Disappearance of five of the Mutineers--They come back again--One
turns Blacksmith and Armourer--Marriage of Zolca--The Rebellion.
I am now approaching the tragedy which has since often troubled my
conscience. Was it justice or murder? I cannot say; then I thought it
was justice, but now, looking back, I see that if by chance I misjudged,
if I did not sufficiently allow for the pressure of circumstances, and
the mad infatuation of the man, it was murder!
It wanted but a week to the captain’s departure, when five of the
mutineers disappeared. Naturally we thought they had taken to the bush,
intending to remain hidden until Hoogstraaten left, not relishing the
prospect of risking their necks at Batavia. These five men were the
worst and most unruly of the lot, and I by no means wished them to be
left behind to corrupt the people with their vices. I therefore helped
all I could, in the search we made for them, but without avail. Not a
trace could we find, and at last we had to give it up, trusting that
the Papoos would account for them.
It was with great regret that we parted with the captain. He told me
that, after the benefits and assistance he had received, he would so
word his report that we were not likely to be disturbed. He could
truthfully affirm that our valley was but an oasis in the midst of a
desert. As for the gold, the secret would never be divulged by him. He
also promised that, if put in charge of another ship, he would visit us
again. We went to the headland and waved him a last farewell as his
little craft shot out to sea before the steady trade-wind.
Paul had shown no anxiety to leave; so I began to think that his last
narrow escape had sickened him.
We returned to the town, and Zolca and I were discussing our late
visitor, when Namoa came with the astounding intelligence that the five
missing men were in the town, and, in fact, had never left it. They had
been concealed in Paul’s house all the time.
When accused of this Paul admitted it, but defended himself by saying:
that he was not going to see countrymen and fellow-sailors taken away
to be hanged; that Hoogstraaten was a man who never forgave, and that
these five men were marked men who would assuredly have suffered
although the others might escape with lesser punishment.
All this was exceedingly plausible, and there being no remedy for it, we
had to accept it. I told Paul to bring the men up, and I would speak to
them. They assembled, and a truculent-looking crowd they were, although
they tried to look their best.
I told them plainly that they did not bring good recommendations with
them, but as they had thrown themselves on our hands, we would treat
them according to their behaviour. I reminded them that they were
entirely at our mercy, and at a word from Zolca or myself, they would be
riddled with arrows and lances.
They remained silent for a time, then one of them stepped forward as
spokesman.
“We intend to behave ourselves, Captain,” he said, “and will obey
orders, and work for our food.”
This was a blunt, sailor-like speech that pleased me more than a more
elaborate one would have done. I told them that some of the natives
would help them to build a house, and that I thought they would be of
some assistance fishing.
Matters soon resumed their usual course, although we now saw but little
of Paul, the sailors proving more congenial company for him. As I had
suggested, they turned their attention to the fishing and seemed
contented enough. I was apprehensive that some conspiracy would be
hatched, but for a long time I saw no cause to suspect anything. Three
of the men were stolid, ignorant fellows, who could be led for bad or
for good by more astute minds. Of the other two I had grave suspicions;
they were sly and cunning, and would never look a man straight in the
eyes. One was a little, active fellow, named Berghen, the other, a
great, gross, hulking giant, called Wegelhoe. They were fast friends,
and as ruffians, just about equal. As for Paul, I now knew his character
well. Swayed by any stronger mind, he was ready to lend the cleverness
he undoubtedly possessed, to the first schemer who gained the ascendency
over him. I dreaded the influence of these two, and with reason.
Berghen came to me one day and said:
“Captain Diedrich”--which was the title they gave me--“have we your
permission to go up north to where the _Selwaert_ was wrecked, and bring
the rest of the wood and iron down here, and anything else we can find
that may be useful?”
“Do you propose going by land or sea?” I asked.
“By sea, Herr Captain; with the wind that now blows from morning till
night we can sail either north or south.”
“You can go,” I said, “but Wegelhoe and another man must stay behind as
surety, for you know well I cannot yet trust you!”
I saw a sly smile steal over Berghen’s face, which he instantly
repressed.
“You can keep any two of us you like, Captain. We have promised to obey
orders and behave ourselves. Have we not done so?”
“I have no fault to find,” I returned; “but for what purpose do you want
to recover the wood and iron?”
“There are many things which will be useful in the settlement. I have
worked at several trades, and can work in iron.”
I believed him so far, but did not credit that it was for the benefit of
the settlement they desired to go north. However, it mattered little
now. If they intended to try and escape, Batavia was the only port they
could make for, and by this time, or long before, Hoogstraaten would
have arrived there, and their reception would be anything but friendly.
To make matters certain, however, I assured Berghen that, in case of any
treachery, the two hostages would straightway be executed.
Wegelhoe, who was of an indolent disposition like many big men, made no
objection to remaining as hostage, and the party, led by Paul, departed
in two of the largest boats we had taken from the Mongols. By Zolca’s
permission some of the male relations of Paul accompanied him.
My fears apparently were unfounded. Zolca and I visited the place
several times in one of the boats and always found them steadily at
work. Berghen was evidently a man who, if he had been possessed of good
principles, would have made his way in the world, for he was decidedly a
born organizer. They had formed a camp on shore, and worked a certain
time each day, and I could see that Zolca was much struck by the order
and method that prevailed.
“If we come to a fight, Diedrich,” he said, “we must kill that man
first.”
Instinctively he recognized the master-spirit for evil amongst the men.
In due time nearly all the remains of the wreck were brought down to our
bay, and stacked in safety. I had dreaded the discovery of wine or
spirits about the vicinity, but Hoogstraaten had taken all provisions
away that had been preserved.
Berghen now had a forge erected, having manufactured a rude pair of
bellows, and it was pleasant to hear the ring of his hammer, as he
turned out rough, but well-tempered swords, knives, &c.
The wet and stormy season came on again and passed. Everybody seemed
contented and at peace. The natives never tired of watching Berghen at
work, and some of them quickly learnt the rudiments of the art. I had
grown more familiar with the man, and lost much of my dislike to him.
“Captain,” he said to me one day, “have you looked well for minerals
about here? I should say that both copper and iron exist.”
I had to confess that I was not skilled in recognizing the ores of these
metals, and he then asked to be allowed a party to make search for them.
As Paul had, of course, told them of the presence of the gold, it
mattered little whether Berghen found the place or not, so I gave my
consent, or rather obtained Zolca’s, for I left the control of the
Quadrucos entirely with him. Berghen was out for many weeks, two or
three days at a time, then one day he announced his success. He had
found both iron and copper, and showed me the stones he had brought in.
One was sheeny and bright, with many colours, another was of a crumbly
nature with dark green patches over it, these were samples of copper
ore; the third was heavy and dark, and had a metallic ring when struck,
this was iron.
Berghen then said that he knew how to construct rude smelting works,
with which he could extract the metal from the ore, if I would give him
a party of men to assist him, and to carry in a sufficient quantity of
ore.
Suddenly a thought struck me, and I asked, if, during his search for
the metal, he had come across the gold mine. A moment’s hesitation
confirmed me in the thought that he had, and meant to keep it secret
from me. Then he answered boldly, “Yes,” he had.
I asked him what he thought of it, seeing that he had had experience in
other countries.
He replied that there was gold there still, no doubt, but that whatever
nation had worked the mine formerly had probably taken the best of the
gold away. This was my idea, too, and after some further conversation I
told him that I would ask Zolca to let him have the men he required.
My suspicions, never quite lulled, had been again roused by the man’s
hesitation in replying to me about the discovery of the gold; but how
was I, with my short experience of the world, and Zolca, with his simple
nature, to suspect the hellish plot that was ripening in secret.
Zolca was about to be married, and a great ceremony was to be held in
honour of the occasion. The preparations for this, and the building of a
new house for Azolta and myself, engaged all our attention.
Zolca was married, with such pomp and show as we could muster, to one of
Namoa’s daughters--thought by many to be the fairest girl amongst the
Quadrucos. All the sailors attended and had places of honour, although I
noticed that but for the presence of Berghen, and the mysterious
authority that he exercised, some of them would have been rather too
free in their manner. It was wonderful how that scoundrel Berghen kept
his plans quiet and curbed the tongues of his men. I heard afterwards
that he had been in his youth an officer in the army of Saxony, and had
been sentenced to execution for treachery, but had managed to escape.
All the time he was with me he acted the part of the rough sailor.
It was not until another stormy season had passed that the conspirators
threw off the mask and suddenly overwhelmed us with misfortune. Two
years had elapsed since Hoogstraaten left, and I was now the father of
two children, a little girl with Azolta’s eyes having come to us.
The outburst was planned by a master hand. One night I was rudely
awakened to find myself in the grasp of the giant Wegelhoe and another
of the sailors. I had no time or opportunity for resistance, in an
instant I was bound and forced outside. Here I found lights and fires
burning, and men hurrying about. To my astonishment I saw that the
sailors, including some of the Quadrucos, now wore light breast-plates
and back-pieces, also light iron caps, roughly made but quite sufficient
to turn the point of an arrow. Berghen was standing at one of the fires,
apparently in command. Zolca, Namoa, and others, in a like plight as
myself, were there. As I was brought up Berghen addressed me, but
without any insolence:
“Sorry to have to put such an indignity on you, Captain, but necessity
knows no law. Now will you, like a man of sense and wisdom, appeal to
King Zolca to tell his people that if they show fight, it will mean the
instant death of you and him and all the rest.”
I spoke to Zolca and told him what to do, adding as a bright thought
flashed across me:
“Tell them to slip away and hide their weapons.”
Berghen now gave one of the men orders to bring up Azolta and Zolca’s
bride. The man went and presently came back saying that they were not to
be found. Berghen turned in fury on Wegelhoe. “You fat knave, did I not
tell you that they were to be securely confined in a room and a guard
set over them?”
The giant drew his hand across his heavy forehead. “Himmel! Captain”
(Berghen had assumed that rank), “did not you tell me expressly that I
must not interfere with the women?”
“Bah! I meant here,” and he waved his hand over the town. “I gave you
strict orders about the ladies,” he said, glancing at me, “that they
were to be treated with every respect, but to be closely guarded; but
your fat brains will not hold two ideas at once!”
Wegelhoe lifted his cap and scratched his head as though to stir his
brains up, but he remained silent under the rebuke. Berghen had become
the officer once more, and they all felt it. He meditated for an
instant; then addressed me again.
“Captain Diedrich, I am about to release one of these men, and send him
round with some of my company to collect the bows and arrows from your
people. Which one has the most authority?”
I intimated that Namoa was next in authority to King Zolca.
“Tell him that if he attempts to escape the king’s life is forfeited.”
I told Namoa what he was expected to do, and advised him to tell the
people to give up any spare or old weapons they had, in order to avoid
suspicion. As Paul was not present, shame keeping him somewhere in the
background, I was able to talk freely in the native tongue.
Namoa was released and departed with two of the sailors and some of the
disloyal natives. Berghen called after them to stay, he then told me
that the Quadrucos could keep their short swords, an act of grace,
which, after all, was only an empty condescension; for, as I soon found
out, they were armed with long pikes, against which our short swords
were vain weapons.