Barry reached the wharf, tied his canoe to a pile, and arrived at his
own gangway to find Leyden at bay. Rolfe's sturdy figure barred the
ladder; Bill Blunt grinned happily over the rail, tapping the wood
playfully with the biggest iron belaying pin the ship afforded; while
natives on deck and on the wharf looked on full of curiosity
considerably tempered with apprehension.
Leyden's face was deathly white with rage, and his right hand had gone
to a hip pocket; but it remained there under the persuasion of a little
round hole in the end of a cold blue tube displayed carelessly by the
mate. Leyden caught sight of Barry as he came up and started violently,
then forced a smile.
"Why, are you Captain Barry?" he stammered. Whatever his knowledge of
Houten's plans might be, it apparently had not included the association
of the _Barang's_ skipper with the rude sailor who had upset him on the
hotel veranda in Surabaya. If he harbored resentment for that affair, he
concealed it now and tried to assume an expression of relief.
"I'm glad you've come," he explained, with a sour smile that was meant
to be pleasant. "Your mate is oversuspicious. He refuses to allow me on
board."
"Quite right, too," growled Barry, openly glaring his dislike for
Leyden. "My orders. I expect them to be carried out. You can have no
business with my ship, anyhow."
"You're not very cordial, are you?" Leyden smiled back. "I wanted to
inquire about one of my men who ran from me in Surabaya. I believe he
joined you. My skipper said a brigantine came in for an hour or so about
the time the man disappeared, and this is the only brigantine that's
been in the port in months."
Barry's keen eyes bored into Leyden so coldly and fixedly that, studied
as he was in worldly encounters, that gentleman shifted uneasily on his
feet. The _Barang's_ skipper knew well enough about that missing man,
and also where he had gone to. He knew, also, that it was not in
Surabaya that he entered the brigantine, but in far subtler manner, as a
legitimate, signed-on seaman in Batavia. There was still a patch in the
mainsail, a little more than man-high, to recall the man; somewhere near
the stockade gate the insects and ground vermin were at that moment
industriously engaged in stripping a skeleton which might have
interested Leyden. But the blunt sailor, simple and straightforward
though he was, was endowed with sufficient elementary cunning to cope
with Leyden in that worthy's present state of irritation.
"No strangers in my ship, Mr. Leyden," he said. "Try another tack.
Sorry I can't stay to talk with you; I'm busy." He mounted the gangway
without a further glance at Leyden, leaving that gentleman staring up
after him with tight lips drawn back from grinning teeth and a quivering
of the arm which was bent back to the hip pocket.
"Don't try it!" warned Rolfe, edging aside as Barry passed him.
"Shove orf, me son," added Bill Blunt and squinted along his belaying
pin straight at Leyden.
"Oh, leave the man alone!" growled Barry angrily. "You weren't put here
to start something. So long as he stays off the ship, I don't expect you
to stir him up."
"Barry, just one moment," cried Leyden, and his face had assumed a smirk
of contempt. Barry turned without replying. "I'd be thankful if you'd
tell your pirates to leave this theatrical stuff until it's called for,"
Leyden laughed. "I've been trying for five minutes to get my tobacco
pouch out of my pocket, and every time I move a finger one of your bold
desperadoes wiggles a gun at me, and the other buccaneer draws a bead on
my unoffending head with that ferocious pin."
Barry stared hard at the fellow, and as he saw the utter change that had
come over Leyden, a tiny shiver ran rippling up his spine. All Leyden's
anger and irritation had gone; the crafty, calculating man of the world
peered out through glittering eyes; if Barry had entertained any
foolish notions of the man's mettle before, they were dissipated now.
Yes, there was no doubt of it. Leyden was laughing at him.
"Nobody's stopping you getting your pouch," Barry blurted hotly. He
preferred taking a beating at any time, if necessary, to being laughed
at. "The whole wharf is open to you. But I advise you to move along a
bit before pulling that pouch. My men don't like the smell of Dutch
tobacco."
To Rolfe he said: "Leave Blunt here and come below. I want to speak to
you. Wait though," he suggested, "Blunt hasn't signed on yet. How does
he suit you?"
Bill Blunt's ears twitched with anxiety until the mate replied: "Good
man, sir! Darn glad to have him. Coolest hand I ever saw--and a sailor."
"Good. Stay here. I'll bring up the Articles and sign him on here. Then
he can stand gangway watch with you. I don't want to leave the gangway
without a white man on it so long as that craft lies ahead of us."
Bill Blunt entered into the company of the _Barang_ and took up his post
at the gangway with a roaring sea-song rumbling in his mossy throat.
Some of his stout, devil-may-care spirit had gone into the native crew,
and there was less of furtiveness and more of confident satisfaction
with their job as the little brown men listened to the jovial harmony of
their new white shipmate.
Rolfe followed the skipper below, and at the table Barry told him as
much of the day's events as seemed vital. Regarding the Mission, it was
merely mentioned as being in some manner connected with Leyden's obvious
familiarity in the trading station.
"He's gone off that way now, sir," remarked the mate. "I noticed him
beating up for the path as you brought up the Articles." Rolfe halted
suddenly at the sound of grinding teeth and stared at the skipper in
wonderment. But Barry cast off the spasm of rage and went along with
business.
"Now, Rolfe, you know what we're here for as well as I do. Much has
happened that I didn't expect, but the main thing remains. On or near
this stream gold is being taken out that belongs to my employer. It's
getting into other pockets. And the man who owns those pockets knows
more about the location of these gold sands than either I or Houten, and
what's more, Gordon has been running this post not exactly on the level.
"So long as that schooner lies there, I want her looked after. So you
and Blunt stay aboard with half the hands and watch for funny business.
But first, before I start up river, run up to Mr. Little and get an
inventory of his spare men and arms. Spares, mind: those he can do
without for a few days. Hurry back."
Jerry Rolfe started without comment. That was his conception of duty. He
had scarcely reached the deck when he was recalled. Barry could not
erase from his mind that picture of Leyden, at that moment perhaps
enjoying an intimate chat with Natalie Sheldon. And the more he thought
of it,--the thought swept through his mind in a flash--the hotter he
became, and he no longer restrained the impulse to follow, though the
folly and possible danger of it was clear to him.
"Rolfe!" he shouted. "Never mind. I'll go to the post myself. Stay here
and get together all our own spares. You know them better than I do."
The mate received this new order as complacently as the first. It suited
him better. In that steaming, reeking river station he was more at home
about his ship than tramping through an odorous village on shore
business.
Barry hustled up to the post and found Little deep in a stock-taking
revel, as enthusiastic as a boy in his new sphere. The typewriter-sailor
was more at home here than on board the ship, in utter contrast to
Rolfe; and Barry grinned perforce at the formidable armament he had
strapped about his body. He looked the part of a fiction trader, with
pen behind his ear, big cheroot in his teeth, and two mighty revolvers
in holsters at his waist.
"Ship ahoy, me tarry shellback!" he shouted as Barry entered. "Snug as a
bug already. Everything's fine--first-chop, except the station hands.
Can't find where they're working, Barry, though the pay sheet shows
fifty or more taking wages from Houten. But what's the trouble? You look
as solemn as that crocodile you plunked on the beezer as he was
investigating my free-lunch department."
"Nothing's the matter," replied Barry shortly. "It's about the hands I
want to see you. How many men, with guns, can you spare me for a few
days? I'm going up river."
"Whoopee!" yelled Little, dancing. "Up river? Me too. Say, we can
take--"
"_We_ nothing, Little. You stay right here. I want about six good men,
that's all, to join up with one watch from the ship."
"Oh, say now, that ain't fair, Barry. There's nothing to keep me here
now the dust's aboard. Besides, Vandersee was here, half an hour ago,
and mentioned the same thing. Said it as if he knew what he was talking
about, too. Told me to tell you he was in reach of us all the time, and
that we might safely leave the station."
"Vandersee here?" cried Barry. "I'd give something rich to know exactly
what piece he plays in this band!"
"Same here, Barry. But never mind him. I feel safe about him. I'll come,
hey? How about it?"
Barry considered awhile, his forehead deeply wrinkled and his eyes
aglitter. Soon he brightened, and, "Just as you say," he replied. "Get
those six men. If you can't find them yourself, ask the gateman for
them. Get 'em to the ship as soon as you can. I've got a little business
to attend to yet."
He left Little in ecstasies and tramped down the path and around the
stockade. Scarcely directing his steps, he walked towards the Mission,
knowing no reason except impulse. And he travelled swiftly, coming to
the cane-brake dividing the post from the Mission before he was well
aware of his progress. Here he was brought to an abrupt halt by nearby
voices, and he could not possibly avoid hearing some of the
conversation.
The voices were those of Mrs. Goring and Leyden, and anger was the
keynote of the discussion.
"I tell you, Juliana, I won't stand this hounding!" Leyden was saying.
"Remember you are not in Batavia now; and if you drive me to extremes,
this jungle can hide a secret."
"I fear neither the jungle nor you any more," Mrs. Goring returned, and
Barry shivered at the intensity of her voice. "As for hounding you, I
warned you. I came here to prevent this, your latest piece of rascality,
and I'll do it. You might as well go back to Java."
"I suppose so," retorted Leyden sneeringly. "You've no doubt spread your
lies to good effect already, eh! Do you expect to be believed against my
word? You are foolish. I stand too high here for you to harm me."
"Stand high, fall deep," laughed the woman. "No, I have spread neither
lies nor truth about you--yet. I can do that--"
"Not yet, eh? Then, by the Lord Harry, you shall not!" cried Leyden, and
there was a crackling of underbrush as he made a forward movement.
Barry peered through the thicket, ready to leap to the aid of Mrs.
Goring; but he saw his help was not needed and drew back.
"Stop!"
The word was sharp as a pistol shot, and Leyden was brought to a halt by
the menacing muzzle of a small automatic pistol in Mrs. Goring's firm,
tremorless hand.
"Don't move a pace farther. I know you only too well, Mr. Leyden. The
day has long gone by when I could be fooled by you. My advice is that
you go back to your ship and to Java. There is nothing here for you.
Your schemes have all gone awry."
"Then your tale has been told! Vixen!"
"Vixen, perhaps," and a low, mellow laugh accompanied the acceptance of
the epithet. "At least you will find me one, if you persist. I have not
mentioned your name to any one, yet. But I tell you now that each day
you stay in Celebes adds to the weight about your neck that shall
finally drag you down. There is one stronger than I keeping your
account, and, have no false hopes, it will be paid in full. I warn you
to go because of what I once thought you. Be wise in time and go."
"Yes, I'll go,--to the Mission and find out what lies you have spread.
For I don't believe you have let that chance slip, no matter what you
tell me." Leyden's tone was truculent; yet he respected the warning of
that small, steady pistol. "It is you who should take warning and go,
Juliana. For as sure as you cross my plans, you shall suffer."
"I can suffer no more," returned the woman bitterly. "As for the
Mission, I can save you the trouble, for there is nobody there. You had
better go and see Gordon. He'd like to talk to you, now that he has
sobered."
"Yes, Gordon!" snarled Leyden. "Another of your pretty tricks. Where is
Gordon? He's not at the post. I tried to enter there and was refused
admittance."
"Naturally. It isn't your post, you know. But as you've tried, that too
will be wasted time, won't it? So you'd better go to your ship, as I
suggested at first." Mrs. Goring suddenly closed the interview by
walking away from Leyden, keeping her face towards him, however, and
retaining firm hold on her pistol. She almost brushed Barry as she
passed, and as she glided swiftly and lightly along the Mission path,
Leyden swung away with a curse in the opposite direction.
Barry hesitated for a few seconds; he wanted to go to the Mission, too;
but he believed Mrs. Goring had spoken truly when she said there was
nobody there, and the only other place he could imagine where Miss
Sheldon might be was at the tree-dwelling. To that secret bower he
hurried, to be again halted by warnings from unseen guardians in the
jungle fastnesses. This time he did not press his intention to
penetrate, but stepped back until the whispering warnings were no
longer heard and there waited, hoping that patience might be rewarded.
It was. In a little while he heard some one coming along the path and
stepped out of the snug couch of leaves he had made for himself and
suddenly confronted the Mission girl. She started back in fright, then
laughed in confusion as she recognized him. She bore two empty baskets,
and Barry reached out for them.
"May I carry them?" he asked simply.
"Surely, Captain Barry. But you startled me. I was not expecting to meet
anybody here."
"Perhaps better me than others," replied Barry cryptically. "How is
Gordon, Miss Sheldon?"
"He is improving," the girl replied, and her eyes narrowed as she gazed
quizzically at him. "But what is the riddle about better you than
others? I don't understand."
"Never mind," smiled Barry. "It doesn't really matter, since I was the
lucky one, does it? But have you discovered whose man Gordon is, after
all?"
"Why, no, Captain. It isn't necessary, I think. Mr. Gordon has always
been accepted by my fellow workers as Mr. Leyden's man, and we have
known Mr. Leyden a long time. We don't know you so well, you must
admit."
"That's very true, Miss Sheldon. But I hope you will know me better
before long," replied Barry, flushing at the implied doubt as to his own
_bona fides_. He remembered, in time to avoid a bad break, that it was
no part of his business in Houten's interests to show his credentials to
Mission folks, no matter how devoutly he desired to place himself on a
secure footing with them. His visit was entirely on Houten's account,
and anything else was a side issue. So instead of blurting out an offer
to produce his credentials, he remarked quietly:
"If you will ask Mrs. Goring, she will tell you better than I can."
"Mrs. Goring?" echoed the girl. "Why, I don't know her any better than I
know you, Captain Barry. Why should I ask her to disavow something that
needs no disavowal?"
"Don't know her?" queried Barry, astonished. He had thought Mrs. Goring
an old acquaintance at least, if not actually a friend.
"No. We never saw her until the day your ship arrived. She brought a
letter, though, from mutual friends in Batavia, so we have accepted her
gladly. She has proved a wonderful nurse, too. Mr. Gordon could not be
better cared for by mother, wife, or sweetheart."
Miss Sheldon's face softened with the thought. She irradiated the spirit
of Christian helpfulness while praising Mrs. Goring's work for Gordon,
and Barry uneasily realized that his persistence in casting doubts on
Leyden was likely to prove detrimental to himself. The feeling
intensified when the girl added with enthusiasm: "So you see, Captain,
Mrs. Goring is far too busy to be bothered with inquisitive questions
about a gentleman whom she probably has never heard of."
"Oh, yes, she has heard of Leyden, Miss Sheldon," Barry burst out
unguardedly. "Not only heard of him, but knows him better than you do!"
The girl stared at him in amazement. Then slowly the rich color mounted
to her fair cheeks, and her eyes glowed with something as near anger as
such a woman could feel.
"If Mrs. Goring had known, she would certainly have told me," she said.
"She has not said one word to suggest there is any truth in the very
strange story you have tried to impress on me, Captain Barry. I can only
think that you are mistaken."
With which charitable remark, having come to the branch of the Mission
path, Natalie Sheldon held out her hands for the baskets and dismissed
the skipper.
"Thank you. I can manage now," she said, smiling rather pityingly at
him. "I hope you will find your mistake before you offend Mr. Leyden."
"If I do, I'll let you know quickly," he retorted, nettled to discover
how very solid Leyden had made himself. "Meanwhile, I can only offer my
services in any way you may need them, Miss Sheldon, and suggest that
you make a confidante of Mrs. Goring. Good-by."
He left her gazing after him curiously and strode down the path towards
the wharf. And as he entered the last narrow track in the labyrinthine
bush, one of his native crew broke through the canes and told him:
"Masser Rolfe he say come quick, sar! Schooner boats he go up ribber
chop-chop. He got many many men."