A Hasty Recall
At sunrise all hands were piped on deck, for much had to be done ere
the rays of the tropical sun became too strong for us to work. The
boats were hoisted out and the hatches removed, and a portion of the
stores was placed on deck ready to be transported on shore.
Captain Jeremy had decided, to avoid difficulty and the loss of time
caused by going ashore and returning by the boats every day, to land
most of the stores and gear required for our expedition--that is,
should the island prove to be uninhabited--and to erect a stockaded
storehouse and quarters.
This arrangement would also benefit the health of the crews of both
vessels, for in their somewhat overcrowded state the greatest care
had to be exercised to ward off an epidemic of scurvy.
Accordingly, fifty men, armed to the teeth, were ordered away in the
boats under the command of the master gunner, for Captain Jeremy had
decided not to explore the interior of the island, where the
treasure was supposed to be hidden, until a secure base of
operations was in existence.
Before the landing party went over the ship's side Captain Jeremy
called me into his cabin.
"Master Clifford," said he, "dost call to mind when you last saw the
chart of the island? I remember having it in my hand as we worked
our way into the harbour, but, strange to admit, I have no further
recollection of it."
"'Twas left in yonder rack," I replied, pointing to where I had last
seen the chart. "I remember that perfectly."
"Then it hath been filched," he said, "filched while we slept. Well,
well, may it do the thief all the good he deserves! He, or the
thieves, will not be able to find the treasure by its aid, though
'tis important should anyone but myself attempt to steer the _Golden
Hope_ between the shoals. I must, therefore, explain the leading
marks to Captain 'Enery and our quartermaster, for some mishap might
occur to render me helpless. Do not say a word concerning this
matter to anyone, Master Clifford. 'Tis best to keep such
disquieting knowledge to ourselves; but, nevertheless, I'll have my
weather eye open, and at the first sign of treachery or mutiny I'll
give the culprits cause to remember Captain Jeremy Miles. Now you
can go ashore, but be sure to return on board ere nightfall. You had
better not take up your quarters ashore till things are ordered to
ensure our safety."
I embarked on board one of the long-boats, which were laden almost
to the water's edge with various stores, including powder and shot,
ladders, spades and mattocks, carpenters' tools, nails and spikes,
barrels of biscuits and flour, and canvas for making tents.
In spite of their overladen condition, the boats reached the shore
in safety, for the water was as calm as a mill pond. We landed on a
flat, sandy beach, close to the mouth of a little stream that was to
supply us with fresh water. The plain that extended 'twixt the sea
and the hammock= shaped hill was far more extensive than one would
have supposed, when viewing it from the offing. It was nearly three
miles in width, and was covered by a dense and luxurious vegetation.
Between the little stream and the rocky headland that formed the
northernmost horn or arm protecting the harbour the ground was
comparatively barren, so that a clear view could be obtained for
several hundred yards.
Moreover, the rocks on the seaward side descended abruptly to the
water's edge, so that they formed a natural defence in that
direction, since no boats could land thereabouts. Midway betwixt the
stream and the headland the master gunner fixed the site for the
stockade.
A trial hole to the depth of ten feet revealed the presence of a
copious supply of water, sweet and wholesome to the taste when once
the mud had settled. This was especially fortunate, as we were not
compelled to rely upon the stream, which was a quarter of a mile or
more from our proposed fortress.
Having transported all the stores they had brought ashore to the
middle of a square that the master gunner had traced upon the
ground, the landing party went up into the woods to fell and trim
some trees for the purpose of making the stockade; and soon the
silence of the grove was broken by the noise of the axes and the
cheery voices of the men. They made enough clamour to give the alarm
to every buccaneer that might be within a mile or so; but though our
people worked with their muskets close at hand, and outposts were
placed to give us ample warning of a surprise, the island appeared
to be uninhabited save by its new masters.
It took a fortnight's hard work to construct the stockade, which was
loopholed at regular intervals, and strengthened by a mound of earth
on the inside. The soil thus utilized had been excavated so as to
form a ditch without the barrier, thus increasing the value of our
defences; while, in order to store our powder in safety, a deep hole
or cave was dug in the centre of the fortress and covered over with
the trunks of trees, on which earth was placed to a height of four
feet. This made a magazine which was proof against any shot that
might be fired into the stockade; while on the mound above it a
lookout hut had been erected, being protected against musketry by a
breastwork of sandbags.
Having completed this stronghold, the master gunner obtained
permission to mount two of the _Golden Hope's_ guns. The work of
getting these pieces of ordnance ashore was a difficult one; but,
thanks to Master Touchstone's energy and mechanical skill, they were
placed in position and so arranged that both could be brought to
fire from any side of the stockade by means of ingenious carriages
somewhat resembling those used by troops in the field.
Thus, before we were ready to send an expedition into the interior,
a month had elapsed; yet all hands felt that the time had not been
wasted, since we were now in a position to repel an attack by either
land or sea.
At length we set out to find the resting-place of the precious cargo
of the _Madre de Dios_. For this expedition twenty men were drawn
from each ship, Captain Jeremy being in command. During our absence
Captain 'Enery was left in charge of the _Golden Hope_ and her
consort, with orders to fire three guns should danger arise, as it
was supposed that the sound of the discharge would be heard at any
point on our march into the interior. Touchstone, with eleven men,
was to hold the stockade.
We were one and all heavily laden, for, in addition to our arms and
ammunition, each man carried a week's supply of provisions and an
axe, or mattock. At every half-mile three men were to be left in
order to form a chain of communication with the shore, so that by
the time we reached the place where the treasure was supposed to
lie, only twelve would remain. These twelve would be sufficient to
remove the bulk of the spoil, while the rest of the treasure could
be obtained at some future time.
Soon we plunged into the dense belt of vegetation that, I have
mentioned, lay betwixt the shore and the mountain. It consisted of
reeds, canes, and scrub, much higher than a man's head, so that we
had to guide ourselves by means of a compass. It was tedious work,
for we had to cut a path nearly every foot of the way, while in
places the ground was so swampy that we frequently sank in the mud
nearly to our knees.
Captain Jeremy had, years before, cut a path through the thicket,
and the task had occupied him more than a week; but all traces of
his former route had long been obliterated.
At length we reached a small open hillock surrounded by the thicket,
and here our first post was established; for though it was more than
half a mile from the stockade, our Captain did not care to expose
his men to the risk of fever by leaving them on the low-lying
ground.
On resuming our march the reeds and bushes became thicker, till it
was only by sheer hard cuts with our axes that we were able to
proceed, the men working by relays. It being now high noon, the heat
was terribly oppressive, a close and moist mist rising from the
marshy ground adding to our discomfort, while we were tormented by
swarms of flies, which hovered round our heads till we could scarce
open our eyes.
Nevertheless we stuck manfully to our arduous task, for it was
necessary for health's sake to avoid spending a night in that
unwholesome district. We must reach the high ground ere we pitched
our camp.
Suddenly a shout from one of our men caused us to stand to our arms.
The column halted, but Captain Jeremy, who was in the middle, forced
his way betwixt the wall of bushes and the men who were in front.
Then followed a lengthy pause, till the line of men moved forward
again, this time with greater rapidity, and I found myself standing
in an open clearing, surrounded by our astonished seamen. This
clearing was of recent date, for many of the saplings and canes
showed signs of having been cut but a short time ago, while running
north and south across the direction of our route was a fairly broad
and well-defined path.
We were now in a quandary. It would be unwise to resume our way and
leave an unexplored path betwixt us and the shore, and it would be
equally hazardous to separate our slender force into two bodies, so
that the beaten track could be examined in both directions. It was
also inexpedient that the inhabitants of the island (since it was
inhabited) should be aware of our presence until we had assured
ourselves whether they were peaceful settlers, or otherwise.
"This path has not been used for a month at least, Cap'n," said one
of our men, a smart young seaman in the carpenter's crew.
"How so?" asked Captain Jeremy.
"By these footprints, sir," replied the seaman, pointing to a number
of well-defined marks on the hard ground. "They are the footprints
of men wearing boots and also of naked feet, and they are pointing
in both directions, showing that people have walked this way and
that."
"Quite so," assented Captain Jeremy. "But how say you that these are
a month or more old?"
"The ground is quite hard; we cannot leave the imprint of our
boots," continued the seaman. "And since we have been on this island
more than a month, and no rain has fallen during all that time----"
But before he could complete his explanation the distant boom of a
cannon, followed at regular intervals by two more, caused us to look
at each other in alarm.' It was the signal for our recall; something
of extreme importance had occurred.