APISH STRATEGY.
From the moment when everything was in readiness for the carrying out of
Mr. Clark’s scheme there were no sounds to be heard on the island save
those caused by the apes or the myriad forms of insect life. It was as
if the colonists had suddenly been stricken dumb; and so careful was
the captain and his officers to carry out the plan thoroughly that this
silence was not broken by any one under their command.
Save for the six ominous-looking protuberances from the shutters,
everything about the village was as it had been when the colonists fled
before the pirates, and even human beings might have been deceived by
this pretended abandonment of the island.
It was not expected that the apes would make any demonstration during the
hours of darkness; therefore, with the exception of a sentinel at each
loop-hole, the entire party slept until morning, when certain noises in
the adjacent forest proclaimed the fact that Goliah’s forces had taken
note of the unusual silence.
It so chanced that Philip was stationed at a point overlooking the
same portion of the thicket as when he alone defended the building;
and inasmuch as it was directly opposite his station that Goliah had
taken his stand during both times the settlement had been attacked, the
animal-trainer naturally hoped the huge baboon would direct the movements
of his followers from the spot he had previously occupied.
If the leader could be killed it was but natural to suppose his followers
would be dispersed, and Philip’s great desire was to put an end to the
career of the baboon who had caused him so much suffering.
Two hours after sunrise the first decisive move was made by the enemy.
Previous to this moment they could have been heard chattering among the
thickets; but now a party of about a dozen, who had evidently been sent
forward to spy out the situation of affairs, came boldly from the shelter
of the trees and marched entirely around the settlement.
The purpose of the concealed party was to wait until the main body of
the enemy had been massed where a volley of grape-shot could be sent
into their midst; therefore these spies were allowed to return to their
leaders unmolested.
At the end of the third hour another party reconnoitered in much the same
fashion as had the first, save that they went on the verandas of several
cottages, trying the doors and windows, and when they disappeared to make
a report Philip understood that the time was near at hand when a salutary
lesson might be given.
From the thicket could be heard a noise as of breaking limbs, shrill
cries of command, and now and then a hoarse shout from Goliah, until
suddenly fully one-half the main body of apes burst into view from among
the foliage.
Philip looked in vain for Goliah; that wily old baboon had no intention
of exposing his precious person when there were soldiers enough under his
command to do the fighting.
The guns were already trained, and at the signal, which was the discharge
of a revolver by one of the men stationed near Captain Seaworth, the
six cannon belched forth their iron hail, mowing great gaps through the
enemy’s lines.
There was no opportunity to repeat this dose, for in a twinkling every
animal who yet had command of his limbs disappeared, and nothing was left
in view of the concealed party save huge piles of dead and wounded.
Although it was not probable the apes would show themselves again, no
sound was made by those in concealment save such as was necessary in
reloading the cannon, and until four o’clock that afternoon all remained
on the alert, but without seeing or hearing a single member of Goliah’s
forces.
That it was useless to continue the ambush any longer Captain Seaworth
knew perfectly well, and at the word of command the colonists came out
from their hiding-places to perform such duties as were absolutely
necessary in the way of preparing food for themselves and their wounded
comrades in the court-yard.
Among the first work to be done was to bury the slain, for in that
tropical climate the bodies would decompose rapidly, and thus, even after
death, be a source of danger to those who had killed them.
The number of the fallen was less than had at first been supposed.
One hundred and twelve were all that could be found, and while it was
reasonable to believe fully as many more had received wounds of which
they would soon die, the ranks of the enemy had not been decimated to any
appreciable extent.
The sun set before the deep trench which had been dug to receive the
bodies was filled, and after this duty had been performed preparations
were made for the night, since it was possible Goliah might try to avenge
the blow which had been struck.
As the shadows lengthened and the deep gloom settled down over the island
gunners were stationed at the pieces once more, and again the little
village was in a state of comparative repose, save directly in the rear,
where half a dozen men were bringing water and hewing wood.
Captain Seaworth had the same idea as had Philip, that, true to their
imitative habits, the apes, if they made an attack after nightfall,
would do so at the same point from which their previous efforts had been
directed, and, therefore, but little attention was given to what might be
passing in the rear.
The cooks were preparing a hearty meal, for the men in ambush had not
been served with anything warm during two days. The kitchen doors and
windows were open, and the laborers were pursuing their respective tasks
without thought of harm, when suddenly a volley of rocks, coming thickly
as drops of rain in a summer shower, descended upon the unprotected
portion of the main building, taking by most complete surprise even those
who were on the alert.
As these missiles struck the sides and roof of the house or fell through
the open doors and windows, the noise was so deafening that fully five
minutes elapsed before Captain Seaworth could make his orders understood,
and in that brief time no slight amount of damage had been done.
The awning in the court-yard was partially torn down; several of the
wounded men received still further injury; two of the cooks were
disabled, and the stove was overturned, strewing the coals on the
kitchen floor in such a way as started a blaze among the dry wood, which
threatened speedy destruction to the house.
There was no longer any thought of retaliation, for it was necessary that
the flames should be extinguished before they gained too much headway,
and the orders were to form lines for passing water.
Hardly had this work been begun when another shower of rocks descended
upon the laborers, driving them in from the spring as several of the
party fell under the well-directed assault, and during the short time of
confusion which ensued the fire gained no inconsiderable headway.
Only three or four men could work to advantage at bringing water from
the spring in the court-yard, for the flow was not large enough to permit
of much being carried at a time, and while they were engaged in this
nearly useless labor Captain Seaworth ordered all the others save those
in charge of the cannon to form a cordon around the building for the
purpose of keeping up an incessant discharge of musketry into the thicket.
Not a single ape could be seen as the men marched bravely to their posts
amid the falling missiles, and their volleys, however rapid, had but
little effect, owing to the fact that they were forced to fire at random.
After the muskets had been emptied half a dozen times, and the attack had
been checked in some slight degree, every third man was told off to fight
the flames; but so much time had elapsed that before the work was well
begun it could be plainly seen that all their efforts were vain.
Then, in order to save the lives of the helpless ones in the court-yard,
a still larger number of defenders were assigned the duty of conveying
the wounded to a building on the outskirts of the settlement, and while
this was being done it seemed as if every tree in the vicinity concealed
an enemy who kept up a continuous discharge of rocks.
For those in charge of the cannon to remain in the house where they could
only shoot directly in front was useless, and under Philip’s command the
ordnance was taken outside. From this point, first in one direction and
then another, heavy charges of small shot were poured into the thicket
from whence came the missiles in the greatest profusion, but evidently
without doing much injury to the enemy.
The situation was now deplorable. That the main portion of the settlement
would be consumed there could be no question, for the flames had fastened
upon the wings on either side of the court-yard, and as all the cottages
were of such an inflammable material it needed but little to complete the
work of destruction.
The glare of the flames threw into brightest relief those who were
struggling to protect themselves and save the property, and thus they
afforded good targets for the unseen enemy, who had now completely
surrounded the village.