The captain was right, for we made the south coast of New Guinea the
_very_ next morning, and as I caught sight of the land that I believed
to be holding my father as in a prison, a strange mingling of pain and
pleasure filled my breast I looked excitedly and long through the
doctor's double glass, and he shook hands with me afterwards, as if he
thoroughly appreciated my feelings in the matter.
It was a lovely morning, with a pleasant breeze blowing, and as we drew
nearer we made out a vessel very similar in build to our own going in
the same direction.
"Why, they are for the same port, I should think!"
"I don't know," said the skipper rather oddly. "We're for a little
place I know, where the savages are pretty friendly, and I've been
talking it over with the doctor as to its being a good starting-place
for you, and he thinks it will be. There it lies," he said, pointing
north-east. "We can soon make it now."
"Looks a nicer place than our land," said Jack Penny, as I stood with
him gazing wonderingly at the forest and mountain scenery that hour by
hour grew more clear. "I think I shall like Noo Guinea."
The day glided on with the look-out growing more and more interesting;
and at last, when we were pretty near, we could see the other schooner
had outsailed us, and was within a short distance of a scattered
collection of huts; while a little crowd of the natives was on the sandy
beach busily launching their canoes, in which they paddled out towards
the other vessel.
"I don't like that," said the skipper suddenly, as he was using his
glass. "That's bad for us."
"What is?" I said eagerly.
"That there schooner going before us. They're blackbird catchers, or
I'm a Dutchman."
"Blackbird catchers?" I said. "Why, I thought there were no blackbirds
out of Europe."
"Just hark at him," said the captain, turning to the doctor.
"Blackbirds, boy, why, there's thousands; and it's them varmint who go
in for the trade of catching 'em as makes the coast unsafe for honest
men."
"What do you mean?" I cried, and I became aware of the fact that Jack
Penny was bending over me like a bamboo.
"Mean, boy? just you take the doctor's little double-barrelled telescope
and watch and see."
I took the glass and looked intently, watching through it the scene of
the blacks paddling up to the schooner, and holding up what seemed to be
fruit and birds for sale.
All at once I saw something fall into one of the canoes, which
immediately sank, and eight of its occupants were left struggling in the
water.
To my great relief I saw a small boat rowed round from the other side of
the little vessel, evidently, as I thought, to go to the help of the
poor creatures; but, to my horror, I saw that two men stood up in the
boat, and, as it was rowed, they struck at the swimming men with heavy
bars, and dragged them one by one into the boat.
I saw four saved like this, and then the boat was rowed rapidly in
pursuit of the other four, who were swimming as hard as they could, as
they tried to overtake the canoes, whose occupants were making for the
shore.
The noise of the shouts reached our ears faintly, and I saw one of the
men picked up by the last canoe, and the other three were literally
hunted by the schooner's boat, diving like ducks and trying every feat
they could think of to avoid capture; but oars beat hands in the water,
and I saw two of the fugitives struck on the head by a fellow in the
bows of the boat, and then they were dragged over the side.
There was one more savage in the water, and he swam rapidly and well,
besides which, he had gained some distance during the time taken up in
capturing his fellows. As he had changed his direction somewhat I had a
better view of the chase, and I felt horrified to see how rapidly the
boat gained upon him till it was so near that it could be only a matter
of minutes before he would be worn out and treated in the same way as
his unfortunate fellows.
At last the boat overtook the poor wretch, but he dived down and it
passed over him, the blow struck at his head merely making a splash in
the water, when up he came, his black head just showing above the
surface, and he struggled in another direction for his liberty.
To add to the excitement of the scene the sandy shore about the huts was
lined with savages, who were rushing about in a tremendous state of
excitement, shaking their spears and yelling, but showing plainly that
they were a very cowardly race, for not one of them made an effort to
launch a canoe and try to save his brother in distress.
There could be but one end to this cruel tragedy, so I thought; but I
was wrong. Again and again the boat overtook the poor fellow, but he
dived and escaped even though blows were struck at him with a boat-hook;
but it was evident that he was growing weaker, and that he stayed below
a shorter time.
All at once, as if the men had become furious at the length of the
chase, I saw the boat rowed rapidly down upon him; but the savage dived
once more, evidently went right under the boat, and came up full thirty
yards astern, swimming now straight for the shore.
Then all at once I saw him throw up his arms and disappear, as if he had
been snatched under.
"Out of his misery," said a deep voice beside me; and turning I found
that the captain had been watching the scene through his long glass.
"What do you mean?" I said.
"Sharks took him down, poor chap," said the captain. "Sharks is
ignorant, or they would have grabbed the white fellows instead."
As I still watched the scene, with my brow wet with perspiration, I saw
the boat make now for the schooner, and quite a dozen canoes put off
from the shore.
"Lor', what a thing ignorance is, and how far niggers are behind white
men in pluck! Why, if these fellows knew what they were about, they
might easily overhaul that little schooner, take their brothers out of
her, and give the blackbird catchers such a lesson as they'd never
remember and never forget, for they'd kill the lot. There ain't a
breath o' wind."
"But they will take them, won't they, captain?" I cried.
"No, my lad, not they. They'll go and shout and throw a few spears, and
then go back again; but they'll bear malice, my lad. All white folks
who come in ships will be the same to them, and most likely some poor
innocent boat's crew will be speared, and all on account of the doings
of these blackbird catchers."
"But what do they do with the poor fellows?" I cried.
"Reg'larly sell 'em for slaves, though slavery's done away with, my
boy."
"But will not the blacks rescue their friends?" I said.
"No, my lad."
"Then we must," I cried excitedly; and Jack Penny threw up his cap and
cried "Hooray!" Gyp started to his feet and barked furiously, and Jimmy
leaped in the air, came down in a squatting position, striking the deck
a tremendous blow with his waddy, and shouting "Hi--wup, wup--wup," in
an increasing yell.
The captain, hardened by familiarity with such scenes, laid his hand
upon my shoulder, and smiled at me kindly as he shook his head.
"No, no, my lad, that would not do."
"Not do!" I cried, burning with indignation. "Are we to stand by and
see such cruelties practised?"
"Yes, my lad; law says we musn't interfere. It's the law's job to put
it down; but it's very slow sometimes."
"But very sure, captain," said the doctor quietly. "And when it does
move it is crushing to evil-doers. The captain is quite right, Joe, my
boy," he continued, turning to me. "We must not stir in this case.
I've heard of such atrocities before, but did not know that they were so
common."
"Common as blackguards," said the captain, "It's regular slavery.
There, what did I tell you, my lad?" he continued, as he pointed to the
canoes, which were returning after making a demonstration. "These poor
blacks are afraid of the guns. It's all over--unless--"
He stopped short, scratching his head, and staring first at the schooner
and then at us in turn.
"Unless what, captain?" I said excitedly.
"Here, let's do a bit o' bounce for once in our lives," said the bluff
old fellow. "Get out your revolvers and shooting-tackle, and let's see
if we can't frighten the beggars. Only mind, doctor, and you too, my
young bantam, our weapons is only for show. No firing, mind; but if we
can bully those chaps into giving up their blackbirds, why we will."
The boat was lowered, and with a goodly display of what Jack Penny
called dangerous ironmongery, we started with three men, but not until
the captain had seen that the Malay was safely secured. Then we
started, and the people aboard the other schooner were so busy with
their captives that we got alongside, and the captain, Doctor Grant, and
I had climbed on deck before a red-faced fellow with a violently
inflamed nose came up to us, and, with an oath, asked what we wanted
there.
"Here, you speak," whispered the captain to Doctor Grant. "I'm riled,
and I shall be only using more bad language than is good for these
youngsters to hear. Give it to him pretty warm, though, all the same,
doctor."
"D'yer hear?" said the red-faced fellow again. "What do you want here?"
"Those poor wretches, you slave-dealing ruffian," cried the doctor, who
looked quite white as he drew himself up and seemed to tower over the
captain of the other schooner, who took a step back in astonishment, but
recovered himself directly and advanced menacingly.
"Come for them, have you, eh?" he roared; "then you'll go without 'em.
Here, over you go; off my ship, you--"
The scoundrel did not finish his speech, for as he spoke he clapped a
great rough hairy paw on the doctor's shoulder, and then our friend
seemed to shrink back at the contact; but it was only to gather force,
like a wave, for, somehow, just then his fist seemed to dart out, and
the ruffianly captain staggered back and then fell heavily on the deck.
Half a dozen men sprang forward at this, but Doctor Grant did not
flinch, he merely took out his revolver and examined its lock, saying:
"Will you have these poor fellows got into our boat, captain?"
"Ay, ay, doctor," cried our skipper; and the slave-dealing crew shrank
back and stared as we busily handed down the blackbirds, as the captain
kept on calling them.
Poor creatures, they were still half-stunned and two of them were
bleeding, and it must have seemed to then? that they were being tossed
out of the frying-pan into the fire, and that we were going to carry on
the villainy that our ruffianly countrymen had commenced. In fact had
we not taken care, and even used force, they would have jumped overboard
when we had them packed closely in.
"Here, shove off!" the captain said, as we were once more in our boat;
and just then the leader of the ruffians staggered to his feet and
leaned over the side.
"I'll have the law of you for this," he yelled. "This is piracy."
"To be sure it is," said our captain; "we're going to hyste the black
flag as soon as we get back, and run out our guns. Come on, my
red-nosed old cocky-wax, and we'll have a naval engagement, and sink
you."
He nudged me horribly hard with his elbow at this point, and turning his
back on the schooner winked at me, and chuckled and rumbled as if he
were laughing heartily to himself in secret; but he spoke again directly
quite seriously.
"I haven't got no boys of my own," he said, "but if I had, I should say
this was a sort o' lesson to you to always have right on your side.
It's again' the law, but it's right all the same. See how we carried
all before us, eh, my lads! The doctor's fist was as good as half a
dozen guns, and regularly settled the matter at once."
"Then we may set these poor fellows free now?" I said.
"Well, I shouldn't like to be one of them as did it," said the captain
drily. "Look at the shore."
I glanced in that direction and saw that it was crowded with blacks, all
armed with spears and war-clubs, which they were brandishing excitedly.
"They wouldn't know friends from foes," said the doctor quietly. "No;
we must wait."
I saw the reason for these remarks; and as soon as we had reached the
side of the schooner and got our captives on board I attended the doctor
while he busied himself bandaging and strapping cuts, the blacks staring
at him wondering, and then at Jimmy, who looked the reverse of friendly,
gazing down at the prisoners scornfully, and telling Jack Penny in
confidence that he did not think much of common sort black fellow.
"Jimmy xiv all o' men waddy spear if try to kedge Jimmy," he said,
drawing himself up and showing his teeth. "No kedge Jimmy. Killer um
all."
It was hard work to get the poor prisoners to understand that we meant
well by them.
"You see they think you're having 'em patched up," said Jack Penny, "so
as they'll sell better. I say, Joe Carstairs, give your black fellow a
topper with his waddy; he's making faces at that chap, and pretending to
cut off his legs."
"Here, you be quiet, Jimmy, or I'll send you below," I said sharply; and
as I went to the breaker to get a pannikin of water for one of the men,
Jimmy stuck his hands behind him, pointed his nose in the air, and
walked forward with such a display of offended dignity that Jack Penny
doubled up, putting his head between his knees and pinning it firm,
while he laughed in throes, each of which sent a spasm through his
loose-jointed body.
The black to whom I took the water looked at me in a frightened way, and
shook his head.
"He thinks it is poisoned, Joe," said the doctor quietly; and I
immediately drank some, when the prisoner took the pannikin and drank
with avidity, his companions then turning their eager eyes on me.
"It is the feverish thirst produced by injuries," said the doctor; and
as I filled the pannikin again and again, the poor wretches uttered a
low sigh of satisfaction.
The schooner lay where we had left it, and all seemed to be very quiet
on board, but no movement was made of an offensive nature; and the day
glided by till towards sundown, when there was less excitement visible
on the shore. Then the captain ordered the boat to be lowered on the
side away from the land, while he proceeded to sweep the shore with his
glass.
"I think we might land 'em now, doctor," he said, "and get back without
any jobs for you."
"Yes, they seem pretty quiet now," said the doctor, who had also been
scanning the shore; "but there are a great many people about."
"They won't see us," said the captain. "Now, my blackbirds, I'm not
going to clip your wings or pull out your tails. Into the boat with
you. I'll set you ashore."
For the first time the poor fellows seemed to comprehend that they were
to be set at liberty, and for a few minutes their joy knew no bounds;
and it was only by running off that I was able to escape from some of
their demonstrations of gratitude.
"No, my lad," said the captain in response to my demand to go with him.
"I'll set the poor chaps ashore, and we shall be quite heavy enough
going through the surf. You can take command while I'm gone," he added,
laughing; "and mind no one steals the anchor."
I felt annoyed at the captain's bantering tone, but I said nothing; and
just at sunset the boat pushed off quietly with its black freight, the
poor fellows looking beside themselves with joy.
"I say, skipper," said the captain laughingly to me, "mind that Malay
chap don't get out; and look here, it will be dark directly, hyste a
light for me to find my way back."
I nodded shortly, and stood with Jack Penny and the doctor watching the
boat till it seemed to be swallowed up in the thick darkness that was
gathering round, and the doctor left Jack Penny and me alone.
"I say," said Jack, who was leaning on the bulwarks, with his body at
right angles; "I say, Joe Carstairs, I've been thinking what a game it
would be if the captain never came back."
"What!" I cried.
"You and I could take the ship and go where we like."
"And how about the doctor?" I said scornfully.
"Ah!" he drawled, "I forgot about the doctor. That's a pity. I wish
he'd gone ashore too."
I did not answer, for it did not suit my ideas at all. The adventure I
had on hand filled my mind, and I felt annoyed by my companion's foolish
remark.
We had tea, and were sitting with the doctor chatting on deck, after
vainly trying to pierce the darkness with our eyes or to hear some
sound, when all at once the doctor spoke:
"Time they were back," he said. "I say, Skipper Carstairs, have you
hoisted your light?"
"Light!" I said excitedly. "What's that?" for just then a bright red
glow arose to our right in the direction of the shore.
"They're a making a bonfire," said Jack Penny slowly.
"Or burning a village," said the doctor.
"No, no," I cried; "it's that schooner on fire!"
"You're right, Joe," said the doctor excitedly. "Why, the savages must
have gone off and done this, and--yes, look, you can see the canoes."
"Here, I say, don't!" cried Jack Penny then, his voice sounding curious
from out of the darkness; and the same moment there was a rush, a
tremendous scuffle, Jimmy yelled out something in his own tongue, and
then lastly there were two or three heavy falls; and in a misty,
stupefied way I knew that we had been boarded by the savages and made
prisoners, on account of the outrage committed by the other captain.
What followed seems quite dream-like; but I have some recollection of
being bundled down into a boat, and then afterwards dragged out over the
sand and hurried somewhere, with savages yelling and shouting about me,
after which I was thrown down, and lay on the ground in great pain, half
sleeping, half waking, and in a confused muddle of thought in which I
seemed to see my father looking at me reproachfully for not coming to
his help, while all the time I was so bound that I could not move a
step.
At last I must have dropped into a heavy sleep, for the next thing I saw
was the bright sunshine streaming into the hut where I lay, and a crowd
of blacks with large frizzed heads of hair chattering about me, every
man being armed with spear and club, while the buzz of voices plainly
told that there was a throng waiting outside.