by Charles King
again, my lad; but remember we cannot aim in the darkness."
"That can be provided against. We have plenty of tarry wood here, andwe can cut down the still standing brush, and making two huge bonfires,deluge the whole with kerosene when we hear the beggars coming and nearat hand. Thus shall you have light to fight."
"McGregor, my lad, I think you have saved the fort and our lives. Getready your men and proceed to duty. Or, stay. While they still are attheir terrible feast and dancing round the fires, you may remaininside."
"Thanks, sir, thanks."
The men had supper at eleven o'clock and a modicum of rum each. TheBritish sailor needs no Dutch courage on the day of battle.
The distant fires burnt on till midnight. Then, by means of hisnight-glass, Dickson could see the tall chieftain was mustering his menfor the charge.
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Half an hour later they came on with fiendish shouts and howling. Thenbrave McGregor and his men left the barracks and hid in the darkling tothe left and low down on the sands.
The enemy advanced from the right. Their chief was evidently a poorsoldier, or he would have caused them to steal as silently as panthersupon the fort. When within a hundred yards, Dickson at one side andReginald at the other, each accompanied by a man carrying a keg ofkerosene, issued forth at the back door.
In three minutes more the flames sprang up as if by magic. They leapedin great white tongues of fire up the rock sides, from which the rayswere reflected, so that all round the camp was as bright as day.
The astonished savages, however, came on like a whirlwind, till withintwenty yards of the brae on which stood the fort. Then Mr Hall, thebrave and imperturbable Yankee, "gave them fits," as he termed it. Hetrained a gun on them and fired it point-blank. The yells and awfulhowlings of rage and pain told how well the grape had done its deadlywork, and that many had fallen never to rise again.
The tall, skin-clad chief now waved his spear aloft, and shouted to hismen, pointing at the fort. That dark cloud was a mass of frenziedsavages now. They leaped quickly over their dead and wounded, andrushed for the hill. But they were an easy mark, and once again bothguns riddled their ranks. They would not be denied even yet.
But lo! while still but half-way up the hill, to their astonishment andgeneral demoralisation, they were attacked by a terrible rifle fire fromthe flank. Again and again those rifles cracked, and at so close arange that the attacking party fell dead in twos and threes.
But not until two more shots were fired from the fort, not until thegiant chief was seen to throw up his arms and fall dead in his tracks,did they hurriedly rush back helter-skelter, and seek safety in flight.
The black riflemen had no mercy on their brother-islanders. Their bloodwas up. So was McGregor's, and they pursued the enemy, pouring involley after volley until the darkness swallowed them up.
The slaughter had been immense. The camp was molested no more. But atdaybreak it was observed that no cloud hung any longer on the volcanicpeak. The savages were still grouped in hundreds around their nowrelighted fires, and it was evident a new feast was in preparation.
But something still more strange now happened. Accompanied by twogigantic spear-armed men of the guard, the Queen herself was seen toissue from the glen, and boldly approach the rebels. What she said maynever be known. But, while her guard stood like two statues, she wasseen to be haranguing the cannibals, sometimes striking her sceptre-poleagainst the hard white sand, sometimes pointing with it towards thevolcanic mountain.
But see! another chief approaches her, and is apparently defying her.Next moment there is a little puff of white smoke, and the man falls,shot through the head.
And now the brave and romantic Queen nods to her guards, and with theirspears far and near the fires are dispersed and put out.
This was all very interesting, as well as wonderful, to the onlookers atthe fort, but when the Queen was seen approaching the little garrison, alittle white flag waving from her pole, and followed by all the natives,astonishment was at its height.
Humbly enough they approached now, for the Queen in their eyes was agoddess. With a wave of her sceptre she stopped them under the brae, orhill, and Dickson and Reginald hurried down to meet her floral majesty.
"Had I only known sooner," she said sympathisingly, "that my people hadrebelled and attempted to murder you, I should have been here long, longbefore now. These, however, are but the black sheep of my island, andnow at my command they have come to sue for pardon."
"And they will lay down their arms?"
"Yes, every spear and bow and crease."
"Then," said Dickson, "let them go in single file and heap them on thestill smouldering fire up yonder."
Queen Bertha said something to them in their own language, and she wasinstantly obeyed. The fire so strangely replenished took heart andblazed up once more, and soon the arms were reduced to ashes, and thevery knives bent or melted with the fierce heat.
"Go home now to your wives and children," she cried imperiously. "For atime you shall remain in disgrace. But if you behave well I will gladlyreceive you once more into my favour. Disperse! Be off!"
All now quietly dispersed, thankfully enough, too, for they had expecteddecapitation. But ten were retained to dig deep graves near the sea andbury the dead. There were no wounded. This done, peace was restoredonce more on the Island of Flowers.
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Three weeks of incessant rain followed. It fell in torrents, and theriver itself overflowed its banks, the fords being no longer of any use,so that the men were confined to their barracks.
It was a long and a dreary time. Very much indeed Reginald would haveliked to visit the palace, to romp with little Matty, and listen to themusic of Ilda's sweet voice.
"As for Annie--she must have given me up for dead long ere now," he saidto himself. "Why, it is two years and nine months since I left home.Yes, something tells me that Annie is married, and married to--to--myold rival the Laird. Do I love Ilda? I dare not ask myself thequestion. Bar Annie herself, with sweet, baby, innocent face, I havenever known a girl that so endeared herself to me as Ilda has done.And--well, yes, why deny it?--I long to see her."
One day the rain ceased, and the sun shone out bright and clear oncemore. The torrents from the mountains were dried up, and the riverrapidly went down. This was an island of surprises, and when, threedays after this, Reginald, accompanied by Hall and Dickson, went overthe mountains, they marvelled to find that the incessant downpour ofrain had entirely washed the ashes from the valley, and that it was oncemore smiling green with bud and bourgeon. In a week's time the flowerswould burst forth in all their glory.
The ford was now easily negotiable, and soon they were at the Queen'spalace. Need I say that they received a hearty welcome from her Majestyand Ilda? Nor did it take Matty a minute to ensconce herself onReginald's knee.
"Oh," she whispered, "I'se so glad you's come back again! Me and Ildacried ourselves to sleep every, every night, 'cause we think the badblack men kill you."
Ilda crying for him! Probably praying for him! The thought gave himjoy. Then, indeed, she loved him. No wonder that he once again askedhimself how it would all end.
The weather now grew charming. Even the hills grew green again, for theashes and _debris_ from the fire-hill, as the natives called it, hadfertilised the ground. And now, accompanied by Ilda and Matty, whowould not be left behind, an expedition started for the valley of gold.The road would be rough, and so a hammock had been sent for from thecamp, and two sturdy natives attached it to a long bamboo pole. Matty,laughing with delight, was thus borne along, and she averred that it wasjust like flying.
Alas! the earthquake had been very destructive in Golden Gulch. Ourheroes hardly knew it. Indeed, it was a glen no longer, but filledentirely up with fallen rocks, lava, and scoria.
T
hey sighed, and commenced the return journey. But first a visit mustbe paid to Lone Tree Mountain. For Reginald's heart lay there.
"From that elevation," said Reginald, "we shall be able to see thebeautiful ocean far and near."
The tree at last! It was with joy indeed they beheld it. Thoughdamaged by the falling scoria, it was once more green; but the grave inwhich the gold and pearls lay was covered three feet deep in lava andsmall stones. The treasure, then, was safe!
They were about to return, when Ilda suddenly grasped Reginald's armconvulsively.
"Look! look!" she cried, pointing seawards. "The ship! the ship! Weare saved! We are saved!"
CHAPTER TWENTY THREE.
"SHE THREW HERSELF ON THE SOFA IN AN AGONY OF GRIEF."
Nearer and nearer drew that ship, and bigger and bigger she seemed togrow, evidently with the intention of landing on the island.
Even with the naked eye they soon could see that her bulwarks were badlybattered, and that her fore-topmast had been carried away.
Back they now hurried to leave Ilda and Matty at the palace. Thencamp-wards with all speed; and just as they reached the barracks theycould hear the rattling of the chains as both anchors were being let goin the bay.
A boat now left the vessel's side, and our three heroes hurried down tomeet it.
The captain was a red-faced, white-haired, hale old man, and one's very_beau-ideal_ of a sailor. He was invited at once up to the barracks,and rum and ship biscuits placed before him. Then yarns wereinterchanged, Captain Cleaver being the first to tell the story of hisadventures. Very briefly, though, as seafarers mostly do talk.
"Left Rio three months ago, bound for San Francisco. Fine weather for atime, and until we had cleared the Straits. Then--oh, man! may I neversee the like again! I've been to sea off and on for forty years andfive, but never before have I met with such storms. One after another,too; and here we are at last. In the quiet of your bay, I hope to makegood some repairs, then hurry on our voyage. And you?" he added.
"Ah," said Dickson, "we came infinitely worse off than you. Wrecked,and nearly all our brave crew drowned. Six men only saved, with usthree, Mr Hall's daughter and a child. The latter are now with thewhite Queen of this island. We managed to save our guns and provisionsfrom our unhappy yacht and that was all."
"Well, you shall all sail to California with me. I'll make room, for Iam but lightly loaded. But I have not yet heard the name of your craft,nor have you introduced me to your companions."
"A sailor's mistake," laughed Dickson; "but this is Mr Hall, who was apassenger; and this is Dr Reginald Grahame. Our vessel's name was the_Wolverine_."
"And she sailed from Glasgow nearly three years ago?"
Captain Cleaver bent eagerly over towards Dickson as he put thequestion.
"That is so, sir."
"Why, you are long since supposed to have foundered with all hands, andthe insurance has been paid to your owners."
"Well, that is right; the ship is gone, but _we_ are alive, and ouradventures have been very strange and terrible indeed. After dinner Iwill tell you all. But now," he added, with a smile, "if you will onlytake us as far as 'Frisco, we shall find our way to our homes."
Captain Cleaver's face was very pale now, and he bit his lips, as hereplied:
"I can take you, Captain Dickson, your six men, Mr Hall and the ladies,but I cannot sail with this young fellow." He pointed to Reginald. "Itmay be mere superstition on my part," he continued, "but I am an oldsailor, you know, and old sailors have whims."
"I cannot see why I should be debarred from a passage home," saidReginald.
"I am a plain man," said Cleaver, "and I shall certainly speak out, ifyou pretend you do not know."
"I do _not_ know, and I command you to speak out."
"Then I will. In Britain there is a price set upon your head, sir, andyou are branded as a _murderer_!"
Dickson and Hall almost started from their seats, but Reginald wasquiet, though deathly white.
"And--and," he said, in a husky voice, "whom am I accused of murdering?"
"Your quondam friend, sir, and rival in love, the farmer Craig Nicol."
"I deny it _in toto_!" cried Reginald.
"Young man, I am not your judge. I can only state facts, and tell youthat your knife was found bloodstained and black by the murdered man'sside. The odds are all against you."
"This is truly terrible!" said Reginald, getting red and white by turns,as he rapidly paced the floor. "What can it mean?"
"Captain Dickson," he said at last, "do you believe, judging from allyou have seen of me, that I could be guilty of so dastardly a deed, orthat I could play and romp with the innocent child Matty with,figuratively speaking, blood between my fingers, and darkest guilt at myheart? Can you believe it?"
Dickson held out his hand, and Reginald grasped it, almost in despair.
"Things look black against you," he said, "but I do _not_ believe youguilty."
"Nor do I," said Hall; "but I must take the opportunity of sailing withCaptain Cleaver, I and my daughter and little Matty."
Reginald clasped his hand to his heart.
"My heart will break!" he said bitterly.
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In a few days' time Cleaver's ship was repaired, and ready for sea. Sowas Hall, and just two of the men. The other four, as well as Dicksonhimself, elected to stay. There was still water to be laid in, however,and so the ship was detained for forty-eight hours.
One morning his messmates missed Reginald from his bed. It was cold,and evidently had not been slept in for many hours.
"Well, well," said Dickson, "perhaps it is best thus, but I doubt notthat the poor unhappy fellow has thrown himself over a cliff, and bythis time all his sorrows are ended for ay."
But Reginald had had no such intention. While the stars were yetshining, and the beautiful Southern Cross mirrored in the river's depth,he found himself by the ford, and soon after sunrise he was at thepalace.
Ilda was an early riser and so, too, was wee Matty. Both were surprisedbut happy to see him. He took the child in his arms, and as he kissedher the tears rose to his eyes, and all was a mist.
"Dear Matty," he said, "run out, now; I would speak with Ilda alone."
Half-crying herself, and wondering all the while, Matty retiredobediently enough.
"Oh," cried Ilda earnestly, and drawing her chair close to his, "you arein grief. What can have happened?"
"Do not sit near me, Ilda. Oh, would that the grief would but kill me!The captain of the ship which now lies in the bay has brought meterrible news. I am branded with murder! Accused of slaying my quondamfriend and rival in the affections of her about whom I have often spokento you--Annie Lane."
Ilda was stricken dumb. She sat dazed and mute, gazing on the face ofhim she loved above all men on earth.
"But--oh, you are not--_could_ not--be guilty! Reginald--my ownReginald!" she cried.
"Things are terribly black against me, but I will say no more now. Onlythe body was not found until two days after I sailed, and it is believedthat I was a fugitive from justice. That makes matters worse. Ilda, Icould have loved you, but, ah! I fear this will be our last interviewon earth. Your father is sailing by this ship, and taking you and mylittle love Matty with him."
She threw herself in his arms now, and wept till it verily seemed herheart would break. Then he kissed her tenderly, and led her back to herseat.
"Brighter times may come," he said. "There is ever sunshine behind theclouds. Good-bye, darling, good-bye--and may every blessing fall onyour life and make you happy. Say good-bye to the child for me; I darenot see her again."
She half rose and held out her arms towards him, but he was gone. Thedoor was closed, and she threw herself now on the sofa in an agony ofgrief.
The ship sailed next day. Reginald could not see her depart. He andone man had gone to the distant hil
l. They had taken luncheon withthem, and the sun had almost set before they returned to camp.
"Have they gone?" was the first question when he entered thebarrack-hall.
"They have gone."
That was all that Dickson said.
"But come, my friend, cheer up. No one here believes you guilty. Allare friends around you, and if, as I believe you to be, you areinnocent, my advice is this: Pray to the Father; pray without ceasing,and He will bend down His ear and take you out of your troubles.Remember those beautiful lines you have oftentimes heard me sing:
"`God is our comfort and our strength, In straits a present aid; Therefore although the earth remove, We will not be afraid.'
"And these:
"`He took me from a fearful pit, And from the miry clay; And on a rock he set my feet, Establishing my way.'"
"God bless you for your consolation. But at present my grief is all sofresh, and it came upon me like a bolt from the blue. In a few days Imay recover. I do not know. I may fail and die. It may be better if Ido."
Dickson tried to smile.
"Nonsense, lad. I tell you all will yet come right, and you will see."
The men who acted as servants now came in to lay the supper. The tablewas a rough one indeed, and tablecloth there was none. Yet many ahearty meal they had made off the bare boards.
"I have no appetite, Dickson."
"Perhaps not; but inasmuch as life is worth living, and especially ayoung life like yours, eat you must, and we must endeavour to coax it."
As he spoke