"A glance at Charley, to see if, like myself, he was ready to carry the +thing through, and then I put the pipe to my lips. I felt at once that +it was opium, of which I had before made experiment, but mixed with some +other substance, which was, I imagine, haschish, a preparation of +hemp. A few puffs, and I felt a drowsiness creeping over me. I saw, as +through a mist, the fakir swaying himself backwards and forwards, his +arms waving, and his face distorted. Another minute, and the pipe +slipped from my fingers, and I fell back insensible. + +"How long I lay there I do not know. I woke with a strange and not +unpleasant sensation, and presently became conscious that the fakir was +gently pressing, with a sort of shampooing action, my temples and +head. When he saw that I opened my eyes he left me, and performed the +same process upon Charley. In a few minutes he rose from his stooping +position, waved his hand in token of adieu, and walked slowly back into +the temple. + +"As he disappeared I sat up; Charley did the same. + +"We stared at each other for a minute without speaking, and then Charley +said: + +"'This is a rum go, and no mistake, old man.' + +"'You're right, Charley. My opinion is, we've made fools of +ourselves. Let's be off out of this.' + +"We staggered to our feet, for we both felt like drunken men, made our +way to our horses, poured a mussuk of water over our heads, took a drink +of brandy from our flasks, and then feeling more like ourselves, mounted +and rode out of the jungle. + +"'Well, Harley, if the glimpse of futurity which I had is true, all I +can say is that it was extremely unpleasant.' + +"'That was just my case, Charley.' + +"'My dream, or whatever you like to call it, was about a mutiny of the +men.' + +"'You don't say so, Charley; so was mine. This is monstrously strange, +to say the least of it. However, you tell your story first, and then I +will tell mine.' + +"'It was very short,' Charley said. 'We were at mess--not in our present +mess-room--we were dining with the fellows of some other regiment. +Suddenly, without any warning, the windows were filled with a crowd of +Sepoys, who opened fire right and left into us. Half the fellows were +shot down at once; the rest of us made a rush to our swords just as the +niggers came swarming into the room. There was a desperate fight for a +moment. I remember that Subadar Pirán--one of the best native officers +in the regiment, by the way--made a rush at me, and I shot him through +the head with a revolver. At the same moment a ball hit me, and down I +went. At the moment a Sepoy fell dead across me, hiding me partly from +sight. The fight lasted a minute or two longer. I fancy a few fellows +escaped, for I heard shots outside. Then the place became quiet. In +another minute I heard a crackling, and saw that the devils had set the +mess-room on fire. One of our men, who was lying close by me, got up and +crawled to the window, but he was shot down the moment he showed +himself. I was hesitating whether to do the same or to lie still and be +smothered, when suddenly I rolled the dead sepoy off, crawled into the +ante-room half-suffocated by smoke, raised the lid of a very heavy +trap-door, and stumbled down some steps into a place, half store-house +half cellar, under the mess-room. How I knew about it being there I +don't know. The trap closed over my head with a bang. That is all I +remember.' + +"'Well, Charley, curiously enough my dream was also about an +extraordinary escape from danger, lasting, like yours, only a minute or +two. The first thing I remember--there seems to have been something +before, but what, I don't know--I was on horseback, holding a very +pretty but awfully pale girl in front of me. We were pursued by a whole +troop of Sepoy cavalry, who were firing pistol-shots at us. We were not +more than seventy or eighty yards in front, and they were gaining fast, +just as I rode into a large deserted temple. In the centre was a huge +stone figure. I jumped off my horse with the lady, and as I did so she +said, 'Blow out my brains, Edward; don't let me fall alive into their +hands.' + +"'Instead of answering, I hurried her round behind the idol, pushed +against one of the leaves of a flower in the carving, and the stone +swung back, and showed a hole just large enough to get through, with a +stone staircase inside the body of the idol, made no doubt for the +priest to go up and give responses through the mouth. I hurried the girl +through, crept in after her, and closed the stone, just as our pursuers +came clattering into the courtyard. That is all I remember.' + +"'Well, it is monstrously rum,' Charley said, after a pause. 'Did you +understand what the old fellow was singing about before he gave us the +pipes?' + +"'Yes; I caught the general drift. It was an entreaty to Siva to give us +some glimpse of futurity which might benefit us.' + +"We lit our cheroots and rode for some miles at a brisk canter without +remark. When we were within a short distance of home we reined up. + +"'I feel ever so much better,' Charley said. 'We have got that opium +out of our heads now. How do you account for it all, Harley?' + +"'I account for it in this way, Charley. The opium naturally had the +effect of making us both dream, and as we took similar doses of the same +mixture, under similar circumstances, it is scarcely extraordinary that +it should have effected the same portion of the brain, and caused a +certain similarity in our dreams. In all nightmares something terrible +happens, or is on the point of happening; and so it was here. Not +unnaturally in both our cases, our thoughts turned to soldiers. If you +remember there was a talk at mess some little time since, as to what +would happen in the extremely unlikely event of the sepoys mutinying in +a body. I have no doubt that was the foundation of both our dreams. It +is all natural enough when we come to think it over calmly. I think, by +the way, we had better agree to say nothing at all about it in the +regiment.' + +"'I should think not,' Charley said. 'We should never hear the end of +it; they would chaff us out of our lives.' + +"We kept our secret, and came at last to laugh over it heartily when we +were together. Then the subject dropped, and by the end of a year had as +much escaped our minds as any other dream would have done. Three months +after the affair the regiment was ordered down to Allahabad, and the +change of place no doubt helped to erase all memory of the dream. Four +years after we had left Jubbalpore we went to Beerapore. The time is +very marked in my memory, because the very week we arrived there, your +aunt, then Miss Gardiner, came out from England, to her father, our +colonel. The instant I saw her I was impressed with the idea that I knew +her intimately. I recollected her face, her figure, and the very tone +of her voice, but wherever I had met her I could not conceive. Upon the +occasion of my first introduction to her, I could not help telling her +that I was convinced that we had met, and asking her if she did not +remember it. No, she did not remember, but very likely she might have +done so, and she suggested the names of several people at whose houses +we might have met. I did not know any of them. Presently she asked how +long I had been out in India? + +"'Six years,' I said. + +"'And how old, Mr. Harley,' she said, 'do you take me to be?' + +"I saw in one instant my stupidity, and was stammering out an apology, +when she went on,-- + +"'I am very little over eighteen, Mr. Harley, although I evidently look +ever so many years older, but papa can certify to my age, so I was only +twelve when you left England.' + +"I tried in vain to clear matters up. Your aunt would insist that I took +her to be forty, and the fun that my blunder made rather drew us +together, and gave me a start over the other fellows at the station, +half of whom fell straightway in love with her. Some months went on, and +when the mutiny broke out we were engaged to be married. It is a proof +of how completely the opium-dreams had passed out of the minds of both +Simmonds and myself, that even when rumours of general disaffection +among the Sepoys began to be current, they never once recurred to us; +and even when the news of the actual mutiny reached us, we were just as +confident as were the others of the fidelity of our own regiment. It was +the old story, foolish confidence and black treachery. As at very many +other stations, the mutiny broke out when we were at mess. Our regiment +was dining with the 34th Bengalees. Suddenly, just as dinner was over, +the window was opened, and a tremendous fire poured in. Four or five +men fell dead at once, and the poor colonel, who was next to me, was +shot right through the head. Every one rushed to his sword and drew his +pistol--for we had been ordered to carry pistols as part of our uniform. +I was next to Charley Simmonds as the Sepoys of both regiments, headed +by Subadar Pirán, poured in at the windows. + +"'I have it now,' Charley said; 'it is the scene I dreamed.' + +"As he spoke he fired his revolver at the subadar, who fell dead in his +tracks. + +"A Sepoy close by levelled his musket and fired. Charley fell, and the +fellow rushed forward to bayonet him. As he did so I sent a bullet +through his head, and he fell across Charley. It was a wild fight for a +minute or two, and then a few of us made a sudden rush together, cut our +way through the mutineers, and darted through an open window on to the +parade. There were shouts, shots, and screams from the officers' +bungalows, and in several places flames were already rising. What became +of the other men I knew not, I made as hard as I could tear for the +colonel's bungalow. Suddenly I came upon a sowar sitting on his horse +watching the rising flames. Before he saw me I was on him, and ran him +through. I leapt on his horse and galloped down to Gardiner's +compound. I saw lots of Sepoys in and around the bungalow, all engaged +in looting. I dashed into the compound. + +"'May! May"! I shouted. 'Where are you?' + +"I had scarcely spoken before a dark figure rushed out of a clump of +bushes close by with a scream of delight. + +"In an instant she was on the horse before me, and shooting down a +couple of fellows who made a rush at my reins, I dashed out again. Stray +shots were fired after us. But fortunately the Sepoys were all busy +looting, most of them had laid down their muskets, and no one really +took up the pursuit. I turned off from the parade-ground, dashed down +between the hedges of two compounds, and in another minute we were in +the open country. + +"Fortunately, the cavalry were all down looting their own lines, or we +must have been overtaken at once. May happily had fainted as I lifted +her on to my horse--happily, because the fearful screams that we heard +from the various bungalows almost drove me mad, and would probably have +killed her, for the poor ladies were all her intimate friends. + +"I rode on for some hours, till I felt quite safe from any immediate +pursuit, and then we halted in the shelter of a clump of trees. + +"By this time I had heard May's story. She had felt uneasy at being +alone, but had laughed at herself for being so, until upon her speaking +to one of the servants he had answered in a tone of gross insolence, +which had astonished her. She at once guessed that there was danger, and +the moment that she was alone caught up a large, dark carriage rug, +wrapped it round her so as to conceal her white dress, and stole out +into the verandah. The night was dark, and scarcely had she left the +house than she heard a burst of firing across at the mess-house. She at +once ran in among the bushes and crouched there, as she heard the rush +of men into the room she had just left. She heard them searching for +her, but they were looking for a white dress, and her dark rug saved +her. What she must have suffered in the five minutes between the firing +of the first shots and my arrival, she only knows. May had spoken but +very little since we started. I believe that she was certain that her +father was dead, although I had given an evasive answer when she asked +me; and her terrible sense of loss, added to the horror of that time of +suspense in the garden, had completely stunned her. We waited in the +tope until the afternoon, and then set out again. + +"We had gone but a short distance when we saw a body of the rebel +cavalry in pursuit. They had no doubt been scouring the country +generally, and the discovery was accidental. For a short time we kept +away from them, but this could not be for long, as our horse was +carrying double. I made for a sort of ruin I saw at the foot of a hill +half a mile away. I did so with no idea of the possibility of +concealment. My intention was simply to get my back to a rock and to +sell my life as dearly as I could, keeping the last two barrels of the +revolver for ourselves. Certainly no remembrance of my dream influenced +me in any way, and in the wild whirl of excitement I had not given a +second thought to Charley Simmonds' exclamation. As we rode up to the +ruins only a hundred yards ahead of us, May said,-- + +"'Blow out my brains, Edward; don't let me fall alive into their hands.' + +"A shock of remembrance shot across me. The chase, her pale face, the +words, the temple--all my dream rushed into my mind. + +"'We are saved,' I cried, to her amazement, as we rode into the +courtyard, in whose centre a great figure was sitting. + +"I leapt from the horse, snatched the mussuk of water from the saddle, +and then hurried May round the idol, between which and the rock behind, +there was but just room to get along. + +"Not a doubt entered my mind but that I should find the spring as I had +dreamed. Sure enough there was the carving, fresh upon my memory as if I +had seen it but the day before. I placed my hand on the leaflet without +hesitation, a solid stone moved back, I hurried my amazed companion in, +and shut to the stone. I found, and shot to, a massive bolt, evidently +placed to prevent the door being opened by accident or design when +anyone was in the idol. + +"At first it seemed quite dark, but a faint light streamed in from +above; we made our way up the stairs, and found that the light came +through a number of small holes pierced in the upper part of the head, +and through still smaller holes lower down, not much larger than a +good-sized knitting-needle could pass through. These holes, we +afterwards found, were in the ornaments round the idol's neck. The holes +enlarged inside, and enabled us to have a view all round. + +"The mutineers were furious at our disappearance, and for hours searched +about. Then, saying that we must be hidden somewhere, and that they +would wait till we came out, they proceeded to bivouac in the courtyard +of the temple. + +"We passed four terrible days, but on the morning of the fifth a scout +came in to tell the rebels that a column of British troops marching on +Delhi would pass close by the temple. They therefore hastily mounted and +galloped off. + +"Three quarters of an hour later we were safe among our own people. A +fortnight afterwards your aunt and I were married. It was no time for +ceremony then; there were no means of sending her away; no place where +she could have waited until the time for her mourning for her father was +over. So we were married quietly by one of the chaplains of the troops, +and, as your story-books say, have lived very happily ever after." + +"And how about Mr. Simmonds, uncle? Did he get safe off too?" + +"Yes, his dream came as vividly to his mind as mine had done. He crawled +to the place where he knew the trap-door would be, and got into the +cellar. Fortunately for him there were plenty of eatables there, and he +lived there in concealment for a fortnight. After that he crawled out, +and found the mutineers had marched for Delhi. He went through a lot, +but at last joined us before that city. We often talked over our dreams +together, and there was no question that we owed our lives to them. Even +then we did not talk much to other people about them, for there would +have been a lot of talk, and inquiry, and questions, and you know +fellows hate that sort of thing. So we held our tongues. Poor Charley's +silence was sealed a year later at Lucknow, for on the advance with Lord +Clyde he was killed. + +"And now, boys and girls, you must run off to bed. Five minutes more and +it will be Christmas-day So you see, Frank, that although I don't +believe in ghosts, I have yet met with a circumstance which I cannot +account for." + +"It is very curious anyhow, uncle, and beats ghost stories into fits." + +"I like it better, certainly," one of the girls said, "for we can go to +bed without being afraid of dreaming about it." + +"Well, you must not talk any more now Off to bed, off to bed," Colonel +Harley said, "or I shall get into terrible disgrace with your fathers +and mothers, who have been looking very gravely at me for the last three +quarters of an hour." + + + + + +WHITE-FACED DICK + +A STORY OF PINE-TREE GULCH. + + + +How Pine-tree Gulch got its name no one knew, for in the early days +every ravine and hillside was thickly covered with pines. It may be that +a tree of exceptional size caught the eye of the first explorer, that he +camped under it, and named the place in its honour; or, may be, some +fallen giant lay in the bottom and hindered the work of the first +prospectors. At any rate, Pine-tree Gulch it was, and the name was as +good as any other. The pine-trees were gone now. Cut up for firing, or +for the erection of huts, or the construction of sluices, but the +hillside was ragged with their stumps. + +The principal camp was at the mouth of the Gulch, where the little +stream, which scarce afforded water sufficient for the cradles in the +dry season, but which was a rushing torrent in winter, joined the +Yuba. The best ground was at the junction of the streams, and lay, +indeed, in the Yuba valley rather than in the Gulch. At first most gold +had been found higher up, but there was here comparatively little depth +down to the bed-rock, and as the ground became exhausted the miners +moved down towards the mouth of the Gulch. They were doing well as a +whole, how well no one knew, for miners are chary of giving information +as to what they are making; still, it was certain they were doing well, +for the bars were doing a roaring trade, and the store-keepers never +refused credit--a proof in itself that the prospects were good. + +The flat at the mouth of the Gulch was a busy scene, every foot was good +paying stuff, for in the eddy, where the torrents in winter rushed down +into the Yuba, the gold had settled down and lay thick among the +gravel. But most of the parties were sinking, and it was a long way down +to the bed-rock; for the hills on both sides sloped steeply, and the +Yuba must here at one time have rushed through a narrow gorge, until, in +some wild freak, it brought down millions of tons of gravel, and resumed +its course seventy feet above its former level. + +A quarter of a mile higher up a ledge of rock ran across the valley, and +over it in the old time the Yuba had poured in a cascade seventy feet +deep into the ravine. But the rock now was level with the gravel, only +showing its jagged points here and there above it. This ledge had been +invaluable to the diggers: without it they could only have sunk their +shafts with the greatest difficulty, for the gravel would have been full +of water, and even with the greatest pains in puddling and timber-work +the pumps would scarcely have sufficed to keep it down as it rose in the +bottom of the shafts. But the miners had made common cause together, and +giving each so many ounces of gold or so many day's work had erected a +dam thirty feet high along the ledge of rock, and had cut a channel for +the Yuba along the lower slopes of the valley. Of course, when the rain +set in, as everybody knew, the dam would go, and the river diggings must +be abandoned till the water subsided and a fresh dam was made; but there +were two months before them yet, and every one hoped to be down to the +bed-rock before the water interrupted their work. + +The hillside, both in the Yuba Valley and for some distance along +Pine-tree Gulch, was dotted by shanties and tents; the former +constructed for the most part of logs roughly squared, the walls being +some three feet in height, on which the sharp sloping roof was placed, +thatched in the first place with boughs, and made all snug, perhaps, +with an old sail stretched over all. The camp was quiet enough during +the day. The few women were away with their washing at the pools, a +quarter of a mile up the Gulch, and the only persons to be seen about +were the men told off for cooking for their respective parties. + +But in the evening the camp was lively. Groups of men in red shirts and +corded trousers tied at the knee, in high boots, sat round blazing +fires, and talked of their prospects or discussed the news of the luck +at other camps. The sound of music came from two or three plank +erections which rose conspicuously above the huts of the diggers, and +were bright externally with the glories of white and coloured paints. To +and from these men were always sauntering, and it needed not the clink +of glasses and the sound of music to tell that they were the bars of the +camp. + +Here, standing at the counter, or seated at numerous small tables, men +were drinking villainous liquor, smoking and talking, and paying but +scant attention to the strains of the fiddle or the accordion, save when +some well-known air was played, when all would join in a boisterous +chorus. Some were always passing in or out of a door which led into a +room behind. Here there was comparative quiet, for men were gambling, +and gambling high. + +Going backwards and forwards with liquors into the gambling-room of the +Imperial Saloon, which stood just where Pine-tree Gulch opened into Yuba +valley, was a lad, whose appearance had earned for him the name of +White-faced Dick. + +White-faced Dick was not one of those who had done well at Pine-tree +Gulch; he had come across the plains with his father, who had died when +half-way over, and Dick had been thrown on the world to shift for +himself. Nature had not intended him for the work, for he was a +delicate, timid lad; what spirits he originally had having been years +before beaten out of him by a brutal father. So far, indeed, Dick was +the better rather than the worse for the event which had left him an +orphan. + +They had been travelling with a large party for mutual security against +Indians and Mormons, and so long as the journey lasted Dick had got on +fairly well. He was always ready to do odd jobs, and as the draught +cattle were growing weaker and weaker, and every pound of weight was of +importance, no one grudged him his rations in return for his services, +but when the company began to descend the slopes of the Sierra Nevada +they began to break up, going off by twos and threes to the diggings, of +which they heard such glowing accounts. Some, however, kept straight on +to Sacramento, determining there to obtain news as to the doings at all +the different places, and then to choose that which seemed to offer the +best prospects of success. + +Dick proceeded with them to the town, and there found himself alone. His +companions were absorbed in the busy rush of population, and each had so +much to provide and arrange for, that none gave a thought to the +solitary boy. However, at that time no one who had a pair of hands, +however feeble, to work need starve in Sacramento; and for some weeks +Dick hung around the town doing odd jobs, and then, having saved a few +dollars, determined to try his luck at the diggings, and started on foot +with a shovel on his shoulder and a few day's provisions slung across +it. + +Arrived at his destination, the lad soon discovered that gold-digging +was hard work for brawny and seasoned men, and after a few feeble +attempts in spots abandoned as worthless he gave up the effort, and +again began to drift; and even in Pine-tree Gulch it was not difficult +to get a living. At first he tried rocking cradles, but the work was far +harder than it appeared. He was standing ankle deep in water from +morning till night, and his cheeks grew paler, and his strength, instead +of increasing, seemed to fade away. Still, there were jobs within his +strength. He could keep a fire alight and watch a cooking-pot, he could +carry up buckets of water or wash a flannel shirt, and so he struggled +on, until at last some kind-hearted man suggested to him that he should +try to get a place at the new saloon which was about to be opened. + +"You are not fit for this work, young 'un, and you ought to be at home +with your mother; if you like I will go up with you this evening to +Jeffries. I knew him down on the flats, and I daresay he will take you +on. I don't say as a saloon is a good place for a boy, still you will +always get your bellyful of victuals and a dry place to sleep in, if +it's only under a table. What do you say?" + +Dick thankfully accepted the offer, and on Red George's recommendation +was that evening engaged. His work was not hard now, for till the +miners knocked off there was little doing in the saloon; a few men would +come in for a drink at dinner-time, but it was not until the lamps were +lit that business began in earnest, and then for four or five hours Dick +was busy. + +A rougher or healthier lad would not have minded the work, but to Dick +it was torture; every nerve in his body thrilled whenever rough miners +cursed him for not carrying out their orders more quickly, or for +bringing them the wrong liquors, which, as his brain was in a whirl with +the noise, the shouting, and the multiplicity of orders, happened +frequently. He might have fared worse had not Red George always stood +his friend, and Red George was an authority in Pine-tree Gulch--powerful +in frame, reckless in bearing and temper, he had been in a score of +fights and had come off them, if not unscathed, at least victorious. He +was notoriously a lucky digger, but his earnings went as fast as they +were made, and he was always ready to open his belt and give a bountiful +pinch of dust to any mate down on his luck. + +One evening Dick was more helpless and confused than usual. The saloon +was full, and he had been shouted at and badgered and cursed until he +scarcely knew what he was doing. High play was going on in the saloon, +and a good many men were clustered round the table. Red George was +having a run of luck, and there was a big pile of gold dust on the table +before him. One of the gamblers who was losing had ordered old rye, and +instead of bringing it to him, Dick brought a tumbler of hot liquor +which someone else had called for. With an oath the man took it up and +threw it in his face. + +"You cowardly hound!" Red George exclaimed. "Are you man enough to do +that to a man?" + +"You bet," the gambler, who was a new arrival at Pine-tree Gulch, +replied; and picking up an empty glass, he hurled it at Red George. The +by-standers sprang aside, and in a moment the two men were facing each +other with outstretched pistols. The two reports rung out +simultaneously: Red George sat down unconcernedly with a streak of blood +flowing down his face, where the bullet had cut a furrow in his cheek; +the stranger fell back with the bullet hole in the centre of his +forehead. + +The body was carried outside, and the play continued as if no +interruption had taken place. They were accustomed to such occurrences +in Pine-tree Gulch, and the piece of ground at the top of the hill, that +had been set aside as a burial place, was already dotted thickly with +graves, filled in almost every instance by men who had died, in the +local phraseology, "with their boots on." + +Neither then nor afterwards did Red George allude to the subject to +Dick, whose life after this signal instance of his championship was +easier than it had hitherto been, for there were few in Pine-tree Gulch +who cared to excite Red George's anger; and strangers going to the place +were sure to receive a friendly warning that it was best for their +health to keep their tempers over any shortcomings on the part of +White-faced Dick. + +Grateful as he was for Red George's interference on his behalf, Dick +felt the circumstance which had ensued more than anyone else in the +camp. With others it was the subject of five minutes' talk, but Dick +could not get out of his head the thought of the dead man's face as he +fell back. He had seen many such frays before, but he was too full of +his own troubles for them to make much impression upon him. But in the +present case he felt as if he himself was responsible for the death of +the gambler; if he had not blundered this would not have happened. He +wondered whether the dead man had a wife and children, and, if so, were +they expecting his return? Would they ever hear where he had died, and +how? + +But this feeling, which, tired out as he was when the time came for +closing the bar, often prevented him from sleeping for hours, in no way +lessened his gratitude and devotion towards Red George, and he felt that +he could die willingly if his life would benefit his champion. Sometimes +he thought, too, that his life would not be much to give, for in spite +of shelter and food, the cough which he had caught while working in the +water still clung to him, and, as his employer said to him angrily one +day-- + +"Your victuals don't do you no good, Dick; you get thinner and thinner, +and folks will think as I starve you. Darned if you ain't a disgrace to +the establishment." + +The wind was whistling down the gorges, and the clouds hung among the +pine-woods which still clothed the upper slopes of the hills, and the +diggers, as they turned out one morning, looked up apprehensively. + +"But it could not be," they assured each other. Every one knew that the +rains were not due for another month yet; it could only be a passing +shower if it rained at all. + +But as the morning went on, men came in from camps higher up the river, +and reports were current that it had been raining for the last two days +among the upper hills; while those who took the trouble to walk across +to the new channel could see for themselves at noon that it was filled +very nigh to the brim, the water rushing along with thick and turbid +current. But those who repeated the rumours, or who reported that the +channel was full, were summarily put down. Men would not believe that +such a calamity as a flood and the destruction of all their season's +work could be impending. There had been some showers, no doubt, as there +had often been before, but it was ridiculous to talk of anything like +rain a month before its time. Still, in spite of these assertions, there +was uneasiness at Pine-tree Gulch, and men looked at the driving clouds +above and shook their heads before they went down to the shafts to work +after dinner. + +When the last customer had left and the bar was closed, Dick had nothing +to do till evening, and he wandered outside and sat down on a stump, at +first looking at the work going on in the valley, then so absorbed in +his own thoughts that he noticed nothing, not even the driving mist +which presently set in. He was calculating that he had, with his savings +from his wages and what had been given him by the miners, laid by eighty +dollars. When he got another hundred and twenty he would go; he would +make his way down to San Francisco, and then by ship to Panama and up to +New York, and then west again to the village where he was born. There +would be people there who would know him, and who would give him work, +for his mother's sake. He did not care what it was; anything would be +better than this. + +Then his thoughts came back to Pine-tree Gulch, and he started to his +feet. Could he be mistaken? Were his eyes deceiving him? No; among the +stones and boulders of the old bed of the Yuba there was the gleam of +water, and even as he watched it he could see it widening out. He +started to run down the hill to give the alarm, but before he was +half-way he paused, for there were loud shouts, and a scene of bustle +and confusion instantly arose. + +The cradles were deserted, and the men working on the surface loaded +themselves with their tools and made for the high ground, while those at +the windlasses worked their hardest to draw up their comrades below. A +man coming down from above stopped close to Dick, with a low cry, and +stood gazing with a white scared face. Dick had worked with him; he was +one of the company to which Red George belonged. + +"What is it, Saunders?" + +"My God! they are lost," the man replied. "I was at the windlass when +they shouted up to me to go up and fetch them a bottle of rum. They had +just struck it rich, and wanted a drink on the strength of it." + +Dick understood at once. Red George and his mates were still in the +bottom of the shaft, ignorant of the danger which was threatening them. + +"'Come on," he cried; "we shall be in time yet," and at the top of his +speed dashed down the hill, followed by Saunders. + +"What is it, what is it?" asked parties of men mounting the hill. "Red +George's gang are still below." + +Dick's eyes were fixed on the water. There was a broad band now of +yellow with a white edge down the centre of the stony flat, and it was +widening with terrible rapidity. It was scarce ten yards from the +windlass at the top of Red George's shaft when Dick, followed closely by +Saunders, reached it. + +"Come up, mates; quick, for your lives! The river is rising; you will be +flooded out directly. Every one else has gone!" + +As he spoke he pulled at the rope by which the bucket was hanging, and +the handles of the windlass flew round rapidly as it descended. When it +had run out. Dick and he grasped the handles. + +"All right below?" + +An answering call came up, and the two began their work, throwing their +whole strength into it. Quickly as the windlass revolved, it seemed an +endless time to Dick before the bucket came up, and the first man +stepped out. It was not Red George. Dick had hardly expected it would +be. Red George would be sure to see his two mates up before him, and the +man uttered a cry of alarm as he saw the water, now within a few feet of +the mouth of the shaft. + +It was a torrent now, for not only was it coming through the dam, but it +was rushing down in cascades from the new channel. Without a word the +miner placed himself facing Dick and the moment the bucket was again +down, the three grasped the handles. But quickly as they worked, the +edge of the water was within a few inches of the shaft when the next man +reached the surface, but again the bucket descended before the rope +tightened. However, the water had began to run over the lip--at first in +a mere trickle, and then, almost instantaneously, in a cascade, which +grew larger and larger. + +The bucket was half-way up when a sound like thunder was heard, the +ground seemed to tremble under their feet, and then at the turn of the +valley above, a great wave of yellow water, crested with foam, was seen +tearing along at the speed of a race-horse. + +"The dam has burst!" Saunders shouted. "Run for your lives, or we are +all lost!" + +The three men dropped the handles and ran at full speed towards the +shore, while loud shouts to Dick to follow came from the crowd of men +standing on the slope. But the boy still grasped the handles, and with +lips tightly closed, still toiled on. Slowly the bucket ascended, for +Red George was a heavy man; then suddenly the weight slackened, and the +handle went round faster. The shaft was filling, the water had reached +the bucket, and had risen to Red George's neck, so that his weight was +no longer on the rope. So fast did the water pour in, that it was not +half a minute before the bucket reached the surface, and Red George +sprang out. There was but time for one exclamation, and then the great +wave struck them. Red George was whirled like a straw in the current, +but he was a strong swimmer, and at a point where the valley widened +out, half a mile lower, he struggled to shore. + +Two days later the news reached Pine-tree Gulch that a boy's body had +been washed ashore twenty miles down, and ten men, headed by Red George, +went and brought it solemnly back to Pine-tree Gulch. There, among the +stumps of pine-trees, a grave was dug, and there, in the presence of the +whole camp, White-faced Dick was laid to rest. + +Pine-tree Gulch is a solitude now, the trees are growing again, and none +would dream that it was once a busy scene of industry; but if the +traveller searches among the pine-trees, he will find a stone with the +words: + +"Here lies White-faced Dick, who died to save Red George. 'What can a +man do more than give his life for a friend?'" + +The text was the suggestion of an ex-clergyman working as a miner in +Pine-tree Gulch. + +Red George worked no more at the diggings, but after seeing the stone +laid in its place, went east, and with what little money came to him +when the common fund of the company was divided after the flood on the +Yuba, bought a small farm, and settled down there; but to the end of his +life he was never weary of telling those who would listen to it the +story of Pine-tree Gulch. + + + + + +A BRUSH WITH THE CHINESE + +AND WHAT CAME OF IT. + + + +It was early in December that H.M.S. _Perseus_ was cruising off the +mouth of the Canton River. War had been declared with China in +consequence of her continued evasions of the treaty she had made with +us, and it was expected that a strong naval force would soon gather to +bring her to reason. In the meantime the ships on the station had a busy +time of it, chasing the enemy's junks when they ventured to show +themselves beyond the reach of the guns of their forts, and occasionally +having a brush with the piratical boats which took advantage of the +general confusion to plunder friend as well as foe. + +The _Perseus_ had that afternoon chased two Government junks up a +creek. The sun had already set when they took refuge there, and the +captain did not care to send his boats after them in the dark, as many +of the creeks ran up for miles into the flat country; and as they not +unfrequently had many arms or branches, the boats might, in the dark, +miss the junks altogether. Orders were issued that four boats should be +ready for starting at daybreak the next morning. The _Perseus_ anchored +off the mouth of the creek, and two boats were ordered to row backwards +and forwards off its mouth all night to insure that the enemy did not +slip out in the darkness. + +Jack Fothergill, the senior midshipman, was commanding the gig, and two +of the other midshipmen were going in the pinnace and launch, commanded +respectively by the first lieutenant and the master. The three other +midshipmen of the _Perseus_ were loud in their lamentations that they +were not to take share in the fun. + +"You can't all go, you know," Fothergill said, "and it's no use making a +row about it; the captain has been very good to let three of us go." + +"It's all very well for you, Jack," Percy Adcock, the youngest of the +lads, replied, "because you are one of those chosen; and it is not so +hard for Simmons and Linthorpe, because they went the other day in the +boat that chased those junks under shelter of the guns of their battery, +but I haven't had a chance for ever so long." + +"'What fun was there in chasing the junks?" Simmons said. "We never got +near the brutes till they were close to their battery, and then just as +the first shot came singing from their guns, and we thought that we were +going to have some excitement, the first lieutenant sung out 'Easy all,' +and there was nothing for it but to turn round and to row for the ship, +and a nice hot row it was--two hours and a half in a broiling sun. Of +course I am not blaming Oliphant, for the captain's orders were strict +that we were not to try to cut the junks out if they got under the guns +of any of their batteries. Still it was horribly annoying, and I do +think the captain might have remembered what beastly luck we had last +time, and given us a chance tomorrow." + +"It is clear we could not all go," Fothergill said, "and naturally +enough the captain chose the three seniors. Besides, if you did have bad +luck last time, you had your chance, and I don't suppose we shall have +anything more exciting now, these fellows always set fire to their junks +and row for the shore directly they see us, after firing a shot or two +wildly in our direction." + +"Well, Jack, if you don't expect any fun," Simmons replied, "perhaps you +wouldn't mind telling the first lieutenant you do not care for going, +and that I am very anxious to take your place. Perhaps he will be good +enough to allow me to relieve you." + +"A likely thing that!" Fothergill laughed. "No, Tom, I am sorry you are +not going, but you must make the best of it till another chance comes." + +"Don't you think, Jack," Percy Adcock said to his senior in a coaxing +tone later on, "you could manage to smuggle me into the boat with you?" + +"Not I, Percy. Suppose you got hurt, what would the captain say then? +And firing as wildly as the Chinese do, a shot is just as likely to hit +your little carcase as to lodge in one of the sailors. No, you must just +make the best of it, Percy, and I promise you that next time there is a +boat expedition, if you are not put in, I will say a good word to the +first luff for you." + +"That promise is better than nothing," the boy said; "but I would a deal +rather go this time and take my chance next." + +"But you see you can't, Percy, and there's no use talking any more about +it. I really do not expect there will be any fighting. Two junks would +hardly make any opposition to the boats of the ship, and I expect we +shall be back by nine o'clock with the news that they were well on fire +before we came up." + +Percy Adcock, however, was determined, if possible, to go. He was a +favourite among the men, and when he spoke to the bow oar of the gig, +the latter promised to do anything he could to aid him to carry out his +wishes. + +"We are to start at daybreak, Tom, so that it will be quite dark when +the boats are lowered. I will creep into the gig before that and hide +myself as well as I can under your thwart, and all you have got to do is +to take no notice of me. When the boat is lowered I think they will +hardly make me out from the deck, especially as you will be standing up +in the bow holding on with the boat-hook till the rest get on board." + +"Well, sir, I will do my best, but if you are caught you must not let +out that I knew anything about it." + +"I won't do that," Percy said. "I don't think there is much chance of my +being noticed until we get on board the junks, and then they won't know +which boat I came off in, and the first lieutenant will be too busy to +blow me up. Of course I shall get it when I am on board again, but I +don't mind that so that I see the fun. Besides, I want to send home +some things to my sister, and she will like them all the better if I can +tell her I captured them on board some junks we seized and burnt." + +The next morning the crews mustered before daybreak. Percy had already +taken his place under the bow thwart of the gig. The davits were swung +overboard, and two men took their places in her as she was lowered down +by the falls. As soon as she touched the water the rest of the crew +clambered down by the ladder and took their places, then Fothergill took +his seat in the stern, and the boat pushed off and lay a few lengths +away from the ship until the heavier boats put off. As soon as they were +under way Percy crawled out from his hiding-place and placed himself in +the bow, where he was sheltered by the body of the oarsmen from +Fothergill's sight. + +Day was just breaking now, but it was still dark on the water, and the +boat rowed very slowly until it became lighter. Percy could just make +out the shores of the creek on both sides; they were but two or three +feet above the level of the water, and were evidently submerged at high +tide. The creek was about a hundred yards wide, and the lad could not +see far ahead, for it was full of sharp windings and turnings. Here and +there branches joined it, but the boats were evidently following the +main channel. After another half-hour's rowing the first lieutenant +suddenly gave the order, "Easy all," and the men, looking over their +shoulders, saw a village a quarter of a mile ahead, with the two junks +they had chased the night before lying in front of it. Almost at the +same moment a sudden uproar was heard--drums were beaten and gongs +sounded. + +"They are on the look-out for us," the first lieutenant +said. "Mr. Mason, do you keep with me and attack the junk highest up the +river; Mr. Bellew and Mr. Fothergill, do you take the one lower +down. Row on, men." + +The oars all touched the water together, and the four boats leapt +forward. In a minute a scattering fire of gingals and matchlocks was +opened from the junks, and the bullets pattered on the water round the +boats. Percy was kneeling up in the bow now. As they passed a branch +channel three or four hundred yards from the village, he started and +leapt to his feet. + +"There are four or five junks in that passage, Fothergill; they are +poling out." + +The first lieutenant heard the words. + +"Row on, men; let us finish with these craft ahead before the others get +out. This must be that piratical village we have heard about, Mr. +Mason, as lying up one of these creeks; that accounts for those two +junks not going higher up. I was surprised at seeing them here, for they +might guess that we should try to get them this morning. Evidently they +calculated on catching us in a trap." + +Percy was delighted at finding that, in the excitement caused by his +news, the first lieutenant had forgotten to take any notice of his being +there without orders, and he returned a defiant nod to the threat +conveyed by Fothergill shaking his fist at him. As they neared the junks +the fire of those on board redoubled, and was aided by that of many +villagers gathered on the bank of the creek. Suddenly from a bank of +rushes four cannons were fired. A ball struck the pinnace, smashing in +her side. The other boats gathered hastily round and took her crew on +board, and then dashed at the junks, which were but a hundred yards +distant. The valour of the Chinese evaporated as they saw the boats +approaching, and scores of them leapt overboard and swam for shore. + +In another minute the boats were alongside and the crews scrambling up +the sides of the junks. A few Chinamen only attempted to oppose +them. These were speedily overcome, and the British had now time to look +round, and saw that six junks crowded with men had issued from the side +creek and were making towards them. + +"Let the boats tow astern," the lieutenant ordered. "We should have to +run the gauntlet of that battery on shore if we were to attack them, and +might lose another boat before we reached their side. We will fight them +here." + +The junks approached, those on board firing their guns, yelling and +shouting, while the drums and gongs were furiously beaten. + +"They will find themselves mistaken, Percy, if they think they are going +to frighten us with all that row," Fothergill said. "You young rascal, +how did you get on board the boat without being seen? The captain will +be sure to suspect I had a hand in concealing you." + +The tars were now at work firing the gingals attached to the bulwarks +and the matchlocks, with which the deck was strewn, at the approaching +junks. As they took steady aim, leaning their pieces on the bulwarks, +they did considerable execution among the Chinamen crowded on board the +junks, while the shot of the Chinese, for the most part, whistled far +overhead; but the guns of the shore battery, which had now been slewed +round to bear upon them, opened with a better aim, and several shots +came crashing into the sides of the two captured junks. + +"Get ready to board, lads!" Lieutenant Oliphant shouted. "Don't wait for +them to board you, but the moment they come alongside lash their rigging +to ours and spring on board them." + +The leading junk was now about twenty yards away, and presently grated +alongside. Half-a-dozen sailors at once sprang into her rigging with +ropes, and after lashing the junks together leaped down upon her deck, +where Fothergill was leading the gig's crew and some of those rescued +from the pinnace, while Mr. Bellew, with another party, had boarded her +at the stern. Several of the Chinese fought stoutly, but the greater +part lost heart at seeing themselves attacked by the "white devils," +instead of, as they expected, overwhelming them by their superior +numbers. Many began at once to jump overboard, and after two or three +minutes' sharp fighting, the rest either followed their example or were +beaten below. + +Fothergill looked round. The other junk had been attacked by two of the +enemy, one on each side, and the little body of sailors were gathered in +her waist, and were defending themselves against an overwhelming number +of the enemy. The other three piratical junks had been carried somewhat +up the creek by the tide that was sweeping inward, and could not for the +moment take part in the fight. + +"Mr. Oliphant is hard pressed, sir." He asked the master: "Shall we take +to the boats?" + +"That will be the best plan," Mr. Bellew replied. "Quick, lads, get the +boats alongside and tumble in; there is not a moment to be lost." + +The crew at once sprang to the boats and rowed to the other junk, which +was but some thirty yards away. + +The Chinese, absorbed in their contest with the crew of the pinnace, did +not perceive the newcomers until they gained the deck, and with a shout +fell furiously upon them. In their surprise and consternation the +pirates did not pause to note that they were still five to one superior +in number, but made a precipitate rush for their own vessels. The +English at once took the offensive. The first lieutenant with his party +boarded one, while the new-comers leapt on to the deck of the other. The +panic which had seized the Chinese was so complete that they attempted +no resistance whatever, but sprang overboard in great numbers and swam +to the shore, which was but twenty yards away, and in three minutes the +English were in undisputed possession of both vessels. + +"Back again, Mr. Fothergill, or you will lose the craft you captured," +Lieutenant Oliphant said; "they have already cut her free." + +The Chinese, indeed, who had been beaten below by the boarding party, +had soon perceived the sudden departure of their captors, and gaining +the deck again had cut the lashings which fastened them to the other +junk, and were proceeding to hoist their sails. They were too late, +however. Almost before the craft had way on her Fothergill and his crew +were alongside. The Chinese did not wait for the attack, but at once +sprang overboard and made for the shore. The other three junks, seeing +the capture of their comrades, had already hoisted their sails and were +making up the creek. Fothergill dropped an anchor, left four of his men +in charge, and rowed back to Mr. Oliphant. + +"What shall we do next, sir?" + +"We will give those fellows on shore a lesson, and silence their +battery. Two men have been killed since you left. We must let the other +junks go for the present. Four of my men were killed and eleven wounded +before Mr. Bellew and you came to our assistance. The Chinese were +fighting pluckily up to that time, and it would have gone very hard with +us if you had not been at hand; the beggars will fight when they think +they have got it all their own way. But before we land we will set fire +to the five junks we have taken. Do you return and see that the two +astern are well lighted, Mr. Fothergill; Mr. Mason will see to these +three. When you have done your work take to your boat and lay off till I +join you; keep the junks between you and the shore, to protect you from +the fire of the rascals there." + +"I cannot come with you, I suppose, Fothergill?" Percy Adcock said, as +the midshipman was about to descend into his boat again. + +"Yes, come along, Percy. It doesn't matter what you do now. The captain +will be so pleased when he hears that we have captured and burnt five +junks, that you will get off with a very light wigging, I imagine." + +"That's just what I was thinking, Jack. Has it not been fun?" + +"You wouldn't have thought it fun if you had got one of those matchlock +balls in your body. There are a good many of our poor fellows just at +the present moment who do not see anything funny in the affair at +all. Here we are; clamber up." + +The crew soon set to work under Fothergill's orders. The sails were cut +off the masts and thrown down into the hold; bamboos, of which there +were an abundance down there, were heaped over them, a barrel of oil was +poured over the mass, and the fire then applied. + +"That will do, lads. Now take to your boats and let's make a bonfire of +the other junk." + +In ten minutes both vessels were a sheet of flame, and the boat was +lying a short distance from them waiting for further operations. The +inhabitants of the village, furious at the failure of the plan which had +been laid for the destruction of the "white devils," kept up a constant +fusilade, which, however, did no harm, for the gig was completely +sheltered by the burning junks close to her from their missiles. + +"There go the others!" Percy exclaimed after a minute or two, as three +columns of smoke arose simultaneously from the other junks, and the +sailors were seen dropping into their boats alongside. + +The killed and wounded were placed in the other gig with four sailors in +charge. They were directed to keep under shelter of the junks until +rejoined by the pinnace and Fothergill's gig, after these had done their +work on shore. + +When all was ready the first lieutenant raised his hand as a signal, and +the two boats dashed between the burning junks and rowed for the +shore. Such of the natives as had their weapons charged fired a hasty +volley, and then, as the sailors leapt from their boats, took to their +heels. + +"Mr. Fothergill, take your party into the village and set fire to the +houses; shoot down every man you see. This place is a nest of pirates. I +will capture that battery and then join you." + +Fothergill and his sailors at once entered the village. The men had +already fled; the women were turned out of the houses, and these were +immediately set on fire. The tars regarded the whole affair as a +glorious joke, and raced from house to house, making a hasty search in +each for concealed valuables before setting it on fire. In a short time +the whole village was in a blaze. + +"There is a house there, standing in that little grove a hundred yards +away," Percy said. + +"It looks like a temple," Fothergill replied. "However, we will have a +look at it." And calling two sailors to accompany him, he started at a +run towards it, Percy keeping by his side. + +"It is a temple," Fothergill said when they approached it. "Still, we +will have a look at it, but we won't burn it; it will be as well to +respect the religion, even of a set of piratical scoundrels like these." + +At the head of his men he rushed in at the entrance. There was a blaze +of fire as half a dozen muskets were discharged in their faces. One of +the sailors dropped dead, and before the others had time to realize what +had happened they were beaten to the ground by a storm of blows from +swords and other weapons. + +A heavy blow crashed down on Percy's head, and he fell insensible even +before he realized what had occurred. + +When he recovered, his first sensation was that of a vague wonder as to +what had happened to him. He seemed to be in darkness and unable to move +hand or foot. He was compressed in some way that he could not at first +understand, and was being bumped and jolted in an extraordinary +manner. It was some little time before he could understand the +situation. He first remembered the fight with the junks, then he +recalled the landing and burning the village; then, as his brain +cleared, came the recollection of his start with Fothergill for the +temple among the trees, his arrival there, and a loud report and flash +of fire. + +"I must have been knocked down and stunned," he said to himself, "and I +suppose I am a prisoner now to these brutes, and one of them must be +carrying me on his back." + +Yes, he could understand it all now. His hands and his feet were tied, +ropes were passed round his body in every direction, and he was fastened +back to back upon the shoulders of a Chinaman. Percy remembered the +tales he had heard of the imprisonment and torture of those who fell +into the hands of the Chinese, and he bitterly regretted that he had not +been killed instead of stunned in the surprise of the temple. + +"It would have been just the same feeling," he said to himself, "and +there would have been an end of it. Now, there is no saying what is +going to happen. I wonder whether Jack was killed, and the sailors." + +Presently there was a jabber of voices; the motion ceased. Percy could +feel that the cords were being unwound, and he was dropped on to his +feet; then the cloth was removed from his head, and he could look round. + +A dozen Chinese, armed with matchlocks and bristling with swords and +daggers, stood around, and among them, bound like himself and gagged by +a piece of bamboo forced lengthways across his mouth and kept there with +a string going round the back of the head, stood Fothergill. He was +bleeding from several cuts in the head. Percy's heart gave a bound of +joy at finding that he was not alone; then he tried to feel sorry that +Jack had not escaped, but failed to do so, although he told himself that +his comrade's presence would not in any way alleviate the fate which was +certain to befall him. Still the thought of companionship, even in +wretchedness, and perhaps a vague hope that Jack, with his energy and +spirit, might contrive some way for their escape, cheered him up. + +As Percy, too, was gagged, no word could be exchanged by the midshipmen, +but they nodded to each other. They were now put side by side and made +to walk in the centre of their captors. On the way they passed through +several villages, whose inhabitants poured out to gaze at the captives, +but the men in charge of them were evidently not disposed to delay, as +they passed through without a stop. At last they halted before two +cottages standing by themselves, thrust the prisoners into a small room, +removed their gags, and left them to themselves. + +"Well, Percy, my boy, so they caught you too? I am awfully sorry. It was +my fault for going with only two men into that temple, but as the +village had been deserted and scarcely a man was found there, it never +entered my mind that there might be a party in the temple." + +"Of course not, Jack; it was a surprise altogether. I don't know +anything about it, for I was knocked down, I suppose, just as we went +in, and the first thing I knew about it was that I was being carried on +the back of one of those fellows. I thought it was awful at first, but I +don't seem to mind so much now you are with me." + +"It is a comfort to have someone to speak to," Jack said, "yet I wish +you were not here, Percy; I can't do you any good, and I shall never +cease blaming myself for having brought you into this scrape. I don't +know much more about the affair than you do. The guns were fired so +close to us that my face was scorched with one of them, and almost at +the same instant I got a lick across my cheek with a sword. I had just +time to hit at one of them, and then almost at the same moment I got two +or three other blows, and down I went; they threw themselves on the top +of me and tied and gagged me in no time. Then I was tied to a long +bamboo, and two fellows put the ends on their shoulders and went off +with me through the fields. Of course I was face downwards, and did not +know you were with us till they stopped and loosed me from the bamboo +and set me on my feet." + +"But what are they going to do with us do you think, Jack?" + +"I should say they are going to take us to Canton and claim a reward for +our capture, and there I suppose they will cut off our heads or saw us +in two, or put us to some other unpleasant kind of death. I expect they +are discussing it now; do you hear what a jabber they are kicking up?" + +Voices were indeed heard raised in angry altercation in the next +room. After a time the din subsided and the conversation appeared to +take a more amiable turn. + +"I suppose they have settled it as far as they are concerned," Jack +said; "anyhow, you may be quite sure they mean to make something out of +us. If they hadn't they would have finished us at once, for they must +have been furious at the destruction of their junks and village. As to +the idea that mercy has anything to do with it, we may as well put it +out of our minds. The Chinaman, at the best of times, has no feeling of +pity in his nature, and after their defeat it is certain they would have +killed us at once had they not hoped to do better by us. If they had +been Indians I should have said they had carried us off to enjoy the +satisfaction of torturing us, but I don't suppose it is that with them." + +"Do you think there is any chance of our getting away?" Percy asked, +after a pause. + +"I should say not the least in the world, Percy. My hands are fastened +so tight now that the ropes seem cutting into my wrists, and after they +had set me on my feet and cut the cords of my legs I could scarcely +stand at first, my feet were so numbed by the pressure. However, we must +keep up our pluck. Possibly they may keep us at Canton for a bit, and if +they do the squadron may arrive and fight its way past the forts and +take the city before they have quite made up their minds as to what kind +of death will be most appropriate to the occasion. I wonder what they +are doing now? They seem to be chopping sticks." + +"I wish they would give us some water," Percy said "I am frightfully +thirsty." + +"And so am I, Percy; there is one comfort, they won't let us die of +thirst, they could get no satisfaction out of our deaths now." + +Two hours later some of the Chinese re-entered the room and led the +captives outside, and the lads then saw what was the meaning of the +noise they had heard. A cage had been manufactured of strong bamboos. It +was about four and a half feet long, four feet wide, and less than three +feet high; above it was fastened two long bamboos. Two or three of the +bars of the cage had been left open. + +"My goodness! they never intend to put us in there," Percy exclaimed. + +"That they do," Jack said. "They are going to carry us the rest of the +way." + +The cords which bound the prisoners' hands were now cut, and they were +motioned to crawl into the cage. This they did; the bars were then put +in their places and securely lashed. Four men went to the ends of the +poles and lifted the cage upon their shoulders; two others took their +places beside it, and one man, apparently the leader of the party, +walked on ahead, the rest remained behind. + +"I never quite realized what a fowl felt in a coop before," Jack said, +"but if its sensations are at all like mine they must be decidedly +unpleasant. It isn't high enough to sit upright in, it is nothing like +long enough to lie down, and as to getting out one might as well think +of flying. Do you know, Percy, I don't think they mean taking us to +Canton at all. I did not think of it before, but from the direction of +the sun I feel sure that we cannot have been going that way. What they +are up to I can't imagine." + +In an hour they came to a large village. Here the cage was set down and +the villagers closed round. They were, however, kept a short distance +from the cage by the men in charge of it. Then a wooden platter was +placed on the ground, and persons throwing a few copper coins into this +were allowed to come near the cage. + +"They are making a show of us!" Fothergill exclaimed. "That's what they +are up to, you see if it isn't; they are going to travel up country to +show the 'white devils' whom their valour has captured." + +This was, indeed, the purpose of the pirates. At that time Europeans +seldom ventured beyond the limits assigned to them in the two or three +towns where they were permitted to trade, and few, indeed, of the +country people had ever obtained a sight of the white barbarians of +whose doings they had so frequently heard. Consequently a small crowd +soon gathered round the cage, eyeing the captives with the same interest +they would have felt as to unknown and dangerous beasts; they laughed +and joked, passed remarks upon them, and even poked them with +sticks. Fothergill, furious at this treatment, caught one of the sticks, +and wrenching it from the hands of the Chinaman, tried to strike at him +through the bars, a proceeding which excited shouts of laughter from the +bystanders. + +"I think, Jack," Percy said, "it will be best to try and keep our +tempers and not to seem to mind what they do to us, then if they find +they can't get any fun out of us they will soon leave us alone." + +"Of course, that's the best plan," Fothergill agreed, "but it's not so +easy to follow. That fellow very nearly poked out my eye with his stick, +and no one's going to stand that if he can help it." + +It was some hours before the curiosity of the village was +satisfied. When all had paid who were likely to do so, the guards broke +up their circle, and leaving two of their number at the cage to see that +no actual harm was caused to their prisoners, the rest went off to a +refreshment house. The place of the elders was now taken by the boys and +children of the village, who crowded round the cage, prodded the +prisoners with sticks, and, putting their hands through the bars, pulled +their ears and hair. This amusement, however, was brought to an abrupt +conclusion by Fothergill suddenly seizing the wrist of a big boy and +pulling his arm through the cage until his face was against the bars; +then he proceeded to punch him until the guard, coming to his rescue, +poked Fothergill with his stick until he released his hold. + +The punishment of their comrade excited neither anger nor resentment +among the other boys, who yelled with delight at his discomfiture, but +it made them more careful in approaching the cage, and though they +continued to poke the prisoners with sticks they did not venture again +to thrust a hand through the bars. At sunset the guards again came +round, lifted the cage and carried it into a shed. A platter of dirty +rice and a jug of water were put into the cage; two of the men lighted +their long pipes and sat down on guard beside it, and, the doors being +closed, the captives were left in peace. + +"If this sort of thing is to go on, as I suppose it is," Fothergill +said, "the sooner they cut off our heads the better." + +"It is very bad, Jack. I am sore all over with those probes from their +sharp sticks." + +"I don't care for the pain, Percy, so much as the humiliation of the +thing. To be stared at and poked at as if we were wild beasts by these +curs, when with half a dozen of our men we could send a hundred of them +scampering, I feel as if I could choke with rage." + +"You had better try and eat some of this rice, Jack. It is beastly, but +I daresay we shall get no more until to-morrow night, and we must keep +up our strength if we can. At any rate, the water is not bad, that's a +comfort." + +"No thanks to them," Jack growled. "If there had been any bad water in +the neighbourhood they would have given it to us." + +For six weeks the sufferings of the prisoners continued. Their captors +avoided towns where the authorities would probably at once have taken +the prisoners out of their hands. No one would have recognized the two +captives as the midshipmen of the _Perseus_; their clothes were in +rags--torn to pieces by the thrusts of the sharp-pointed bamboos, to +which they had daily been subjected--the bad food, the cramped position, +and the misery which they suffered had worn both lads to skeletons; +their hair was matted with filth, their faces begrimed with dirt. Percy +was so weak that he felt he could not stand. Fothergill, being three +years older, was less exhausted, but he knew that he, too, could not +support his sufferings for many days longer. Their bodies were covered +with sores, and try as they would they were able to catch only a few +minutes' sleep at a time, so much did the bamboo bars hurt their wasted +limbs. + +They seldom exchanged a word during the daytime, suffering in silence +the persecutions to which they were exposed, but at night they talked +over their homes and friends in England, and their comrades on board +ship, seldom saying a word as to their present position. They were now +in a hilly country, but had not the least idea of the direction in which +it lay from Canton or its distance from the coast. + +One evening Jack said to his companion, "I think it's nearly all over +now, Percy. The last two days we have made longer journeys, and have not +stopped at any of the smaller villages we passed through. I fancy our +guards must see that we can't last much longer, and are taking us down +to some town to hand us over to the authorities and get their reward for +us." + +"I hope it is so, Jack; the sooner the better. Not that it makes much +difference now to me, for I do not think I can stand many more days of +it." + +"I am afraid I am tougher than you, Percy, and shall take longer to +kill, so I hope with all my heart that I may be right, and that they may +be going to give us up to the authorities." + +The next evening they stopped at a large place, and were subjected to +the usual persecution; this, however, was now less prolonged than during +the early days of their captivity, for they had now no longer strength +or spirits to resent their treatment, and as no fun was to be obtained +from passive victims, even the village boys soon ceased to find any +amusement in tormenting them. + +When most of their visitors had left them, an elderly Chinaman +approached the side of the cage. He spoke to their guards and looked at +them attentively for some minutes, then he said in pigeon English, "You +officer men?" + +"Yes!" Jack exclaimed, starting at the sound of the English words, the +first they had heard spoken since their captivity. "Yes, we are officers +of the _Perseus_." + +"Me speeke English velly well," the Chinaman said; "me pilot-man many +years on Canton river. How you get here?" + +"We were attacking some piratical junks, and landed to destroy the +village where the people were firing on us. We entered a place full of +pirates, and were knocked down and taken prisoners, and carried away up +the country; that is six weeks ago, and you see what we are now." + +"Pirate men velly bad," the Chinaman said; "plunder many junk on river +and kill crew. Me muchee hate them." + +"Can you do anything for us?" Jack asked. "You will be well rewarded if +you could manage to get us free." + +The man shook his head. + +"Me no see what can do, me stranger here; come to stay with wifey; +people no do what me ask them. English ships attack Canton, much fight +and take town, people all hate English. Bad country dis. People in one +village fight against another. Velly bad men here." + +"How far is Canton away?" Jack asked. "Could you not send down to tell +the English we are here?" + +"Fourteen days' journey off," the man said, "no see how can do +anything." + +"Well," Jack said, "when you get back again to Canton let our people +know what has been the end of us, we shall not last much longer." + +"All light," the man said, "will see what me can do. Muchee think +to-night!" And after saying a few words to the guards, who had been +regarding this conversation with an air of surprise, the Chinaman +retired. + +The guards had for some time abandoned the precaution of sitting up at +night by the cage, convinced that their captives had no longer strength +to attempt to break through its fastenings or to drag themselves many +yards away if they could do so. They therefore left it standing in the +open, and, wrapping themselves in their thickly-wadded coats, for the +nights were cold, lay down by the side of the cage. + +The coolness of the nights had, indeed, assisted to keep the two +prisoners alive. During the day the sun was excessively hot, and the +crowd of visitors round the cage impeded the circulation of the air and +added to their sufferings. It was true that the cold at night frequently +prevented them from sleeping, but it acted as a tonic and braced them +up. + +"What did he mean about the villages attacking each other?" Percy asked. + +"I have heard," Jack replied, "that in some parts of China things are +very much the same as they used to be in the highlands of Scotland. +There is no law or order. The different villages are like clans, and +wage war on each other. Sometimes the Government sends a number of +troops, who put the thing down for a time, chop off a good many heads, +and then march away, and the whole work begins again as soon as their +backs are turned." + +That night the uneasy slumber of the lads was disturbed by a sudden +firing; shouts and yells were heard, and the firing redoubled. + +"The village is attacked," Jack said. "I noticed that, like some other +places we have come into lately, there is a strong earthen wall round +it, with gates. Well, there is one comfort--it does not make much +difference to us which side wins." + +The guards at the first alarm leapt to their feet, caught up their +matchlocks, and ran to aid in the defence of the wall. Two minutes later +a man ran up to the cage. + +"All lightee," he said; "just what me hopee." + +With his knife he cut the tough withes that held the bamboos in their +places, and pulled out three of the bars. + +"Come along," he said; "no time to lose." + +Jack scrambled out, but in trying to stand upright gave a sharp +exclamation of pain. Percy crawled out more slowly; he tried to stand +up, but could not. The Chinaman caught him up and threw him on his +shoulder. + +"Come along quickee," he said to Jack; "if takee village, kill evely +one." He set off at a run. Jack followed as fast as he could, groaning +at every step from the pain the movement caused to his bruised body. + +They went to the side of the village opposite to that at which the +attack was going on. They met no one on the way, the inhabitants having +all rushed to the other side to repel the attack. They stopped at a +small gate in the wall, the Chinaman drew back the bolts and opened it, +and they passed out into the country. For an hour they kept on. By the +end of that time Jack could scarcely drag his limbs along. The Chinaman +halted at length in a clump of trees surrounded by a thick undergrowth. + +"Allee safee here," he said, "no searchee so far; here food;" and he +produced from a wallet a cold chicken and some boiled rice, and unslung +from his shoulder a gourd filled with cold tea. + +"Me go back now, see what happen. To-mollow nightee come again--bringee +more food." And without another word went off at a rapid pace. + +Jack moistened his lips with the tea, and then turned to his +companion. Percy had not spoken a word since he had been released from +the cage, and had been insensible during the greater part of his +journey. Jack poured some cold tea between his lips. + +"Cheer up, Percy, old boy, we are free now, and with luck and that good +fellow's help we will work our way down to Canton yet." + +"I shall never get down there; you may," Percy said feebly. + +"Oh, nonsense, you will pick up strength like a steam-engine now. Here, +let me prop you against this tree. That's better. Now drink a drop of +this tea; it's like nectar after that filthy water we have been +drinking. Now you will feel better. Now you must try and eat a little of +this chicken and rice. Oh, nonsense, you have got to do it. I am not +going to let you give way when our trouble is just over. Think of your +people at home, Percy, and make an effort, for their sakes. Good +heavens! now I think of it, it must be Christmas morning. We were caught +on the 2nd and we have been just twenty-two days on show. I am sure that +it must be past twelve o'clock, and it is Christmas-day. It is a good +omen, Percy. This food isn't like roast beef and plum-pudding, but it's +not to be despised, I can tell you. Come, fire away, that's a good +fellow." + +Percy made an effort and ate a few mouthfuls of rice and chicken, then +he took another draught of tea, and lay down, and was almost immediately +asleep. + +Jack ate his food slowly and contentedly till he finished half the +supply, then he, too, lay down, and, after a short but hearty +thanksgiving for his escape from a slow and lingering death, he, too, +fell off to sleep. The sun was rising when he woke, being aroused by a +slight movement on the part of Percy; he opened his eyes and sat up. + +"Well, Percy, how do you feel this morning?" he asked cheerily. + +"I feel too weak to move," Percy replied languidly. + +"Oh, you will be all right when you have sat up and eaten breakfast," +Jack said. "Here you are; here is a wing for you, and this rice is as +white as snow, and the tea is first rate. I thought last night after I +lay down that I heard a murmur of water, so after we have had breakfast +I will look about and see if I can find it. We should feel like new men +after a wash. You look awful, and I am sure I am just as bad." + +The thought of a wash inspirited Percy far more than that of eating, and +he sat up and made a great effort to do justice to breakfast. He +succeeded much better than he had done the night before, and Jack, +although he pretended to grumble, was satisfied with his companion's +progress, and finished off the rest of the food. Then he set out to +search for water. He had not very far to go; a tiny stream, a few inches +wide and two or three inches deep, ran through the wood from the higher +ground. After throwing himself down and taking a drink, he hurried back +to Percy. + +"It is all right, Percy, I have found it. We can wash to our hearts' +content; think of that, lad." + +Percy could hardly stand, but he made an effort, and Jack half carried +him to the streamlet. There the lads spent hours. First they bathed +their heads and hands, and then, stripping, lay down in the stream and +allowed it to flow over them, then they rubbed themselves with handfuls +of leaves dipped in the water, and when they at last put on their rags +again felt like new men. Percy was able to walk back to the spot they +had quitted with the assistance only of Jack's arm. The latter, feeling +that his breakfast had by no means appeased his hunger, now started for +a search through the wood, and presently returned to Percy laden with +nuts and berries. + +"The nuts are sure to be all right; I expect the berries are too. I have +certainly seen some like them in native markets, and I think it will be +quite safe to risk it." + +The rest of the day was spent in picking nuts and eating them. Then they +sat down and waited for the arrival of their friend. He came two hours +after nightfall with a wallet stored with provisions, and told them that +he had regained the village unobserved. The attack had been repulsed, +but with severe loss to the defenders as well as the assailants; two of +their guards had been among the killed. The others had made a great +clamour over the escape of the prisoners, and had made a close search +throughout the village and immediately round it, for they were convinced +that their captives had not had the strength to go any distance. He +thought, however, that although they had professed the greatest +indignation, and had offered many threats as to the vengeance that +Government would take upon the village, one of whose inhabitants, at +least, must have aided in the evasion of the prisoners, they would not +trouble themselves any further in the matter. They had already reaped a +rich harvest from the exhibition, and would divide among themselves the +share of their late comrades; nor was it at all improbable that if they +were to report the matter to the authorities they would themselves get +into serious trouble for not having handed over the prisoners +immediately after their capture. + +For a fortnight the pilot nursed and fed the two midshipmen. He had +already provided them with native clothes, so that if by chance any +villagers should catch sight of them they would not recognize them as +the escaped white men. At the end of that time both the lads had almost +recovered from the effects of their sufferings. Jack, indeed, had +picked up from the first, but Percy for some days continued so weak and +ill that Jack had feared that he was going to have an attack of fever of +some kind. His companion's cheery and hopeful chat did as much good for +Percy as the nourishing food with which their friend supplied them, and +at the end of the fortnight he declared that he felt sufficiently strong +to attempt to make his way down to the coast. + +The pilot acted as their guide. When they inquired about his wife, he +told them carelessly that she would remain with her kinsfolk, and would +travel on to Canton and join him there when she found an opportunity. +The journey was accomplished at night, by very short stages at first, +but by increasing distances as Percy gained strength. During the daytime +the lads lay hid in woods or jungles, while their companion went into +the village and purchased food. They struck the river many miles above +Canton, and the pilot, going down first to a village on its banks, +bargained for a boat to take him and two women down to the city. + +The lads went on board at night and took their places in the little +cabin formed of bamboos and covered with mats in the stern of the boat, +and remained thus sheltered not only from the view of people in boats +passing up or down the stream, but from the eyes of their own boatmen. + +After two days' journey down the river without incident, they arrived +off Canton, where the British fleet was still lying while negotiations +for peace were being carried on with the authorities at Pekin. Peeping +out between the mats, the lads caught sight of the English warships, +and, knowing that there was now no danger, they dashed out of the cabin, +to the surprise of the native boatmen, and shouted and waved their arms +to the distant ships. + +In ten minutes they were alongside the _Perseus_, when they were hailed +as if restored from the dead. The pilot was very handsomely rewarded by +the English authorities for his kindness to the prisoners, and was +highly satisfied with the result of his proceedings, which more than +doubled the little capital with which he had retired from business. Jack +Fothergill and Percy Adcock declare that they have never since eaten +chicken without thinking of their Christmas fare on the morning of their +escape from the hands of the Chinese pirates. + +THE END. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Tales of Daring and Danger, by G. A. 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Henty</title> + +<style type="text/css"> + <!-- + h1,h2,h3,h4 { text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-variant: small-caps } + h1 { margin-top: 2em } + .smallcaps, li { font-variant: small-caps } + --> +</style> +</head> + +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Tales of Daring and Danger, by G. A. Henty +#22 in our series by G. A. Henty + +Copyright laws are changing all over the world. Be sure to check the +copyright laws for your country before downloading or redistributing +this or any other Project Gutenberg eBook. + +This header should be the first thing seen when viewing this Project +Gutenberg file. Please do not remove it. Do not change or edit the +header without written permission. + +Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the +eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is +important information about your specific rights and restrictions in +how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: Tales of Daring and Danger + +Author: G. A. Henty + +Release Date: April, 2005 [EBook #7870] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on May 28, 2003] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-Latin-1 + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TALES OF DARING AND DANGER *** + + + + +Produce by Juliet Sutherland, Thomas Hutchinson +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team + + + + + + +</pre> + + + +<h1>Tales of Daring and Danger</h1> + +<h2>by G. A. Henty</h2> + +<h1>Contents</h1> + +<ul> + <li><a href="#story_01">Bears and Dacoits</a></li> + <li><a href="#story_02">The Paternosters</a></li> + <li><a href="#story_03">A Pipe of Mystery</a></li> + <li><a href="#story_04">White-Faced Dick</a></li> + <li><a href="#story_05">A Brush with the Chinese</a></li> +</ul> + + +<h1><a name="story_01"></a>Bears and Dacoits.</h1> +<h2>A Tale of the Ghauts</h2> + +<h3>Chapter I.</h3> + +<p>A merry party were sitting in the verandah of one +of the largest and handsomest bungalows of Poonah. +It belonged to Colonel Hastings, colonel of a native +regiment stationed there, and at present, in virtue +of seniority, commanding a brigade. Tiffin was on, +and three or four officers and four ladies had taken +their seats in the comfortable cane lounging chairs +which form the invariable furniture of the verandah +of a well-ordered bungalow. Permission had been duly +asked, and granted by Mrs. Hastings and the cheroots +had just begun to draw, when Miss Hastings, a niece +of the colonel, who had only arrived the previous week +from England, said,–</p> + +<p>“Uncle, I am quite disappointed. Mrs. Lyons +showed me the bear she has got tied up in their compound, +and it is the most wretched little thing, not bigger +than Rover, papa’s retriever, and it’s +full-grown. I thought bears were great fierce creatures, +and this poor little thing seemed so restless and +unhappy that I thought it quite a shame not to let +it go.”</p> + +<p>Colonel Hastings smiled rather grimly.</p> + +<p>“And yet, small and insignificant as that bear +is, my dear, it is a question whether he is not as +dangerous an animal to meddle with as a man-eating +tiger.”</p> + +<p>“What, that wretched little bear, Uncle?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, that wretched little bear. Any experienced +sportsman will tell you that hunting those little +bears is as dangerous a sport as tiger-hunting on +foot, to say nothing of tiger-hunting from an elephant’s +back, in which there is scarcely any danger whatever. +I can speak feelingly about it, for my career was +pretty nearly brought to an end by a bear, just after +I entered the army, some thirty years ago, at a spot +within a few miles from here. I have got the scars +on my shoulder and arm still.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, do tell me all about it,” Miss Hastings +said, and the request being seconded by the rest of +the party, none of whom, with the exception of Mrs. +Hastings, had ever heard the story before–for the +colonel was somewhat chary of relating this special +experience–he waited till they had all drawn up their +chairs as close as possible, and then giving two or +three vigorous puffs at his cheroot, began as follows–</p> + +<p>“Thirty years ago, in 1855, things were not +so settled in the Deccan as they are now. There was +no idea of insurrection on a large scale, but we were +going through one of those outbreaks of Dacoity, which +have several times proved so troublesome. Bands of +marauders kept the country in confusion, pouring down +on a village, now carrying off three or four of the +Bombay money-lenders, who were then, as now, the curse +of the country; sometimes making an onslaught upon +a body of traders; and occasionally venturing to attack +small detachments of troops or isolated parties of +police. They were not very formidable, but they were +very troublesome, and most difficult to catch, for +the peasantry regarded them as patriots, and aided +and shielded them in every way. The head-quarters +of these gangs of Dacoits were the Ghauts. In the thick +bush and deep valleys and gorges there they could always +take refuge, while sometimes the more daring chiefs +converted these detached peaks and masses of rock, +numbers of which you can see as you come up the Ghaut +by railway, into almost impregnable fortresses. Many +of these masses of rock rise as sheer up from the +hillside as walls of masonry, and look at a short +distance like ruined castles. Some are absolutely +inaccessible, others can only be scaled by experienced +climbers, and, although possible for the natives with +their bare feet, are impracticable to European troops. +Many of these rock fortresses were at various times +the headquarters of famous Dacoit leaders, and unless +the summits happened to be commanded from some higher +ground within gunshot range they were all but impregnable +except by starvation. When driven to bay, these fellows +would fight well.</p> + +<p>“Well, about the time I joined, the Dacoits +were unusually troublesome; the police had a hard +time of it, and almost lived in the saddle, and the +cavalry were constantly called up to help them, while +detachments of infantry from the station were under +canvas at several places along the top of the Ghauts +to cut the bands off from their strongholds, and to +aid, if necessary, in turning them out of their rock +fortresses. The natives in the valleys at the foot +of the Ghauts, who have always been a semi-independent +race, ready to rob whenever they saw a chance, were +great friends with the Dacoits, and supplied them with +provisions whenever the hunt on the Deccan was too +hot for them to make raids in that direction.</p> + +<p>“This is a long introduction, you will say, +and does not seem to have much to do with bears; but +it is really necessary, as you will see. I had joined +about six months when three companies of the regiment +were ordered to relieve a wing of the 15th, who had +been under canvas at a village some four miles to +the north of the point where the line crosses the +top of the Ghauts. There were three white officers, +and little enough to do, except when a party was sent +off to assist the police. We had one or two brushes +with the Dacoits, but I was not out on either occasion. +However, there was plenty of shooting, and a good many +pigs about, so we had very good fun. Of course, as +a raw hand, I was very hot for it, and as the others +had both passed the enthusiastic age, except for pig-sticking +and big game, I could always get away. I was supposed +not to go far from camp, because, in the first place, +I might be wanted; and, in the second, because of +the Dacoits; and Norworthy, who was in command, used +to impress upon me that I ought not to go beyond the +sound of a bugle. Of course we both knew that if I +intended to get any sport I must go further afoot +than this; but I merely used to say ‘All right, +sir, I will keep an ear to the camp,’ and he +on his part never considered it necessary to ask where +the game which appeared on the table came from. But +in point of fact, I never went very far, and my servant +always had instructions which way to send for me if +I was wanted; while as to the Dacoits I did not believe +in their having the impudence to come in broad daylight +within a mile or two of our camp. I did not often +go down the face of the Ghauts. The shooting was good, +and there were plenty of bears in those days, but +it needed a long day for such an expedition, and in +view of the Dacoits who might be scattered about, +was not the sort of thing to be undertaken except with +a strong party. Norworthy had not given any precise +orders about it, but I must admit that he said one +day:–</p> + +<p>“’Of course you won’t be fool enough +to think of going down the Ghauts, Hastings?’ +But I did not look at that as equivalent to a direct +order–whatever I should do now,” the colonel +put in, on seeing a furtive smile on the faces of +his male listeners.</p> + +<p>“However, I never meant to go down, though I +used to stand on the edge and look longingly down +into the bush and fancy I saw bears moving about in +scores. But I don’t think I should have gone +into their country if they had not come into mine. +One day the fellow who always carried my spare gun +or flask, and who was a sort of shekarry in a small +way, told me he had heard that a farmer, whose house +stood near the edge of the Ghauts, some two miles +away, had been seriously annoyed by his fruit and +corn being stolen by bears.</p> + +<p>“‘I’ll go and have a look at the +place tomorrow,’ I said, ’there is no +parade, and I can start early. You may as well tell +the mess cook to put up a basket with some tiffin +and a bottle of claret, and get a boy to carry it +over.’</p> + +<p>“‘The bears not come in day,’ Rahman +said.</p> + +<p>“‘Of course not,’ I replied, ’still +I may like to find out which way they come. Just do +as you are told.’</p> + +<p>“The next morning, at seven o’clock, I +was at the farmer’s spoken of, and there was +no mistake as to the bears. A patch of Indian corn +had been ruined by them, and two dogs had been killed. +The native was in a terrible state of rage and alarm. +He said that on moonlight nights he had seen eight +of them, and they came and sniffed around the door +of the cottage.</p> + +<p>“‘Why don’t you fire through the +window at them?’ I asked scornfully, for I had +seen a score of tame bears in captivity, and, like +you, Mary, was inclined to despise them, though there +was far less excuse for me, for I had heard stories +which should have convinced me that, small as he is, +the Indian bear is not a beast to be attacked with +impunity. Upon walking to the edge of the Ghauts there +was no difficulty in discovering the route by which +the bears came up to the farm. For a mile to the right +and left the ground fell away as if cut with a knife, +leaving a precipice of over a hundred feet sheer down; +but close by where I was standing was the head of +a water-course, which in time had gradually worn a +sort of cleft in the wall, up or down which it was +not difficult to make one’s way. Further down +this little gorge widened out and became a deep ravine, +and further still a wide valley, where it opened upon +the flats far below us. About half a mile down where +the ravine was deepest and darkest was a thick clump +of trees and jungle.</p> + +<p>“‘That’s where the bears are?’ +I asked Rahman. He nodded. It seemed no distance. +I could get down and back in time for tiffin, and perhaps +bag a couple of bears. For a young sportsman the temptation +was great. ’How long would it take us to go +down and have a shot or two at them?’</p> + +<p>“’No good go down. Master come here at +night, shoot bears when they come up.’</p> + +<p>“I had thought of that; but, in the first place, +it did not seem much sport to shoot the beasts from +cover when they were quietly eating, and, in the next +place, I knew that Norworthy could not, even if he +were willing, give me leave to go out of camp at night. +I waited, hesitating for a few minutes, and then I +said to myself, ’It is of no use waiting. I +could go down and get a bear and be back again while +I am thinking of it;’ then to Rahman, ’No, +come along; we will have a look through that wood +anyhow.’</p> + +<p>“Rahman evidently did not like it.</p> + +<p>“‘Not easy find bear, sahib. He very cunning.’</p> + +<p>“‘Well, very likely we sha’n’t +find them,’ I said, ’but we can try anyhow. +Bring that bottle with you; the tiffin basket can wait +here till we come back.’ In another five minutes +I had begun to climb down the watercourse–the shekarry +following me. I took the double-barrelled rifle and +handed him the shot-gun, having first dropped a bullet +down each barrel over the charge. The ravine was steep, +but there were bushes to hold on by, and although +it was hot work and took a good deal longer than I +expected, we at last got down to the place which I +had fixed upon as likely to be the bears’ home.</p> + +<p>“‘Sahib, climb up top,’ Rahman said; +’come down through wood; no good fire at bear +when he above.’</p> + +<p>“I had heard that before; but I was hot, the +sun was pouring down, there was not a breath of wind, +and it looked a long way up to the top of the wood.</p> + +<p>“’Give me the claret. It would take too +long to search the wood regularly. We will sit down +here for a bit, and if we can see anything moving +up in the wood, well and good; if not, we will come +back again another day with some beaters and dogs.’ +So saying, I sat down with my back against a rock, +at a spot where I could look up among the trees for +a long way through a natural vista. I had a drink of +claret, and then I sat and watched till gradually +I dropped off to sleep. I don’t know how long +I slept, but it was some time, and I woke up with a +sudden start. Rahman, who had, I fancy, been asleep +too, also started up.</p> + +<p>“The noise which had aroused us was made by +a rolling stone striking a rock; and looking up I +saw some fifty yards away, not in the wood, but on +the rocky hillside on our side of the ravine, a bear +standing, as though unconscious of our presence, snuffing +the air. As was natural, I seized my rifle, cocked +it, and took aim, unheeding a cry of ’No, no, +sahib,’ from Rahman. However, I was not going +to miss such a chance as this, and I let fly. The +beast had been standing sideways to me, and as I saw +him fall I felt sure I had hit him in the heart. I +gave a shout of triumph, and was about to climb up, +when, from behind the rock on which the bear had stood, +appeared another growling fiercely; on seeing me, it +at once prepared to come down. Stupidly, being taken +by surprise, and being new at it, I fired at once +at its head. The bear gave a spring, and then–it +seemed instantaneous–down it came at me. Whether it +rolled down, or slipped down, or ran down, I don’t +know, but it came almost as if it had jumped straight +at me.</p> + +<p>[Illustration: “My Gun, Rahman,” I Shouted.]</p> + +<p>“‘My gun, Rahman,’ I shouted, holding +out my hand. There was no answer. I glanced round, +and found that the scoundrel had bolted. I had time, +and only just time, to take a step backwards, and to +club my rifle, when the brute was upon me. I got one +fair blow at the side of its head, a blow that would +have smashed the skull of any civilized beast into +pieces, and which did fortunately break the brute’s +jaw, then in an instant he was upon me, and I was +fighting for life. My hunting-knife was out, and with +my left hand I had the beast by the throat; while +with my right I tried to drive my knife into its ribs. +My bullet had gone through his chest. The impetus +of his charge had knocked me over, and we rolled on +the ground, he tearing with his claws at my shoulder +and arm, I stabbing and struggling, my great effort +being to keep my knees up so as to protect my body +with them from his hind claws. After the first blow +with his paw, which laid my shoulder open, I do not +think I felt any special pain whatever. There was a +strange faint sensation, and my whole energy seemed +centered in the two ideas–to strike and to keep my +knees up. I knew that I was getting faint, but I was +dimly conscious that his efforts, too, were relaxing. +His weight on me seemed to increase enormously, and +the last idea that flashed across me was that it was +a drawn fight.</p> + +<p>“The next idea of which I was conscious was +that I was being carried. I seemed to be swinging +about, and I thought I was at sea. Then there was +a little jolt and a sense of pain. ‘A collision,’ +I muttered, and opened my eyes. Beyond the fact that +I seemed in a yellow world–a bright orange-yellow–my +eyes did not help me, and I lay vaguely wondering +about it all, till the rocking ceased. There was another +bump, and then the yellow world seemed to come to +an end; and as the daylight streamed in upon me I +fainted again. This time when I awoke to consciousness +things were clearer. I was stretched by a little stream. +A native woman was sprinkling my face and washing +the blood from my wounds; while another, who had with +my own knife cut off my coat and shirt, was tearing +the latter into strips to bandage my wounds. The yellow +world was explained. I was lying on the yellow robe +of one of the women. They had tied the ends together, +placed a long stick through them, and carried me in +the bag-like hammock. They nodded to me when they saw +I was conscious, and brought water in a large leaf, +and poured it into my mouth. Then one went away for +some time, and came back with some leaves and bark. +These they chewed and put on my wounds, bound them +up with strips of my shirt, and then again knotted +the ends of the cloth, and lifting me up, went on +as before.</p> + +<p>“I was sure that we were much lower down the +Ghaut than we had been when I was watching for the +bears, and we were now going still lower. However, +I knew very little Hindustani, nothing of the language +the women spoke. I was too weak to stand, too weak +even to think much, and I dozed and woke, and dozed +again, until, after what seemed to me many hours of +travel, we stopped again, this time before a tent. +Two or three old women and four or five men came out, +and there was great talking between them and the young +women–for they were young–who had carried me down. +Some of the party appeared angry, but at last things +quieted down, and I was carried into the tent. I had +fever, and was, I suppose, delirious for days. I afterwards +found that for fully a fortnight I had lost all consciousness, +but a good constitution and the nursing of the women +pulled me round. When once the fever had gone, I began +to mend rapidly. I tried to explain to the women that +if they would go up to the camp and tell them where +I was they would be well rewarded, but although I +was sure they understood, they shook then heads, and +by the fact that as I became stronger two or three +armed men always hung about the tent, I came to the +conclusion that I was a sort of prisoner. This was +annoying, but did not seem serious. If these people +were Dacoits, or as was more likely, allies of the +Dacoits, I could be kept only for ransom or exchange. +Moreover, I felt sure of my ability to escape when +I got strong, especially as I believed that in the +young women who had saved my life, both by bringing +me down and by their careful nursing, I should find +friends.”</p> + +<p>“Were they pretty, uncle?” Mary Hastings +broke in.</p> + +<p>“Never mind whether they were pretty, Mary; +they were better than pretty.”</p> + +<p>“No; but we like to know, uncle.”</p> + +<p>“Well, except for the soft, dark eyes, common +to the race, and the good temper and lightheartedness, +also so general among Hindu girls, and the tenderness +which women feel towards a creature whose life they +have saved, whether it is a wounded bird or a drowning +puppy, I suppose they were nothing remarkable in the +way of beauty, but at the time I know that I thought +them charming.”</p> + +<h3>Chapter II.</h3> + +<p>“Just as I was getting strong enough to walk, +and was beginning to think of making my escape, a +band of five or six fellows, armed to the teeth, came +in, and made signs that I was to go with them. It was +evidently an arranged thing, the girls only were surprised, +but they were at once turned out, and as we started +I could see two crouching figures in the shade with +their cloths over their heads. I had a native garment +thrown over my shoulders, and in five minutes after +the arrival of the fellows found myself on my way. +It took us some six hours before we reached our destination, +which was one of those natural rock citadels. Had I +been in my usual health I could have done the distance +in an hour and a half, but I had to rest constantly, +and was finally carried rather than helped up. I had +gone not unwillingly, for the men were clearly, by +their dress, Dacoits of the Deccan, and I had no doubt +that it was intended either to ransom or exchange +me.</p> + +<p>“At the foot of this natural castle were some +twenty or thirty more robbers, and I was led to a +rough sort of arbour in which was lying, on a pile +of maize straw, a man who was evidently their chief. +He rose and we exchanged salaams.</p> + +<p>“‘What is your name, sahib?’ he +asked in Mahratta.</p> + +<p>“‘Hastings–Lieutenant Hastings,’ +I said. ‘And yours?’</p> + +<p>“‘Sivajee Punt!’ he said.</p> + +<p>“This was bad. I had fallen into the hands of +the most troublesome, most ruthless, and most famous +of the Dacoit leaders. Over and over again he had +been hotly chased, but had always managed to get away; +and when I last heard anything of what was going on +four or five troops of native police were scouring +the country after him. He gave an order which I did +not understand, and a wretched Bombay writer, I suppose +a clerk of some money-lender, was dragged forward. +Sivajee Punt spoke to him for some time, and the fellow +then told me in English that I was to write at once +to the officer commanding the troops, telling him that +I was in his hands, and should be put to death directly +he was attacked.</p> + +<p>“‘Ask him,’ I said, ‘if he +will take any sum of money to let me go?’</p> + +<p>“Sivajee shook his head very decidedly.</p> + +<p>“A piece of paper was put before me, and a pen +and ink, and I wrote as I had been ordered, adding, +however, in French, that I had brought myself into +my present position by my own folly, and would take +my chance, for I well knew the importance which Government +attached to Sivajee’s capture. I read out loud +all that I had written in English, and the interpreter +translated it. Then the paper was folded and I addressed +it, ‘The Officer Commanding,’ and I was +given some chupattis and a drink of water, and allowed +to sleep. The Dacoits had apparently no fear of any +immediate attack.</p> + +<p>“It was still dark, although morning was just +breaking, when I was awakened, and was got up to the +citadel. I was hoisted rather than climbed, two men +standing above with a rope, tied round my body, so +that I was half-hauled, half-pushed up the difficult +places, which would have taxed all my climbing powers +had I been in health.</p> + +<p>“The height of this mass of rock was about a +hundred feet; the top was fairly flat, with some depressions +and risings, and about eighty feet long by fifty wide. +It had evidently been used as a fortress in ages past. +Along the side facing the hill were the remains of +a rough wall. In the centre of a depression was a +cistern, some four feet square, lined with stone-work, +and in another depression a gallery had been cut, +leading to a subterranean store-room or chamber. This +natural fortress rose from the face of the hill at +a distance of a thousand yards or so from the edge +of the plateau, which was fully two hundred feet higher +than the top of the rock. In the old days it would +have been impregnable, and even at that time it was +an awkward place to take, for the troops were armed +only with Brown Bess, and rifled cannon were not thought +of. Looking round, I could see that I was some four +miles from the point where I had descended. The camp +was gone; but running my eye along the edge of the +plateau I could see the tops of tents a mile to my +right, and again two miles to my left; turning round, +and looking down into the wide valley, I saw a regimental +camp.</p> + +<p>“It was evident that a vigorous effort was being +made to surround and capture the Dacoits, since troops +had been brought up from Bombay. In addition to the +troops above and below, there would probably be a strong +police force, acting on the face of the hill. I did +not see all these things at the time, for I was, as +soon as I got to the top, ordered to sit down behind +the parapet, a fellow armed to the teeth squatting +down by me, and signifying that if I showed my head +above the stones he would cut my throat without hesitation. +There were, however, sufficient gaps between the stones +to allow me to have a view of the crest of the Ghaut, +while below my view extended down to the hills behind +Bombay. It was evident to me now why the Dacoits did +not climb up into the fortress. There were dozens +of similar crags on the face of the Ghauts, and the +troops did not as yet know their whereabouts. It was +a sort of blockade of the whole face of the hills +which was being kept up, and there were, probably +enough, several other bands of Dacoits lurking in +the jungle.</p> + +<p>“There were only two guards and myself on the +rock plateau. I discussed with myself the chances +of my overpowering them and holding the top of the +rock till help came, but I was greatly weakened, and +was not a match for a boy, much less for the two stalwart +Mahrattas; besides, I was by no means sure that the +way I had been brought up was the only possible path +to the top. The day passed off quietly. The heat on +the bare rock was frightful, but one of the men, seeing +how weak and ill I really was, fetched a thick rug +from the storehouse, and with the aid of a stick made +a sort of lean-to against the wall, under which I lay +sheltered from the sun.</p> + +<p>“Once or twice during the day I heard a few +distant musket-shots, and once a sharp heavy outburst +of firing. It must have been three or four miles away, +but it was on the side of the Ghaut, and showed that +the troops or police were at work. My guards looked +anxiously in that direction, and uttered sundry curses. +When it was dusk, Sivajee and eight of the Dacoits +came up. From what they said, I gathered that the +rest of the band had dispersed, trusting either to +get through the line of their pursuers, or, if caught, +to escape with slight punishment, the men who remained +being too deeply concerned in murderous outrages to +hope for mercy. Sivajee himself handed me a letter, +which the man who had taken my note had brought back +in reply. Major Knapp, the writer, who was the second +in command, said that he could not engage the Government, +but that if Lieutenant Hastings was given up the act +would certainly dispose the Government to take the +most merciful view possible; but that if, on the contrary, +any harm was suffered by Lieutenant Hastings, every +man taken would be at once hung. Sivajee did not appear +put out about it. I do not think he expected any other +answer, and imagine that his real object in writing +was simply to let them know that I was a prisoner, +and so enable him the better to paralyse the attack +upon a position which he no doubt considered all but +impregnable.</p> + +<p>“I was given food, and was then allowed to walk +as I chose upon the little plateau, two of the Dacoits +taking post as sentries at the steepest part of the +path, while the rest gathered, chatting and smoking, +in the depression in front of the storehouse. It was +still light enough for me to see for some distance +down the face of the rock, and I strained my eyes +to see if I could discern any other spot at which +an ascent or descent was possible. The prospect was +not encouraging. At some places the face fell sheer +away from the edge, and so evident was the impracticability +of escape that the only place which I glanced at twice +was the western side, that is the one away from the +hill. Here it sloped gradually for a few feet. I took +off my shoes and went down to the edge. Below, some +ten feet, was a ledge, on to which with care I could +get down, but below that was a sheer fall of some fifty +feet. As a means of escape it was hopeless, but it +struck me that if an attack was made I might slip +away and get on to the ledge. Once there I could not +be seen except by a person standing where I now was, +just on the edge of the slope, a spot to which it +was very unlikely that anyone would come.</p> + +<p>“The thought gave me a shadow of hope, and, +returning to the upper end of the platform, I lay +down, and in spite of the hardness of the rock, was +soon asleep. The pain of my aching bones woke me up +several times, and once, just as the first tinge of +dawn was coming, I thought I could hear movements +in the jungle. I raised myself somewhat, and I saw +that the sounds had been heard by the Dacoits, for +they were standing listening, and some of them were +bringing spare fire-arms from the storehouse, in evident +preparation for attack.</p> + +<p>“As I afterwards learned, the police had caught +one of the Dacoits trying to effect his escape, and +by means of a little of the ingenious torture to which +the Indian police then frequently resorted, when their +white officers were absent, they obtained from him +the exact position of Sivajee’s band, and learned +the side from which the ascent must be made. That +the Dacoit and his band were still upon the slopes +of the Ghauts they knew, and were gradually narrowing +their circle, but there were so many rocks and hiding-places +that the process of searching was a slow one, and +the intelligence was so important that the news was +off at once to the colonel, who gave orders for the +police to surround the rock at daylight and to storm +it if possible. The garrison was so small that the +police were alone ample for the work, supposing that +the natural difficulties were not altogether insuperable.</p> + +<p>“Just at daybreak there was a distant noise +of men moving in the jungle, and the Dacoit halfway +down the path fired his gun. He was answered by a +shout and a volley. The Dacoits hurried out from the +chamber, and lay down on the edge, where, sheltered +by a parapet, they commanded the path. They paid no +attention to me, and I kept as far away as possible. +The fire began–a quiet, steady fire, a shot at a time, +and in strong contrast to the rattle kept up from +the surrounding jungle; but every shot must have told, +as man after man who strove to climb that steep path, +fell. It lasted only ten minutes, and then all was +quiet again.</p> + +<p>“The attack had failed, as I knew it must do, +for two men could have held the place against an army; +a quarter of an hour later a gun from the crest above +spoke out, and a round shot whistled above our heads. +Beyond annoyance, an artillery fire could do no harm, +for the party could be absolutely safe in the store +cave. The instant the shot flew overhead, however, +Sivajee Punt beckoned to me, and motioned me to take +my seat on the wall facing the guns. Hesitation was +useless, and I took my seat with my back to the Dacoits +and my face to the hill. One of the Dacoits, as I +did so, pulled off the native cloth which covered my +shoulders, in order that I might be clearly seen.</p> + +<p>“Just as I took my place another round shot +hummed by; but then there was a long interval of silence. +With a field-glass every feature must have been distinguishable +to the gunners, and I had no doubt that they were +waiting for orders as to what to do next.</p> + +<p>“I glanced round and saw that with the exception +of one fellow squatted behind the parapet some half-dozen +yards away, clearly as a sentry to keep me in place, +all the others had disappeared. Some, no doubt, were +on sentry down the path, the others were in the store +beneath me. After half an hour’s silence the +guns spoke out again. Evidently the gunners were told +to be as careful as they could, for some of the shots +went wide on the left, others on the right. A few +struck the rock below me. The situation was not pleasant, +but I thought that at a thousand yards they ought +not to hit me, and I tried to distract my attention +by thinking out what I should do under every possible +contingency.</p> + +<p>“Presently I felt a crash and a shock, and fell +backwards to the ground. I was not hurt, and on picking +myself up saw that the ball had struck the parapet +to the left, just where my guard was sitting, and he +lay covered with its fragments. His turban lay some +yards behind him. Whether he was dead or not I neither +knew nor cared.</p> + +<p>“I pushed down some of the parapet where I had +been sitting, dropped my cap on the edge outside, +so as to make it appear that I had fallen over, and +then picking up the man’s turban, ran to the +other end of the platform and scrambled down to the +ledge. Then I began to wave my arms about–I had nothing +on above the waist–and in a moment I saw a face with +a uniform cap peer out through the jungle, and a hand +was waved. I made signs to him to make his way to +the foot of the perpendicular wall of rock beneath +me. I then unwound the turban, whose length was, I +knew, amply sufficient to reach to the bottom, and +then looked round for something to write on. I had +my pencil still in my trousers pocket, but not a scrap +of paper.</p> + +<p>“I picked up a flattish piece of rock and wrote +on it, ’Get a rope-ladder quickly, I can haul +it up. Ten men in garrison. They are all under cover. +Keep on firing to distract their attention.”</p> + +<p>“I tied the stone to the end of the turban, +and looked over. A non-commissioned officer of the +police was already standing below. I lowered the stone; +he took it, waved his hand to me, and was gone.</p> + +<p>“An hour passed: it seemed an age. The round +shots still rang overhead, and the fire was now much +more heavy and sustained than before. Presently I +again saw a movement in the jungle, and Norworthy’s +face appeared, and he waved his arm in greeting.</p> + +<p>“Five minutes more and a party were gathered +at the foot of the rock, and a strong rope was tied +to the cloth. I pulled it up. A rope-ladder was attached +to it, and the top rung was in a minute or two in my +hands. To it was tied a piece of paper with the words: +’Can you fasten the ladder?” I wrote on +the paper: ’No; but I can hold it for a light +weight.’</p> + +<p>“I put the paper with a stone in the end of +the cloth, and lowered it again. Then I sat down, +tied the rope round my waist, got my feet against +two projections, and waited. There was a jerk, and +then I felt some one was coming up the rope-ladder. +The strain was far less than I expected, but the native +policeman who came up first did not weigh half so +much as an average Englishman. There were now two of +us to hold. The officer in command of the police came +up next, then Norworthy, then a dozen more police. +I explained the situation, and we mounted to the upper +level. Not a soul was to be seen. Quickly we advanced +and took up a position to command the door of the +underground chamber; while one of the police waved +a white cloth from his bayonet as a signal to the +gunners to cease firing. Then the police officer hailed +the party within the scave.</p> + +<p>“’Sivajee Punt! you may as well come out +and give yourself up! We are in possession, and resistance +is useless!’</p> + +<p>“A yell of rage and surprise was heard, and +the Dacoits, all desperate men, came bounding out, +firing as they did so. Half of their number were shot +down at once, and the rest, after a short, sharp struggle, +were bound hand and foot.</p> + +<p>“That is pretty well all of the story, I think. +Sivajee Punt was one of the killed. The prisoners +were all either hung or imprisoned for life. I escaped +my blowing-up for having gone down the Ghauts after +the bear, because, after all, Sivajee Punt might have +defied their force for months had I not done so.</p> + +<p>“It seemed that that scoundrel Rahman had taken +back word that I was killed. Norworthy had sent down +a strong party, who found the two dead bears, and +who, having searched everywhere without finding any +signs of my body, came to the conclusion that I had +been found and carried away, especially as they ascertained +that natives used that path. They had offered rewards, +but nothing was heard of me till my note saying I was +in Sivajee’s hands arrived.”</p> + +<p>“And did you ever see the women who carried +you off?”</p> + +<p>“No, Mary, I never saw them again. I did, however, +after immense trouble, succeed in finding out where +it was that I had been taken to. I went down at once, +but found the village deserted. Then after much inquiry +I found where the people had moved to, and sent messages +to the women to come up to the camp, but they never +came; and I was reduced at last to sending them down +two sets of silver bracelets, necklaces, and bangles, +which must have rendered them the envy of all the women +on the Ghauts. They sent back a message of grateful +thanks, and I never heard of them afterwards. No doubt +their relatives, who knew that their connection with +the Dacoits was now known, would not let them come. +However, I had done all I could, and I have no doubt +the women were perfectly satisfied. So you see, my +dear, that the Indian bear, small as he is, is an +animal which it is as well to leave alone, at any +rate when he happens to be up on the side of a hill +while you are at the foot.”</p> + +<h1><a name="story_02"></a>The Paternosters.</h1> + +<h2>A Yachting Story.</h2> + +<p>And do you really mean that we are to cross by the +steamer, Mr. Virtue, while you go over in the <i>Seabird</i>? +I do not approve of that at all. Fanny, why do you +not rebel, and say we won’t be put ashore? I +call it horrid, after a fortnight on board this dear +little yacht, to have to get on to a crowded steamer, +with no accommodation and lots of sea-sick women, +perhaps, and crying children. You surely cannot be +in earnest?”</p> + +<p>“I do not like it any more than you do, Minnie; +but, as Tom says we had better do it, and my husband +agrees with him, I am afraid we must submit. Do you +really think it is quite necessary, Mr. Virtue? Minnie +and I are both good sailors, you know; and we would +much rather have a little extra tossing about on board +the <i>Seabird</i> than the discomforts of a steamer.”</p> + +<p>’I certainly think that it will be best, Mrs. +Grantham. You know very well we would rather have +you on board, and that we shall suffer from your loss +more than you will by going the other way; but there’s +no doubt the wind is getting up, and though we don’t +feel it much here, it must be blowing pretty hard +outside. The <i>Seabird</i> is as good a sea-boat +as anything of her size that floats, but you don’t +know what it is to be out in anything like a heavy +sea in a thirty-tonner. It would be impossible for +you to stay on deck, and we should have our hands +full, and should not be able to give you the benefit +of our society. Personally, I should not mind being +out in the <i>Seabird</i> in any weather, but I would +certainly rather not have ladies on board.”</p> + +<p>“You don’t think we should scream, or +do anything foolish, Mr. Virtue?” Minnie Graham +said indignantly.</p> + +<p>“Not at all, Miss Graham. Still, I repeat, the +knowledge that there are women on board, delightful +at other times, does not tend to comfort in bad weather. +Of course, if you prefer it, we can put off our start +till this puff of wind has blown itself out. It may +have dropped before morning. It may last some little +time. I don’t think myself that it will drop, +for the glass has fallen, and I am afraid we may have +a spell of broken weather.”</p> + +<p>“Oh no; don’t put it off,” Mrs. +Grantham said; “we have only another fortnight +before James must be back again in London, and it would +be a great pity to lose three or four days perhaps; +and we have been looking forward to cruising about +among the Channel Islands, and to St. Malo, and all +those places. Oh no; I think the other is much the +better plan–that is, if you won’t take us with +you.”</p> + +<p>“It would be bad manners to say that I won’t, +Mrs. Grantham; but I must say I would rather not. +It will be a very short separation. Grantham will +take you on shore at once, and as soon as the boat +comes back I shall be off. You will start in the steamer +this evening, and get into Jersey at nine or ten o’clock +to-morrow morning; and if I am not there before you, +I shall not be many hours after you.”</p> + +<p>“Well, if it must be it must,” Mrs. Grantham +said, with an air of resignation. “Come, Minnie, +let us put a few things into a hand-bag for to-night. +You see the skipper is not to be moved by our pleadings.”</p> + +<p>“That is the worst of you married women, Fanny,” +Miss Graham said, with a little pout. “You get +into the way of doing as you are ordered. I call it +too bad. Here have we been cruising about for the last +fortnight, with scarcely a breath of wind, and longing +for a good brisk breeze and a little change and excitement, +and now it comes at last, we are to be packed off +in a steamer. I call it horrid of you, Mr. Virtue. +You may laugh, but I do”</p> + +<p>Tom Virtue laughed, but he showed no signs of giving +way, and ten minutes later Mr. and Mrs. Grantham and +Miss Graham took their places in the gig, and were +rowed into Southampton Harbour, off which the <i>Seabird</i> +was lying.</p> + +<p>The last fortnight had been a very pleasant one, and +it had cost the owner of the <i>Seabird</i> as much +as his guests to come to the conclusion that it was +better to break up the party for a few hours.</p> + +<p>Tom Virtue had, up to the age of five-and-twenty, +been possessed of a sufficient income for his wants. +He had entered at the bar, not that he felt any particular +vocation in that direction, but because he thought +it incumbent upon him to do something. Then, at the +death of an uncle, he had come into a considerable +fortune, and was able to indulge his taste for yachting, +which was the sole amusement for which he really cared, +to the fullest.</p> + +<p>He sold the little five-tonner he had formerly possessed, +and purchased the <i>Seabird</i>. He could well have +afforded a much larger craft, but he knew that there +was far more real enjoyment in sailing to be obtained +from a small craft than a large one, for in the latter +he would be obliged to have a regular skipper, and +would be little more than a passenger, whereas on +board the <i>Seabird</i>, although his first hand was +dignified by the name of skipper, he was himself the +absolute master. The boat carried the aforesaid skipper, +three hands, and a steward, and with them he had twice +been up the Mediterranean, across to Norway, and had +several times made the circuit of the British Isles.</p> + +<p>He had unlimited confidence in his boat, and cared +not what weather he was out in her. This was the first +time since his ownership of her that the <i>Seabird</i> +had carried lady passengers. His friend Grantham, an +old school and college chum, was a hard-working barrister, +and Virtue had proposed to him to take a month’s +holiday on board the <i>Seabird</i>.</p> + +<p>“Put aside your books, old man,” he said. +“You look fagged and overworked; a month’s +blow will do you all the good in the world”</p> + +<p>“Thank you, Tom; I have made up my mind for +a month’s holiday, but I can’t accept +your invitation, though I should enjoy it of all things. +But it would not be fair to my wife; she doesn’t +get very much of my society, and she has been looking +forward to our having a run together. So I must decline.”</p> + +<p>Virtue hesitated a moment. He was not very fond of +ladies’ society, and thought them especially +in the way on board a yacht; but he had a great liking +for his friend’s wife, and was almost as much +at home in his house as in his own chambers.</p> + +<p>“Why not bring the wife with you?” he +said, as soon as his mind was made up. “It will +be a nice change for her too; and I have heard her +say that she is a good sailor. The accommodation is +not extensive, but the after-cabin is a pretty good +size, and I would do all I could to make her comfortable. +Perhaps she would like another lady with her; if so +by all means bring one. They could have the after-cabin, +you could have the little state-room, and I could +sleep in the saloon.”</p> + +<p>“It is very good of you, Tom, especially as +I know that it will put you out frightfully; but the +offer is a very tempting one. I will speak to Fanny, +and let you have an answer in the morning.”</p> + +<p>“That will be delightful, James,” Mrs. +Grantham said, when the invitation was repeated to +her. “I should like it of all things; and I +am sure the rest and quiet and the sea air will be +just the thing for you. It is wonderful, Tom Virtue +making the offer; and I take it as a great personal +compliment, for he certainly is not what is generally +called a lady’s man. It is very nice, too, of +him to think of my having another lady on board. Whom +shall we ask? Oh, I know,” she said suddenly; +“that will be the thing of all others. We will +ask my cousin Minnie; she is full of fun and life, +and will make a charming wife for Tom!”</p> + +<p>James Grantham laughed.</p> + +<p>“What schemers you all are, Fanny! Now I should +call it downright treachery to take anyone on board +the <i>Seabird</i> with the idea of capturing its +master.”</p> + +<p>“Nonsense, treachery!” Mrs. Grantham said +indignantly; “Minnie is the nicest girl I know, +and it would do Tom a world of good to have a wife +to look after him. Why, he is thirty now, and will +be settling down into a confirmed old bachelor before +long. It’s the greatest kindness we could do +him, to take Minnie on board; and I am sure he is the +sort of man any girl might fall in love with when +she gets to know him. The fact is, he’s shy! +He never had any sisters, and spends all his time in +winter at that horrid club; so that really he has never +had any women’s society, and even with us he +will never come unless he knows we are alone. I call +it a great pity, for I don’t know a pleasanter +fellow than he is. I think it will be doing him a +real service in asking Minnie; so that’s settled. +I will sit down and write him a note.”</p> + +<p>“In for a penny, in for a pound, I suppose,” +was Tom Virtue’s comment when he received Mrs. +Grantham’s letter, thanking him warmly for the +invitation, and saying that she would bring her cousin, +Miss Graham, with her, if that young lady was disengaged.</p> + +<p>As a matter of self-defence he at once invited Jack +Harvey, who was a mutual friend of himself and Grantham, +to be of the party.</p> + +<p>“Jack can help Grantham to amuse the women,” +he said to himself; “that will be more in his +line than mine. I will run down to Cowes to-morrow +and have a chat with Johnson; we shall want a different +sort of stores altogether to those we generally carry, +and I suppose we must do her up a bit below.”</p> + +<p>Having made up his mind to the infliction of female +passengers, Tom Virtue did it handsomely, and when +the party came on board at Ryde they were delighted +with the aspect of the yacht below. She had been repainted, +the saloon and ladies’ cabin were decorated in +delicate shades of gray, picked out with gold; and +the upholsterer, into whose hands the owner of the +<i>Seabird</i> had placed her, had done his work with +taste and judgment, and the ladies’ cabin resembled +a little boudoir.</p> + +<p>“Why, Tom, I should have hardly known her!” +Grantham, who had often spent a day on board the <i>Seabird</i>, +said.</p> + +<p>“I hardly know her myself,” Tom said, +rather ruefully; “but I hope she’s all +right, Mrs. Grantham, and that you and Miss Graham +will find everything you want.”</p> + +<p>“It is charming!” Mrs. Grantham said enthusiastically. +“It’s awfully good of you, Tom, and we +appreciate it; don’t we, Minnie? It is such a +surprise, too; for James said that while I should find +everything very comfortable, I must not expect that +a small yacht would be got up like a palace.”</p> + +<p>So a fortnight had passed; they had cruised along +the coast as far as Plymouth, anchoring at night at +the various ports on the way. Then they had returned +to Southampton, and it had been settled that as none +of the party, with the exception of Virtue himself, +had been to the Channel Islands, the last fortnight +of the trip should be spent there. The weather had +been delightful, save that there had been some deficiency +in wind, and throughout the cruise the <i>Seabird</i> +had been under all the sail she could spread. But +when the gentlemen came on deck early in the morning +a considerable change had taken place; the sky was +gray and the clouds flying fast overhead.</p> + +<p>“We are going to have dirty weather,” +Tom Virtue said at once. “I don’t think +it’s going to be a gale, but there will be more +sea on than will be pleasant for ladies. I tell you +what, Grantham; the best thing will be for you to +go on shore with the two ladies, and cross by the boat +to-night. If you don’t mind going directly after +breakfast I will start at once, and shall be at St. +Helier’s as soon as you are.”</p> + +<p>And so it had been agreed, but not, as has been seen, +without opposition and protest on the part of the +ladies.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Grantham’s chief reason for objecting had +not been given. The little scheme on which she had +set her mind seemed to be working satisfactorily. +From the first day Tom Virtue had exerted himself to +play the part of host satisfactorily, and had ere long +shaken off any shyness he may have felt towards the +one stranger of the party, and he and Miss Graham +had speedily got on friendly terms. So things were +going on as well as Mrs. Grantham could have expected.</p> + +<p>No sooner had his guests left the side of the yacht +than her owner began to make his preparations for +a start.</p> + +<p>“What do you think of the weather, Watkins?” +he asked his skipper.</p> + +<p>“It’s going to blow hard, sir; that’s +my view of it, and if I was you I shouldn’t +up anchor today. Still, it’s just as you likes; +the <i>Seabird</i> won’t mind it if we don’t. +She has had a rough time of it before now; still, +it will be a case of wet jackets, and no mistake.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, I expect we shall have a rough time of +it, Watkins, but I want to get across. We don’t +often let ourselves be weather-bound, and I am not +going to begin it to-day. We had better house the topmast +at once, and get two reefs in the main-sail. We can +get the other down when we get clear of the island. +Get number three jib up, and the leg-of-mutton mizzen; +put two reefs in the foresail.”</p> + +<p>Tom and his friend Harvey, who was a good sailor, +assisted the crew in reefing down the sails, and a +few minutes after the gig had returned and been hoisted +in, the yawl was running rapidly down Southampton waters.</p> + +<p>“We need hardly have reefed quite so closely,” +Jack Harvey said, as he puffed away at his pipe.</p> + +<p>“Not yet, Jack; but you will see she has as +much as she can carry before long. It’s all +the better to make all snug before starting; it saves +a lot of trouble afterwards, and the extra canvas +would not have made ten minutes’ difference +to us at the outside. We shall have pretty nearly a +dead beat down the Solent. Fortunately tide will be +running strong with us, but there will be a nasty +kick-up there. You will see we shall feel the short +choppy seas there more than we shall when we get outside. +She is a grand boat in a really heavy sea, but in +short waves she puts her nose into it with a will. +Now, if you will take my advice, you will do as I +am going to do, put on a pair of fisherman’s +boots and oilskin and sou’-wester. There are +several sets for you to choose from below.”</p> + +<p>As her owner had predicted, the <i>Seabird</i> put +her bowsprit under pretty frequently in the Solent; +the wind was blowing half a gale, and as it met the +tide it knocked up a short, angry sea, crested with +white heads, and Jack Harvey agreed that she had quite +as much sail on her as she wanted. The cabin doors +were bolted, and all made snug to prevent the water +getting below before they got to the race off Hurst +Castle; and it was well that they did so, for she +was as much under water as she was above.</p> + +<p>“I think if I had given way to the ladies and +brought them with us they would have changed their +minds by this time, Jack,” Tom Virtue said, +with a laugh.</p> + +<p>“I should think so,” his friend agreed; +“this is not a day for a fair-weather sailor. +Look what a sea is breaking on the shingles!”</p> + +<p>“Yes, five minutes there would knock her into +matchwood. Another ten minutes and we shall be fairly +out; and I sha’n’t be sorry; one feels +as if one was playing football, only just at present +the <i>Seabird</i> is the ball and the waves the kickers.”</p> + +<p>Another quarter of an hour and they had passed the +Needles.</p> + +<p>“That is more pleasant, Jack,” as the +short, chopping motion was exchanged for a regular +rise and fall; “this is what I enjoy–a steady +wind and a regular sea. The <i>Seabird</i> goes over +it like one of her namesakes; she is not taking a +teacupful now over her bows.</p> + +<p>“Watkins, you may as well take the helm for +a spell, while we go down to lunch. I am not sorry +to give it up for a bit, for it has been jerking like +the kick of a horse.</p> + +<p>“That’s right, Jack, hang up your oilskin +there. Johnson, give us a couple of towels; we have +been pretty well smothered up there on deck. Now what +have you got for us?”</p> + +<p>“There is some soup ready, sir, and that cold +pie you had for dinner yesterday.”</p> + +<p>“That will do; open a couple of bottles of stout.”</p> + +<p>Lunch over, they went on deck again.</p> + +<p>“She likes a good blow as well as we do,” +Virtue said, enthusiastically, as the yawl rose lightly +over each wave. “What do you think of it, Watkins? +Is the wind going to lull a bit as the sun goes down?”</p> + +<p>“I think not, sir. It seems to me it’s +blowing harder than it was.”</p> + +<p>“Then we will prepare for the worst, Watkins; +get the try-sail up on deck. When you are ready we +will bring her up into the wind and set it. That’s +the comfort of a yawl, Jack; one can always lie to +without any bother, and one hasn’t got such +a tremendous boom to handle.”</p> + +<p>The try-sail was soon on deck, and then the <i>Seabird</i> +was brought up into the wind, the weather fore-sheet +hauled aft, the mizzen sheeted almost fore and aft, +and the <i>Seabird</i> lay, head to wind, rising and +falling with a gentle motion, in strong contrast to +her impetuous rushes when under sail.</p> + +<p>“She would ride out anything like that,” +her owner said. “Last time we came through the +Bay on our way from Gib., we were caught in a gale +strong enough to blow the hair off one’s head, +and we lay to for nearly three days, and didn’t +ship a bucket of water all the time. Now let us lend +a hand to get the mainsail stowed.”</p> + +<p>Ten minutes’ work and it was securely fastened +and its cover on; two reefs were put in the trysail. +Two hands went to each of the halliards, while, as +the sail rose, Tom Virtue fastened the toggles round +the mast.</p> + +<p>“All ready, Watkins?”</p> + +<p>“All ready, sir.”</p> + +<p>“Slack off the weather fore-sheet, then, and +haul aft the leeward. Slack out the mizzen-sheet a +little, Jack. That’s it; now she’s off +again, like a duck.”</p> + +<p>The <i>Seabird</i> felt the relief from the pressure +of the heavy boom to leeward and rose easily and lightly +over the waves.</p> + +<p>“She certainly is a splendid sea-boat, Tom; +I don’t wonder you are ready to go anywhere +in her. I thought we were rather fools for starting +this morning, although I enjoy a good blow; but now +I don’t care how hard it comes on.”</p> + +<p>By night it was blowing a downright gale.</p> + +<p>“We will lie to till morning, Watkins. So that +we get in by daylight to-morrow evening, that is all +we want. See our side-lights are burning well, and +you had better get up a couple of blue lights, in case +anything comes running up Channel and don’t see +our lights. We had better divide into two watches; +I will keep one with Matthews and Dawson, Mr. Harvey +will go in your watch with Nicholls. We had better +get the try-sail down altogether, and lie to under +the foresail and mizzen, but don’t put many +lashings on the trysail, one will be enough, and have +it ready to cast off in a moment, in case we want to +hoist the sail in a hurry. I will go down and have +a glass of hot grog first, and then I will take my +watch to begin with. Let the two hands with me go +down; the steward will serve them out a tot each. Jack, +you had better turn in at once.” Virtue was +soon on deck again, muffled up in his oilskins.</p> + +<p>“Now, Watkins, you can go below and turn in.”</p> + +<p>“I sha’n’t go below to-night, sir–not +to lie down. There’s nothing much to do here, +but I couldn’t sleep, if I did lie down.”</p> + +<p>“Very well; you had better go below and get +a glass of grog; tell the steward to give you a big +pipe with a cover like this, out of the locker; and +there’s plenty of chewing tobacco, if the men +are short.”</p> + +<p>“I will take that instead of a pipe,” +Watkins said; “there’s nothing like a +quid in weather like this, it ain’t never in +your way, and it lasts. Even with a cover a pipe would +soon be out.”</p> + +<p>“Please yourself, Watkins; tell the two hands +forward to keep a bright look-out for lights.”</p> + +<p>The night passed slowly. Occasionally a sea heavier +than usual came on board, curling over the bow and +falling with a heavy thud on the deck, but for the +most part the <i>Seabird</i> breasted the waves easily; +the bowsprit had been reefed in to its fullest, thereby +adding to the lightness and buoyancy of the boat. +Tom Virtue did not go below when his friend came up +to relieve him at the change of watch, but sat smoking +and doing much talking in the short intervals between +the gusts.</p> + +<p>The morning broke gray and misty, driving sleet came +along on the wind, and the horizon was closed in as +by a dull curtain.</p> + +<p>“How far can we see, do you think, Watkins?”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps a couple of miles, sir.”</p> + +<p>“That will be enough. I think we both know the +position of every reef to within a hundred yards, +so we will shape our course for Guernsey. If we happen +to hit it off, we can hold on to St Helier; but if +when we think we ought to be within sight of Guernsey +we see nothing of it, we must lie to again, till the +storm has blown itself out or the clouds lift. It +would never do to go groping our way along with such +currents as run among the islands. Put the last reef +in the try-sail before you hoist it. I think you had +better get the foresail down altogether, and run up +the spit-fire jib.”</p> + +<p>The <i>Seabird</i> was soon under way again.</p> + +<p>“Now, Watkins, you take the helm; we will go +down and have a cup of hot coffee, and I will see +that the steward has a good supply for you and the +hands, but first, do you take the helm, Jack, whilst +Watkins and I have a look at the chart, and try and +work out where we are, and the course we had better +lie for Guernsey.”</p> + +<p>Five minutes were spent over the chart, then Watkins +went up and Jack Harvey came down.</p> + +<p>“You have got the coffee ready, I hope, Johnson?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir, coffee and chocolate. I didn’t +know which you would like.”</p> + +<p>“Chocolate, by all means. Jack, I recommend +the chocolate. Bring two full-sized bowls, Johnson, +and put that cold pie on the table, and a couple of +knives and forks; never mind about a cloth; but first +of all bring a couple of basins of hot water, we shall +enjoy our food more after a wash.”</p> + +<p>The early breakfast was eaten, dry coats and mufflers +put on, pipes lighted, and they then went up upon +deck. Tom took the helm.</p> + +<p>“What time do you calculate we ought to make +Guernsey, Tom?”</p> + +<p>“About twelve. The wind is freer than it was, +and we are walking along at a good pace. Matthews, +cast the log, and let’s see what we are doing. +About seven knots, I should say.”</p> + +<p>“Seven and a quarter, sir,” the man said, +when he checked the line.</p> + +<p>“Not a bad guess, Tom; it’s always difficult +to judge pace in a heavy sea.”</p> + +<p>At eleven o’clock the mist ceased.</p> + +<p>“That’s fortunate,” Tom Virtue said; +“I shouldn’t be surprised if we get a +glimpse of the sun between the clouds, presently. Will +you get my sextant and the chronometer up, Jack, and +put them handy?”</p> + +<p>Jack Harvey did as he was asked, but there was no +occasion to use the instruments, for ten minutes later, +Watkins, who was standing near the bow gazing fixedly +ahead, shouted:</p> + +<p>“There’s Guernsey, sir, on her lee bow, +about six miles away, I should say.”</p> + +<p>“That’s it, sure enough,” Tom agreed, +as he gazed in the direction in which Watkins was +pointing. “There’s a gleam of sunshine +on it, or we shouldn’t have seen it yet. Yes, +I think you are about right as to the distance. Now +let us take its bearings, we may lose it again directly.”</p> + +<p>Having taken the bearings of the island they went +below, and marked off their position on the chart, +and they shaped their course for Cape Grosnez, the +north-western point of Jersey. The gleam of sunshine +was transient–the clouds closed in again overhead, +darker and grayer than before. Soon the drops of rain +came flying before the wind, the horizon closed in, +and they could not see half a mile away, but, though +the sea was heavy, the <i>Seabird</i> was making capital +weather of it, and the two friends agreed that, after +all, the excitement of a sail like this was worth +a month of pottering about in calms.</p> + +<p>“We must keep a bright look-out presently,” +the skipper said; “there are some nasty rocks +off the coast of Jersey. We must give them a wide +berth. We had best make round to the south of the island, +and lay to there till we can pick up a pilot to take +us into St. Helier. I don’t think it will be +worth while trying to get into St. Aubyn’s Bay +by ourselves.”</p> + +<p>“I think so, too, Watkins, but we will see what +it is like before it gets dark; if we can pick up +a pilot all the better; if not, we will lie to till +morning, if the weather keeps thick; but if it clears +so that we can make out all the lights we ought to +be able to get into the bay anyhow.”</p> + +<p>An hour later the rain ceased and the sky appeared +somewhat clearer. Suddenly Watkins exclaimed, “There +is a wreck, sir! There, three miles away to leeward. +She is on the Paternósters.”</p> + +<p>“Good heavens! she is a steamer,” Tom +exclaimed, as he caught sight of her the next time +the <i>Seabird</i> lifted on a wave. “Can she +be the Southampton boat, do you think?”</p> + +<p>“Like enough, sir, she may have had it thicker +than we had, and may not have calculated enough for +the current.”</p> + +<p>“Up helm, Jack, and bear away towards her. Shall +we shake out a reef, Watkins?”</p> + +<p>“I wouldn’t, sir; she has got as much +as she can carry on her now. We must mind what we +are doing, sir; the currents run like a millstream, +and if we get that reef under our lee, and the wind +and current both setting us on to it, it will be all +up with us in no time.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, I know that, Watkins. Jack, take the helm +a minute while we run down and look at the chart.</p> + +<p>“Our only chance, Watkins, is to work up behind +the reef, and try and get so that they can either +fasten a line to a buoy and let it float down to us, +or get into a boat, if they have one left, and drift +to us.”</p> + +<p>“They are an awful group of rocks,” Watkins +said, as they examined the chart; “you see some +of them show merely at high tide, and a lot of them +are above at low water. It will be an awful business +to get among them rocks, sir, just about as near certain +death as a thing can be.”</p> + +<p>“Well, it’s got to be done, Watkins,” +Tom said, firmly. “I see the danger as well +as you do, but whatever the risk, it must be tried. +Mr. Grantham and the two ladies went on board by my +persuasion, and I should never forgive myself if anything +happened to them. But I will speak to the men.”</p> + +<p>He went on deck again and called the men to him. “Look +here, lads; you see that steamer ashore on the Paternósters. +In such a sea as this she may go to pieces in half +an hour. I am determined to make an effort to save +the lives of those on board. As you can see for yourselves +there is no lying to weather of her, with the current +and wind driving us on to the reef; we must beat up +from behind. Now, lads, the sea there is full of rocks, +and the chances are ten to one we strike on to them +and go to pieces; but, anyhow I am going to try; but +I won’t take you unless you are willing. The +boat is a good one, and the zinc chambers will keep +her afloat if she fills; well managed, you ought to +be able to make the coast of Jersey in her. Mr. Harvey, +Watkins, and I can handle the yacht, so you can take +the boat if you like.”</p> + +<p>The men replied that they would stick to the yacht +wherever Mr. Virtue chose to take her, and muttered +something about the ladies, for the pleasant faces +of Mrs. Grantham and Miss Graham had, during the fortnight +they had been on board, won the men’s hearts.</p> + +<p>“Very well, lads, I am glad to find you will +stick by me; if we pull safely through it I will give +each of you three months’ wages. Now set to +work with a will and get the gig out. We will tow her +after us, and take to her if we make a smash of it.”</p> + +<p>They were now near enough to see the white breakers, +in the middle of which the ship was lying. She was +fast breaking up. The jagged outline showed that the +stern had been beaten in. The masts and funnel were +gone, and the waves seemed to make a clean breach over +her, almost hiding her from sight in a white cloud +of spray.</p> + +<p>“Wood and iron can’t stand that much longer,” +Jack Harvey said; “another hour and I should +say there won’t be two planks left together.”</p> + +<p>“It is awful, Jack; I would give all I have +in the world if I had not persuaded them to go on +board. Keep her off a little more, Watkins.”</p> + +<p>The <i>Seabird</i> passed within a cable’s-length +of the breakers at the northern end of the reef.</p> + +<p>“Now, lads, take your places at the sheets, +ready to haul or let go as I give the word.” +So saying, Tom Virtue took his place in the bow, holding +on by the forestay.</p> + +<p>The wind was full on the <i>Seabird’s</i> beam +as she entered the broken water. Here and there the +dark heads of the rocks showed above the water. These +were easy enough to avoid, the danger lay in those +hidden beneath its surface, and whose position was +indicated only by the occasional break of a sea as +it passed over them. Every time the <i>Seabird</i> +sank on a wave those on board involuntarily held their +breath, but the water here was comparatively smooth, +the sea having spent its first force upon the outer +reef. With a wave of his hand Tom directed the helmsman +as to his course, and the little yacht was admirably +handled through the dangers.</p> + +<p>“I begin to think we shall do it,” Tom +said to Jack Harvey, who was standing close to him. +“Another five minutes and we shall be within +reach of her.”</p> + +<p>It could be seen now that there was a group of people +clustered in the bow of the wreck. Two or three light +lines were coiled in readiness for throwing.</p> + +<p>“Now, Watkins,” Tom said, going aft, “make +straight for the wreck. I see no broken water between +us and them, and possibly there may be deep water +under their bow.”</p> + +<p>It was an anxious moment, as, with the sails flattened +in, the yawl forged up nearly in the eye of the wind +towards the wreck. Her progress was slow, for she +was now stemming the current.</p> + +<p>Tom stood with a coil of line in his hand in the bow.</p> + +<p>“You get ready to throw, Jack, if I miss.”</p> + +<p>Nearer and nearer the yacht approached the wreck, +until the bowsprit of the latter seemed to stand almost +over her. Then Tom threw the line. It fell over the +bowsprit, and a cheer broke from those on board the +wreck and from the sailors of the <i>Seabird</i>. +A stronger line was at once fastened to that thrown, +and to this a strong hawser was attached.</p> + +<p>“Down with the helm, Watkins. Now, lads, lower +away the try-sail as fast as you can. Now, one of +you, clear that hawser as they haul on it. Now out +with the anchors.”</p> + +<p>These had been got into readiness; it was not thought +that they would get any hold on the rocky bottom, +still they might catch on a projecting ledge, and +at any rate their weight and that of the chain cable +would relieve the strain upon the hawser.</p> + +<p>Two sailors had run out on the bowsprit of the wreck +as soon as the line was thrown, and the end of the +hawser was now on board the steamer.</p> + +<p>“Thank God, there’s Grantham!” Jack +Harvey exclaimed; “do you see him waving his +hand?”</p> + +<p>“I see him,” Tom said, “but I don’t +see the ladies.”</p> + +<p>“They are there, no doubt,” Jack said, +confidently; “crouching down, I expect. He would +not be there if they weren’t, you may be sure. +Yes, there they are; those two muffled-up figures. +There, one of them has thrown back her cloak and is +waving her arm.”</p> + +<p>The two young men waved their caps.</p> + +<p>“Are the anchors holding, Watkins? There’s +a tremendous strain on that hawser.”</p> + +<p>“I think so, sir; they are both tight.”</p> + +<p>“Put them round the windlass, and give a turn +or two, we must relieve the strain on that hawser.”</p> + +<p>Since they had first seen the wreck the waves had +made great progress in the work of destruction, and +the steamer had broken in two just aft of the engines.</p> + +<p>“Get over the spare spars, Watkins, and fasten +them to float in front of her bows like a triangle. +Matthews, catch hold of that boat-hook and try to +fend off any piece of timber that comes along. You +get hold of the sweeps, lads, and do the same. They +would stave her in like a nut-shell if they struck +her.</p> + +<p>“Thank God, here comes the first of them!”</p> + +<p>Those on board the steamer had not been idle. As soon +as the yawl was seen approaching slings were prepared, +and no sooner was the hawser securely fixed, than +the slings were attached to it and a woman placed +in them. The hawser was tight and the descent sharp, +and without a check the figure ran down to the deck +of the <i>Seabird</i>. She was lifted out of the slings +by Tom and Jack Harvey, who found she was an old woman +and had entirely lost consciousness.</p> + +<p>“Two of you carry her down below; tell Johnson +to pour a little brandy down her throat. Give her +some hot soup as soon as she comes to.”</p> + +<p>Another woman was lowered and helped below. The next +to descend was Mrs. Grantham.</p> + +<p>“Thank God, you are rescued!” Tom said, +as he helped her out of the sling.</p> + +<p>“Thank God, indeed,” Mrs. Grantham said, +“and thank you all! Oh, Tom, we have had a terrible +time of it, and had lost all hope till we saw your +sail, and even then the captain said that he was afraid +nothing could be done. Minnie was the first to make +out it was you, and then we began to hope. She has +been so brave, dear girl. Ah! here she comes.”</p> + +<p>But Minnie’s firmness came to an end now that +she felt the need for it was over. She was unable +to stand when she was lifted from the slings, and +Tom carried her below.</p> + +<p>“Are there any more women, Mrs. Grantham?”</p> + +<p>“No; there was only one other lady passenger +and the stewardess.”</p> + +<p>“Then you had better take possession of your +own cabin. I ordered Johnson to spread a couple more +mattresses and some bedding on the floor, so you will +all four be able to turn in. There’s plenty of +hot coffee and soup. I should advise soup with two +or three spoonfuls of brandy in it. Now, excuse me; +I must go upon deck.”</p> + +<p>Twelve men descended by the hawser, one of them with +both legs broken by the fall of the mizzen. The last +to come was the captain.</p> + +<p>“Is that all?” Tom asked.</p> + +<p>“That is all,” the captain said. “Six +men were swept overboard when she first struck, and +two were killed by the fall of the funnel. Fortunately +we had only three gentlemen passengers and three ladies +on board. The weather looked so wild when we started +that no one else cared about making the passage. God +bless you, sir, for what you have done! Another half-hour +and it would have been all over with us. But it seems +like a miracle your getting safe through the rocks +to us.”</p> + +<p>“It was fortunate indeed that we came along,” +Tom said; “three of the passengers are dear +friends of mine; and as it was by my persuasion that +they came across in the steamer instead of in the yacht, +I should never have forgiven myself if they had been +lost. Take all your men below, captain; you will find +plenty of hot soup there. Now, Watkins, let us be +off; that steamer won’t hold together many minutes +longer, so there’s no time to lose. We will +go back as we came. Give me a hatchet. Now, lads, +two of you stand at the chain-cables; knock out the +shackles the moment I cut the hawser. Watkins, you +take the helm and let her head pay off till the jib +fills. Jack, you lend a hand to the other two, and +get up the try-sail again as soon as we are free.”</p> + +<p>In a moment all were at their stations. The helm was +put on the yacht, and she payed off on the opposite +tack to that on which she had before been sailing. +As soon as the jib filled, Tom gave two vigorous blows +with his hatchet on the hawser, and, as he lifted his +hand for a third, it parted. Then came the sharp rattle +of the chains as they ran round the hawser-holes. +The try-sail was hoisted and sheeted home, and the +<i>Seabird</i> was under way again. Tom, as before, +conned the ship from the bow. Several times she was +in close proximity to the rocks, but each time she +avoided them. A shout of gladness rose from all on +deck as she passed the last patch of white water. +Then she tacked and bore away for Jersey.</p> + +<p>Tom had now time to go down below and look after his +passengers. They consisted of the captain and two +sailors–the sole survivors of those who had been +on deck when the vessel struck–three male passengers, +and six engineers and stokers.</p> + +<p>“I have not had time to shake you by the hand +before, Tom,” Grantham said, as Tom Virtue entered; +“and I thought you would not want me on deck +at present. God bless you, old fellow! we all owe you +our lives.”</p> + +<p>“How did it happen, captain?” Tom asked, +as the captain also came up to him.</p> + +<p>“It was the currents, I suppose,” the +captain said; “it was so thick we could not +see a quarter of a mile any way. The weather was so +wild I would not put into Guernsey, and passed the +island without seeing it. I steered my usual course, +but the gale must have altered the currents, for I +thought I was three miles away from the reef, when +we saw it on our beam, not a hundred yards away. It +was too late to avoid it then, and in another minute +we ran upon it, and the waves were sweeping over us. +Every one behaved well. I got all, except those who +had been swept overboard or crushed by the funnel, +up into the bow of the ship, and there we waited. +There was nothing to be done. No boat would live for +a moment in the sea on that reef, and all I could +advise was, that when she went to pieces every one +should try to get hold of a floating fragment; but +I doubt whether a man would have been alive a quarter +of an hour after she went to pieces.”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps, captain, you will come on deck with +me and give me the benefit of your advice. My skipper +and I know the islands pretty well, but no doubt you +know them a good deal better, and I don’t want +another mishap.”</p> + +<p>But the <i>Seabird</i> avoided all further dangers, +and as it became dark, the lights of St. Helier’s +were in sight, and an hour later the yacht brought +up in the port and landed her involuntary passengers.</p> + +<p>A fortnight afterwards the <i>Seabird</i> returned +to England, and two months later Mrs. Grantham had +the satisfaction of being present at the ceremony +which was the successful consummation of her little +scheme in inviting Minnie Graham to be her companion +on board the <i>Seabird</i>.</p> + +<p>“Well, my dear,” her husband said, when +she indulged in a little natural triumph, “I +do not say that it has not turned out well, and I am +heartily glad for both Tom and Minnie’s sake +it has so; but you must allow that it very nearly +had a disastrous ending, and I think if I were you +I should leave matters to take their natural course +in future. I have accepted Tom’s invitation +for the same party to take a cruise in the <i>Seabird</i> +next summer, but I have bargained that next time a +storm is brewing up we shall stop quietly in port.”</p> + +<p>“That’s all very well, James,” Mrs. +Grantham said saucily; “but you must remember +that Tom Virtue will only be first-mate of the <i>Seabird</i> +in future.”</p> + +<p>“That I shall be able to tell you better, my +dear, after our next cruise. All husbands are not +as docile and easily led as I am.”</p> + +<h1><a name="story_03"></a>A Pipe of Mystery</h1> + +<p>A jovial party were gathered round a blazing fire +in an old grange near Warwick. The hour was getting +late; the very little ones had, after dancing round +the Christmas-tree, enjoying the snapdragon, and playing +a variety of games, gone off to bed; and the elder +boys and girls now gathered round their uncle, Colonel +Harley, and asked him for a story–above all, a ghost +story.</p> + +<p>“But I have never seen any ghosts,” the +colonel said, laughing; “and, moreover, I don’t +believe in them one bit. I have travelled pretty well +all over the world, I have slept in houses said to +be haunted, but nothing have I seen–no noises that +could not be accounted for by rats or the wind have +I ever heard. I have never”–and here he paused–“never +but once met with any circumstances or occurrence that +could not be accounted for by the light of reason, +and I know you prefer hearing stories of my own adventures +to mere invention.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, uncle. But what was the ‘once’ +when circumstances happened that you could not explain?”</p> + +<p>“It’s rather a long story,” the +colonel said, “and it’s getting late.”</p> + +<p>“Oh! no, no, uncle; it does not matter a bit +how late we sit up on Christmas Eve, and the longer +the story is, the better; and if you don’t believe +in ghosts, how can it be a story of something you could +not account for by the light of nature?”</p> + +<p>“You will see when I have done,” the colonel +said. “It is rather a story of what the Scotch +call second sight, than one of ghosts. As to accounting +for it, you shall form your own opinion when you have +heard me to the end.</p> + +<p>“I landed in India in ’50, and after going +through the regular drill work, marched with a detachment +up country to join my regiment, which was stationed +at Jubbalpore, in the very heart of India. It has become +an important place since; the railroad across India +passes through it, and no end of changes have taken +place; but at that time it was one of the most out-of-the-way +stations in India, and, I may say, one of the most +pleasant. It lay high, there was capital boating on +the Nerbudda, and, above all, it was a grand place +for sport, for it lay at the foot of the hill country, +an immense district, then but little known, covered +with forests and jungle, and abounding with big game +of all kinds.</p> + +<p>“My great friend there was a man named Simmonds. +He was just of my own standing; we had come out in +the same ship, had marched up the country together, +and were almost like brothers. He was an old Etonian, +I an old Westminster, and we were both fond of boating, +and, indeed, of sport of all kinds. But I am not going +to tell you of that now. The people in these hills +are called Gonds, a true hill tribe–that is to say, +aborigines, somewhat of the negro type. The chiefs +are of mixed blood, but the people are almost black. +They are supposed to accept the religion of the Hindus, +but are in reality deplorably ignorant and superstitious. +Their priests are a sort of compound of a Brahmin priest +and a negro fetish man, and among their principal duties +is that of charming away tigers from the villages +by means of incantations. There, as in other parts +of India, were a few wandering fakirs, who enjoyed +an immense reputation for holiness and wisdom. The +people would go to them from great distances for charms +or predictions, and believed in their power with implicit +faith.</p> + +<p>“At the time when we were at Jubbalpore, there +was one of these fellows, whose reputation altogether +eclipsed that of his rivals, and nothing could be +done until his permission had been asked and his blessing +obtained. All sorts of marvellous stories were constantly +coming to our ears of the unerring foresight with +which he predicted the termination of diseases, both +in men and animals; and so generally was he believed +in that the colonel ordered that no one connected with +the regiment should consult him, for these predictions +very frequently brought about their own fulfilment; +for those who were told that an illness would terminate +fatally, lost all hope, and literally lay down to die.</p> + +<p>“However, many of the stories that we heard +could not be explained on these grounds, and the fakir +and his doings were often talked over at mess, some +of the officers scoffing at the whole business, others +maintaining that some of these fakirs had, in some +way or another, the power of foretelling the future, +citing many well authenticated anecdotes upon the +subject.</p> + +<p>“The older officers were the believers, we young +fellows were the scoffers. But for the well-known +fact that it is very seldom indeed that these fakirs +will utter any of their predictions to Europeans, some +of us would have gone to him, to test his powers. +As it was, none of us had ever seen him.</p> + +<p>“He lived in an old ruined temple, in the middle +of a large patch of jungle at the foot of the hills, +some ten or twelve miles away.</p> + +<p>“I had been at Jubbalpore about a year, when +I was woke up one night by a native, who came in to +say that at about eight o’clock a tiger had +killed a man in his village, and had dragged off the +body.</p> + +<p>“Simmonds and I were constantly out after tigers, +and the people in all the villages within twenty miles +knew that we were always ready to pay for early information. +This tiger had been doing great damage, and had carried +off about thirty men, women, and children. So great +was the fear of him, indeed, that the people in the +neighbourhood he frequented scarcely dared stir out +of doors, except in parties of five or six. We had +had several hunts after him, but, like all man-eaters, +he was old and awfully crafty; and although we got +several snap shots at him, he had always managed to +save his skin.</p> + +<p>“In a quarter of an hour after the receipt of +the message, Charley Simmonds and I were on the back +of an elephant, which was our joint property, our +shekarry, a capital fellow, was on foot beside us, +and with the native trotting on ahead as guide we +went off at the best pace of old Begaum, for that +was the elephant’s name. The village was fifteen +miles away, but we got there soon after daybreak, and +were received with delight by the population. In half +an hour the hunt was organized; all the male population +turned out as beaters, with sticks, guns, tom-toms, +and other instruments for making a noise.</p> + +<p>“The trail was not difficult to find. A broad +path, with occasional smears of blood, showed where +he had dragged his victim through the long grass to +a cluster of trees a couple of hundred yards from the +village.</p> + +<p>“We scarcely expected to find him there, but +the villagers held back, while we went forward with +cocked rifles. We found, however, nothing but a few +bones and a quantity of blood The tiger had made off +at the approach of daylight into the jungle, which +was about two miles distant We traced him easily enough, +and found that he had entered a large ravine, from +which several smaller ones branched off.</p> + +<p>“It was an awkward place, as it was next to +impossible to surround it with the number of people +at our command. We posted them at last all along the +upper ground, and told them to make up in noise what +they wanted in numbers. At last all was ready, and +we gave the signal. However, I am not telling you +a hunting story, and need only say that we could neither +find nor disturb him. In vain we pushed Begaum through +the thickest of the jungle which clothed the sides, +and bottom of the ravine, while the men shouted, beat +their tom-toms, and showered imprecations against +the tiger himself and his ancestors up to the remotest +generations.</p> + +<p>“The day was tremendously hot, and, after three +hours’ march, we gave it up for a time, and +lay down in the shade, while the shekarries made a +long examination of the ground all round the hillside, +to be sure that he had not left the ravine. They came +back with the news that no traces could be discovered, +and that, beyond a doubt, he was still there. A tiger +will crouch up in an exceedingly small clump of grass +or bush, and will sometimes almost allow himself to +be trodden on before moving. However, we determined +to have one more search, and if that should prove +unsuccessful, to send off to Jubbalpore for some more +of the men to come out with elephants, while we kept +up a circle of fires, and of noises of all descriptions, +so as to keep him a prisoner until the arrival of +the reinforcements. Our next search was no more successful +than our first had been; and having, as we imagined, +examined every clump and crevice in which he could +have been concealed, we had just reached the upper +end of the ravine, when we heard a tremendous roar, +followed by a perfect babel of yells and screams from +the natives.</p> + +<p>“The outburst came from the mouth of the ravine, +and we felt at once that he had escaped. We hurried +back to find, as we had expected, that the tiger was +gone. He had burst out suddenly from his hiding-place, +had seized a native, torn him horribly, and had made +across the open plain.</p> + +<p>“This was terribly provoking, but we had nothing +to do but follow him. This was easy enough, and we +traced him to a detached patch of wood and jungle, +two miles distant. This wood was four or five hundred +yards across, and the exclamations of the people at +once told us that it was the one in which stood the +ruined temple of the fakir of whom I have been telling +you. I forgot to say, that as the tiger broke out one +of the village shekarries had fired at, and, he declared, +wounded him.</p> + +<p>“It was already getting late in the afternoon, +and it was hopeless to attempt to beat the jungle +that night. We therefore sent off a runner with a +note to the colonel, asking him to send the work-elephants, +and to allow a party of volunteers to march over at +night, to help surround the jungle when we commenced +beating it in the morning.</p> + +<p>“We based our request upon the fact that the +tiger was a notorious man-eater, and had been doing +immense damage. We then had a talk with our shekarry, +sent a man off to bring provisions for the people out +with us, and then set them to work cutting sticks +and grass to make a circle of fires.</p> + +<p>“We both felt much uneasiness respecting the +fakir, who might be seized at any moment by the enraged +tiger. The natives would not allow that there was +any cause for fear, as the tiger would not dare to +touch so holy a man. Our belief in the respect of +the tiger for sanctity was by no means strong, and +we determined to go in and warn him of the presence +of the brute in the wood. It was a mission which we +could not intrust to anyone else, for no native would +have entered the jungle for untold gold; so we mounted +the Begaum again, and started. The path leading towards +the temple was pretty wide, and as we went along almost +noiselessly, for the elephant was too well trained +to tread upon fallen sticks, it was just possible +we might come upon the tiger suddenly, so we kept +our rifles in readiness in our hands.</p> + +<p>“Presently we came in sight of the ruins. No +one was at first visible; but at that very moment +the fakir came out from the temple. He did not see +or hear us, for we were rather behind him and still +among the trees, but at once proceeded in a high voice +to break into a sing-song prayer. He had not said +two words before his voice was drowned in a terrific +roar, and in an instant the tiger had sprung upon him, +struck him to the ground, seized him as a cat would +a mouse, and started off with him at a trot. The brute +evidently had not detected our presence, for he came +right towards us. We halted the Begaum, and with our +fingers on the triggers, awaited the favourable moment. +He was a hundred yards from us when he struck down +his victim; he was not more than fifty when he caught +sight of us. He stopped for an instant in surprise. +Charley muttered, ‘Both barrels, Harley,’ +and as the beast turned to plunge into the jungle, +and so showed us his side, we sent four bullets crashing +into him, and he rolled over lifeless.</p> + +<p>“We went up to the spot, made the Begaum give +him a kick, to be sure that he was dead, and then +got down to examine the unfortunate fakir. The tiger +had seized him by the shoulder, which was terribly +torn, and the bone broken. He was still perfectly +conscious.</p> + +<p>“We at once fired three shots, our usual signal +that the tiger was dead, and in a few minutes were +surrounded by the villagers, who hardly knew whether +to be delighted at the death of their enemy, or to +grieve over the injury to the fakir. We proposed taking +the latter to our hospital at Jubbalpore, but this +he positively refused to listen to. However we finally +persuaded him to allow his arm to be set and the wounds +dressed in the first place by our regimental surgeon, +after which he could go to one of the native villages +and have his arm dressed in accordance with his own +notions. A litter was soon improvised, and away we +went to Jubbalpore, which we reached about eight in +the evening.</p> + +<p>“The fakir refused to enter the hospital, so +we brought out a couple of trestles, laid the litter +upon them, and the surgeon set his arm and dressed +his wounds by torch-light, when he was lifted into +a dhoolie, and his bearers again prepared to start +for the village.</p> + +<p>“Hitherto he had only spoken a few words; but +he now briefly expressed his deep gratitude to Simmonds +and myself. We told him that we would ride over to +see him shortly, and hoped to find him getting on +rapidly. Another minute and he was gone.</p> + +<p>“It happened that we had three or four fellows +away on leave or on staff duty, and several others +knocked up with fever just about this time, so that +the duty fell very heavily upon the rest of us, and +it was over a month before we had time to ride over +to see the fakir.</p> + +<p>“We had heard he was going on well; but we were +surprised, on reaching the village, to find that he +had already returned to his old abode in the jungle. +However, we had made up our minds to see him, especially +as we had agreed that we would endeavour to persuade +him to do a prediction for us, so we turned our horses’ +heads towards the jungle. We found the fakir sitting +on a rock in front of the temple, just where he had +been seized by the tiger. He rose as we rode up.</p> + +<p>“’I knew that you would come to-day, sahibs, +and was joyful in the thought of seeing those who +have preserved my life.’</p> + +<p>“’We are glad to see you looking pretty +strong again, though your arm is still in a sling,’ +I said, for Simmonds was not strong in Hindustani.</p> + +<p>“‘How did you know that we were coming?’ +I asked, when we had tied up our horses.</p> + +<p>“‘Siva has given to his servant to know +many things,’ he said quietly.</p> + +<p>“‘Did you know beforehand that the tiger +was going to seize you?’ I asked.</p> + +<p>“’I knew that a great danger threatened, +and that Siva would not let me die before my time +had come.</p> + +<p>“‘Could you see into our future?’ +I asked.</p> + +<p>“The fakir hesitated, looked at me for a moment +earnestly to see if I was speaking in mockery, and +then said:</p> + +<p>“’The sahibs do not believe in the power +of Siva or of his servants. They call his messengers +impostors, and scoff at them when they speak of the +events of the future.’</p> + +<p>“‘No, indeed,’ I said. ’My +friend and I have no idea of scoffing. We have heard +of so many of your predictions coming true, that we +are really anxious that you should tell us something +of the future.’</p> + +<p>“The fakir nodded his head, went into the temple, +and returned in a minute or two with two small pipes +used by the natives for opium-smoking, and a brazier +of burning charcoal. The pipes were already charged. +He made signs to us to sit down, and took his place +in front of us. Then he began singing in a low voice, +rocking himself to and fro, and waving a staff which +he held in his hand. Gradually his voice rose, and +his gesticulations and actions became more violent. +So far as I could make out, it was a prayer to Siva +that he would give some glimpse of the future which +might benefit the sahibs who had saved the life of +his servant. Presently he darted forward, gave us each +a pipe, took two pieces of red-hot charcoal from the +brazier in his fingers, without seeming to know that +they were warm, and placed them in the pipes; then +he recommenced his singing and gesticulations.</p> + +<p>“A glance at Charley, to see if, like myself, +he was ready to carry the thing through, and then +I put the pipe to my lips. I felt at once that it +was opium, of which I had before made experiment, but +mixed with some other substance, which was, I imagine, +haschish, a preparation of hemp. A few puffs, and +I felt a drowsiness creeping over me. I saw, as through +a mist, the fakir swaying himself backwards and forwards, +his arms waving, and his face distorted. Another minute, +and the pipe slipped from my fingers, and I fell back +insensible.</p> + +<p>“How long I lay there I do not know. I woke +with a strange and not unpleasant sensation, and presently +became conscious that the fakir was gently pressing, +with a sort of shampooing action, my temples and head. +When he saw that I opened my eyes he left me, and performed +the same process upon Charley. In a few minutes he +rose from his stooping position, waved his hand in +token of adieu, and walked slowly back into the temple.</p> + +<p>“As he disappeared I sat up; Charley did the +same.</p> + +<p>“We stared at each other for a minute without +speaking, and then Charley said:</p> + +<p>“‘This is a rum go, and no mistake, old +man.’</p> + +<p>“’You’re right, Charley. My opinion +is, we’ve made fools of ourselves. Let’s +be off out of this.’</p> + +<p>“We staggered to our feet, for we both felt +like drunken men, made our way to our horses, poured +a mussuk of water over our heads, took a drink of +brandy from our flasks, and then feeling more like +ourselves, mounted and rode out of the jungle.</p> + +<p>“’Well, Harley, if the glimpse of futurity +which I had is true, all I can say is that it was +extremely unpleasant.’</p> + +<p>“‘That was just my case, Charley.’</p> + +<p>“’My dream, or whatever you like to call +it, was about a mutiny of the men.’</p> + +<p>“’You don’t say so, Charley; so +was mine. This is monstrously strange, to say the +least of it. However, you tell your story first, and +then I will tell mine.’</p> + +<p>“‘It was very short,’ Charley said. +’We were at mess–not in our present mess-room–we +were dining with the fellows of some other regiment. +Suddenly, without any warning, the windows were filled +with a crowd of Sepoys, who opened fire right and +left into us. Half the fellows were shot down at once; +the rest of us made a rush to our swords just as the +niggers came swarming into the room. There was a desperate +fight for a moment. I remember that Subadar Pirán–one +of the best native officers in the regiment, by the +way–made a rush at me, and I shot him through the +head with a revolver. At the same moment a ball hit +me, and down I went. At the moment a Sepoy fell dead +across me, hiding me partly from sight. The fight +lasted a minute or two longer. I fancy a few fellows +escaped, for I heard shots outside. Then the place +became quiet. In another minute I heard a crackling, +and saw that the devils had set the mess-room on fire. +One of our men, who was lying close by me, got up and +crawled to the window, but he was shot down the moment +he showed himself. I was hesitating whether to do +the same or to lie still and be smothered, when suddenly +I rolled the dead sepoy off, crawled into the ante-room +half-suffocated by smoke, raised the lid of a very +heavy trap-door, and stumbled down some steps into +a place, half store-house half cellar, under the mess-room. +How I knew about it being there I don’t know. +The trap closed over my head with a bang. That is all +I remember.’</p> + +<p>“’Well, Charley, curiously enough my dream +was also about an extraordinary escape from danger, +lasting, like yours, only a minute or two. The first +thing I remember–there seems to have been something +before, but what, I don’t know–I was on horseback, +holding a very pretty but awfully pale girl in front +of me. We were pursued by a whole troop of Sepoy cavalry, +who were firing pistol-shots at us. We were not more +than seventy or eighty yards in front, and they were +gaining fast, just as I rode into a large deserted +temple. In the centre was a huge stone figure. I jumped +off my horse with the lady, and as I did so she said, +’Blow out my brains, Edward; don’t let +me fall alive into their hands.’</p> + +<p>“’Instead of answering, I hurried her +round behind the idol, pushed against one of the leaves +of a flower in the carving, and the stone swung back, +and showed a hole just large enough to get through, +with a stone staircase inside the body of the idol, +made no doubt for the priest to go up and give responses +through the mouth. I hurried the girl through, crept +in after her, and closed the stone, just as our pursuers +came clattering into the courtyard. That is all I remember.’</p> + +<p>“‘Well, it is monstrously rum,’ +Charley said, after a pause. ’Did you understand +what the old fellow was singing about before he gave +us the pipes?’</p> + +<p>“’Yes; I caught the general drift. It +was an entreaty to Siva to give us some glimpse of +futurity which might benefit us.’</p> + +<p>“We lit our cheroots and rode for some miles +at a brisk canter without remark. When we were within +a short distance of home we reined up.</p> + +<p>“‘I feel ever so much better,’ Charley +said. ’We have got that opium out of our heads +now. How do you account for it all, Harley?’</p> + +<p>“’I account for it in this way, Charley. +The opium naturally had the effect of making us both +dream, and as we took similar doses of the same mixture, +under similar circumstances, it is scarcely extraordinary +that it should have effected the same portion of the +brain, and caused a certain similarity in our dreams. +In all nightmares something terrible happens, or is +on the point of happening; and so it was here. Not +unnaturally in both our cases, our thoughts turned +to soldiers. If you remember there was a talk at mess +some little time since, as to what would happen in +the extremely unlikely event of the sepoys mutinying +in a body. I have no doubt that was the foundation +of both our dreams. It is all natural enough when +we come to think it over calmly. I think, by the way, +we had better agree to say nothing at all about it +in the regiment.’</p> + +<p>“‘I should think not,’ Charley said. +’We should never hear the end of it; they would +chaff us out of our lives.’</p> + +<p>“We kept our secret, and came at last to laugh +over it heartily when we were together. Then the subject +dropped, and by the end of a year had as much escaped +our minds as any other dream would have done. Three +months after the affair the regiment was ordered down +to Allahabad, and the change of place no doubt helped +to erase all memory of the dream. Four years after +we had left Jubbalpore we went to Beerapore. The time +is very marked in my memory, because the very week +we arrived there, your aunt, then Miss Gardiner, came +out from England, to her father, our colonel. The +instant I saw her I was impressed with the idea that +I knew her intimately. I recollected her face, her +figure, and the very tone of her voice, but wherever +I had met her I could not conceive. Upon the occasion +of my first introduction to her, I could not help telling +her that I was convinced that we had met, and asking +her if she did not remember it. No, she did not remember, +but very likely she might have done so, and she suggested +the names of several people at whose houses we might +have met. I did not know any of them. Presently she +asked how long I had been out in India?</p> + +<p>“‘Six years,’ I said.</p> + +<p>“‘And how old, Mr. Harley,’ she +said, ‘do you take me to be?’</p> + +<p>“I saw in one instant my stupidity, and was +stammering out an apology, when she went on,–</p> + +<p>“’I am very little over eighteen, Mr. +Harley, although I evidently look ever so many years +older, but papa can certify to my age, so I was only +twelve when you left England.’</p> + +<p>“I tried in vain to clear matters up. Your aunt +would insist that I took her to be forty, and the +fun that my blunder made rather drew us together, +and gave me a start over the other fellows at the station, +half of whom fell straightway in love with her. Some +months went on, and when the mutiny broke out we were +engaged to be married. It is a proof of how completely +the opium-dreams had passed out of the minds of both +Simmonds and myself, that even when rumours of general +disaffection among the Sepoys began to be current, +they never once recurred to us; and even when the +news of the actual mutiny reached us, we were just +as confident as were the others of the fidelity of +our own regiment. It was the old story, foolish confidence +and black treachery. As at very many other stations, +the mutiny broke out when we were at mess. Our regiment +was dining with the 34th Bengalees. Suddenly, just +as dinner was over, the window was opened, and a tremendous +fire poured in. Four or five men fell dead at once, +and the poor colonel, who was next to me, was shot +right through the head. Every one rushed to his sword +and drew his pistol–for we had been ordered to carry +pistols as part of our uniform. I was next to Charley +Simmonds as the Sepoys of both regiments, headed by +Subadar Pirán, poured in at the windows.</p> + +<p>“‘I have it now,’ Charley said; +‘it is the scene I dreamed.’</p> + +<p>“As he spoke he fired his revolver at the subadar, +who fell dead in his tracks.</p> + +<p>“A Sepoy close by levelled his musket and fired. +Charley fell, and the fellow rushed forward to bayonet +him. As he did so I sent a bullet through his head, +and he fell across Charley. It was a wild fight for +a minute or two, and then a few of us made a sudden +rush together, cut our way through the mutineers, +and darted through an open window on to the parade. +There were shouts, shots, and screams from the officers’ +bungalows, and in several places flames were already +rising. What became of the other men I knew not, I +made as hard as I could tear for the colonel’s +bungalow. Suddenly I came upon a sowar sitting on his +horse watching the rising flames. Before he saw me +I was on him, and ran him through. I leapt on his +horse and galloped down to Gardiner’s compound. +I saw lots of Sepoys in and around the bungalow, all +engaged in looting. I dashed into the compound.</p> + +<p>“’May! May”! I shouted. ‘Where +are you?’</p> + +<p>“I had scarcely spoken before a dark figure +rushed out of a clump of bushes close by with a scream +of delight.</p> + +<p>“In an instant she was on the horse before me, +and shooting down a couple of fellows who made a rush +at my reins, I dashed out again. Stray shots were +fired after us. But fortunately the Sepoys were all +busy looting, most of them had laid down their muskets, +and no one really took up the pursuit. I turned off +from the parade-ground, dashed down between the hedges +of two compounds, and in another minute we were in +the open country.</p> + +<p>“Fortunately, the cavalry were all down looting +their own lines, or we must have been overtaken at +once. May happily had fainted as I lifted her on to +my horse–happily, because the fearful screams that +we heard from the various bungalows almost drove me +mad, and would probably have killed her, for the poor +ladies were all her intimate friends.</p> + +<p>“I rode on for some hours, till I felt quite +safe from any immediate pursuit, and then we halted +in the shelter of a clump of trees.</p> + +<p>“By this time I had heard May’s story. +She had felt uneasy at being alone, but had laughed +at herself for being so, until upon her speaking to +one of the servants he had answered in a tone of gross +insolence, which had astonished her. She at once guessed +that there was danger, and the moment that she was +alone caught up a large, dark carriage rug, wrapped +it round her so as to conceal her white dress, and +stole out into the verandah. The night was dark, and +scarcely had she left the house than she heard a burst +of firing across at the mess-house. She at once ran +in among the bushes and crouched there, as she heard +the rush of men into the room she had just left. She +heard them searching for her, but they were looking +for a white dress, and her dark rug saved her. What +she must have suffered in the five minutes between +the firing of the first shots and my arrival, she +only knows. May had spoken but very little since we +started. I believe that she was certain that her father +was dead, although I had given an evasive answer when +she asked me; and her terrible sense of loss, added +to the horror of that time of suspense in the garden, +had completely stunned her. We waited in the tope +until the afternoon, and then set out again.</p> + +<p>“We had gone but a short distance when we saw +a body of the rebel cavalry in pursuit. They had no +doubt been scouring the country generally, and the +discovery was accidental. For a short time we kept +away from them, but this could not be for long, as +our horse was carrying double. I made for a sort of +ruin I saw at the foot of a hill half a mile away. +I did so with no idea of the possibility of concealment. +My intention was simply to get my back to a rock and +to sell my life as dearly as I could, keeping the +last two barrels of the revolver for ourselves. Certainly +no remembrance of my dream influenced me in any way, +and in the wild whirl of excitement I had not given +a second thought to Charley Simmonds’ exclamation. +As we rode up to the ruins only a hundred yards ahead +of us, May said,–</p> + +<p>“‘Blow out my brains, Edward; don’t +let me fall alive into their hands.’</p> + +<p>“A shock of remembrance shot across me. The +chase, her pale face, the words, the temple–all my +dream rushed into my mind.</p> + +<p>“‘We are saved,’ I cried, to her +amazement, as we rode into the courtyard, in whose +centre a great figure was sitting.</p> + +<p>“I leapt from the horse, snatched the mussuk +of water from the saddle, and then hurried May round +the idol, between which and the rock behind, there +was but just room to get along.</p> + +<p>“Not a doubt entered my mind but that I should +find the spring as I had dreamed. Sure enough there +was the carving, fresh upon my memory as if I had +seen it but the day before. I placed my hand on the +leaflet without hesitation, a solid stone moved back, +I hurried my amazed companion in, and shut to the +stone. I found, and shot to, a massive bolt, evidently +placed to prevent the door being opened by accident +or design when anyone was in the idol.</p> + +<p>“At first it seemed quite dark, but a faint +light streamed in from above; we made our way up the +stairs, and found that the light came through a number +of small holes pierced in the upper part of the head, +and through still smaller holes lower down, not much +larger than a good-sized knitting-needle could pass +through. These holes, we afterwards found, were in +the ornaments round the idol’s neck. The holes +enlarged inside, and enabled us to have a view all +round.</p> + +<p>“The mutineers were furious at our disappearance, +and for hours searched about. Then, saying that we +must be hidden somewhere, and that they would wait +till we came out, they proceeded to bivouac in the +courtyard of the temple.</p> + +<p>“We passed four terrible days, but on the morning +of the fifth a scout came in to tell the rebels that +a column of British troops marching on Delhi would +pass close by the temple. They therefore hastily mounted +and galloped off.</p> + +<p>“Three quarters of an hour later we were safe +among our own people. A fortnight afterwards your +aunt and I were married. It was no time for ceremony +then; there were no means of sending her away; no place +where she could have waited until the time for her +mourning for her father was over. So we were married +quietly by one of the chaplains of the troops, and, +as your story-books say, have lived very happily ever +after.”</p> + +<p>“And how about Mr. Simmonds, uncle? Did he get +safe off too?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, his dream came as vividly to his mind +as mine had done. He crawled to the place where he +knew the trap-door would be, and got into the cellar. +Fortunately for him there were plenty of eatables there, +and he lived there in concealment for a fortnight. +After that he crawled out, and found the mutineers +had marched for Delhi. He went through a lot, but +at last joined us before that city. We often talked +over our dreams together, and there was no question +that we owed our lives to them. Even then we did not +talk much to other people about them, for there would +have been a lot of talk, and inquiry, and questions, +and you know fellows hate that sort of thing. So we +held our tongues. Poor Charley’s silence was +sealed a year later at Lucknow, for on the advance +with Lord Clyde he was killed.</p> + +<p>“And now, boys and girls, you must run off to +bed. Five minutes more and it will be Christmas-day +So you see, Frank, that although I don’t believe +in ghosts, I have yet met with a circumstance which +I cannot account for.”</p> + +<p>“It is very curious anyhow, uncle, and beats +ghost stories into fits.”</p> + +<p>“I like it better, certainly,” one of +the girls said, “for we can go to bed without +being afraid of dreaming about it.”</p> + +<p>“Well, you must not talk any more now Off to +bed, off to bed,” Colonel Harley said, “or +I shall get into terrible disgrace with your fathers +and mothers, who have been looking very gravely at +me for the last three quarters of an hour.”</p> + +<h1><a name="story_04"></a>White-Faced Dick</h1> + +<h2>A Story of Pine-Tree Gulch.</h2> + +<p>How Pine-tree Gulch got its name no one knew, for +in the early days every ravine and hillside was thickly +covered with pines. It may be that a tree of exceptional +size caught the eye of the first explorer, that he +camped under it, and named the place in its honour; +or, may be, some fallen giant lay in the bottom and +hindered the work of the first prospectors. At any +rate, Pine-tree Gulch it was, and the name was as +good as any other. The pine-trees were gone now. Cut +up for firing, or for the erection of huts, or the +construction of sluices, but the hillside was ragged +with their stumps.</p> + +<p>The principal camp was at the mouth of the Gulch, +where the little stream, which scarce afforded water +sufficient for the cradles in the dry season, but +which was a rushing torrent in winter, joined the +Yuba. The best ground was at the junction of the streams, +and lay, indeed, in the Yuba valley rather than in +the Gulch. At first most gold had been found higher +up, but there was here comparatively little depth +down to the bed-rock, and as the ground became exhausted +the miners moved down towards the mouth of the Gulch. +They were doing well as a whole, how well no one knew, +for miners are chary of giving information as to what +they are making; still, it was certain they were doing +well, for the bars were doing a roaring trade, and +the store-keepers never refused credit–a proof in +itself that the prospects were good.</p> + +<p>The flat at the mouth of the Gulch was a busy scene, +every foot was good paying stuff, for in the eddy, +where the torrents in winter rushed down into the +Yuba, the gold had settled down and lay thick among +the gravel. But most of the parties were sinking, +and it was a long way down to the bed-rock; for the +hills on both sides sloped steeply, and the Yuba must +here at one time have rushed through a narrow gorge, +until, in some wild freak, it brought down millions +of tons of gravel, and resumed its course seventy +feet above its former level.</p> + +<p>A quarter of a mile higher up a ledge of rock ran +across the valley, and over it in the old time the +Yuba had poured in a cascade seventy feet deep into +the ravine. But the rock now was level with the gravel, +only showing its jagged points here and there above +it. This ledge had been invaluable to the diggers: +without it they could only have sunk their shafts +with the greatest difficulty, for the gravel would +have been full of water, and even with the greatest +pains in puddling and timber-work the pumps would +scarcely have sufficed to keep it down as it rose in +the bottom of the shafts. But the miners had made +common cause together, and giving each so many ounces +of gold or so many day’s work had erected a +dam thirty feet high along the ledge of rock, and had +cut a channel for the Yuba along the lower slopes +of the valley. Of course, when the rain set in, as +everybody knew, the dam would go, and the river diggings +must be abandoned till the water subsided and a fresh +dam was made; but there were two months before them +yet, and every one hoped to be down to the bed-rock +before the water interrupted their work.</p> + +<p>The hillside, both in the Yuba Valley and for some +distance along Pine-tree Gulch, was dotted by shanties +and tents; the former constructed for the most part +of logs roughly squared, the walls being some three +feet in height, on which the sharp sloping roof was +placed, thatched in the first place with boughs, and +made all snug, perhaps, with an old sail stretched +over all. The camp was quiet enough during the day. +The few women were away with their washing at the pools, +a quarter of a mile up the Gulch, and the only persons +to be seen about were the men told off for cooking +for their respective parties.</p> + +<p>But in the evening the camp was lively. Groups of +men in red shirts and corded trousers tied at the +knee, in high boots, sat round blazing fires, and +talked of their prospects or discussed the news of +the luck at other camps. The sound of music came from +two or three plank erections which rose conspicuously +above the huts of the diggers, and were bright externally +with the glories of white and coloured paints. To +and from these men were always sauntering, and it needed +not the clink of glasses and the sound of music to +tell that they were the bars of the camp.</p> + +<p>Here, standing at the counter, or seated at numerous +small tables, men were drinking villainous liquor, +smoking and talking, and paying but scant attention +to the strains of the fiddle or the accordion, save +when some well-known air was played, when all would +join in a boisterous chorus. Some were always passing +in or out of a door which led into a room behind. +Here there was comparative quiet, for men were gambling, +and gambling high.</p> + +<p>Going backwards and forwards with liquors into the +gambling-room of the Imperial Saloon, which stood +just where Pine-tree Gulch opened into Yuba valley, +was a lad, whose appearance had earned for him the +name of White-faced Dick.</p> + +<p>White-faced Dick was not one of those who had done +well at Pine-tree Gulch; he had come across the plains +with his father, who had died when half-way over, +and Dick had been thrown on the world to shift for +himself. Nature had not intended him for the work, +for he was a delicate, timid lad; what spirits he +originally had having been years before beaten out +of him by a brutal father. So far, indeed, Dick was +the better rather than the worse for the event which +had left him an orphan.</p> + +<p>They had been travelling with a large party for mutual +security against Indians and Mormons, and so long +as the journey lasted Dick had got on fairly well. +He was always ready to do odd jobs, and as the draught +cattle were growing weaker and weaker, and every pound +of weight was of importance, no one grudged him his +rations in return for his services, but when the company +began to descend the slopes of the Sierra Nevada they +began to break up, going off by twos and threes to +the diggings, of which they heard such glowing accounts. +Some, however, kept straight on to Sacramento, determining +there to obtain news as to the doings at all the different +places, and then to choose that which seemed to offer +the best prospects of success.</p> + +<p>Dick proceeded with them to the town, and there found +himself alone. His companions were absorbed in the +busy rush of population, and each had so much to provide +and arrange for, that none gave a thought to the solitary +boy. However, at that time no one who had a pair of +hands, however feeble, to work need starve in Sacramento; +and for some weeks Dick hung around the town doing +odd jobs, and then, having saved a few dollars, determined +to try his luck at the diggings, and started on foot +with a shovel on his shoulder and a few day’s +provisions slung across it.</p> + +<p>Arrived at his destination, the lad soon discovered +that gold-digging was hard work for brawny and seasoned +men, and after a few feeble attempts in spots abandoned +as worthless he gave up the effort, and again began +to drift; and even in Pine-tree Gulch it was not difficult +to get a living. At first he tried rocking cradles, +but the work was far harder than it appeared. He was +standing ankle deep in water from morning till night, +and his cheeks grew paler, and his strength, instead +of increasing, seemed to fade away. Still, there were +jobs within his strength. He could keep a fire alight +and watch a cooking-pot, he could carry up buckets +of water or wash a flannel shirt, and so he struggled +on, until at last some kind-hearted man suggested to +him that he should try to get a place at the new saloon +which was about to be opened.</p> + +<p>“You are not fit for this work, young ’un, +and you ought to be at home with your mother; if you +like I will go up with you this evening to Jeffries. +I knew him down on the flats, and I daresay he will +take you on. I don’t say as a saloon is a good +place for a boy, still you will always get your bellyful +of victuals and a dry place to sleep in, if it’s +only under a table. What do you say?”</p> + +<p>Dick thankfully accepted the offer, and on Red George’s +recommendation was that evening engaged. His work +was not hard now, for till the miners knocked off +there was little doing in the saloon; a few men would +come in for a drink at dinner-time, but it was not +until the lamps were lit that business began in earnest, +and then for four or five hours Dick was busy.</p> + +<p>A rougher or healthier lad would not have minded the +work, but to Dick it was torture; every nerve in his +body thrilled whenever rough miners cursed him for +not carrying out their orders more quickly, or for +bringing them the wrong liquors, which, as his brain +was in a whirl with the noise, the shouting, and the +multiplicity of orders, happened frequently. He might +have fared worse had not Red George always stood his +friend, and Red George was an authority in Pine-tree +Gulch–powerful in frame, reckless in bearing and +temper, he had been in a score of fights and had come +off them, if not unscathed, at least victorious. He +was notoriously a lucky digger, but his earnings went +as fast as they were made, and he was always ready +to open his belt and give a bountiful pinch of dust +to any mate down on his luck.</p> + +<p>One evening Dick was more helpless and confused than +usual. The saloon was full, and he had been shouted +at and badgered and cursed until he scarcely knew +what he was doing. High play was going on in the saloon, +and a good many men were clustered round the table. +Red George was having a run of luck, and there was +a big pile of gold dust on the table before him. One +of the gamblers who was losing had ordered old rye, +and instead of bringing it to him, Dick brought a +tumbler of hot liquor which someone else had called +for. With an oath the man took it up and threw it +in his face.</p> + +<p>“You cowardly hound!” Red George exclaimed. +“Are you man enough to do that to a man?”</p> + +<p>“You bet,” the gambler, who was a new +arrival at Pine-tree Gulch, replied; and picking up +an empty glass, he hurled it at Red George. The by-standers +sprang aside, and in a moment the two men were facing +each other with outstretched pistols. The two reports +rung out simultaneously: Red George sat down unconcernedly +with a streak of blood flowing down his face, where +the bullet had cut a furrow in his cheek; the stranger +fell back with the bullet hole in the centre of his +forehead.</p> + +<p>The body was carried outside, and the play continued +as if no interruption had taken place. They were accustomed +to such occurrences in Pine-tree Gulch, and the piece +of ground at the top of the hill, that had been set +aside as a burial place, was already dotted thickly +with graves, filled in almost every instance by men +who had died, in the local phraseology, “with +their boots on.”</p> + +<p>Neither then nor afterwards did Red George allude +to the subject to Dick, whose life after this signal +instance of his championship was easier than it had +hitherto been, for there were few in Pine-tree Gulch +who cared to excite Red George’s anger; and strangers +going to the place were sure to receive a friendly +warning that it was best for their health to keep +their tempers over any shortcomings on the part of +White-faced Dick.</p> + +<p>Grateful as he was for Red George’s interference +on his behalf, Dick felt the circumstance which had +ensued more than anyone else in the camp. With others +it was the subject of five minutes’ talk, but +Dick could not get out of his head the thought of +the dead man’s face as he fell back. He had +seen many such frays before, but he was too full of +his own troubles for them to make much impression upon +him. But in the present case he felt as if he himself +was responsible for the death of the gambler; if he +had not blundered this would not have happened. He +wondered whether the dead man had a wife and children, +and, if so, were they expecting his return? Would +they ever hear where he had died, and how?</p> + +<p>But this feeling, which, tired out as he was when +the time came for closing the bar, often prevented +him from sleeping for hours, in no way lessened his +gratitude and devotion towards Red George, and he felt +that he could die willingly if his life would benefit +his champion. Sometimes he thought, too, that his +life would not be much to give, for in spite of shelter +and food, the cough which he had caught while working +in the water still clung to him, and, as his employer +said to him angrily one day–</p> + +<p>“Your victuals don’t do you no good, Dick; +you get thinner and thinner, and folks will think +as I starve you. Darned if you ain’t a disgrace +to the establishment.”</p> + +<p>The wind was whistling down the gorges, and the clouds +hung among the pine-woods which still clothed the +upper slopes of the hills, and the diggers, as they +turned out one morning, looked up apprehensively.</p> + +<p>“But it could not be,” they assured each +other. Every one knew that the rains were not due +for another month yet; it could only be a passing +shower if it rained at all.</p> + +<p>But as the morning went on, men came in from camps +higher up the river, and reports were current that +it had been raining for the last two days among the +upper hills; while those who took the trouble to walk +across to the new channel could see for themselves +at noon that it was filled very nigh to the brim, +the water rushing along with thick and turbid current. +But those who repeated the rumours, or who reported +that the channel was full, were summarily put down. +Men would not believe that such a calamity as a flood +and the destruction of all their season’s work +could be impending. There had been some showers, no +doubt, as there had often been before, but it was +ridiculous to talk of anything like rain a month before +its time. Still, in spite of these assertions, there +was uneasiness at Pine-tree Gulch, and men looked at +the driving clouds above and shook their heads before +they went down to the shafts to work after dinner.</p> + +<p>When the last customer had left and the bar was closed, +Dick had nothing to do till evening, and he wandered +outside and sat down on a stump, at first looking +at the work going on in the valley, then so absorbed +in his own thoughts that he noticed nothing, not even +the driving mist which presently set in. He was calculating +that he had, with his savings from his wages and what +had been given him by the miners, laid by eighty dollars. +When he got another hundred and twenty he would go; +he would make his way down to San Francisco, and then +by ship to Panama and up to New York, and then west +again to the village where he was born. There would +be people there who would know him, and who would give +him work, for his mother’s sake. He did not +care what it was; anything would be better than this.</p> + +<p>Then his thoughts came back to Pine-tree Gulch, and +he started to his feet. Could he be mistaken? Were +his eyes deceiving him? No; among the stones and boulders +of the old bed of the Yuba there was the gleam of +water, and even as he watched it he could see it widening +out. He started to run down the hill to give the alarm, +but before he was half-way he paused, for there were +loud shouts, and a scene of bustle and confusion instantly +arose.</p> + +<p>The cradles were deserted, and the men working on +the surface loaded themselves with their tools and +made for the high ground, while those at the windlasses +worked their hardest to draw up their comrades below. +A man coming down from above stopped close to Dick, +with a low cry, and stood gazing with a white scared +face. Dick had worked with him; he was one of the +company to which Red George belonged.</p> + +<p>“What is it, Saunders?”</p> + +<p>“My God! they are lost,” the man replied. +“I was at the windlass when they shouted up +to me to go up and fetch them a bottle of rum. They +had just struck it rich, and wanted a drink on the +strength of it.”</p> + +<p>Dick understood at once. Red George and his mates +were still in the bottom of the shaft, ignorant of +the danger which was threatening them.</p> + +<p>“’Come on,” he cried; “we +shall be in time yet,” and at the top of his +speed dashed down the hill, followed by Saunders.</p> + +<p>“What is it, what is it?” asked parties +of men mounting the hill. “Red George’s +gang are still below.”</p> + +<p>Dick’s eyes were fixed on the water. There was +a broad band now of yellow with a white edge down +the centre of the stony flat, and it was widening +with terrible rapidity. It was scarce ten yards from +the windlass at the top of Red George’s shaft +when Dick, followed closely by Saunders, reached it.</p> + +<p>“Come up, mates; quick, for your lives! The +river is rising; you will be flooded out directly. +Every one else has gone!”</p> + +<p>As he spoke he pulled at the rope by which the bucket +was hanging, and the handles of the windlass flew +round rapidly as it descended. When it had run out. +Dick and he grasped the handles.</p> + +<p>“All right below?”</p> + +<p>An answering call came up, and the two began their +work, throwing their whole strength into it. Quickly +as the windlass revolved, it seemed an endless time +to Dick before the bucket came up, and the first man +stepped out. It was not Red George. Dick had hardly +expected it would be. Red George would be sure to +see his two mates up before him, and the man uttered +a cry of alarm as he saw the water, now within a few +feet of the mouth of the shaft.</p> + +<p>It was a torrent now, for not only was it coming through +the dam, but it was rushing down in cascades from +the new channel. Without a word the miner placed himself +facing Dick and the moment the bucket was again down, +the three grasped the handles. But quickly as they +worked, the edge of the water was within a few inches +of the shaft when the next man reached the surface, +but again the bucket descended before the rope tightened. +However, the water had began to run over the lip–at +first in a mere trickle, and then, almost instantaneously, +in a cascade, which grew larger and larger.</p> + +<p>The bucket was half-way up when a sound like thunder +was heard, the ground seemed to tremble under their +feet, and then at the turn of the valley above, a +great wave of yellow water, crested with foam, was +seen tearing along at the speed of a race-horse.</p> + +<p>“The dam has burst!” Saunders shouted. +“Run for your lives, or we are all lost!”</p> + +<p>The three men dropped the handles and ran at full +speed towards the shore, while loud shouts to Dick +to follow came from the crowd of men standing on the +slope. But the boy still grasped the handles, and with +lips tightly closed, still toiled on. Slowly the bucket +ascended, for Red George was a heavy man; then suddenly +the weight slackened, and the handle went round faster. +The shaft was filling, the water had reached the bucket, +and had risen to Red George’s neck, so that his +weight was no longer on the rope. So fast did the +water pour in, that it was not half a minute before +the bucket reached the surface, and Red George sprang +out. There was but time for one exclamation, and then +the great wave struck them. Red George was whirled +like a straw in the current, but he was a strong swimmer, +and at a point where the valley widened out, half +a mile lower, he struggled to shore.</p> + +<p>Two days later the news reached Pine-tree Gulch that +a boy’s body had been washed ashore twenty miles +down, and ten men, headed by Red George, went and +brought it solemnly back to Pine-tree Gulch. There, +among the stumps of pine-trees, a grave was dug, and +there, in the presence of the whole camp, White-faced +Dick was laid to rest.</p> + +<p>Pine-tree Gulch is a solitude now, the trees are growing +again, and none would dream that it was once a busy +scene of industry; but if the traveller searches among +the pine-trees, he will find a stone with the words:</p> + +<p>“Here lies White-faced Dick, who died to save +Red George. ’What can a man do more than give +his life for a friend?’”</p> + +<p>The text was the suggestion of an ex-clergyman working +as a miner in Pine-tree Gulch.</p> + +<p>Red George worked no more at the diggings, but after +seeing the stone laid in its place, went east, and +with what little money came to him when the common +fund of the company was divided after the flood on +the Yuba, bought a small farm, and settled down there; +but to the end of his life he was never weary of telling +those who would listen to it the story of Pine-tree +Gulch.</p> + +<h1><a name="story_05"></a>A Brush with the Chinese</h1> + +<h2>And What Came of It.</h2> + +<p>It was early in December that H.M.S. <i>Perseus</i> +was cruising off the mouth of the Canton River. War +had been declared with China in consequence of her +continued evasions of the treaty she had made with +us, and it was expected that a strong naval force would +soon gather to bring her to reason. In the meantime +the ships on the station had a busy time of it, chasing +the enemy’s junks when they ventured to show +themselves beyond the reach of the guns of their forts, +and occasionally having a brush with the piratical +boats which took advantage of the general confusion +to plunder friend as well as foe.</p> + +<p>The <i>Perseus</i> had that afternoon chased two Government +junks up a creek. The sun had already set when they +took refuge there, and the captain did not care to +send his boats after them in the dark, as many of +the creeks ran up for miles into the flat country; +and as they not unfrequently had many arms or branches, +the boats might, in the dark, miss the junks altogether. +Orders were issued that four boats should be ready +for starting at daybreak the next morning. The <i>Perseus</i> +anchored off the mouth of the creek, and two boats +were ordered to row backwards and forwards off its +mouth all night to insure that the enemy did not slip +out in the darkness.</p> + +<p>Jack Fothergill, the senior midshipman, was commanding +the gig, and two of the other midshipmen were going +in the pinnace and launch, commanded respectively +by the first lieutenant and the master. The three other +midshipmen of the <i>Perseus</i> were loud in their +lamentations that they were not to take share in the +fun.</p> + +<p>“You can’t all go, you know,” Fothergill +said, “and it’s no use making a row about +it; the captain has been very good to let three of +us go.”</p> + +<p>“It’s all very well for you, Jack,” +Percy Adcock, the youngest of the lads, replied, “because +you are one of those chosen; and it is not so hard +for Simmons and Linthorpe, because they went the other +day in the boat that chased those junks under shelter +of the guns of their battery, but I haven’t +had a chance for ever so long.”</p> + +<p>“’What fun was there in chasing the junks?” +Simmons said. “We never got near the brutes +till they were close to their battery, and then just +as the first shot came singing from their guns, and +we thought that we were going to have some excitement, +the first lieutenant sung out ‘Easy all,’ +and there was nothing for it but to turn round and +to row for the ship, and a nice hot row it was–two +hours and a half in a broiling sun. Of course I am +not blaming Oliphant, for the captain’s orders +were strict that we were not to try to cut the junks +out if they got under the guns of any of their batteries. +Still it was horribly annoying, and I do think the +captain might have remembered what beastly luck we +had last time, and given us a chance tomorrow.”</p> + +<p>“It is clear we could not all go,” Fothergill +said, “and naturally enough the captain chose +the three seniors. Besides, if you did have bad luck +last time, you had your chance, and I don’t suppose +we shall have anything more exciting now, these fellows +always set fire to their junks and row for the shore +directly they see us, after firing a shot or two wildly +in our direction.”</p> + +<p>“Well, Jack, if you don’t expect any fun,” +Simmons replied, “perhaps you wouldn’t +mind telling the first lieutenant you do not care for +going, and that I am very anxious to take your place. +Perhaps he will be good enough to allow me to relieve +you.”</p> + +<p>“A likely thing that!” Fothergill laughed. +“No, Tom, I am sorry you are not going, but +you must make the best of it till another chance comes.”</p> + +<p>“Don’t you think, Jack,” Percy Adcock +said to his senior in a coaxing tone later on, “you +could manage to smuggle me into the boat with you?”</p> + +<p>“Not I, Percy. Suppose you got hurt, what would +the captain say then? And firing as wildly as the +Chinese do, a shot is just as likely to hit your little +carcase as to lodge in one of the sailors. No, you +must just make the best of it, Percy, and I promise +you that next time there is a boat expedition, if +you are not put in, I will say a good word to the +first luff for you.”</p> + +<p>“That promise is better than nothing,” +the boy said; “but I would a deal rather go +this time and take my chance next.”</p> + +<p>“But you see you can’t, Percy, and there’s +no use talking any more about it. I really do not +expect there will be any fighting. Two junks would +hardly make any opposition to the boats of the ship, +and I expect we shall be back by nine o’clock +with the news that they were well on fire before we +came up.”</p> + +<p>Percy Adcock, however, was determined, if possible, +to go. He was a favourite among the men, and when +he spoke to the bow oar of the gig, the latter promised +to do anything he could to aid him to carry out his +wishes.</p> + +<p>“We are to start at daybreak, Tom, so that it +will be quite dark when the boats are lowered. I will +creep into the gig before that and hide myself as +well as I can under your thwart, and all you have got +to do is to take no notice of me. When the boat is +lowered I think they will hardly make me out from +the deck, especially as you will be standing up in +the bow holding on with the boat-hook till the rest +get on board.”</p> + +<p>“Well, sir, I will do my best, but if you are +caught you must not let out that I knew anything about +it.”</p> + +<p>“I won’t do that,” Percy said. “I +don’t think there is much chance of my being +noticed until we get on board the junks, and then they +won’t know which boat I came off in, and the +first lieutenant will be too busy to blow me up. Of +course I shall get it when I am on board again, but +I don’t mind that so that I see the fun. Besides, +I want to send home some things to my sister, and +she will like them all the better if I can tell her +I captured them on board some junks we seized and burnt.”</p> + +<p>The next morning the crews mustered before daybreak. +Percy had already taken his place under the bow thwart +of the gig. The davits were swung overboard, and two +men took their places in her as she was lowered down +by the falls. As soon as she touched the water the +rest of the crew clambered down by the ladder and +took their places, then Fothergill took his seat in +the stern, and the boat pushed off and lay a few lengths +away from the ship until the heavier boats put off. +As soon as they were under way Percy crawled out from +his hiding-place and placed himself in the bow, where +he was sheltered by the body of the oarsmen from Fothergill’s +sight.</p> + +<p>Day was just breaking now, but it was still dark on +the water, and the boat rowed very slowly until it +became lighter. Percy could just make out the shores +of the creek on both sides; they were but two or three +feet above the level of the water, and were evidently +submerged at high tide. The creek was about a hundred +yards wide, and the lad could not see far ahead, for +it was full of sharp windings and turnings. Here and +there branches joined it, but the boats were evidently +following the main channel. After another half-hour’s +rowing the first lieutenant suddenly gave the order, +“Easy all,” and the men, looking over their +shoulders, saw a village a quarter of a mile ahead, +with the two junks they had chased the night before +lying in front of it. Almost at the same moment a +sudden uproar was heard–drums were beaten and gongs +sounded.</p> + +<p>“They are on the look-out for us,” the +first lieutenant said. “Mr. Mason, do you keep +with me and attack the junk highest up the river; +Mr. Bellew and Mr. Fothergill, do you take the one +lower down. Row on, men.”</p> + +<p>The oars all touched the water together, and the four +boats leapt forward. In a minute a scattering fire +of gingals and matchlocks was opened from the junks, +and the bullets pattered on the water round the boats. +Percy was kneeling up in the bow now. As they passed +a branch channel three or four hundred yards from +the village, he started and leapt to his feet.</p> + +<p>“There are four or five junks in that passage, +Fothergill; they are poling out.”</p> + +<p>The first lieutenant heard the words.</p> + +<p>“Row on, men; let us finish with these craft +ahead before the others get out. This must be that +piratical village we have heard about, Mr. Mason, +as lying up one of these creeks; that accounts for +those two junks not going higher up. I was surprised +at seeing them here, for they might guess that we +should try to get them this morning. Evidently they +calculated on catching us in a trap.”</p> + +<p>Percy was delighted at finding that, in the excitement +caused by his news, the first lieutenant had forgotten +to take any notice of his being there without orders, +and he returned a defiant nod to the threat conveyed +by Fothergill shaking his fist at him. As they neared +the junks the fire of those on board redoubled, and +was aided by that of many villagers gathered on the +bank of the creek. Suddenly from a bank of rushes +four cannons were fired. A ball struck the pinnace, +smashing in her side. The other boats gathered hastily +round and took her crew on board, and then dashed +at the junks, which were but a hundred yards distant. +The valour of the Chinese evaporated as they saw the +boats approaching, and scores of them leapt overboard +and swam for shore.</p> + +<p>In another minute the boats were alongside and the +crews scrambling up the sides of the junks. A few +Chinamen only attempted to oppose them. These were +speedily overcome, and the British had now time to +look round, and saw that six junks crowded with men +had issued from the side creek and were making towards +them.</p> + +<p>“Let the boats tow astern,” the lieutenant +ordered. “We should have to run the gauntlet +of that battery on shore if we were to attack them, +and might lose another boat before we reached their +side. We will fight them here.”</p> + +<p>The junks approached, those on board firing their +guns, yelling and shouting, while the drums and gongs +were furiously beaten.</p> + +<p>“They will find themselves mistaken, Percy, +if they think they are going to frighten us with all +that row,” Fothergill said. “You young +rascal, how did you get on board the boat without +being seen? The captain will be sure to suspect I +had a hand in concealing you.”</p> + +<p>The tars were now at work firing the gingals attached +to the bulwarks and the matchlocks, with which the +deck was strewn, at the approaching junks. As they +took steady aim, leaning their pieces on the bulwarks, +they did considerable execution among the Chinamen +crowded on board the junks, while the shot of the +Chinese, for the most part, whistled far overhead; +but the guns of the shore battery, which had now been +slewed round to bear upon them, opened with a better +aim, and several shots came crashing into the sides +of the two captured junks.</p> + +<p>“Get ready to board, lads!” Lieutenant +Oliphant shouted. “Don’t wait for them +to board you, but the moment they come alongside lash +their rigging to ours and spring on board them.”</p> + +<p>The leading junk was now about twenty yards away, +and presently grated alongside. Half-a-dozen sailors +at once sprang into her rigging with ropes, and after +lashing the junks together leaped down upon her deck, +where Fothergill was leading the gig’s crew and +some of those rescued from the pinnace, while Mr. +Bellew, with another party, had boarded her at the +stern. Several of the Chinese fought stoutly, but the +greater part lost heart at seeing themselves attacked +by the “white devils,” instead of, as +they expected, overwhelming them by their superior +numbers. Many began at once to jump overboard, and +after two or three minutes’ sharp fighting, +the rest either followed their example or were beaten +below.</p> + +<p>Fothergill looked round. The other junk had been attacked +by two of the enemy, one on each side, and the little +body of sailors were gathered in her waist, and were +defending themselves against an overwhelming number +of the enemy. The other three piratical junks had been +carried somewhat up the creek by the tide that was +sweeping inward, and could not for the moment take +part in the fight.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Oliphant is hard pressed, sir.” He +asked the master: “Shall we take to the boats?”</p> + +<p>“That will be the best plan,” Mr. Bellew +replied. “Quick, lads, get the boats alongside +and tumble in; there is not a moment to be lost.”</p> + +<p>The crew at once sprang to the boats and rowed to +the other junk, which was but some thirty yards away.</p> + +<p>The Chinese, absorbed in their contest with the crew +of the pinnace, did not perceive the newcomers until +they gained the deck, and with a shout fell furiously +upon them. In their surprise and consternation the +pirates did not pause to note that they were still +five to one superior in number, but made a precipitate +rush for their own vessels. The English at once took +the offensive. The first lieutenant with his party +boarded one, while the new-comers leapt on to the deck +of the other. The panic which had seized the Chinese +was so complete that they attempted no resistance +whatever, but sprang overboard in great numbers and +swam to the shore, which was but twenty yards away, +and in three minutes the English were in undisputed +possession of both vessels.</p> + +<p>“Back again, Mr. Fothergill, or you will lose +the craft you captured,” Lieutenant Oliphant +said; “they have already cut her free.”</p> + +<p>The Chinese, indeed, who had been beaten below by +the boarding party, had soon perceived the sudden +departure of their captors, and gaining the deck again +had cut the lashings which fastened them to the other +junk, and were proceeding to hoist their sails. They +were too late, however. Almost before the craft had +way on her Fothergill and his crew were alongside. +The Chinese did not wait for the attack, but at once +sprang overboard and made for the shore. The other +three junks, seeing the capture of their comrades, +had already hoisted their sails and were making up +the creek. Fothergill dropped an anchor, left four +of his men in charge, and rowed back to Mr. Oliphant.</p> + +<p>“What shall we do next, sir?”</p> + +<p>“We will give those fellows on shore a lesson, +and silence their battery. Two men have been killed +since you left. We must let the other junks go for +the present. Four of my men were killed and eleven +wounded before Mr. Bellew and you came to our assistance. +The Chinese were fighting pluckily up to that time, +and it would have gone very hard with us if you had +not been at hand; the beggars will fight when they +think they have got it all their own way. But before +we land we will set fire to the five junks we have +taken. Do you return and see that the two astern are +well lighted, Mr. Fothergill; Mr. Mason will see to +these three. When you have done your work take to +your boat and lay off till I join you; keep the junks +between you and the shore, to protect you from the +fire of the rascals there.”</p> + +<p>“I cannot come with you, I suppose, Fothergill?” +Percy Adcock said, as the midshipman was about to +descend into his boat again.</p> + +<p>“Yes, come along, Percy. It doesn’t matter +what you do now. The captain will be so pleased when +he hears that we have captured and burnt five junks, +that you will get off with a very light wigging, I +imagine.”</p> + +<p>“That’s just what I was thinking, Jack. +Has it not been fun?”</p> + +<p>“You wouldn’t have thought it fun if you +had got one of those matchlock balls in your body. +There are a good many of our poor fellows just at +the present moment who do not see anything funny in +the affair at all. Here we are; clamber up.”</p> + +<p>The crew soon set to work under Fothergill’s +orders. The sails were cut off the masts and thrown +down into the hold; bamboos, of which there were an +abundance down there, were heaped over them, a barrel +of oil was poured over the mass, and the fire then +applied.</p> + +<p>“That will do, lads. Now take to your boats +and let’s make a bonfire of the other junk.”</p> + +<p>In ten minutes both vessels were a sheet of flame, +and the boat was lying a short distance from them +waiting for further operations. The inhabitants of +the village, furious at the failure of the plan which +had been laid for the destruction of the “white +devils,” kept up a constant fusilade, which, +however, did no harm, for the gig was completely sheltered +by the burning junks close to her from their missiles.</p> + +<p>“There go the others!” Percy exclaimed +after a minute or two, as three columns of smoke arose +simultaneously from the other junks, and the sailors +were seen dropping into their boats alongside.</p> + +<p>The killed and wounded were placed in the other gig +with four sailors in charge. They were directed to +keep under shelter of the junks until rejoined by +the pinnace and Fothergill’s gig, after these +had done their work on shore.</p> + +<p>When all was ready the first lieutenant raised his +hand as a signal, and the two boats dashed between +the burning junks and rowed for the shore. Such of +the natives as had their weapons charged fired a hasty +volley, and then, as the sailors leapt from their boats, +took to their heels.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Fothergill, take your party into the village +and set fire to the houses; shoot down every man you +see. This place is a nest of pirates. I will capture +that battery and then join you.”</p> + +<p>Fothergill and his sailors at once entered the village. +The men had already fled; the women were turned out +of the houses, and these were immediately set on fire. +The tars regarded the whole affair as a glorious joke, +and raced from house to house, making a hasty search +in each for concealed valuables before setting it +on fire. In a short time the whole village was in +a blaze.</p> + +<p>“There is a house there, standing in that little +grove a hundred yards away,” Percy said.</p> + +<p>“It looks like a temple,” Fothergill replied. +“However, we will have a look at it.” +And calling two sailors to accompany him, he started +at a run towards it, Percy keeping by his side.</p> + +<p>“It is a temple,” Fothergill said when +they approached it. “Still, we will have a look +at it, but we won’t burn it; it will be as well +to respect the religion, even of a set of piratical +scoundrels like these.”</p> + +<p>At the head of his men he rushed in at the entrance. +There was a blaze of fire as half a dozen muskets +were discharged in their faces. One of the sailors +dropped dead, and before the others had time to realize +what had happened they were beaten to the ground by +a storm of blows from swords and other weapons.</p> + +<p>A heavy blow crashed down on Percy’s head, and +he fell insensible even before he realized what had +occurred.</p> + +<p>When he recovered, his first sensation was that of +a vague wonder as to what had happened to him. He +seemed to be in darkness and unable to move hand or +foot. He was compressed in some way that he could not +at first understand, and was being bumped and jolted +in an extraordinary manner. It was some little time +before he could understand the situation. He first +remembered the fight with the junks, then he recalled +the landing and burning the village; then, as his brain +cleared, came the recollection of his start with Fothergill +for the temple among the trees, his arrival there, +and a loud report and flash of fire.</p> + +<p>“I must have been knocked down and stunned,” +he said to himself, “and I suppose I am a prisoner +now to these brutes, and one of them must be carrying +me on his back.”</p> + +<p>Yes, he could understand it all now. His hands and +his feet were tied, ropes were passed round his body +in every direction, and he was fastened back to back +upon the shoulders of a Chinaman. Percy remembered +the tales he had heard of the imprisonment and torture +of those who fell into the hands of the Chinese, and +he bitterly regretted that he had not been killed +instead of stunned in the surprise of the temple.</p> + +<p>“It would have been just the same feeling,” +he said to himself, “and there would have been +an end of it. Now, there is no saying what is going +to happen. I wonder whether Jack was killed, and the +sailors.”</p> + +<p>Presently there was a jabber of voices; the motion +ceased. Percy could feel that the cords were being +unwound, and he was dropped on to his feet; then the +cloth was removed from his head, and he could look +round.</p> + +<p>A dozen Chinese, armed with matchlocks and bristling +with swords and daggers, stood around, and among them, +bound like himself and gagged by a piece of bamboo +forced lengthways across his mouth and kept there with +a string going round the back of the head, stood Fothergill. +He was bleeding from several cuts in the head. Percy’s +heart gave a bound of joy at finding that he was not +alone; then he tried to feel sorry that Jack had not +escaped, but failed to do so, although he told himself +that his comrade’s presence would not in any +way alleviate the fate which was certain to befall +him. Still the thought of companionship, even in wretchedness, +and perhaps a vague hope that Jack, with his energy +and spirit, might contrive some way for their escape, +cheered him up.</p> + +<p>As Percy, too, was gagged, no word could be exchanged +by the midshipmen, but they nodded to each other. +They were now put side by side and made to walk in +the centre of their captors. On the way they passed +through several villages, whose inhabitants poured +out to gaze at the captives, but the men in charge +of them were evidently not disposed to delay, as they +passed through without a stop. At last they halted +before two cottages standing by themselves, thrust +the prisoners into a small room, removed their gags, +and left them to themselves.</p> + +<p>“Well, Percy, my boy, so they caught you too? +I am awfully sorry. It was my fault for going with +only two men into that temple, but as the village +had been deserted and scarcely a man was found there, +it never entered my mind that there might be a party +in the temple.”</p> + +<p>“Of course not, Jack; it was a surprise altogether. +I don’t know anything about it, for I was knocked +down, I suppose, just as we went in, and the first +thing I knew about it was that I was being carried +on the back of one of those fellows. I thought it +was awful at first, but I don’t seem to mind +so much now you are with me.”</p> + +<p>“It is a comfort to have someone to speak to,” +Jack said, “yet I wish you were not here, Percy; +I can’t do you any good, and I shall never cease +blaming myself for having brought you into this scrape. +I don’t know much more about the affair than +you do. The guns were fired so close to us that my +face was scorched with one of them, and almost at +the same instant I got a lick across my cheek with +a sword. I had just time to hit at one of them, and +then almost at the same moment I got two or three +other blows, and down I went; they threw themselves +on the top of me and tied and gagged me in no time. +Then I was tied to a long bamboo, and two fellows +put the ends on their shoulders and went off with +me through the fields. Of course I was face downwards, +and did not know you were with us till they stopped +and loosed me from the bamboo and set me on my feet.”</p> + +<p>“But what are they going to do with us do you +think, Jack?”</p> + +<p>“I should say they are going to take us to Canton +and claim a reward for our capture, and there I suppose +they will cut off our heads or saw us in two, or put +us to some other unpleasant kind of death. I expect +they are discussing it now; do you hear what a jabber +they are kicking up?”</p> + +<p>Voices were indeed heard raised in angry altercation +in the next room. After a time the din subsided and +the conversation appeared to take a more amiable turn.</p> + +<p>“I suppose they have settled it as far as they +are concerned,” Jack said; “anyhow, you +may be quite sure they mean to make something out of +us. If they hadn’t they would have finished us +at once, for they must have been furious at the destruction +of their junks and village. As to the idea that mercy +has anything to do with it, we may as well put it +out of our minds. The Chinaman, at the best of times, +has no feeling of pity in his nature, and after their +defeat it is certain they would have killed us at +once had they not hoped to do better by us. If they +had been Indians I should have said they had carried +us off to enjoy the satisfaction of torturing us, +but I don’t suppose it is that with them.”</p> + +<p>“Do you think there is any chance of our getting +away?” Percy asked, after a pause.</p> + +<p>“I should say not the least in the world, Percy. +My hands are fastened so tight now that the ropes +seem cutting into my wrists, and after they had set +me on my feet and cut the cords of my legs I could +scarcely stand at first, my feet were so numbed by +the pressure. However, we must keep up our pluck. +Possibly they may keep us at Canton for a bit, and +if they do the squadron may arrive and fight its way +past the forts and take the city before they have +quite made up their minds as to what kind of death +will be most appropriate to the occasion. I wonder +what they are doing now? They seem to be chopping +sticks.”</p> + +<p>“I wish they would give us some water,” +Percy said “I am frightfully thirsty.”</p> + +<p>“And so am I, Percy; there is one comfort, they +won’t let us die of thirst, they could get no +satisfaction out of our deaths now.”</p> + +<p>Two hours later some of the Chinese re-entered the +room and led the captives outside, and the lads then +saw what was the meaning of the noise they had heard. +A cage had been manufactured of strong bamboos. It +was about four and a half feet long, four feet wide, +and less than three feet high; above it was fastened +two long bamboos. Two or three of the bars of the +cage had been left open.</p> + +<p>“My goodness! they never intend to put us in +there,” Percy exclaimed.</p> + +<p>“That they do,” Jack said. “They +are going to carry us the rest of the way.”</p> + +<p>The cords which bound the prisoners’ hands were +now cut, and they were motioned to crawl into the +cage. This they did; the bars were then put in their +places and securely lashed. Four men went to the ends +of the poles and lifted the cage upon their shoulders; +two others took their places beside it, and one man, +apparently the leader of the party, walked on ahead, +the rest remained behind.</p> + +<p>“I never quite realized what a fowl felt in +a coop before,” Jack said, “but if its +sensations are at all like mine they must be decidedly +unpleasant. It isn’t high enough to sit upright +in, it is nothing like long enough to lie down, and +as to getting out one might as well think of flying. +Do you know, Percy, I don’t think they mean taking +us to Canton at all. I did not think of it before, +but from the direction of the sun I feel sure that +we cannot have been going that way. What they are +up to I can’t imagine.”</p> + +<p>In an hour they came to a large village. Here the +cage was set down and the villagers closed round. +They were, however, kept a short distance from the +cage by the men in charge of it. Then a wooden platter +was placed on the ground, and persons throwing a few +copper coins into this were allowed to come near the +cage.</p> + +<p>“They are making a show of us!” Fothergill +exclaimed. “That’s what they are up to, +you see if it isn’t; they are going to travel +up country to show the ‘white devils’ +whom their valour has captured.”</p> + +<p>This was, indeed, the purpose of the pirates. At that +time Europeans seldom ventured beyond the limits assigned +to them in the two or three towns where they were +permitted to trade, and few, indeed, of the country +people had ever obtained a sight of the white barbarians +of whose doings they had so frequently heard. Consequently +a small crowd soon gathered round the cage, eyeing +the captives with the same interest they would have +felt as to unknown and dangerous beasts; they laughed +and joked, passed remarks upon them, and even poked +them with sticks. Fothergill, furious at this treatment, +caught one of the sticks, and wrenching it from the +hands of the Chinaman, tried to strike at him through +the bars, a proceeding which excited shouts of laughter +from the bystanders.</p> + +<p>“I think, Jack,” Percy said, “it +will be best to try and keep our tempers and not to +seem to mind what they do to us, then if they find +they can’t get any fun out of us they will soon +leave us alone.”</p> + +<p>“Of course, that’s the best plan,” +Fothergill agreed, “but it’s not so easy +to follow. That fellow very nearly poked out my eye +with his stick, and no one’s going to stand +that if he can help it.”</p> + +<p>It was some hours before the curiosity of the village +was satisfied. When all had paid who were likely to +do so, the guards broke up their circle, and leaving +two of their number at the cage to see that no actual +harm was caused to their prisoners, the rest went off +to a refreshment house. The place of the elders was +now taken by the boys and children of the village, +who crowded round the cage, prodded the prisoners +with sticks, and, putting their hands through the bars, +pulled their ears and hair. This amusement, however, +was brought to an abrupt conclusion by Fothergill +suddenly seizing the wrist of a big boy and pulling +his arm through the cage until his face was against +the bars; then he proceeded to punch him until the +guard, coming to his rescue, poked Fothergill with +his stick until he released his hold.</p> + +<p>The punishment of their comrade excited neither anger +nor resentment among the other boys, who yelled with +delight at his discomfiture, but it made them more +careful in approaching the cage, and though they continued +to poke the prisoners with sticks they did not venture +again to thrust a hand through the bars. At sunset +the guards again came round, lifted the cage and carried +it into a shed. A platter of dirty rice and a jug +of water were put into the cage; two of the men lighted +their long pipes and sat down on guard beside it, and, +the doors being closed, the captives were left in +peace.</p> + +<p>“If this sort of thing is to go on, as I suppose +it is,” Fothergill said, “the sooner they +cut off our heads the better.”</p> + +<p>“It is very bad, Jack. I am sore all over with +those probes from their sharp sticks.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t care for the pain, Percy, so +much as the humiliation of the thing. To be stared +at and poked at as if we were wild beasts by these +curs, when with half a dozen of our men we could send +a hundred of them scampering, I feel as if I could +choke with rage.”</p> + +<p>“You had better try and eat some of this rice, +Jack. It is beastly, but I daresay we shall get no +more until to-morrow night, and we must keep up our +strength if we can. At any rate, the water is not bad, +that’s a comfort.”</p> + +<p>“No thanks to them,” Jack growled. “If +there had been any bad water in the neighbourhood +they would have given it to us.”</p> + +<p>For six weeks the sufferings of the prisoners continued. +Their captors avoided towns where the authorities +would probably at once have taken the prisoners out +of their hands. No one would have recognized the two +captives as the midshipmen of the <i>Perseus</i>; their +clothes were in rags–torn to pieces by the thrusts +of the sharp-pointed bamboos, to which they had daily +been subjected–the bad food, the cramped position, +and the misery which they suffered had worn both lads +to skeletons; their hair was matted with filth, their +faces begrimed with dirt. Percy was so weak that he +felt he could not stand. Fothergill, being three years +older, was less exhausted, but he knew that he, too, +could not support his sufferings for many days longer. +Their bodies were covered with sores, and try as they +would they were able to catch only a few minutes’ +sleep at a time, so much did the bamboo bars hurt their +wasted limbs.</p> + +<p>They seldom exchanged a word during the daytime, suffering +in silence the persécutions to which they were exposed, +but at night they talked over their homes and friends +in England, and their comrades on board ship, seldom +saying a word as to their present position. They were +now in a hilly country, but had not the least idea +of the direction in which it lay from Canton or its +distance from the coast.</p> + +<p>One evening Jack said to his companion, “I think +it’s nearly all over now, Percy. The last two +days we have made longer journeys, and have not stopped +at any of the smaller villages we passed through. I +fancy our guards must see that we can’t last +much longer, and are taking us down to some town to +hand us over to the authorities and get their reward +for us.”</p> + +<p>“I hope it is so, Jack; the sooner the better. +Not that it makes much difference now to me, for I +do not think I can stand many more days of it.”</p> + +<p>“I am afraid I am tougher than you, Percy, and +shall take longer to kill, so I hope with all my heart +that I may be right, and that they may be going to +give us up to the authorities.”</p> + +<p>The next evening they stopped at a large place, and +were subjected to the usual persecution; this, however, +was now less prolonged than during the early days +of their captivity, for they had now no longer strength +or spirits to resent their treatment, and as no fun +was to be obtained from passive victims, even the +village boys soon ceased to find any amusement in +tormenting them.</p> + +<p>When most of their visitors had left them, an elderly +Chinaman approached the side of the cage. He spoke +to their guards and looked at them attentively for +some minutes, then he said in pigeon English, “You +officer men?”</p> + +<p>“Yes!” Jack exclaimed, starting at the +sound of the English words, the first they had heard +spoken since their captivity. “Yes, we are officers +of the <i>Perseus</i>.”</p> + +<p>“Me speeke English velly well,” the Chinaman +said; “me pilot-man many years on Canton river. +How you get here?”</p> + +<p>“We were attacking some piratical junks, and +landed to destroy the village where the people were +firing on us. We entered a place full of pirates, +and were knocked down and taken prisoners, and carried +away up the country; that is six weeks ago, and you +see what we are now.”</p> + +<p>“Pirate men velly bad,” the Chinaman said; +“plunder many junk on river and kill crew. Me +muchee hate them.”</p> + +<p>“Can you do anything for us?” Jack asked. +“You will be well rewarded if you could manage +to get us free.”</p> + +<p>The man shook his head.</p> + +<p>“Me no see what can do, me stranger here; come +to stay with wifey; people no do what me ask them. +English ships attack Canton, much fight and take town, +people all hate English. Bad country dis. People in +one village fight against another. Velly bad men here.”</p> + +<p>“How far is Canton away?” Jack asked. +“Could you not send down to tell the English +we are here?”</p> + +<p>“Fourteen days’ journey off,” the +man said, “no see how can do anything.”</p> + +<p>“Well,” Jack said, “when you get +back again to Canton let our people know what has +been the end of us, we shall not last much longer.”</p> + +<p>“All light,” the man said, “will +see what me can do. Muchee think to-night!” +And after saying a few words to the guards, who had +been regarding this conversation with an air of surprise, +the Chinaman retired.</p> + +<p>The guards had for some time abandoned the precaution +of sitting up at night by the cage, convinced that +their captives had no longer strength to attempt to +break through its fastenings or to drag themselves +many yards away if they could do so. They therefore +left it standing in the open, and, wrapping themselves +in their thickly-wadded coats, for the nights were +cold, lay down by the side of the cage.</p> + +<p>The coolness of the nights had, indeed, assisted to +keep the two prisoners alive. During the day the sun +was excessively hot, and the crowd of visitors round +the cage impeded the circulation of the air and added +to their sufferings. It was true that the cold at night +frequently prevented them from sleeping, but it acted +as a tonic and braced them up.</p> + +<p>“What did he mean about the villages attacking +each other?” Percy asked.</p> + +<p>“I have heard,” Jack replied, “that +in some parts of China things are very much the same +as they used to be in the highlands of Scotland. There +is no law or order. The different villages are like +clans, and wage war on each other. Sometimes the Government +sends a number of troops, who put the thing down for +a time, chop off a good many heads, and then march +away, and the whole work begins again as soon as their +backs are turned.”</p> + +<p>That night the uneasy slumber of the lads was disturbed +by a sudden firing; shouts and yells were heard, and +the firing redoubled.</p> + +<p>“The village is attacked,” Jack said. +“I noticed that, like some other places we have +come into lately, there is a strong earthen wall round +it, with gates. Well, there is one comfort–it does +not make much difference to us which side wins.”</p> + +<p>The guards at the first alarm leapt to their feet, +caught up their matchlocks, and ran to aid in the +defence of the wall. Two minutes later a man ran up +to the cage.</p> + +<p>“All lightee,” he said; “just what +me hopee.”</p> + +<p>With his knife he cut the tough withes that held the +bamboos in their places, and pulled out three of the +bars.</p> + +<p>“Come along,” he said; “no time +to lose.”</p> + +<p>Jack scrambled out, but in trying to stand upright +gave a sharp exclamation of pain. Percy crawled out +more slowly; he tried to stand up, but could not. +The Chinaman caught him up and threw him on his shoulder.</p> + +<p>“Come along quickee,” he said to Jack; +“if takee village, kill evely one.” He +set off at a run. Jack followed as fast as he could, +groaning at every step from the pain the movement +caused to his bruised body.</p> + +<p>They went to the side of the village opposite to that +at which the attack was going on. They met no one +on the way, the inhabitants having all rushed to the +other side to repel the attack. They stopped at a +small gate in the wall, the Chinaman drew back the +bolts and opened it, and they passed out into the +country. For an hour they kept on. By the end of that +time Jack could scarcely drag his limbs along. The +Chinaman halted at length in a clump of trees surrounded +by a thick undergrowth.</p> + +<p>“Allee safee here,” he said, “no +searchee so far; here food;” and he produced +from a wallet a cold chicken and some boiled rice, +and unslung from his shoulder a gourd filled with +cold tea.</p> + +<p>“Me go back now, see what happen. To-mollow +nightee come again–bringee more food.” And +without another word went off at a rapid pace.</p> + +<p>Jack moistened his lips with the tea, and then turned +to his companion. Percy had not spoken a word since +he had been released from the cage, and had been insensible +during the greater part of his journey. Jack poured +some cold tea between his lips.</p> + +<p>“Cheer up, Percy, old boy, we are free now, +and with luck and that good fellow’s help we +will work our way down to Canton yet.”</p> + +<p>“I shall never get down there; you may,” +Percy said feebly.</p> + +<p>“Oh, nonsense, you will pick up strength like +a steam-engine now. Here, let me prop you against +this tree. That’s better. Now drink a drop of +this tea; it’s like nectar after that filthy +water we have been drinking. Now you will feel better. +Now you must try and eat a little of this chicken +and rice. Oh, nonsense, you have got to do it. I am +not going to let you give way when our trouble is +just over. Think of your people at home, Percy, and +make an effort, for their sakes. Good heavens! now +I think of it, it must be Christmas morning. We were +caught on the 2nd and we have been just twenty-two +days on show. I am sure that it must be past twelve +o’clock, and it is Christmas-day. It is a good +omen, Percy. This food isn’t like roast beef +and plum-pudding, but it’s not to be despised, +I can tell you. Come, fire away, that’s a good +fellow.”</p> + +<p>Percy made an effort and ate a few mouthfuls of rice +and chicken, then he took another draught of tea, +and lay down, and was almost immediately asleep.</p> + +<p>Jack ate his food slowly and contentedly till he finished +half the supply, then he, too, lay down, and, after +a short but hearty thanksgiving for his escape from +a slow and lingering death, he, too, fell off to sleep. +The sun was rising when he woke, being aroused by a +slight movement on the part of Percy; he opened his +eyes and sat up.</p> + +<p>“Well, Percy, how do you feel this morning?” +he asked cheerily.</p> + +<p>“I feel too weak to move,” Percy replied +languidly.</p> + +<p>“Oh, you will be all right when you have sat +up and eaten breakfast,” Jack said. “Here +you are; here is a wing for you, and this rice is as +white as snow, and the tea is first rate. I thought +last night after I lay down that I heard a murmur +of water, so after we have had breakfast I will look +about and see if I can find it. We should feel like +new men after a wash. You look awful, and I am sure +I am just as bad.”</p> + +<p>The thought of a wash inspirited Percy far more than +that of eating, and he sat up and made a great effort +to do justice to breakfast. He succeeded much better +than he had done the night before, and Jack, although +he pretended to grumble, was satisfied with his companion’s +progress, and finished off the rest of the food. Then +he set out to search for water. He had not very far +to go; a tiny stream, a few inches wide and two or +three inches deep, ran through the wood from the higher +ground. After throwing himself down and taking a drink, +he hurried back to Percy.</p> + +<p>“It is all right, Percy, I have found it. We +can wash to our hearts’ content; think of that, +lad.”</p> + +<p>Percy could hardly stand, but he made an effort, and +Jack half carried him to the streamlet. There the +lads spent hours. First they bathed their heads and +hands, and then, stripping, lay down in the stream +and allowed it to flow over them, then they rubbed +themselves with handfuls of leaves dipped in the water, +and when they at last put on their rags again felt +like new men. Percy was able to walk back to the spot +they had quitted with the assistance only of Jack’s +arm. The latter, feeling that his breakfast had by +no means appeased his hunger, now started for a search +through the wood, and presently returned to Percy laden +with nuts and berries.</p> + +<p>“The nuts are sure to be all right; I expect +the berries are too. I have certainly seen some like +them in native markets, and I think it will be quite +safe to risk it.”</p> + +<p>The rest of the day was spent in picking nuts and +eating them. Then they sat down and waited for the +arrival of their friend. He came two hours after nightfall +with a wallet stored with provisions, and told them +that he had regained the village unobserved. The attack +had been repulsed, but with severe loss to the defenders +as well as the assailants; two of their guards had +been among the killed. The others had made a great +clamour over the escape of the prisoners, and had made +a close search throughout the village and immediately +round it, for they were convinced that their captives +had not had the strength to go any distance. He thought, +however, that although they had professed the greatest +indignation, and had offered many threats as to the +vengeance that Government would take upon the village, +one of whose inhabitants, at least, must have aided +in the evasion of the prisoners, they would not trouble +themselves any further in the matter. They had already +reaped a rich harvest from the exhibition, and would +divide among themselves the share of their late comrades; +nor was it at all improbable that if they were to +report the matter to the authorities they would themselves +get into serious trouble for not having handed over +the prisoners immediately after their capture.</p> + +<p>For a fortnight the pilot nursed and fed the two midshipmen. +He had already provided them with native clothes, +so that if by chance any villagers should catch sight +of them they would not recognize them as the escaped +white men. At the end of that time both the lads had +almost recovered from the effects of their sufferings. +Jack, indeed, had picked up from the first, but Percy +for some days continued so weak and ill that Jack +had feared that he was going to have an attack of fever +of some kind. His companion’s cheery and hopeful +chat did as much good for Percy as the nourishing +food with which their friend supplied them, and at +the end of the fortnight he declared that he felt sufficiently +strong to attempt to make his way down to the coast.</p> + +<p>The pilot acted as their guide. When they inquired +about his wife, he told them carelessly that she would +remain with her kinsfolk, and would travel on to Canton +and join him there when she found an opportunity. +The journey was accomplished at night, by very short +stages at first, but by increasing distances as Percy +gained strength. During the daytime the lads lay hid +in woods or jungles, while their companion went into +the village and purchased food. They struck the river +many miles above Canton, and the pilot, going down +first to a village on its banks, bargained for a boat +to take him and two women down to the city.</p> + +<p>The lads went on board at night and took their places +in the little cabin formed of bamboos and covered +with mats in the stern of the boat, and remained thus +sheltered not only from the view of people in boats +passing up or down the stream, but from the eyes of +their own boatmen.</p> + +<p>After two days’ journey down the river without +incident, they arrived off Canton, where the British +fleet was still lying while negotiations for peace +were being carried on with the authorities at Pekin. +Peeping out between the mats, the lads caught sight +of the English warships, and, knowing that there was +now no danger, they dashed out of the cabin, to the +surprise of the native boatmen, and shouted and waved +their arms to the distant ships.</p> + +<p>In ten minutes they were alongside the <i>Perseus</i>, +when they were hailed as if restored from the dead. +The pilot was very handsomely rewarded by the English +authorities for his kindness to the prisoners, and +was highly satisfied with the result of his proceedings, +which more than doubled the little capital with which +he had retired from business. Jack Fothergill and +Percy Adcock declare that they have never since eaten +chicken without thinking of their Christmas fare on +the morning of their escape from the hands of the +Chinese pirates.</p> + +<p align="center" class="smallcaps"><b>The End.</b></p> + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Tales of Daring and Danger, by G. A. Henty + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TALES OF DARING AND DANGER *** + +This file should be named 8tdar10h.htm or 8tdar10h.zip +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, 8tdar11h.htm +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, 8tdar10ah.htm + +Produce by Juliet Sutherland, Thomas Hutchinson +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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