Ned was allowed to take as long a rest as he liked, and it was not until
hammocks were piped up the next morning that he awoke. Scarcely had he
reached the deck when Sayd, who immediately knew him, hurried up, and
making a profound salaam, pressed his hand, and in his broken English
warmly thanked him for saving his life.
"I am very glad to have done so," said Ned; "and, as the commander says,
the best way you can show your gratitude is to give up slave-dealing for
the future, and turn honest trader."
The young Arab evidently did not understand the meaning of what Ned had
said, possibly had he done so he would have declared that he was merely
following an occupation which his people considered perfectly lawful,
and that he saw no reason why he should abandon it. Although he could
not exchange many words, Ned felt greatly drawn towards his new friend.
There was something very pleasing in the young Arab's manner; indeed, in
every sense of the word, he appeared to be a gentleman. Ned, however,
had his duties to perform, and could not just then hold much
conversation with him. Both officers and crew were occupied from
morning till night in attending to the liberated slaves, who had in the
first place to be washed from the filth in which they had lived on board
the dhows; they had then to be fed, and most of them also had to be
clothed, while constant attention was required to keep each gang on the
part of the deck allotted to it. Ned, on inquiring for the dhows, found
that all those captured had been destroyed, with the exception of one,
on board which the Arab crews had been placed, and allowed to go about
their business, as it would have been inconvenient to keep them on board
until they could be earned to Aden or Zanzibar.
The ship was now steering for the Seychelles Islands, the nearest place
at which negroes could be landed without the risk of again being
enslaved. There were upwards of three hundred of these poor creatures
on board, of all tints, from yellow and brown to ebon black. Some few,
chiefly Gallas, were fine-looking people, with nothing of the negro in
their features, and of a dark copper colour; but the greater number,
according to European notions, were excessively ugly specimens of the
human race. Many were in a deplorable condition, having been long
crammed together on the bamboo decks of the dhow, without being even
able to sit upright. Several of the women had infants in their arms,
the poor little creatures being mere living skeletons; not a few of
them, indeed, died as they were being removed from the slavers to the
ship. Most of the slaves, both men and women, looked wretched in the
extreme, for the only food they had received for many weeks was a
handful of rice and half a cocoa-nut full of water. On board two of the
captured dhows not more than three bags of grain were found to feed
between eighty and a hundred people. At first the poor creatures, when
placed on the man-of-war's deck, looked terrified in the extreme, but
the kindness they received from the officers and seamen soon reassured
them. The rough "tars" at all hours of the day might be seen nursing
the babies or tending the sick, lifting those unable to walk from place
to place, or carrying them their food. Not a grumble was heard among
the crew, although their patience was severely taxed. The provisions,
consisting of grain and rice, having been boiled in the ship's coppers,
were served out at stated times in large bowls to the different messes.
As soon as the food was cooked, the seamen told off for the purpose came
along the deck with the huge bowls in their hands, one of which was
placed in the midst of each tribe, or gang, of blacks, who lost no time
in falling to, using their fingers to transfer the hot food to their
mouths, often squabbling among each other when any one was supposed to
take more than his or her share. Ned was as active as any one in
tending the poor Africans, much to the astonishment of Sayd, who could
not understand why white men should interest themselves about a set of
wretched savages, as he considered them. Ned tried to explain that, as
they had souls, it was the duty of Christian men to try and improve
their condition, and that no people had a right to enslave their
fellow-creatures; but though Sayd was intelligent enough about most
matters, he failed to understand Ned's arguments, and evidently retained
his own opinion to the last. Notwithstanding this, their friendship
continued. Ned took great pains to teach Sayd English, which he
appeared especially anxious to learn.
With the assistance of the Arab, he made inquiries among all the negroes
in the hopes of hearing something about Tom Baraka's family, but nothing
could he learn which could lead him to suppose that any one on board was
acquainted with them. Even Charley was almost as anxious as he was on
the subject, though he owned that he had little hope of success.
"You might as well try to find a needle in a bundle of hay," he
observed.
Sayd, too, assured him that so many thousands had been carried off from
their families, it would be scarcely possible to identify Baraka's wife
and child.
Happily the sea was smooth and the wind moderate, for had bad weather
come on, the sufferings of the slaves would have been greatly increased.
At length Mahe, the largest of the Seychelles group, appeared ahead,
and a pilot coming on board, the "Ione" brought up in Port Victoria.
Everywhere on shore the most beautiful tropical vegetation was seen; the
hills covered to their summits with trees, cottages and plantations on
the more level ground, while here and there bright coloured cliffs
peeped out amid the green foliage. Mahe was pronounced to be a very
pretty island indeed, and although so close under the line, it is
considered an extremely healthy one.
The slaves were landed, some of them being hired by the planters, while
others set up for themselves on ground allotted to them by the
government. Before leaving the Seychelles, Commander Curtis had the
satisfaction of seeing the larger number of emancipated negroes
comfortably settled, and several having agreed to keep house together
were legally married. In most respects, after all their troubles, they
were far better off than they would have been in their own country, as
they were free from the attacks of hostile tribes or wild animals, and
ran no risk of again being carried off by Arab slave dealers.
Once more the "Ione" was at sea, and steering so as to cross the track
of the slavers. Several dhows were seen, but being to leeward, effected
their escape. Others which came in sight to the southward were
compelled to heave to, and were boarded, but these turned out to be
legal traders. Though many had blacks on board, it could not be proved
that they were slaves. At length two were caught having full cargoes of
slaves, and with these the "Ione" returned to Zanzibar. Sayd had by
this time learned so much English, that, as Ned had hoped, the office of
interpreter was offered to him by Commander Curtis. Sayd replied that
he had friends on shore whom he would consult on the subject. The
following day he returned.
"Are you going to remain with us?" asked Ned.
"After some time perhaps, not now," answered Sayd, without giving any
further reason for not accepting the situation. He was as friendly as
ever, and expressed his gratitude for the kindness he had received; he
had, however, made up his mind to remain on shore, and having bade
farewell to Ned and his other friends on board, he took his departure.
"I for one am glad to be rid of the fellow," observed Rhymer, as he was
seated at the head of the table in the midshipmen's berth. "Like all
Arabs, I have no doubt that he is a great rascal, though he is so soft
and insinuating in his manners."
"I hope that he is an exception to the rule," answered Ned, not liking
to have his friend run down.
"How dare you oppose your opinion to mine, youngster?" exclaimed Rhymer.
"As you claim the credit of saving his life, you think it necessary to
praise him; but if any of us fall into his power, he'd show his
gratitude by cutting our throats with as little compunction as any other
Arab would have."
Charley sided with Ned; but the majority of those present thought Rhymer
was not far wrong in the opinion he expressed.
The "Ione" having replenished her stores, again sailed on a cruise to
the southward. Week after week, however, went by and not a prize was
taken. It was very tantalising. Dhows were frequently seen and chased,
but those which were overhauled proved to be legal traders. It was the
old story over again. The Arabs were evidently too cunning to be
caught; only those who had no cause to dread the British cruisers got in
her way, and the rest kept out of it. That thousands of slaves were
being embarked and carried northward there could be no doubt, but how to
catch the dhows with slaves on board was the question. The commander
resolved to try and outwit the Arabs. He had heard at Zanzibar that
many of their vessels kept close in-shore, both to avoid the British
cruisers and to fill up their cargoes with any negroes they might
entrap. He accordingly determined to send the boats in with strong
crews well-armed and provisioned to lie in wait among the small islands
off the shore, that should any dhows appear in sight, they might pounce
down on them and effect their capture before they had time to make their
escape. As the commander had no reason for keeping his plans secret
they were soon known about the ship, and every one in the midshipmen's
berth hoped to be employed in the service. Boat expeditions are always
popular among men-of-war's men, notwithstanding the privations they
entail, as a change from the regular routine of life on board ship. As
yet it was not known who was to go; Ned and Charley thought that they
should have but little chance.
"If we ask Mr Hanson he will advise the commander to send us," said
Ned.
"There's nothing like trying," replied Charley; "but I am afraid it will
be of little use."
"I'll speak to him," said Ned. "It will show our zeal, and we can but
be refused. I do not suppose that either you or I are likely to obtain
command of a boat, but we may be sent with some one else, and the
commander may be willing to give us an opportunity of gaining
experience."
Ned carried out his intention.
"I will see about it," answered Mr Hanson. "I suppose you and Meadows
wish to go together to keep each other out of mischief."
"Thank you, sir," said Ned, "we'll look after each other at all events;
it won't be our fault if we don't take a dhow or two."
"You are always zealous, Garth, and the commander will, I know, be glad
to favour your wishes," answered the lieutenant, in a tone which
encouraged Ned to hope that he would be sent on the expedition. While
the ship was standing towards the African coast orders were received to
prepare the three largest boats--the launch, pinnace, and cutter. The
second lieutenant was to go in one with the assistant surgeon, the
master in another, and Rhymer was to have charge of the third. The
commander, who held him in more estimation than his messmates were wont
to do, spoke to him on the quarter-deck.
"I intend to send two of the youngsters with you--Meadows and Garth.
You will look after them, and see that they come to no harm; the
experience they may gain will be of advantage to them."
"Of course, sir, I am always glad to be of service to youngsters, and
will take good care of them," he answered aloud, muttering to himself,
"especially as one of these days I may find them passed over my head."
"Very well, then, Rhymer, I will give you the necessary directions for
your guidance; but remember you will on no account allow your men to
sleep on shore on the mainland, and you must avoid remaining at night up
any river into which you may chase a dhow."
Rhymer, of course, undertook to act according to the commander's
directions.
Next day the ship came in sight of an island, three or four miles from
the mainland, the western side rising some fifty or sixty feet above the
summit of the water, and covered with trees. On the north side was a
deep bay, into which the ship stood, and came to an anchor. Here she
was hid both from the people on shore or from any passing dhows. The
island formed one of a group, extending along the coast at various
distances, most of them, however, were low, and many were mere
sand-banks, with a few casuarina bushes growing on the higher portions.
They would all, however, afford sufficient shelter to the boats, and
conceal them till they could pounce out and capture any dhows passing
near. The boats were now lowered, each with a gun in the bows, well
stored with provisions and tents for living in on shore, while the crews
were well-armed, and were at once despatched to their several
destinations. The second lieutenant was directed to go to the
northward, and Rhymer was to proceed to the most southern limit, and in
case of necessity they were to rendezvous at the spot from whence they
started. The ship then sailed on a cruise to the northward, the
commander promising to return in the course of a fortnight to replenish
their provisions, and take charge of any dhows which might have been
captured. Ned and Charley were in high glee at the thoughts of the work
they were to be engaged in. Old Rhymer had lately been more pleasant
than usual, and they hoped to get along pretty well with him. He was
fond of his ease, and in fine weather was likely to entrust the boat to
them, while he took a "caulk" in the stern sheets; indeed, when away
from his superiors, and in command himself, he was always more amiable
than on board ship.
For some time after the boat had shoved off all on board were employed
in re-stowing the stores, getting her into trim, and placing the
articles most likely to be required uppermost. When everything had been
done according to his satisfaction, he addressed the two midshipmen.
"Now, youngsters," he said, "recollect, I must have implicit obedience,
and all things will go well; if not, look out for squalls. I'll take
one watch, you, Meadows, another, and you, Garth, the third."
The midshipmen made no answer, for, being as well aware as he was of the
importance of maintaining discipline, they thought his remark rather
superfluous.
The weather continued fine, and the old mate appeared to be in unusual
good-humour. He laughed and talked and spun long yarns which amused his
companions, although they had heard most of them twenty times before.
When tired of talking, he stretched himself in the stern sheets to "take
a snooze," as he said, charging them to call him should anything occur.
"You see, youngsters, what confidence I place in you," he observed. "I
could not venture to shut my eyes if I didn't feel sure that you would
keep a bright look-out. It is for your good besides, that you may know
how to act when left in command of a boat."
The midshipmen suspected that Rhymer thought more of his own comfort
than of benefiting them. They passed several small islands. On some
grew a scanty vegetation, while others were mere sand-banks. One of
them was occupied by vast numbers of wild fowl, on which Rhymer looked
with longing eyes.
"We might land, and in a short time kill birds enough to supply
ourselves for a couple of days," he observed; "the delay cannot be of
consequence."
Ned recollected that Rhymer had received orders to proceed without delay
to the southward, but he knew that it would not do to remind him. The
boat was therefore headed in towards a point on the lee side, where it
appeared likely that an easy landing-place could be found. The beach,
however, shelved so gradually that she could not approach within about
twenty yards of the dry sand; she therefore was brought up by a grapnel,
and Rhymer said that he would wade on shore, telling Ned to remain in
charge of the boat with part of the crew, while Charley and the rest
accompanied him. Neither Rhymer nor Charley had much experience as
sportsmen, and as their arms were only ship's muskets, Ned thought it
possible that they would not kill as many birds as Rhymer expected to
obtain. Taking off their shoes and trousers, Rhymer and his followers
jumped overboard and waded ashore. There were but few birds on that end
of the island, the chief colony being some way off. Ned heard several
shots fired, but the sportsmen were too far off by that time for him to
see whether any birds had been killed. In a short time the sounds of
firing again reached him, evidently at a still greater distance; he did
not forget his directions to keep a bright look-out, and he occasionally
swarmed to the masthead that he might obtain a more extensive view. He
had gone up for the fourth time, when he caught sight of a white sail
coming up from the southward with the wind off the land; she was a dhow,
of that there was no doubt, and might be a full slaver. She would
possibly pass close to the island, abreast of which, as she was sailing
rapidly, she would very quickly arrive. There was no time to be lost.
He glanced his eye over the land, but could nowhere discover the
shooting party; he was afraid of firing, for fear of alarming the crew
of the dhow. As the only means of getting back Rhymer, he sent one of
the men to try and find him and urge him to return. On came the dhow;
every moment was precious; she had not yet discovered the boat. The
man, wading on shore, ran off along the sand; the dhow was almost
abreast of the island; at length Ned, to his relief, saw his companions
approaching in the distance.
He got the sail ready, so that it might be hoisted the moment the party
were on board. He shouted and signed to them to make haste, pointing to
the dhow; at last Rhymer came, followed by Charley and the men, wading
through the water, puffing and blowing, terribly out of wind. The
result of the sport appeared to be only half-a-dozen wild fowl, the
bodies of some being nearly blown to pieces. The party quickly tumbled
into the boat, and, the grapnel being got up, she immediately made sail
on a course which Rhymer fancied would cut off the dhow. He was
evidently in no good-humour at the ill-success of their sport, but the
prospect of making a prize somewhat restored him; the dhow, however,
must soon have seen the boat standing out towards her.
"Hurrah! she knows it is no use running, and gives in at once,"
exclaimed Rhymer, as the dhow was seen to lower her canvas. He soon
altered his tone when she hoisted a much larger sail than she had before
been carrying, and put up her helm, standing away directly before the
wind.
"We must be after her, lads," cried Rhymer. "The breeze may fail, and
if she is becalmed we are sure to have her."
It occurred to Ned that if Rhymer had not landed on the island this
would have been more likely. The wind being light, the oars were got
out and the boat went along at a good rate.
"We shall have her, we shall have her!" cried the old mate; "she is
within range of our gun. Try a shot, Meadows."
Charley sprang forward, and glancing along the piece, fired, but the
shot fell short.
Though Rhymer still cried out, "We shall have her, we shall have her!"
gradually his voice lost its tone of confidence, the breeze freshened,
and the dhow began rapidly to distance her pursuer. Still the boat
followed; the wind might again fail and the chase be overtaken. Instead
of failing, however, the wind increased, and the dhow's hull sunk
beneath the horizon. At length only the upper portion of her sail could
be seen; still, as long as a speck was in sight, Rhymer pursued her, and
not until the sun set did he abandon all hope.
"It is a bad job," he exclaimed. "Now let's have those birds, they must
be pretty well stewed by this time."
The wild fowl had been cut up into pieces, and, with rice biscuits and
other ingredients, had been stewing in the pot in which all their meals
were cooked, officers and men sharing alike. As soon, however, as
Rhymer's plate was handed to him he exclaimed--
"Fishy! Horribly fishy!"
"Strong flavoured I must own," said Charley; and he and Ned could with
difficulty eat a small portion, though the men were not so particular.
The unsavoury dish did not add to Rhymer's good-humour. Scarcely had
supper been concluded than it began to blow so hard that it became
necessary to take down two reefs, and the boat close-hauled stood
towards the shore with the prospect of having a dirty night of it. The
sea, too, got up and sent the spray flying over her. About the middle
watch rain began to fall heavily. Though provided with an awning,
blowing as fresh as it did, it was impossible to rig it, and all hands
were soon wet through. As to sleeping, that was out of the question.
Rhymer passed the night grumbling and abusing the wild fowl, the Arabs
and the dhows, lamenting his own hard fate in being engaged in such
abominable service. By morning, when the boat had got in again with the
land, the wind fell, and the sun rising, quickly dried their wet
clothes. After this heavy showers frequently fell, detracting from the
pleasure of the cruise. Ned and Charley made themselves as happy as
they could, caring very little for Rhymer's grumbling. The worst part
of the business was that day after day went by and no dhows were seen.
Their destination, however, was at length reached. It was an island
with a snug little harbour, in which the boat was perfectly concealed.
Here they were able to land and erect a tent, hidden from the sea by a
grove of casuarina bushes. A couple of hands were kept on board the
boat, while the rest lived on shore and enjoyed the advantage of being
able to stretch their legs, but they were ordered to keep within hail,
in case of being required to shove off in chase of a dhow. On the
highest tree a look-out place was made, reached by a rope ladder; and
Rhymer ordered Charley and Ned to occupy it by turns. Either the one or
the other had to sit, telescope in hand, from sunrise to sunset,
sweeping the horizon in search of a sail. Several were seen, but they
were too far off to make it of any use to go in chase. At length one
appeared, which, by the course she was steering, would inevitably pass
close to the island. Officers and crew hurried on board the boat, and
away she pulled to cut off the stranger.
"We shall catch yonder craft this time, at all events," exclaimed
Rhymer. "I only hope she will be full of slaves. As she stands on
boldly, it is pretty clear that we are not seen."
The men gave way, in spite of the hot sun striking down on their heads.
Still the dhow stood on, and in a short time the boat was up to her. A
shot fired across her forefoot made the Arabs lower their sail, and the
boat was pulled alongside. The crew jumped on board. About twenty
fierce-looking Arabs stood on the deck, but they offered no resistance.
Rhymer inquired for the captain. A well-dressed person stepped forward,
making a profound salaam.
"Where are your papers?" inquired Rhymer.
The Arab understood him, and presented several documents, which the
English officer looked at, in as knowing a way as he could assume,
without being able to decipher a word. He then made signs that he
wished to examine the hold. No opposition was offered. It was found to
contain a miscellaneous cargo, but not a single slave could be
discovered. As it was evident that the dhow was a lawful trader, Rhymer
apologised to the captain, and stepping into his boat pulled for the
shore, while the dhow sailed on her course. Several other dhows were
boarded in the same way. Some had blacks on board, but they were
supposed either to form part of the crew or to be passengers, and Rhymer
did not venture to stop them. The time for their return was
approaching.
"If we had not captured those slavers some time back, I should be
inclined to believe that there is no such thing as the slave trade on
this coast," exclaimed Rhymer, as he sat in the tent one evening after
sunset. "It is all my ill-luck, however, and I suppose I shall get
hauled over the coals for my want of success. If we catch sight of
another dhow, and she takes to flight, I'll chase her round the world
rather than lose her."
Next morning, soon after Ned had gone up to the look-out station, as he
was turning his glass to the southward, the white canvas of a dhow,
lighted up by the rays of the rising sun, came full into view, standing
almost directly for the island. The wind for the last day or two had
been variable. It was now blowing from the south-east. Quickly
descending, he carried the information to his commanding officer. The
party, tossing off their coffee, and snatching up the portions of
breakfast they had just commenced, hurried on board. By the time they
had got clear of the island the hull of the dhow could be seen. For
some time she stood on as before, apparently not discovering them. With
the wind as it had been, she had no chance of escaping, except by
running on shore, and Rhymer ordered his men to lay on their oars to
await her coming, while the sail was got ready to hoist in a moment, and
the gun loaded to send a shot at her should she refuse to strike.
Presently the wind shifted two points to the eastward, the dhow lowered
her sail.
"Hurrah!" exclaimed Rhymer; "she knows it's of no use to try and escape.
We will make sail, and shall soon be up to her. Hoist away!"
The boat was soon under canvas, heeling over to the freshening breeze.
A short time, however, only had elapsed when the dhow was seen to
rehoist her sail; but it was evident from her position that her head had
been brought round, and was now pointing to the southward.
"It is pretty clear that the Arabs intend to run for it," observed
Charley to Ned.
"And if they go round the world we shall have to follow them," answered
Ned in a low voice.
The boat sailed well. There was just enough wind, and no more, to suit
her, and the dhow apparently was not so fast a sailer as some of her
class. Still she kept well ahead of the boat. Should the wind shift
back to its old quarter, however, there was a fair probability that the
boat would overtake her.
"We've got a good many hours of daylight, and it will be a hard matter
if we do not come up with her before dark," said Rhymer.
"But as it is, if we do not, and we are to chase her round the world, we
must do our best to keep her in sight during the night," observed
Charley, demurely.
The dhow was still out of range of the boat's gun, and appeared
determined to stand on while there was a prospect of escaping. The wind
continuing as before, Ned and Charley began to fear that after all she
would get away.
"I wish that the breeze would shift back to the south-east, and we
should have her sure enough, for we can sail three points closer to the
wind than she can," observed Ned.
The time was passing by. Exciting as was the chase, the cook did not
forget to prepare dinner, which the crew were as ready to eat as if no
dhow supposed to be full of slaves was in sight. The evening
approached, the compass showed that the dhow had fallen off two points,
and presently afterwards another point.
"She'll not weather that headland!" observed Charley, looking out ahead.
"No, but she's going to run on shore, and if so she'll go to pieces, and
the slaves will either be drowned or be carried off into the interior,"
remarked Rhymer.
Presently the dhow was seen standing directly for the coast. Ned, who
was examining it through the telescope, exclaimed--
"There's the mouth of a river there, and she's steering for that."
"Then we'll follow her up it; if she can get in we can," answered
Rhymer, and the boat's head was put towards the opening for which the
dhow was making. Had there been a doubt on the subject before, there
was now no longer any that the dhow was full of slaves, and that
probably their captors would make every effort to retain them. As the
boat drew nearer the entrance of the river, between two sandy points, it
was difficult to judge whether or not it was a stream of any
considerable size.
"If it's navigable for a hundred miles, we will follow the dhow up; I am
not going to allow that craft to escape me," cried Rhymer.
The slaver was now running directly before the wind, fast distancing the
boat, and was soon seen to enter the river, pitching and tossing as if
she had crossed a bar. Rhymer steered on; two or three heavy rollers in
succession lifted the boat, but no water broke on board, and she was
soon safe in and gliding over the smooth surface of the stream. The
river, which was of considerable width, was thickly lined on both sides
by trees; in the middle of it the dhow was seen, running on with all her
canvas set, still beyond reach of the boat's gun.
"We have her now, safe enough," exclaimed Rhymer; "though, if the river
is navigable far up from the mouth, she may lead us a long chase before
we catch her."
"I only hope there may be no Arab fort up the river, or we may find it a
difficult job to cut out the slaver after all," observed Charley.
"An Arab fort! What made you think of that, youngster?" exclaimed
Rhymer, looking somewhat blank. "If there is we shall have more
fighting than we bargained for, but it will never do to go back without
attempting to secure the dhow."
"I should think not," remarked Ned.
The men of course were ready for any work their officers determined on.
The excitement of the chase and the prospect of fighting before them was
greatly increased as the dhow got higher up the river; the wind falling,
and sometimes becoming baffling, the boat gained on her. Ned was sent
forward to look out for the fort, but he could discover no signs of a
stockade; at any moment, however, a bend of the stream might disclose it
to view.
"Get out the oars!" cried Rhymer; "before long I hope the wind will fail
the dhow altogether and we shall soon be up to her."
The men gave way, in a few minutes the boat got the dhow within range of
her gun.
"We must try to bring her sail down," exclaimed Rhymer, giving the helm
to Charley and springing forward to the gun. He fired, the shot went
through the sail, but the chase stood on as before; the gun was quickly
loaded, but the second shot, though well aimed, produced no more result
than the first. It was pretty evident that the Arabs expected to reach
some place of shelter, and that they would run on until they had gained
it. This made Rhymer doubly anxious to come up with them before they
could do so. He continued firing away as fast as the gun could be run
in and loaded. Though the sail was riddled with shot, the yard and
rigging remained uninjured.
"Get the muskets ready, Garth!" he cried out. "We shall soon be near
enough to send a shower of bullets among those fellows, and they will
then, I have a notion, heave to pretty quickly."
Scarcely, however, had he spoken than the breeze freshened up, and to
his disappointment he found that the boat was no longer gaining on the
dhow. Still he kept firing the gun, hoping that a fortunate shot might
bring down her yard. Some way ahead, on the south side of the river, he
observed a small bay, where the bank was steeper than in any other place
and free of trees; the dhow appeared to be edging away towards it. "I
must knock away that fellow's yard. I'd give a hundred guineas to see
it come down," he exclaimed, as he again fired.
The shot wounded the yard, for he could see the splinters fly from it,
but it still remained standing; at any moment, however, it might go.
The Arabs seemed to think so likewise, for the dhow was now steered
directly for the little bay. Before another shot was fired at her, she
was close up to the bank, and a black stream of human beings was seen
issuing forth from her decks, and winding, like a long black snake, up
among the grass and bushes, while the Arabs could be distinguished by
their dress urging on the fugitives with their spears.
"We must stop those fellows, and turn them back," exclaimed Rhymer, and
resuming the tiller, he steered the boat for the shore at the nearest
spot above the dhow where a landing could be effected.
"Meadows, do you remain by the boat with a couple of hands, the rest of
you follow me," he exclaimed as he leapt on shore.
It was now seen that the blacks, of whom there appeared to be nearly two
hundred, were becoming divided, some going off in one direction, some in
another, while others, mostly women and children, were sinking down on
the ground, unable to keep up with their companions. Rhymer on this
made chase with most of his crew after the larger party; but he had not
got far when he ordered Ned, with the coxswain, Dick Morgan by name, and
two other hands, to pursue another who were going off to the left.
Ned, as directed, started away at full speed, and soon outstripped his
followers, who, as they overtook smaller parties of the blacks, tried to
turn them back. The negroes on hearing the shouts of the sailors, and
seeing them flourish their cutlasses, more frightened than ever, sank
down to the ground. In vain the seamen endeavoured to make them rise,
assuring them that they meant them no harm. Much time was lost in the
attempt. Ned, in obedience to his orders, had got ahead of one party of
the blacks and was seen by Dick Morgan making signs to induce them to
stop running. When, however, Dick looked again, he could nowhere
discover his young officer, while the slaves were scampering off at a
rate which made it almost hopeless to overtake them.
"Lads, we must not let Mr Garth be carried off by those niggers, for it
seems to me that they have somehow or other got hold of him," exclaimed
Dick, shouting to his companions.
Away they dashed after the fugitives. They had got some distance when
they heard Mr Rhymer hailing them to come back. Dick pointed in the
direction where he had last seen the midshipman; but Mr Rhymer not
understanding his signs, peremptorily ordered him and his companions to
retreat to the boat. It was time indeed to do so, for a large party of
well-armed Arabs appeared on the hill just before them, and with
threatening gestures were advancing evidently with the intention of
recovering the slaves they had captured. Rhymer saw at once that were
he to remain he should run the risk of having his whole party cut off,
and that his only safe course was to retreat as fast as possible to the
boat; he accordingly gave the word to face about, and by threatening to
fire, he kept the Arabs in check. Their object was evidently not so
much to attack the English, as to get possession of the slaver. Had the
boat been nearer the dhow, Rhymer might have boarded her and set her on
fire, but in endeavouring to do so, he might expose his whole party to
destruction. Had there been time even to get hold of any of the blacks,
they could not have been taken into the boat, and Rhymer had therefore
to make the best of his way down to her without securing a single one of
them. The Arabs, who advanced more rapidly as they saw the English
retreating, soon got under shelter of some trees, whence they opened a
hot fire from matchlocks and gingalls. Rhymer ordered his men to fire
in return, but their exposed position on the bank of the river, and
their inferior numbers, rendered the combat unequal.
Rhymer, who was as brave as most men, at first hoped to drive the enemy
from their shelter, but he soon saw that he might lose many of his men
in the attempt, and that his only prudent course was to get on board and
shove off as fast as possible. Three of his men had already been hit;
should he remain longer the crew might be so weakened as to be unable to
pull the boat down the river. Charley, who had run the boat in ready to
receive them when he saw them coming, was dismayed at not discovering
Ned among the party.
"Where is Mr Garth?" he exclaimed. "Have none of you seen him?"
Rhymer repeated the question.
Dick Morgan was the only man who could answer it: he replied that he had
last set eyes on him while trying to induce the blacks to return to the
dhow.
"Have they killed him, do you think?" asked Charley, in a tone which
showed his anxiety.
"Can't say, sir; but if not, it is more than likely that those Arab
fellows have got hold of him, and I'm afraid they'll not be treating him
over well."
Just then, however, there was no time to make further inquiries. The
first thing to be done was to get out of reach of the Arabs' matchlocks.
Rhymer gave the word to shove off, and the boat pulled away from the
bank. He was vexed at the utter failure of the enterprise, and the
blame which might be attributed to him for the loss of Ned. He might
still, however, destroy the dhow. The Arabs, well aware of the long
range of the boat's gun, were still keeping at a distance. There would
be time to get up to the dhow and to set her on fire. Rhymer
accordingly steered in where she lay, with the boat's gun ready to send
a shot into the midst of any party who might venture to show themselves.
Almost before the Arabs were aware of what was intended, the boat was
up to the dhow, matches had been got ready, and the seamen springing on
board, in less than a minute had set her on fire fore and aft. The
combustible materials with which she was fitted quickly blazed up, and
her destruction was inevitable. The men leapt back into the boat, which
now pulled away out of gun-shot into the middle of the stream.
"Surely we are not to leave Garth without going to look for him!"
exclaimed Charley. "Perhaps he may be hiding himself somewhere, and
will, when the Arabs retire, make his way down to the margin of the
river expecting to be taken off."
"Very little chance of that; but, depend on it, I'll not show my face on
board without him if I can help it," answered Rhymer.
Charley was obliged to be content with this promise. As he watched the
shore through his telescope he could see the Arabs collecting the
unfortunate slaves and driving them on before them, though he in vain
searched for Ned among the former. Had he been made a prisoner he would
probably have been seen. This made him hope that he might still be
recovered. At length Rhymer began to grow impatient. The last of the
slaves had been carried off, and the Arabs themselves had disappeared
behind the hill. Charley now entreated Rhymer to pull in for the shore.
"If you will let me I will land with any of the men who will volunteer,
and we will search round in every direction for Garth; he may possibly
have been wounded, and have crawled under some bushes to hide himself
from the Arabs."
Rhymer hesitated. "If I let you go you may be caught also, and I shall
have to report the loss of two midshipmen instead of one."
"O no, no! Do let me go!" cried Charley, in a beseeching tone. "The
Arabs have gone away, and we will keep a good look-out not to be
surprised. I am sure that some of the men will be ready to go with me."
"I will!" exclaimed Dick Morgan.
"And I, and I, and I," added others, until the whole boat's crew
volunteered.
At last Rhymer, feeling that he might be accused of deserting the
midshipman, consented, allowing Morgan with three other men to accompany
Charley.
The boat accordingly returned to the shore. While Charley and his men
pushed forward, Rhymer and the remainder having landed, advanced a short
distance to support him in case he should have to retreat. Charley led
the way to a spot pointed out by Morgan, where Ned had last been seen.
They hunted about among the bushes, but no trace of him could they
discover.
"Ned Garth, Ned Garth! where are you?" shouted Charley again and again,
forgetting in his anxiety that the Arabs might hear, but no answer
reached him. There were traces, however, of the course the blacks had
taken, wherever the ground was soft enough to receive impressions of
their feet. Charley was tempted to follow, and the men, regardless of
consequences, accompanied him. He had not gone far when he came upon
two children who had evidently been let fall by those who were carrying
them. Both were dead, and their shrunken little forms showed that they
had died from starvation. The top of the hill was reached. Charley at
length stopped and looked round, but neither Arabs nor blacks were
anywhere visible. Though, had he consulted his own feelings, he would
have gone on still farther, he remembered his promise to be cautious,
and exclaimed with a heavy heart--
"We must go back; we may still find him, but I dare not push on
further."
The men appeared to share his feelings, for Ned was a favourite with all
of them. They made their way towards the boat, searching the bushes as
they went along, dreading that at any moment they might discover Ned's
body. At length they met Rhymer.
"He must have been made prisoner and carried off by the Arabs," cried
Charley; "that is the only consolation we have."
"Well, I suppose they would scarcely have taken the trouble to carry him
off if he had been killed; and we must report to the commander that such
is the conclusion we have arrived at, after making diligent search for
him in all directions."
Charley felt somewhat indignant that Rhymer did not express more regret
at the loss of their young messmate; he, however, said nothing. They
once more embarked, and shoving off, proceeded down the river. It was
important to get over the bar before dark, and make the best of their
way back to the ship, for the wounded men, now that the excitement was
over, began to complain of their hurts, and it was, of course, necessary
that they should be attended to by the surgeon with as little delay as
possible. As the wind blew almost up the river, it was necessary to get
the oars out and pull the boat over the bar. This was a heavy task with
a diminished crew, but Rhymer sent one of the wounded men to the helm,
while he took one oar and Charley another.
They got down very well to the mouth, but the heavy foam-topped rollers
which came tumbling in threatened to prevent them getting into the open
sea beyond.
"It must be done," exclaimed Rhymer. "To-morrow it may be worse, and we
shall have a whole fleet of Arab boats coming down upon us."
Twice, however, he pulled up to the inner roller, and backed the boat
off again. For some minutes he stood up watching the seas; at length he
exclaimed, "Now, my lads, now or never, give way," and all hands bending
their backs to the oars, pulled on as British seamen are wont to do in
cases of emergency. It was a struggle truly for life and death. Had
the boat been caught broadside by one of those treacherous undulations,
she would have been thrown over and over, and not a man on board could
have escaped. Had an oar broken, or the men relaxed in their efforts,
no power could have saved them. Three rollers had been passed, there
were still two more to be encountered. The fourth advanced with a crest
of foam. The boat had almost reached the summit, when the water came
rushing over her bows, half-filling her; but the crew persevered, and
the wounded men began bailing away with might and main.
"Pull away, pull away, lads!" shouted Rhymer; "there's only one more,
and we shall be clear of them."
Again the boat rose, the water rushing aft, but the poor fellows seated
there, in spite of their hurts, continued to heave it out. The next
minute, having forced their way over the last roller, the boat was free.
They had still a long pull before them until the boat could obtain a
good offing, so that they might make sail and stand to the northward.
At length the sails were set. By this time it was perfectly dark, yet,
having a compass, a proper course could be kept. As the wind was light,
it was not until near morning that they reached the island where they
had left their tent and stores. As there was a moon they were able to
steer into the bay. On landing they hurried up to where the tent had
stood.
"Why, where is it?" exclaimed Rhymer.
They hunted about, neither their tent nor any of their stores could they
discover.
"Some fellows have been here and carried them off, no doubt about that,"
observed Charley; "but who they are is more than I can say."
"The rascally crew of a dhow probably," answered Rhymer. "How the
villains must have laughed at us when they saw our boat sailing away."
A further search in no way cleared up the mystery, and all they could do
was to light a fire and cook some provisions, which had fortunately been
kept on board the boat. On the return of daylight they found the marks
of numerous naked feet on the sand; but whether of blacks or Arabs they
were unable to determine, though Charley suspected that they were those
of a party of blacks who had come across from the mainland.
This loss made it still more important for them to get back to the ship.
As soon as they had taken a hurried breakfast, Rhymer ordered all hands
on board, and once more they made sail to the northward.
The old mate, as may be supposed, was in an especial ill-humour, which
he vented on poor Charley, who required comforting for the loss of his
friend. For three days he had to endure all the abuse heaped on him,
but he bore it without complaint, resolving not again, if he could help
it, to take a long cruise with Rhymer. At length a sail was seen ahead,
standing towards them. As she drew nearer--
"That's her, that's the old ship!" cried Morgan, who was on the
look-out.
Dick was right, and in another hour the ship hove to and the boat got
alongside. Rhymer's downcast countenance showed that he had
unsatisfactory intelligence to communicate. The commander listened to
his report, but made no remark; he then desired to hear Charley's
account.
"We can't let the poor boy be lost without a further effort to recover
him!" observed Captain Curtis.
He sent for Mr Hanson, and they held a consultation. The result was
that the commander determined, having already picked up the other boats,
to proceed to the mouth of the river and to send them in to inquire from
the first Arabs they could meet with what had become of the missing
midshipman and to insist on his liberation.
There was a chance also of their capturing a dhow laden with the slaves
which had been landed. The ship came off the mouth of the river at
night, and the boats were got ready to go in over the bar as soon as
there was light sufficient to see their way, by which time also the
flood would have made. Mr Hanson begged to have charge of the
expedition, as he felt an especial interest in the recovery of Ned. The
boats pulled up at a rapid rate, and soon reached the spot where the
encounter had taken place. Charley, who had accompanied Mr Hanson,
kept a look-out along the bank, half expecting to see a signal made by
Ned. No one appeared, and if there were any inhabitants, they kept out
of sight. The boats pulled up the river for ten miles or more, till Mr
Hanson's, which was leading, grounded. No trace of the missing
midshipman was discovered, and, much disappointed, the expedition
returned to the ship.
The weather proving fine, the "Ione" remained at anchor. Every day a
boat was sent in ready to receive the midshipman should he appear, but
returned with the same unsatisfactory report.
The commander, considering that everything possible had been done to
recover the midshipman, then ordered the ship to be got under weigh, and
she stood for Zanzibar, where he hoped, by other means, to be more
successful, although the general opinion on board was that poor Garth
had been killed, and that nothing more would be heard of him.