CHAPTER IV
A Hunting Expedition
"Great guns!" shouted Simpson in Owen's ear, as they clung to the railon the poop of the huge East Indiaman, and faced the gale. "And howsuddenly it came on!"
"We are lucky to have an experienced captain," shouted back our hero, ashe struggled to gather a breath, for the wind tore past him at hurricanespeed. "We were lying practically becalmed, with a cloudless skyoverhead, and, so far as I could see, no signs of a storm."
"Yes, and we were having a quiet sleep, all of us, for the heat wasterrific."
"When we were suddenly disturbed. As a matter of fact, I was just awake,and as I lay in my chair I happened to see the captain coming up thecompanion from his cabin, which is just beneath us. He looked about him,as he always does, and then glanced at the barometer. Then his facechanged, and I thought he had gone mad. He raced up here, three rungs ata time, and seized his trumpet. Then the officers appeared and the crew,while his orders sounded through the ship. My word! I never saw menwork harder! They threw themselves into the rigging and fairly tore thesails off her. I saw them cut through many of the ropes so as to savetime. Then down they came, and with them the gale. Didn't it howl?"
"It was terrific," agreed Simpson. "Who would have thought that withonly that small piece of rag showing this big ship would have heeledright over as she did? But you are right. We are fortunate in ourcaptain. I own I was angry at first when they disturbed us, and threwour chairs overboard without rhyme or reason. I saw why a minute later,for had we been in them we should have gone overboard, while had thechairs been left they would have slid and fallen here and there and donesome mischief. Where are we heading?"
Neither could answer the question, for in the excitement of the moment,when the gale had struck the ship, they had only noticed that she hadheeled over on to her beam ends, and that then had followed an intervalof a few seconds, which to more than one aboard felt like an eternity.Then she had righted with a jerk which threw many from their feet, and,sheering off from her course, had gone racing away towards the east, ata pace which was furious. That was an hour ago, and ever since thepassengers had clung to their positions, drenched by the spray whichblew aboard, and so filled with amazement at the huge seas which sosuddenly surrounded them that they had little thought for anything else.Simpson and Owen had been together, for ever since the event of thefight they had become close acquaintances, and they had clung to thesame length of rail.
Two hours later the ship was a little steadier, and the passengers foundtheir way with great difficulty to the saloon.
"You must make allowances for the gale, gentlemen, please," said thepurser, as they took their seats and clung to the tables. "The galleyfires have been drawn, for with this sea, and the ship tossing androlling as she is, it would not be safe to keep them in. So there iswater or wine to drink, and cold meat and bread only to eat. I shouldadvise you all afterwards to turn in, as it is so wet on deck andgenerally uncomfortable."
The ship had indeed encountered a typhoon, one of those sudden upsets inthe atmosphere common to eastern seas, and much to be dreaded. And asshe was unable to show more than a stay-sail at the most, and could notface the gale, she had to turn her stern to it and run from her course.Indeed, for three days she continued to do so, till the faces of thecaptain and his officers assumed serious expressions.
"I have never known a gale to last as this one has done," the captainconfided to one of the passengers. "When the hurricane struck us, youyourself will remember that it was a furious blow. I thought that, liketyphoons in general, it had appeared in full strength, to test ourseamanship perhaps, and would then rapidly blow itself out. But ithasn't. It has continued to blow, and blow harder too, so that wehaven't been able even to think of heading up to the wind. We're threehundred miles at least out of our course, and completely out of ourreckoning. I shall be glad when the wind drops."
Some hours later there were signs that at last the gale had expended itsfury, and when the passengers turned in that evening it was with thefeeling that increased comfort was before them. Indeed, the ship rockedfar less, and the motion was smoother altogether. And on the followingmorning they awoke to find the ship almost on an even keel, whileoverhead was a hot sun, reminding them that they were in the tropics.When they sauntered up on deck they found the officers at their posts,anxiously gazing at a dim line of blue which lay almost directly beforethem.
"Land, gentlemen," said the captain, coming towards the passengers, "andif I am not mistaken it is the coast of Sumatra. We have worked out theposition of the ship, and checked one another's findings, so that I feelsure that we are right. We are at least five hundred miles out of ourcourse."
The information caused the utmost excitement amongst the passengers atonce, for there were some aboard who had made many trips to and fromIndia, and not one had ever met with other than a smooth and uneventfulvoyage before. And on this occasion weeks had passed smoothly since theyhad left England. They had sailed down the coast of Africa, had roundedthe Cape, and had set their course for Calcutta. When the storm brokethey were well into the Indian Ocean, and heading for the Bay of Bengal.And here was the information that they were close to Sumatra, in theneighbourhood of the Malay Peninsula.
"We are looking for some quiet bay in which to anchor," said the captainafter a time, when he was sure that the land was indeed Sumatra. "Wehave had our spars sadly knocked about, and our sails want refitting.Then the carpenter tells me that she has been strained, probably whenthe typhoon struck her, and is leaking somewhere well below thewater-line. All things considered, I think it well to run into some bayfor a time and lie up. We will careen the ship for a day or so, so as tolet the carpenter and his mates get at the leak. Meanwhile some of youmay care to have a run ashore, though it will be well to make sure thatthere are no unfriendly natives about."
All were delighted at the news, for the ship had now been at sea for along while, and the passengers and crew were all feeling the need offresh water and fruit and vegetables, and also for an expedition onshore. It was therefore with the greatest interest that they watched thepale blue line of coast gradually develop into wooded heights, withmountain peaks in rear, while the line of beach showed itself as astreak of golden sand, bathed in the seething white foam cast upon it bythe surf which ran continuously. They steered into a narrow bay, theleadsman all the while sounding so that they should not run upon theshallows, and finally brought to and dropped their anchor within a mileof the shore, and within hearing of the surf. At once a hundred glasseswere directed at the coast, and an hour later boats were dropped and thepassengers prepared to land.
"I can only spare a crew of four to each boat, gentlemen," said thecaptain, "and perhaps some of you will not object to taking an oaryourselves. I will fire a gun an hour before dusk, when all must return.If natives appear I must ask you to return at once till they have shownthat they are friendly."
"And so as to be prepared I shall take a brace of pistols," said JackSimpson in Owen's ear. "Can you shoot, Owen?"
"A little. The sergeant of whom I have told you was a good hand at mostthings. He was a splendid man with the gloves, as you know, for I havetold you how he fought for me when the farmer was going to give me athrashing. He was also an adept with the pike, sword and cutlass, and hekept me at practice with the pistols till I could hit an apple perchedon a rail at twenty paces."
"By Jove! An apple at twenty paces! That is a mark! How often had you tohit it?"
"Every time," answered Owen with a quiet smile. "And it came wonderfullyeasy before I had left the regiment. I used to place the muzzle acrossmy left forearm and aim carefully at first. Afterwards I used to make arapid shot, just as if I were duelling. I would be placed with my backto the fence; then the sergeant would say, 'One, two, three, fire!' andround I would swing, lifting the pistol as I came, and fire the instantI sighted the mark. I could do it now after half an hour's practice."
"No wonder, then, that you so easily agreed to fight our f
riend withfists or pistols," laughed Jack. "Upon my word, Owen, you are a fellowto be avoided. You admit you could hit an apple at twenty paces, everytime. And we know that you can fight. By Jove, you showed us realscience! And there is the Hindustani too, and the other lingo you havebeen swatting at. I wish to goodness I had not been so idle. But there!fetch your pistols and let us get ashore."
They ran to their cabin, for since the fight the two had arranged anexchange, Jack leaving the cabin in which he had been with two otherpassengers and joining Owen. Then they appeared on deck again, anddropped into one of the boats which was just putting off. Already twohad left the ship, while one had actually landed her passengers and wasreturning.
"It looks a little risky, one would have thought," said Owen, as theydropped into the boat. "For all we know there may be unfriendly nativesashore. But I confess I know nothing of the country."
"And need feel no alarm," said one of the passengers who sat beside him."The people are fierce and warlike, but this is the northern end of thecoast, and there are none here. Think of the fresh fruit we shallgather."
A quarter of an hour later they were ashore, and within a few minutesthe whole party had separated, breaking up into couples.
"It is quite safe," said one of the passengers who had landed in thefirst boat. "There is not a village nor a hut to be seen anywhere,though I have been to the top of the hill yonder. But I advise that nonego too far from this spot."
Meanwhile the big ship was run in a little closer and slowly careened.And as she lay, with her spars slanting at a sharp angle, the carpenterand his mates looked to the leak, while the crew set to work to refitthe canvas. And in this manner, the passengers ashore for the most part,and the crew hard at work, two days passed serenely; each evening seeingthe passengers return with an abundant store of fruit, while those whohad guns found wild pig and a few deer to reward their efforts.
"We shall leave in two days," said the captain that night, as they satdown to the evening meal, congratulating themselves on the fact that theship was now again on an even keel, for it had been difficult to manageto get about or even to sleep while she was careened. "In three weeks weshould be at Calcutta."
"Barring storms and other little pleasantries," laughed one of thepassengers. "Well, I shall be glad. I have had my run ashore and want tobe moving on."
On the following day, when Jack Simpson and Owen dropped into one of theboats, only a dozen other passengers made their appearance, for it wasvery hot ashore, and there was little to do but ramble along the coast.Our young friends, however, had managed to borrow a gun apiece, and wereintent on obtaining a little sport. Indeed, an hour later found them acouple of miles inland, threading their way through a forest of smallproportions which had attracted them as being a likely place for game.Mulha accompanied them, for Owen had asked permission of the captain,much to the native's delight.
"There will be pig here, sahibs," he said, as they entered the forest."And we shall find it cooler. If my masters will take my advice theywill take their station at the end of the first open glade, and let mebeat the forest on either side. Then if there is any beast within it mayrun to the clearing."
A little later they struck upon a long narrow clearing, where the groundwas somewhat rocky, and where a tiny stream trickled through the stones.
"Plenty of beasts come here," Mulha pronounced, as he stepped along theglade. "You can see their marks between the stones. If the sahibs takepost here they should have sport. I will go to the right first, andafterwards to the left. Thus you will know my position, and will notfire in my direction when the beasts bolt."
It took but a few moments to arrange their positions; then Mulhadisappeared. Owen threw himself down behind a huge boulder, over which acool shade was thrown by a tree near at hand. Jack posted himself behindanother boulder, on a level with the one where his friend was stationed.Both looked up the full length of the grove, with their guns turned tothat side to which the game, should there prove to be any, would bedriven, and away from the forest where Mulha was beating.
Crash! They heard his stick as he beat the underwood in the distance,and waited expectantly, their hearts pulsating a trifle faster, forneither had had an opportunity of shooting before. There was anothercrash in the distance, a streak of brown bounded into the grove from thetrees, alighted on all four feet, and leaped high again with suchswiftness and with such momentum that it was across the glade beforeeither could have thought it possible. Owen's gun went to his shoulderwith the rapidity of lightning. His training with the pistol helped himto sight the disappearing mark, and long before Jack had gathered hiswits, or had awakened to the fact that an antelope of large proportionswas on the point of disappearing, the weapon cracked, and the animalfell huddled up at the very edge of the clearing. Owen turned to hisfriend with a gleam of excitement and triumph in his eye, while hehastily rammed down another charge, ran a wad upon it, and dropped inhis bullet.
"One," he said quietly. "Look out for others."
"My word!" gasped Jack, "that was a lightning shot."
"Look out!" shouted Owen.
This time he held his fire as a wild pig scampered into the clearing,and coming to a sudden halt lifted its head and stared in theirdirection while it listened to the sound of the beater behind. It wasJack's turn, and he levelled his weapon with unsteady hands, forexcitement told upon him.
"Steady," said Owen in low tones. "He's standing for you. Take him full,half-way along the body."
A shout of triumph filled the air and set the forest ringing a secondafter the gun had sent out its bullet, for Jack had hit his mark. At hisfriend's words he had waited, steadying himself, and then, when he feltthat he was full on his mark, he had taken a deep breath, wedged himselfcloser to the rock, and had firmly pulled the trigger. And now he wasdancing with delight, for the pig, as the sound of the shot crashed out,had started forward at a gallop, till Owen covered it, fearing that ithad escaped the bullet. Then it suddenly toppled over, and rollingamidst the stones came to rest with its feet in the air.
"Shut up! There may be more," commanded Owen. "There!"
Another of the animals darted into the clearing, heard the soundsbeyond, and raced toward the forest. But he ran only a few feet, forOwen proved to be as dead a shot with the gun as with the pistol. Aminute later Mulha appeared, within a few feet of them, and advancedwith smiles of pleasure.
"The sahib is a fine shot," he said. "I am no shikaree, but the firstbeast was hardly in the glade before it had darted out. And see wherethe bullet struck. It is hit through the chest, and on the very edge ofthe forest. In another instant it would have been gone. Now let thesahibs take their places again, and I will beat on the far side."
He plunged into the forest again and was lost to sight. But after a fewminutes had passed they heard his blows again, as he beat the underwood,and gun in hand waited for another shot. On this occasion, however, theywere not so fortunate. A few birds broke from the wood and wentscreaming aloft, while a little later a troop of monkeys, disturbed bythe intruder, went chattering across the glade, running on all fours,and some swinging themselves from branch to branch.
"We will move on to another part, then, sahibs," said Mulha, as heappeared again. "There is plenty of game here, both big and small, andyou may hope to make an even finer bag. Tread carefully now, and make nonoise, for these beasts hear at a great distance."
Putting their weapons at half-cock, so that there might be no accidents,they followed their native shikaree through the forest, ascending asthey went, for in this corner of Sumatra the land rose swiftly andsteeply from the coast. And presently they emerged into anotherclearing, some two miles in extent, which was almost bare of trees andundergrowth. Here and there there was a tree of huge proportions,outgrowing its fellows of the forest, for the simple reason that here ithad an abundance of light which was denied to them, and in consequencehad shot up with greater strength and had made far bigger growth. Then,too, there were some large patches of grass, towering som
e eight feet inthe air, and waving gently to and fro in the breeze. Owen and his friendhad never seen the like of it before, and looked with amazement at thehuge green stems and the broad blades which overtopped their heads. Andin amongst the sparse trees and patches of grass were rocks andscattered green patches of sweet grass, where the marks plainly toldthat many animals were in the habit of grazing. Now, however, the placewas deserted, though they pried into every corner.
"There may be some hidden beast yet, sahibs," said Mulha, as they toiledacross the space, for the heat was very great, and they were unused tomuch walking. "We will go quietly still, and keep a careful watch."
"Steady! I thought I saw something over there," exclaimed Owen suddenly.
All looked in the direction to which he pointed, but there was not amovement, not a sign that there existed anything but a knotted tree,which had the appearance of having been blasted by lightning, and a widepatch of waving grass.
"Still, I am sure that I saw something which looked like the tail andhind quarters of some beast. We will go carefully, and it will be aswell to have our guns ready."
All three advanced on tiptoe, the native a few feet in front, and thetwo young sahibs side by side. They reached the tree and the edge of thegrass, but without seeing anything. Then Mulha slipped upon hands andknees, and crept round the edge. Scarcely a second passed ere the tallgrass which hid him from Owen's eyes parted suddenly, some few feet tothe right, while a huge beast burst its way through, its head low downclose to the ground, and its evil eyes fixed upon the intruders. Therewas not a sound but that made by the grass as it was swept aside, thatand the deep gasping breaths of the animal. But though there was nowarning noise, Owen and Jack guessed the unfriendly intentions of theanimal in an instant, for its rolling eyes were fixed upon them while itcharged in their direction.
"Jump aside, sahibs!" they heard Mulha shout. "Jump for your lives! Itis a rhino!"
"Leap!" repeated Owen at the top of his voice, at the same instanthurling himself as far to one side as he was able. Then he turned forone instant to see whether Jack had done the same. But his comrade wasless active, perhaps, than he, and more than that, he lacked thetraining which Owen had had. In a hundred little ways he had shownalready that he was slower to obey an order or to follow out an ideathan our hero, and now, at the most critical moment in his life, hehesitated for a second. The onrushing beast fascinated him. He paused,gave vent to a cry of dismay, and then attempted to leap aside. Owenshouted and lifted his gun, for what he saw brought his heart into hismouth. Jack's hesitation had proved his undoing. His foot slipped as heleaped, and in an instant he was flat on his face on the ground, while adull thud told that his head had struck heavily against a small boulderlying on the grass. And within a few seconds the rhinoceros had reachedhim. Owen saw the beast's head drop a little lower, while a squeal ofrage escaped from it. Then it galloped over the prostrate figure like awhirlwind, missing its mark by a happy chance, and failing to get itshorn beneath the young fellow who lay so helpless. Carried on by theimpetus of its charge it tore along some half-dozen yards, and finallywas brought up with a jerk, its horns having become entangled in theroot of a small tree growing at that spot. It was an opportunity, andOwen made the most of it.
"Get me the other gun, Mulha," he shouted. "Bring it as quick as youcan, as I may miss him with this."
Dropping on to one knee he put his gun at full cock and levelled it atthe beast, which was struggling frantically to disengage itself. Aimingjust behind the shoulder, he waited for a few moments till it stoodstill to gather its energies, then he pressed the trigger. A fiercesqueal rewarded him, and as soon as the smoke had cleared away he sawthat the beast was still far from dead, and that its rage had beenincreased. Worse than that, the horn was now almost freed from the root,and at any instant the charge might be repeated.
"Into the tree!" he shouted. "Quick, Mulha, up you get. I will hand upmy friend. Don't argue. Up you get."
There was no time for the native to remonstrate with his young Englishfriend, though he would have liked to have done so. Instead, therefore,he slung the gun across his shoulders in a flash and swung himself intothe lower branches of the tree, which had the appearance of having beenstruck by lightning. Owen meanwhile ran to Jack's side, and bending overhim lifted him in his arms. Then he half carried, half dragged him tothe tree, and as Mulha leaned over, helped the native to haul him up.
"Take him higher," he called out, "and then get the gun ready. I musthave mine."
He had left it where Jack had fallen, and turning at once he ran back tothe spot. There was little time to be lost, that he could see forhimself, for the horn was all but disengaged now. Still, without aweapon, where would he be? Without hesitation, therefore, he picked upthe gun and ran back to the tree. Clasping the lowest bough, he was inthe act of swinging himself up when Mulha gave a warning shout.
"He is free, sahib!" he called out "You will not have time. Drop to theground, and put the tree between you."
It was excellent advice, and Owen made the most of it. He leaped to theground, and ran to the far side of the tree. And he was just in time.Maddened with rage and pain the rhinoceros charged full at hisdisappearing figure, and heedless of the tree dashed headlong into it.But even such a terrific blow failed to stun the beast. It backed a fewpaces, snorting and squealing, while its wicked-looking eyes searchedfor its enemy. Then Owen did a plucky thing.
"Climb now, sahib. Drop the gun and climb. There is time. Come, I begyou!" called out Mulha.
For answer Owen raised his weapon swiftly and pushed it round the sideof the tree. Then his arm and shoulder followed, till the gun waspointed at the rhinoceros. Its head went down, with a hideous squeal ofrage, as it caught sight of him, and considering his youth andinexperience it was wonderful that he did not follow the native'sadvice promptly. But our hero had shown before that he was made of theright stuff, and was not given to panic. He moved the weapon ever solittle, and was just about to pull the trigger when another shoutstopped him.
"It is empty, sahib! You have fired already."
In the excitement of the moment he had forgotten that, and for the briefspace of a second Owen was disconcerted.
"Drop yours down, then," he said hoarsely. "That's the way. I'll catchit as it comes."
It took very few moments to make the exchange, and during that time thebeast stood its ground, for it had again lost sight of its enemy. Butvery soon a squeal told that it had spied him again. The head went down,and it moved forward to charge. Owen aimed for a spot at the root of theneck and pressed his trigger firmly. Then he swung the gun over hisshoulders, did the same with the weapon lying at his feet, and ere thesmoke had cleared away was clambering into the tree.
"Look at his heels, sahib," cried Mulha triumphantly, a minute later, ashe pointed below. "He is in his death-struggle. It was a bold shot. Youstood fast to your post like a tried hunter. It is true what they say onthe ship, that Sahib Owen Jones will make a fine officer. Truly it wasboldly done, and the young sahib has abundant courage."
"And he will want it, too," answered Owen, with a reckless laugh, "forlook there, Mulha!"
He pointed to the patch of grass through which the rhinoceros had burstits way, and there, filing through the gap which he had made, came threemore of the beasts, trampling and pawing the grass, shaking their headsand sniffing angrily.
"A siege, I think," said Owen quietly, "and very well for us that wehave found such a castle."
Jones of the 64th: A Tale of the Battles of Assaye and Laswaree Page 5