KING BRYONIA
When we sighted Tuamotu it occurred to us that the most important person
in our company was now our cook Bryonia—or rather Louiki, as he was
called by his people. We had to depend upon the hospitality of these
natives for some time to come; or until we had fully repaired the leaks
in the _Seagull_ for the long voyage still before us. Therefore we held
a consultation and decided to appoint Bry to the temporary office of
High Admiral, and to defer to him most respectfully while we lay at the
island. For if his people found their chief occupying a menial position
they might lose respect for him, and cause us a lot of trouble, whereas
if he arrived clothed with grandeur and power his prestige would be
increased. Nux also must be an important personage, for he was the
chief’s cousin and close comrade. It was all explained to our passengers
and crew, and so popular were the two faithful blacks that every one
entered into the spirit of the deception with glee, expecting much
amusement as the result.
Tuamotu we found a beautiful island, finely wooded, with a range of
mountains in the center, and altogether somewhat larger than was Faytan.
As Bry had declared, there was a fine harbor, with a shelving beach upon
which we proposed to run the _Seagull_ at high tide, so as to get at her
leaks most conveniently.
As we entered this harbor on a bright, sunny morning we found the shore
thickly clustered with natives, all as black as the ace of spades. They
were not, as a class, so intelligent looking as the Faytans; neither
were they so big and powerful of frame; but comparing them with other
South Sea Islanders I must admit they were vastly superior to the
general run. There was little ferocity about them, although I know they
can fight and are brave and sturdy warriors. Just now they were merely
curious and excited, for ours was the first ship but one to anchor in
their bay. We had made a brave display of bunting and flags, and when we
dropped anchor and furled our sails we fired a single shot from the bow
by way of salute.
After many conferences with Bry we had decided upon our course of
action, so at once the gig was lowered and manned by a chosen crew,
while Bry and Nux, arrayed in their best gray and gold uniforms, gravely
descended the ladder and took their seats in the stern. I most admit
they moved with admirable dignity, and their great size lent them an
impressive appearance. No one but us could know that the uniforms were
those of servants.
They were received in silence when first they landed, but then we saw
Bry stand before his people and begin a speech, and presently a shout
arose so prolonged and loud that it was fairly deafening. Those nearest
Bry fell on their knees and tried to kiss his feet, while those on the
outskirts leaped about, performing antics of joy. Then a tall native
advanced and folded Bry in a cordial embrace, afterward embracing Nux in
like manner.
We knew then that our men had been recognized and loyally welcomed home.
A procession was formed to the village on the hill, and Bry and Nux
marched ahead of it while the shouts and gambols continued unabated. The
ship seemed no longer the center of interest to the natives, although
scattered bands of them soon began to saunter back to the shore to gaze
upon the unusual spectacle.
Much entertained by the reception and satisfied that our black friends
were having a good time, we patiently awaited their return, listening
the while to the monotonous “chug-chug” of the pumps as they drove out
the water that persistently rushed into the hold.
After a couple of hours the procession reappeared, Bry and Nux again at
the head. They marched down to the shore and while the chief and his
cousin reëntered the gig, accompanied by two other blacks, three canoe
loads of favored individuals clung to their wake and followed them to
the ship as invited guests. At a respectful distance a swarm of other
canoes came toward us, but they kept their distance from the ship and
had no disposition to intrude.
We received the visitors with great ceremony. Nux told us that the tall
black—he who had first embraced them—was his own brother. When the old
chief, Bry’s father, had passed away, this man became the successor to
the rule of the island, as all thought that the legitimate heir, Louiki,
had perished in the battle with the Faytans. So Nux’s brother had been
chief until Bry’s return when, being a good fellow at heart, he welcomed
the long lost one and gladly resigned the royal office in his favor.
In this party were the principal men and officials of the island, and
Bry showed them all over “his” ship, afterward giving them a plentiful
feast in the main cabin. Joe and I waited upon them, and it was fun to
see Bry at one end of the table and Nux at the other, posing as the
ruling spirits of the _Seagull_. My father and Uncle Naboth kept out of
sight, as did all our passengers, although Alfonso and Lucia hid on deck
and looked through the cabin windows at the savage feasters. The natives
of Tuamotu were duly impressed by the magnificent surroundings of their
chief, and when, he told them his ship needed repairs and tinkering they
gladly volunteered to render him every assistance in their power.
So his Majesty dismissed them and sent them back to land, and when they
were gone he put on his apron and cooked our dinner.
At five o’clock it was high tide, so we ran the _Seagull_ as far upon
the sandy beach as she would go, using the engines to propel her, and
then the natives swarmed into the water and braced her sides securely
with long poles. As the tide receded it left us high and dry, and by
daybreak our men were able to begin work. They found several planks
badly sprung and one gaping hole torn in the bottom by the sharp rocks
as we slid into the sea during the earthquake at Faytan. It would take
several days to repair the damage, because we could only work part of
the time, while the tide was out.
Meantime, we were entertained by Bry in the chief’s house. It was the
best in the village, or on the island, but made of logs with a palm
thatched roof and far inferior in all ways to the houses of Faytan. Bry
gave us a native repast, consisting mainly of roast goat and cheese,
with a variety of delicious fruits. There was constant feasting and a
succession of dances and ceremonies in honor of the chief’s return, and
I was curious to know how all this would affect Bry, and whether he
would leave us to rule over his native island, or not.
But when the repairs were completed Bry announced his intention of
sailing with us.
“Allola, who is the brother of Nux, will make my people a good chief,”
he said, “and my life with you has spoiled me to be now an ignorant
islander. I could not be contented here any more; so I will go with you,
and stay with you always.”
There had never been any question about Nux. He had always said he
preferred the life on our ship to being a big man in Tuamotu.
All being ready, hundreds of natives waded into the water at high tide
and by sheer force of numbers pushed the _Seagull_ off the sands till
she floated. This operation was assisted by our propeller, but we could
not have moved the heavy ship without the aid of Bry’s subjects.
The chief held a final farewell celebration, and distributed among his
people many beads and trinkets, a stock of which we always carried with
us. Then, amid the shouts of the multitude, who were all really sorry to
see us go, we started our engines, whistled three times and fired a gun,
and steamed out of the hospitable harbor.
The voyage to Colombia was without important event. We soon got upon our
course again and encountered no more bad weather.
But at our destination Señor de Jiminez received some startling news.
The revolution had, by a clever coup, overthrown the unpopular
government and won without bloodshed. As De Jiminez did not happen to be
present, another patriot was elected to the presidency, and was doing
his duty ably when we arrived.
So the feelings of young Alfonso and his father were a combination of
both joy and sadness; but the joy predominated when they were greeted
enthusiastically by their political friends and De Jiminez was publicly
thanked for his services to his party.
We were able to unload the guns and ammunition without danger, after
which we settled our accounts in a satisfactory manner with the
revolutionists, who recognized all of De Jiminez’ obligations. Then,
being once more the legal owners of the _Seagull_, we bade good-bye to
our passengers, who had shared with us the dangerous adventure at
Faytan, and steamed northward toward San Francisco.
I noticed that Joe and Lucia exchanged rings, and overheard him promise
to see her again. I wonder if he ever will?
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