The Battery and the Boiler: Adventures in Laying of Submarine Electric Cables

by R. M. Ballantyne

  CHAPTER TWENTY SIX.

  BEGINS WITH A DISAPPOINTMENT, CONTINUES WITH A GREAT RECEPTION, AND ENDSWITH A SERIES OF SURPRISES.

  At the breakfast-table next morning a telegram was handed to Redpath.There was nothing unusual in this. On the contrary, it seemedpeculiarly natural that telegrams should be frequent visitors at thehouse of a telegraphist, but it was not so natural that Redpath shouldfirst look at the missive with surprise, and then toss it across thetable to Sam.

  "It is for you, Mr Shipton."

  "For me? Impossible! I am supposed to be dead at home," exclaimed Sam,tearing it open. "Oh, it's from Frank Hedley, and--well, he _has_ beensuccessful after all! Listen, Robin. Excuse me, Mrs Redpath. May Iread it aloud?"

  "By all means," answered the pretty little woman, who would probablyhave answered the same if he had asked leave to go to bed in his boots.

  "`Your affair settled'"--continued Sam, reading.

  "`Great Eastern starts almost immediately. Come without delay.'"

  "How provoking!" exclaimed the pretty little woman. "I had counted onhaving you a fortnight at least."

  "And I had counted on showing you some capital sport in our jungles,where we have all sorts of large game. But of course you cannot dootherwise than obey the summons at once."

  "Of course not," said Sam and Robin together.

  Flinn left the room and entered the servants' quarters with somethinglike a groan.

  "Sure it's bad luck has followed me iver since I left owld Ireland."

  "What's wrong with you?" asked Slagg, looking up from the slice ofpeacock breast with which he was regaling himself.

  "The matter? Och, it's bad luck's the matter. Hasn't our frindshiponly just begood, an' isn't it goin' to be cut short all of a suddint,niver more to be renewed?"

  In pathetic tones, and with many Hibernian comments, the poor mancommunicated the news brought by the telegram. But regrets were of noavail; the orders were peremptory; the chance of returning to England insuch circumstances too good to be lightly thrown away; so that sameforenoon saw the whole party, with the skin of the royal tiger, on theirway back to the city of Bombay.

  It is easier to imagine than to describe the state of mind into whichthey were thrown when, on returning to their hotel, they discovered theperfidy of Stumps. Fortunately, they had enough of money left todischarge the hotel bill, and redeem their property.

  "You're quite sure of the name of the vessel he sailed in?" asked Sam ofthe waiter who had so cleverly obtained, and so cautiously retained, hisinformation as to the proceedings of Stumps.

  "Quite sure, sir," replied the waiter. "The ship's name was FairyQueen, bound for the port of London, and the thief--the gen'lem'n, Imean--shipped in the name of James Gibson."

  Having received the "consideration" which he had anticipated, and hadafterwards given up as lost, the waiter retired, and Sam, with hisfriends, went to inquire after the great cable with which they now feltthemselves to be specially connected.

  "Letta," said Robin, as they went along, "you and I must part for atime."

  "Oh! must we?" asked the child, with a distressed look.

  "Yes, but only for a _very_ short time, dear," returned Robin. "Youknow we cannot get you a berth on board the Great Eastern. They won'teven take you as chief engineer or captain!"

  "But why not as the captain's daughter--or his wife?" said Letta, whothoroughly understood and enjoyed a joke.

  "Because, Letta, you are engaged to me," replied Robin, with an offendedlook.

  "O, yes; I forgot that. Well?"

  Well, what we have arranged is this. I have met with many kind peoplehere, some of whom have been greatly interested in your story, and oneof them--a very nice lady, who is going home--has offered to take youwith her, and deliver you safely to my mother in England, there to waittill I come home and marry you.

  "How nice!" exclaimed Letta; "and you'll be sure to come home soon?"

  "Yes, quite sure, and very soon."

  This arrangement, being deemed satisfactory, was afterwards carried intoeffect, and Letta sailed a few days later in one of the regular steamersfor England _via_ the Suez Canal.

  Meanwhile the Great Eastern still lay at her moorings, completing thearrangements for her voyage.

  During this period our hero lived in a whirl of excitement. It seemedto himself as if he were the subject of an amazing but by no meansunpleasant dream, the only dark spots in which were the departure ofLetta and the depravity of John Shanks, _alias_ James Gibson, _alias_Stumps.

  "Oh! Stumps, Stumps," he soliloquised, sadly, one day while standing on"the green" in the unromantic shade of a huge bale of cotton, "how couldyou behave so after being our trusted comrade so long!"

  "Never mind Stumps just now," said Sam Shipton, making his appearance atthe moment, "but come along with me at once, for we have received aninvitation, through my good and remarkable friend Frank Hedley, to thegrand entertainment to be given to-night at the palace of the chief andBahee Sahib of Junkhundee."

  "And who may that be?" asked Robin, with an incredulous smile.

  "What! know you not the great chief whose praise is in the mouths ofall--Hindu, Mohammedan, Jew, and Gentile, because he feeds andentertains them all like a prince?"

  "He is the creation of your own brain, Sam. I fancy."

  "No, indeed," protested Sam, earnestly, "I do not jest. The Bahee Sahibis a wealthy young Mahratta chieftain, who has been consistently loyalto us, and who entertains mixed parties of Englishmen and natives inEuropean style, and does his best to break down the barriers ofprejudice and caste. He has been hospitably received on board the GreatEastern, it seems, and is now getting up a grand affair in honour ofCaptain Halpin and his officers. So, come along."

  "But, my dear Sam, you forget, we have not a dress suit between us, andin the present condition of our finances it would be folly to--"

  "Fiddlesticks, Robin. We have only to make a couple of turbans out ofbath-towels and a few peacock feathers; turn Persian shawls, which wecan borrow, into kilts, put on slippers, bare our legs and paint themwith red and blue stripes crossed, to indicate something of ScottishHighland origin, anoint our noses with blue bear's-grease, and--"

  "Nonsense, Sam; be serious if you can, and consider what we are reallyto do."

  "You're so impatient, Robin. The thing has all been considered for us.We have nothing to do but accept our fate. Frank Hedley, who is exactlyyour size, has a dress suit which he will lend you, and a friend of his,who happens to be exactly and conveniently my size, has also a suit, andis equally accommodating. Come now, for time presses, and I am told theBahee's wife loves punctuality--but she's liberal-minded like herhusband, and makes allowance for laziness, especially in hot weather.She is a regular trump, it seems, and quite amazed our electricians,during her visit to the big ship, by her intelligent comprehension ofall they explained to her. She is an accomplished equestrian, anddresses as a native princess, with a huge ornament in her nose, but doesnot disdain to mingle with English ladies in the Bombay Rotten Row, anduses a European saddle."

  The account which Sam had thus slightly sketched was more than borne outby the facts that evening. The young Rajah's reception-rooms, blazingwith light, were decorated with all that the wealth of fancy couldsuggest or the wealth of precious metal procure, while music and perfumefilled the air and intoxicated the senses.

  For some time Sam and Robin moved slowly about in the crowded rooms,finding themselves rubbing shoulders, now with Eastern aristocrats inrichest costume and glittering jewels, now with England's warriors inscarlet and blue; sometimes with Parsees, Hindus, Mohammedans, and Jewsin their characteristic garbs; at other times with European civilians,like themselves, in sober black.

  It was a bewildering scene, and the loud continuous murmur of manyvoices, chattering in many tongues, did not tend to decrease thebewilderment.

  "What are they about over there?" said Robin, directing his companion'sattention to a room in which the
people appeared to be observingsomething with great attention.

  "I don't know. Let's go and see," said Sam.

  A little polite pushing brought them into an apartment in which anEnglish professor of conjuring, who had been engaged for the occasion,was exhibiting his tricks. They were poor enough, and would not havecommanded much applause from any audience, except one that had met toenjoy whatever chanced to be provided.

  In another room, however, they found a performer of much greatercapacity--a man who possessed considerable powers as a musician, lowcomedian, and local satirist; he was noted for his delineations ofnative character, and succeeded in making the Parsees laugh heartily athis caricature of the Hindus, while he convulsed the Hindus with hisclever skits on the Parsees. He also made effective reference to theGreat Eastern and her work, bringing out the humorous aspects oftelegraphy and of quick communication between India and England.

  "Come, let's go and see if we can find anything to eat," said Sam, whentired of this man.

  "Who is that?" asked Robin, as they moved through the crowd.

  "Why, that's the Bahee himself. See, he has got hold of Captain Halpin,and seems greatly pleased to lead him about."

  The Rajah did indeed exhibit much satisfaction in his beaming brown faceat having got hold of so noted a character as the commander of themonster ship, and it was pleasant to see the almost childlike glee, withwhich, taking the captain by the hand, he threaded his way through thecrowd, introducing him right and left to his friends. Not less pleasantwas it to observe the lively interest, with which the natives regardedthe captain when they learned who he was.

  At this point in the evening's proceedings, a gentleman in civiliancostume came up to Sam Shipton, and asked him if he were acquainted withMr Davis--one of the petty officers of the Great Eastern.

  "I know him slightly," said Sam.

  "He has got into trouble, sir," said the stranger, "and begged me tofind you, if possible, and take you to him. I have been on board theGreat Eastern looking for you, and was directed here."

  "That's strange," returned Sam, "I have seldom spoken to the man. Areyou sure he did not send you for some one else--one of his mess-mates?"

  "Quite sure, sir. And he bade me urge you to go quickly, else you maybe too late."

  "Well--lead the way. Come, Robin, I'm sorry to quit this gay andfestive scene--especially before supper--but it can't be helped. You'llgo with me, and we can return together."

  The stranger seemed to hesitate a moment, as if annoyed at Robin beingthus asked to go, but, as if quickly making up his mind, led them out ofthe Rajah's residence, and, after a smart walk, conducted them into oneof the poorer districts of the city.

  "What sort of trouble has the man got into?" asked Sam as they wentalong.

  "I really do not know. He will tell you when you see him, I suppose. Iam only a casual acquaintance of his, and came on this errand to obligehim, solely because he seemed in great mental distress and was veryurgent."

  Soon the conversation turned upon cable-laying, and, finding that Robinhad been at the laying of the Atlantic cable of 1856, the strangerinquired about the attempts that had been made to injure that cable.

  "Tell me, now, would you think it a sin," he said, with a peculiar lookat Sam, "to drive a nail into the cable so as to destroy it, if you wereoffered the sum of ten thousand pounds?"

  "Of course I would," said Sam, looking at his conductor with surprise."I wonder that you should ask the question."

  "Why should you wonder," returned the man with a smile, "at any questionwhich aims at the investigation of that great enigma styled the humanmind? I am fond of the study of character, and of those principles ofgood and evil which influence men. Under given circumstances andconditions, the commission of a certain sin is greatly more blameworthythan the commission of the same sin under different conditions andcircumstances. Do you not think so?"

  "Of course I do," said Sam. "The man who, having been born and broughtup among pickpockets, and under strong temptation commits a theft, isnot nearly so guilty as the man would be who, having been trained underrefined and Christian influences, should commit a similar theft; but Ido not see the application of your argument, for your question did notrefer to the relative depth of guilt, but to the sinfulness or innocenceof a certain dastardly act for a tempting sum of money."

  "I may not have put my question very philosophically," returned thestranger, "but I would like to have your opinion as to whether youthink, under _any_ circumstances of distress--poverty, for instance,with those dependent on one dying of hunger--a man would be justified indestroying the power of a telegraph cable for a sum of money--part, letus suppose, paid in advance, and the remainder after the deed had beenaccomplished."

  "My opinion is that no circumstances whatever would justify such anact," said Sam with indignation. "Don't you agree with me, Robin?"

  "Of _course_ I do," said Robin with even greater indignation.

  "And _I_ quite agree with you, gentlemen," said the stranger, with awider smile than before; "but I like to have my opinions corroborated orcombated by other minds. We have now reached our destination; pleasefollow me, and stoop a little, for the ceiling of the passage is ratherlow, and the poor people here cannot afford to light it."

  The recent discussion had diverted Sam's mind from the character of theplace into which he had been led, but a suspicion which had been growingnow assailed him forcibly.

  "Keep your stick handy," he whispered to Robin, at the same timegrasping more firmly a stout cudgel which he carried.

  These precautions seemed needless, however, for the stranger, openingwith a latch-key a door at the further end of the dark passage, usheredthem into a dimly lighted room, where about a dozen men were seatedround a table drinking and smoking.

  The men rose on the entrance of the visitors and received them withcourtesy.

  "Mr Davis will be glad to see you, sir," said one; "he has been in muchanxiety, but here he comes and will speak for himself."

  A door at the other end of the room opened, and a tall slightly-builtman entered. Sam saw at once that he was not Davis.

  "Fool!" growled the man, with a savage look at the stranger who hadconducted them there, "you have brought the _wrong man_!"

  "I had already begun to suspect as much," returned the other, with alight laugh.

  Swallowing his disgust, apparently with an effort, the slim man turnedto Sam and said, "A mistake has been made, sir. One or two of myfriends here will conduct you to any part of the city you may wish to goto."

  "I require no assistance," said Sam, flushing with sudden indignation."I believe that you are conspirators, and will take particular note ofyour dwelling, in order that I may spoil your game."

  He was about to turn and quit the room, when he was suddenly seized frombehind by two powerful men, who seemed to have come on the scene byrising through the floor! At the same moment Robin was similarlysecured. They did not, however, submit tamely. Both were strong-bodiedas well as high-spirited, and Sam was large as well as strong.

  But what were their powers against such odds! For a few seconds theystruggled furiously. Then, feeling that their efforts were fruitless,they ceased.

  "It is as well to go quietly, my fine fellows," said the slim man in aslightly sarcastic tone. "We are not only more than a match for you,but we happen to belong to a class of gentlemen who don't allow triflesto stand in their way. At the same time we object to murder when we canget along without it. Some of us will therefore conduct you to anotherpart of the city. Now, I give you fair warning, if you struggle or tryto make a noise on the way, we will silence you in a manner that willeffectually keep you quiet for ever. Just have your knives handy, men,and don't exercise forbearance if these gentlemen turn out to be fools."

  A prick in their necks by the point of some sharp instrument emphasisedthese words to Robin and Sam, and, at the same time, proved that thesubordinates were quite ready, perhaps even anxious, to obey their
superior. They suffered themselves, therefore, to be blindfolded, andled out of the house.

  Of course once or twice they both thought of making a sudden struggleand endeavouring to throw off their captors, but the vice-like strengthof the fingers that held them, and the recollection of the sharpinstruments near their necks induced discretion; besides, the absence ofthe sound of footsteps told them that they could not count on aid frompassers-by, even if the dwellers in such a region had been willing toassist them, which was not probable.

  After passing quickly along several streets, the men who led themstopped and relaxed their hold.

  "Now, you stand quiet for half a minute," said one of them gruffly;"there's a knife close to each of your spines at this moment."

  Thus warned, the captives stood still for nearly a minute. Then Samlost patience.

  "Well," he said, angrily, "how long do you mean to keep us here?"

  Receiving no reply, he suddenly pulled the handkerchief from his eyesand assumed the pugilistic attitude with the celerity of one whose lifemay depend on his action, but the only enemy to be seen was Robin, who,having also pulled down the handkerchief, stood staring at his comradein mute surprise.

  "They're gone!" cried Sam, bursting into a fit of laughter. "Thevillains! The scoundrels! But who can they be? I fear there can belittle doubt as to what mischief they are up to."

  "We have not the smallest clue to trace them by," said Robin, with avexed expression.

  "Not the smallest. I don't even know what quarter of the town we are innow," returned Sam.

  "The handkerchiefs!" exclaimed Robin with sudden animation.

  "Well, what of them?"

  "They--they may have names in the corners."

  Again the risible Sam burst into a loud laugh, as the idea of scoundrelspossessing any handkerchiefs of their own at all, much less having theirnames marked in the corners; and poor Robin, whose memories of maternalcare had prompted the thought, felt some degree of confusion, which wasdeepened when he discovered that the kerchiefs, with which their eyeshad been bound, were their own.

  They were startled by a gruff voice demanding to know what they werelaughing at, and kicking up such a row at that time of the morning!

  It was one of the guardians of the night, who became very polite ondrawing nearer and being informed, in a mild voice, by Sam that they hadlost their way and would be much indebted for guidance, for Sam thoughtit best to say nothing about their adventure until they had had ampletime to think it over and decide what was best to be done.

  Having been directed how to go, having lost themselves a second time,and been directed again by another guardian, they found themselves atlast in the neighbourhood of the port, and here the sound of loudvoices, as if engaged in some nocturnal orgies, was heard in thedistance.

  "As we seem in for a night of adventure," said Sam, "we may as wellaccept our fate, and go see what it's all about."

  "Agreed," said Robin.

  Hurrying forward, they came upon a remarkable and picturesque scene.The engineers of the Great Eastern had chosen the previous day for thelaying of the mile of land-line, with which the cable was to beconnected. The burying of it in its appointed home had commenced athalf-past six in the evening and had continued all through the night.It was about 2 a.m. when our adventurers came upon the scene. Thetrench was cut through ground on which a number of soldiers wereencamped, whose white tents looked ghostlike in the feeble star-light,and lines of naked natives were seen, waving lanterns, pushing along themysterious cable, or, with hands and feet busily pressing down the loosesoil that covered the buried portion.

  The whole operation was conducted with a superabundance of noise, forthe burying of a rope in a trench three feet deep was in itself such atremendous joke to the coolies, that they entered upon it with muchexcitement as a sort of unusual piece of fun. That they were in somedegree also impressed with the mysterious and important object of theirwork might have been gathered from their chant:--"Good are thecable-wallahs, great are their names; good are the cable-wallahs, wah!wah! wah! great are the cable-wallahs, wah!" which they continuedwithout intermission all through the night, to their own intense delightand to the annoyance no doubt of the military unfortunates who wereencamped on the ground.

  Besides the naked fellows who, in their excitement and activity,resembled good-humoured, brown demons, there were many other figures inEnglish dress moving about, directing and encouraging, running frompoint to point, flitting to and fro like wills-o'-the-wisp, for all borelights, and plunged ever and anon out of sight in the trench. Betweenthree and four o'clock the work was completed; tests were taken, theportion of cable was pronounced perfect, and communication was thusestablished between the cable-house and Rampart Row. This was the firstlink in the great chain of submarine telegraphy between India andEngland.

  "Now, Robin," said Sam, with a tremendous yawn, "as we've seen the firstact in the play, it is time, I think, to go home to bed."

  With a yawn that rivalled that of his comrade, Robin admitted thepropriety of the proposal, and, half an hour later, they turned in, tosleep--"perchance to dream!"