Adventure Unlimited

by Captain W E Johns

  A movement made Tommy turn. He looked round sharply. Ten yards away, on the edge of the incline that ran down to the river, stood two Indians.

  They did not move, but simply gazed with dull expressionless eyes. In each case their only garment was a loincloth. Both men carried a spear and a bow. Their faces and chests were roughly daubed with white lines.

  Look behind you, Digger,' said Tommy, in a voice that lacked its usual enthusiasm.

  Which was understandable, for these were the first natives he had seen close at hand in country which, as far as he knew, had not been charted.

  Digger looked round. With no sign of surprise or fear he raised a hand in greeting, at the same time saying something in Spanish.

  They don't get it,' muttered Pompey, when neither savage moved nor answered.

  They will, presently, when it's had time to sink in,' answered Digger confidently. They're thinking, and when a native has to think about an unusual situation it's usually a slow process.'

  Let's hope it ain't the lot that Harwin fell foul of.'

  'I'd say Harwin's porters were in some way responsible for that,' said Digger. Take no notice of them. Tommy, on the top of my kitbag you'll find a package of trade stuff.

  Bring one or two things along. Don't let them see everything or they'll stay here till they'

  ve got the lot.'

  They seem to be fascinated by Pompey,' observed Batty.

  I'll bet it's my tattoo pictures they've got their eyes on,' returned Pompey, grinning. I've got theirs beaten into a cocked hat.' He had been working stripped to the waist, so that the many designs on his torso and arms were conspicuously displayed.

  Tommy returned from the canoe with two small mirrors, two clasp knives and two gaudy cotton handkerchiefs. These he handed over, receiving no recognition, much less thanks.

  I don't mind 'em admiring my hide, but they're not having that,' stated Pompey. I'll give 'em a close view.' So saying he walked up to the two men.

  That his surmise had been correct was quickly revealed. With unwinking animal eyes the men stared at what must to them have been a marvel. One, plucking up courage, put out a finger and touched the word Pompey, in a lifebelt, that decorated the sailor's chest. He said something to his companion, assuming that a series of guttural sounds were words of a language.

  The explorers resumed their occupations. The visitors watched them for about five minutes. Then, turning abruptly, they strode away.

  Thank goodness they've gone,' murmured Tommy. They gave me the willies, just standing there, staring.'

  They'll be back tomorrow,' predicted Digger.

  They'll come for more presents, bringing their pals. But if word of Pompey's artistic embellishments gets around, and I'm afraid it will, the whole tribe is likely to roll up to see the show.'

  Does that mean we'll have to keep guard tonight ? '

  'We should have had to do that in any case,' rejoined Digger. 'We're really in the wilds now, and one can never afford to take chances. Let's have supper. It hasn't been a bad day.'

  CHAPTER 8

  THE SHOWDOWN

  NOTHING happened during the night, and when the next morning no Indians were to be seen there was reason to hope that Digger had for once been wrong.

  'Of course their village could be some way off, in which case they might not have had time to get there and back,' he said. The pair we saw were probably on a hunting trip.'

  So what's the drill ? ' asked Batty, as they washed their tin plates and mugs after breakfast.

  I feel like pushing on to get the lie of the land,' replied Digger. That, in prospecting, is all important. Metal doesn't travel uphill. We'll leave everything as it is and survey the rising ground ahead. Our legs need a stretch, and it shouldn't be necessary to go far. If the river remains navigable I'd feel inclined to move camp higher up.'

  The river did not remain navigable, as was soon discovered. They had not gone more than a mile, travelling fairly easily along the river bank with open country on either side, watching for anything that looked like a mine or surface workings, when Digger stopped in a listening attitude.

  To their ears came a confused murmur of water. From the top of the next ridge the reason was revealed.

  They had reached a point where the two banks that confined the river drew together to form a gorge with perpendicular sides. Out of this, with a roar, came the water, seething and surging round black jagged rocks which jutted up in midstream. For as far as they could see,' to the next bend, a matter of half a mile, the water raced and boiled in the wildest turbulence. Spray flew high from rocks that did nothing to stem its furious passage.

  Digger said in a resigned voice, No boat ever has gone, or ever will go, up through those rapids; and I'd be very sorry indeed to have to come down them.'

  Does that mean this is as far as we can go ? ' asked Tommy.

  It does. This is the limit of water travel on this river, and as we're not equipped for marching overland we've shot our bolt.'

  'It seems a pity, having come so far,' murmured Batty.

  Digger shrugged. That's how it is. These conditions might persist all the way back to those mountains on the sky line, and they're a good fifty miles away. Long before we got to them we should have reached the point of no return.' 'What do you mean by that ? '

  'One of the first rules of exploring is, never go beyond the point from which you wouldn't have enough food or water to get back. If you do you can only go forward, which means staking your life on the chance of finding what you lack. In other words, you're gambling on luck. That may sound brave, but it isn't clever. The source of the gold here is probably in those mountains, and when you see the state of the river you can understand how it's washed down. There can be no question of going on to the mountains, especially as they are certainly not in British territory.'

  So what do we do ? ' asked Pompey, biting a 'chew' from his twist of tobacco.

  We can either go straight back home or, as I suggest, go back to camp and do some serious digging while our stores last. We should at least be able to win enough gold to cover the cost of the expedition.'

  Then let's do that,' said Tommy. It 'll be fun, and that's really what we came for.'

  The others agreed, so turning their backs on the rapids they marched back to camp, arriving soon after midday. A quick meal and Digger began making ready for panning while Tommy

  resumed his pothole hunting. During the afternoon, having watched Digger pan a little dust, he, too, took a pan—a shallow metal dish a little larger than a dinner plate—and began washing on his own account.

  For the next two days this went on without incident or interruption, the only excitement being when a streak of good pay-dirt was struck or someone found a nugget. Batty held the record with one of nearly half an ounce. On the evening of the second day Digger got out his scales, and was able to report that they had fourteen ounces, worth something in the order of a hundred pounds. Tests had of course been made at the outset, a rough assay revealing that the gold held a small percentage of silver, which Digger had predicted on account of its pale colour.

  Tommy could now understand the fascination of the game, for while he was constantly disappointed the hope remained that the next shovelful of earth might yield a large nugget. The fact, as Digger assured him, that men had spent their lives in the same hope, did not discourage him in the least. He was happy, and was prepared to carry on until their food was exhausted.

  Because there was so much gold here when the Spaniards came,' said Digger, as they sat over their evening meal, there has always been a school of thought that the Mayas, the Aztecs, and the Incas farther south, had fabulously rich gold mines. Harwin evidently believed that. I don't. I think they're wrong. Gold in more or less quantity can be found in all these rivers. In two days five of us have taken out nearly a pound weight. Think how much a tribal chief, with perhaps a thousand men working for him, could win over a period of years ! I'm pretty sure that was how it was done.
The idea of digging the stuff out in lumps is an enchanting one, but had that been the case we may be sure that the Spaniards would have found the mines. The original people here won it as we've been winning it.'

  Tommy got into his hammock that night with nothing to indicate that this happy state of affairs was soon to end abruptly. Indeed, in the thrill of what he was doing he had almost forgotten the Indians. He was reminded rudely soon after dawn when Batty, who had been on guard, reported that a mob was coming towards the camp.

  All right. Keep calm everybody,' ordered Digger. 'If they mean trouble there's nothing we can do about it ; but it's my guess that they're after presents.' He looked at the Indians, now close. As they kept close together it was not possible to count them, but there appeared to be not fewer than twenty. Some wore remnants of European clothing. They've got women with them, which is a good sign,' he observed.

  There was nothing hostile in the attitude of the natives when they came up, although all the men were armed with spear or bow, or both. They came right into the camp and looked at everything without surprise, with the exception of Pompey, who was surrounded by a small admiring crowd.

  'Keep your eyes on our kit,' warned Digger.

  These people may not be thieves according to their own code, but they're liable to help themselves to anything that takes their fancy. If they decide to stay it'll put an end to our digging.'

  It was soon evident that the natives had no intention of cutting short their visit to what, to them, must have been a rare exhibition. They stayed. They did no harm. They picked things up, but did not protest when they were relieved of the objects. Digger distributed presents, which, as he had feared, merely created a demand for more. The longer they stayed the more at home they made themselves, talking volubly, although, as neither side understood the language of the other, conversation was not possible. Pompey's decorated torso was always the main attraction.

  'I'm afraid we shall have them with us for as long as we stay,' said Digger lugubriously, some time after noon. If they see us eating they'll expect us to give them food, and as we have to get home that's something we can't afford to do.'

  'What's the answer ? ' asked Batty. They seem friendly enough.'

  That's the trouble. They're too friendly. For all the good we're likely to do here now we might as well pull out, or at least put ourselves on the other side of the tunnel. They won't follow us through that, and it would take them some time to climb over the top of the massif.'

  'Okay,' put in Pompey. Let's break camp and get out of this. I'm sick of being poked.'

  I saw them poking themselves,' said Batty.

  Sure. I pretended not to get it, but they're crazy to have pictures on their chests like mine.

  Let's go. What's Sunny breaking into a rash about ? '

  The Negro was gesticulating, pointing down the river.

  The others looked. Coming up the river was a canoe.

  It's that pair we saw on the Hondo, Pedro and Louis,' muttered Digger.

  They must have followed us after all.'

  They've got a nerve,' growled Pompey.

  Digger shrugged. They've got as much right here as we have, so there's nothing we can do about it. They were looking for this tributary. They must have found it.'

  'I smell trouble,' drawled Pompey.

  I can

  smell it from here. Those two guys stink of it.'

  What are they doing for grub ? ' interposed Batty. If they were short when we saw them they must be even shorter now.'

  We shall soon know,' returned Digger, frowning.

  The canoe, driven by the paddles of its eight-man crew, came up, and any hope that it might go past was soon dispelled. It was pulled to the beach, and the two dark-skinned white men stepped ashore a few yards above the camp. Both wore revolver holsters. One carried a rifle.

  So here you are,' greeted the one believed to be named Pedro, as was presently confirmed. The man forced a smile, but there was no humour in his eyes, or in his tone of voice, which held a suspicion of a sneer.

  What about it ? ' inquired Digger.

  Why didn't you say you knew the way here when we spoke to you on the river ? '

  We didn't know then. Why should we tell you ? You said you were going to the coast.' '

  We changed our minds. Your launch left an oil trail to show us where you turned off.

  Where did you tuck it away ? '

  What's that to you ? '

  We could do with some grub.'

  So could we. That's why we're about to pull out.'

  Did you find Harwin's mine ? ' This remark settled any doubt as to why the men were there.

  We did not. I don't think there is one. If you think otherwise go ahead and find it. It's all yours as far as we're concerned.'

  I see you've done some panning. How did it work out ? '

  There's colour, but not enough to rave about.'

  We'll rig up a sluice and get these nit-wit Indians on the spade work.'

  You'll what ? ' Furrows lined Digger's fore-head.

  You heard me. As we shall be staying you'll have to let us have some grub.'

  Digger answered in a voice ominously calm.

  I've told you, you'll get no grub from us.'

  We'll see about that.' Pedro beckoned his companion, and they went over to where the Indians were standing watching.

  Finish packing up,' Digger told the others quietly. There's going to be trouble.'

  CHAPTER 9

  HOMEWARD BOUND

  WHILE Pompey, helped by Tommy and Batty, loaded the canoe, Digger watched the new arrivals. Tommy also watched out of the corner of an eye. He saw Sunny talking to one of Pedro's paddlers, who were watching events with obvious apprehension. Most significant of all he saw Louis go to his canoe and rejoin Pedro and the Indians with a bottle in each hand.

  Digger stepped in. 'Are you giving those Indians liquor ? '

  'What's that to do with you ? ' returned Pedro insolently, taking a swig from a bottle.

  'You must be out of your mind.'

  'You watch your own business.'

  This is my business. Get those Indians drunk and they're liable to do anything.'

  Pedro took no notice.

  Hurry up, you fellows,' Digger told those still busy at the canoe. Let's get out of this.' He went to his kitbag and put his pistol in his pocket.

  The Indians were now getting noisy. Soon they were dancing and waving their spears.

  Sunny sidled up to Digger. 'Pedro is telling them to kill you, boss. He says you've got many bottles in your outfit.'

  He speaks their language ? '

  Yaas, boss.'

  The fools,' grated Digger. The imbeciles. If those Indians start something they won't stop.

  ' Dat sure is de truf, boss.'

  Pedro swayed over, clearly the worse for drink. 'I want some grub,' he demanded belligerently. Cough it up.'

  You've had my answer,' returned Digger icily. Do you give it or do we take it ? ' snarled Pedro.

  Digger remained wonderfully calm. If you attempt anything like that I won't be answerable for the consequences.'

  Pompey stalked up, eyes narrow, fists clenched. Take it easy,' Digger told him. Let's get out.'

  Nobody's runnin' me out of anywhere till I'm ready to go,' rasped Pompey, glaring at Pedro.

  It was evident to Tommy that things were fast approaching a climax, for the Indians were yelling and their manner had become threatening. How matters would have ended had not a new and unexpected factor arrived on the scene is a matter for speculation, for it was evident that should they launch the canoe they would never reach the tunnel with Indians shooting at them from the bank. The river was too narrow. Pedro's paddlers seemed to realise the danger they were in more than their masters, for they stood huddled in a group, taking no part in the proceedings.

  At this vital juncture there appeared, marching briskly across the open ground, a party of men in uniform. Tommy recognised the leader as the Mex
ican officer who had spoken to them on the Hondo. His attitude, when he arrived, was peremptory. You are all under arrest,' he said crisply, while his men, rifles at the ready, formed a semi-circle covering the scene.

  Digger exchanged meaning glances with the others. Are we on Mexican territory ? ' he asked the officer.

  'You are.'

  Then I am very sorry. I thought we were in Honduras.'

  The falls are the boundary.'

  'I did not know that. We will return to them at once.'

  Who has been giving these Indians drink ? It is strictly forbidden.'

  You may be sure it wasn't us,' said Digger. We don't carry the stuff. We protested, and were about to go when you arrived. I need hardly say that we are very glad to see you.'

  These are the men I was looking for.' The officer pointed to Pedro and Louis.

  What happened next took the colour from Tommy's face. The Mexican officer's manner had been curt, but not uncivil, which made Pedro's next move the more unpardonable.

  Had the man been sober it is unlikely that he would have attempted violence, for with soldiers standing by it was not easy to see what he had to gain from it. At all events, his temper seemed suddenly to flare up. With an oath he whipped out his revolver and fired point-blank at the officer, who must certainly have been killed had not Pompey, who was standing near, jumped in and knocked his arm up, following this with a swing to the jaw that sent the man reeling backwards, the revolver flying from his hand as he hit the ground. Pompey kicked it aside with a growl of What's the idea ? '

  Before Pedro could rise the soldiers had thrown themselves on him, and with scant ceremony dragged him to one side. Louis, looking frightened, as he had reason to be, offered no resistance as his wrists were pinioned.

  Muchas gracias, senor,' said the officer to Pompey. He remained calm.

  While this was going on Pedro's paddlers, seizing their opportunity, had bolted in the canoe, which was now going down the river in a cloud of spray.