proceeded from his reasoning faculties. It was caused by his anxiety
over the safety of the young woman he had come to assist, but its
continuation was due to an entirely different reason.
It was several weeks since he had last seen Mary Ingleton, and many
things had happened to him during that period. Now that he was
approaching the critical part of his adventure he wondered how she had
fared while he had been in Honolulu and she was on the island at the
mercy of the pirate and his crew with no one to encourage or protect
her.
As he thought his mind reverted back to the time when he had set out
from the island in the frail boat to reach civilization and bring aid
to Mary. At that time, he mused, he was actuated by purely altruistic
and chivalrous motives. The series of remarkable adventures he had
undergone and the suffering he had experienced, however, had caused him
many moments of serious introspection during that time, and now he knew
that an entirely different cause motivated his present efforts.
There was no doubt about it. His former indifference toward the weaker
sex had entirely disappeared, and in its place a new feeling had been
engendered within him. With the calculating calmness that was one of
his chief characteristics he had analyzed carefully day by day the new
sensation, and after a long deliberation he had come to a conclusion as
unexpected as his cogitation had been lengthy. He realized and admitted
to himself that he was in love with the young woman he was now on his
way to aid.
Strangely enough the realization brought him no feeling of happiness.
Instead his mind was sorely troubled. It was beclouded with depressing
thoughts concerning Mary and gloomy conjectures regarding her safety.
Under any other circumstances he would have pushed forward to assist
her with only the thought of getting to the scene of her involuntary
imprisonment at the earliest possible moment. Now, however, a series
of wild conjectures as to what might have happened to her during his
absence coursed through his mind in rapid succession to torture him.
He imagined all kinds of gruesome things, and even though he carefully
argued that all of them were impossible, nevertheless he could not
entirely cast the gloomy ideas from his mind.
Thus, alternately rising to the heights of hope and then falling into
the depths of despair, he trudged slowly forward through the jungle
until he reached its edge. Then he looked out over the clearing where
the pirate had established his base. In the foreground was the rock
where he had met Mary so many times before. Not a sign could he see of
any of the outlaw gang upon the shores, or near the buildings where
they lived and worked, nor was Mary to be seen anywhere.
He was disappointed. Having assured himself that no one was in sight,
he cautiously emerged from the shelter of the vegetation about him,
and then made his way slowly and carefully to the rock. It was his
intention to stay there as long as it was daylight, on the chance of
attracting Mary’s attention, should she come out of the building. If
unsuccessful in this he had decided to come back each day until he had
finally seen and spoken to her. He was anxious to complete the plans
for her escape as soon as possible, despite the fact that it would be a
few days before another cruiser could possibly arrive from Honolulu and
take the place of the damaged Farragut.
He reached the rock in safety and then lay down beside it. He made
himself as comfortable as he could under the circumstances. In this
condition he was hidden in such a manner that he could look around the
base of the rock and get a clear view of the pirate’s base before him
without being visible himself.
As he looked over the harbor he saw the remarkable airplane of the
pirate afloat near the rock to which it was moored. He concluded that
Levanter and his crew must be upon the island. His reasoning was
apparently confirmed by the small wisp of bluish smoke which was idly
rising out of the small stack in the workshop building where the liquid
oxygen fuel was made by Levanter’s men.
It seemed as though he had been lying there for years before anything
happened. In reality a little more than an hour had elapsed from the
time he took his position behind the rock until he saw two figures
emerge from the larger building. As they moved about he recognized in
them Levanter and Mary. Instinctively he gripped his rifle. He brought
it to his shoulder as he lay, ready at a moment’s notice to aim and
fire. His natural caution however warned him against any hasty action
that might jeopardize the chances of rescuing Mary, especially as it
would be several days before he could get her off the island under any
conditions.
Silently and intently he watched the two figures. They appeared to be
engaged in a very excited conversation, judging from their animated
gesticulations. As they spoke to one another they were gradually
walking to the landing place where the airplane lay at its moorings.
Occasionally Mary would stop, and Levanter would turn toward her and
apparently argue with a great show of eagerness before they began to
move on again.
Suddenly Redmond set himself in tense but subdued alertness. His quick
eye had detected a decided change in the situation when Mary had
stopped once more. He distinctly saw her stamp her foot, apparently
in anger, turn completely around and then start back in the direction
whence she and Levanter had come. As she did so he saw the latter leap
forward and grasp Mary by the shoulder. He saw the pirate stop Mary
abruptly by the strength of his grip and shake her visibly. The scene
he witnessed completely severed the restraining grip of caution that
had held him motionless. He was inwardly boiling with an all consuming
rage engendered by the scene that was being enacted before him upon
the beach, and under the sour of its intensity he raised his rifle to
his shoulder and fired. The bullet sped silently and true. Redmond saw
Levanter’s grip loosen from Mary’s shoulder. He saw the pirate reel
unsteadily for a second, then fall in a huddled heap upon the ground.
CHAPTER THIRTY
For three days after her crew had placed Redmond on the shores of
Patrocinio Island, the damaged cruiser “Farragut” limped steadily
forward at the rate of twelve knots an hour toward Honolulu. Hers was
probably one of the most forlorn voyages ever undertaken. When she left
Honolulu every man on board was keyed up to the pitch of expectation,
proud and eager to be in at the finish of the pirate whose depredations
had aroused the entire world. Now their ship was slinking back to port
in a crippled condition, rendered impotent by one of the defensive
weapons of the pirate they had hoped to capture.
Immediately after Redmond had been placed ashore the crew of the
“Farragut” stretched a tarpaulin around the shattered bows of their
vessel to break the force of the water. Other temporary repairs were
also made. Fortunately, the bulkhead between the second and third hold,
which had not been damaged by the explosion, was still watertight and
sufficiently strong to enable the ship to proceed at the reduced speed.
Realizing the desperate nature of the voyage before him, Captain Moore
took the shortest possible course to his destination, and although
it practically paralleled the regular trade route between Honolulu
and Midway Island, not a single object was sighted to relieve the
monotonous sameness of the vast sea throughout the dreary time that
had elapsed since the return trip began. Several times the war-vessel
had been very close to the various uninhabited rocks belonging to the
Hawaiian archipelago, but none had been sighted. In fact, no effort had
been made to approach them.
Early on the fourth day of the voyage, when sun observations showed
the “Farragut” was approaching the elongated island of Niihau, Captain
Moore sent instructions forward to the men on duty to keep a sharp
watch for sight of land. This order had scarcely been issued when the
look-out man in the fighting top of the foremast sang out to the bridge:
“There’s a ship about two points on the port bow, sir.”
Captain Moore was in the navigating room at the time. He immediately
gave orders to the quartermaster, who promptly threw his helm over, so
that the “Farragut” would approach the other ship. Within half an hour
the two vessels were close enough to permit semaphore signalling to one
another. Before that time, however, it was clearly evident that the
stranger was a war-vessel of the fast light cruiser type.
Having ascertained the nature of the stranger, Captain Moore naturally
surmised that she was on her way to take his place off Patrocinio
Island, in response to the emergency message he had sent shortly after
the explosion had damaged the bows of his ship.
In her subsequent signals the approaching cruiser said she was the “New
Orleans”, under instructions to proceed to Patrocinio, and intercept
the “Farragut” on the way. Her commander then added that he had orders
for Captain Moore and asked the latter to come to in order that he
could deliver them.
This was done immediately, and shortly afterwards a small launch was
lowered from the “New Orleans”, which then started over toward the
“Farragut.” When the launch came alongside the damaged cruiser Captain
Simmons of the “New Orleans” came aboard and went into the navigating
cabin. There, after customary greetings had been exchanged with Captain
Moore, Simmons said:
“I have instructions for you from headquarters at Honolulu. Here they
are.”
He then handed Captain Moore a sealed envelope and continued:
“As I understand it, we are to change commands and you are to take
the “New Orleans” on to Patrocinio and carry out your original
instructions.”
Captain Moore took the message and hurriedly read it. It confirmed,
in regulation navy form, what Captain Simmons had just said. The two
officers then went through the necessary formalities of transferring
their commands. As soon as this had been completed they engaged in
conversation for a few moments, during which Moore gave his colleague
an outline of the explosion and the events that followed it.
“How is Mr. Ingleton now?” asked Captain Simmons.
“He’s improving wonderfully,” replied Captain Moore. “At first the
doctor was afraid he had suffered internal injuries, but I understand
that such is not the case. He is still laid up, suffering from the
effects of the shock, but he is expected to recover pretty rapidly now,
I believe.”
“Well, I’m glad to hear that. Was he disappointed at not being able to
go ashore with Redmond to aid his daughter?”
“We haven’t discussed that situation with him at all. The doctor has
asked us not to do so, and I think it would be a wise idea not to
mention it to him. In fact, if I were you, I would not visit him at
all because if he saw there had been a change of commanders he might
suspect something and begin worrying. So far as I am aware, he is still
under the impression that we are lying off Patrocinio. He can’t feel
the ship’s vibration where he is lying. It will be best to let him
recover first and then explain the turn of events to him afterwards.”
For the next few moments the conversation dwelt upon naval matters
generally, in the course of which Captain Moore asked:
“What’s the latest in connection with operations against the pirate?
Have any new plans been decided upon?”
“No! So far as I know, there is no change in the situation, except
that I heard the experts in Washington have cabled that they have been
successful in developing a new kind of bomb and shell that is to be
used against him when everything is ready for the final operations.”
“What’s the nature of it?” inquired Moore.
“I don’t know exactly. I understand that it is a chemical bomb
containing some liquid gas, probably something like those Levanter is
reported to be using.”
“We haven’t heard a thing during the time we have been coming from
the island,” said Captain Moore, “so we have been wondering whether
anything unusual had happened, or whether the pirate had been out from
his base at all.”
“There is nothing new,” replied Captain Simmons. “The pirate has been
inactive ever since you left Honolulu. I imagine that he is undergoing
periodical repairs. He is undoubtedly having great difficulty in
obtaining the supplies he needs for his engines. The private companies
are not taking any chances, and most schedules have been completely
abandoned until there is a greater measure of security against him. Of
course, I don’t know anything about the plans that are being made, but
I have an idea that it won’t be very long now before a concentrated
attack is made against the pirate. I know all kinds of pressure is
being brought to bear on the government to move against him, and
everybody is keyed up. You are a lucky dog. You’ll probably be right on
the job when things are moving.”
“Well, I hope they move quickly,” said Moore, “it’s no cinch lying
around off that God-forsaken place waiting for something to happen and
not knowing anything. It can’t come too quick to suit me.”
“Well, I wish you luck anyway,” said Simmons as Moore rose to leave. A
few minutes afterwards the latter was in the launch on his way to take
over his new command and proceed back to the pirate’s nest.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
When Levanter fell with a bullet from Redmond’s silent rifle through
his leg, Mary Ingleton gained a respite from the most trying ordeal
of her life. As it happened, Redmond’s return to Patrocinio Island
occurred the evening before the pirate had taken Mary on the mine
laying trip, and the former officer of the Wilbur Wright was actually
making his way across the island from his cave to the old meeting place
when Levanter surprised Mary beside the schooner Hilo. A lifetime
of emotion had been concentrated for her in the brief hour which
intervened between the two incidents.
At the moment when, flushed and worn out from the tremendous effort
she had made in rolling the rock alongside the wrecked schooner, Mary
looked up and saw her captor before her the surprise sent her heart
into violent palpitation. For several seconds--a seeming eternity--she
stood in open mouthed astonishment, speechless and helpless. The pirate
watched her unfeigned amazement while he endeavored to guess the reason
for her exertions. Finally he broke the tensity of the situation by
exclaiming:
“What are you trying to do, Mary?”
His question brought Mary out of her stupor, back to her normal self.
“Good Heavens,” she gasped, “you startled me terribly. How did you get
here?”
“I’m sorry,” replied Levanter, with a cynical smile. “I didn’t mean to
frighten you, dearest. I changed my mind at the last moment and didn’t
go out with the men. I sent Johnson out to superintend the mine laying
job and then I came back. I saw you come out here and I just naturally
followed you.”
The term of endearment used for the first time by Levanter since her
imprisonment on the island brought a flush to Mary’s cheeks. It was not
caused by any feeling of embarrassment. In fact the mingled feelings
which had gripped her following his sudden appearance were completely
consumed now in the molten heat of her violent hatred for the man
before her. The flush was one of anger. The sky pirate on the other
hand misinterpreted it entirely. The appearance of the blush on Mary’s
face as he addressed her endearingly, caused him to forget momentarily
the suspicions her actions had engendered within his mind.
Mary’s anger had now overcome her fear and to a certain extent
subjected her judgement. Turning to Levanter, she exclaimed with
considerable emphasis:
“I think you are terribly mean to scare me like that. I didn’t think
you were prowling after me and spying on me.”
The remark brought Levanter out of the realm of speculation back to
realities and his suspicions.
“But I can’t understand what on earth you were doing pushing that big,
heavy rock about,” he said.
“Oh, I was just exercising,” said Mary sarcastically, still angry.
Levanter left her and went over to the wrecked schooner. He began to
examine it carefully, particularly where Mary had rolled the rock up
alongside it. Despite his careful search, he could find nothing wrong,
and the failure left him still further perplexed as to her motives.
What was her object in struggling so persistently with the rock, he
reflected? It certainly was not for the purpose of exercise, because
there were many more pleasant ways in which she could have done that.
No! There was some real reason for it, and he made up his mind to find
out what it was.
After making a complete search around the schooner, he clambered aboard
the wreck and carried his investigation further. He went through the
battered hull, from stem to stern, picking his way slowly and carefully
through the piled up debris. Everything about the old schooner was as
natural and normal as could be under the circumstances, considering the
length of time it had lain upon the beach, subject to the constant
pounding of the heavy surf. Disappointed, Levanter came up on the deck
again and continued his survey there.
Suddenly he stopped short, his eyes fell upon the empty boat davits in
the stern. He walked over and examined them carefully. The blocks and
tackle were close hauled to the top of the davits, and the slack of the
rope was coiled about the deck. The lifeboat was gone!
Levanter thought deeply and intensely. In what condition was the
lifeboat when he and his men wrecked the schooner on the beach? To
the best of his recollection, the boat had been left on the davits.
In fact, he was almost sure of it, because he remembered ordering his
men to break in its sides. He looked over the side to make sure that
the boat was not lying waterlogged in the surf. There was no trace of
it. Having made sure of this, he scrambled back ashore and went over
to Mary. Throughout the time he had been on the schooner she had stood
waiting, deep in thought, puzzling her brain for some plausible excuse
to explain her actions. She realized she had been caught red-handed,
and she knew that whatever the outcome of the present situation,
Levanter would be suspicious and watch her every action. It certainly
meant the end of her plan to cripple his adventure by means of one of
his own bombs. Also, it was quite possible that he would considerably
restrict her liberty or movement about the island.
“Where is the lifeboat?” he queried, somewhat irritably.
“How should I know?” replied Mary.
“Well it’s missing,” continued Levanter, “and you must know something
about it, otherwise I can’t understand what you are doing here.”
“I don’t know anything about it,” Mary retorted with heat, unashamed at
the lie. Didn’t you break it up? That’s what you told me before.”
“So I did, but I left it hanging on the davits, and it isn’t there now,
and what’s more, I find you doing a most unacountable thing around
here. That’s what I can’t understand. There must be some connection in
this thing, and you might as well tell me what it is. If you think you
can get away from me, you are very foolish.”
“I am not so silly,” said Mary, “I know I can’t get away and I’m not
going to take any foolish chances. There’s nothing I can tell you about
your old boat.”
For several minutes Levanter plied her with questions in a vain effort
to trap her into some admission that would give him a clue to the
mystery that confronted him. She answered readily enough at first, but
in a completely non-commital manner, and when he began to press her
more closely she became more reticent, and finally refused to answer
at all. This attitude set fire to the kindling ferocity in Levanter’s
temper and he stepped toward her.
Realizing the change and really alarmed, Mary began to walk away toward
the huts. She had no idea what to do, except that she thought it wise
to get as far away from him as she could while he was in his present
threatening mood. He strode after her angrily.
“Why don’t you answer me?” he demanded as he reached to grasp her.
She evaded him readily enough, but for the first time in her life she
was really afraid. In fact she was almost terror-stricken. More than
ever the realization dawned upon her that she was completely within the
man’s power and at the present moment alone with him.
“Don’t you dare to touch me!” she exclaimed.
The pirate laughed at her. “Why, what would you do?” he asked.
Then, as she did not answer, he continued, “My dear girl, there is
nothing that you can do. You will have to do as I tell you. You can’t
get away from me. I am determined to find out just what you were doing
up at the schooner, and you might as well tell me now as later.”
While he was talking Mary was walking slowly forward, watching him
closely out of the corner of her eye. There had flashed through her
mind the memory of their last encounter when he had flared up and
tried to seize her--the time when Walter Johnston, the pirate’s chief
assistant, interrupted in her behalf. As far as she knew all the
members of the pirate crew were still out on the airplane, laying
mines along the coast, and consequently she was alone on the island
with Levanter, with the exception of course of the Kanakas. It was no
use looking to them for any assistance.
Helpless as she apparently was, however, Mary still hoped that by some
fortunate chance the crew had already returned from the mine laying
trip, so she steadily walked along, hoping against hope that she would
attract the attention of Johnston.
The momentary laugh which had escaped from Levanter tempered the
intensity of his wrath somewhat, but he was still in a highly inflamed
temper. He continued after Mary, trying hard to solve the mystery
surrounding the incident which had given rise to the present situation.
They continued in this manner for several minutes, to Mary’s great
relief, until finally they came up to the huts.
The Kanakas were all busily engaged at the tasks which had become
routine to them. Mary felt a little easier because, while it was
extremely doubtful just what they would do in case the pirate molested
her, she felt that she was not as isolated as she had been at the
opposite side of the harbor where the wreck of the Hilo was lying.
She gave a quick glance toward the airplane-mooring place, but her
hopes were quickly dashed, for there was no sign of the machine. She
realized now that it was a case of her wits against the temper of the
pirate. There was no use going any further, she figured, as that would
take her away from the Kanakas, and she realized bitterly that Levanter
would follow her wherever she went. She tried hard to think of some way
of getting out of the mess, but nothing occurred to her.
Suddenly she turned around and faced Levanter.
“Why do you keep following me?” she cried. “What do you want of me?”
The violent anger which had possessed Levanter had cooled down
considerably. During the walk from the schooner he had been thinking
hard, going back over every possible detail and every incident that he
could think of that had taken place during Mary’s stay on the island.
As a result of this recollection, three things stood out prominently in
his memory.
First, the unexpected, unexplained and untraced disappearance of his
man, Harrison, which had long since passed out of his mind.
Second, the decided change which had recently come over Mary in regard
to her attitude toward him and her sudden interest in all of his plans
and activities; and
Third, the unusual task she was engaged in when he surprised her a
short time ago.
Surely, he reflected, there must be some connection between these
things. But what that connection was he could not figure out.
A new thought suddenly came into his mind: Had Harrison turned traitor
on him?