Adrift in the Pacific-Two Years Holiday

by Jules Verne

  ‘Who are you?’ he asked.

  ‘We have been wrecked on the south of this island in the boat of the ship Severn.’

  ‘Are you English?’

  ‘No, Americans.’

  ‘Where are your companions?’

  ‘All lost. We alone escaped the wreck, and we are almost done up. Who are you, please?’

  ‘The colonists of Charman Island.’

  ‘Perhaps the colonists, then, will take pity on us, and help us, for we have got nothing—’

  ‘All who are wrecked have a right to be helped, ‘ said Gordon. ‘You are welcome.’

  At a sign from him Moko entered the yawl, which was moored close by, and in a few strokes of the oar the two men were across the river.

  Doubtless Walston had no choice, but it must be confessed that Rock’s face was not one to inspire confidence, even with boys, who are not adepts at reading physiognomies. He did his best to look like an honest man, but what could he do with his narrow forehead, his head so big behind, and his remarkable lower jaw? Forbes—in whom, according to Kate, every sentiment of humanity was not yet extinct—was a much better-looking fellow, which was probably the reason that Walston had sent him.

  They played their parts well. When a more direct question than usual proved embarrassing, they pleaded that they were quite tired out and begged that they might take a rest and even pass the night at French Den. As they entered the cave Gordon watched them throw a searching look around, and noticed their surprise at the means of defence, particularly at the little cannon pointing out of the embrasure. It is probable that the boys would have been unable to keep up the little drama, had the men not asked to be allowed to lie down, and postpone the story of their adventures until the morning.

  ‘A bed of leaves will do for us,’ said Rock, ‘but as we don’t wish to be in your way, if you have another room—’

  ‘Yes,’ said Gordon, ‘we have one we use as a kitchen, and you can stay there till to-morrow.’

  Rock and his companion passed into the store-room, which they examined with a searching glance, and noted that the door opened on to the river.

  In a corner they lay themselves down. They were not alone, for Moko slept there, but they did not think much of him, as they had made up their minds to twist his neck if they found him sleeping with only one eye. At the hour agreed they could open the store-room door, and Walston, who was prowling about the neighbourhood, would soon be master of French Den.

  About nine o’clock, when Rock and Forbes were seemingly sound asleep, Moko entered and threw himself down on the bed, ready to give the alarm. Briant and the others remained in the hall; the door of the passage was shut and Evans and Kate came to them out of their hiding-place. Things had gone exactly as the sailor had foreseen, and he had no doubt that Walston was close at hand, waiting the signal to break in.

  ‘We must be on our guard,’ said he.

  Two hours passed, and Moko was asking himself if Rock and Forbes had not postponed their scheme for another night when his attention was attracted by a slight noise in the corner of the cave.

  By the light of the lantern, hung from the roof, he saw Rock and Forbes leave their bed and creep towards the door.

  The door was buttressed by a heap of heavy stones, a regular barricade which it would not be easy to clear away.

  The two men began to lift away the stones, which they laid one by one against the wall. In a few minutes the door was clear, and all they had to do was to take down the bar.

  But as soon as Rock lifted the bar and opened the door, a hand was placed on his shoulder. He turned and recognized Evans.

  ‘Evans!’ he gasped ‘Evans here!’

  ‘Come along, boys!’ shouted Evans.

  Instantly Briant and his companions rushed in. Forbes, seized by the four strongest was thrown down and secured.

  Rock, with a rapid movement, shook himself clear of Evans, wounding him slightly with his knife, and fled through the open door. He had not gone ten yards before there was a shot. It was Evans who had fired. To all appearance the fugitive was unhurt as no cry was heard.

  ‘Missed him!’ said the sailor. ‘But there’s the other. We can settle one of them.’

  And cutlass in hand he stepped up to Forbes.

  ‘Mercy! Mercy!’ said the wretch, whom the boys were holding down on the ground.

  ‘Yes! Mercy, Evans! said Kate, throwing herself in front of him. ‘Spare him, for he spared me.’

  ‘Be it so!’ said Evans. ‘I consent Kate—at least for the present.’

  And Forbes was bound and placed in one of the cavities in the passage.

  Then the door of the store-room was shut and barricaded, and the boys remained on the alert till daybreak.

  CHAPTER XIII—THE FORTUNE OF WAR.

  AT daylight Evans, Briant, Donagan, and Gordon went out of the cave, keeping careful watch around them. As the sun rose the morning mists condensed, and the lake appeared rippled by a gentle breeze from the eastward.

  All was quiet round French Den, by the side of Zealand River as well as by Trap Woods. In the enclosure the domestic animals moved about as usual, and the dog gave no sign of disquietude.

  Evans looked on the ground for footprints, and he found many, particularly near French Den. They crossed each other in many directions, and showed that during the night Walston and his mates must have reached the river bank, and waited till the cave door was opened for them.

  There was no trace of blood on the sand—a proof that Rock had not even been wounded.

  But one question remained unanswered. Had Walston come by the south of the lake or by the north? If the latter were the case, Rock must have fled towards Trap Woods.

  As it was important to clear this up, it was decided to interrogate Forbes. Would gratitude to Kate, who had saved his life, awaken any feeling of humanity within him? Would he forget that he had begged hospitality from those whom he intended to betray?

  Evans went back into the cave, opened the door of the cupboard where Forbes was confined, undid his bandages, and brought him into the hall.

  ‘Forbes,’ said Evans, ‘your stratagem has not succeeded. It is important that I should know what are Walston’s plans as far as you know. Will you answer?’

  Forbes bowed his head and lowered his eyes, not daring to look at Evans or Kate or the boys before whom he stood. And he was silent.

  Kate intervened.

  ‘Forbes,’ said she, ‘you once showed a little pity in preventing your mates from killing me during the mutiny on the ship. Will you do nothing to save the children from a more frightful massacre? ‘Forbes did not reply.

  ‘Forbes’ said Kate, ‘they have given you your life when you deserved to die! All humanity is not dead within you! After doing so much evil, why not do a little good?’

  A half-stifled sigh came from Forbes. ‘What can I do?’ he asked, almost in a whisper.

  ‘You can tell us,’ said Evans, ‘what was to have happened last night, what is to happen now. Was Walston waiting outside till one of the doors was opened?’

  ‘Yes,’ said Forbes.

  ‘And these children who welcomed you were to be murdered?’ Forbes bowed his head again.

  ‘Which way did the others come here?’ asked Evans.

  ‘From the north of the lake,’ answered Forbes.

  ‘While Rock and you came from the south?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Have they been in the west of the island yet?’

  ‘Not yet.’

  ‘Where are they now?’

  ‘I don’t know.’

  ‘You can tell us no more?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘But you think Walston will come back?’

  ‘I do.’

  Evidently Walston had been alarmed by the shot, and seeing that the stratagem had failed, had judged it best to clear off till a more favourable occasion.

  Evans despaired of getting any more information from Forbes, and led him back to the cupboard,
and locked him in.

  ‘Matters were now serious enough. Where was Walston? Was he camped in the thickets of Trap Woods? It was necessary to know, and Evans decided to reconnoitre in that direction, although the attempt might be dangerous.

  It was nearly noon when Moko took the prisoner some food. Forbes hardly touched it, so depressed did he seem to be. What was passing in his mind? Had his conscience made him a prey to remorse?

  After dinner Evans told the boys of his intention to go out towards Trap Woods with a view of ascertaining if the pirates were still near French Den. The proposition having been accepted without discussion, arrangements were made to run the minimum of danger.

  Walston and his companions were now only six since Forbes’s capture, while the little colony numbered fifteen without counting Kate and Evans. But from the seventeen in all, there had to be deducted the younger ones, who could take no direct part in the fight. It was decided, therefore, that while Iverson, Jenkins, and Dole remained in the cave, with Kate, Moko, and Jack, in charge of Baxter, the bigger boys, Briant, Gordon, Donagan, Cross, Service, Webb, Wilcox, and Garnett should accompany Evans. Eight boys to six men did not appear to be a fair match, but each of them was armed with a gun and a revolver, while Walston only had the five guns saved from the ship; so that a long-range fight might give them a chance, particularly as Donagan, Wilcox, and Cross were much better shots than the American seamen. Besides, they had plenty of ammunition, while Walston was reduced to a few cartridges.

  It was two o’clock when Evans and his troop set out Baxter, Jack, Moko, Kate, and the little ones immediately returned to the cave and shut, but did not barricade, both doors, in case the scouting party had to run for shelter. There was nothing to fear on the southern side or even on the western, for to come that way Walston would have to go to Schooner Bay before coming up the valley of Zealand River, and that would have taken too much time.

  Besides, after Forbes’s answer that they had come down the shore of the lake, and knew nothing of the western district, Evans had no fear of an attack in the rear.

  The boys advanced cautiously along the base of Auckland Hill. Beyond the enclosure the underwood and groups of trees enabled them to reach the forest without exposing themselves too much.

  Evans went in front—after having to repress the ardour of Donagan, who always wanted to be first. When they had passed the little mound where reposed the remains of the Frenchman, they struck off obliquely, so as to reach the shore of the lake.

  Fan, whom Gordon did his utmost to hold back, seemed to be searching for something, cocked her ears, sniffed with her nose on the ground, and had apparently struck a trail.

  ‘Wait!’ said Briant.

  ‘Yes,’ said Gordon. ‘It is a man’s trail. Look at the dog’s behaviour.’

  ‘Slip along under the bushes,’ said Evans; ‘and you, Donagan, who are such a good shot, if you get one of the beggars within range, don’t miss him.’

  A few seconds afterwards they had reached the first group of trees. There, just on the skirt of the forest, were the traces of a recent camp—twigs half burnt ashes still warm.

  ‘Here’s where Walston passed last night,’ said Gordon.

  ‘And perhaps he was here a short time ago. I think we had better get back,’ said Evans.

  He had hardly finished when there was the report of a gun to the right of him. A bullet pinged past Briant’s ear and lodged in a tree. Almost simultaneously there was another report, followed by a cry of agony not fifty yards away, and something fell heavily among the bushes.

  Donagan had fired as soon as he saw the smoke from the first gun.

  The dog rushed to the front, and Donagan in his excitement dashed after him.

  ‘Forward!’ shouted Evans. ‘We mustn’t leave him to fight them single-handed!’

  A moment afterwards they had rejoined Donagan and stood round a corpse in the grass.

  ‘That’s Pike!’ said Evans. ‘The scoundrel is stone dead. He’s one to you, Donagan.’

  ‘The others cannot be far off!’ said Cross.

  ‘No, my boy, but keep under cover! Down with you! Down!’

  There was a third bang, this time from the left. Service, who had not ducked quickly enough, had his forehead grazed by the bullet.

  ‘You are hit!’ said Gordon, rushing towards him.

  ‘It’s nothing! It’s nothing!’ said Service. ‘It is only a scratch!’

  It was imperative for the boys to keep together. Pike lay dead between them and Walston and the four men, who were probably posted behind the trees, and Evans and the others, crouching in the bushes, formed a compact group ready for an attack from any side.

  Suddenly Garnett exclaimed, —

  ‘Where is Briant?’

  ‘I don’t see him,’ said Wilcox.

  Briant had disappeared. Fan began to bark loudly and it seemed as though the boy was struggling with one of the pirates.

  ‘Briant! Briant!’ shouted Donagan.

  And away the boys all ran after the dog. Evans could not keep them back. They ran from tree to tree.

  ‘Look out, Mr. Evans!’ shouted Cross, throwing himself flat on the ground.

  Instinctively the sailor stooped, as a bullet pinged past a few inches above him.

  Rising instantly, he saw one of Walston’s men running off. It was Rock, whom he had missed the night before.

  ‘There’s one for you, Rock!’ he shouted. Quickly he aimed and fired, and Rock disappeared as suddenly as if the earth had opened under his feet.

  ‘Missed again, I suppose!’ said Evans.

  All this took place in a few seconds. Immediately afterwards Donagan’s voice was heard.

  ‘Hold on, Briant! Hold on!’ he shouted.

  Evans and the others dashed towards him, and found Briant struggling with Cope, who had thrown him down, and was going to run him through with his cutlass, when Donagan jumped to the rescue just in time to turn the thrust into his own body and fall without uttering a sound.

  Cope, seeing Evans, Garnett, and Webb attempting to cut off his retreat, fled away to the north, receiving a straggling volley as he did so. He disappeared, and Fan returned, without having reached him.

  Briant rose from the ground, and lifted Donagan’s head, and tried to revive him. Evans and the others came round, after quickly loading their guns.

  Donagan had been stabbed full in the chest, and, seemingly, mortally. His eyes were shut, his face was as white as wax, and he made no movement not even when Briant called to him.

  Evans stooped, opened the boy’s waistcoat, and tore open the shirt, which was wet with blood. There was a thin bleeding gash near the fourth rib, on the left side. Had the cutlass touched the heart? No, for Donagan still breathed. But it was to be feared that the lung had been pierced, for the respiration was extremely feeble.

  ‘We must take him back to the cave!’ said Gordon. ‘That’s the only place where we can look after him.’

  ‘And save him!’ said Briant. ‘Oh, my poor friend! It was for me that you risked your life!’

  There seemed to be an end to the battle, and Evans gave orders for Donagan to be taken at once to French Den. Apparently Walston had seen things going badly with him, and had retreated into the woods. But, strange to say—and this made Evans anxious—neither Walston, nor Brandt, nor Cook had been seen, and these were the most formidable of the gang.

  Donagan’s state required that he should be carried without being jolted, and Service and Wilcox made a litter of boughs, on which they laid him, still unconscious. Then four of his companions gently bore it, while the others walked on either side with guns loaded, and revolvers in hand.

  They made straight for Auckland Hill. Better that than following the path along the lake. Nothing happened to interfere with them, Sometimes Donagan would give such a painful sigh that Gordon would signal a halt, in order to listen to the respiration, and a moment afterwards they would resume their progress.

  Three-quarters of an hour h
ad gone, and they were close to French Den, although the door was hidden by a shoulder of the cliff.

  Suddenly there was a shout from Zealand River, and Fan sprang off towards it.

  French Den was being attacked by Walston and his two companions. While Rock, Cope, and Pike lay in ambush in Trap Woods, Walston, Brandt, and Cook had climbed Auckland Hill, up the dry bed of the torrent that fed Dike Creek. Rapidly running along the ridge, they had descended the gorge opening on to the river near the store-room, and then, with a rush, had forced the door, which had not been barricaded.

  Would Evans come up soon enough?

  His plan was formed instantly. Leaving Cross, Webb, and Garnett to guard Donagan, who could not be left alone, he, with Gordon, Briant, Service, and Wilcox took the shortest cut to the cave.

  In a few strides they could see the terrace, where a sight met their eyes that almost drove them to despair.

  Walston was coming out of the door, dragging one of the boys towards the stream.

  It was Jack. And in vain Kate strove to tear him from Walston.

  A moment afterwards Brandt appeared, clutching young Costar, and bearing him off in the same direction.

  WALSTON WAS COMING OUT OF THE DOOR, DRAGGING ONE OF THE BOYS TOWARDS THE STREAM. IT WAS JACK. AND IN VAIN KATE STROVE TO TEAR HIM FROM WALSTON.

  Baxter threw himself upon Brandt, who, with a blow, knocked him to the ground.

  The other boys were not to be seen. Had they been already dealt with in the cave?

  Walston and Brandt ran quickly towards the river. And there was Cook waiting for them with the yawl, that he had dragged out of the store-room.

  Once on the left bank, they would be out of reach. Before their retreat could be cut off they would have got back to Bear Rock with Jack and Costar as hostages in their hands.

  Evans, Briant, Gordon, Cross, and Wilcox raced up, hoping to reach the bank before Walston’s men crossed the river. To fire at such a distance was to risk hitting the prisoners.

  But Fan was quicker than the boys. Bounding on in front, she sprang full at Brandt’s throat, and gripped it like a vice. To free himself from the dog Brandt had to drop the boy, while Walston got Jack almost to the water’s edge.