_ CHAPTER FIFTEEN.
The trio rested at the top of the peak for a couple of hours, and then started back, the doctor taking the lead again so as to vary the way of descent, and gain an acquaintance with as much of the island as was possible.
This had the effect of lengthening out the journey, for there were many detours to be made to avoid dense jungly patches through which they would have had to clear their way; so that it was getting on towards evening when, after descending slope after slope and dodging, as Carey termed it, through little maze-like valleys, they came in sight of the waving cocoanut palms beneath them, and finally passed through to reach the sands.
They were still some distance from the landing place where the raft lay, and the sand was hot, loose, and painful to walk upon; but at last the rocky natural pier was reached, the raft cut loose, and, there being a pleasant evening breeze sufficient to ripple the water, they sailed steadily across.
"Might get a fish or two for supper easy to-night, sir," said Bostock. "I've got a line, sir. Shall I try?"
"No, we've done enough to-day," replied the doctor. "Let's be satisfied with what we've done and the provisions we have on board."
"Right, sir," said Bostock. "There is plenty of pickled fish."
"I feel more like a cup of tea than anything," replied the doctor. "It was a thirsty climb. Better take out the cartridges from your gun, Carey."
"Mind taking mine out too, Master Carey?" said Bostock, who was steering.
"All right," said Carey, following the doctor's example and returning the little charges to the ammunition bag. "I say, we shall only just get aboard before dark."
"We ought to have been half-an-hour sooner," observed the doctor, and five minutes or so later the raft rubbed with a grinding sound against the side, where it was made fast to a ring bolt by their hanging ladder.
The doctor ascended first to the darkened deck, for the night had fallen very rapidly during the last few minutes. Carey followed him, and leaned down before he reached the top of the ladder for the guns, which he took from Bostock's hands and passed up to the doctor.
The satchels and bucket of treasures they had found followed, and then Carey finished his ascent to the lofty deck.
"Look sharp, Bob," he said, "and let's have some supper at once."
"Supper it is, sir, in a brace of jiffies," replied the old sailor, as he stepped on deck, and he was in the act of turning to his left to go below to the galley, when he stopped short and uttered a warning cry.
"The guns--the guns!" he yelled.
Too late. There was a rush of bare feet on the soft deck, and through the gloom Carey was just able to make out that they were surrounded by a party of blacks, each poising a spear ready to throw and holding in his other hand either a knobkerry or a boomerang.
"Go mumkull white fellow; baal, lie down, quiet, still!"
This was said in a fierce voice by one of the savage-looking fellows, and Carey mastered the desire to bound away and take refuge below.
"Who are you? What do you want?" cried the doctor.
"Go mumkull white fellow; baal, lie down, quiet, still!"
"Says they're going to kill us all if we don't lie down and be quiet," growled the old sailor; then aloud to the blacks, "Here, what do you want--'bacco--sugar? Give plenty. Black fellow go."
"Want 'bacco, sugar, take white fellow old ship," cried the black who had first spoken.
"Take our old ship, will you?" said Bostock. "I think not, my lad. There, put down spear, mulla-mulla. We'll give you sugar, 'bacco."
The man laughed, and his companions too.
"Where boat?" said Bostock, speaking as if he thought the savages must be deaf, and the spokesman pointed over the other side of the vessel.
"It's all right, sir," said Bostock. "Nothing to mind; they're a party who've come in contact with English folk before, and they must have seen the ship. It only means giving them a bit of 'bacco and sugar and sending 'em away again. Don't look afraid of 'em. Better give 'em what they want and let 'em go. They wander about, so we may never see 'em again."
"Very well; fetch up some tobacco and sugar and give them," said the doctor; but at the first step Bostock took half the men rushed at and seized him, making his companions snatch at their guns, but only to have them wrested away, the blacks cocking them and drawing the triggers so as to fire them off if loaded, with a sharp _click, click_, as the hammers fell.
"That's bad, sir," said Bostock, in his sourest growl. "It means fighting, and we aren't got no tools."
"It is horrible to be taken by surprise like this," replied the doctor; "but it only means giving them presents; they were afraid we meant to shoot them."
"Mumkull white fellow, baal, lie still," cried the principal man, fiercely.
"All right, you dirty thick-headed black rough 'un," growled Bostock. "Now then, what do you want? Give it a name. Tobacco or sugar, isn't it, or both?"
"What's that?" said Carey, quickly, for the sharp sound of a match being struck in one of the cabins came up. "There's someone down below, getting a light."
The attention of the blacks was taken too, and they stood as if listening, till there was the sudden glow of a lamp seen in the cabin entry, and directly after a fierce-looking ruddy-brown visage appeared, the swollen-veined, blood-shot eyes looking wild, strange, and horrible as the light the man carried struck full upon it and made the great ragged beard glisten.
Carey stared at him in wonder, taking in at a glance his rough half-sailor-like shirt and trousers and heavy fisherman's boots. He noted, too, that the man wore a belt with holsters which evidently contained small revolvers.
The question was on his lips, "Who are you?" with its following, "What are you doing there?"
But the words were taken out of his lips by the doctor, who asked the questions angrily.
"Eh?" came in a hoarse, raucous voice, as the man rolled forward, with the lamp, till he was near enough to hold it close to the doctor's face, and then to those of the others.
"Only three on 'em, then. Don't let 'em go, my sonnies. Now then, you, what do you say? What am I doing here? What are you doing--what do you want aboard my ship?"
"Your ship, you bullying, drunken ruffian!" cried the doctor, in a rage. "You've been down in the cabin helping yourself to the spirits, or you would not dare to speak to me like this."
"Well! You do talk," cried the man, with a hoarse laugh. "Yes, I've had a drop I found down there. Thirsty, my lad, thirsty."
"Did you bring these black scoundrels aboard?" cried the doctor, who was beside himself with rage.
"Sartain I did; they're my crew, and I'm their master, and I've only got to say the word and over you go to the sharks. Eh, sonny? Sharks, eh?"
"Sharkum, sharkum!" cried the man who seemed to be the leader, and he caught hold of the doctor, his example being followed by his fellows; but in an instant he was sent staggering back, and Bostock's assailant met with similar treatment, while Carey struck out, but with very little effect, save that he hurt his knuckles against the grinning teeth of the black who seized him.
"Hold hard, my sonnies; not yet. Let's see how they behave themselves. Stand back."
It was evident that the great coarse-looking ruffian had perfect command over the party of black fellows, who shrank back at a word, and waited with glistening eyes, their faces shining in the lamplight.
"There," said the man, "you see; so don't be sarcy. I let you off this time, because you didn't know; only if there's any more of it I says the word, and over the side you go. Now then, who are you?"
"I am the medical officer of this stranded vessel, the _Chusan_, upon which you have trespassed; and I hold her in charge for the company of owners until they send a relief expedition to reclaim or salvage her."
"That all?" said the man, with a hoarse laugh. "That for you, then, and all you say," and he snapped his fingers in the doctor's face. "Now, look here, my fine fellow, I'm Dan Mallam, Beachcomber [see note], as they call me, King o' the Pearl Islands, dealer and merchant in copra, pearl shells, and pearls. These are my reefs and islands. This is my estate, and all flotsam and jetsam as is washed ashore is mine. Do you hear me?--mine, to do as I likes with. This steamer's come ashore on my land, and my black lads, as has been out shelling and collecting nuts, saw it come and tell me, who have come over to see what the sea has washed me up this time, for I've been getting short o' odds and ends, and the rum was getting low. There was the steamer, empty and cast away, and I've took possession, when you come and begin bullying and pretending you've got a claim on her."
"Claim on her, you scoundrelly pirate!" cried the doctor. "Why, men have been transported for life for what you are attempting to do."
The man scowled at the word transportation, and his right hand went to one of the holsters, whose flap he pressed over the stud so as to lay bare the butt of the pistol within. This he drew out and cocked.
"I just warn you to be civil, my fine fellow," he said. "I've only to say a word to my black fellows, and, in spite of your kicking, over you'd go into water that swarms with sharks; but when a man insults me, Dan Mallam, King o' the Pearl Islands, my temper gets warm, and I show my boys what a shot I am. Do you hear?"
The pistol clicked, and sent a shudder through Carey, who started at the ominous sound and looked wildly round for the guns, in the mad idea that he might be able to catch one up, load it, and fire in defence of the man towards whom he felt as if he were an elder brother. But the guns were all in the hands of the blacks, and others had possession of the satchels containing the cartridges.
Second thoughts convinced him that such an attempt could only result in the ruffian carrying out one of his threats, for he was beyond the reach of the law, if he were, as he said, a dweller in some neighbouring island, ruling probably over a little tribe of blacks.
What was to be done?
Just then the doctor spoke.
"Look here," he said, "I do not wish to insult you, but I am not going to give up to a man who is acting as you are. I tell you once more, I hold this vessel in my charge, and I am prepared to defend it on behalf of the owners."
"How?" said their visitor, with a mocking laugh.
"Never mind how," replied the doctor, more calmly. "I am not to be frightened by empty threats. We are not so far from civilisation that you dare injure me and my companions. The news would be carried to Brisbane, Adelaide, or Sydney, and one of her Majesty's war ships on the station would soon be here to call you to account."
"How'd they get the noos?" said the man, mockingly.
"In the same way that you did: the blacks would hear it."
"Let 'em," said the man, fiercely. "A black fellow's life aren't worth much, but they think too much of it to care about chucking it away."
"The report would certainly reach headquarters, and, like the black fellows, sir, you care too much for your life to care about chucking it away, as you call it. Now, look here, I am not frightened by your threats, neither do I want to quarrel."
"Same here, sonny, so let's forget what's passed and be friends," said the man, replacing his little revolver.
"Hear me out first," said the doctor. "I am in command here, and I mean to retain it, but I do not wish to be grasping or unfair to an Englishman in want of necessaries out in this wild place. I will let you have what things you require in the morning."
"Thankye," said the man, drily. "Now then, we've only just got here after a long paddling against the currents, and the wind against us. I want something to eat, and my boys are pretty sharp set. Where do you keep your prog?"
"Call the men off, and tell them to camp down forward on the deck," said the doctor. "They can have a sail for tent, and they shall have such rations as we have ready. You would like a cabin, I suppose?"
"Well, rather," said the man, with a peculiar smile.
"We shall have a kind of supper ready soon; so call off your men at once."
"All right; only no games."
"Treachery?" said the doctor; "I had no thought of anything of the kind."
"Here, Black Jack, let go, and take the boys forward. No mumkull, baal, spear, baal, nulla-nulla. Plenty much eat soon. Get out."
The man grunted, said a few words to his fellows, and they all trooped forward and squatted on the deck.
"Beg pardon, sir," growled Bostock; "give 'em some 'bacco; there's plenty."
"All right," said their leader; "give 'em plenty of 'bacco. That'll keep 'em quiet for the night. Only I say, just a word of advice. Don't try to play no tricks, for they're about as nasty as a bag o' snakes. Rile 'em or rile me, and they'll bite. If they bite they kill, and if they kill you three there'll be no work got out of 'em for a week. Understand?"
"No," said the doctor, quietly.
"Then I'll tell you: they'll take you ashore, and make a fire, and cook you."
"Ha, ha, ha!" laughed Carey, derisively.
The next moment the man's hand closed tight upon the boy's shoulder, holding him fast.
"You don't believe it, eh?"
"No," said Carey, boldly; "not a word of it, and don't grip my shoulder like that--it hurts."
"Meant it to, puppy," growled the man, menacingly. "D'ye hear? Cook you and eat you, and they'll begin on you, because you're young and tender; and they'll go on eating you till they're as dizzy as drunken men. Then they'll go to sleep, and wake up again, and go on cooking and eating till they can't see, and keep on till they've finished you all."
"Find me pretty tough," growled Bostock.
"Not they," cried the man. "You'd be tender by the time they got to you. They don't mind how long it is first. Don't believe it, eh?"
"No," said Carey, setting his teeth hard to master the pain he felt. "It's a silly story about cannibalism to frighten me."
"Think so?" said the man. "All right. Here, Black Jack!" he roared.
The leading black snatched up spear and club and bounded to the speaker with wonderful alacrity, his eyes flashing, and he looked from one to the other as if expecting orders to slay.
"Ask him," growled his leader.
Carey was turning faint with pain, and the doctor saw it and stepped forward.
"Take hold of his arm," he said to their captor; "the boy has had his collar-bone broken."
As he spoke he removed the great coarse hand to the boy's fore-arm, and Carey uttered a sigh of relief. Then, turning to the fierce-looking savage, he said quickly, "Here, you blackie."
"Not Blackie; Black Jack."
"Well, Black Jack, what do you do with your prisoners?"
The fierce look died into a broad grin, and he showed his white teeth.
"Make fire; eatum," he said, promptly. "Make big feast."
"Go back!" growled the so-called king.
"No. Mumkull; kill, eatum."
"Not now. Be off."
The black darted back to his companions, and the beachcomber turned to Carey.
"Want some more proof?" he said.
Carey was silent.
"Here, you," said the man, turning to Bostock. "Been in these parts before?"
"Lots o' times," said the old sailor.
"Tell him, then."
"Is it true, Bob?"
"Yes, my lad, it's true enough," said Bostock. "They eat their prisoners, their old folks, and the babies and wives, too, when starvation times come."
"What, do you mean to tell me that such things go on out here in Australia and the islands--now?"
"It's true enough, Carey," said the doctor, gravely. "I've seen the bones at one of their camps after a feast."
The beachcomber laughed hoarsely.
"Now you know what you've got to expect, youngster; so behave yourself," he said. "Now, doctor, you know. Be civil, and I daresay we shall be very good friends; be nasty, and I shan't keep my black pack quiet, but let 'em do as they like. Hi! Black Jack!"
The savage bounded once more to his side.
"See that the canoe and boat are fast, and then you shall have a feast."
"All fast. Tie rope," said the black, pointing to the farther side of the steamer deck. Then, to Carey's horror, he made a peculiar gesture and pointed at him.
"No. Salt beef. 'Bacco," growled his leader, and the man once more bounded away.
"Come below," continued the man, hoarsely, "and get those brutes something to keep 'em quiet; and I want a big drink. You three go first."
Carey glanced at the doctor and then at Bostock, both of whom avoided his eye and went to the cabin entrance, leaving the boy to follow, feeling half-stunned and wondering whether they ought not to make some effort to drive the intruders overboard.
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Note: Beachcomber. A white man who settles down in one of the South Sea Islands and lives by trading with the natives for copra--the dried kernels of cocoanuts--pearl shells, and the sea slug _Beche de mer_; often living by wrecking, kidnapping the natives, or any nefarious scheme. Many of them have been drunken, unprincipled scoundrels, their ranks in the old days having been recruited from the convicts escaped from Botany Bay or Norfolk Island. _