WE LISTEN TO A STRANGE PROPOSITION
I did not hear our passengers come aboard that night, being sound
asleep. By the time I left my room next morning we were under way and
steaming briskly over one of those quiet seas for which the Pacific is
remarkable.
In the main cabin I found Lieutenant Allerton sitting at breakfast with
Captain Steele, Uncle Naboth and Archie. Joe was snoozing after his late
watch and Ned Britton was on deck. Behind our guest’s chair stood the
handsomest Indian I have ever seen, the Maya he had mentioned to us and
whose name was Chaka. Our South Sea Islanders were genuine black men,
but Chaka’s skin was the color of golden copper. He had straight black
hair, but not the high cheek bones of the typical American Indian, and
the regularity of his features was certainly remarkable. His eyes were
large, frank in expression and dark brown in color; he seemed
intelligent and observant but never spoke unless first addressed, and
then in modest but dignified tones. His English was expressive but not
especially fluent, and it was easy to understand that he had picked up
the language mainly by hearing it spoken.
My first glance at Chaka interested me in the fellow, yet of course
during that first meeting I discovered few of the characteristics I have
described. At this time he was silent and motionless as a statue save
when opportunity offered to serve his master.
The lieutenant wore this morning a white duck mess costume for which he
apologized by saying that his civilian wardrobe was rather limited, and
if we would pardon the formality he would like to get all the wear from
his old uniforms that was possible, during the voyage.
We told him to please himself. I thought he looked more manly and
imposing in naval uniform than in “cits.”
“But I don’t see how he can be shy of clothes,” remarked Archie, after
breakfast, as we paced the deck together. “Allerton lugged seven big
boxes aboard last night; I saw them come up the side; and if they don’t
contain his togs I’d like to know what on earth they _do_ hold.”
“That’s none of our affair, Archie,” I remarked.
“Do you think this thing is all straight and above board, Sam?” asked my
friend.
“Of course, Archie. He’s a lieutenant in the United States navy, and has
a regular leave of absence. He joined us with the approval and good will
of his commander.”
“I know; but it seems queer, somehow. Take that copper-faced fellow, for
instance, who looks more like a king than a servant; what has Allerton
got such a body guard as that for? I never knew any other naval officer
to have the like. And three months’ leave—on private business. Suff’rin’
Pete! what’s that for?”
“You might ask the lieutenant,” I replied, indifferently.
“Then there’s the boxes; solid redwood and clamped with brass; seven of
’em! What’s in ’em, Sam, do you suppose?”
“Archie boy, you’re getting unduly suspicious. And you’re minding some
one else’s business. Get the quoits and I’ll toss a game with you.”
Our passenger was very quiet during the following day or two. He neither
intruded nor secluded himself, but met us frankly when we were thrown
together, listened carefully to our general conversation, and refrained
from taking part in it more than politeness required.
Joe thought the young fellow seemed thoughtful and ill at ease, and
confided to me that he had noticed Allerton now made more of a companion
of the Maya than a dependant, although the man, for his part, never
abated his deferent respect. Chaka seemed to regard Allerton with the
love and fidelity of a dog for its master; yet if any of the sailors, or
even Nux or Bryonia, spoke to the Indian with undue familiarity Chaka
would draw himself up proudly and assume the pose of a superior.
We were much interested in the personality of these two unusual
personages—that is, Joe, Archie and I were—and we often discussed them
among ourselves. We three boys, being chums of long standing, were much
together and had come to understand one another pretty well. We all
liked Paul Allerton, for there was something winning in his personality.
As for the Indian, Chaka, he did not repel us as much as he interested
and fascinated us. One night big Bry, whom we admitted to perfect
familiarity because of his long service, said to us:
“That Maya no common Injun, Mars’ Sam, yo’ take my word. He say his
country Yucatan, an’ that place Yucatan don’ mean nuthin’ to me, nohow,
’cause I never been there. But, wherever it is, Chaka’s people mus’ be
good people, an’ Chaka hisself never had any other marsa than Mars’
Allerton.”
“He has been serving in the navy, Bry.”
“That don’ count, sah. Yo’ know what I mean.”
On the evening of the third day out from Magdalena we were clustered as
usual upon the deck, amusing ourselves by casual conversation, when
Lieutenant Allerton approached us and said:
“I’d like to have a few moments’ confidential talk with whoever is in
authority here. It’s rather hard for a stranger to determine who that
may be, as you all seem alike interested in the career of the _Seagull_.
But of course some one directs your policies and decides upon your
business ventures, and that is the person I ought properly to address.”
We were a little puzzled and astonished by this speech. Uncle Naboth
removed his pipe from his lips to say:
“This group is pretty near a partnership, sir, seein’ as we’ve been
through good and bad luck together many times an’ learned how to trust
each other as brave an’ faithful comrades. We haven’t any secrets, as I
knows on; an’ if so be you talked in private to any one of us, he’d be
sure to call a meetin’ an’ tell the others. So, if you’ve anything to
say about the ship, or business matters, or anything that ain’t your own
personal concern, set right down here an’ tell it now, an’ we’ll all
listen the best we know how.”
Allerton followed this speech gravely and at first appeared embarrassed
and undecided. I saw him cast a quick glance into Chaka’s eyes, and the
Maya responded with a stately nod. Then the lieutenant sat down in the
center of our group and said:
“I thank you, gentlemen, for your kindness. It would seem that I have
imposed upon your good nature sufficiently already; yet here I am, about
to ask another favor.”
“Go on, sir,” said my father, with an encouraging nod.
“From what I have been able to learn,” continued the lieutenant, in his
quiet voice, “your ship is at this moment unchartered. You are bound for
Havana, where you expect to make a lucrative contract to carry
merchandise between that port and Key West; mostly, of course, leaf
tobacco. Is that true?”
“It’s quite correct, sir,” said Uncle Naboth.
“In that case, there is no harm in my making you a business proposition.
I want to land on the east coast of Yucatan, at a place little known and
seldom visited by ships. It will take you a couple of hundred miles out
of your course.”
For a few moments no one spoke. Then Captain Steele said:
“A trip like that, Mr. Allerton, involves a certain amount of expense to
us. But we’re free, as far as our time is concerned, and we’ve plenty of
coal and supplies. The question is, how much are you willing to pay for
the accommodation?”
A slight flush crept over Allerton’s cheek.
“Unfortunately, sir,” he replied, “I have very little ready money.”
His tone was so crestfallen that I felt sorry for him, and Joe turned
quickly and said:
“That’s unlucky, sir; but I’ve some funds that are not in use just now,
and if you’ll permit me to loan you whatever you require I shall be very
happy to be of service.”
“Or,” added Uncle Naboth, carelessly, “you can pay us some other time;
whenever you’re able.”
Allerton looked around him, meeting only sympathetic faces, and smiled.
“But this is not business—not at all!” said he. “I did not intend to ask
for financial assistance, gentlemen.”
“What did you intend, Mr. Allerton?” I inquired.
He refrained from answering the direct question at once, evidently
revolving in his mind what he should say. Then he began as follows:
“Ever since I came aboard I have had a feeling that I am among friends;
or, at least, congenial spirits. I am embarked on a most Quixotic
adventure, gentlemen, and more and more I realize that in order to
accomplish what I have set out to do I need assistance—assistance of a
rare and practical sort that you are well qualified to furnish. But it
is necessary, in order that you understand me and my proposition fully,
that I should tell you my story in detail. If I have your kind
permission I will at once do so.”
It began to sound interesting, especially in the ears of us three boys
who loved adventure. I think he could read the eagerness in our eyes;
but he looked earnestly at Captain Steele, who said:
“Fire ahead, Mr. Allerton.”
He obeyed, seeming to choose his words carefully, so as to make the
relation as concise as possible.
“My home is in a small New Hampshire town where the Allertons have been
the most important family for many generations. I was born in the same
room—I think in the same bed—that my father and grandfather were born
in. We had a large farm, or estate, and a fine old homestead that was,
and is, the pride of the country. We have until recently been considered
wealthy; but my poor father in some way acquired a speculative passion
which speedily ruined him. On his death, while I was yet a cadet at
Annapolis, it was found that all the land and investments he had
inherited were gone; indeed, all that was left was the homestead with a
few acres surrounding it.
“My mother and my two maiden sisters, one a confirmed invalid and both
much older than I, found themselves wholly without resources to support
themselves. In this emergency an old lawyer—a friend of the family, who
I imagine has little keen ability in business matters, advised my mother
to mortgage the place to secure funds for living expenses. It seemed
really necessary, for the three forlorn women were unequal to the task
of earning their living in any way.
“When this first fund was exhausted they mortgaged the homestead again,
and still again; and although they had lived simply and economically, in
twelve years the old place has become so plastered with mortgages that
it is scarcely worth their face value. Little can be saved from a second
lieutenant’s pay, yet I have been able to send something to the dear
ones at home, which only had the effect of staving off the inevitable
crisis for a time. Uncle Simeon, too, has helped them when he remembered
it and had money; but he is a man quite impractical in money matters and
the funds required for his electrical experiments are so great that he
is nearly as poor as I am. Very foolishly he refuses to commercialize
his inventions.
“Conditions at home have naturally grown worse instead of better, and
now the man who holds the mortgages on the homestead has notified my
mother that he will foreclose when next they fall due, in about four
months’ time from now. Such is the condition of my family at home, and
you may well imagine, my friends, how unhappy their misfortunes and
necessities have made me. As the climax of their sad fortunes drew near
I have tried to find some means to assist them. It has occupied my
thoughts by day and night. But one possible way of relief has occurred
to me, suggested by Chaka. It is a desperate chance, perhaps; still, it
is a chance, and I have resolved to undertake it.”
He paused for a moment; but no one cared to speak, although we were much
interested in the story.
“Nine years ago,” continued Lieutenant Allerton, “while I was ensign on
the _Maryland_, we were cruising on the east coast of the promontory of
Yucatan when one evening we observed a small boat being sculled rapidly
toward the ship by a young native the color of bronze, who was naked
except for a loin cloth. After him darted a motley crowd of boats, in
hot pursuit, the occupants screaming wild invectives at their escaping
prey.
“Our captain ordered a gig lowered and I was sent out in it, met the
fugitive, and took him aboard. We managed to regain the ship before the
frantic natives could reach us. However, they shot a myriad of poisoned
darts at us and were only driven off when a volley from our men sent
them scurrying back to shore in a panic.
“The young fellow I had rescued was Chaka. He seemed to consider me his
especial preserver and attached himself to me with a persistency that
induced the captain to let me have him in my own room, where we soon
became friends. Chaka is very intelligent, as you have doubtless
observed. I taught him English and he taught me the Maya tongue. When,
some months after, I was transferred, I managed to take Chaka with me
and have him enrolled as a seaman. We have been together nine years, and
we are better friends than at first.”
He looked up at the Maya, who bowed gravely in acknowledgment.