ORDERED AGAIN TO ANGOXA--ISLAND OF MAFAMALE--SEINE FISHING--DESMOND'S
VICTORY OVER THE FISH--THE CARPENTER TRIES HIS HAND, BUT CATCHES A
TARTAR--LIFE ON THE ISLAND--JERRY BIRD'S "KETTLER"--SECOND BOAT
EXPEDITION--LIGHTNING IN THE TROPICS--UP THE RIVER--CAPTURE AND BURNING
OF A DHOW--LAND FOR PROVISIONS--TREACHERY OF NATIVES--ADAIR AND DESMOND
MADE PRISONERS--ADAIR TURNS THE TABLES ON THE OLD CHIEF.
The corvette lay becalmed, lapping her sides in the shining water, as
the glass-like undulations under her keel rolled her now to starboard
and now to port, the sun striking down and making the pitch bubble up
out of the seams of her deck. No sail was in sight, but still a bright
look-out was kept. In case any slaver bringing up a breeze might
attempt to slip by inshore of her, the boats were in readiness to shove
off in chase.
"A steamer to the nor'ard, sir," shouted the look-out to the second
lieutenant, who reported the same to the commander. All hands were
quickly up on deck. She was probably a British cruiser, perhaps
bringing news for them--a mail _via_ the Isthmus of Suez and the Red
Sea.
At last, after various conjectures as to what she was, the _Busy Bee_
made her number, and paddled up in a way which made the crew wish that
they possessed similar means of locomotion. She blew off her steam when
close to them, and a boat from her side brought her commander on board.
He was the bearer of despatches from the commodore.
Murray called Adair into his cabin. "The commodore has received
information that the Arabs are rebuilding the fort we destroyed," he
said, "and so I suppose that we shall have to go up the river to do the
work over again. He has directed me in the meantime to station two of
our boats, with one from the _Busy Bee_, to be joined shortly by a
fourth from the frigate, at the island of Mafamale, which is about seven
miles from the mouth of the river. I may select the officer to command
the expedition, and if you wish to go, I will appoint you, with Jos
Green and Desmond and Gordon. You will look out for dhows either going
up to, or coming down from Angoxa, and for others running along the
coast, which are certain to pass between the island and the mainland.
The corvette and the steamer will in the meantime stand down the coast,
and the dhows seeing us will hope to get to Zanzibar without
interruption. The plan seems to be a good one, and I trust that we
shall be able to strike a more effectual blow at the slave-trade than
the commodore has hitherto been able to give it."
Terence, who had been wishing for this sort of work, gladly accepted
Murray's offer. The corvette stood on till she came off the island,
when the pinnace and barge, well fitted for the duties they were at once
to engage in, were got out. The _Busy Bee_ landed a couple of water
tanks, for not a drop of the necessary fluid was to be found on the
island; while she and the corvette sent three months' provisions on
shore, with tents, arms, and ammunition.
With three hearty cheers from the crews, responded to by their
respective ships, the boats shoved off and pulled away for the island,
to become their headquarters for the next three months. Its appearance
was not over-attractive, for it was low and sandy, scarcely more than
two miles in circumference, with a small forest of Casuarina trees on
the highest part, bordered by a belt of thin grass.
One of the first boats sent on shore contained a large seine, and Jos
Green was directed to haul it as soon as possible for the purpose of
supplying the ship's company with fresh fish. All hands were well
pleased to hear the order, and the men destined for that object quickly
transmogrified themselves into fishermen with blue jerseys, tarry
trousers, and red caps, looking more like lawless pirates than
well-conducted men-of-war's men. Two of the smaller boats under the
command of the master, who was accompanied by Desmond and Archie, then
pulled in. On the north side of the island was a shelving beach, where
the water was perfectly smooth and not a rock or stone to be found. It
was just such a beach as to satisfy all the requirements of men-of-war's
men, capable at the same time of supplying sand for holy-stoning the
decks, and to afford admirable ground for hauling the seine.
The net was quickly run out, forming a wide semicircle, and surrounding,
no doubt, vast numbers of fish, as they could be seen of various forms
and sizes sporting in the clear water. The boats being hauled up, the
work of hauling the net began. Just at that juncture several officers
who had before landed came across the island to see the fun, and
immediately all hands tailed on to the hauling-lines. As the net drew
nearer and nearer to the land, innumerable specimens of the finny tribe
could be seen leaping and springing about, mutually surprised at finding
themselves brought unexpectedly in such near proximity to each other and
to the shore; evidently thinking that it was time to make a dash for the
more open water. Vain were the attempts of those who foolishly fancied
by swimming slow and concealing themselves they might the more surely
effect their escape. The bolder fish, who, leaping high, cleared the
encircling net, were alone successful, some enormous fellows setting the
example. Others attempted to follow them.
"We shall have them all getting off if we don't bear a hand," cried
Green; "haul away, my lads."
"Better be after them and hook them out," exclaimed Desmond, suiting the
action to the word, and plunging in amid the struggling fish. Archie
could not resist doing the same, and presently every officer, including
the commander and Adair, were up to their knees in the water, each
trying to seize one or more of the monsters, who, it was evident, would,
if they attempted it, clear a passage for themselves through the meshes.
Desmond had fixed upon two, and down he went upon hands and knees,
endeavouring to kill the creatures leaping, wriggling, and struggling to
get free. As he did so, one of them, making a bolt between his legs,
toppled him over on his nose, where he lay kicking and plunging,
scarcely to be distinguished from the fish surrounding him. He quickly,
however, got his head above water, as he did so, spluttering out,
"Arrah, the baste! I haven't let him go, though," and, kneeling on the
creature, he managed to work his hands under its gills, when, holding it
up, he dragged it triumphantly to the shore.
One of the smaller youngsters, Billy Blueblazes, upon trying to follow
his example, was literally dragged off his feet, and, had not Archie
seized him and the fish which he held by the gills, might very possibly
have been drowned.
The shouting and laughing and hallooing which arose on all sides would
alone have been sufficient to drive the unfortunate fish out of their
minds, as officers and men were plunging about here and there grasping
at the larger fish right and left. At length the greater number of the
monsters who had failed to escape having been captured, the men drew the
seine high up on the beach, with some hundreds of fish, most, if not all
of them, as Green declared, excellent eating. As soon as they had been
rendered incapable of effecting their escape, the seine was again
carried out; and though it might have been supposed that the fish would
have avoided the spot, as many as at the first haul were speedily drawn
to land, when a similar scene was enacted, and, all hands being
thoroughly wet, everyone not required for tailing on at the
hauling-lines plunged in as before. Among the most adventurous was the
carpenter, who in his eagerness rushed forward till the water was up to
his armpits; when, fancying he saw a fish of unusual size, and desirous
of gaining the honour of bringing it to shore, he plunged down his hand.
Scarcely had he done so, when, with a shout which might have reached
almost to the ship, he drew it up again, exclaiming, "Bear a hand,
mates, and help me to get rid of this imp of Satan. I'm blessed if I
thought such creatures lived in the ocean."
He uttered this as he staggered towards the shore, when it was seen that
his whole arm, which he held at full length, was grasped by the dark
slimy tentacles of a monster which, with a beak resembling that of a
bird, was attempting to strike him in the face; had the creature got
hold of a smaller person, it might have succeeded in doing so. Desmond
and Billy Blueblazes were at first inclined to laugh, till they got
closer to the hideous creature. Several of the men with their knives
open hurried forward to the assistance of the carpenter, who bravely
kept his arms stretched out till they succeeded in cutting off its head;
but even then those powerful tentacles retained so much vitality that it
was necessary to remove them one by one. The carpenter's arm was almost
paralysed, and he complained of considerable pain and irritation.
His adventure, however, did not prevent the rest of the party from
continuing their chase of the larger fish, though they kept a bright
look-out not to be caught by crabs, or to avoid catching hold of a
squid. Though, as before, some escaped, the second haul was almost as
productive as the first. The boats, being loaded with the fish,
returned to the ship.
The shore party then set to work to prepare for their Robinson Crusoe
life, while the _Opal_ stood away to the northward. Tents were set up,
a hut for the blacksmith's forge, and another for the carpenter close to
the beach, before which a coral reef made a secure harbour for the
boats. A third hut was built near the camp for the cook--not that any
skilled one belonged to the party. The magazine was wisely placed at a
distance, in case a spark from the kitchen or a tobacco-pipe might
chance to find its way to the gunpowder. Everyone was in high spirits
and supremely happy. As soon as the work of the day was over, the men
took to playing leap-frog, diversified by bowls and quoits, which had
been brought on shore. The officers had not forgotten foils and
boxing-gloves, as well as books and writing-desks and drawing materials.
All was not play, however; the arms had to be cleaned every morning,
the men inspected, and a bright look-out kept from dawn to sunset, and
even at night, when the moon afforded sufficient light to distinguish a
sail at any distance gliding over the dark waters. For this purpose a
platform was erected between the summits of two trees, which grew
conveniently close together at the west end of the island, with steps
cut in the trunk of one of them, a man-rope hanging from the top making
it an easy matter to get up.
Jerry Bird, Green's old shipmate, the man who had been taken off from
Tristan d'Acunha, was the wit of the party. He was the cook the first
day. "Now, my boys, I'll give you a treat," he exclaimed, as he carried
off the various provisions served out by the storekeeper; "don't suppose
that I have lived among savages for no end of years without learning a
trick or two." The fire was lighted, and Jerry put on a huge kettle to
boil. He was soon busily plucking a couple of the fowls which had been
obtained from the last place at which the ship had touched. It was
naturally supposed that there was to be roast fowl for dinner. While
the rest of the party went in various directions,--some to collect
oysters, which clung to the rocks, with hammers and tomahawks to break
them off; others to the look-out man up the tree; and some to lie down
and read under the shade of the tents,--Jerry proceeded with his
culinary operations. A frying-pan and a ladle served him instead of a
gong. When dinner was ready, he commenced a loud clanging, which
sounded from one end of the island to the other. The hungry party soon
collected. There were rows of plates, with knives and forks and basins
with spoons laid out in order, while Jerry stood, ladle in hand, before
his kettle, stirring away with might and main.
"Here, Tim, stand by with a plate and basin, and take the officers their
dinner," he said. Tim Curran was one of the ship's boys who did duty as
officers' servant.
As Jerry ladled out the contents of the kettle, it was seen to contain
every article with which he had been furnished; the fowls and beef cut
up into small bits; peas, biscuit, flour, preserved vegetables, emitting
a most savoury odour. No one had cause to complain, for Jerry had added
a seasoning which all acknowledged to be superior to anything they had
ever tasted.
"I knew you'd like my `kettler,'" he observed, with a self-satisfied
air, as he sat down with his messmates, who gathered round him.
The rogue had wisely beforehand consulted Adair, who had approved of his
proposal on the subject, and so excellent was his "kettler" pronounced,
that from henceforward it was the everyday meal of the party; and though
others tried to surpass him when their turn came, they all confessed
that they could never do it, and it was voted that it was unequalled by
the best Scotch hotch-potch, which it much resembled.
They were not long, however, allowed to lead so pleasant a life on
shore. Adair sent off one of the boats across the channel to the
mainland to be in readiness to pounce down on any dhows creeping up on
that side, while he himself went away in the pinnace to the southward,
accompanied by Gerald and Archie, leaving Jos Green in command of the
island. Jerry Bird formed one of the crew, so the party on shore lost
their cook. Pango also, one of the escaped slaves, went as interpreter,
he having by this time acquired enough English to make himself
understood and to understand what was said to him. The boat was
provisioned for three weeks, and Adair hoped, by getting fresh food and
vegetables from the shore, to be able to stay out longer if necessary.
He had on board several articles for barter, and, in addition, a store
of empty beer-bottles, for which he had heard the natives have an
especial fancy.
Adair's intention was to examine every opening and indentation in the
coast in which a slave dhow could take shelter. He accordingly steered
for the mainland, towards the first bay to the south of Angoxa, into
which it was possible one of the hoped-for prizes might have crept
during the night. On reaching the bay, however, no vessel was to be
seen, and the pinnace accordingly stood out again with a light breeze,
which enabled her to stand down the coast. The day was passed much as
men-of-war's men are accustomed to spend their time on boat expeditions;
the meals were cooked in one pot, common to officers and men, whether
"kettler" for dinner or chocolate for breakfast and supper. Pipes were
smoked, yarns spun, songs sung, journals written up, and now and then,
though not often, books were read. Regular watches were of course kept,
and, as a rule, everyone took as much sleep as he could get. The life,
as all agreed, was pleasant enough while the weather was fine, but it
would be pleasanter to catch a few dhows, send them as prizes into port,
and restore the negroes found on board to liberty.
"Faith, I wonder whether we ever shall catch one of those rascals,"
exclaimed Desmond, beginning to lose patience when, after three days at
sea, not a single dhow had been caught sight of.
"No fear, Gerald," observed Archie; "they'll be dropping into our jaws
before long if we keep them wide enough open."
At night the boat was sometimes hove-to, or when the wind was light kept
slowly gliding on over the calm surface of the deep. One night Archie
Gordon had the middle watch. Scarce a breath filled the sails; the
ocean was like glass; not a cloud dimmed the sky, from which the stars
shone forth with a brilliancy which afforded light almost equal to that
of the full moon; every star, reflected in the mirror-like deep, gave it
the appearance of being spangled and streaked with gold. Suddenly there
burst forth over the land so vivid a flash of lightning that rocks and
trees and the distant hills for a moment stood out in such bold relief,
that Archie could not help fancying that the boat had been carried by
some unknown current close to the beach. With a cry of surprise he
aroused his companions.
"Is anything the matter?" asked Adair, starting up.
"Arrah, what's in the wind now?" exclaimed Gerald, echoing the question.
"The whole country seems on fire," answered Archie. "I can by no means
make it out." As he spoke, another flash lighted up, as brilliantly as
during the brightest sunshine, the distant hills and wide expanse of
ocean. The flashes continued bursting forth in rapid succession,
lasting fully ten seconds, with even a less interval between them. Not
the slightest sound of distant thunder was heard; silence reigned over
the ocean. Even the men, who had roused up their companions to gaze at
the wondrous spectacle, uttered not a word. A slight flapping of the
sail against the mast, as a catspaw caught it, or an increased ripple of
the water against the bows, alone struck the ear.
These brilliant phenomena lasted the greater part of the night.
"It's very fine," exclaimed Jerry Bird at last; "but to my mind a sound
snooze is more to the purpose than straining our eyes out by winking at
it, seeing we can't say what work may be cut out for us to-morrow; and
so I'm going to turn in."
His example was followed by the rest of the watch below, though the more
sentimental of the officers continued gazing at it for some time longer.
Adair wished that Lucy Rogers could enjoy it with him.
"I say, Archie, wouldn't Mr Mildmay now be after writing a
splendiferous sonnet if he was here?" whispered Desmond.
"Can't you try your hand, Gerald?" said Archie.
"Not I; I'm no poet. I can make a very good line to begin with, but
when I come to the second, I can never manage to fit the words in
properly."
"Just try now," said Archie. Thus encouraged, Desmond at length
exclaimed--
"`The lightnings flashing o'er the boundless deep--'"
"Very good," said Archie.
Gerald repeated the line several times. "`Arouse the seamen from their
"something" sleep,'" he added. "I'll get Mr Mildmay to put in a proper
word instead of `something,' for it's more than I can be after doing."
"Hold your tongues, youngsters!" exclaimed Adair, whose thoughts had
been far away till they were brought back by his nephew's voice. "Turn
in and get some sleep instead of chattering nonsense."
The midshipmen, obeying, coiled themselves in the sternsheets, while
Adair, who took the helm, sat indulging in a mood to which he had
hitherto been a stranger.
The morning came, and soon after breakfast, as the boat was running
along the coast, the entrance to a river, apparently of some size, was
discovered. The sea was tolerably calm on the bar, and as it appeared a
likely place for slavers to ship their cargoes, Adair resolved to run in
and explore it thoroughly. The wind carried them close up to the mouth,
when, it failing altogether, the oars were got out, and the crew pulled
away lustily, in the hopes of at length finding a slaver which they
could make their lawful prize. At this time, however, the Sultan of
Zanzibar issued licences to no inconsiderable number of vessels, on the
pretence that they were engaged in bringing him negroes to work on his
plantations; although, were his island ten times the size that it really
is, he could not have employed one-tenth of the blacks carried off to
slavery. On this flimsy pretext they might therefore find a dhow full
of blacks, and yet not be able to capture her. This, of course, was
often the cause of great disappointment to the crews engaged in the
suppression of the slave-trade.
A belt of mangrove trees running far into the water being passed, a long
reach of the river was opened up, with a large dhow at the farther end
of it, lying at anchor in mid-stream, apparently ready to sail. The
crew of the pinnace could not restrain a shout of satisfaction. In
spite of the hot sun beating down on their heads, they eagerly bent to
their oars in the hopes of soon being on board her. As they approached,
they saw that her sails were unbent, so that she could not have been on
the point of putting to sea. On getting still nearer, about twenty
fierce-looking Arabs popped their heads over the side, and in loud
voices, with threatening gestures, ordered the boat to keep off,
intimating that if she did not, they would fire into her. That she
possessed the power of doing mischief was evident, as a three-pounder
gun was seen mounted on a sort of raised deck in her bow.
Neither Adair nor his crew were likely to be deterred by the menaces of
the piratical-looking fellows from boarding the dhow. With a loud cheer
they dashed alongside, and quickly scrambled on her deck, cutting down
several of the more daring of the band, who, not knowing what English
seamen were made of, ventured to oppose them. A fine-looking old
fellow, with a long white beard, who proved to be the Arab captain,
exchanged a few passes with Adair, who, however, quickly disarmed him,
and tumbled him head over heels into the hold, while the rest of his men
leaped below to escape from their daring assailants. On following them,
Adair found, to his disappointment, that there were no slaves on board.
The Arab crew having been secured, Adair ordered his men to bend the
sail, while he and Desmond, accompanied by Jerry Bird, searched the
vessel to ascertain whether she had anything on board by which she could
be legally condemned. Besides the three-pounder gun, a number of
muskets, spears, and swords were found on board, with a supply of water
and a large quantity of rice, in addition to which her hold was fitted
with three tiers of bamboo decks, which could be intended for no other
purpose than for the stowage of slaves.
Adair pointed this out to the old skipper, and made him understand that
he considered the vessel his lawful prize.
"It is the will of Allah," answered the captain, who made no attempt to
show either papers or colours, so it was considered evident that he did
not possess them.
"There are whole hosts of people collecting on shore, sir," shouted
Archie; "many of them are armed, and by the signs they are making they
don't seem in a friendly mood. They've got, too, plenty of canoes, and
it looks very much as if they intended to come off and attack us."
Adair hurried on deck, and could not help being of Archie's opinion.
"Be sharp there with the sail," he cried.
"It's more than we can manage to bend it, sir," answered Jerry Bird;
"for there's not a bit of rope-yarn or stuff of any kind we can find to
do instead."
Adair and Desmond, stepping forward to lend a hand, found that the men
were right. The blacks on shore, increasing in numbers, were already
uttering most terrific shouts and cries, and had begun to launch their
canoes. It would be impossible to defend the dhow without running the
risk of losing the boat. Adair had no wish to bring on an encounter
with the savages.
"We must burn the craft and make the best of our way out of the river,"
he exclaimed. "Get the prisoners into the boat, and we will then set
the dhow on fire, and prevent her, at all events, from taking on board
another cargo of ebony."
While the men were carrying out his orders, the old Arab captain, who
had been left at liberty, came up to him, and made signs that there was
some object of great value in the hold which he was anxious to recover.
In his eagerness, as with half bent body he stretched out his hands, he
seized Adair by the beard, tears actually running down his eyes.
"Can he have his wife or children stowed away anywhere?" suggested
Desmond.
"It may be, but we must not let them be burned, at all events," said
Adair. "Well, old fellow, go and bring them up," he added, making a
significant gesture. The Arab, however, did not comprehend him, and at
length, pulling out a piece of gold, he made signs that he had a box or
bag full of such pieces stowed away.
"Faith, it's myself will go and help ye hunt for them," cried Desmond,
about to accompany the old Arab, who was hurrying below.
"Stay," exclaimed Adair; "there is not a moment to spare. See, the
canoes are coming off, and we shall be surrounded presently. I suspect
it is only a trick after all, that he may induce us to remain till the
tables are turned. Here, tumble the old fellow into the boat, and set
the dhow on fire fore and aft."
While the men obeyed this order, Archie and Gerald, who had been
lighting some bundles of tow, threw one of them down forward among the
other combustible materials, while another was placed aft; and another,
still larger, which Desmond ignited, was let drop into the hold. A
thick smoke, followed by flames, immediately burst forth, showing that
the craft had been effectually set on fire.
A good-sized canoe was floating alongside the dhow. "We will have her,"
said Desmond; "make her fast astern. She'll assist us in landing the
prisoners, and be useful afterwards."
A whole fleet of canoes, full of shrieking savages, was now coming off
towards the dhow. "Give them a shot from the six-pounder," said Adair,
putting the boat's head round; "it will teach them that they had better
not follow us." The missile went flying over the water, just ahead of
the canoes. It appeared to have had the desired effect, for some ceased
paddling, and others went back as fast as they could make way towards
the shore; while the pinnace, with the canoe in tow, proceeded down the
harbour.
Night had now come on; the flames, which rose from every portion of the
burning dhow, their glare extending down the river and casting a ruddy
light against the tall trees on either side, enabled them, without
difficulty, to make their way towards the ocean. The cut-throat-looking
Arabs, with their venerable captain, appeared to be very uneasy in their
minds, not knowing what was to be done with them; perhaps supposing that
their captors were carrying them out to sea to drown in deep water.
They were evidently much relieved when, a point some little way down the
river being reached, Adair intimated to them that they were forthwith to
be put on shore. As many as the canoe would hold were tumbled into her,
and they, being quickly landed, she returned for another cargo. The old
skipper was the last. As he gazed at his burning vessel, he wrung his
hands, mourning his hard fate.
"Very hard for you," observed Archie; "but it would have been harder for
the unfortunate blacks you would have carried off into slavery."
During this time the natives, gaining courage, were coming down the
river in vast numbers, beating their tom-toms and shouting and
shrieking. They could be easily beaten off, provided they were not
allowed to get too near; but Adair had no wish to shed blood, and
therefore, having completely destroyed the dhow and got rid of the
prisoners, he stood on down the river. The bar was fortunately as
smooth as when they entered, and running out, the pinnace, with the
captured canoe, was soon in the open sea. The latter was light enough
to take on board should bad weather come on; but, as she would
inconveniently occupy much space, she was allowed, while the sea
remained calm, to tow astern.
"Well, we've done something," said Desmond, as, the boat having got a
good offing, all hands were piped to supper; "only I wish we'd got hold
of that box of gold."
"I very much doubt the existence of the box of gold," said Adair; "the
object of the old Arab was to delay us till his friends could come to
his assistance, and cut our throats. However, if I am right, he acted
his part to admiration."
The pinnace continued her cruise. Happily the weather remained fine,
and no one had to complain of hardship, though all hands would have been
glad to get a run on shore, instead of being cramped up day after day in
the boat. As their water was, however, running short, they at length
stood into a small bay which offered a safe landing-place. The canoe
was found very useful in conveying them on shore, while the pinnace
brought up a short distance from the beach. Several natives came down,
who appeared friendly, and showed Adair and Desmond, who had landed, a
spring of water where the casks could, without difficulty, be filled and
rolled down to the canoe. While four of the men remained in the boat
with Archie, the rest brought the casks on shore, and all went on well.
A supply of water was taken on board, and trifling presents, as an
acknowledgment of the services they had rendered, given to those who
appeared to be the leading men among the natives. Hands were shaken,
and the party embarked.
"We must mark this spot," observed Adair, as they once more made sail;
"the natives appear to be good sort of fellows, and we'll pay them
another visit on our way northward."
The balmy weather which had hitherto prevailed was not to continue. The
south-west monsoon had begun to blow, and the sea got up, washing over
the bows and flying-deck, and giving ample occupation to all hands in
baling out the water as fast as it broke on board. It was impossible to
spread the usual awning drawn over the boat in ordinary rainy weather,
or when at anchor, as it would have been blown away in an instant; and
all that could be done was to keep her jogging on under close-reefed
sails. It was somewhat trying work, as the fire could not be lighted to
cook, and the party had therefore to subsist on raw salt pork and
biscuit, washed down with cold grog. Everyone, of course, was wet to
the skin; but when the sun again burst forth, their clothes were
speedily dried. The boat behaved admirably, rising over the seas like a
duck. Two days the gale lasted, and then the weather again cleared.
"If we get any more downpours, I don't intend to let my clothes get
wet," said Desmond.
"How are you going to prevent that?" asked Archie.
"Why, by stowing them away in the locker and jumping overboard,"
answered Desmond. "It's the wisest plan, depend on it. That's the way
the nigger boatmen manage in the West Indies, and it will answer here
just as well."
"Not if it is blowing hard, as it has just been doing," said Archie.
"No," replied Gerald; "but if it's tolerably calm, we can easily get on
board again when the rain is over."
Adair, who had heard of the plan being adopted by other boats' crews,
had no objection; and the next day, when the clouds again gathered and
sent down a deluge, such as only falls in the tropics, all hands, with
the exception of two, who remained to take care of the boat, stripped
off their clothes and jumped overboard, swimming about and amusing
themselves till the rain was over. They did the same half a dozen times
during the day, whenever a torrent descended from the clouds, and then
again clambering on board, after rubbing themselves over, put on their
dry garments. The only wonder was that no one was carried off by a
shark, but probably, as they were splashing about and making a loud
noise all the time they were in the water, the savage monsters were kept
at a distance.
The weather again permanently cleared up. Several dhows were chased and
overtaken. The first they boarded had, in addition to her brown-skinned
Arab crew, an equal number of black seamen, who were pulling and hauling
and making themselves very busy; while she also had a large party of
black passengers, who sat ranged round the deck mute as statues, dressed
up in Arab costume, each man having with him two or three wives and
several children.
The captain, or "negoda," as he was called by the Arabs, met Adair with
a smiling countenance as he stepped on board, and expressed himself in
choice Arabic as highly delighted to see the English officer.
"Well, my friend, who are all those black fellows there?" asked Adair,
pointing to the negroes, who were jumping about and tumbling over each
other as they ran from side to side.
The negoda or skipper made signs as if hauling on a rope. "Oh, they are
your crew, are they?" said Adair; on which the skipper nodded his head
as if he had really understood the question.
"And who are those ladies and gentlemen seated so comfortably on the
deck?" continued Adair. The skipper signified that they were coming
from some place in the South, and bound to Mozambique or Zanzibar to
join their relatives. He did this by pronouncing the names of those
places, talking away all the time, and transferring a piece of money
from one hand to the other, as if to show that they had paid their
passages.
"Now let me see your papers," said Adair, moving his hand as if holding
a pen and writing. The Arabs being accustomed to signs, the negoda at
once understood him, and produced from a case some documents written in
Arabic characters, which were about as comprehensible to the English
officer as the words which the voluble skipper was pouring forth into
his ear. The papers might be, for what he could tell, bills of sale for
the negroes on board, or directions to the skipper how to avoid the
English boats and cruisers, with the hint, should he find himself strong
enough, to knock every Briton he could fall in with on the head. Adair,
it is true, had his suspicions that all was not right, but how to
ascertain this was the question.
Pango, who knew the true state of the case, was evidently very much
troubled in his mind on the subject; but in vain he tried to explain his
ideas while he sat in the boat, wriggling and twisting his body, and
making such extraordinary grimaces as he tried to get out his words,
that the rest of the crew burst into fits of laughter, which effectually
prevented him from giving the information he possessed.
Had Hamed come in the boat, the case would have been different, and
Adair resolved, if possible, not to go cruising again without the
interpreter.
The skipper had no objection to his examining the vessel, though he
seemed highly pleased on seeing his visitors about to take their
departure. He and several of his crew shook them warmly by the hands,
and showed an especial eagerness to assist them into the boat.
As the dhow stood away to the northward, both Gerald and Archie declared
that they heard shouts of laughter proceeding from her; but Adair was of
opinion that the Arabs were not wont to indulge in such exhibitions of
hilarity, though he had very strong suspicions that he had been
humbugged.
The southern limits he had designed for the cruise having been reached,
Adair put the boat's head to the northward, intending, as before, to
search all the inlets and creeks; for although no birds had been
entrapped on their previous visit, some might be caught on a second. He
was half inclined to suppose that the slave-trade could not be carried
on to the extent which was reported, for so many of the dhows boarded
had no slaves or fittings for the reception of slaves, while others were
carrying only black passengers, seized with the desire apparently to see
the world. Adair was sorely puzzled. "I wish we had brought Hamed with
us," he repeated for the twentieth time; "he would have cleared up the
difficulty, and enabled us to obtain more information than we are likely
now to pick up."
As they were again in want of water, by the time they came off the
pretty little village where they had before been received in so friendly
a manner, he determined to pay it another visit. The pinnace was
accordingly steered into the bay, and anchored a short distance from the
shore. Adair and Desmond landed in the canoe, accompanied by two men
and as many breakers as she could carry. While the two men paddled back
for more, he and his nephew walked up to the village. The
primitive-looking palm-leaved thatched huts were picturesquely situated
an eighth of a mile or so from the beach, under the shade of a grove of
lofty cocoanut-trees. The chief man, with a party of his followers,
came out to meet them, and invited them into the principal hut, used
apparently as a guest-house. The chief made signs that the women were
preparing food, and begged their guests to rest till it was ready.
Adair was inclined to accept the invitation.
"There seem to be a good many of the fellows collected, considering the
size of the village, and I see that they are all armed," observed
Desmond; "the chief, too, is evidently mighty eager for us to go into
the hut. They may be very honest, but they may mean mischief."
"I am inclined to agree with you," answered Adair; "we must be on our
guard, at all events, though I don't suppose they will venture to commit
any act of violence."
He, accordingly, when the chief again pressed him to enter the hut, made
signs that he was in a hurry, and could not accept his hospitality. He
and Desmond, however, stood talking, or rather exchanging pantomimic
gestures with the chief for some time, while the men were engaged in
filling the casks and carrying them back to the boat. Desmond, who had
returned a short distance towards the shore, to a spot whence he saw
that the canoe was shoving off with her last cargo, on turning back to
tell his uncle, what was his dismay to see a dozen savages throw
themselves upon him, and, seizing his arms, hold him in a way which
prevented him from offering the slightest resistance! Desmond, who had
on his sword, as well as a rifle in his hand, was rushing back to render
what help he could, regardless of the danger he ran, when another party
of the natives, concealed behind the trees, suddenly sprang out upon
him; and before he saw them, they had seized him and thrown him down on
the ground. He struggled to free himself, as every Irishman would do,
especially an Irish midshipman, but in vain. Some seized his legs, and
others his arms, while one of the party threw a piece of cloth round his
mouth to prevent him from crying out. He managed to get that off,
however, and shouted at the top of his voice, in the hopes that the men
in the canoe would hear him. Finding that all attempts to escape were
hopeless, he submitted with as good a grace as he could, and was placed
by his captors on his feet Adair was, in the meantime, trying to make
the chief say why he had committed the outrage, and threatening him with
the vengeance of Her Majesty's fleet in those seas if he and the
midshipman were not immediately released. The chief might possibly not
have understood a word he said. At all events, he was not moved by his
threats.
"Now, you scoundrel, what do you intend to do with us?" asked Adair.
The chief seemed to understand the question, possibly from the tone in
which it was put, and, pointing his musket first towards him, and then
at Desmond, gave him to understand, by a sign not to be mistaken, that
he intended to shoot them both. Things were now, indeed, becoming
serious. They were just out of sight of the boat, and it was a question
whether the men in the canoe had heard Desmond's shouts. If not,
probably more of the men would come on shore to look for them, and would
to a certainty be made prisoners, and in all likelihood murdered.
"What is to be done?" asked Desmond. "I'll give another shout, even
though the rascals may gag me for doing so."
After remaining perfectly quiet and apparently resigned to his fate,
raising his voice to the highest pitch, he shouted out, "Help! help!"
He had only time to utter these words, when a big negro standing near
him clapped his hand before his mouth, and effectually prevented him
from uttering another sound.
"Never fear, Desmond," said Adair; "I think they must have heard that
shout, and Gordon will to a certainty suspect what has happened to us."
While a number of negroes collected round their captives, regarding them
with savage looks, the chief and some of his principal men assembled to
hold a consultation as to what was to be done with them. An immense
amount of jabbering took place, and Desmond, who was closest to the
circle of councillors, looked anxiously at their countenances to
ascertain, if possible, what decision was likely to be arrived at. He
gazed in vain--nothing could he learn from the expression of the hideous
faces of those who might at any moment determine to shoot him and his
uncle.
"It's all owing to not having Hamed with us," sighed Adair; "or even had
we brought Pango on shore, he would probably have suspected the old
rascal of a chief, and warned us in time; but cheer up, Desmond, I don't
think the black villains will dare to kill us. I'll try and make them
understand that if they do, a terrible vengeance will be wreaked on
their heads."
"That won't help us out of the scrape, I'm afraid," said Desmond; "but
they are getting on their feet, and I suppose we shall soon know."
In a short time the chief and his advisers, having come to a resolution
what to do, approached their prisoners, and, with very little ceremony,
seizing them by their collars, two on each side of them, dragged them
along towards the beach till they reached a couple of trees, whence the
boat was clearly visible. The canoe had returned on board, and Adair
observed that the men had got out their arms and were pulling her in
towards the shore, while Jerry Bird, who acted as gunner, was standing
on the forecastle, busy apparently in loading the gun mounted on it; the
greater portion of which was, however, covered up with a piece of
tarpaulin, so that the natives might not discover what was there. The
rest of the crew not pulling had their muskets in their hands ready for
use. All this was seen at a glance.
Directly they arrived at the two trees, the savages without further
ceremony bound Adair to one, and Desmond to the other, facing the boat;
while the chief and several of his followers, who were armed with
muskets, levelled them at their heads.
"By my faith, we're in an unpleasant position," exclaimed Desmond.
"Sure the fellows can't be after blowing our brains out."
"They most certainly will, if Archie ventures to open fire on them; but
I don't think he'll do that while we're alive," answered Adair. "Had
Hamed been with us, we could have learned what they want. As it is, I'm
afraid that there is as little hope of our understanding them as there
is of their making out what we say. However, I'll try." Though Adair
was lashed to the tree, his arms were left at liberty, and beckoning to
the chief, he tried to make him signify what it was he wanted. At
length he seemed to understand Adair's question, and, going through the
action of rolling a cask down the beach, he put on an angry look, and
then, holding his musket and a piece of cloth in his hand, he showed
that he wanted those articles in payment for the water carried off.
"The rascal!" exclaimed Adair; "however, it's better to pay them than
run the risk of being shot," and, shouting to Archie, he directed him to
send two of his men on shore with the articles demanded, there
fortunately being still a supply of cloth on board, which had been
brought for bartering with the natives.
"Let the small-armed men cover the men while they are landing," he again
shouted, "and let them leave the things on the beach, and take good care
that the natives don't seize them."
Archie heard the order, and soon afterwards the canoe came towards the
beach, bringing an old musket and a few yards of calico.
The chief, eager to possess himself of the treasures, hurried down to
the water, while the men in the canoe, as directed, paddled back to the
boat. When the chief had got possession of them, he, like Pharaoh,
hardened his heart, and refused to liberate his captives, insisting on
having a further ransom. Adair was very much inclined to refuse, and
shook his head to show that he would pay no more. On this the chief
levelled his musket, with significant gesture's, showing that he
intended to persist in his demand.
"We must yield to the fellow," said Adair; "it would be folly to run the
risk of being shot for the sake of maintaining our dignity."
"I don't think that musket would be after shooting us," observed
Desmond, with perfect calmness.
"Why so?" asked Adair.
"Because it happens not to have a lock," answered Gerald; "and, as far
as I can see, it is the best of the lot."
"So far that is satisfactory," said Adair; "as the fellows can't injure
those in the boat; but, notwithstanding that, they may give us club-law
or run their daggers into us, so it won't do to try them too much."
Adair asked the chief what he wanted in addition to the things he had
received, but he could not make out the meaning of the old fellow's
reply. He therefore directed Archie to send some large rings and beads,
and a few other articles used to trade with the natives. On these being
received the chief seemed tolerably well satisfied, and ordered his men
to release the prisoners, putting out his hand as if he had acted in no
extraordinary manner, and wished to part good friends. Adair, not to be
outdone, shook his hand, and, taking him by the arm, walked with him
slowly down towards the beach.
"Stick close to his other side, Desmond," he said. "I'm going to play
the old fellow a trick he little thinks of."
The chief seemed to have no suspicions of Adair's design, and was
evidently anxious to do away with the effect his conduct had produced.
When they had got about half-way to the beach, however, on finding
himself at some distance from his followers, he stopped, when Adair,
suddenly pulling out a pistol from his pocket, which the natives had not
discovered, held it to the old fellow's head, and made him understand
that he would shoot him through the brain if he refused to come on to
the canoe, or if any of his people approached to his assistance.
Archie, seeing what had occurred, had sent in the canoe, which had just
reached the beach with a couple of hands. He had likewise brought the
gun to bear on the mass of natives, who stood very much astonished at
the sudden change of circumstances. Some way from the water, the old
chief, fully believing that the English officer would put his threat
into execution, sang out to his followers to keep quiet, and not to
attempt to rescue him.
"Come along, old fellow, come along," cried Desmond, hauling away at the
arm of the reluctant chief, who had, by the bye, fastened Adair's
sword-belt round his waist. The old man, who exhibited but little
heroism on the occasion, trembling in every limb, turned an imploring
glance at the lieutenant, to entreat him not to pull the fatal trigger.
"Now, Desmond," cried Adair, "trip him up by the heels as soon as we get
to the canoe, and we'll give him a lesson neither he nor his followers
will forget in a hurry."
The two men in the canoe, guessing what their officers intended, kept
her afloat; and Adair and Desmond with a sudden jerk running the old
chief into the water, the latter tripped up his heels, and, before he
knew where he was, he was hauled on board and stowed away in the bottom.
"Shove off," cried Adair, as he and Desmond sprang into the stern; and
the next instant they were paddling away in the canoe, before even the
natives on shore had clearly comprehended that their chief was being
spirited off. He groaned and shrieked, without exciting the slightest
compassion, and was soon lifted crop and heels on board the boat.
Archie had already begun to weigh anchor; the sails were hoisted, and
the wind being off-shore, the boat stood out to the offing, leaving the
natives lost in wonder as to what had become of their chief.
"Thank you, Gordon; you behaved admirably under the circumstances," said
Adair.
"I am glad of your good opinion, sir," answered Archie; "but, if you
will allow me to say so, I think you and Desmond acted still more
admirably."
The crew, of course, were loud in their expressions of admiration at
their officers' conduct.
"Now we've got him, what are we to do with him?" asked Desmond.
"Treat him well, and send him back a wiser if not a better man than he
was," answered Adair. "We'll carry him with us on board the _Opal_ as a
proof of the transaction, and perhaps, after a few months' stay on
board, he will have learned better manners."
The old chief, however, did not seem at all to approve of the change of
his circumstances, and at first it was thought that he was going to give
it up as a hopeless case, and die of vexation. Jerry Bird, however,
patted him on the back. "Don't take on, old fellow, in this fashion,"
he said, in a consoling voice; "you thought you were going to play the
lieutenant a trick, and, like many a better man, you found you caught a
Tartar. What's the odds? we'll give you as much pork and biscuit as you
can eat, and a glass of grog to cheer you up, and you'll come all right
by and by."
Whether it was the words of this address, or the tone in which it was
uttered, need not be discussed; but it seemed to have the effect of
bringing the old chief round, and when a basin of "kettler" was served
out to him, he did not inquire what were the ingredients, but gobbled it
up with evident gusto. He smacked his lips, also, after tasting the
pannikin of grog which Jerry offered him, and though he put it down
again once or twice, as if doubting about the matter, he finally drained
it to the dregs.
"I thought as how you'd like it," said Jerry, patting him on the back;
"you shall have another presently, and you won't have to say that we
treated you with scant hospitality. That ain't our way aboard ship."
Adair, however, interfered, and prevented the men from giving the old
chief as much liquor as they were ready to bestow on him, lest he might
get drunk, and take it into his head to run a-muck or jump overboard.
He had taken enough, however, to send him fast asleep in the bottom of
the boat, where he lay, as Jerry observed, "like a porpus in a gale of
wind."