Rob Harlow's Adventures: A Story of the Grand Chaco

by George Manville Fenn

  CHAPTER THIRTY SIX.

  WAR.

  They had literally climbed a long rapid one morning, and entered a broadreach of the river which resembled a lake in its extent. The water herewas smooth, and had a current that was barely perceptible, hence theirprogress was swift, and as they were rowing round a bend the questionarose where they should halt for the midday rest, when suddenly anejaculation escaped from their guide's lips, and the men ceased pulling,leaving the boat to drift slowly on over the glowing mirror-likesurface, which was as if of polished steel.

  "What is it, Shaddy?" cried Rob quickly. "Are we going wrong?" But ashe spoke he caught sight of the reason for the sudden stoppage, forthere right in front, ashore and in canoes, were about twenty Indians,standing up and apparently watching them in speechless astonishment.

  "Indians!" cried Rob.

  "Yes, my lad, and we've done pretty well to come all these hundreds ofmiles without hitting upon them before. Don't hurry, Mr Brazier, sir,and don't let them think that we mind 'em, but lay the guns ready, andthe ammunition, so that we can give them as good as they send, and mind,if it comes to fighting, every one's to lie down in the boat and keepunder cover."

  "Perhaps there will be no trouble," said Brazier quietly. "They seem tobe peaceable enough."

  "Yes, sir, seem to be; but you can't trust 'em."

  Just then the Indians ceased staring at the party in the boat, and wenton with the pursuit in which they were engaged as the boat swept roundthe bend. This was shooting at some object in the water, apparently forpractice, but in a peculiar way, for the lads saw the men take aim highup in the air, so that their arrows turned far on high and fell withlightning-like rapidity upon certain shiny spots just flush with thesurface of the water; and while Rob was wondering the guide whispered,--

  "Shooting turtles! They're wonderful clever at it. If they firedstraight, the arrows would start off. This way they come down, gothrough the rough hide, and kill the turtle."

  Of this they had proof again and again as they rowed slowly on, theircourse taking them close to one canoe whose owner had gone off from nearthe shore to recover a turtle that he had shot.

  This Shaddy tried to obtain, offering something by way of barter, butthe man bent down to his paddle with a face full of mistrust, and forcedhis light vessel toward where his companions had gathered to watch thestrangers.

  "I don't like that," muttered Shaddy in Rob's hearing, and at the samemoment Joe whispered,--

  "They don't mean to be friends, and we shall have to look out."

  As he spoke he stretched out his hand for his gun, and began to examineit carefully, a proceeding that was imitated by the others, but in aquiet unostentatious way, so as not to take the attention of theIndians.

  A few moments' counsel ended in a determination not to try again to makeadvances, by no means to halt for the midday rest, but to keep steadilyon without paying any heed to the Indians, who followed slowly as theoars were plied, and at a respectful distance.

  "How far does this smooth water go, Naylor?" asked Brazier.

  "Six or seven miles, sir."

  "And is there a long rapid at the end?"

  "Yes, sir, as long as any we have passed."

  "Where they could take us at a disadvantage?"

  "Yes, sir," said Shaddy, grimly indeed. "If it's to come to a fight, wehad better have it out here in the open, where we can shelter ourselvesin the boat."

  "Then you think it will come to an encounter?"

  "I'm afraid so, sir, if you must have the truth."

  "What about your men?"

  "Oh, they'll fight for their lives if they're driven to it, sir; but theworst of it is, these sort of fellows fight in a cowardly way, eitherwith poisoned arrows or by shooting their arrows up straight in the airso that they come down upon you when you least expect it and can'tshelter against them."

  "A false alarm!" cried Rob joyously, for the Indians had all ceasedpaddling, and after a minute or two, as if by one consent, turned theheads of their canoes to the shore and went straight away, disappearingat last amongst the trees which overhung the river bank.

  Shaddy made no reply to the speaker, but, the way being clear, bade hismen to row steadily on for another half-hour, when a halt was called,and refreshments served round in the boat, but with orders for them tobe hastily eaten.

  After this the rowing was resumed till the afternoon was far advanced,and the end of the lake-like reach was still apparently far-away. Thebroad expanse had for a long time past been entirely free from all signsof the Indians, and Rob was congratulating himself upon their escape,when Joe pointed straight back along the broad river-lake to where acanoe suddenly shot round a corner; then another came into view, andanother, and another, till there were between thirty and forty visible,each bearing four or five men, and a chill of horror shot through Rob ashe felt that this must mean war, and that they would be helpless in theextreme if so large a body of men made a determined attack.

  "I was afraid of that," said Shaddy quietly, "Strange as they can'tleave us alone."

  "What do you propose doing, Naylor?" said Mr Brazier eagerly.

  "There ain't no proposing, sir. It's all driving to do what is for thebest. We must face 'em."

  "Why not land and try and find shelter in the woods?"

  "Because, sir, they'd destroy our boat and follow us and shoot us downlike so many wild beasts. Our only hope is to keep on as long as wecan, and if the chance comes take to the rapid and get on it. Theymightn't care about venturing in their light boats. But we shall see."

  There was a very stern look in Brazier's countenance, a look that seemedto have been reflected from that of the old sailor, as weapons were oncemore examined.

  "I don't like fighting, boys," he said, "but if we are driven to it, wemust defend our lives."

  Then turning to Shaddy, "Can't you depend upon your men to help us,Naylor?" he said.

  "I'm going to depend upon 'em to row, sir," said the old sailor sternly."We can kill quite enough people without their help. They're theengines, sir, to take us out of danger, while we keep the enemy at adistance."

  Meanwhile the boat was being steadily propelled toward the end of thelake-like enlargement of the river, where a few low hills rose, showingwhere the rapids would be which they had to surmount; but it soon becameevident that the light canoes would be alongside before the exit fromthe lake could be reached, and Rob said so.

  "Yes, sir, you're quite right, unless we can scare them off," said theguide, who had been busy making a rough barricade in the stern by pilingboxes and barrels one upon another, leaving openings through which theycould fire, saying, "It isn't strength we want so much as shelter tobaulk their aim, for they're terribly clever with their bows and arrows,Mr Rob, sir."

  But very little was said in those anxious minutes, with the littleparty, after their many struggles with nature, now called upon toprepare to face man in his savage form.

  "Feel frightened, Joe?" whispered Rob as the two boys lay together by acouple of loopholes, well sheltered beneath the awning.

  "Shall you laugh at me if I say yes?"

  "Not likely, when I own to it too. I say, I wish they'd leave usalone."

  "Look here, Mr Brazier, sir," said the old sailor just then, afteradmonishing his men to pull their best, "I'm going to ask you to let memanage this."

  "No," said Brazier sternly; "I wish to avoid all the bloodshedpossible."

  "So do I, sir--specially ours," said Shaddy drily; "and mine would bethe way."

  "Quick, then: explain," said Brazier, as the boys listened eagerly."Make haste, for the enemy are very near."

  "Soon done," said Shaddy, "only what I proposed, sir: you folk keep mesupplied with guns, and I'll try 'em with gentle measures first, andrough ones after. I'm a tidy shot, eh, Mr Jovanni?"

  "Yes, excellent," said the lad.

  "Very well, then, you shall try to stop them," replied Brazier, "but Iwarn you that if I am not satisfied I shall t
ake the lead myself."

  "All right, sir, but don't you make the mistake of giving up andtrusting these people! That means death for all of us. _They must bebeaten off_."

  There was something very startling in Shaddy's tones as he uttered thesewords, and Brazier looked at him wonderingly.

  "We shall have to come back this way, so why not retreat at once withthe stream?"

  "Because we don't come back this way, sir; that's all. Didn't the ladstell you? I'm going to take you into the big river another way."

  "I say, look out!" cried Rob excitedly, as he saw the water flashingbehind at the rapid dip of the Indians' paddles and noticed the stolidlook in the heavy round faces of the men astern, who sat ready withtheir bows and arrows, the spears of the paddlers projecting from thefront.

  Almost directly after the intentions of the Indians were shown not to bepeaceful, for a straggling flight of arrows came whistling through theair, several of the missiles falling just astern, some in front, but forthe most part striking the boat and sticking in the awning and theshelter made astern.

  "Any one hurt?" shouted Shaddy sternly, and receiving an answer in thenegative, he muttered as he thrust the double gun he held through anopening,--

  "That's because they're on the move and we're on the move. If we'd beenstanding still, and them too, every shot would have told. Look out;they're going to fire again. My turn first. Pull, my lads; don't youmind me."

  As the words left his lips he fired at intervals of about a quarter of aminute both barrels of the fowling-piece; and at the flash of fire,followed by smoke curling up slowly and hiding the boat, the Indiansstopped paddling and sat watching.

  "That has beaten them off," cried Rob eagerly. "Was it blank cartridge,Shaddy?"

  "Yes, my lad. Next's going to be number six if they come on after us."

  The men pulled hard and increased the distance between them and thecanoes rapidly, while the travellers' hopes grew high. But all of asudden there was a yell, paddles splashed again, and satisfied of theharmlessness of the fire and smoke, the Indians took up the pursuitagain.

  "Oh, very well, if you will be hurt," said Shaddy, "it's your fault, notmine," and he thrust the barrels once more through the opening in thebarrier of boxes.

  "How long will it take us to reach the next rapid, Naylor?" askedBrazier excitedly.

  "Half 'hour, sir, but we must beat 'em off before we can land, orthey'll stick us so full of arrows, we shall look like hedgehogs. Hi!sit and lie close, every one. Look out! Arrows!"

  But the flight was not discharged until the Indians had gained a gooddeal more ground. Then the whistling was heard, accompanied or followedby sharp raps, but again, in answer to Shaddy's inquiry, there came acheery "No!"

  "Now then," he said, "let's see what they say to us, sir, and how farthe charge will scatter and carry."

  As he spoke he took careful aim a little to his right and fired quitelow, changed the position of his piece, and fired again a little to hisleft.

  The smoke hung so heavily for a minute or two that there was quite ascreen between them, beyond which shouts, savage yells, and cries ofpain could be heard, while upon rowing beyond the smoke and into fullview of the fleet of canoes the fugitives could see that the paddlinghad again ceased, and men were standing up gesticulating, while otherswere evidently in great pain from the stinging shots.

  "Now you know that we can bite as well as bark," growled Shaddy, "and ifyou'll all take my advice you'll go back home and leave us alone,because if you don't I shall use buckshot, and some of you mayn't beable to handle a paddle again."

  The babble of voices sounded strange as the oars dipped fast, and for atime they were allowed to pursue their way in peace, but at last it wasseen that the wounded had all been transferred to certain of the canoes,and with a fierce yell the Indians came on again, with paddles beating,and the water splashing; while another flight of arrows whistled aboutthe travellers, fortunately without hurting a soul.

  "I shall have to give them a stronger dose this time," said Shaddy."I'll try swan shot first," and inserting a couple of cartridges loadedwith heavy pellets, he took careful aim, and fired twice.

  This time there were loud shrieks mingled with the fierce, defiantcries, and as the smoke was left behind it was plain to see that therewas consternation in the little fleet, and for some time they did notpursue.

  "What are you two about?" said Shaddy suddenly as he caught sight of Roband Joe making some preparation.

  "Wait a minute, and you'll see," said Rob, and he went on with his task,which was the preparation of something in the fashion of a torpedo, forabout a pound of powder had been transferred from their keg to a smalltin canister, in whose lid they drove a hole, and passed through it aslow match, made by rubbing a strip of rag with moistened gunpowder,which dried up at once in the hot evening sunshine. At the bottom ofthe canister a charge of shot had been placed, and upon trying it in abucket the tin floated with about an inch of its top out of water.

  "Now," said Rob when he had finished, Brazier nodding his head inapproval--"it's quite calm, and when the enemy comes on again I'm goingto stick a wax match in the hole with the end touching the slow match,set light to it, and let it float down towards the Indians. The waxmatch will burn nearly a minute, and I want them to paddle up round itto see what the floating light means, and then if we're in luck it willgo off bang and give them a startler."

  "And suppose it goes off while you are lighting it, and gives you astartler, and sends us all to the bottom, how then?"

  "Oh, we must risk that," said Rob coolly.

  "I'm willing, if Mr Brazier is," said the old sailor quietly.

  "Rob will be careful," said Brazier, and they waited with thecontrivance ready, but all hoping that Shaddy's last shots had producedthe desired effect.

  It was a vain hope, for once more the canoes tore on to make up for lostground, and at last, when Brazier and Shaddy made ready to fire at theenemy, Rob gave the word for the men to cease rowing, and as the boatsteadied he told Joe to light a match and lowered the canister into thewater.

  "Be careful, Rob," cried Mr Brazier. "See that there is no powderloose."

  "Be quick, my lad, or they'll be on to us."

  _Crack_! went the match, and as it blazed up it was applied to one stuckupright in the top of the canister. This blazed in turn, and the flameflickered a little and threatened to go out as the nearly submerged tinglided away with the stream; but directly after the flame burned upsteadily, and as Rob gave the word to row once more the dangerouscontrivance was left behind. A minute later they had the satisfactionof seeing the canoes gather round the tiny light and their occupantscease rowing as they sat evidently wondering what was the meaning of thefire burning in the midst of the water--a perfect novelty to them.

  "No go!" said Shaddy suddenly. "Match has gone out."

  "Burned out," said Brazier.

  "All the same, sir, and hasn't started the touch-rag. Wish it hadanswered, because it was clever and would have given the beggars a goodlesson not to meddle with respectable people. Here, we shall have tofire, sir. They're coming on again."

  But they were not, for the whole fleet was gathered about the canister,which, unseen by the occupants of the boat, was emitting a sputteringlittle fire as the touch-rag burned slowly; and the wonder of this goingon from a round, silvery-looking object just above the surface of thewater kept the ignorant enemy at a respectable distance.

  "Pull, my lads," shouted Shaddy. "We may get into a better place if wereach the next rapid."

  As he spoke there was a deafening roar, a column of water rose in theair, and a dull concussion struck the boat, while a cloud of smoke hungover the group of canoes, and, lifting, showed half of them to beswamped, and dozens of the Indians swimming about trying to reach theboats which floated still.

  As far as the little party could make out, no one had been hurt, but theconsternation was terrible. No further efforts were made in pursuit,and for the nex
t half-hour the boat was rowed on and reached the rapidbefore the enemy was seen again.

  "Now then," said Brazier, as the rough, swift water of the river wasonce more reached, "shall we wait to give them another lesson or go on?"

  "Go on," said Shaddy firmly. "They may not follow us up now. Mind, Ionly hope that; but we shall see."