by Roy J. Snell
CHAPTER XXI JOHNNY'S MISSION
In his cave near the top of the mountain, Johnny slept soundly. But thefirst faint streak of dawn found him wide awake and staring up at thestone that formed the roof of the cave. He had been engaged in thisrather fruitless occupation for a full ten minutes, when, with asuddenness that might have been startling to an observer, he sat boltupright to stare with all his eyes at some object far back in the cave.
Well he might stare, for there, but half revealed by the dim light,apparently suspended from the roof of the cave, was what appeared to be amammoth dull yellow and green snake.
"It can't be," he told himself. "And yet, if not, what can it be? I--"
His thoughts were broken in upon by a cheerful voice:
"Sleep well?" It was the short, broad man.
"Yes, I--"
"Come out with me into the light. Bit dismal in the cave." The little manseized him by the arm to fairly shove him toward the door. As Johnnyturned about for one more look at that fantastic thing clinging to thecave's roof, the little man appeared to redouble his efforts. Yet in thatlast look Johnny obtained a further impression that was startling in theextreme.
"I wanted to have a talk with you before the natives were about," saidthe little man, as they seated themselves on mossy rocks beneath a low,spreading tree. "They would not understand us for they speak only thelowest Creole. However, they would disturb us."
"When I sent for you," he began after a moment's silence.
"Sent--"
"Did you not guess? Did they not tell you?"
"The natives speak only Creole," said Johnny. "I do not understand thatlanguage."
Then in a few words he told of his strange experience with the bronzenatives.
"I am sorry to have caused you unnecessary trouble," said the little man."However, it was necessary for you to come. In the end you will notregret it I am sure. I am in a position, I think, to do you a lastingfavor. That, however, must wait. It might help you to understand and leadyou the more readily to consent to any proposition I may care to make,should I tell you a little more of myself.
"I was born," he said, half closing his eyes as if to recall the past,"to a life of pain. Infantile paralysis struck me when I was less than ayear old. Many doctors were called in consultation, for my father was abanker of some means. All told the same story. I would never walk, neverfeed myself, probably never talk. But after these, when I was five yearsold, came one greater than them all. He freed me from my terriblebondage. True, I have never been just as other men are. But that, myboy," he laid a hand impressively on Johnny's arm, "that does not matter.The only thing that really matters in this world is that a man have amission and that he be equipped to fulfil that mission. Many a man whohas been looked down upon, pitied, or scorned, because of physicalinfirmity has made a great and lasting contribution to the world's truewealth and happiness. I studied medicine. When I had finished my course Isaid, 'I will find the neediest people in the world and serve them.' Ifound, I believe, the neediest people right here in Haiti. And here I amserving them, and shall be until I die. Money," he said thoughtfully, "Ido not ask from them. I have a small income from my father's estate. Itis ample. Loyalty, love, a certain amount of gratitude, these are myreward. And right royally I am paid. You too," he said once more touchingJohnny on the arm, "have a desire to serve."
"Yes I--"
"I think it will be possible for me to aid you," the little doctor brokein eagerly. "But first, before you know more, I have a mission, a hardone for you to perform."
"Name it," said Johnny, springing to his feet.
"Sit down," said the doctor.
Johnny sat down.
"While you slept," the little doctor's tone became deeply impressive, "aman lay at the back of the cave, fighting a battle, perhaps his lastbattle with disease. He is very old; is not longer able to resist, and I,as a doctor, am able to do little for him. This man," he went on, as histone grew mellow, "is a native, a member of the tribe. Yet for more thantwenty years, I have counted him my dearest friend. His family seem tohave absorbed some of the greatness, generosity and nobleness of theblack emperor at his best; for it was his father who always bore theMagic Telescope."
"Oh!" said Johnny.
"Yes, he is the son of the bearer of the telescope. Father and son, theyhave more than spanned the century. But now his light burns dim."
The doctor's next remark was surprising. "You, I think," he said, "havesomething to gain by his death. And yet," he added at once, "I am goingto ask you to go on a mission which may add some months, perhaps years tohis life. Knowing you, having studied you, I know that you will do yourbest though failure might bring you a million."
"A human life," said Johnny quietly. "What is a million dollars to that?"
"Nothing. You are quite right," said the doctor.
He rose to stand before the boy and point away toward a distant valley."At the point of that valley is a humble village. There, for many years,I have had my home. In my home is a small laboratory. In it is thegreater part of my medicine. One of those medicines may save this man'slife.
"If it were merely a matter of bringing it, I should send a native.Unfortunately it must first be distilled. It is, at the present moment,in a small distillery in one corner of the room. You have only to lightthe alcohol lamp and wait until the distilling process has beenaccomplished."
"But the place?" said Johnny, eagerly.
"I will send a guide with you. He knows every foot of the way. Andremember," he added, "I am not sending you because I am unwilling myselfto endure the hardship of the journey. For reasons I cannot at this timeexplain, I wish to remain beside the man who is fighting for his life."
"I am ready to go," said Johnny.
"Your breakfast is here," said the doctor. "When it is finished yourguide will be ready."
Ten minutes later Johnny followed a lean, muscular bronze man down thetrail that led away and away over hillside and mountain, down valley,through forest and jungle to the village.
"That native looks like one who cannot grow weary," the boy told himself.He was to learn in time that this was true and was to feel thankful forhis own physical training.
In the meantime, he had abundant food for thought. His mind was full ofmany wonders. He had left camp at the Citadel without taking leave. Whatof Dorn and Pompee? What of Curlie? He wondered most about the curiousthings the little doctor had said. How was the doctor to be of service tohim and to the cause he had espoused? How, of all things, could he profitby the death of an old man, the son of the bearer of the Magic Telescope?
After a time he thought again of the golden green serpent hanging fromthe roof of the cave--or was it a serpent?
Mid-afternoon found him at the distant native village. Having dined whilethe distilling went forward, he bottled the fluid, and turning his faceupward, was prepared to follow his tireless guide back to the cave.