current to flow, it roused Bahama Bill from his drowsing in the bottom
of a small boat close to the shore. He grinned and arose. He had been
told just what to do and paid heavily for keeping his mouth shut about
doing it. It was none of his business why they did these things, it
was his business to dive for money, no matter what the affair. He was
well paid and he saw no reason why he should not take the money. A man
of more refined mind would have possibly refused the work, but Bahama
Bill was brought up in the school where it was necessary to live,
necessary to have the means to live without going too far outside the
rules of the game. It was Journegan's business to make gold out of
sea-water. It was his to do a bit of diving for him and perform certain
feats which might or might not affect the pockets of the gentlemen now
waiting to see the result. There were so many questionable ways of
separating folks from their coin that he was amused at the graft of
these two. At the gambling house kept by the pious and strict manager
of the hotel, there were many ways of separating folks from their
cash. It had the sanction of the "Boss"--that was the only difference
he could see in the matter. He was a plain wrecker, a man who made
his living from the misfortunes of others. Yet it was a legitimate
business, and he generally played fair. He was simply a big, powerful
man, a giant diver of the Bank. He dropped his trousers and stood forth
naked in the darkness as the last banging of the hammer died away. It
was the signal agreed upon and without a moment's hesitation he made
a long clean dive into the dark water. Coming to the surface he swam
quickly and noiselessly toward the end of the dock where the gate, or
opening in the piling, would allow him to get within the enclosure. He
was a little doubtful of finding the end of the wire, as he had been
instructed to, but he thought the white cloth might make it visible,
for the water was very clear.
He never fancied swimming at night over the coral banks, for there
were always many denizens of the ocean that came in and either rested
or fed during the hours of darkness. Many a big shark lay log-wise in
the waters of the reef during the night, waiting for a rush upon the
feeding mullet or other small fry. He had found sharks always dangerous
at this season of the year, and he was now without even a knife.
However, he managed to reach opposite the opening without mishap. Then
he floated silently and took a few deep breaths for the work in hand.
He could hear the voices of the men within the enclosure and he heard
Mr. Smithe announce that the wire was ready. He was just about to
dive when a disturbance in the sea close to him made him hesitate
and turn. A triangular fin cut the surface not two fathoms distant.
It was that of a gigantic shark. Instantly the diver went under and
strove with mighty strokes to gain the opening in the piling. He felt
instinctively that the monster would follow him, but it was the nearest
place of refuge. Guided solely by memory of direction, he fairly tore
through the water, struck the opening with his hand and with a mighty
effort swung himself within, remaining under and shooting ahead with
the momentum of his flight. A commotion, a sweep of a strong current
at the gate told of a passing heavy body, but nothing touched him. He
could not hold his breath much longer on account of the sudden effort,
and he was sworn not to come to the surface within the piles. It was
at this moment that Mr. Smithe, seeing something of what had occurred
by the shadows beneath the surface, called for more electricity, and
Journegan with his rare presence of mind switched off the lights.
Bahama Bill came to the surface gently, and had it not been for the
noisy conversation of Smithe, his deep breathing would surely have made
his presence known to all. As it was he lay upon his back, close within
the shadow of the piling and just let his nose come into the air. In a
few moments he had regained his wind and sank downward to the end of
the wire. Then Mr. Smithe switched on the light and announced that the
wire was warm. It was a close call, close in more ways than one, but
the mate had made good, he had done his part. He saw the white cloth
without difficulty and attached the piece of gold. Then he fled for
the open with a courage which might have called forth the admiration of
the watchers had they known his danger.
Once clear, he swam silently and with all his strength for the small
boat. The feeling that something was pursuing him kept him nerved to
the utmost. He fairly tore through the sea, but only raised his head
every twenty to thirty feet to breathe. He swam almost all the way
under water. This he knew was the safest, for the predatory denizens of
the coral banks depend as much on hearing, or a sense akin to it, as on
sight. The feeling that something still followed drove him along at his
top speed, but he could see nothing, know nothing of its shape or form.
It was just the instinctive fear, or nerve straining one feels in the
dark where danger lurks. He gained the small boat quickly and at that
instant a great shadow swept past leaving a trail of phosphorescent
fire in its wake.
"If you gentlemen are satisfied, we will now go back to the hotel,"
said Mr. Smithe with his most urbane manner. "If at any other time you
would like a renewal of the test, we shall be only too glad to give it,
provided of course, neither you nor your guests talk of the process and
thus set curious people at work to find out our secret."
Amid murmurs of approval and congratulations, the party broke up and
started back in the launch, Mr. Journegan especially active in getting
away from the dock and explaining vehemently the reason that the
extraction had not been made before was that it took a man with brains
and one with executive ability to work a thing like that together, to a
successful conclusion.
Before twenty-four hours had elapsed there had been a company formed
with Mr. Smithe at its head, and there had been twenty-five thousand
dollars in ready cash put at its disposal in the town bank for the
purpose of carrying on the experiments and continuing the production of
gold from the waters of the Bay of Biscayne.
Twice during the week following the experiment was repeated with equal
success. The cloth disappeared from the wire and the gold was found
upon the pole. It was astounding, but there was no way of contradicting
the evidence of the senses. There was the gold. That was enough for
many--gold, gold, gold. The thing took like wild-fire. The news was
spread broadcast, and Bahama Bill sat in the mornings reading the
papers with a grin of derision upon his big ugly face.
"Of course, it's none of my business," said Smart, "but if you're wise
you'll not go into any crooked game. It's all well enough to repair
their outfit, but if you're in anything crooked, you're not playing
fair with me."
"Yo' wanted me toe go into it," growled the mate.
"I dun promised not to gib way nuthin'--fo' a big stake. Yous livin'
high on fresh beef and good whack, Sam and Heldron is paid off and
everythin' seems all right 'Tain't none of mah business what those
fellows do--I'm jest doin' what I agreed to--jest divin'--divin'--see."
"Better quit it when you've got enough to lay by with until we make our
deal," said Smart. "Of course you can't tell me what you do, what your
lay is down at the plant?"
"I dun passed mah word," said Bahama Bill gravely. "I ain't playin'
straight, but I dun passed mah word--"
"Could you give an exhibition of the part you play?" asked the sailor.
The big mate thought a moment. He did not seem to like the idea, it was
not fair according to his standpoint of honour. He had his limitations,
but he generally did what he said he would. At the same time he knew he
was getting into a game which would cause him trouble in the end if he
did not get out quickly. The thing was too good to last.
"Yep,--I--might," he finally said, grinning.
"I'll get some of the gentlemen down to the plant in the small boat and
let them see, for I for one don't take much stock in that fellow who
tried to skin me in his barroom to the southward," said Smart.
"Git 'em any time yo' see fit--I'll do the part I generally does," said
the mate.
Smart dressed and went to the hotel. It was afternoon and the two
partners in the gold plant were at the tables playing heavily. They
were somewhat at ease as to their finances, for the thing was a
veritable gold mine in fact. They knew nothing of the departure of Mr.
Jones and Mr. Jackson in company with Smart and Bahama Bill, rowing
down the shore in the small boat of the _Sea-Horse_. Reaching the dock,
Smart had little difficulty in effecting a landing at the enclosure
and of making an entrance. There was no lock upon the door, for there
was nothing to secure, and the four men were soon within the sacred
precincts of the gold plant.
"Which is the wire?" asked Smart of Mr. Jones. The gentleman explained.
"Was there anything on it?" he asked.
Mr. Jones said there was something like a bit of cloth. Smart tied a
piece to it.
"Now, Bill, do what you generally do," said the captain.
The big mate grinned. He was undecided as to whether he was acting
fairly with those who had employed him. Then he sprang into the small
boat and rowed away a short distance. The three within the place waited.
Suddenly Smart called attention to a shadow approaching under the
surface of the water. It came quickly within the gate of the pound,
and although it was deep below the surface all had no difficulty in
recognizing the giant form of Bahama Bill. The great black diver swam
quickly to the end of the wire, pulled off the cloth and attached
something in its place, going away instantly with powerful strokes.
He was within the enclosure but a minute altogether and as he went
rapidly through the water-gate into the open bay, he broke the surface
just a little with one huge ham-like foot.
"As a swimming feat, that was the best exhibition I ever saw," said
Jones to his friend. "In the night time it was wonderful. That white
cloth was there for an excellent purpose, but even in that clear water
it must have been hard to have picked it up to a certainty in the dark.
I suppose the sooner we get the news to the marshal the better it will
be for all hands. I for one am not very much ashamed of myself."
"Nor I," said Mr. Jackson.
"You will understand," said Smart, "that neither my mate nor myself had
anything to do with the game further than to obey orders and accept pay
for diving."
"You will neither be mentioned nor asked to appear--no matter what
happens," assured Mr. Jones. "We will make this discovery ourselves.
It is due us as intelligent men--eh?" he added to Mr. Jackson. That
gentleman agreed with vigour.
Stormalong Journegan had lost heavily at the wheel, the seductive
roulette. He said very little, but arose before his accomplice and
going to the bank drew out nearly the whole amount to the credit of the
company. As it happened the whistle of the Nassau steamer was blowing
its first warning blast for the people to get ashore who were not going
to sea within a few minutes. Journegan noticed it and walked along
the water-front. As he went his way he noticed the small boat of the
_Sea-Horse_ with Mr. Jones, Mr. Jackson, Smart and--yes, there was no
mistake--Bahama Bill. The giant mate was rowing and sending the craft
along with sweeping strokes. Stormalong Journegan looked but for a
moment more. Then he ran with all the speed his long legs could give
for the steamer. He reached her just as she was pulling out from the
wharf and managed to make the jump aboard without creating comment. He
instantly made his way to the lavatory, where he remained for at least
an hour, washing and rewashing his hands. When he appeared on deck the
steamer was well down the channel standing for the open sea. He was
never seen again after landing the next morning at Nassau.
Mr. Smithe was aroused by a knock at his door some time that afternoon
and he called out affably to the person to enter, thinking it his
energetic partner, Mr. Journegan, whom he had missed for several hours.
The marshal entered, and Mr. Smithe had the satisfaction of seeing his
trusty gun lying safe and snug in his bureau drawer.
"You can raise your hands, Mr. Smithe," said the officer of the law.
Mr. Jones waited not very long before paying his hotel bill. He
proceeded to the writing-room and wrote a short note home, telling of
his marked improvement, his ability to travel alone, and that he would
soon be North again. "I have been taking the gold cure," said he as he
ended his letter, leaving his family very much disturbed.
Mr. Jackson found urgent business calling him North the next day. He
declined to be interviewed. "In the interest of science, I shall keep
the secret of the chemical precipitation of gold in sea-water," he
said. "It is a wonderful discovery."
Bahama Bill sat and grinned in the morning as he read the news in the
daily paper. Captain Smart felt easier in his mind.
"That man, Journegan, surely was a fellow of ability," he said. "He has
cleared--gone clean away on the ship for Nassau--but I don't think he
will ever come back."
"'Tain't likely," grunted Bahama Bill. "No, it won't do for him toe
come along dis way agin--if yo' don't mind, cap, I'll git yo' toe write
me a letter to my wife--fightin' Jule--I reckon I better be gittin'
some ob dishear money down toe her, or she'll be a-coming along up
heah fo' toe take a look at things.--I see dat Mr. Smithe has been let
go--no one to prosecute him--toe bad, toe bad."
XIII
Shanghaing the Tong
Captain Smart sat upon the deck of the wrecking-sloop _Sea-Horse_,
and read a letter from the agents of the cartridge company which had
furnished the ammunition to the _Bulldog_, brig, wrecked some time
before upon the Great Bahama Bank. It caused him some uneasiness, for
he scowled and wrinkled his brow, read and re-read it until the giant
black mate, Bahama Bill, could keep back his curiosity no longer.
"What is it, cap? What dat guy say? No use keepin' bad news back. I kin
stan' it, I reckon. Let's have his lay--ain't dat cartridge case no
good?"
"He says," began Smart, "that the samples are good, that the cases are
all right, and he will take the ten tons, about three hundred thousand
rounds, at a cent and a half, the cartridges retailing at three cents,
or thirty dollars per thousand. That nets us four thousand five
hundred, or a little over two thousand dollars apiece for our day's
work----"
"Well, dat ain't so bad--no, dat's all toe de good, hey?"
"So far, yes," said Smart, "but the railroad won't carry them under
three hundred dollars, and won't give any guarantee that they'll be
delivered on time; won't insure them--in fact, won't do anything but
carry them at an exorbitant rate, and they say they must have the goods
within one week from the eighth of this month, or upon the fifteenth.
Otherwise they won't fill the order, they don't want them. It's now the
tenth--that's the rub. How are we going to make good? Shall we trust
to the railroad? It never does what it agrees to, and in this case we
look like bad ones. That's what's worrying me. What do you say? You're
half-partner--it's up to you, Bill."
The big black mate sat looking at the shore for some minutes. His
ugly face was wrinkled and his rheumy eyes were puckered in thought,
his huge shoulders hunching up, and giving him the air of one who has
struck a problem too great to solve. Finally he spoke.
"Jule will be along on the morning boat," said he solemnly.
"Who is Jule?" asked Smart.
"Jule? Why, I thought you knew, cap--why, Jule is my wife. 'Fightin'
Jule' deys calls her, an' I reckon dat's a good name. She got dat
letter you wrote, and de money I sent from de diving at de gold plant.
She dun heard ob dat gold plant, an' she's comin' on up. She'll be here
in about an hour."
"You think she can give us good advice--is that it?" suggested Smart,
eying the big mate keenly.
"Er--er--dat ain't exactly what I was thinkin'--no, sah, cap," said
Bahama Bill, with a sickly grin.
"I'm not a mind-reader, Bill," said Smart.
"Well, sah, cap--seein' as it's you, well, sah--er--er--well, I don't
know but what we better make de run toe Noo York ourselves. Or else
back toe Key West, an' ketch de Noo York steamer. She kin make de run
in three days; dat'll do de trick, hey?"
"Has your wife brought her children with her?" asked Smart.
"Oh, no, cap, she always leaves dem with her ma when she starts off on
de rampage----"
"I see; you're afraid of her," said Smart, smiling.
"Not eggzactly dat, cap; not eggzactly--I ain't afeared ob nothin';
no, sah, dat I ain't, but she shuah do make me nervous; she shuah
do make me feel--well, I jest don't know how, but it'll be best fo'
you--fo' you, cap--if we start fo' Noo York before she gits here. Yo'
understand?"
Captain Smart thought a moment. He had heard of Bahama Bill's wife,
the well but not favourably known "Fighting Jule," of Key West. On the
whole, it was worth considering. They might make the run in five or six
days. It had been done before, but not often. The _Sea-Horse_ was an
able sloop, but that was testing her too much. The great six-masters
had made the run to Havana in five days, two hundred miles farther on,
but they seldom did it in ten. It was a great risk; a risk which might
end up in the loss of the entire consignment, for they might not be
able to get another chance for a sale.
On the other hand, there was _Key West_, the New York steamer, which
would be due the next morning, and she would take the freight at proper
prices, and be sure to land it in town--she couldn't help it, making
the run North in three days to a certainty. The Key West run seemed to
be the best one, but there were certain other considerations which had
to be thought of.
"How about Key West?" asked Smart. "Do you think we could run in after
that fracas at Journegan's bar? Won't the police want us pretty bad if
they think they can shake us down for a thousand dollars?"
"I shuah think dey will dat," assented the mate, "if dey think we got
anything. Dey certainly trim de folks right smart down dere. I reckon
you're right, 'tain't no place fo' us wid a cargo of ca'tridges. I
reckon you're wise; I reckon we'd better be gittin' farther No'th."
"There's the New York ship from Jacksonville--how's that?" asked Smart.
"We can make that run in two days with a good wind----"
"Git de mainsail on her--Sam, Heldron--lay aft, yo fellers," said
Bahama Bill, springing to action. "We'll catch de Saturday ship, an'
git de stuff in town in plenty o' time--dat's de lay--Jacksonville--an'
dere's de smoke o' de _Key West_ comin' up de Hawk's Channel--see him?"
And he pointed to the southward.
"I'll go ashore and get my clothes. They're at the Chinese laundry,"
said Smart, jumping into the small boat.
"Yo' want toe hurry up--we ain't got no time toe lose. Git my shirts,
too, cap. I dun left 'em with de Chink las' week--an' git a five-poun'
ham on de way back, we'll need a bit o' grub----"
Smart was already rowing briskly toward the shore, where he landed and
made his way rapidly up the street. Wah Lee, the Chinaman who ran the
laundry, stood within his doorway and gazed with mild amazement at the
unwonted gait of the seaman. Fast walking was not the habit of the
Florida cracker, and to see a man sprint along at Smart's gait aroused
the suspicion that he was either making a "getaway" from some one or
something, or was bent upon most important business.
"He allee samee good mans," said Wah Lee, to one of his numerous
brothers ironing a shirt. "Wachee mee skinee him--allee samee bunk. Him
sailor fell! Him gotee mon, mon, mon. Me con mans, allee samee bunk.
Ha! ha! You see."
Smart stepped into the shanty with a brisk step.
"Get the clothes up, John. Get 'em tied fast right away--all, Bahama
Bill's and mine both--hurry, you savvy? Hurry." And the sailor handed
over his slip.
"You go to sea to-day?" asked the active Lee, scurrying around behind
his counter and trying to match the slip of paper with its strange
characters to one of the many bundles already tied fast with white
twine, and laid carefully upon the shelves along the walls.
"Yes; sail in a minute--hurry up. Got to get to sea before the steamer
gets in----"
"Ah! Allee same good--you take him. Two dolla' fiftee cent."
"What! For just three shirts and two ducks? You are a robber."
"Two dolla' fiftee cent, allee right--you pay him--no shirt, no pay
him," said the usurious Lee, lowering truculently at the skipper. One
of his brothers sniggered.
When a Celestial sniggers at a white man it is bad. Especially if the
white man happens to be a sailor--and in a hurry. Just what makes the
Easterner an inferior is not quite definite, not quite clear to the
socialistic mind, but that he is inferior is generally conceded--among
white men. Among the Orientals there is a quite different opinion
based upon their point of view, which, when discussed from its ethical
standpoint, is not illogical or unreasonable. Sailors seldom are
analytical, seldom go into the reason of things; they are content to
accept them as they are, or as they appear to be. Therefore, Smart was
much wroth at the sniggering Chink, the more so because he knew he was
being cheated by Wah Lee in his wash bill.
But Wah Lee was a hatchetman. He was a leader of the Hip Sing Tong, and
a very bad Chinese to fool with. He was in Florida only for his health,
not for gain; and the fact that gain came his way was incidental. He
took advantage of it. His little ratlike eyes glinted strangely as he
spoke his soft sing-song speech.
"Two dolla' fiftee cent--no shirt, no pay--you savvy?" he drawled.
"Come, come, John, be quick about it, and don't put up any
foolishness--I haven't time to play this morning," said Smart quickly.
"Get the clothes or I'll wade in and take charge of some of those on
the shelves."
"You pay two dolla' fiftee cent--you no' pay right off you pay tlee
dolla' slixty cent," sang Mr. Wah Lee, his eyes still narrowing, and
his hands feeling softly in among his sleeves, where he kept his
weapons; "I no time to foolish mans."
"You're on the 'bunk,' then," said Smart; "is that it?"
"Two dolla' fiftee cent, or----"
His answer was quickly given. Smart swung for his jaw, and landed
full upon the Oriental chin. Wah Lee went to the floor with a crash,
bringing down an ironing-board with him; the flat-irons, clothes, and
other gear rolling in a mess. He drew a huge, blue-barrelled gun from
his sleeve, and, while he lay supine, levelled it at the sailor. Smart
missed getting the shot by a hair, and managed to land a kick upon
Lee's pistol-arm before the furious Chink could fire, whereupon not
less than four powerful hatchetmen, trained athletes from the Orient,
sprang upon him at once.
The seaman was dumfounded at the assault. A Chink was beneath
contempt, and to find oneself beset by several powerful Orientals, who
were more than his match, was simply heart-breaking, pride-destroying.
He swung right and left, furiously clinched, and the five of them
rolled with a surging smash against the counter, breaking it down
in a mass of splinters, sending clothes, boards, and other laundry
paraphernalia in all directions.
One of the men let out a shrill yell, and the two not fighting sprang
to the doors and slammed them fast. It would not do to let the populace
of the town see the fracas. A Chinaman never advertises the fact that
he is a fighter, and is never glad to have it found out, especially
among Americans. Besides, had not the foreign pig struck down their
leader, the most high Wah Lee, and had not the august Lee essayed to
kill the pig--was he not doomed?
Yet none of them wished to act as executioner without direct and
explicit orders from the chief. This was a poor country to kill a man
in, his friends always made such a fuss; and the police with clubs
always made it bad, impossible to hide for a very long time. A rope and
a neighbouring tree were the usual finishing touches if they failed to
find the lost one.
Smart fought with a fury born of broken pride, lost self-esteem. He was
degraded, lowered to the level of common Chinks, and he gave short-arm
jolts with amazing lifting power begotten of many years' hard hauling
upon lines.