CHAPTER SEVEN.
HOW WE STOPPED THE BLACKBIRD CATCHERS.
The captain was right, for we made the south coast of New Guinea the_very_ next morning, and as I caught sight of the land that I believedto be holding my father as in a prison, a strange mingling of pain andpleasure filled my breast I looked excitedly and long through thedoctor's double glass, and he shook hands with me afterwards, as if hethoroughly appreciated my feelings in the matter.
It was a lovely morning, with a pleasant breeze blowing, and as we drewnearer we made out a vessel very similar in build to our own going inthe same direction.
"Why, they are for the same port, I should think!"
"I don't know," said the skipper rather oddly. "We're for a littleplace I know, where the savages are pretty friendly, and I've beentalking it over with the doctor as to its being a good starting-placefor you, and he thinks it will be. There it lies," he said, pointingnorth-east. "We can soon make it now."
"Looks a nicer place than our land," said Jack Penny, as I stood withhim gazing wonderingly at the forest and mountain scenery that hour byhour grew more clear. "I think I shall like Noo Guinea."
The day glided on with the look-out growing more and more interesting;and at last, when we were pretty near, we could see the other schoonerhad outsailed us, and was within a short distance of a scatteredcollection of huts; while a little crowd of the natives was on the sandybeach busily launching their canoes, in which they paddled out towardsthe other vessel.
"I don't like that," said the skipper suddenly, as he was using hisglass. "That's bad for us."
"What is?" I said eagerly.
"That there schooner going before us. They're blackbird catchers, orI'm a Dutchman."
"Blackbird catchers?" I said. "Why, I thought there were no blackbirdsout of Europe."
"Just hark at him," said the captain, turning to the doctor."Blackbirds, boy, why, there's thousands; and it's them varmint who goin for the trade of catching 'em as makes the coast unsafe for honestmen."
"What do you mean?" I cried, and I became aware of the fact that JackPenny was bending over me like a bamboo.
"Mean, boy? just you take the doctor's little double-barrelled telescopeand watch and see."
I took the glass and looked intently, watching through it the scene ofthe blacks paddling up to the schooner, and holding up what seemed to befruit and birds for sale.
All at once I saw something fall into one of the canoes, whichimmediately sank, and eight of its occupants were left struggling in thewater.
To my great relief I saw a small boat rowed round from the other side ofthe little vessel, evidently, as I thought, to go to the help of thepoor creatures; but, to my horror, I saw that two men stood up in theboat, and, as it was rowed, they struck at the swimming men with heavybars, and dragged them one by one into the boat.
I saw four saved like this, and then the boat was rowed rapidly inpursuit of the other four, who were swimming as hard as they could, asthey tried to overtake the canoes, whose occupants were making for theshore.
The noise of the shouts reached our ears faintly, and I saw one of themen picked up by the last canoe, and the other three were literallyhunted by the schooner's boat, diving like ducks and trying every featthey could think of to avoid capture; but oars beat hands in the water,and I saw two of the fugitives struck on the head by a fellow in thebows of the boat, and then they were dragged over the side.
There was one more savage in the water, and he swam rapidly and well,besides which, he had gained some distance during the time taken up incapturing his fellows. As he had changed his direction somewhat I had abetter view of the chase, and I felt horrified to see how rapidly theboat gained upon him till it was so near that it could be only a matterof minutes before he would be worn out and treated in the same way ashis unfortunate fellows.
At last the boat overtook the poor wretch, but he dived down and itpassed over him, the blow struck at his head merely making a splash inthe water, when up he came, his black head just showing above thesurface, and he struggled in another direction for his liberty.
To add to the excitement of the scene the sandy shore about the huts waslined with savages, who were rushing about in a tremendous state ofexcitement, shaking their spears and yelling, but showing plainly thatthey were a very cowardly race, for not one of them made an effort tolaunch a canoe and try to save his brother in distress.
There could be but one end to this cruel tragedy, so I thought; but Iwas wrong. Again and again the boat overtook the poor fellow, but hedived and escaped even though blows were struck at him with a boat-hook;but it was evident that he was growing weaker, and that he stayed belowa shorter time.
All at once, as if the men had become furious at the length of thechase, I saw the boat rowed rapidly down upon him; but the savage divedonce more, evidently went right under the boat, and came up full thirtyyards astern, swimming now straight for the shore.
Then all at once I saw him throw up his arms and disappear, as if he hadbeen snatched under.
"Out of his misery," said a deep voice beside me; and turning I foundthat the captain had been watching the scene through his long glass.
"What do you mean?" I said.
"Sharks took him down, poor chap," said the captain. "Sharks isignorant, or they would have grabbed the white fellows instead."
As I still watched the scene, with my brow wet with perspiration, I sawthe boat make now for the schooner, and quite a dozen canoes put offfrom the shore.
"Lor', what a thing ignorance is, and how far niggers are behind whitemen in pluck! Why, if these fellows knew what they were about, theymight easily overhaul that little schooner, take their brothers out ofher, and give the blackbird catchers such a lesson as they'd neverremember and never forget, for they'd kill the lot. There ain't abreath o' wind."
"But they will take them, won't they, captain?" I cried.
"No, my lad, not they. They'll go and shout and throw a few spears, andthen go back again; but they'll bear malice, my lad. All white folkswho come in ships will be the same to them, and most likely some poorinnocent boat's crew will be speared, and all on account of the doingsof these blackbird catchers."
"But what do they do with the poor fellows?" I cried.
"Reg'larly sell 'em for slaves, though slavery's done away with, myboy."
"But will not the blacks rescue their friends?" I said.
"No, my lad."
"Then we must," I cried excitedly; and Jack Penny threw up his cap andcried "Hooray!" Gyp started to his feet and barked furiously, and Jimmyleaped in the air, came down in a squatting position, striking the decka tremendous blow with his waddy, and shouting "Hi--wup, wup--wup," inan increasing yell.
The captain, hardened by familiarity with such scenes, laid his handupon my shoulder, and smiled at me kindly as he shook his head.
"No, no, my lad, that would not do."
"Not do!" I cried, burning with indignation. "Are we to stand by andsee such cruelties practised?"
"Yes, my lad; law says we musn't interfere. It's the law's job to putit down; but it's very slow sometimes."
"But very sure, captain," said the doctor quietly. "And when it doesmove it is crushing to evil-doers. The captain is quite right, Joe, myboy," he continued, turning to me. "We must not stir in this case.I've heard of such atrocities before, but did not know that they were socommon."
"Common as blackguards," said the captain, "It's regular slavery.There, what did I tell you, my lad?" he continued, as he pointed to thecanoes, which were returning after making a demonstration. "These poorblacks are afraid of the guns. It's all over--unless--"
He stopped short, scratching his head, and staring first at the schoonerand then at us in turn.
"Unless what, captain?" I said excitedly.
"Here, let's do a bit o' bounce for once in our lives," said the bluffold fellow. "Get out your revolvers and shooting-tackle, and let's seeif we can't frighten the begga
rs. Only mind, doctor, and you too, myyoung bantam, our weapons is only for show. No firing, mind; but if wecan bully those chaps into giving up their blackbirds, why we will."
The boat was lowered, and with a goodly display of what Jack Pennycalled dangerous ironmongery, we started with three men, but not untilthe captain had seen that the Malay was safely secured. Then westarted, and the people aboard the other schooner were so busy withtheir captives that we got alongside, and the captain, Doctor Grant, andI had climbed on deck before a red-faced fellow with a violentlyinflamed nose came up to us, and, with an oath, asked what we wantedthere.
"Here, you speak," whispered the captain to Doctor Grant. "I'm riled,and I shall be only using more bad language than is good for theseyoungsters to hear. Give it to him pretty warm, though, all the same,doctor."
"D'yer hear?" said the red-faced fellow again. "What do you want here?"
"Those poor wretches, you slave-dealing ruffian," cried the doctor, wholooked quite white as he drew himself up and seemed to tower over thecaptain of the other schooner, who took a step back in astonishment, butrecovered himself directly and advanced menacingly.
"Come for them, have you, eh?" he roared; "then you'll go without 'em.Here, over you go; off my ship, you--"
The scoundrel did not finish his speech, for as he spoke he clapped agreat rough hairy paw on the doctor's shoulder, and then our friendseemed to shrink back at the contact; but it was only to gather force,like a wave, for, somehow, just then his fist seemed to dart out, andthe ruffianly captain staggered back and then fell heavily on the deck.
Half a dozen men sprang forward at this, but Doctor Grant did notflinch, he merely took out his revolver and examined its lock, saying:
"Will you have these poor fellows got into our boat, captain?"
"Ay, ay, doctor," cried our skipper; and the slave-dealing crew shrankback and stared as we busily handed down the blackbirds, as the captainkept on calling them.
Poor creatures, they were still half-stunned and two of them werebleeding, and it must have seemed to then? that they were being tossedout of the frying-pan into the fire, and that we were going to carry onthe villainy that our ruffianly countrymen had commenced. In fact hadwe not taken care, and even used force, they would have jumped overboardwhen we had them packed closely in.
"Here, shove off!" the captain said, as we were once more in our boat;and just then the leader of the ruffians staggered to his feet andleaned over the side.
"I'll have the law of you for this," he yelled. "This is piracy."
"To be sure it is," said our captain; "we're going to hyste the blackflag as soon as we get back, and run out our guns. Come on, myred-nosed old cocky-wax, and we'll have a naval engagement, and sinkyou."
He nudged me horribly hard with his elbow at this point, and turning hisback on the schooner winked at me, and chuckled and rumbled as if hewere laughing heartily to himself in secret; but he spoke again directlyquite seriously.
"I haven't got no boys of my own," he said, "but if I had, I should saythis was a sort o' lesson to you to always have right on your side.It's again' the law, but it's right all the same. See how we carriedall before us, eh, my lads! The doctor's fist was as good as half adozen guns, and regularly settled the matter at once."
"Then we may set these poor fellows free now?" I said.
"Well, I shouldn't like to be one of them as did it," said the captaindrily. "Look at the shore."
I glanced in that direction and saw that it was crowded with blacks, allarmed with spears and war-clubs, which they were brandishing excitedly.
"They wouldn't know friends from foes," said the doctor quietly. "No;we must wait."
I saw the reason for these remarks; and as soon as we had reached theside of the schooner and got our captives on board I attended the doctorwhile he busied himself bandaging and strapping cuts, the blacks staringat him wondering, and then at Jimmy, who looked the reverse of friendly,gazing down at the prisoners scornfully, and telling Jack Penny inconfidence that he did not think much of common sort black fellow.
"Jimmy xiv all o' men waddy spear if try to kedge Jimmy," he said,drawing himself up and showing his teeth. "No kedge Jimmy. Killer umall."
It was hard work to get the poor prisoners to understand that we meantwell by them.
"You see they think you're having 'em patched up," said Jack Penny, "soas they'll sell better. I say, Joe Carstairs, give your black fellow atopper with his waddy; he's making faces at that chap, and pretending tocut off his legs."
"Here, you be quiet, Jimmy, or I'll send you below," I said sharply; andas I went to the breaker to get a pannikin of water for one of the men,Jimmy stuck his hands behind him, pointed his nose in the air, andwalked forward with such a display of offended dignity that Jack Pennydoubled up, putting his head between his knees and pinning it firm,while he laughed in throes, each of which sent a spasm through hisloose-jointed body.
The black to whom I took the water looked at me in a frightened way, andshook his head.
"He thinks it is poisoned, Joe," said the doctor quietly; and Iimmediately drank some, when the prisoner took the pannikin and drankwith avidity, his companions then turning their eager eyes on me.
"It is the feverish thirst produced by injuries," said the doctor; andas I filled the pannikin again and again, the poor wretches uttered alow sigh of satisfaction.
The schooner lay where we had left it, and all seemed to be very quieton board, but no movement was made of an offensive nature; and the dayglided by till towards sundown, when there was less excitement visibleon the shore. Then the captain ordered the boat to be lowered on theside away from the land, while he proceeded to sweep the shore with hisglass.
"I think we might land 'em now, doctor," he said, "and get back withoutany jobs for you."
"Yes, they seem pretty quiet now," said the doctor, who had also beenscanning the shore; "but there are a great many people about."
"They won't see us," said the captain. "Now, my blackbirds, I'm notgoing to clip your wings or pull out your tails. Into the boat withyou. I'll set you ashore."
For the first time the poor fellows seemed to comprehend that they wereto be set at liberty, and for a few minutes their joy knew no bounds;and it was only by running off that I was able to escape from some oftheir demonstrations of gratitude.
"No, my lad," said the captain in response to my demand to go with him."I'll set the poor chaps ashore, and we shall be quite heavy enoughgoing through the surf. You can take command while I'm gone," he added,laughing; "and mind no one steals the anchor."
I felt annoyed at the captain's bantering tone, but I said nothing; andjust at sunset the boat pushed off quietly with its black freight, thepoor fellows looking beside themselves with joy.
"I say, skipper," said the captain laughingly to me, "mind that Malaychap don't get out; and look here, it will be dark directly, hyste alight for me to find my way back."
I nodded shortly, and stood with Jack Penny and the doctor watching theboat till it seemed to be swallowed up in the thick darkness that wasgathering round, and the doctor left Jack Penny and me alone.
"I say," said Jack, who was leaning on the bulwarks, with his body atright angles; "I say, Joe Carstairs, I've been thinking what a game itwould be if the captain never came back."
"What!" I cried.
"You and I could take the ship and go where we like."
"And how about the doctor?" I said scornfully.
"Ah!" he drawled, "I forgot about the doctor. That's a pity. I wishhe'd gone ashore too."
I did not answer, for it did not suit my ideas at all. The adventure Ihad on hand filled my mind, and I felt annoyed by my companion's foolishremark.
We had tea, and were sitting with the doctor chatting on deck, aftervainly trying to pierce the darkness with our eyes or to hear somesound, when all at once the doctor spoke:
"Time they were back," he said. "I say, Skipper Carstairs, have youhoisted your light?"
"Light!" I said excitedly. "What's that?" for just then a bright redglow arose to our right in the direction of the shore.
"They're a making a bonfire," said Jack Penny slowly.
"Or burning a village," said the doctor.
"No, no," I cried; "it's that schooner on fire!"
"You're right, Joe," said the doctor excitedly. "Why, the savages musthave gone off and done this, and--yes, look, you can see the canoes."
"Here, I say, don't!" cried Jack Penny then, his voice sounding curiousfrom out of the darkness; and the same moment there was a rush, atremendous scuffle, Jimmy yelled out something in his own tongue, andthen lastly there were two or three heavy falls; and in a misty,stupefied way I knew that we had been boarded by the savages and madeprisoners, on account of the outrage committed by the other captain.
What followed seems quite dream-like; but I have some recollection ofbeing bundled down into a boat, and then afterwards dragged out over thesand and hurried somewhere, with savages yelling and shouting about me,after which I was thrown down, and lay on the ground in great pain, halfsleeping, half waking, and in a confused muddle of thought in which Iseemed to see my father looking at me reproachfully for not coming tohis help, while all the time I was so bound that I could not move astep.
At last I must have dropped into a heavy sleep, for the next thing I sawwas the bright sunshine streaming into the hut where I lay, and a crowdof blacks with large frizzed heads of hair chattering about me, everyman being armed with spear and club, while the buzz of voices plainlytold that there was a throng waiting outside.
Bunyip Land: A Story of Adventure in New Guinea Page 7