We had no trouble negotiating for our wrecking boat--the
_Anti-Kaiser_. The owner was all right, as could be inferred by the
name of his new schooner, a good solid roomy one, as Howard said,
fully equipped for deep-sea sponging and light wrecking among the
spongers who lose their boats occasionally in sudden tropical storms.
It did not surprise me when he told us that he expected to operate
about the Bahamas when the season opened and didn't propose to take
any chances. He had applied for a five-pound gun to mount aft and a
one-pounder forward, and got it. However, there was no gunner and one
would have to be provided.
Howard did not refer to little Jim during the evening. He was
counting the cost--the effect on her life and his, the necessity of
being untrammeled in the immense enterprise we were undertaking. I
wanted to learn from Washington the status of the Ramund case before
commencing. I went to Key West in the _Titian_ and spent most of the
night there. As I expected, Ramund could not be refused bail much
longer, but the department would post me regarding his movements. Then
I ran into Ike Barry again.
"Still fishing, Ike?"
"Yes--the Missus couldn't stand it any longer and came down a few days
ago. She is a better scout on the water than I am. We're having a
great time."
I remembered having met her at Tampa with him one time and recalled
her as a sweet, motherly woman who had raised a splendid daughter they
spoke of a great deal.
I found Scotty there, too, still out of a job, going about like a fish
out of water, his face so long he was tramping on his upper lip,
waiting for his passport to go back to the British Navy.
"Scotty, didn't you tell me you were a gunner in the Royal Navy before
you went in the engine-room?"
"I certainly was. Served two enlistments, the last one as chief."
"Then you are just the man I want."
He became jubilant and came over to me stronger than ever when I told
him what had happened and how he had helped by delaying the Boche
cutter. After another "drap of Scotch" he said he would go to hell for
me.
I told him what I wanted and warned him that it would not be a joy
ride, but probably very dangerous.
"If you've got two guns, I'd swim from here to the Tortugas for a
chance at 'em."
"All right, Scotty, stay here till I come for you and keep your eyes
open."
When I got back to "Canby's bay" day was breaking. After breakfast I
told Howard about Scotty and what I received from Washington.
"Even though Ramund and the manager are admitted to bail, what can
they do down here? You have a clear case against them," he said.
"None too strong, Howard, without little Jim. As I see it, everything
depends on her testimony. Have you decided about her?"
"Yes, I have," he began, relieved when the subject was raised. "We
talked all night about it. For a while she would cry bitterly and say
she would never leave me here alone, then for an hour we would be
planning for her to go, only for her to come back and curl herself in
my lap and tearfully declare she would never leave me here alone. We
both realize it's a turning point in our lives that requires courage
and, Wood, do you know I believe she is the braver. Well, in the night
we came to this definite conclusion--that if you will help us she will
go as soon as I can get her ready. Do you realize what it means for me
to part with her? It's like tearing my heart and soul out."
"Howard, I believe I do, but her safety is most important now. We may
be away a week and you can't leave her here."
"I know that, but she has been raised here on the Keys, dressed like a
boy, and has never known either girls or women. Just what clothing she
will need, and how to get it, is a puzzle to both of us."
That was a complication I had overlooked and hesitated a moment. I
thought of Mrs. Ike Barry.
"Howard, a friend and his wife are at the hotel at Key West. I believe
she would be glad to help us out and fix little Jim for the trip. Her
permanent outfit and clothing it is best to leave to someone with whom
I can arrange at the school."
"That sounds good, but, Wood, I am afraid that would be loading you
unduly with my personal affairs."
"You will have ample opportunity to square yourself with me before we
get through," I replied, laughing. "Little Jim partly belongs to me;
besides, she has become an important Government witness."
During the afternoon we brought the _Anti-Kaiser_ to the nearest safe
anchorage. We put aboard water and provisions for a week. Then, in the
afternoon, I went with Howard and little Jim to Key West to prepare
her for her journey into a new world. She acted at times as though
moving in a dream, first delighted then sad because she was leaving
her chum, teacher, father,--and such a wonderful father.
Mrs. Barry told me afterward it was a rare pleasure to select little
Jim's outfit and clothing, to witness her perfect delight in the first
possession of pretty things. Howard and I stood by as helpless as
though run out of gasoline or the steering gear had gone wrong. Little
Jim evidenced her femininity. Motherly Mrs. Barry delighted her. She
talked of her and her new things all the way home, when the depression
of parting was not on her mind.
Going to the wireless again I reported details. Little Jim was a
vitally important witness for the Government and all was soon
arranged. Venerable, fatherly Henry Woburn, a sort of messenger of
the Department, would arrive the next day to whisk her away by rail to
the gates of the school inside of which she would be safe. The school
took great care of young girl pupils; an additional caution, quite
unknown to her, being exercised in her case because of her importance
as a Government witness.
I shall not attempt to describe the last scenes between father and
daughter and the delightful simplicity with which she bade me
good-bye. I could not if I tried. Both felt it was a distinct crisis
in their lives, a turn in life's road which was separating them--how
long--and where would it lead? Spiritualists, soothsayers,
fortune-tellers, astrologers, who pretend to look even one minute into
the future, are lying mountebanks. They would usurp infinity. I do
know that Howard Byng's life, so far, had been stormy, one of great
activity, but who could say not useful. No one can fail to admire
intense action, and his intentions were good. His life so far was a
wonder to me, and I had faith that such tremendous energy would be
utilized for the general good. Little Jim, half of his blood,
primitive, fierce when aroused, but pure and real red, the other half
from the purposeful, refined, delicate but no less iron-willed Norma
Byng likely could not escape the responsibility of its possession.
Action, vital action, would be expected. As now constituted she had
the simplicity of extreme childhood, and the knowledge and power of
execution of a man, making a combination that might be difficult to
balance. Little Jim, now a real girl for the first time, looked
splendid; little Jim, crack rifle shot and unerring with the pistol;
little Jim, champion swimmer and diver of the Gulf; little Jim, who
ran a big motor boat forty miles an hour alone, who dynamited the
Huns' boat, made their capture possible, and saved her father's life,
was gone, it seemed to me, forever.