6 files changed, 11780 insertions, 0 deletions

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.  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: 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. Henty
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TALES OF DARING AND DANGER ***
+
+This file should be named 7tdar10.txt or 7tdar10.zip
+Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, 7tdar11.txt
+VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, 7tdar10a.txt
+
+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.  Thus, we usually do not
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+We are now trying to release all our eBooks one year in advance
+of the official release dates, leaving time for better editing.
+Please be encouraged to tell us about any error or corrections,
+even years after the official publication date.
+
+Please note neither this listing nor its contents are final til
+midnight of the last day of the month of any such announcement.
+The official release date of all Project Gutenberg eBooks is at
+Midnight, Central Time, of the last day of the stated month.  A
+preliminary version may often be posted for suggestion, comment
+and editing by those who wish to do so.
+
+Most people start at our Web sites at:
+http://gutenberg.net or
+http://promo.net/pg
+
+These Web sites include award-winning information about Project
+Gutenberg, including how to donate, how to help produce our new
+eBooks, and how to subscribe to our email newsletter (free!).
+
+
+Those of you who want to download any eBook before announcement
+can get to them as follows, and just download by date.  This is
+also a good way to get them instantly upon announcement, as the
+indexes our cataloguers produce obviously take a while after an
+announcement goes out in the Project Gutenberg Newsletter.
+
+http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/etext03 or
+ftp://ftp.ibiblio.org/pub/docs/books/gutenberg/etext03
+
+Or /etext02, 01, 00, 99, 98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 92, 91 or 90
+
+Just search by the first five letters of the filename you want,
+as it appears in our Newsletters.
+
+
+Information about Project Gutenberg (one page)
+
+We produce about two million dollars for each hour we work.  The
+time it takes us, a rather conservative estimate, is fifty hours
+to get any eBook selected, entered, proofread, edited, copyright
+searched and analyzed, the copyright letters written, etc.   Our
+projected audience is one hundred million readers.  If the value
+per text is nominally estimated at one dollar then we produce $2
+million dollars per hour in 2002 as we release over 100 new text
+files per month:  1240 more eBooks in 2001 for a total of 4000+
+We are already on our way to trying for 2000 more eBooks in 2002
+If they reach just 1-2% of the world's population then the total
+will reach over half a trillion eBooks given away by year's end.
+
+The Goal of Project Gutenberg is to Give Away 1 Trillion eBooks!
+This is ten thousand titles each to one hundred million readers,
+which is only about 4% of the present number of computer users.
+
+Here is the briefest record of our progress (* means estimated):
+
+eBooks Year Month
+
+    1  1971 July
+   10  1991 January
+  100  1994 January
+ 1000  1997 August
+ 1500  1998 October
+ 2000  1999 December
+ 2500  2000 December
+ 3000  2001 November
+ 4000  2001 October/November
+ 6000  2002 December*
+ 9000  2003 November*
+10000  2004 January*
+
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation has been created
+to secure a future for Project Gutenberg into the next millennium.
+
+We need your donations more than ever!
+
+As of February, 2002, contributions are being solicited from people
+and organizations in: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut,
+Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois,
+Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts,
+Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New
+Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio,
+Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South
+Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West
+Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
+
+We have filed in all 50 states now, but these are the only ones
+that have responded.
+
+As the requirements for other states are met, additions to this list
+will be made and fund raising will begin in the additional states.
+Please feel free to ask to check the status of your state.
+
+In answer to various questions we have received on this:
+
+We are constantly working on finishing the paperwork to legally
+request donations in all 50 states.  If your state is not listed and
+you would like to know if we have added it since the list you have,
+just ask.
+
+While we cannot solicit donations from people in states where we are
+not yet registered, we know of no prohibition against accepting
+donations from donors in these states who approach us with an offer to
+donate.
+
+International donations are accepted, but we don't know ANYTHING about
+how to make them tax-deductible, or even if they CAN be made
+deductible, and don't have the staff to handle it even if there are
+ways.
+
+Donations by check or money order may be sent to:
+
+Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+PMB 113
+1739 University Ave.
+Oxford, MS 38655-4109
+
+Contact us if you want to arrange for a wire transfer or payment
+method other than by check or money order.
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation has been approved by
+the US Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) organization with EIN
+[Employee Identification Number] 64-622154.  Donations are
+tax-deductible to the maximum extent permitted by law.  As fund-raising
+requirements for other states are met, additions to this list will be
+made and fund-raising will begin in the additional states.
+
+We need your donations more than ever!
+
+You can get up to date donation information online at:
+
+http://www.gutenberg.net/donation.html
+
+
+***
+
+If you can't reach Project Gutenberg,
+you can always email directly to:
+
+Michael S. Hart <hart@pobox.com>
+
+Prof. Hart will answer or forward your message.
+
+We would prefer to send you information by email.
+
+
+**The Legal Small Print**
+
+
+(Three Pages)
+
+***START**THE SMALL PRINT!**FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN EBOOKS**START***
+Why is this "Small Print!" statement here? You know: lawyers.
+They tell us you might sue us if there is something wrong with
+your copy of this eBook, even if you got it for free from
+someone other than us, and even if what's wrong is not our
+fault. So, among other things, this "Small Print!" statement
+disclaims most of our liability to you. It also tells you how
+you may distribute copies of this eBook if you want to.
+
+*BEFORE!* YOU USE OR READ THIS EBOOK
+By using or reading any part of this PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm
+eBook, you indicate that you understand, agree to and accept
+this "Small Print!" statement. If you do not, you can receive
+a refund of the money (if any) you paid for this eBook by
+sending a request within 30 days of receiving it to the person
+you got it from. If you received this eBook on a physical
+medium (such as a disk), you must return it with your request.
+
+ABOUT PROJECT GUTENBERG-TM EBOOKS
+This PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm eBook, like most PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm eBooks,
+is a "public domain" work distributed by Professor Michael S. Hart
+through the Project Gutenberg Association (the "Project").
+Among other things, this means that no one owns a United States copyright
+on or for this work, so the Project (and you!) can copy and
+distribute it in the United States without permission and
+without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set forth
+below, apply if you wish to copy and distribute this eBook
+under the "PROJECT GUTENBERG" trademark.
+
+Please do not use the "PROJECT GUTENBERG" trademark to market
+any commercial products without permission.
+
+To create these eBooks, the Project expends considerable
+efforts to identify, transcribe and proofread public domain
+works. Despite these efforts, the Project's eBooks and any
+medium they may be on may contain "Defects". Among other
+things, Defects may take the form of incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other
+intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged
+disk or other eBook medium, a computer virus, or computer
+codes that damage or cannot be read by your equipment.
+
+LIMITED WARRANTY; DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES
+But for the "Right of Replacement or Refund" described below,
+[1] Michael Hart and the Foundation (and any other party you may
+receive this eBook from as a PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm eBook) disclaims
+all liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including
+legal fees, and [2] YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE OR
+UNDER STRICT LIABILITY, OR FOR BREACH OF WARRANTY OR CONTRACT,
+INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE
+OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE
+POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
+
+If you discover a Defect in this eBook within 90 days of
+receiving it, you can receive a refund of the money (if any)
+you paid for it by sending an explanatory note within that
+time to the person you received it from. If you received it
+on a physical medium, you must return it with your note, and
+such person may choose to alternatively give you a replacement
+copy. If you received it electronically, such person may
+choose to alternatively give you a second opportunity to
+receive it electronically.
+
+THIS EBOOK IS OTHERWISE PROVIDED TO YOU "AS-IS". NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, ARE MADE TO YOU AS
+TO THE EBOOK OR ANY MEDIUM IT MAY BE ON, INCLUDING BUT NOT
+LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A
+PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
+
+Some states do not allow disclaimers of implied warranties or
+the exclusion or limitation of consequential damages, so the
+above disclaimers and exclusions may not apply to you, and you
+may have other legal rights.
+
+INDEMNITY
+You will indemnify and hold Michael Hart, the Foundation,
+and its trustees and agents, and any volunteers associated
+with the production and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm
+texts harmless, from all liability, cost and expense, including
+legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the
+following that you do or cause:  [1] distribution of this eBook,
+[2] alteration, modification, or addition to the eBook,
+or [3] any Defect.
+
+DISTRIBUTION UNDER "PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm"
+You may distribute copies of this eBook electronically, or by
+disk, book or any other medium if you either delete this
+"Small Print!" and all other references to Project Gutenberg,
+or:
+
+[1]  Only give exact copies of it.  Among other things, this
+     requires that you do not remove, alter or modify the
+     eBook or this "small print!" statement.  You may however,
+     if you wish, distribute this eBook in machine readable
+     binary, compressed, mark-up, or proprietary form,
+     including any form resulting from conversion by word
+     processing or hypertext software, but only so long as
+     *EITHER*:
+
+     [*]  The eBook, when displayed, is clearly readable, and
+          does *not* contain characters other than those
+          intended by the author of the work, although tilde
+          (~), asterisk (*) and underline (_) characters may
+          be used to convey punctuation intended by the
+          author, and additional characters may be used to
+          indicate hypertext links; OR
+
+     [*]  The eBook may be readily converted by the reader at
+          no expense into plain ASCII, EBCDIC or equivalent
+          form by the program that displays the eBook (as is
+          the case, for instance, with most word processors);
+          OR
+
+     [*]  You provide, or agree to also provide on request at
+          no additional cost, fee or expense, a copy of the
+          eBook in its original plain ASCII form (or in EBCDIC
+          or other equivalent proprietary form).
+
+[2]  Honor the eBook refund and replacement provisions of this
+     "Small Print!" statement.
+
+[3]  Pay a trademark license fee to the Foundation of 20% of the
+     gross profits you derive calculated using the method you
+     already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  If you
+     don't derive profits, no royalty is due.  Royalties are
+     payable to "Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation"
+     the 60 days following each date you prepare (or were
+     legally required to prepare) your annual (or equivalent
+     periodic) tax return.  Please contact us beforehand to
+     let us know your plans and to work out the details.
+
+WHAT IF YOU *WANT* TO SEND MONEY EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE TO?
+Project Gutenberg is dedicated to increasing the number of
+public domain and licensed works that can be freely distributed
+in machine readable form.
+
+The Project gratefully accepts contributions of money, time,
+public domain materials, or royalty free copyright licenses.
+Money should be paid to the:
+"Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+If you are interested in contributing scanning equipment or
+software or other items, please contact Michael Hart at:
+hart@pobox.com
+
+[Portions of this eBook's header and trailer may be reprinted only
+when distributed free of all fees.  Copyright (C) 2001, 2002 by
+Michael S. Hart.  Project Gutenberg is a TradeMark and may not be
+used in any sales of Project Gutenberg eBooks or other materials be
+they hardware or software or any other related product without
+express permission.]
+
+*END THE SMALL PRINT! FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN EBOOKS*Ver.02/11/02*END*
+
diff --git a/old/7tdar10.zip b/old/7tdar10.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9233393
--- /dev/null
+++ b/old/7tdar10.zip
diff --git a/old/8tdar10.txt b/old/8tdar10.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..92f5940
--- /dev/null
+++ b/old/8tdar10.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,3624 @@
+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
+
+
+
+
+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. Henty
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TALES OF DARING AND DANGER ***
+
+This file should be named 8tdar10.txt or 8tdar10.zip
+Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, 8tdar11.txt
+VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, 8tdar10a.txt
+
+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.  Thus, we usually do not
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+We are now trying to release all our eBooks one year in advance
+of the official release dates, leaving time for better editing.
+Please be encouraged to tell us about any error or corrections,
+even years after the official publication date.
+
+Please note neither this listing nor its contents are final til
+midnight of the last day of the month of any such announcement.
+The official release date of all Project Gutenberg eBooks is at
+Midnight, Central Time, of the last day of the stated month.  A
+preliminary version may often be posted for suggestion, comment
+and editing by those who wish to do so.
+
+Most people start at our Web sites at:
+http://gutenberg.net or
+http://promo.net/pg
+
+These Web sites include award-winning information about Project
+Gutenberg, including how to donate, how to help produce our new
+eBooks, and how to subscribe to our email newsletter (free!).
+
+
+Those of you who want to download any eBook before announcement
+can get to them as follows, and just download by date.  This is
+also a good way to get them instantly upon announcement, as the
+indexes our cataloguers produce obviously take a while after an
+announcement goes out in the Project Gutenberg Newsletter.
+
+http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/etext03 or
+ftp://ftp.ibiblio.org/pub/docs/books/gutenberg/etext03
+
+Or /etext02, 01, 00, 99, 98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 92, 91 or 90
+
+Just search by the first five letters of the filename you want,
+as it appears in our Newsletters.
+
+
+Information about Project Gutenberg (one page)
+
+We produce about two million dollars for each hour we work.  The
+time it takes us, a rather conservative estimate, is fifty hours
+to get any eBook selected, entered, proofread, edited, copyright
+searched and analyzed, the copyright letters written, etc.   Our
+projected audience is one hundred million readers.  If the value
+per text is nominally estimated at one dollar then we produce $2
+million dollars per hour in 2002 as we release over 100 new text
+files per month:  1240 more eBooks in 2001 for a total of 4000+
+We are already on our way to trying for 2000 more eBooks in 2002
+If they reach just 1-2% of the world's population then the total
+will reach over half a trillion eBooks given away by year's end.
+
+The Goal of Project Gutenberg is to Give Away 1 Trillion eBooks!
+This is ten thousand titles each to one hundred million readers,
+which is only about 4% of the present number of computer users.
+
+Here is the briefest record of our progress (* means estimated):
+
+eBooks Year Month
+
+    1  1971 July
+   10  1991 January
+  100  1994 January
+ 1000  1997 August
+ 1500  1998 October
+ 2000  1999 December
+ 2500  2000 December
+ 3000  2001 November
+ 4000  2001 October/November
+ 6000  2002 December*
+ 9000  2003 November*
+10000  2004 January*
+
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation has been created
+to secure a future for Project Gutenberg into the next millennium.
+
+We need your donations more than ever!
+
+As of February, 2002, contributions are being solicited from people
+and organizations in: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut,
+Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois,
+Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts,
+Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New
+Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio,
+Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South
+Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West
+Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
+
+We have filed in all 50 states now, but these are the only ones
+that have responded.
+
+As the requirements for other states are met, additions to this list
+will be made and fund raising will begin in the additional states.
+Please feel free to ask to check the status of your state.
+
+In answer to various questions we have received on this:
+
+We are constantly working on finishing the paperwork to legally
+request donations in all 50 states.  If your state is not listed and
+you would like to know if we have added it since the list you have,
+just ask.
+
+While we cannot solicit donations from people in states where we are
+not yet registered, we know of no prohibition against accepting
+donations from donors in these states who approach us with an offer to
+donate.
+
+International donations are accepted, but we don't know ANYTHING about
+how to make them tax-deductible, or even if they CAN be made
+deductible, and don't have the staff to handle it even if there are
+ways.
+
+Donations by check or money order may be sent to:
+
+Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+PMB 113
+1739 University Ave.
+Oxford, MS 38655-4109
+
+Contact us if you want to arrange for a wire transfer or payment
+method other than by check or money order.
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation has been approved by
+the US Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) organization with EIN
+[Employee Identification Number] 64-622154.  Donations are
+tax-deductible to the maximum extent permitted by law.  As fund-raising
+requirements for other states are met, additions to this list will be
+made and fund-raising will begin in the additional states.
+
+We need your donations more than ever!
+
+You can get up to date donation information online at:
+
+http://www.gutenberg.net/donation.html
+
+
+***
+
+If you can't reach Project Gutenberg,
+you can always email directly to:
+
+Michael S. Hart <hart@pobox.com>
+
+Prof. Hart will answer or forward your message.
+
+We would prefer to send you information by email.
+
+
+**The Legal Small Print**
+
+
+(Three Pages)
+
+***START**THE SMALL PRINT!**FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN EBOOKS**START***
+Why is this "Small Print!" statement here? You know: lawyers.
+They tell us you might sue us if there is something wrong with
+your copy of this eBook, even if you got it for free from
+someone other than us, and even if what's wrong is not our
+fault. So, among other things, this "Small Print!" statement
+disclaims most of our liability to you. It also tells you how
+you may distribute copies of this eBook if you want to.
+
+*BEFORE!* YOU USE OR READ THIS EBOOK
+By using or reading any part of this PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm
+eBook, you indicate that you understand, agree to and accept
+this "Small Print!" statement. If you do not, you can receive
+a refund of the money (if any) you paid for this eBook by
+sending a request within 30 days of receiving it to the person
+you got it from. If you received this eBook on a physical
+medium (such as a disk), you must return it with your request.
+
+ABOUT PROJECT GUTENBERG-TM EBOOKS
+This PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm eBook, like most PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm eBooks,
+is a "public domain" work distributed by Professor Michael S. Hart
+through the Project Gutenberg Association (the "Project").
+Among other things, this means that no one owns a United States copyright
+on or for this work, so the Project (and you!) can copy and
+distribute it in the United States without permission and
+without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set forth
+below, apply if you wish to copy and distribute this eBook
+under the "PROJECT GUTENBERG" trademark.
+
+Please do not use the "PROJECT GUTENBERG" trademark to market
+any commercial products without permission.
+
+To create these eBooks, the Project expends considerable
+efforts to identify, transcribe and proofread public domain
+works. Despite these efforts, the Project's eBooks and any
+medium they may be on may contain "Defects". Among other
+things, Defects may take the form of incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other
+intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged
+disk or other eBook medium, a computer virus, or computer
+codes that damage or cannot be read by your equipment.
+
+LIMITED WARRANTY; DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES
+But for the "Right of Replacement or Refund" described below,
+[1] Michael Hart and the Foundation (and any other party you may
+receive this eBook from as a PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm eBook) disclaims
+all liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including
+legal fees, and [2] YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE OR
+UNDER STRICT LIABILITY, OR FOR BREACH OF WARRANTY OR CONTRACT,
+INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE
+OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE
+POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
+
+If you discover a Defect in this eBook within 90 days of
+receiving it, you can receive a refund of the money (if any)
+you paid for it by sending an explanatory note within that
+time to the person you received it from. If you received it
+on a physical medium, you must return it with your note, and
+such person may choose to alternatively give you a replacement
+copy. If you received it electronically, such person may
+choose to alternatively give you a second opportunity to
+receive it electronically.
+
+THIS EBOOK IS OTHERWISE PROVIDED TO YOU "AS-IS". NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, ARE MADE TO YOU AS
+TO THE EBOOK OR ANY MEDIUM IT MAY BE ON, INCLUDING BUT NOT
+LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A
+PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
+
+Some states do not allow disclaimers of implied warranties or
+the exclusion or limitation of consequential damages, so the
+above disclaimers and exclusions may not apply to you, and you
+may have other legal rights.
+
+INDEMNITY
+You will indemnify and hold Michael Hart, the Foundation,
+and its trustees and agents, and any volunteers associated
+with the production and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm
+texts harmless, from all liability, cost and expense, including
+legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the
+following that you do or cause:  [1] distribution of this eBook,
+[2] alteration, modification, or addition to the eBook,
+or [3] any Defect.
+
+DISTRIBUTION UNDER "PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm"
+You may distribute copies of this eBook electronically, or by
+disk, book or any other medium if you either delete this
+"Small Print!" and all other references to Project Gutenberg,
+or:
+
+[1]  Only give exact copies of it.  Among other things, this
+     requires that you do not remove, alter or modify the
+     eBook or this "small print!" statement.  You may however,
+     if you wish, distribute this eBook in machine readable
+     binary, compressed, mark-up, or proprietary form,
+     including any form resulting from conversion by word
+     processing or hypertext software, but only so long as
+     *EITHER*:
+
+     [*]  The eBook, when displayed, is clearly readable, and
+          does *not* contain characters other than those
+          intended by the author of the work, although tilde
+          (~), asterisk (*) and underline (_) characters may
+          be used to convey punctuation intended by the
+          author, and additional characters may be used to
+          indicate hypertext links; OR
+
+     [*]  The eBook may be readily converted by the reader at
+          no expense into plain ASCII, EBCDIC or equivalent
+          form by the program that displays the eBook (as is
+          the case, for instance, with most word processors);
+          OR
+
+     [*]  You provide, or agree to also provide on request at
+          no additional cost, fee or expense, a copy of the
+          eBook in its original plain ASCII form (or in EBCDIC
+          or other equivalent proprietary form).
+
+[2]  Honor the eBook refund and replacement provisions of this
+     "Small Print!" statement.
+
+[3]  Pay a trademark license fee to the Foundation of 20% of the
+     gross profits you derive calculated using the method you
+     already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  If you
+     don't derive profits, no royalty is due.  Royalties are
+     payable to "Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation"
+     the 60 days following each date you prepare (or were
+     legally required to prepare) your annual (or equivalent
+     periodic) tax return.  Please contact us beforehand to
+     let us know your plans and to work out the details.
+
+WHAT IF YOU *WANT* TO SEND MONEY EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE TO?
+Project Gutenberg is dedicated to increasing the number of
+public domain and licensed works that can be freely distributed
+in machine readable form.
+
+The Project gratefully accepts contributions of money, time,
+public domain materials, or royalty free copyright licenses.
+Money should be paid to the:
+"Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+If you are interested in contributing scanning equipment or
+software or other items, please contact Michael Hart at:
+hart@pobox.com
+
+[Portions of this eBook's header and trailer may be reprinted only
+when distributed free of all fees.  Copyright (C) 2001, 2002 by
+Michael S. Hart.  Project Gutenberg is a TradeMark and may not be
+used in any sales of Project Gutenberg eBooks or other materials be
+they hardware or software or any other related product without
+express permission.]
+
+*END THE SMALL PRINT! FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN EBOOKS*Ver.02/11/02*END*
+
diff --git a/old/8tdar10.zip b/old/8tdar10.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..64bccbe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/old/8tdar10.zip
diff --git a/old/8tdar10h.htm b/old/8tdar10h.htm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a25d9c2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/old/8tdar10h.htm
@@ -0,0 +1,4531 @@
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?>
+<!DOCTYPE html
+     PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN"
+     "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd">
+
+<html>
+
+<head>
+<title>Tales of Daring and Danger, by G. A. 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,&ndash;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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&rsquo;s retriever, and it&rsquo;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.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Hastings smiled rather grimly.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;What, that wretched little bear, Uncle?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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&rsquo;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.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, do tell me all about it,&rdquo; 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&ndash;for the
+colonel was somewhat chary of relating this special
+experience&ndash;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&ndash;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;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 &lsquo;All right,
+sir, I will keep an ear to the camp,&rsquo; 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:&ndash;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;&rsquo;Of course you won&rsquo;t be fool enough
+to think of going down the Ghauts, Hastings?&rsquo;
+But I did not look at that as equivalent to a direct
+order&ndash;whatever I should do now,&rdquo; the colonel
+put in, on seeing a furtive smile on the faces of
+his male listeners.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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&rsquo;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>&ldquo;&lsquo;I&rsquo;ll go and have a look at the
+place tomorrow,&rsquo; I said, &rsquo;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.&rsquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;&lsquo;The bears not come in day,&rsquo; Rahman
+said.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;&lsquo;Of course not,&rsquo; I replied, &rsquo;still
+I may like to find out which way they come. Just do
+as you are told.&rsquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;The next morning, at seven o&rsquo;clock, I
+was at the farmer&rsquo;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>&ldquo;&lsquo;Why don&rsquo;t you fire through the
+window at them?&rsquo; 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&rsquo;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>&ldquo;&lsquo;That&rsquo;s where the bears are?&rsquo;
+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. &rsquo;How long would it take us to go
+down and have a shot or two at them?&rsquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;&rsquo;No good go down. Master come here at
+night, shoot bears when they come up.&rsquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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, &rsquo;It is of no use waiting. I
+could go down and get a bear and be back again while
+I am thinking of it;&rsquo; then to Rahman, &rsquo;No,
+come along; we will have a look through that wood
+anyhow.&rsquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Rahman evidently did not like it.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;&lsquo;Not easy find bear, sahib. He very cunning.&rsquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;&lsquo;Well, very likely we sha&rsquo;n&rsquo;t
+find them,&rsquo; I said, &rsquo;but we can try anyhow.
+Bring that bottle with you; the tiffin basket can wait
+here till we come back.&rsquo; In another five minutes
+I had begun to climb down the watercourse&ndash;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&rsquo; home.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;&lsquo;Sahib, climb up top,&rsquo; Rahman said;
+&rsquo;come down through wood; no good fire at bear
+when he above.&rsquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;&rsquo;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.&rsquo;
+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&rsquo;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>&ldquo;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 &rsquo;No, no,
+sahib,&rsquo; 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&ndash;it
+seemed instantaneous&ndash;down it came at me. Whether it
+rolled down, or slipped down, or ran down, I don&rsquo;t
+know, but it came almost as if it had jumped straight
+at me.</p>
+
+<p>[Illustration: &ldquo;My Gun, Rahman,&rdquo; I Shouted.]</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;&lsquo;My gun, Rahman,&rsquo; 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&rsquo;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&ndash;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>&ldquo;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. &lsquo;A collision,&rsquo;
+I muttered, and opened my eyes. Beyond the fact that
+I seemed in a yellow world&ndash;a bright orange-yellow&ndash;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>&ldquo;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&ndash;for they were young&ndash;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.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Were they pretty, uncle?&rdquo; Mary Hastings
+broke in.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Never mind whether they were pretty, Mary;
+they were better than pretty.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;No; but we like to know, uncle.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<h3>Chapter II.</h3>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;&lsquo;What is your name, sahib?&rsquo; he
+asked in Mahratta.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;&lsquo;Hastings&ndash;Lieutenant Hastings,&rsquo;
+I said. &lsquo;And yours?&rsquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;&lsquo;Sivajee Punt!&rsquo; he said.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;&lsquo;Ask him,&rsquo; I said, &lsquo;if he
+will take any sum of money to let me go?&rsquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Sivajee shook his head very decidedly.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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&rsquo;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, &lsquo;The Officer Commanding,&rsquo; 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>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;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&rsquo;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>&ldquo;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&ndash;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>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;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&rsquo;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>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;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&rsquo;s turban, ran to the
+other end of the platform and scrambled down to the
+ledge. Then I began to wave my arms about&ndash;I had nothing
+on above the waist&ndash;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>&ldquo;I picked up a flattish piece of rock and wrote
+on it, &rsquo;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.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;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&rsquo;s
+face appeared, and he waved his arm in greeting.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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:
+&rsquo;Can you fasten the ladder?&rdquo; I wrote on
+the paper: &rsquo;No; but I can hold it for a light
+weight.&rsquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;&rsquo;Sivajee Punt! you may as well come out
+and give yourself up! We are in possession, and resistance
+is useless!&rsquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;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&rsquo;s hands arrived.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;And did you ever see the women who carried
+you off?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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.&rdquo;</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&rsquo;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?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&rsquo;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&rsquo;s
+no doubt the wind is getting up, and though we don&rsquo;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&rsquo;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.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;You don&rsquo;t think we should scream, or
+do anything foolish, Mr. Virtue?&rdquo; Minnie Graham
+said indignantly.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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&rsquo;t think myself that it will drop,
+for the glass has fallen, and I am afraid we may have
+a spell of broken weather.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Oh no; don&rsquo;t put it off,&rdquo; Mrs.
+Grantham said; &ldquo;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&ndash;that is, if you won&rsquo;t take us with
+you.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;It would be bad manners to say that I won&rsquo;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&rsquo;clock
+to-morrow morning; and if I am not there before you,
+I shall not be many hours after you.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well, if it must be it must,&rdquo; Mrs. Grantham
+said, with an air of resignation. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;That is the worst of you married women, Fanny,&rdquo;
+Miss Graham said, with a little pout. &ldquo;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&rdquo;</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&rsquo;s
+holiday on board the <i>Seabird</i>.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Put aside your books, old man,&rdquo; he said.
+&ldquo;You look fagged and overworked; a month&rsquo;s
+blow will do you all the good in the world&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Thank you, Tom; I have made up my mind for
+a month&rsquo;s holiday, but I can&rsquo;t accept
+your invitation, though I should enjoy it of all things.
+But it would not be fair to my wife; she doesn&rsquo;t
+get very much of my society, and she has been looking
+forward to our having a run together. So I must decline.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Virtue hesitated a moment. He was not very fond of
+ladies&rsquo; society, and thought them especially
+in the way on board a yacht; but he had a great liking
+for his friend&rsquo;s wife, and was almost as much
+at home in his house as in his own chambers.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Why not bring the wife with you?&rdquo; he
+said, as soon as his mind was made up. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;That will be delightful, James,&rdquo; Mrs.
+Grantham said, when the invitation was repeated to
+her. &ldquo;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&rsquo;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,&rdquo; she said suddenly;
+&ldquo;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!&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>James Grantham laughed.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Nonsense, treachery!&rdquo; Mrs. Grantham said
+indignantly; &ldquo;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&rsquo;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&rsquo;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&rsquo;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&rsquo;t know a pleasanter
+fellow than he is. I think it will be doing him a
+real service in asking Minnie; so that&rsquo;s settled.
+I will sit down and write him a note.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;In for a penny, in for a pound, I suppose,&rdquo;
+was Tom Virtue&rsquo;s comment when he received Mrs.
+Grantham&rsquo;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>&ldquo;Jack can help Grantham to amuse the women,&rdquo;
+he said to himself; &ldquo;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.&rdquo;</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&rsquo; 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&rsquo; cabin resembled
+a little boudoir.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Why, Tom, I should have hardly known her!&rdquo;
+Grantham, who had often spent a day on board the <i>Seabird</i>,
+said.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I hardly know her myself,&rdquo; Tom said,
+rather ruefully; &ldquo;but I hope she&rsquo;s all
+right, Mrs. Grantham, and that you and Miss Graham
+will find everything you want.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;It is charming!&rdquo; Mrs. Grantham said enthusiastically.
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s awfully good of you, Tom, and we
+appreciate it; don&rsquo;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.&rdquo;</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>&ldquo;We are going to have dirty weather,&rdquo;
+Tom Virtue said at once. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think
+it&rsquo;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&rsquo;t mind going directly after
+breakfast I will start at once, and shall be at St.
+Helier&rsquo;s as soon as you are.&rdquo;</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&rsquo;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>&ldquo;What do you think of the weather, Watkins?&rdquo;
+he asked his skipper.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s going to blow hard, sir; that&rsquo;s
+my view of it, and if I was you I shouldn&rsquo;t
+up anchor today. Still, it&rsquo;s just as you likes;
+the <i>Seabird</i> won&rsquo;t mind it if we don&rsquo;t.
+She has had a rough time of it before now; still,
+it will be a case of wet jackets, and no mistake.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, I expect we shall have a rough time of
+it, Watkins, but I want to get across. We don&rsquo;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.&rdquo;</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>&ldquo;We need hardly have reefed quite so closely,&rdquo;
+Jack Harvey said, as he puffed away at his pipe.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Not yet, Jack; but you will see she has as
+much as she can carry before long. It&rsquo;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&rsquo; 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&rsquo;s
+boots and oilskin and sou&rsquo;-wester. There are
+several sets for you to choose from below.&rdquo;</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>&ldquo;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,&rdquo; Tom Virtue said,
+with a laugh.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I should think so,&rdquo; his friend agreed;
+&ldquo;this is not a day for a fair-weather sailor.
+Look what a sea is breaking on the shingles!&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, five minutes there would knock her into
+matchwood. Another ten minutes and we shall be fairly
+out; and I sha&rsquo;n&rsquo;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.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Another quarter of an hour and they had passed the
+Needles.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;That is more pleasant, Jack,&rdquo; as the
+short, chopping motion was exchanged for a regular
+rise and fall; &ldquo;this is what I enjoy&ndash;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>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;That&rsquo;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?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;There is some soup ready, sir, and that cold
+pie you had for dinner yesterday.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;That will do; open a couple of bottles of stout.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Lunch over, they went on deck again.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;She likes a good blow as well as we do,&rdquo;
+Virtue said, enthusiastically, as the yawl rose lightly
+over each wave. &ldquo;What do you think of it, Watkins?
+Is the wind going to lull a bit as the sun goes down?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I think not, sir. It seems to me it&rsquo;s
+blowing harder than it was.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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&rsquo;s
+the comfort of a yawl, Jack; one can always lie to
+without any bother, and one hasn&rsquo;t got such
+a tremendous boom to handle.&rdquo;</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>&ldquo;She would ride out anything like that,&rdquo;
+her owner said. &ldquo;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&rsquo;s head,
+and we lay to for nearly three days, and didn&rsquo;t
+ship a bucket of water all the time. Now let us lend
+a hand to get the mainsail stowed.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Ten minutes&rsquo; 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>&ldquo;All ready, Watkins?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;All ready, sir.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Slack off the weather fore-sheet, then, and
+haul aft the leeward. Slack out the mizzen-sheet a
+little, Jack. That&rsquo;s it; now she&rsquo;s off
+again, like a duck.&rdquo;</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>&ldquo;She certainly is a splendid sea-boat, Tom;
+I don&rsquo;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&rsquo;t care how hard it comes on.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>By night it was blowing a downright gale.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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&rsquo;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&rsquo;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.&rdquo; Virtue was
+soon on deck again, muffled up in his oilskins.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Now, Watkins, you can go below and turn in.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I sha&rsquo;n&rsquo;t go below to-night, sir&ndash;not
+to lie down. There&rsquo;s nothing much to do here,
+but I couldn&rsquo;t sleep, if I did lie down.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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&rsquo;s plenty of chewing tobacco, if the men
+are short.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I will take that instead of a pipe,&rdquo;
+Watkins said; &ldquo;there&rsquo;s nothing like a
+quid in weather like this, it ain&rsquo;t never in
+your way, and it lasts. Even with a cover a pipe would
+soon be out.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Please yourself, Watkins; tell the two hands
+forward to keep a bright look-out for lights.&rdquo;</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>&ldquo;How far can we see, do you think, Watkins?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Perhaps a couple of miles, sir.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>The <i>Seabird</i> was soon under way again.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Five minutes were spent over the chart, then Watkins
+went up and Jack Harvey came down.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;You have got the coffee ready, I hope, Johnson?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, sir, coffee and chocolate. I didn&rsquo;t
+know which you would like.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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.&rdquo;</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>&ldquo;What time do you calculate we ought to make
+Guernsey, Tom?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;About twelve. The wind is freer than it was,
+and we are walking along at a good pace. Matthews,
+cast the log, and let&rsquo;s see what we are doing.
+About seven knots, I should say.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Seven and a quarter, sir,&rdquo; the man said,
+when he checked the line.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Not a bad guess, Tom; it&rsquo;s always difficult
+to judge pace in a heavy sea.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>At eleven o&rsquo;clock the mist ceased.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s fortunate,&rdquo; Tom Virtue said;
+&ldquo;I shouldn&rsquo;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?&rdquo;</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>&ldquo;There&rsquo;s Guernsey, sir, on her lee bow,
+about six miles away, I should say.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s it, sure enough,&rdquo; Tom agreed,
+as he gazed in the direction in which Watkins was
+pointing. &ldquo;There&rsquo;s a gleam of sunshine
+on it, or we shouldn&rsquo;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.&rdquo;</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&ndash;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>&ldquo;We must keep a bright look-out presently,&rdquo;
+the skipper said; &ldquo;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&rsquo;t think it will be
+worth while trying to get into St. Aubyn&rsquo;s Bay
+by ourselves.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>An hour later the rain ceased and the sky appeared
+somewhat clearer. Suddenly Watkins exclaimed, &ldquo;There
+is a wreck, sir! There, three miles away to leeward.
+She is on the Patern&oacute;sters.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Good heavens! she is a steamer,&rdquo; Tom
+exclaimed, as he caught sight of her the next time
+the <i>Seabird</i> lifted on a wave. &ldquo;Can she
+be the Southampton boat, do you think?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Like enough, sir, she may have had it thicker
+than we had, and may not have calculated enough for
+the current.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Up helm, Jack, and bear away towards her. Shall
+we shake out a reef, Watkins?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I wouldn&rsquo;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.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, I know that, Watkins. Jack, take the helm
+a minute while we run down and look at the chart.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;They are an awful group of rocks,&rdquo; Watkins
+said, as they examined the chart; &ldquo;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.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well, it&rsquo;s got to be done, Watkins,&rdquo;
+Tom said, firmly. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>He went on deck again and called the men to him. &ldquo;Look
+here, lads; you see that steamer ashore on the Patern&oacute;sters.
+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&rsquo;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.&rdquo;</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&rsquo;s hearts.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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&rsquo; 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.&rdquo;</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>&ldquo;Wood and iron can&rsquo;t stand that much longer,&rdquo;
+Jack Harvey said; &ldquo;another hour and I should
+say there won&rsquo;t be two planks left together.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>The <i>Seabird</i> passed within a cable&rsquo;s-length
+of the breakers at the northern end of the reef.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Now, lads, take your places at the sheets,
+ready to haul or let go as I give the word.&rdquo;
+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&rsquo;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>&ldquo;I begin to think we shall do it,&rdquo; Tom
+said to Jack Harvey, who was standing close to him.
+&ldquo;Another five minutes and we shall be within
+reach of her.&rdquo;</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>&ldquo;Now, Watkins,&rdquo; Tom said, going aft, &ldquo;make
+straight for the wreck. I see no broken water between
+us and them, and possibly there may be deep water
+under their bow.&rdquo;</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>&ldquo;You get ready to throw, Jack, if I miss.&rdquo;</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>&ldquo;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.&rdquo;</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>&ldquo;Thank God, there&rsquo;s Grantham!&rdquo; Jack
+Harvey exclaimed; &ldquo;do you see him waving his
+hand?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I see him,&rdquo; Tom said, &ldquo;but I don&rsquo;t
+see the ladies.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;They are there, no doubt,&rdquo; Jack said,
+confidently; &ldquo;crouching down, I expect. He would
+not be there if they weren&rsquo;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.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>The two young men waved their caps.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Are the anchors holding, Watkins? There&rsquo;s
+a tremendous strain on that hawser.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I think so, sir; they are both tight.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Put them round the windlass, and give a turn
+or two, we must relieve the strain on that hawser.&rdquo;</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>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;Thank God, here comes the first of them!&rdquo;</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>&ldquo;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.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Another woman was lowered and helped below. The next
+to descend was Mrs. Grantham.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Thank God, you are rescued!&rdquo; Tom said,
+as he helped her out of the sling.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Thank God, indeed,&rdquo; Mrs. Grantham said,
+&ldquo;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.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>But Minnie&rsquo;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>&ldquo;Are there any more women, Mrs. Grantham?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;No; there was only one other lady passenger
+and the stewardess.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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&rsquo;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.&rdquo;</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>&ldquo;Is that all?&rdquo; Tom asked.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;That is all,&rdquo; the captain said. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;It was fortunate indeed that we came along,&rdquo;
+Tom said; &ldquo;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&rsquo;t hold together many minutes
+longer, so there&rsquo;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.&rdquo;</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&ndash;the sole survivors of those who had been
+on deck when the vessel struck&ndash;three male passengers,
+and six engineers and stokers.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I have not had time to shake you by the hand
+before, Tom,&rdquo; Grantham said, as Tom Virtue entered;
+&ldquo;and I thought you would not want me on deck
+at present. God bless you, old fellow! we all owe you
+our lives.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;How did it happen, captain?&rdquo; Tom asked,
+as the captain also came up to him.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;It was the currents, I suppose,&rdquo; the
+captain said; &ldquo;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.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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&rsquo;t want
+another mishap.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>But the <i>Seabird</i> avoided all further dangers,
+and as it became dark, the lights of St. Helier&rsquo;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>&ldquo;Well, my dear,&rdquo; her husband said, when
+she indulged in a little natural triumph, &ldquo;I
+do not say that it has not turned out well, and I am
+heartily glad for both Tom and Minnie&rsquo;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&rsquo;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.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s all very well, James,&rdquo; Mrs.
+Grantham said saucily; &ldquo;but you must remember
+that Tom Virtue will only be first-mate of the <i>Seabird</i>
+in future.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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.&rdquo;</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&ndash;above all, a ghost
+story.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;But I have never seen any ghosts,&rdquo; the
+colonel said, laughing; &ldquo;and, moreover, I don&rsquo;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&ndash;no noises that
+could not be accounted for by rats or the wind have
+I ever heard. I have never&rdquo;&ndash;and here he paused&ndash;&ldquo;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.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, uncle. But what was the &lsquo;once&rsquo;
+when circumstances happened that you could not explain?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s rather a long story,&rdquo; the
+colonel said, &ldquo;and it&rsquo;s getting late.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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&rsquo;t believe
+in ghosts, how can it be a story of something you could
+not account for by the light of nature?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;You will see when I have done,&rdquo; the colonel
+said. &ldquo;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>&ldquo;I landed in India in &rsquo;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>&ldquo;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&ndash;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>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;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&rsquo;clock a tiger had
+killed a man in his village, and had dragged off the
+body.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;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&rsquo;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>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;The day was tremendously hot, and, after three
+hours&rsquo; 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>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;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, &lsquo;Both barrels, Harley,&rsquo;
+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>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;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&rsquo;
+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>&ldquo;&rsquo;I knew that you would come to-day, sahibs,
+and was joyful in the thought of seeing those who
+have preserved my life.&rsquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;&rsquo;We are glad to see you looking pretty
+strong again, though your arm is still in a sling,&rsquo;
+I said, for Simmonds was not strong in Hindustani.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;&lsquo;How did you know that we were coming?&rsquo;
+I asked, when we had tied up our horses.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;&lsquo;Siva has given to his servant to know
+many things,&rsquo; he said quietly.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;&lsquo;Did you know beforehand that the tiger
+was going to seize you?&rsquo; I asked.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;&rsquo;I knew that a great danger threatened,
+and that Siva would not let me die before my time
+had come.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;&lsquo;Could you see into our future?&rsquo;
+I asked.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;The fakir hesitated, looked at me for a moment
+earnestly to see if I was speaking in mockery, and
+then said:</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;&rsquo;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.&rsquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;&lsquo;No, indeed,&rsquo; I said. &rsquo;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.&rsquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;As he disappeared I sat up; Charley did the
+same.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;We stared at each other for a minute without
+speaking, and then Charley said:</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;&lsquo;This is a rum go, and no mistake, old
+man.&rsquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;&rsquo;You&rsquo;re right, Charley. My opinion
+is, we&rsquo;ve made fools of ourselves. Let&rsquo;s
+be off out of this.&rsquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;&rsquo;Well, Harley, if the glimpse of futurity
+which I had is true, all I can say is that it was
+extremely unpleasant.&rsquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;&lsquo;That was just my case, Charley.&rsquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;&rsquo;My dream, or whatever you like to call
+it, was about a mutiny of the men.&rsquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;&rsquo;You don&rsquo;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.&rsquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;&lsquo;It was very short,&rsquo; Charley said.
+&rsquo;We were at mess&ndash;not in our present mess-room&ndash;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 Pir&aacute;n&ndash;one
+of the best native officers in the regiment, by the
+way&ndash;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&rsquo;t know.
+The trap closed over my head with a bang. That is all
+I remember.&rsquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;&rsquo;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&ndash;there seems to have been something
+before, but what, I don&rsquo;t know&ndash;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,
+&rsquo;Blow out my brains, Edward; don&rsquo;t let
+me fall alive into their hands.&rsquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;&rsquo;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.&rsquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;&lsquo;Well, it is monstrously rum,&rsquo;
+Charley said, after a pause. &rsquo;Did you understand
+what the old fellow was singing about before he gave
+us the pipes?&rsquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;&rsquo;Yes; I caught the general drift. It
+was an entreaty to Siva to give us some glimpse of
+futurity which might benefit us.&rsquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;&lsquo;I feel ever so much better,&rsquo; Charley
+said. &rsquo;We have got that opium out of our heads
+now. How do you account for it all, Harley?&rsquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;&rsquo;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.&rsquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;&lsquo;I should think not,&rsquo; Charley said.
+&rsquo;We should never hear the end of it; they would
+chaff us out of our lives.&rsquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;&lsquo;Six years,&rsquo; I said.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;&lsquo;And how old, Mr. Harley,&rsquo; she
+said, &lsquo;do you take me to be?&rsquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I saw in one instant my stupidity, and was
+stammering out an apology, when she went on,&ndash;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;&rsquo;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.&rsquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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&ndash;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 Pir&aacute;n, poured in at the windows.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;&lsquo;I have it now,&rsquo; Charley said;
+&lsquo;it is the scene I dreamed.&rsquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;As he spoke he fired his revolver at the subadar,
+who fell dead in his tracks.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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&rsquo;
+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&rsquo;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&rsquo;s compound.
+I saw lots of Sepoys in and around the bungalow, all
+engaged in looting. I dashed into the compound.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;&rsquo;May! May&rdquo;! I shouted. &lsquo;Where
+are you?&rsquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I had scarcely spoken before a dark figure
+rushed out of a clump of bushes close by with a scream
+of delight.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;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&ndash;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>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;By this time I had heard May&rsquo;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>&ldquo;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&rsquo; exclamation.
+As we rode up to the ruins only a hundred yards ahead
+of us, May said,&ndash;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;&lsquo;Blow out my brains, Edward; don&rsquo;t
+let me fall alive into their hands.&rsquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;A shock of remembrance shot across me. The
+chase, her pale face, the words, the temple&ndash;all my
+dream rushed into my mind.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;&lsquo;We are saved,&rsquo; I cried, to her
+amazement, as we rode into the courtyard, in whose
+centre a great figure was sitting.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;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&rsquo;s neck. The holes
+enlarged inside, and enabled us to have a view all
+round.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;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>&ldquo;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.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;And how about Mr. Simmonds, uncle? Did he get
+safe off too?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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&rsquo;s silence was
+sealed a year later at Lucknow, for on the advance
+with Lord Clyde he was killed.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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&rsquo;t believe
+in ghosts, I have yet met with a circumstance which
+I cannot account for.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;It is very curious anyhow, uncle, and beats
+ghost stories into fits.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I like it better, certainly,&rdquo; one of
+the girls said, &ldquo;for we can go to bed without
+being afraid of dreaming about it.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well, you must not talk any more now Off to
+bed, off to bed,&rdquo; Colonel Harley said, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;</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&ndash;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&rsquo;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&rsquo;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>&ldquo;You are not fit for this work, young &rsquo;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&rsquo;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&rsquo;s
+only under a table. What do you say?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Dick thankfully accepted the offer, and on Red George&rsquo;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&ndash;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>&ldquo;You cowardly hound!&rdquo; Red George exclaimed.
+&ldquo;Are you man enough to do that to a man?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;You bet,&rdquo; 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, &ldquo;with
+their boots on.&rdquo;</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&rsquo;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&rsquo;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&rsquo; talk, but
+Dick could not get out of his head the thought of
+the dead man&rsquo;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&ndash;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Your victuals don&rsquo;t do you no good, Dick;
+you get thinner and thinner, and folks will think
+as I starve you. Darned if you ain&rsquo;t a disgrace
+to the establishment.&rdquo;</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>&ldquo;But it could not be,&rdquo; 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&rsquo;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&rsquo;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>&ldquo;What is it, Saunders?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;My God! they are lost,&rdquo; the man replied.
+&ldquo;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.&rdquo;</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>&ldquo;&rsquo;Come on,&rdquo; he cried; &ldquo;we
+shall be in time yet,&rdquo; and at the top of his
+speed dashed down the hill, followed by Saunders.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;What is it, what is it?&rdquo; asked parties
+of men mounting the hill. &ldquo;Red George&rsquo;s
+gang are still below.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>Dick&rsquo;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&rsquo;s shaft
+when Dick, followed closely by Saunders, reached it.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Come up, mates; quick, for your lives! The
+river is rising; you will be flooded out directly.
+Every one else has gone!&rdquo;</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>&ldquo;All right below?&rdquo;</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&ndash;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>&ldquo;The dam has burst!&rdquo; Saunders shouted.
+&ldquo;Run for your lives, or we are all lost!&rdquo;</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&rsquo;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&rsquo;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>&ldquo;Here lies White-faced Dick, who died to save
+Red George. &rsquo;What can a man do more than give
+his life for a friend?&rsquo;&rdquo;</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&rsquo;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>&ldquo;You can&rsquo;t all go, you know,&rdquo; Fothergill
+said, &ldquo;and it&rsquo;s no use making a row about
+it; the captain has been very good to let three of
+us go.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s all very well for you, Jack,&rdquo;
+Percy Adcock, the youngest of the lads, replied, &ldquo;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&rsquo;t
+had a chance for ever so long.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;&rsquo;What fun was there in chasing the junks?&rdquo;
+Simmons said. &ldquo;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 &lsquo;Easy all,&rsquo;
+and there was nothing for it but to turn round and
+to row for the ship, and a nice hot row it was&ndash;two
+hours and a half in a broiling sun. Of course I am
+not blaming Oliphant, for the captain&rsquo;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.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;It is clear we could not all go,&rdquo; Fothergill
+said, &ldquo;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&rsquo;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.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well, Jack, if you don&rsquo;t expect any fun,&rdquo;
+Simmons replied, &ldquo;perhaps you wouldn&rsquo;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.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;A likely thing that!&rdquo; Fothergill laughed.
+&ldquo;No, Tom, I am sorry you are not going, but
+you must make the best of it till another chance comes.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t you think, Jack,&rdquo; Percy Adcock
+said to his senior in a coaxing tone later on, &ldquo;you
+could manage to smuggle me into the boat with you?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;That promise is better than nothing,&rdquo;
+the boy said; &ldquo;but I would a deal rather go
+this time and take my chance next.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;But you see you can&rsquo;t, Percy, and there&rsquo;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&rsquo;clock
+with the news that they were well on fire before we
+came up.&rdquo;</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>&ldquo;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.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well, sir, I will do my best, but if you are
+caught you must not let out that I knew anything about
+it.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I won&rsquo;t do that,&rdquo; Percy said. &ldquo;I
+don&rsquo;t think there is much chance of my being
+noticed until we get on board the junks, and then they
+won&rsquo;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&rsquo;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.&rdquo;</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&rsquo;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&rsquo;s
+rowing the first lieutenant suddenly gave the order,
+&ldquo;Easy all,&rdquo; 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&ndash;drums were beaten and gongs
+sounded.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;They are on the look-out for us,&rdquo; the
+first lieutenant said. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;</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>&ldquo;There are four or five junks in that passage,
+Fothergill; they are poling out.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>The first lieutenant heard the words.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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.&rdquo;</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>&ldquo;Let the boats tow astern,&rdquo; the lieutenant
+ordered. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>The junks approached, those on board firing their
+guns, yelling and shouting, while the drums and gongs
+were furiously beaten.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;They will find themselves mistaken, Percy,
+if they think they are going to frighten us with all
+that row,&rdquo; Fothergill said. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;</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>&ldquo;Get ready to board, lads!&rdquo; Lieutenant
+Oliphant shouted. &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t wait for them
+to board you, but the moment they come alongside lash
+their rigging to ours and spring on board them.&rdquo;</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&rsquo;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 &ldquo;white devils,&rdquo; instead of, as
+they expected, overwhelming them by their superior
+numbers. Many began at once to jump overboard, and
+after two or three minutes&rsquo; 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>&ldquo;Mr. Oliphant is hard pressed, sir.&rdquo; He
+asked the master: &ldquo;Shall we take to the boats?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;That will be the best plan,&rdquo; Mr. Bellew
+replied. &ldquo;Quick, lads, get the boats alongside
+and tumble in; there is not a moment to be lost.&rdquo;</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>&ldquo;Back again, Mr. Fothergill, or you will lose
+the craft you captured,&rdquo; Lieutenant Oliphant
+said; &ldquo;they have already cut her free.&rdquo;</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>&ldquo;What shall we do next, sir?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I cannot come with you, I suppose, Fothergill?&rdquo;
+Percy Adcock said, as the midshipman was about to
+descend into his boat again.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, come along, Percy. It doesn&rsquo;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.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s just what I was thinking, Jack.
+Has it not been fun?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;You wouldn&rsquo;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.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>The crew soon set to work under Fothergill&rsquo;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>&ldquo;That will do, lads. Now take to your boats
+and let&rsquo;s make a bonfire of the other junk.&rdquo;</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 &ldquo;white
+devils,&rdquo; 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>&ldquo;There go the others!&rdquo; 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&rsquo;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>&ldquo;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.&rdquo;</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>&ldquo;There is a house there, standing in that little
+grove a hundred yards away,&rdquo; Percy said.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;It looks like a temple,&rdquo; Fothergill replied.
+&ldquo;However, we will have a look at it.&rdquo;
+And calling two sailors to accompany him, he started
+at a run towards it, Percy keeping by his side.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;It is a temple,&rdquo; Fothergill said when
+they approached it. &ldquo;Still, we will have a look
+at it, but we won&rsquo;t burn it; it will be as well
+to respect the religion, even of a set of piratical
+scoundrels like these.&rdquo;</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&rsquo;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>&ldquo;I must have been knocked down and stunned,&rdquo;
+he said to himself, &ldquo;and I suppose I am a prisoner
+now to these brutes, and one of them must be carrying
+me on his back.&rdquo;</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>&ldquo;It would have been just the same feeling,&rdquo;
+he said to himself, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;</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&rsquo;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&rsquo;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>&ldquo;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.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Of course not, Jack; it was a surprise altogether.
+I don&rsquo;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&rsquo;t seem to mind
+so much now you are with me.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;It is a comfort to have someone to speak to,&rdquo;
+Jack said, &ldquo;yet I wish you were not here, Percy;
+I can&rsquo;t do you any good, and I shall never cease
+blaming myself for having brought you into this scrape.
+I don&rsquo;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.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;But what are they going to do with us do you
+think, Jack?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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?&rdquo;</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>&ldquo;I suppose they have settled it as far as they
+are concerned,&rdquo; Jack said; &ldquo;anyhow, you
+may be quite sure they mean to make something out of
+us. If they hadn&rsquo;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&rsquo;t suppose it is that with them.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Do you think there is any chance of our getting
+away?&rdquo; Percy asked, after a pause.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I wish they would give us some water,&rdquo;
+Percy said &ldquo;I am frightfully thirsty.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;And so am I, Percy; there is one comfort, they
+won&rsquo;t let us die of thirst, they could get no
+satisfaction out of our deaths now.&rdquo;</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>&ldquo;My goodness! they never intend to put us in
+there,&rdquo; Percy exclaimed.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;That they do,&rdquo; Jack said. &ldquo;They
+are going to carry us the rest of the way.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>The cords which bound the prisoners&rsquo; 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>&ldquo;I never quite realized what a fowl felt in
+a coop before,&rdquo; Jack said, &ldquo;but if its
+sensations are at all like mine they must be decidedly
+unpleasant. It isn&rsquo;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&rsquo;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&rsquo;t imagine.&rdquo;</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>&ldquo;They are making a show of us!&rdquo; Fothergill
+exclaimed. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s what they are up to,
+you see if it isn&rsquo;t; they are going to travel
+up country to show the &lsquo;white devils&rsquo;
+whom their valour has captured.&rdquo;</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>&ldquo;I think, Jack,&rdquo; Percy said, &ldquo;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&rsquo;t get any fun out of us they will soon
+leave us alone.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Of course, that&rsquo;s the best plan,&rdquo;
+Fothergill agreed, &ldquo;but it&rsquo;s not so easy
+to follow. That fellow very nearly poked out my eye
+with his stick, and no one&rsquo;s going to stand
+that if he can help it.&rdquo;</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>&ldquo;If this sort of thing is to go on, as I suppose
+it is,&rdquo; Fothergill said, &ldquo;the sooner they
+cut off our heads the better.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;It is very bad, Jack. I am sore all over with
+those probes from their sharp sticks.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;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.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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&rsquo;s a comfort.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;No thanks to them,&rdquo; Jack growled. &ldquo;If
+there had been any bad water in the neighbourhood
+they would have given it to us.&rdquo;</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&ndash;torn to pieces by the thrusts
+of the sharp-pointed bamboos, to which they had daily
+been subjected&ndash;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&rsquo;
+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 pers&eacute;cutions 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, &ldquo;I think
+it&rsquo;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&rsquo;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.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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.&rdquo;</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, &ldquo;You
+officer men?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Yes!&rdquo; Jack exclaimed, starting at the
+sound of the English words, the first they had heard
+spoken since their captivity. &ldquo;Yes, we are officers
+of the <i>Perseus</i>.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Me speeke English velly well,&rdquo; the Chinaman
+said; &ldquo;me pilot-man many years on Canton river.
+How you get here?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Pirate men velly bad,&rdquo; the Chinaman said;
+&ldquo;plunder many junk on river and kill crew. Me
+muchee hate them.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Can you do anything for us?&rdquo; Jack asked.
+&ldquo;You will be well rewarded if you could manage
+to get us free.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>The man shook his head.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;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.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;How far is Canton away?&rdquo; Jack asked.
+&ldquo;Could you not send down to tell the English
+we are here?&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Fourteen days&rsquo; journey off,&rdquo; the
+man said, &ldquo;no see how can do anything.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; Jack said, &ldquo;when you get
+back again to Canton let our people know what has
+been the end of us, we shall not last much longer.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;All light,&rdquo; the man said, &ldquo;will
+see what me can do. Muchee think to-night!&rdquo;
+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>&ldquo;What did he mean about the villages attacking
+each other?&rdquo; Percy asked.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I have heard,&rdquo; Jack replied, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;</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>&ldquo;The village is attacked,&rdquo; Jack said.
+&ldquo;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&ndash;it does
+not make much difference to us which side wins.&rdquo;</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>&ldquo;All lightee,&rdquo; he said; &ldquo;just what
+me hopee.&rdquo;</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>&ldquo;Come along,&rdquo; he said; &ldquo;no time
+to lose.&rdquo;</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>&ldquo;Come along quickee,&rdquo; he said to Jack;
+&ldquo;if takee village, kill evely one.&rdquo; 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>&ldquo;Allee safee here,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;no
+searchee so far; here food;&rdquo; 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>&ldquo;Me go back now, see what happen. To-mollow
+nightee come again&ndash;bringee more food.&rdquo; 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>&ldquo;Cheer up, Percy, old boy, we are free now,
+and with luck and that good fellow&rsquo;s help we
+will work our way down to Canton yet.&rdquo;</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I shall never get down there; you may,&rdquo;
+Percy said feebly.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, nonsense, you will pick up strength like
+a steam-engine now. Here, let me prop you against
+this tree. That&rsquo;s better. Now drink a drop of
+this tea; it&rsquo;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&rsquo;clock, and it is Christmas-day. It is a good
+omen, Percy. This food isn&rsquo;t like roast beef
+and plum-pudding, but it&rsquo;s not to be despised,
+I can tell you. Come, fire away, that&rsquo;s a good
+fellow.&rdquo;</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>&ldquo;Well, Percy, how do you feel this morning?&rdquo;
+he asked cheerily.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;I feel too weak to move,&rdquo; Percy replied
+languidly.</p>
+
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, you will be all right when you have sat
+up and eaten breakfast,&rdquo; Jack said. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;</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&rsquo;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>&ldquo;It is all right, Percy, I have found it. We
+can wash to our hearts&rsquo; content; think of that,
+lad.&rdquo;</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&rsquo;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>&ldquo;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.&rdquo;</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&rsquo;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&rsquo; 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.  Thus, we usually do not
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+We are now trying to release all our eBooks one year in advance
+of the official release dates, leaving time for better editing.
+Please be encouraged to tell us about any error or corrections,
+even years after the official publication date.
+
+Please note neither this listing nor its contents are final til
+midnight of the last day of the month of any such announcement.
+The official release date of all Project Gutenberg eBooks is at
+Midnight, Central Time, of the last day of the stated month.  A
+preliminary version may often be posted for suggestion, comment
+and editing by those who wish to do so.
+
+Most people start at our Web sites at:
+http://gutenberg.net or
+http://promo.net/pg
+
+These Web sites include award-winning information about Project
+Gutenberg, including how to donate, how to help produce our new
+eBooks, and how to subscribe to our email newsletter (free!).
+
+
+Those of you who want to download any eBook before announcement
+can get to them as follows, and just download by date.  This is
+also a good way to get them instantly upon announcement, as the
+indexes our cataloguers produce obviously take a while after an
+announcement goes out in the Project Gutenberg Newsletter.
+
+http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/etext03 or
+ftp://ftp.ibiblio.org/pub/docs/books/gutenberg/etext03
+
+Or /etext02, 01, 00, 99, 98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 92, 91 or 90
+
+Just search by the first five letters of the filename you want,
+as it appears in our Newsletters.
+
+
+Information about Project Gutenberg (one page)
+
+We produce about two million dollars for each hour we work.  The
+time it takes us, a rather conservative estimate, is fifty hours
+to get any eBook selected, entered, proofread, edited, copyright
+searched and analyzed, the copyright letters written, etc.   Our
+projected audience is one hundred million readers.  If the value
+per text is nominally estimated at one dollar then we produce $2
+million dollars per hour in 2002 as we release over 100 new text
+files per month:  1240 more eBooks in 2001 for a total of 4000+
+We are already on our way to trying for 2000 more eBooks in 2002
+If they reach just 1-2% of the world's population then the total
+will reach over half a trillion eBooks given away by year's end.
+
+The Goal of Project Gutenberg is to Give Away 1 Trillion eBooks!
+This is ten thousand titles each to one hundred million readers,
+which is only about 4% of the present number of computer users.
+
+Here is the briefest record of our progress (* means estimated):
+
+eBooks Year Month
+
+    1  1971 July
+   10  1991 January
+  100  1994 January
+ 1000  1997 August
+ 1500  1998 October
+ 2000  1999 December
+ 2500  2000 December
+ 3000  2001 November
+ 4000  2001 October/November
+ 6000  2002 December*
+ 9000  2003 November*
+10000  2004 January*
+
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation has been created
+to secure a future for Project Gutenberg into the next millennium.
+
+We need your donations more than ever!
+
+As of February, 2002, contributions are being solicited from people
+and organizations in: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut,
+Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois,
+Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts,
+Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New
+Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio,
+Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South
+Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West
+Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
+
+We have filed in all 50 states now, but these are the only ones
+that have responded.
+
+As the requirements for other states are met, additions to this list
+will be made and fund raising will begin in the additional states.
+Please feel free to ask to check the status of your state.
+
+In answer to various questions we have received on this:
+
+We are constantly working on finishing the paperwork to legally
+request donations in all 50 states.  If your state is not listed and
+you would like to know if we have added it since the list you have,
+just ask.
+
+While we cannot solicit donations from people in states where we are
+not yet registered, we know of no prohibition against accepting
+donations from donors in these states who approach us with an offer to
+donate.
+
+International donations are accepted, but we don't know ANYTHING about
+how to make them tax-deductible, or even if they CAN be made
+deductible, and don't have the staff to handle it even if there are
+ways.
+
+Donations by check or money order may be sent to:
+
+Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+PMB 113
+1739 University Ave.
+Oxford, MS 38655-4109
+
+Contact us if you want to arrange for a wire transfer or payment
+method other than by check or money order.
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation has been approved by
+the US Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) organization with EIN
+[Employee Identification Number] 64-622154.  Donations are
+tax-deductible to the maximum extent permitted by law.  As fund-raising
+requirements for other states are met, additions to this list will be
+made and fund-raising will begin in the additional states.
+
+We need your donations more than ever!
+
+You can get up to date donation information online at:
+
+http://www.gutenberg.net/donation.html
+
+
+***
+
+If you can't reach Project Gutenberg,
+you can always email directly to:
+
+Michael S. Hart hart@pobox.com
+
+Prof. Hart will answer or forward your message.
+
+We would prefer to send you information by email.
+
+
+**The Legal Small Print**
+
+
+(Three Pages)
+
+***START**THE SMALL PRINT!**FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN EBOOKS**START***
+Why is this "Small Print!" statement here? You know: lawyers.
+They tell us you might sue us if there is something wrong with
+your copy of this eBook, even if you got it for free from
+someone other than us, and even if what's wrong is not our
+fault. So, among other things, this "Small Print!" statement
+disclaims most of our liability to you. It also tells you how
+you may distribute copies of this eBook if you want to.
+
+*BEFORE!* YOU USE OR READ THIS EBOOK
+By using or reading any part of this PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm
+eBook, you indicate that you understand, agree to and accept
+this "Small Print!" statement. If you do not, you can receive
+a refund of the money (if any) you paid for this eBook by
+sending a request within 30 days of receiving it to the person
+you got it from. If you received this eBook on a physical
+medium (such as a disk), you must return it with your request.
+
+ABOUT PROJECT GUTENBERG-TM EBOOKS
+This PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm eBook, like most PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm eBooks,
+is a "public domain" work distributed by Professor Michael S. Hart
+through the Project Gutenberg Association (the "Project").
+Among other things, this means that no one owns a United States copyright
+on or for this work, so the Project (and you!) can copy and
+distribute it in the United States without permission and
+without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set forth
+below, apply if you wish to copy and distribute this eBook
+under the "PROJECT GUTENBERG" trademark.
+
+Please do not use the "PROJECT GUTENBERG" trademark to market
+any commercial products without permission.
+
+To create these eBooks, the Project expends considerable
+efforts to identify, transcribe and proofread public domain
+works. Despite these efforts, the Project's eBooks and any
+medium they may be on may contain "Defects". Among other
+things, Defects may take the form of incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other
+intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged
+disk or other eBook medium, a computer virus, or computer
+codes that damage or cannot be read by your equipment.
+
+LIMITED WARRANTY; DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES
+But for the "Right of Replacement or Refund" described below,
+[1] Michael Hart and the Foundation (and any other party you may
+receive this eBook from as a PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm eBook) disclaims
+all liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including
+legal fees, and [2] YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE OR
+UNDER STRICT LIABILITY, OR FOR BREACH OF WARRANTY OR CONTRACT,
+INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE
+OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE
+POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
+
+If you discover a Defect in this eBook within 90 days of
+receiving it, you can receive a refund of the money (if any)
+you paid for it by sending an explanatory note within that
+time to the person you received it from. If you received it
+on a physical medium, you must return it with your note, and
+such person may choose to alternatively give you a replacement
+copy. If you received it electronically, such person may
+choose to alternatively give you a second opportunity to
+receive it electronically.
+
+THIS EBOOK IS OTHERWISE PROVIDED TO YOU "AS-IS". NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, ARE MADE TO YOU AS
+TO THE EBOOK OR ANY MEDIUM IT MAY BE ON, INCLUDING BUT NOT
+LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A
+PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
+
+Some states do not allow disclaimers of implied warranties or
+the exclusion or limitation of consequential damages, so the
+above disclaimers and exclusions may not apply to you, and you
+may have other legal rights.
+
+INDEMNITY
+You will indemnify and hold Michael Hart, the Foundation,
+and its trustees and agents, and any volunteers associated
+with the production and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm
+texts harmless, from all liability, cost and expense, including
+legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the
+following that you do or cause:  [1] distribution of this eBook,
+[2] alteration, modification, or addition to the eBook,
+or [3] any Defect.
+
+DISTRIBUTION UNDER "PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm"
+You may distribute copies of this eBook electronically, or by
+disk, book or any other medium if you either delete this
+"Small Print!" and all other references to Project Gutenberg,
+or:
+
+[1]  Only give exact copies of it.  Among other things, this
+     requires that you do not remove, alter or modify the
+     eBook or this "small print!" statement.  You may however,
+     if you wish, distribute this eBook in machine readable
+     binary, compressed, mark-up, or proprietary form,
+     including any form resulting from conversion by word
+     processing or hypertext software, but only so long as
+     *EITHER*:
+
+     [*]  The eBook, when displayed, is clearly readable, and
+          does *not* contain characters other than those
+          intended by the author of the work, although tilde
+          (~), asterisk (*) and underline (_) characters may
+          be used to convey punctuation intended by the
+          author, and additional characters may be used to
+          indicate hypertext links; OR
+
+     [*]  The eBook may be readily converted by the reader at
+          no expense into plain ASCII, EBCDIC or equivalent
+          form by the program that displays the eBook (as is
+          the case, for instance, with most word processors);
+          OR
+
+     [*]  You provide, or agree to also provide on request at
+          no additional cost, fee or expense, a copy of the
+          eBook in its original plain ASCII form (or in EBCDIC
+          or other equivalent proprietary form).
+
+[2]  Honor the eBook refund and replacement provisions of this
+     "Small Print!" statement.
+
+[3]  Pay a trademark license fee to the Foundation of 20% of the
+     gross profits you derive calculated using the method you
+     already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  If you
+     don't derive profits, no royalty is due.  Royalties are
+     payable to "Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation"
+     the 60 days following each date you prepare (or were
+     legally required to prepare) your annual (or equivalent
+     periodic) tax return.  Please contact us beforehand to
+     let us know your plans and to work out the details.
+
+WHAT IF YOU *WANT* TO SEND MONEY EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE TO?
+Project Gutenberg is dedicated to increasing the number of
+public domain and licensed works that can be freely distributed
+in machine readable form.
+
+The Project gratefully accepts contributions of money, time,
+public domain materials, or royalty free copyright licenses.
+Money should be paid to the:
+"Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+If you are interested in contributing scanning equipment or
+software or other items, please contact Michael Hart at:
+hart@pobox.com
+
+[Portions of this eBook's header and trailer may be reprinted only
+when distributed free of all fees.  Copyright (C) 2001, 2002 by
+Michael S. Hart.  Project Gutenberg is a TradeMark and may not be
+used in any sales of Project Gutenberg eBooks or other materials be
+they hardware or software or any other related product without
+express permission.]
+
+*END THE SMALL PRINT! FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN EBOOKS*Ver.02/11/02*END*
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+</body>
+</html>
diff --git a/old/8tdar10h.zip b/old/8tdar10h.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b7eb9df
--- /dev/null
+++ b/old/8tdar10h.zip