adventure-第13章

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。　　We'll　scrub　her　bottom；　too。　　Why；　there's　whiskers　on　her　copper　four　inches　long。　　I　saw　it　when　she　rolled。　　Don't　forget；　I'm　going　cruising　on　the　Flibberty　some　day；　even　if　I　have　to　run　away　with　her。〃

While　at　their　coffee　on　the　veranda；　Satan　raised　a　commotion　in　the　compound　near　the　beach　gate；　and　Sheldon　finally　rescued　a　mauled　and　frightened　black　and　dragged　him　on　the　porch　for　interrogation。

〃What　fella　marster　you　belong？〃　he　demanded。　　〃What　name　you　come　along　this　fella　place　sun　he　go　down？〃

〃Me　b'long　Boucher。　　Too　many　boy　belong　along　Port　Adams　stop　along　my　fella　marster。　　Too　much　walk　about。〃

The　black　drew　a　scrap　of　notepaper　from　under　his　belt　and　passed　it　over。　　Sheldon　scanned　it　hurriedly。

〃It's　from　Boucher；〃　he　explained；　〃the　fellow　who　took　Packard's　place。　　Packard　was　the　one　I　told　you　about　who　was　killed　by　his　boat's…crew。　　He　says　the　Port　Adams　crowd　is　outfifty　of　them；　in　big　canoesand　camping　on　his　beach。　　They've　killed　half　a　dozen　of　his　pigs　already；　and　seem　to　be　looking　for　trouble。　　And　he's　afraid　they　may　connect　with　the　fifteen　runaways　from　Lunga。〃

〃In　which　case？〃　she　queried。

〃In　which　case　Billy　Pape　will　be　compelled　to　send　Boucher's　successor。　　It's　Pape's　station；　you　know。　　I　wish　I　knew　what　to　do。　　I　don't　like　to　leave　you　here　alone。〃

〃Take　me　along　then。〃

He　smiled　and　shook　his　head。

〃Then　you'd　better　take　my　men　along；〃　she　advised。　　〃They're　good　shots；　and　they're　not　afraid　of　anythingexcept　Utami；　and　he's　afraid　of　ghosts。〃

The　big　bell　was　rung；　and　fifty　black　boys　carried　the　whale…boat　down　to　the　water。　　The　regular　boat's…crew　manned　her；　and　Matauare　and　three　other　Tahitians；　belted　with　cartridges　and　armed　with　rifles；　sat　in　the　stern…sheets　where　Sheldon　stood　at　the　steering…oar。

〃My；　I　wish　I　could　go　with　you；〃　Joan　said　wistfully；　as　the　boat　shoved　off。

Sheldon　shook　his　head。

〃I'm　as　good　as　a　man；〃　she　urged。

〃You　really　are　needed　here；〃　he　replied。

〃There's　that　Lunga　crowd；　they　might　reach　the　coast　right　here；　and　with　both　of　us　absent　rush　the　plantation。　　Good…bye。　　We'll　get　back　in　the　morning　some　time。　　It's　only　twelve　miles。〃

When　Joan　started　to　return　to　the　house；　she　was　compelled　to　pass　among　the　boat…carriers；　who　lingered　on　the　beach　to　chatter　in　queer；　ape…like　fashion　about　the　events　of　the　night。　　They　made　way　for　her；　but　there　came　to　her；　as　she　was　in　the　midst　of　them；　a　feeling　of　her　own　helplessness。　　There　were　so　many　of　them。　　What　was　to　prevent　them　from　dragging　her　down　if　they　so　willed？　　Then　she　remembered　that　one　cry　of　hers　would　fetch　Noa　Noah　and　her　remaining　sailors；　each　one　of　whom　was　worth　a　dozen　blacks　in　a　struggle。　　As　she　opened　the　gate；　one　of　the　boys　stepped　up　to　her。　　In　the　darkness　she　could　not　make　him　out。

〃What　name？〃　she　asked　sharply。　　〃What　name　belong　you？〃

〃Me　Aroa；〃　he　said。

She　remembered　him　as　one　of　the　two　sick　boys　she　had　nursed　at　the　hospital。　　The　other　one　had　died。

〃Me　take　'm　plenty　fella　medicine　too　much；〃　Aroa　was　saying。

〃Well；　and　you　all　right　now；〃　she　answered。

〃Me　want　'm　tobacco；　plenty　fella　tobacco；　me　want　'm　calico；　me　want　'm　porpoise　teeth；　me　want　'm　one　fella　belt。〃

She　looked　at　him　humorously；　expecting　to　see　a　smile；　or　at　least　a　grin；　on　his　face。　　Instead；　his　face　was　expressionless。　　Save　for　a　narrow　breech…clout；　a　pair　of　ear…plugs；　and　about　his　kinky　hair　a　chaplet　of　white　cowrie…shells；　he　was　naked。　　His　body　was　fresh…oiled　and　shiny；　and　his　eyes　glistened　in　the　starlight　like　some　wild　animal's。　　The　rest　of　the　boys　had　crowded　up　at　his　back　in　a　solid　wall。　　Some　one　of　them　giggled；　but　the　remainder　regarded　her　in　morose　and　intense　silence。

〃Well？〃　she　said。　　〃What　for　you　want　plenty　fella　things？〃

〃Me　take　'm　medicine；〃　quoth　Aroa。　　〃You　pay　me。〃

And　this　was　a　sample　of　their　gratitude；　she　thought。　　It　looked　as　if　Sheldon　had　been　right　after　all。　　Aroa　waited　stolidly。　　A　leaping　fish　splashed　far　out　on　the　water。　　A　tiny　wavelet　murmured　sleepily　on　the　beach。　　The　shadow　of　a　flying…fox　drifted　by　in　velvet　silence　overhead。　　A　light　air　fanned　coolly　on　her　cheek；　it　was　the　land…breeze　beginning　to　blow。

〃You　go　along　quarters；〃　she　said；　starting　to　turn　on　her　heel　to　enter　the　gate。

〃You　pay　me；〃　said　the　boy。

〃Aroa；　you　all　the　same　one　big　fool。　　I　no　pay　you。　　Now　you　go。〃

But　the　black　was　unmoved。　　She　felt　that　he　was　regarding　her　almost　insolently　as　he　repeated：

〃I　take　'm　medicine。　　You　pay　me。　　You　pay　me　now。〃

Then　it　was　that　she　lost　her　temper　and　cuffed　his　ears　so　soundly　as　to　drive　him　back　among　his　fellows。　　But　they　did　not　break　up。　Another　boy　stepped　forward。

〃You　pay　me；〃　he　said。

His　eyes　had　the　querulous；　troubled　look　such　as　she　had　noticed　in　monkeys；　but　while　he　was　patently　uncomfortable　under　her　scrutiny；　his　thick　lips　were　drawn　firmly　in　an　effort　at　sullen　determination。

〃What　for？〃　she　asked。

〃Me　Gogoomy；〃　he　said。　　〃Bawo　brother　belong　me。〃

Bawo；　she　remembered；　was　the　sick　boy　who　had　died。

〃Go　on；〃　she　commanded。

〃Bawo　take　'm　medicine。　　Bawo　finish。　　Bawo　my　brother。　　You　pay　me。　　Father　belong　me　one　big　fella　chief　along　Port　Adams。　　You　pay　me。〃

Joan　laughed。

〃Gogoomy；　you　just　the　same　as　Aroa；　one　big　fool。　　My　word；　who　pay　me　for　medicine？〃

She　dismissed　the　matter　by　passing　through　the　gate　and　closing　it。　　But　Gogoomy　pressed　up　against　it　and　said　impudently：

〃Father　belong　me　one　big　fella　chief。　　You　no　bang　'm　head　belong　me。　　My　word；　you　fright　too　much。〃

〃Me　fright？〃　she　demanded；　while　anger　tingled　all　through　her。

〃Too　much　fright　bang　'm　head　belong　me；〃　Gogoomy　said　proudly。

And　then　she　reached　for　him　across　the　gate　and　got　him。　　It　was　a　sweeping；　broad…handed　slap；　so　heavy　that　he　staggered　sideways　and　nearly　fell。　　He　sprang　for　the　gate　as　if　to　force　it　open；　while　the　crowd　surged　forward　against　the　fence。　　Joan　thought　rapidly。　　Her　revolver　was　hanging　on　the　wall　of　her　grass　house。　Yet　one　cry　would　bring　her　sailors；　and　she　knew　she　was　safe。　　So　she　did　not　cry　for　help。　　Instead；　she　whistled　for　Satan；　at　the　same　time　calling　him　by　name。　　She　knew　he　was　shut　up　in　the　living　room；　but　the　blacks　did　not　wait　to　see。　　They　fled　with　wild　yells　through　the　darkness；　followed　reluctantly　by　Gogoomy；　while　she　entered　the　bungalow；　laughing　at　first；　but　finally　vexed　to　the　verge　of　tears　by　what　had　taken　place。　　She　had　sat　up　a　whole　night　with　the　boy　who　had　died；　and　yet　his　brother　demanded　to　be　paid　for　his　life。

〃Ugh！　the　ungrateful　beast！〃　she　muttered；　while　she　debated　whether　or　not　she　would　confess　the　incident　to　Sheldon。



CHAPTER　XITHE　PORT　ADAMS　CROWD



〃And　so　it　was　all　settled　easily　enough；〃　Sheldon　was　saying。　　He　was　on　the　veranda；　drinking　coffee。　　The　whale…boat　was　being　carried　into　its　shed。　　〃Boucher　was　a　bit　timid　at　first　to　carry　off　the　situation　with　a　strong　hand；　but　he　did　very　well　once　we　got　started。　　We　made　a　play　at　holding　a　court；　and　Telepasse；　the　old　scoundrel；　accepted　the　findings。　　He's　a　Port　Adams　chief；　a　filthy　beggar。　　We　fined　him　ten　times　the　value　of　the　pigs；　and　made　him　move　on　with　his　mob。　　Oh；　they're　a　sweet　lot；　I　must　say；　at　least　sixty　of　them；　in　five　big　canoes；　and　out　for　trouble。　　They've　got　a　dozen　Sniders　that　ought　to　be　confiscated。〃

〃Why　didn't　you？〃　Joan　asked。

〃And　have　a　row　on　my　hands　with　the　Commissioner？　　He's　terribly　touchy　about　his　black　wards；　as　he　calls　them。　　Well；　we　started　them　along　their　way；　though　they　went　in　on　the　beach　to　kai…kai　several　miles　back。　　They　ought　to　pass　here　some　time　to…day。〃

Two　hours　later　the　canoes　arrived。　　No　one　saw　them　come。　　The　house…boys　were　busy　in　the　kitchen　at　their　own　breakfast。　　The　plantation　hands　were　similarly　occupied　in　their　quarters。　　Satan　lay　sound　asleep　on　his　back　under　the　billiard　table；　in　his　sleep　brushing　at　the　flies　that　pestered　him。　　Joan　was　rummaging　in　the　store…room；　and　Sheldon　was　taking　his　siesta　in　a　hammock　on　the　veranda。　　He　awoke　gently。　　In　some　occult；　subtle　way　a　warning　that　all　was　not　well　had　penetrated　his　sleep　and　aroused　him。　Without　moving；　he　glanced　down　and　saw　the　ground　beneath　covered　with　armed　savages。　　They　were　the　same　ones　he　had　parted　with　that　morning；　though　he　noted　an　accession　in　numbers。　　There　were　men　he　had　not　seen　before。

He　slipped　from　the　hammock　and　with　deliberate　slowness　sauntered　to　the　railing；　where　he　yawned　sleepily　and　looked　down　on　them。　It　came　to　him　curiously　that　it　was　his　destiny　ever　to　stand　on　this　high　place；　looking　down　on　unending　hordes　of　black　trouble　that　required　control；　bullying；　and　cajolery。　　But　while　he　glanced　carelessly　over　them；　he　was　keenly　taking　stock。　　The　new　men　were　all　armed　with　modern　rifles。　　Ah；　he　had　thought　so。　There　were　fifteen　of　them；　undoubtedly　the　Lunga　runaways。　　In　addition；　a　dozen　old　Sniders　were　in　the　hands　of　the　original　crowd。　　The　rest　were　armed　with　spears；　clubs；　bows　and　arrows；　and　long…handled　tomahawks。　　Beyond；　drawn　up　on　the　beach；　he　could　see　the　big　war…canoes；　with　high　and　fantastically　carved　bows　and　sterns；　ornamented　with　scrolls　and　bands　of　white　cowrie　shells。　　These　were　the　men　who　had　killed　his　trader；　Oscar；　at　Ugi。

〃What　name　you　walk　about　this　place？〃　he　demanded。

At　the　same　time　he　stole　a　glance　seaward　to　where　the　Flibberty…　Gibbet　reflected　herself　in　the　glassy　calm　of　the　sea。　　Not　a　soul　was　visible　under　her　awnings；　and　he　saw　the　whale…boat　was　missing　from　alongside。　　The　Tahitians　had　evidently　gone　shooting　fish　up　the　Balesuna。　　He　was　all　alone　in　his　high　place　above　this　trouble；　while　his　world　slumbered　peacefully　under　the　breathless　tropic　noon。

Nobody　replied；　and　he　repeated　his　demand；　more　of　mastery　in　his　voice　this　time；　and　a　hint　of　growing　anger。　　The　blacks　moved　uneasily；　like　a　herd　of　cattle；　at　the　sound　of　his　voice。　　But　not　one　spoke。　　All　eyes；　however；　were　staring　at　him　in　certitude　of　expectancy。　　Something　was　about　to　happen；　and　they　were　waiting　for　it；　waiting　with　the　unanimous；　unstable　mob…mind　for　the　one　of　them　who　would　make　the　first　action　that　would　precipitate　all　of　them　into　a　common　action。　　Sheldon　looked　for　this　one；　for　such　was　the　one　to　fear。　　Directly　beneath　him　he　caught　sight　of　the　muzzle　of　a　rifle；　barely　projecting　between　two　black　bodies；　that　was　slowly　elevating　toward　him。　　It　was　held　at　the　hip　by　a　man　in　the　second　row。

〃What　name　you？〃　Sheldon　suddenly　shouted；　pointing　directly　at　the　man　who　held　the　gun；　who　startled　and　lowered　the　muzzle。

Sheldon　still　held　the　whip　hand；　and　he　intended　to　keep　it。

〃Clear　out；　all　you　fella　boys；〃　he　ordered。　　〃Clear　out　and　walk　along　salt　water。　　Savvee！〃

〃Me　talk；〃　spoke　up　a　fat　and　filthy　savage　whose　hairy　chest　was　caked　with　the　unwashed　dirt　of　years。

〃Oh；　is　that　you；　Telepasse？〃　the　white　man　queried　genially。　　〃You　tell　'm　boys　clear　out；　and　you　stop　and　talk　along　me。〃

〃Him　good　fella　boy；〃　was　the　reply。　　〃Him　stop　along。〃

〃Well；　what　d