AT THE TREASURE ISLAND
AFTER a three days' stay at Point de Galle, during which time we
shipped more stores and water, and replenished our oil-tanks with
paraffin, the "Fortuna" headed east once more.
During our stay in port we had "signed-on" a new member of the crew,
a tall and not bad-looking Arab, named Yadillah, who, by some means
or the other, had been left at Ceylon from one of the mail-boats. He
was engaged as cook and steward, thereby relieving Johnston of a task
which was, in the tropical climates, none too pleasant. Yadillah
could speak English fairly well, and, although he required special
berthing and messing arrangements, he got on with the rest of the
crew, in a most satisfactory manner.
In crossing the Bay of Bengal we caught the southern limit of the
S.W. monsoon, so that, without having to requisition the motor, we
made rapid progress as far as Singapore.
Thence navigation, mainly on account of the imperfect charting of
these waters, became difficult; and as we approached the coral
islands of the Pacific a man had to be constantly stationed at the
cross-trees by day to look out for shoal water, while at night the
"Fortuna" had to be kept under reduced sail, so as to bring-to at the
first sign of danger.
Seven months had now elapsed since the day when the "Fortuna" cleared
out from Fowey, and we were within a few hours' sail of the island
where we hoped to find the "San Philipo" treasure. Every member of
the crew was in a state of anxious tension, while my father and his
brother, though outwardly calm, were in a fever of excitement. In
spite of our sanguine hopes, there occurred the thought that possibly
our reading of the cipher might be wrong, or that some one else might
have forestalled us.
"Wind's falling light, sir," remarked the bos'n, as my father, in his
impatience, had taken the third observation that morning.
"Yes, but with luck we'll make the island well before nightfall. Tell
them to get the motor running."
Two hours sufficed to bring the jagged peaks of the Truk Archipelago
above the horizon, and shortly afterwards, in fulfilment of my
parent's forecast, the island known to us as the "San Philipo" hove
in sight.
By my uncle's suggestion we headed away to starboard so as to
approach the island in the same direction as did the fugitive "San
Philipo" and her pursuer the "Anne," and, on drawing nearer, we saw
that the island bore a strong resemblance to the description given by
my roving ancestor.
There was the hill to the south-east, with its cat's-head outlines,
and the two rugged headlands on the western side, and by the aid of a
glass we could make out the mouth of a large cave, while all around
the island, as far as we could see, was a long line of white foam,
denoting the presence of the coral reef.
"Mast-head, there! Can you make out the entrance?" hailed my father.
"Aye, aye, sir--a point on the port bow."
"Then let her go," remarked the pater to the quartermaster. "We must
get inside the reef before dark. Mr. Wilkins," he added, addressing
the bos'n, "have the anchors cleared away, and keep the lead going."
"No bottom at twenty fathoms," reported the bos'n, after a few casts
had been made.
Presently we on deck could distinguish a dark break in the turmoil of
foaming water; it was the channel into the lagoon.
"Now or never!" exclaimed the quartermaster, who had relieved the man
at the wheel, and was now steering straight for the gap. There was
not a breath of wind, and had the "Fortuna" depended solely upon her
sails we would have had to bring up till the breeze came, and with
it, possibly a heavier sea on the reef.
"If the motor plays us false we are done for," remarked Uncle
Herbert, who was anxiously regarding the smother of foam on either
bow.
"Never fear; it has served us faithfully up to the present," replied
my father. "Another five minutes will settle it."
Straight for the gap the "Fortuna" sped under full power, not a sound
being heard above the loud roar of the breakers and the quick
pulsations of the engine. On the crest of a huge wave she appeared to
hang, then, plunging into the trough, her propeller raced, and her
head fell off towards the reef. The spokes flew through the
quartermaster's hands, and the staunch little yacht recovered
herself, with tons of water pouring from her fo'c'sle. The next
moment her stern sank deeply in the waves, the propeller gripped, and
with a terrific lurch the "Fortuna" passed between the coral reefs
and gained the shelter of the quiet lagoon. The anchor was let go,
and, with a rush and a roar, the chain tore through the hawse-pipe,
and the yacht brought up in six fathoms.
We had arrived at "San Philipo" Island.
Directly everything was snugged down, darkness had fallen on the
scene, so that nothing further could be done that night. For the
first time armed watches were set, but, though the sounds of paddles
around the vessel and shouting on shore were heard at intervals,
there was no attempt on the part of the natives to molest us.
At daybreak next morning we were awake, and on going on deck we could
appreciate the natural beauty of our surroundings. The "Fortuna" lay
directly over her anchor, which could be clearly seen on the sandy
bottom. Not a ripple disturbed the placid surface of the lagoon, save
an occasional gentle swell from the breakers on the reef, where day
and night the huge green rollers lashed themselves in fury upon the
coral rocks, churning themselves into milk-white foam to the
accompaniment of a dull, subdued roar like the distant rumbling of an
express train on a still night.
From where we lay the south-easternmost, or cat's-head, mountain was
within a quarter of a mile, but only one of the western headlands was
visible, as it effectually shut out its fellow. The cave that
Humphrey Trevena had emphasized proved to be a huge rent in the
cliff, made apparently by. volcanic action. Immediately in the centre
of the southern side of the island--that is, the shore off which we
lay--was a broad expanse of white sand, backed by a gently rising
ground on which was a dense mass of vegetable growth, scrub and
coco-nut palms being indiscriminately mingled. On the beach were half
a dozen canoes, some, judging by their lofty prows and decorated
sides, being used for war purposes; the others, being lighter and
provided with out-riggers, were of the usual type used by the Pacific
Islanders for fishing.
Around the canoes, and lining the shore, were hundreds of natives,
who regarded the "Fortuna" with undisguised curiosity. By the aid of
my telescope I could make them out very clearly. They were
middle-sized, slender, and well-proportioned, though a few were of a
stature that would be considered great even in Cornwall; their colour
was almost that of the natives of the Malay Archipelago. Their
features were small, but high and well-formed, their cheek-bones
projecting, while both men and women had an abundance of glossy black
hair. The majority were entirely naked, save for a conical covering
for the head made of plaited and bleached leaves. In the foreground
many of the men wore a kind of cuirass of stiff plaited cocoa-fibre,
which was continued like half a stove-pipe to a distance of six
inches above their heads. Their arms consisted of formidable swords
with a jagged edge of sharks' teeth, and fearful-looking spears,
terminating in a triple barb. A few, whom we took to be chiefs, wore
in addition a complete covering of porcupine skin for the head, only
their eyes being visible.
"A cheerful-looking set, aren't they?" remarked the doctor, who was
also engaged in examining the throng of natives. "Do you think we are
likely to have trouble with them?"
"The greatest tact will have to be employed if we wish to avoid a
row," replied my father, with his eyes still glued to his
field-glasses. "See, some of them are putting off in their canoes."
Already they had launched two of their largest craft, while knots of
natives were busily engaged in hauling down the rest.
"Serve out the small arms, Mr. Lord, please," said my father; "but
take care that we give no sign likely to provoke a fight. Herbert,
will you see to the quick-firer and the Maxim."
Quickly, yet quietly, our preparations for defence were made. The
three-pounder was placed on its mounting amidships, which had not
been removed since the gunnery practice in the Red Sea, and the
Maxim, concealed behind a square of canvas, was mounted on its tripod
so as to command the water between us and the shore, while each man
placed his rifle, with charged magazine, on the deck within hand's
reach.
Hardly was this done than the natives' flotilla came within hailing
distance. The warriors, decked in their barbaric finery, were grouped
in the prow of their war canoes. Many of them bore livid scars, the
legacy of many a tribal fight, and in their panoply a more repulsive
and savage crowd I never wish to see. In that moment of actual danger
I felt a peculiar trembling of the limbs and dry sensation in my
throat. From the canoes I turned my eyes towards my companions. The
crew seemed perfectly cool and determined, a circumstance that
somewhat reassured me. Dr. Conolly was evidently labouring under
strong physical excitement, as if anxious to begin the fray, while my
father, though in no doubt as to the issue, was evidently reluctant
to give the order to open fire on the yelling crowd of savages, who,
brandishing their swords and spears, had drawn up within fifty yards,
the paddles of their canoes resting motionless on the water.
"Cannot we let rip at the vicious brutes?" asked the doctor. "They
will be over the side in a minute if we don't."
"Not if it can possibly be helped," replied my father. "Where's
Herbert?" he added hurriedly.
There was no sign of my uncle on deck, but, on being called, he
replied, from below, "Wait half a second."
Standing on the rail, my father held up a piece of brilliantly dyed
cloth and a string of gaudy glass beads as a peace-offering to the
aggressive natives, but the only reply was a shower of stones, hurled
from slings of cocoa-cloth, that whizzed over our heads. It was only
by quick descent that my father missed the unwelcome present.
"Lie down, men!" he shouted, "and stand by with your arms!"
Another volley of stones came from the natives, some striking the
ship's side, others humming through the rigging. As I lay flat on the
deck I saw a huge copper helmet emerge from the companion hatchway,
and Uncle Herbert, dressed in a diver's suit, without, of course, the
air tubes and lead sinkers, came on deck.
Striding to the side, he faced the warlike mob, and instantly, to the
accompaniment of a chorus of "Ohe! Owha!" the natives took up their
paddles and made for the shore.
"That's done it," laughed Uncle Herbert, removing the copper
head-dress, which was rendering its wearer most uncomfortably hot,
even in the slanting rays of the early morning sun.
"Stop, you idiot!" exclaimed my father, laying a detaining hand on
his brother's shoulders; but the warning was too late. Some of the
natives in the hindermost canoe saw the helmet being removed, and,
calling to their fellows, the whole of the boats turned and made for
the yacht.
"We are in for it this time!" exclaimed Dr. Conolly. "See, they are
making for both sides at once."
Such was the case. Two war canoes and five smaller ones (where they
had come from I do not know) made for the starboard side, and the
remaining war canoes, with three others, headed for the port side.
"Money," exclaimed my father to the man in charge of the quick-firer,
indicating the largest craft that was making obliquely across our
bows, "can you manage to put a shot through that fellow's bow?"
"Aye, aye, sir, I'll try."
Calmly, yet deliberately, the gun's crew opened the breech-block and
thrust home the gleaming cylinder with its deadly head. Hardly had
the breech-block been replaced than Money hung on the sights for a
brief second. There was a flash and a roar, and the next moment the
shot tore a gaping hole in the stem of the canoe, and, after a series
of ricochets, struck the cliff with terrific force, bringing down
large masses of rock. The stricken craft immediately became
waterlogged, its occupants, all swimmers from their infancy, striking
out vigorously for the shore, while the remainder of the boats turned
tail in a panic.
"Lower away the whaler and pick up as many as you can," shouted my
father, and, in obedience to the order, the men sprang to the falls.
The boat had fortunately been already cleared away, so that it was
the work of a few moments to lower it.
In spite of their frantic struggles, five of the natives were picked
up, tied hand and foot, and brought back to the yacht, where,
surrounded by the crew, they were placed on the deck.
"Now for a little moral persuasion," exclaimed my father, and,
looking round, he noticed a small grove of coco-palms growing close
to the water's edge at a distance of about a quarter of a mile.
"Show them a charge, Money," he continued; "then plank a shot right
into the centre of those trees."
The gunner exhibited the projectile, a common shell, to the terrified
savages; then, in full view, he placed the charge in the gun.
"Ready, sir!" he announced.
In obedience to an order, the natives were raised to their feet and
made to look in the direction of the grove. Once more the quick-firer
barked, and the highly charged projectile, bursting in the centre of
the group of trees, levelled four of them in a shower of splinters
and a dense cloud of smoke, while the savages, in their fright, sank
to the deck and uttered shrill cries of terror.
"Cut that man loose," continued my father, indicating one of the
captives, who, by reason of the loss of their fantastic war paint and
finery, were by no means unintelligent in appearance.
Offers of presents were unavailing, the man refusing to look at the
glittering baubles that were shown him. Some one suggested giving him
a plug of tobacco, but, though the offer had a strong attraction, the
native still remained in sullen isolation.
"Perhaps he thinks we are going to eat him," suggested the doctor.
"Let me 'ave a rub at him, sir," exclaimed Mills, one of the deck
hands.
"Have a what?" asked Dr. Conolly.
"A rub at 'im. Rubbin' noses is what they does in these 'ere parts as
a sign of affection like."
"By all means," replied the doctor, laughing; "I don't suppose
Captain Trevena has any objection."
Without further ado, Mills took hold of the native's shoulders, and,
thrusting his face forward, he applied his nasal organ to that of the
savage, and, as if by magic, the latter's taciturn manner completely
vanished. The remaining four prisoners were then cut loose and
subjected to the same ceremony, and, on being given a ship's biscuit
apiece, they squatted on the deck, stuffing the food down their
throats, and chattering in a lively, yet absolutely
indistinguishable, fashion.
At length, laden with the pieces of coloured cloth and glass beads
which, in their fright, they had previously refused, the natives were
taken ashore in the whaler, and, after exaggerated gestures of
goodwill, they vanished into the woods.
"That's satisfactory so far," commented my parent on the return of
the boat; "but we must be very careful to guard against treachery.
Pipe all hands to breakfast, Mr. Wilkins, and then we'll set about to
find the remains of the 'San Philipo.'"