The Beautiful White Devil/Chapter 16
CHAPTER XVI.
OUR MARRIAGE, AND THE SETTLEMENT AGAIN.
I am drawing near the end of my long story now, and, when two more circumstances connected with our flight have been retorted, I shall be able to lay down my pen and feel that the story of the one and only romance of my life has been written.
The first of the two circumstances to be recorded is my marriage. On July 18th, seven days exactly after saying good-bye to England, we reached Madeira. Previously to sighting the island, Walworth, in a conversation with the captain, had allowed him to suppose that Alie was a great heiress, and that ours was a runaway match. His nautical spirit of romance was stirred, and he found early occasion to inform me that he would do everything in his power to further the ends we had in view.
As soon, therefore, as we were at anchor in harbour, and the necessary formalities had been complied with, I went ashore, hunted up the proper authorities, and obtained a special license. A parson was the next person inquired, and when I had discovered him in the little vicarage next door to his church, on the outskirts of the town, our wedding was arranged for the following day at ten o'clock.
Accordingly next morning after breakfast a boat was manned, and Alie, Janet, Walworth, the captain, and myself went ashore. To avert suspicion we separated on landing, but met again at the church door half an hour later. It was a lovely morning, a heavy dew lay upon the grass, and when the sun came out and smiled upon us, the world looked as if it were decked with diamonds in honour of our wedding.
While we were waiting in the little porch and the clerk was opening the doors, Walworth went off and hunted up the parson. Five minutes afterwards they returned together, and then, before the bare little altar, with the sun streaming in through the open door, George de Normanville and Alie Dunbar were made man and wife. The register was then signed and witnessed, and having feed the clergyman and tipped the clerk, we all went back to the town again. It had all been most satisfactorily managed, and I had not the slightest doubt but that the half-imbecile old clergyman had forgotten our names almost before he had discarded his surplice in the vestry.
An hour later we were back on board the yacht, which had by this time replenished her supply of coal; steam was immediately got up, and by three o'clock we were safely out of sight of land once more. Now we had nothing to be afraid of save being stopped and overhauled by a man-of-war. But that was most unlikely, and even in the event of one heaving in sight and desiring to stop us, I had no doubt in my own mind that we possessed sufficiently quick heels to enable us to escape it.
But I am reminded that I have said nothing yet as to the joy and happiness which was mine in at last having Alie for my wife. I have also omitted, most criminally, to give you a full account of the wedding breakfast, which was held with becoming ceremony in the saloon of the yacht, as soon as we had got safely on our way once more. The captain's attempt at speech-making has not been reported, nor have I told yon what a singular ass I made of myself, and how I nearly broke down when I rose to reply to the toast of our healths. No! an account of those things, however interesting to those who actually took part in them, could be of little or no concern to anyone else. So for that reason, if for no other, I will be prudent and hold my tongue.
Of the rest of the voyage to the Mascarenhas, there is little to chronicle, save, perhaps, that we sighted Table Mountain in due course, rounded the Cape of Good Hope safely—though we had some choppy, nasty weather in doing so,—and passing into the Indian Ocean, eventually arrived off the island of Reunion an hour before daybreak.
I was on deck before it was light, waiting eagerly for the first signs of day. Not a breath of wind was stirring and as we were only under the scantiest sail our progress was hardly discernible. Then little by little dawn broke upon us, a clear, pearl-gray light, in which the world appeared so silent and mysterious a place that one almost feared to breathe in it. While I was watching, I heard someone come across the deck behind me, and next moment a little hand stole into mine. It was Alie, my wife.
"Can you discern any sign of the schooner?" she asked.
Before answering I looked round the horizon, but there was not a sign of any sail at all. To port showed up the dim outline of the island, with a few small fishing boats coming out to meet the rising sun, but in every other direction, there was nothing but grey sea softly heaving.
"No, darling," T answered, "I can see nothing of her. But we must not be too impatient. There is plenty of time for her to put in an appearance yet."
Five minutes later Walworth came up the companion ladder and joined us. Alie turned to him.
"I hope Captain Patterson thoroughly understood your instructions, Mr. Walworth?" she said.
"I wired to him to be here a week ago," Walworth answered; "he was to expect us to-day, but, in case of our non-arrival, to continue cruising about in these waters until the end of the month."
"Then we need have no fear," she replied confidently; "we shall sight him before very long, I feel sure."
We then fell to pacing the deck together, talking of the future and all it promised for us.
Half an hour later the lookout whom the captain had sent into the fore crosstrees to report anything he might see, sang out, "Sail ho!"
"How does she bear?" cried the skipper from the deck.
"Dead ahead, sir!" was the man's reply
"What does she look like?"
"A big topsail schooner, painted white."
"The Lone Star for certain, then," said Alie, taking my hand again.
As she spoke, the breakfast bell sounded and we went below to our meal. When we returned to the deck the distance between the two boats had diminished considerably, and we could make out the schooner quite distinctly. She was little more than five miles away now, and there could be no possible doubt about her identity. Then, as we watched, she went slowly about and next moment we saw a string of signals break out at her masthead.
Walworth took up a glass from the deck chair and reported that she was anxious to know our name and where we hailed from.
"Shall I answer?" he inquired.
"By all means," Alie replied; "did you bring the signals with you? "
"I have them in my berth," he answered, and dived below, to reappear a moment later with a bundle of bunting under his arms.
Having asked the skipper's permission, he bent them on to the halliards and ran them up to the gaff end. They streamed out upon the breeze, and as he watched them Walworth cried to Alie, with the first and only sign of excitement I have ever known him show:
"That will let them know that you are safe aboard!"
"Do you wish me to bring the yacht as close alongside as I can?" asked our skipper, who had been made aware of our intention to say good-bye to him immediately we sighted the Lone Star.
"If you will be so kind," I answered.
The necessary manœuvre was thereupon executed, and presently the two yachts lay less than half a mile apart.
"What a lovely craft that is," said Janet, who had just come on deck and was watching her with increasing admiration.
"That is the Lone Star," said Alie, putting her arm round Janet's waist in her usual affectionate manner. "The boat which is to carry us to our home, dear Janet! May you be as happy on board as I have been."
"I think," I said, taking the opportunity of a pause in their conversation to make a practical suggestion, "if you ladies will allow me to say such a thing, it would be as well if we facilitated our transhipping by getting our luggage ready. If I mistake not, Patterson is piping a couple of boats away even now!"
I was right, for as we looked the boats were descending from the port davits.
"George is ever practical, is he not, Alie?" said Janet in a teasing tone. "I fear there is not much romance in his constitution!"
"I am not quite so sure of that," said Alie, with a roguish glance at me, "and, all things considered, I think I may claim to be a very good judge."
"If I am to get the worst of it in this fashion," retorted Janet, with a great pretence of anger, "I shall go below and look after my luggage."
"Let us all go," said Alie, and down we accordingly went.
By the time the necessary work was accomplished and the crew had conveyed our luggage to the deck, the boats from the Lone Star were alongside. They were in charge of Gammel, the third officer, who, when he came aboard, raised his hat respectfully to Alie; in return she shook him warmly by the hand and expressed the joy it was to her to see the Lone Star again. The luggage was then conveyed down the gangway and put aboard one boat, which immediately set off for the schooner. At Alie's desire I then called the captain aft.
"Captain Brown," I said, "before we leave the yacht I should very much like with your permission to say a few words to your crew."
My request was granted, and the hands were immediately summoned aft. Then, having descended to the cabin for something I wanted, I prepared to make a little speech.
"Captain Brown," I said, "officers and crew of this yacht, before we leave you to join yonder craft I wish, in my wife's name and my own, to thank you for the manner in which you have performed your respective duties. A pleasanter time than we have had aboard this yacht during the past six weeks no one could desire, and now that we are leaving you I desire to hand you some little souvenirs of our acquaintance. Accordingly I am presenting to your captain a sum of money which will allow each man of you five pounds when he arrives in England, and to the captain and his chief officer these two gold chronometers, which I hope will remind them of our short but intimate acquaintance."
When I had finished and had made the presentations, the captain, on behalf of the ship's company, replied, and then, amid hearty cheers, we descended the gangway, took our places in the boat, and set off for the Lone Star.
When we came alongside we discovered the whole ship's company drawn up to receive us. Patterson was at the gangway, and, to my surprise, welcomed us with more emotion than I had previously thought his character capable of exhibiting. I did not know until afterwards that he had become aware by cable of the dangerous situation from which we had rescued his leader.
As soon as we were safely on board, the boats were hoisted to the davits, sail was made, and after an exchange of salutations between the two yachts we separated, each proceeding on our different ways.
Of the voyage across the Indian Ocean there is little or nothing to be told; for the greater part of the distance fine weather accompanied us. We sat on deck or in the saloon, read, related our experiences, "fought our battles o'er again," and watched the ever-changing ocean.
It was our intention not to risk the China Sea, but to pass up through the Straits of Lombok and Macassar to the settlement.
Just before sunset one evening, the dim outlines of the coast of Bali, with Agung Peak towering aloft, was sighted ahead, then Lombok Peak, on the island of the same name, came into view, and before darkness fell we were in the Straits themselves, choosing the eastern channel between Penida Island and the Cape of Banko as the safer of the two. Hereabouts the tides run very strong, and between us and the land there was such a show of phosphorescent water that night as I never remember to have seen elsewhere. We entered the straits at eight o'clock and were clear of them again by eleven.
All next day we were occupied crossing the Java Sea, the water still as smooth as glass, and the sun glaring down fiercely upon us. Naturally we were all most keen to arrive at the settlement and truly rejoiced next day when Patterson informed us that by the evening of the day following we should be within easy reach of it.
The next night passed, and sun-time (mid-day) once more came round. The heat was still intense, the brass work was too hot to touch, and the pitch fairly bubbled in the seams. All the morning we panted m our deck chairs, and only left them to go below to lunch. One thing was remarkable; now that we were almost within touch of safety, Alie had grown strangely nervous, so much so that I felt compelled to remonstrate with her.
"I cannot tell you why I am so frightened," she answered, "but do you remember that night on which we first met when we watched the moon rise and talked of the sea?"
"Of course, I remember it perfectly," I replied, "but why do you allude to it now?"
" Because I have that same feeling to-night about my fate being mixed up with the sea. I told you I should die at sea, and I have a strange foreboding that, successful as this escape has proved so far, it will yet end in sisaster."
"My darling," I cried. "You must not talk like that. What on earth has put such a notion into your head. No, no, my wife; having brought us safely through so much, our luck will not desert us now."
But she was still unconvinced, and no argument on the part of Janet or myself could raise her spirits. Wonderful is the instinct of danger in the human mind; for in a measure what Alie prophesied actually did come true, as will be seen.
Next morning, just after daylight, I was awakened by a loud thumping at my cabin door.
"Who is there?" I cried,
"Walworth! We want you on deck at once."
Pyjama clad though I was, I thrust my feet into slippers and ran up the companion ladder. I found Patterson there anxiously awaiting me.
"What is the matter?" I asked breathlessly. "Why did you send for me?"
"If you want my reason," he said, pointing over our starboard side, "look there."
I looked, and to my horror saw ahead of us, command the whole strait, two enormous men-of-war. They were within six miles of us, and were evidently making preparations for stopping us.
"What's to be done?" I cried. "Another quarter of an hour and they'll blow us into atoms if we don't heave-to."
"Will you inform your wife, and then, perhaps, we had better hold a council of war," answered Patterson.
Without another word I went below and told Alie. In the presence of this definite danger she was a new woman.
"I will dress and come on deck at once," she said. I went off to my own cabin and, hastily clothed myself; having done so I returned to the deck to find Patterson looking through his glass at something astern.
"We're nicely caught," he said on becoming aware of my presence. "There's another of them behind us."
I took the glass and looked for myself; what he reported was quite correct. We were caught like rats in a trap.
Just as I returned the glass to him Alie appeared and joined our group.
"This is bad news, gentlemen," she said quite calmly, "I suppose there can be no doubt they are after us. What have you to suggest?"
"It is difficult to say," answered Patterson. "Two things, however, are quite certain."
"What are they?"
"The first is that unless we are prepared to run the schooner ashore, we must go backwards or forwards. There is no middle course. In either case the result will be the same."
"Have you sent word to the engine-room to get up steam?"
"We have had a full pressure this hour past."
Alie turned to me.
"What do you advise, my husband?"
"There is nothing else for it," I answered, "but to run the gauntlet of them. We must try and get through."
"Very good, then—run it shall be! Are you satisfied, Mr. Patterson?"
"Quite. I agree with Dr. De Normanville it is our only chance."
"Then let us get as close to them as we can, and directly their signals go up, race for it! We shall probably be hit, but we musn't mind that."
The wind was blowing from the most favourable quarter, and every moment was bringing us nearer to our enemies. So far they had made no sign, but it was evident now that they were drawing closer to each other.
When we were within easy range the second officer reported that the larger of the two cruisers was signalling.
"What does she say? " asked Patterson.
The officer put up his glass again and, having looked, studied the Admiralty book lying upon the hatchway.
"Heave-to and let me examine you."
"Very kind, indeed," said Alie. "But we're not to be caught in that way. No, no! my friend, if you want us you will have to use sterner measures than that."
Patterson gave an order and presently a stream of bunting was flying from our own gaff end.
"What are you saying?" I asked when the signals had unrolled and caught the wind.
"I'm asking him why he wants to stop us?" answered Patterson.
All this time we were creeping up between them. Once more a signal broke out, and again the officer reported. This time it ran, "Heave-to and I'll send a boat." But this was equally unregarded.
For ten minutes there was no change save that we had now come up level with them. Then down fluttered the string of flags, and at the same instant a flash of fire came from the nearest vessel followed by a cloud of white smoke. Almost at the same instant a sharp report reached our ears.
"A blank cartridge to show that they mean business," I answered.
"Hadn't we better go ahead?" Alie remarked.
"I think so," said Patterson, and rang the telegraph. The needle flew round to "Full steam ahead," and off we went.
"Give her every ounce she can carry," shouted Patterson down the speaking tube, and the engineers proved fully equal to the occasion. Before very long the whole fabric of the vessel trembled under the pressure. She quivered like a frightened stag, and cut through the green water at a furious pace. Then, seeing our ruse, the cruiser fired. But, either intentionally or because they had not accurately guaged our distance, the ball went wide.
"We're in for it now," said Alie; "this looks as if it will be the most exciting flight in the Lone Star's history.
"If only we could give them one in return," I said longingly. "However, we can't stop for that. So go on, little barkie!" I cried enthusiastically, patting the bulwark with my hand, as if to encourage her, "you know how much depends upon you."
As if she were really aware of it, the gallant little craft dashed on—throwing off the foam in two great waves from her cutwater, and sending the spray in clouds above her bows. The pace was terrific, and it seemed already to have dawned upon the cruisers that if they wanted to catch us they must be quick about it. By this time we had run between them, and therefore they had to turn round before they could pursue us, which meant a start for us that was of the utmost importance in our race for freedom.
Before they attempted to turn, however, both decided on letting us know their tempers, and two guns crashed out almost simultaneously. Again the ball from the bigger of the two fell wide, but that from her consort was more scientifically aimed, and our foretop mast came down with a crash.
"That's the first blood drawn," I said to Alie, as the crew sprang aloft to clear away the raffle. "I wonder what the next will be."
"If we can continue this pace we shall soon be out of range," she answered.
"But can-we continue it?" I asked. "The strain must be enormous. Do you feel how every timber is quivering under it?"
As I spoke Alie turned and I saw that Janet had come on deck. With a white face she looked at the two vessels behind us and asked what their presence meant.
"It means," said Alie, going to her and assuming possession of her hand, "that England is determined to try and have the Beautiful White Devil after all."
"But she shan't," said Janet loyally, "not if I have to keep her off with my own hands."
"Bravo, my sister," I cried enthusiastically, "that's the sort of spirit we boast aboard this boat. Never fear, we'll slip them yet; won't we, Alie?"
The girl answered me with a smile that went to my heart, so brave and yet so sad was it.
By this time the men-of-war had turned and were in full pursuit of us; but we had the advantage of a start and were momentarily increasing our lead. Again one ship fired, but as we were all steaming too fast for correct aiming, the ball did no damage. After that they saved their powder, and concentrated all their energies on the task of catching us. All the morning we steamed on, and by three o'clock were a good ten miles ahead.
"If we can only keep this pace up till dusk I think we may manage to give them the slip after all," said Alie, going to the taffrail and looking behind her at the pursuing ships.
Their commanders seemed to realise this too, for they once more began to try long shots at us. But though two fell very close, no harm was done.
About half-past three Patterson left the bridge and came down to where we were sitting aft. He held a chart in his hand, and when he came up with us he knelt down and pinned it to the deck.
"May I draw your attention to this chart?" he said, as soon as his preparations were complete. "You will remember that the first time we were ever chased, it was in this very place! Well, on that occasion we managed to escape by taking this channel between these two reefs. Our pursuer, as doubtless you have not forgotten, drew too much water and could not follow us. Now, if you are willing to chance it, we might try the same plan again."
"What do you think?" asked Alie, turning to me. "It is a desperate risk to run, but then we must remember that we are in a desperate position."
I knelt down upon the deck and carefully examined the chart. It showed a long, straggling reef shaped something like a wriggling snake with an opening in the middle, just wide enough, if the measurements were to be depended upon, to permit our vessel to pass through. One fact was self-evident, and that was that if we did get through we should be saved.
"I am for chancing it," I said, after I had given the matter proper consideration.
"Then we will follow your advice," said Alia. "We will try the passage."
"Very good," Patterson answered quietly, and, having rolled up the chart, returned to the bridge.
After that for nearly half-an-hour we raced on at full speed, the warships coming after us as fast as their steaming capabilities would permit.
Then our pace began somewhat to abate, and looking ahead I could distinguish in the gathering dusk what looked like an unbroken line of breakers stretching away for miles to port and starboard, from far out in the open sea almost to the ragged coast line on our left. Our course had long since been altered and now we were steering directly for the troubled water. The pace was still terrific, but we were slowing down perceptibly.
"We are close to the opening now," said Alie, leading the way up onto the bridge. "If we make a mistake and touch, we shall go to pieces in five minutes. Let us therefore keep together, husband mine."
We stood to windward of the binnacle and watched what was about to happen. The breakers were scarcely half a mile ahead, the warships perhaps six miles astern.
Then two men crawled into the chains and set the leads going—the second officer was sent forrard to reconnoitre and Patterson, dismissing the steersman, took the wheel himself. The third officer was stationed at the telegraph.
Suddenly Patterson drew himself up, spun the spokes with a preliminary twist to see that all was in working order, and then turned to bis subordinate at the telegraph.
"Stop her!" be cried.
The bell tinkled in the engine-room and answered on the bridge. The throbbing of the propeller ceased as if by magic, and next moment we were only moving forward by our own impetus. Almost before one could think, we were among the breakers, but still going forward. I glanced at Patterson out of the corner of my eye. He was standing as erect and passionless as a marble statue, looking straight before him. On both sides the breakers dashed and roared—the spray rising into our faces and falling upon the decks like rain. There was a slight grinding noise for a second or two, and then Patterson gave a shout:
"Full steam ahead!"
The bell answered like magic and instantly the schooner shot forward. Next moment we were through the reef in smooth water, and safe.
Looking behind us we could see that the cruisers had stopped and turned, they knew too well what the result would be if they attempted to follow us.
An hour later a large island hid us from sight of the reef and our pursuers. But still, in the gathering gloom, we steamed ahead as fast as our propellers could drive us.
At seven o'clock the gong sounded for dinner, and after a last look round we went below to it. When we remembered how hopeless it had appeared at the beginning, it was difficult to believe that we had emerged so safely from our awkward scrape.
During the meal I could hardly eat for looking at Alie and thinking of all the events which had occurred since first I sat at that table with her. She must have been thinking something of the same kind, for at the end of dinner, just as we were about to go on deck, she bade the steward charge our glasses and proposed this toast:
"I drink to the Lone Star and those who have saved us to-day."
We drank the toast with enthusiasm and set our glasses down again. But just as we did so, there was a loud crash, a trembling of the entire vessel, a curious pause, and then another awful crash.
"We have struck something!" I cried, springing to my feet. Then, as if by instinct, I said, "Run to your cabins and get your shawls!"
They did so, and, by the time they emerged again, the hubbub was deafening; the sound of rending and tearing could only be described as awful. Then there was sudden and complete silence which was almost worse than the noise. We ran on desk and made our way as fast as we could to the bridge.
"What has happened?" I cried to Patterson, who was issuing orders as fast as his tongue could utter them.
"We have struck a rock that is not on my chart," he said. "And I have reversed the engines to pull her off."
I could see that we were going astern—but even a child could have told by the way the schooner moved that it was a hopeless case with her.
Even while he was speaking she was sinking perceptibly.
"There is no hope," he said at last, "we must leave her."
All the hands by this time were at their stations, and the boats were lowered with exquisite care and precision, fortunately they had been that very day uncovered and equipped, in case of accident, so that there was no possible cause for delay.
Keeping Alie and Janet by my side I descended to the boat allotted to us and we took our seats in the stern. By the time we had pulled to a distance of about a hundred yards, the deck of the yacht was level with the water. Five minutes later the gallant but ill-fated Lone Star tipped up on end, gave a sullen plunge, and disappeared beneath the waves to be no more seen by mortal man. I slipped my arm round Alie's waist and drew her closer to my side. She was trembling violently.
"Be brave, dear love," I whispered. "For all our sakes, be brave."
She turned her head in the direction where the poor yacht had disappeared and said, almost under her breath:
"Good-bye, Lone Star, good-bye."
Then she stooped forward and buried her face in her hands.
To divert her thoughts, I turned to the boat nearest us, which was commanded by Patterson, and asked what he thought we had better do.
"Sail up the coast as fast as we can," he answered. "My boat will take the lead, the rest had better follow in single file. If this wind holds we shall fetch the settlement, or be somewhere thereabouts, by daybreak."
The wind did hold and we did make the settlement by the time he specified. Then passing behind the great doors which, as I have said before, concealed the entrance to the canal so cleverly that even from the close distance of a mile I had not been able to detect where the imitation began and the real cliff ended, we pulled inside. Then, to cheer us, standing before them all, I unbared my head, and cried, perhaps a trifle theatrically:
"Gentlemen! the queen has come back to her own again!"
As the cheers that greeted my announcement died away we left the canal and entered the little landlocked harbour.
L'ENVOI.
Three years have passed since the wreck of the schooner Lone Star, and to-day is the third anniversary of our return to the settlement. It is a lovely morning, and I am sitting in the verandah of our bungalow on the hillside, pen in hand, waiting for a step whose music grows every day more welcome to my ears. My patience is rewarded when a woman, to whose beauty Time has but added, turns the corner, closely followed by an enormous white bull-dog, and comes towards me. When she reaches me she sets down the rosy toddling infant she carries in her arms, and, taking a seat beside me, says:
"What news had you by the mail this morning, my husband?"
"Nothing of very much moment, Alie," I answer. "The negotiations in England are still proceeding, and Brandwon confidently hopes, in view of certain considerations, that he will be able to carry out his plans and win a free pardon for a certain beautiful lady of my acquaintance."
"Then it is all as satisfactory as we could wish?" she says. "I am thankful for that! And now I have some news for you!"
"Are you going to tell me that I am the happiest husband in the world? or that that boy, playing with old Bel yonder, whom we both worship a good deal more than is good for him, is being spoiled by the entire population of the settlement?"
"Neither of those things! No, it has to do with your sister Janet."
"Ah! then I can guess. She is so enraptured with the settlement that she is willing to prolong her stay indefinitely."
"How did you guess?"
"Have I not eyes, my wife? You don't mean to tell me that you think you alone have seen the outrageous court Walworth has been paying her these six months past?"
"You have no objection, I hope?"
"Not the very slightest. She is a good woman, if ever there was one, and he is certainly a man after my own heart. If they marry and are destined to be as happy as we are, then they'll be lucky people; that's all I can say, my wife."
"Can you truthfully affirm that you have never regretted giving up so much for me?"
"Regretted! How can you ask me such a question? No, my darling; rest assured, if there is one thing for which I am grateful to Providence it is"
Here I placed my arm round her neck and drew her lovely head down to me.
"What is it?" she whispered.
"That I was permitted to be the husband of the Beautiful White Devil."
THE END.