On to Pekin/Chapter 8
CHAPTER VIII
A DISCOVERY ON SHIPBOARD
"What! you?" stammered Gilbert. For the moment he did not know what to say.
A brief glance told him that Nuggy Polk had entirely recovered from his spree of three days before; and so, also, had Jerry Nickerson. Both were freshly shaven, and dressed in clean outing suits of the latest pattern; and they looked as bright young Americans as are to be found anywhere.
"Yes, lieutenant," went on Nuggy Polk, with a good-natured laugh. "As I said before, you didn't expect to see me, did you?"
"Hardly," answered Gilbert, slowly. He was trying to determine how he should treat this fellow, who was in reality his enemy. "How did you manage to obtain passage on this transport?"
"Oh, I had to use a bit of diplomacy in order to get myself and my friend Jerry aboard; and it wouldn't be just right to expose how it was done. You see, our little outing to the military camp up at the Manila water-works made us miss the regular steamer. But I was bound to get to China, anyway, and as soon as possible; and here we are."
"Perhaps you intend to join the army?" suggested Gilbert.
"Hardly." Nuggy Polk glanced at Major Morris. "Won't you introduce your friend? I know precious few fellows on board, and I should like to get acquainted."
The major was introduced; and then Nuggy Polk introduced "his one particular friend," Jerry Nickerson.
"Sorry I can't invite you down to the bar," said Polk. "But the government isn't up to date on those things." And he gave a light laugh.
"And a good thing," answered Major Morris. "We want to keep all our soldiers sober." He spoke pointedly; for Gilbert had told him of the first meeting with the sporty young man, and also of his family affairs, so far as they concerned the doings of the Richmond Importing Company.
Nuggy Polk's face grew red, and he looked on the point of saying something bitter; but this passed off, and he changed the subject by remarking that he hoped the trip to China would prove a pleasant one.
"I understand Nagasaki is the first stop," put in Nickerson. "How long do you suppose it will take to reach that Japanese port?"
"Five or six days, most likely," answered Gilbert. "It will depend somewhat on the weather. These waters are full of islands and reefs, and a ship has to be mighty careful how she runs in foul weather."
"I hope we reach China in time to see the first real fighting," was Major Morris's comment; and then he was called away, and Gilbert was left alone with his new acquaintances.
"Lieutenant, I owe you something for what you did for us the other night," said Nuggy Polk, confidentially. "I don't know how I should have got back to Manila if it hadn't been for you."
"I am glad I was of service to you," answered Gilbert, coolly.
"But I owe you something, and I want to pay you," insisted the young man from Richmond, as he drew his ever-present roll of bills from his pocket.
"I want no pay for what I did at Manila," answered the young lieutenant, decidedly.
"But you put yourself out a good deal."
"If I did, it's all right."
"You acted as if you were my bosom friend."
"Thank you for the compliment."
"Don't you think I mean it?"
"Certainly I do, Mr. Polk."
"Don't Mister me, lieutenant. Call me Nuggy. I'm not proud, even if I have money to spend."
"Then, Nuggy, let me tell you that it is all right, and that I don't wish a cent of your money."
"But you might as well have it."
"Oh, don't offend the lieutenant," put in Nickerson, as Gilbert remained silent. "If he doesn't want your money, put it up."
"I don't wish to offend anybody, and I will put it up," said Nuggy Polk, stiffly. "But, if he wants ten or twenty dollars, he is welcome to it."
"Thanks, but you can't hire me to take it," laughed Gilbert. "Let us talk about something else. Tell me about Richmond. I am always interested in news from Virginia, You told me, I believe, that you are in the importing trade."
"Yes, my father and I run the Richmond Importing Company. We export as well as import."
"And you have some trade in China, so you said."
"Yes, a large trade,—with Shanghai and Tien-Tsin."
"I am afraid that your trade is going to suffer on account of this war."
"That depends upon how you look at it. My belief is that this war won't amount to shucks."
"Exactly my idea," broke in Jerry Nickerson. "The soldiers will go there and relieve the ministers, and that will be the end of it. No foreign power will dare to make war on China because of the other powers."
"I am of the opinion that the war is already on around Taku and Tien-Tsin," answered Gilbert. "The forts at the mouth of the Pei-Ho have been taken, and that will probably madden the Chinese beyond endurance."
"Humph! A good deal of that is all talk," said Nuggy Polk. "When I reach Tien-Tsin, I expect to have no trouble whatever in landing and in transacting business."
"You are going to do business in Tien-Tsin?"
"I am, if I can find a man I am after,—a certain Amos Bartlett."
"You speak as if you had a bone to pick with him," said Gilbert, more to draw Nuggy Polk out than because he thought this was so.
"I have, and a big one," answered the young man, frowning. "Bartlett is getting too big for his boots. He has either got to get out of the company or there will be trouble."
"If the company is making money, perhaps he won't want to get out."
"We'll force him out. He is a bother, and in the way."
"It is not always so easy to force a man out of a thing,—especially if he knows what a good thing it is."
"I will do the trick," said Nuggy Polk, with a wink. "Trust me to work any deal that is to my advantage."
At this moment came an order from Captain Banner for company drill, and Gilbert had to leave the pair. No sooner had he gone than Jerry Nickerson said in a low tone, "Nuggy, I wouldn't be so free about talking over private affairs with an outsider."
"Oh, he's only a common soldier, Jerry. What harm can it do?"
"Never mind. I would be more close-mouthed if I were you."
"You get scared when there is absolutely nothing to scare you."
"I think it pays to be cautious."
"I am cautious—when there is need for it."
"No, you are not. Before you get through, you will tell everybody that you are going to do Amos Bartlett out of his shares in the Richmond Importing Company."
"Bosh!"
"All right. I know you."
"See here, Jerry Nickerson, who is running this affair?" cried Nuggy Polk, angrily. "You talk as if I were a child in apron-strings."
"I am only trying to give you a bit of sound advice; but you won't take it, and perhaps you'll have to suffer."
"Rats!" was the sporty young man's characteristic response, and he stalked off to watch the drill.
In the confined space on the transport but little marching could be done, yet one company after another went through the manual of arms, including the acts of loading, aiming, and firing at an imaginary foe; and there were such commands as "right face," "left wheel," and the like, all of which interested the few spectators at hand. The regimental band on board played from time to time, to make the hours pass more pleasantly and keep the men from feeling homesick.
Although Nuggy Polk did not care to admit it, Nickerson's words made him feel somewhat anxious concerning his talks with Gilbert. In a dim way he remembered something of what he had said on the road outside of Manila, and he wondered if he had told more than was desirable.
"I was a fool to get drunk," he muttered to himself. "I'll take good care not to get that way again."
But this mental promise amounted to nothing, for such promises had been made and broken a dozen times before. What Nuggy Polk needed was a thorough reformation, and this could not come too soon.
While the company of which Gilbert was first lieutenant was drilling, Nuggy Polk drew close to a group of soldiers from another command who were watching the manœuvres, and entered into conversation with one of the number.
"They seem to do first-rate," said he. "I reckon they have a first-class captain."
"Yes, Captain Banner is all right," answered the private addressed. "He is an old officer, and went through the fights in Cuba before he came to the Philippines."
"And Lieutenant Gilbert seems to know his business, too," went on the young man.
"You mean Lieutenant Pennington," corrected the soldier.
"Pennington!" exclaimed Nuggy Polk. "I mean that officer there." And he pointed with his hand.
"That is Lieutenant Pennington."
"His full name is Gilbert Pennington," put in a soldier standing by, who had overheard the conversation.
"Humph! He told me it was Gilbert. I wonder why—by George!" And of a sudden Nuggy Polk's face grew dark.
"What did you say?" asked the soldier the young man had first addressed.
"Nothing,—that is, I was under the impression the lieutenant's last name was Gilbert. Where does he come from, do you know?"
"He's a Southerner."
"You don't know anything about him further than that?"
The soldier shook his head. "I might find out for you," he added.
"Thanks, but it won't be necessary," replied Nuggy Polk, and walked away, his mind filled with sudden and strange forebodings.