CHAPTER XIII.
ADONIS ON A NEW TACK.
Ordinarily it took considerable to surprise Jerome Wellington--hehad such good control over his nervous system that he could take ina philosophical manner much that might have rattled a less collectedcustomer.
In plainer words he had studied the art of appearing cool under allconditions.
As an adventurer with an enviable record for successful achievementsbehind him he had many times found this accomplishment very useful incarrying out the bold designs necessary to the fulfillment of his game.
For once at least Jerome was obliged to confess to weakening--for oncehis confidence appeared to have overshot its mark, and he even doubtedthe positive evidence of his senses.
He could have sworn that, as his head arose above the level of thequarter deck he positively saw a common fellow in the dress of asailor, standing very very close to the beautiful niece of GeneralPorfidio--more than this, that he actually had the audacity to raiseher hand to his lips and kiss it--Jerome knew full well what a kiss waslike, and could not be deceived in the sound of one, even when simplypressed upon a lady's hand.
Indignation filled his noble breast.
Since Don Porfidio, gallant son of Porto Rico, was absent from hispost of duty, the pleasant task of defending his ward must fall toothers.
Undoubtedly this fellow must have used some ignoble means of gainingthe mastery over the young and innocent girl's mind--Jerome hadexhausted his own matchless resources for the last few days in theendeavor to arouse a responsive feeling in her heart, and possibly feltconsiderably piqued just now to discover that what he had failed toaccomplish this son of Neptune had apparently brought about with ease.
Of course he possessed some wonderful power that aided him in thisrevolutionary work--Jerome had read and heard considerable on thesubject of personal magnetism, of hypnotism, the astonishing controlone mind may have over another that nature has so constructed as tomake it subject or tributary to the first.
What was needed, therefore, was the sudden introduction of a thirdresolute body in order to break the magic spell.
Jerome would be this public benefactor--he was always ready tosacrifice his own comfort in order to restore natural harmony.
Having thus quickly decided that it was not only his privilege but aduty as well, to step between this necromancer and his intended victim,Jerome set the ball rolling by continuing his upward movement.
By this time his presence seemed to have become known to those in whosemutual affairs he was taking such a remarkable interest.
Strangely enough it was the girl who first detected the fire of hiscigar appearing above the line marking the quarter deck--the girl whouttered a choking little Spanish exclamation of mingled alarm andconsternation--the girl who even sprang back a step as though to makeit appear that she and the sailor were but engaged in an ordinaryconversation.
All of which was noted by the newcomer with no little surprise.
It did not alter his determination to inject his personality into thegame.
As has been said before Jerome was not a coward, whatever else he mayhave been.
True, it did not require the dashing soldierly qualities of aD'Artagnan to advance upon a solitary sailorman who had broken therules of the ship and pushed his inferior person upon the deck spacereserved for superior beings.
Jerome solemnly walked toward the fellow.
He noticed that the chap had not stirred an inch all this while, butseemed to be awaiting his masterly approach.
Had the tables been turned, and he been made the subject of the girl'smesmeric power he could not have stood there more rigid.
Perhaps he meant to exercise his hypnotic powers upon the new arrival.
Unconsciously Jerome braced himself against such a dreadful influence.
Again, it might be fear that paralyzed the fellow--surely, thespectacle of Jerome striding angrily forward was enough to strike alarmat the heart of the most valiant--so the said Jerome himself thought.
Such a thing as even the glimmer of the truth had not as yet evendawned upon his benighted mind--how was it possible, when he believedRoderic to be a thousand miles away?
The situation was exceedingly dramatic when these two men faced eachother, with Georgia hovering near by, ready to invoke the god of peaceif matters grew too stormy, although her last effort in that line, whenDon Porfidio and Roderic crossed swords in the bungalow had not beenmuch of a success.
"Well, sir, what do you mean by breaking the rules and thrusting yourunwelcome company upon the quarter deck? If Captain Shackelford wasmade aware of this he would use the cat over your stupid shoulders, doyou hear?"
The sailorman answered not.
This increased the other's kindling passion, for he foolishly believedhis ferocious appearance had awed the man, and that possibly he couldnot reply because his teeth were rattling together like Spanishcastanets.
He raised his voice higher.
"Don't imagine I didn't see what was going on. I understand the poweryou have exercised over this young lady--the miserable hypnoticinfluence you have exerted to control her actions.
"And let me tell you, fellow, that power ends from this moment. Actingin the place of her natural guardian, who is unavoidably detained belowjust at present--serving in his stead I, Jerome Wellington snap thechain you have dared to throw about her sacred person. She is free fromthis hour, free from your miserable, devilish power. And as for you,fellow----"
He stopped as though not yet quite certain as to the extreme courseof punishment that by rights should be meted out for such a condignoffense.
"Well?" muttered the other, anxious of course to have the agony overwith and the worst known.
"I am inclined to amuse myself in kicking you off thequarterdeck--perhaps it may have the effect of also scattering some ofyour wonderful magnetic charms, since I have heard that the hypnoticpower is shattered by a shock to the seat of the nervous system."
These were brave words, truly, but if the man who gave utterance tothem expected the other to show any symptom of fear, he certainlycounted without his host.
Perhaps he imagined the alarmed sailor would put up a plea for mercy,would even drop on his knees in suing for pardon.
Such a melo-dramatic action would be a rare spectacle for the gods--inorder to appear the more heroic in the sight of this fair girl Jeromemight even have magnanimously declined to carry on warfare when theenemy sued for peace--he was a man who never neglected an opportunityto pose as a magnificent figure before feminine eyes.
Contrary to his expectation, however, the affair did not take on thisguise.
Instead of showing the white feather the enemy at once hoisted signalsof defiance.
He began to coolly and deliberately roll back the sleeves of hisflannel shirt.
The act was intended for supreme scorn--it meant that he snapped hisfingers contemptuously in the face of the Adonis--it meant that heprepared himself in nautical language, to "resist boarders."
There was trouble in prospect.
Jerome had gone too far to back down--he must either put his words intoexecution or give evidence of cowardice.
The girl, seeing how matters stood, now endeavored to prevent a rupture.
"Senor, this is a friend of mine, one I have known a long time. If Ichoose to receive him on the quarterdeck that is surely an affair tobe settled with my uncle and the captain. I will relieve you of anyanxiety and responsibility, senor," she said, with pointed emphasis.
"Pardon, senorita, but it has already gone too deep to be dropped.There is an issue between this a--humble friend of yours and myself,which can only be settled by an appeal to arms, not to Caesar.Therefore, my fine fellow, look you out, for I intend to toss youdown where you belong, since you have positively refused to go therevoluntarily when I gave you the chance."
He took a step toward Roderic, who calmly awaited for hostilities tobegin.
There was good reason too why the latter sho
uld have become nervousover the matter.
It was at this juncture that several violent sneezes were heardringing over the vessel, and in this signal Roderic recognized a partof Captain Beven's design to warn him that he should only be ableto detain the gentlemen a few minutes longer, so that it might beessential for the lover to make his farewells without further loss oftime, if so be he had been fortunate enough to find an opportunity tosee his charmer.
Roderic however, was hardly in a position to carry out this programme.
Jerome showed fight, and it was really too much to expect a man ofRoderic's character to withdraw in ignominious fashion under the veryeyes he adored.
Plainly he was in for a miserable struggle.
He deplored this on several accounts, since it might jeopardise hismission, and moreover place him in a poor light before Georgia, forwhat man desires to engage in an ordinary brawl in the presence of thebeing he adores.
There are times however when "needs must when the devil drives," sothat it was not a question of choice but necessity with Roderic.
About this time the first faint suspicion broke in upon Jerome's mindto the effect that things might be other than they seemed.
He had no opportunity to gather up the fragments and link them togetherin a chain that might reveal the entire truth--some invisible powerflashed a little thought into his brain--it may have been the attitudeassumed by the sailor as though awaiting his attack, for there was thatabout it suggesting the trained athlete and not an ordinary Jack Tar,clumsy with his fists.
At any rate what did Jerome do as he came close up but bend his headforward and fix his steadfast gaze upon the other's face.
Roderic had deemed his disguise secure, and so it was under allordinary pressure.
It had resisted curious glances from the crew of the blockade runner,and even Love's eyes had failed to penetrate beneath the surface.
There is no sight one half so keen as that of burning Hate, which seemscapable of piercing all obstacles set in the way.
So it came home to Jerome with the rapidity of the lightning's flash,with whom he had to deal.
No wonder the man's attitude seemed familiar--no wonder he dared defyattack--no wonder the lovely Porto Rican belle called him her _friend_!
And the sudden knowledge galled Jerome.
Under it he waxed wroth.
Baffled in his endeavor to secure Miss Fairfax and her millionsbecause forsooth she chose to fall in love with this traveling agent,he was now to be beaten in his other little game of occupying Georgia'sheart because Roderic had centered his affection there.
Ye gods, it was enough to anger the coolest and most diplomatic of men,and Jerome could not be blamed for letting passion run away with hisbetter judgment.
"So, it's _you_?" he grunted, sneeringly.
Roderic knew his identity was no longer a secret, and that he might aswell throw off the mask he had assumed.
All he desired now was to so conduct himself in _her_ presence that shemight find no occasion for reproach.
"Yes, it's no other, Wellington. How is your health these days?" hesaid, carelessly, hoping the other might cool down and thus avoidfriction, for if given his own way Roderic would have wished to leavethe steamer peaceably, though ready to do his share in any action thatmight be unwisely precipitated by a hot headed antagonist.
"Better than yours will be presently," was the stinging reply fromJerome, who accompanied his words with a grin as though in anticipationhe could already see the object of his dislike receiving punishment atthe hands of stern old Captain Shackelford, whose greatest _bete noire_was a traitor or a spy.
"What may that remark mean?" asked Roderic.
"That you shall be denounced as a spy--that you have crept aboardthis vessel under false colors to learn her cargo and destinationin order that she could be seized by your accursed cruisers on theblockade--that you have spent these days to advantage in prying outthese secrets and should therefore suffer the usual fate of any commonlow spy."
Roderic still preserved his temper--perhaps the occasion wouldpresently come when he could repay these insults with interest--itmight be even closer than Jerome suspected, but for the present hispolicy was to keep the peace just so long as it could be done withhonor.
"You seem to imagine I have been on board during the whole voyage?" heremarked.
"How could it be otherwise?" demanded Jerome, looking for some secrettrap.
"Because as you happen to know, I was left behind in Dublin when theSterling Castle left the harbor at Kingstown--because I have come onboard to-night with Captain Beven, who so royally entertained you inthe cabin just now, at the expense of myself and my Cousin Cleo, theowner of the steam yacht Beven commands. As to my motive in boardingyour boat, I am not ashamed to admit it to you, sir--it was to see andconverse with this lady, who holds the first place in my heart, andwhom God willing, I expect some day to claim as my wife. That is all,sir."
It should have been enough.
Had Jerome been as sensible in this game as he had proven himselfin various others he must have realized that this determined act ofRoderic took him once and for all out of the chase for the Fairfaxmillions and virtually left the field to him.
But something had occurred to make a change in the schemer's plan ofcampaign--he was not as hot after those millions just now as he hadbeen in the past.
Truth to tell a face had bewitched him and even the elegant Don Juanfound his Waterloo in the daughter of Porto Rico--yes, he had to admitthe stinging fact that after playing at love all these years he was nowactually smitten.
"You are mistaken, Owen, that is not all. I have serious doubtsconcerning the truth of your story--I rather imagine you are bent onkilling two birds with one stone, and intended learning all about thisboat--that your seeking an audience with the senorita"--bowing in herdirection--"was but an afterthought. However, it does not matter. Ihave an unpleasant duty to perform."
"Indeed! What might that be?"
"Arresting you, and taking you before the captain charged with being aspy."
"You wouldn't try that, Wellington?"
"Oh! I wouldn't--perhaps you doubt my ability?"
"I simply warn you against it. I should hate to offer violence in thepresence of a lady--"
"Don't mind me, Senor Roderic--you have my permission to defendyourself even if by so doing you are compelled to spoil the gentlemanbeau's classic features!" cried the little senorita, ready to displayher colors.
"That settles it--will you come with me peaceably or forcibly?"demanded the enraged Jerome, stretching out a powerful arm.
"Neither, thanks," replied Roderic, stepping back.
"Then here's at you for keeps," and Wellington plunged forward withimpetuous zeal.
Senorita Georgia had great faith in the individual prowess of herbetrothed, whom she had seen come out victor in other affairs, yetJerome was no stripling, and besides, assistance for him might arriveat any moment--so she stood behind the barricade of steamer chairs andfervently besought the Virgin to favor the cause of the brave man sheloved.
Miss Fairfax of Virginia: A Romance of Love and Adventure Under the Palmettos Page 13