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Mother Carey's Chicken: Her Voyage to the Unknown Isle, a fiction by George Manville Fenn |
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Chapter 23. How Billy Widgeon Was Damped |
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_ CHAPTER TWENTY THREE. HOW BILLY WIDGEON WAS DAMPED Mark turned sharply, to see that his father was approaching, and his first words were concerning the time. "It must be beyond your watch, major," he said. "Why didn't you wake me?" "Well, the fact is, we've had a scare," said the major; and he related their experience. "It's strange," said the captain; "but we are well armed. It may be, as Mark says, some kind of monkey. They can make atrocious noises. How are the sick men?" "Sleeping beautifully," said the major. "And you?" "Far better; that little sleep has worked wonders. I'll go and rouse up Small." "No; let the poor fellow sleep," said the major. "I don't want to lie down. Do you, Mark?" "No; I couldn't sleep with that noise so near," said Mark. "I should like to stay. But wouldn't it be best to get the boat launched again in case there is any very great danger?" "It would not take long to launch that," said his father. "If we are not molested for the night we will begin exploring to-morrow. This evening we must try and rig up a shed for the women. To-morrow we shall be better able to think what we can do." The captain looked at the two wounded men, who seemed to be sleeping now more easily, and then taking his gun he proposed to the major that they should make a little search round their resting-place to see what was the cause of the noise they had heard. This meant leaving Mark alone, and he looked up so ruefully at the major, that, recollecting his own qualms, the latter objected to the plan. "No, no, Strong," he said; "if there is any danger let it come to us, I don't see any use in going to meet it." "As you will," said the captain quietly. "What we seem to want now is rest and strength. Oh, here is one of the men!" Bruff and the monkey drew their attention to him by going toward the place where the men were sleeping, Bruff limping, but wagging his bushy tail, and the monkey cantering towards his old friend Billy with plenty of low chattering and sputtering noises. This awoke Small, who rose and came out of the grove to walk slowly along the sands comparing notes about their injuries, which were fortunately very slight. "What shall we do, captain?" said Small. "Take the boat and see if you can recover the sail. You can go with them if you like, Mark." Mark turned to go eagerly. "Can you launch the boat?" "Ay, ay, sir; it ain't far," was the reply; and the three went down to the spot where the gig lay, ran her down into the smooth water, and pushed out, Small thrusting an oar over the stern and giving it the necessary fish-tail motion known as paddling, while Mark and Billy Widgeon looked out for the submerged sail. It was soon found and towed ashore, where, after the boat had been made fast to a piece of rock, the canvas was drawn over the dry burning sands, first on one side and then on the other, parting readily with its moisture, and being finally left in the hot glow. The captain joined them directly after with the major. "Did you hear it, father?" whispered Mark. "No, my boy; all has been perfectly silent. Now, to see if we cannot make some kind of shelter." It was by no means a difficult job, for Small and Billy Widgeon soon set the boat mast free from its lashings, which were utilised to fasten the slight spar horizontally between two thin cocoa-nut palms at about three feet from the ground, which was here, as for the most part about them, covered with soft dry drifted sand. Over this it was proposed to hang the sail as soon as it was dry and peg out the sides, for which purpose Small and his companion took out their knives, and, attacking a low scrubby bush, soon had a sufficiency ready. "Not much of a place, Mark," said the captain cheerfully; "but it will make a dry little tent for the ladies till we see what we can do." The next thing was to overhaul the stores, which made so poor a show that the captain knit his brow, but cleared it directly, and helped to place all together in a little heap beneath the cocoa-nut trees in company with the ammunition, of which there was a fair supply, and the arms. "I think these men should carry revolvers in their belts," said the captain, "in case of there being any danger." "Decidedly," said the major in an emphatic way. "Which I shouldn't say as there was, sir," said the boatswain, "unless some of these copper rascals come and land, for this here must be only a little island, as a climb up the mountain will show us when you like to go, sir." "Never mind, Small, carry a loaded revolver. Better be prepared than be caught helpless. Besides, you might, perhaps, unexpectedly get a shot at a pig, and such a chance mustn't be lost." Danger past, a sailor soon recovers his good-humour, and Billy Widgeon ducked down, doubling himself up in a silent laugh. "Which is right, Billy, my lad," said the boatswain good-humouredly. "He thinks if we waits for pork till I brings down a pig with a six-shooter the crackling won't burn and the stuffing spoil." He thrust the weapon through the waistband of his trousers, right at the back, so as to leave his hands free, and then looked up at the captain for orders. "We shall have to set-to and get provisions somehow, Small," said the captain, "and begin in real earnest to-morrow, trying what we can do with the guns inland. Suppose you and Widgeon try to unlay one of the sail-ropes and make a fishing-line." "And about hooks?" said the major. "Ah! that has been a puzzle," said the captain, "that I have not solved as yet." "I know," said Mark eagerly. "The ladies are sure to have some hair-pins." "Which we can temper in the fire and hammer into shape," said the captain. "Think you could raise a barb at one end before we point it, major?" "I think I can try," replied the major. "And I could pynt 'em on the stones," said Billy eagerly. "Then the fishing difficulty is over," said the captain. "Fish are sure to swarm off those rocks." "I say, Billy," said Small, giving one ear a rub, "aren't there a couple o' fishing-lines in the locker of the gig?" Billy gave one of his short legs a slap, turned sharply and ran down to the boat, where he lifted a triangular lid in the bows, and gave a cheer as he plunged in his hand. "Three on 'em," he cried, "and good uns." "Then we sha'n't starve yet, major. There are fish and water." "And cocoa-nuts in plenty," cried Mark. "If we can get at them," said the major. "Why, Billy, couldn't you climb one o' them trees?" cried Small. "I could--one of the small ones," said Mark. "But the small ones don't seem to bear nuts," said the captain quietly. "I dunno," said Billy, after a spell of thinking. "I'm a bit skeert about it." "What, afraid?" growled Small. "No, no, not afraid," said Billy; "skeert as I couldn't get up. You see there's no branches, not a sign o' one till you gets to the place where the nuts grows, and then the branches is all leaves." "No," said the major, looking at Billy with his head on one side, "he is not a countryman of mine. That was an English bull, Mark." "Why, o' course!" cried Billy, slapping his leg. "I've got it." "Got what, m'lad?" said Small. "The coky-nuts," said Billy, smiling. "'Tis his natur' to." "Don't talk conundydrums, m'lad," said the boatswain. "If so be as you've got the coky-nuts, let's have 'em, for I'd like a go at one 'mazingly." "Why, I aren't got the nuts, gentlemen," said Billy; "but, as I said afore, it is his natur' to." "Whose, Billy?" said Mark. "Why, the monkey's, sir. Here, Jack." The monkey, who was performing a very kindly office for Bruff, as the dog lay stretched upon the sand, and making a slight repast off the insects, left off searching, and ambled in a sideways fashion to Billy. "Look ye here, my hearty," said the latter, as the monkey leaped lightly in his arms, and holding him with one, the sailor picked up an old dried nut in its husky covering. "These here's coky-nuts, as you knows very well; so let's pick out a good tree, and up you goes and gets some and throws 'em down." Jack uttered a chattering noise, took hold of the light nut, turned it over, and let it fall. "Toe be sure," said Billy, smiling with pride. "Then let 'em fall, and 'below!' and 'ware heads!' says you. Ain't he a monkey to be proud on, Master Mark?" "Send him up then, Billy, and let's have some down." "That I just will," said the little sailor; and toddling to one of the most heavily-laden of the trees near, where the nuts could be seen pendent beneath the plumose leaves which glistened in the evening sun, he placed the monkey against the smooth-stemmed tree. "That's your sort," he cried; "up you goes, Jack, and shies down all the lot." The monkey seemed to enjoy the task, and catching the smooth stem with its fore-paws he began to ascend quite readily, while those below watched him till he reached the crown of the graceful tree, fifty feet above their heads. "Bravo, Jack!" said the major. "I claim the three first nuts for the ladies." "And I the next for the wounded men," said Mark. "And you shall have 'em, my lad," said Billy excitedly. "I say, Mr Mark, sir, aren't he a monkey to be proud on? He's cleverer than lots o' men." Meanwhile Jack had climbed solemnly into the verdant nest above the nuts, and now looked down to where Bruff was staring wonderingly up at him, and uttered a low chattering, to which the dog responded with a bark. "That's them, Jack. Chuck 'em down, old lad," cried Billy, smiling gleefully, as he rubbed his hands up and down his sides. Jack changed his position, his tail giving a whisk or spin round, and looked down at Bruff, who now ran to the other side. "Come, matey! Let's have 'em," said Billy. "Here, look sharp! Chuck down the whole lot." Jack chattered again, and then as Bruff barked he barked in no very bad imitation, while he took hold of a leaf and gave it a shake. "No, no; the nuts, stoopid, not them there leaves," cried Billy. Jack shook another leaf and barked at the dog, who barked up at him, and reared up and scratched the tree. "Here, you be off, and don't interrupt," cried Billy, throwing his cap at the dog. "Don't you see he's busy?" Bruff caught the cap up in his teeth and trotted away with it, whereat Jack chattered and sputtered more loudly, and again shook one of the leaves, whilst the little party below looked on in an amused fashion. "Why, Billy," said the boatswain at last, in the most stolid of tones, "don't seem to me as that there is a monkey to be proud on." "Oh yes, he is, Mr Small, sir! He's a good un, and he'd ha' sent them there nuts a showering down if that there dorg hadn't begun his larks. Here, give me my cap." "Never mind the cap, Billy," said Mark, laughing, "we want the nuts." "So do I, Mr Mark, sir," said Billy, scratching his head, "and I'd give old Jack such a clout o' the head if I was up there." "Ah! you'll have to teach him how, my man," said the major. "No nuts that way." "He knows, begging your pardon, sir," said Billy. "You just wait a minute, sir, and you'll see." "No," said the major, "it does not seem any use to wait. Come, Strong, let's see how our wives are getting on." "Well, I do call that shabby," muttered Billy. "Just as I was a taking all this trouble. Here, you, sir, shy down one o' them nuts." "Chick!" said Jack. "Do you hear?" "Chack!" said Jack. "Now, look here," said Billy, stooping down and picking up a handful of sand; "if you don't chuck down some of them here nuts I'll shy this here at you and knock you off your perch." "Chick, chick, chick! Chack, chack, chack! Chicker, chicker, chacker, chacker, chacker, chack!" sputtered the monkey, dancing up and down in the tree. "Well, I am blamed!" cried Billy savagely, as he saw the captain and major strolling away and the boatswain and Mark laughing at him. "It's all his orbstinacy--that's what it is. I'll give him such a wunner when I gets hold of him. I'll make him say 'chack!'" But there seemed to be no more chance of Billy getting hold of the monkey than of the nuts, and the more he scolded and abused the curious animal the more loudly it sputtered at him, and seemed to expostulate and scold by turns. "There, it's of no good," said the boatswain; "give it up, my lad." "Yes," said Billy sulkily, "I'm a-going to; but if I don't sarve him out for this my name aren't Widgeon." "Come along, Mr Mark," said the boatswain, "Jack's going to roost up there to-night." "Wish he may tumble out o' the tree, then, and break something," growled Billy, whose dignity was touched. "He won't tumble," said the boatswain, "he knows better. Come along, Mr Mark." "Want him down, Billy?" "Course I does, and I'm sorry for him when he do come, for I'm a-going to warm his skin, that's what I'm a-going to do for him." "Shall I get him down?" "You can't," cried Billy sourly. "Better than you can get cocoa-nuts," said Mark, laughing, for the perils were all forgotten, and the strange noise in the jungle might never have been. "Here, Bruff." The dog trotted up with Billy's cap in his mouth, surrendered it dutifully; and then Mark caught up a piece of drift-wood--a branch swept ashore by the current--and raising it in a threatening way, Bruff uttered a low howl. Whish went the stick through the air, and Bruff crouched at his feet, grovelling in the sand, and holding up his wounded and bandaged paw as he whined piteously, as if that injury were sufficient to exempt him from being beaten. Mark bent over him, caught him by the loose skin of his neck, and struck the sand a heavy bang. The dog whined softly as if beaten, and Jack began to dance about up in the cocoa-nut tree, snaking the leaves and chattering savagely. Another blow on the sand, a howl, and a furious burst from the monkey, who spat and scolded more fiercely. Another blow, and another, and another; and as Bruff whined, the monkey came scuffling down the smooth columnar trunk, and was evidently on his way to attack Mark, but Billy caught him before he could reach the ground, administered a smart cuff on the ear, and would have delivered another, but, quick as thought, Jack sprang from his grasp, spun round, leaped upon his back like lightning, bit him in the thick of the neck, and then bounded away towards the jungle, followed by the dog. "Now I calls him a warmint," said Billy, rubbing his neck softly. "A warmint--that's what I calls him. Only let me get hold on him again; and if I don't make him warm, my name aren't Widgeon." "You've got about the worst on it this time, my lad, and no mistake," said Small, laughing, while Mark stamped about and held his sides. "Yes, I've got the worst on it," said Billy; "but I'll sarve him out--a warmint. My neck a-bleeding, Mr Small?" "No, m'lad, only a bit red. He's give it a bit of a pinch; that's all." "Yes, and I'll give him a bit of a pinch when I ketches him. I calls him a warmint--that's what I calls him." Billy kept on repeating this as he followed Mark and the boatswain to where the two wounded men were lying, and just then one of the sailors came out of the grove to join them, his services being enlisted to help stretch the sail over the mast and peg it tightly down, for it was now pretty well dry, the result being that a fairly good shelter was provided for the ladies, who soon after came out to join the captain and major just as the sun was going down, and the short tropical twilight set in. There was no desire for another meal, the weariness consequent upon the exertions and anxieties of the past still inviting rest; and after all had sat upon the sands for a while gazing at the phosphorescent sea, and the great stars which glowed out of the purple sky, a fresh watch was set, Mr Gregory being roused now from his heavy sleep. "Shall I tell him about the noise we heard?" said the major. "It would only be fair," the captain said; and the result was told. "Well," he said, "Small's going to share my watch, and we'll have the guns. If whatever it is comes, I daresay we shall have a shot at it before it does us any mischief, and I suppose if you hear firing, gentlemen, you'll rouse up." Half an hour later those two were keeping their lonely vigil, while the rest followed the example of the men who had not yet been awake, and sought in sleep and in simple trustfulness for the rest which was to give them strength for the labours of another day. _ |
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