adventure-第19章

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He　did　not　reply　to　her　thrust；　and　she　glanced　at　him。　　He　was　looking　out　over　the　water；　and　in　the　lantern　light　she　noted　the　lines　of　his　facestrong；　stern；　dogged；　the　mouth　almost　chaste　but　firmer　and　thinner…lipped　than　Tudor's。　　For　the　first　time　she　realized　the　quality　of　his　strength；　the　calm　and　quiet　of　it；　its　simple　integrity　and　reposeful　determination。　　She　glanced　quickly　at　Tudor　on　the　other　side　of　her。　　It　was　a　handsomer　face；　one　that　was　more　immediately　pleasing。　　But　she　did　not　like　the　mouth。　　It　was　made　for　kissing；　and　she　abhorred　kisses。　　This　was　not　a　deliberately　achieved　concept；　it　came　to　her　in　the　form　of　a　faint　and　vaguely　intangible　repulsion。　　For　the　moment　she　knew　a　fleeting　doubt　of　the　man。　　Perhaps　Sheldon　was　right　in　his　judgment　of　the　other。　　She　did　not　know；　and　it　concerned　her　little；　for　boats；　and　the　sea；　and　the　things　and　happenings　of　the　sea　were　of　far　more　vital　interest　to　her　than　men；　and　the　next　moment　she　was　staring　through　the　warm　tropic　darkness　at　the　loom　of　the　sails　and　the　steady　green　of　the　moving　sidelight；　and　listening　eagerly　to　the　click　of　the　sweeps　in　the　rowlocks。　　In　her　mind's　eye　she　could　see　the　straining　naked　forms　of　black　men　bending　rhythmically　to　the　work；　and　somewhere　on　that　strange　deck　she　knew　was　the　inevitable　master…man；　conning　the　vessel　in　to　its　anchorage；　peering　at　the　dim　tree…line　of　the　shore；　judging　the　deceitful　night…distances；　feeling　on　his　cheek　the　first　fans　of　the　land　breeze　that　was　even　then　beginning　to　blow；　weighing；　thinking；　measuring；　gauging　the　score　or　more　of　ever…　shifting　forces；　through　which；　by　which；　and　in　spite　of　which　he　directed　the　steady　equilibrium　of　his　course。　　She　knew　it　because　she　loved　it；　and　she　was　alive　to　it　as　only　a　sailor　could　be。

Twice　she　heard　the　splash　of　the　lead；　and　listened　intently　for　the　cry　that　followed。　　Once　a　man's　voice　spoke；　low；　imperative；　issuing　an　order；　and　she　thrilled　with　the　delight　of　it。　　It　was　only　a　direction　to　the　man　at　the　wheel　to　port　his　helm。　　She　watched　the　slight　altering　of　the　course；　and　knew　that　it　was　for　the　purpose　of　enabling　the　flat…hauled　sails　to　catch　those　first　fans　of　the　land　breeze；　and　she　waited　for　the　same　low　voice　to　utter　the　one　word　〃Steady！〃　　And　again　she　thrilled　when　it　did　utter　it。　　Once　more　the　lead　splashed；　and　〃Eleven　fadom〃　was　the　resulting　cry。　　〃Let　go！〃　the　low　voice　came　to　her　through　the　darkness；　followed　by　the　surging　rumble　of　the　anchor…chain。　　The　clicking　of　the　sheaves　in　the　blocks　as　the　sails　ran　down；　head…　sails　first；　was　music　to　her；　and　she　detected　on　the　instant　the　jamming　of　a　jib…downhaul；　and　almost　saw　the　impatient　jerk　with　which　the　sailor　must　have　cleared　it。　　Nor　did　she　take　interest　in　the　two　men　beside　her　till　both　lights；　red　and　green；　came　into　view　as　the　anchor　checked　the　onward　way。

Sheldon　was　wondering　as　to　the　identity　of　the　craft；　while　Tudor　persisted　in　believing　it　might　be　the　Martha。

〃It's　the　Minerva；〃　Joan　said　decidedly。

〃How　do　you　know？〃　Sheldon　asked；　sceptical　of　her　certitude。

〃It's　a　ketch　to　begin　with。　　And　besides；　I　could　tell　anywhere　the　rattle　of　her　main　peak…blocksthey're　too　large　for　the　halyard。〃

A　dark　figure　crossed　the　compound　diagonally　from　the　beach　gate；　where　whoever　it　was　had　been　watching　the　vessel。

〃Is　that　you；　Utami？〃　Joan　called。

〃No；　Missie；　me　Matapuu；〃　was　the　answer。

〃What　vessel　is　it？〃

〃Me　t'ink　Minerva。〃

Joan　looked　triumphantly　at　Sheldon；　who　bowed。

〃If　Matapuu　says　so　it　must　be　so；〃　he　murmured。

〃But　when　Joan　Lackland　says　so；　you　doubt；〃　she　cried；　〃just　as　you　doubt　her　ability　as　a　skipper。　　But　never　mind；　you'll　be　sorry　some　day　for　all　your　unkindness。　　There's　the　boat　lowering　now；　and　in　five　minutes　we'll　be　shaking　hands　with　Christian　Young。〃

Lalaperu　brought　out　the　glasses　and　cigarettes　and　the　eternal　whisky　and　soda；　and　before　the　five　minutes　were　past　the　gate　clicked　and　Christian　Young；　tawny　and　golden；　gentle　of　voice　and　look　and　hand；　came　up　the　bungalow　steps　and　joined　them。



CHAPTER　XVITHE　GIRL　WHO　HAD　NOT　GROWN　UP



News；　as　usual；　Christian　Young　broughtnews　of　the　drinking　at　Guvutu；　where　the　men　boasted　that　they　drank　between　drinks；　news　of　the　new　rifles　adrift　on　Ysabel；　of　the　latest　murders　on　Malaita；　of　Tom　Butler's　sickness　on　Santa　Ana；　and　last　and　most　important；　news　that　the　Matambo　had　gone　on　a　reef　in　the　Shortlands　and　would　be　laid　off　one　run　for　repairs。

〃That　means　five　weeks　more　before　you　can　sail　for　Sydney；〃　Sheldon　said　to　Joan。

〃And　that　we　are　losing　precious　time；〃　she　added　ruefully。

〃If　you　want　to　go　to　Sydney；　the　Upolu　sails　from　Tulagi　to…morrow　afternoon；〃　Young　said。

〃But　I　thought　she　was　running　recruits　for　the　Germans　in　Samoa；〃　she　objected。　　〃At　any　rate；　I　could　catch　her　to　Samoa；　and　change　at　Apia　to　one　of　the　Weir　Line　freighters。　　It's　a　long　way　around；　but　still　it　would　save　time。〃

〃This　time　the　Upolu　is　going　straight　to　Sydney；〃　Young　explained。　〃She's　going　to　dry…dock；　you　see；　and　you　can　catch　her　as　late　as　five　to…morrow　afternoonat　least；　so　her　first　officer　told　me。〃

〃But　I've　got　to　go　to　Guvutu　first。〃　　Joan　looked　at　the　men　with　a　whimsical　expression。　　〃I've　some　shopping　to　do。　　I　can't　wear　these　Berande　curtains　into　Sydney。　　I　must　buy　cloth　at　Guvutu　and　make　myself　a　dress　during　the　voyage　down。　　I'll　start　immediatelyin　an　hour。　　Lalaperu；　you　bring　'm　one　fella　Adamu　Adam　along　me。　　Tell　'm　that　fella　Ornfiri　make　'm　kai…kai　take　along　whale…boat。〃　　She　rose　to　her　feet；　looking　at　Sheldon。　　〃And　you；　please；　have　the　boys　carry　down　the　whale…boatmy　boat；　you　know。　　I'll　be　off　in　an　hour。〃

Both　Sheldon　and　Tudor　looked　at　their　watches。

〃It's　an　all…night　row；〃　Sheldon　said。　　〃You　might　wait　till　morning〃

〃And　miss　my　shopping？　　No；　thank　you。　　Besides；　the　Upolu　is　not　a　regular　passenger　steamer；　and　she　is　just　as　liable　to　sail　ahead　of　time　as　on　time。　　And　from　what　I　hear　about　those　Guvutu　sybarites；　the　best　time　to　shop　will　be　in　the　morning。　　And　now　you'll　have　to　excuse　me；　for　I've　got　to　pack。〃

〃I'll　go　over　with　you；〃　Sheldon　announced。

〃Let　me　run　you　over　in　the　Minerva；〃　said　Young。

She　shook　her　head　laughingly。

〃I'm　going　in　the　whale…boat。　　One　would　think；　from　all　your　solicitude；　that　I'd　never　been　away　from　home　before。　　You；　Mr。　Sheldon；　as　my　partner；　I　cannot　permit　to　desert　Berande　and　your　work　out　of　a　mistaken　notion　of　courtesy。　　If　you　won't　permit　me　to　be　skipper；　I　won't　permit　your　galivanting　over　the　sea　as　protector　of　young　women　who　don't　need　protection。　　And　as　for　you；　Captain　Young；　you　know　very　well　that　you　just　left　Guvutu　this　morning；　that　you　are　bound　for　Marau；　and　that　you　said　yourself　that　in　two　hours　you　are　getting　under　way　again。〃

〃But　may　I　not　see　you　safely　across？〃　Tudor　asked；　a　pleading　note　in　his　voice　that　rasped　on　Sheldon's　nerves。

〃No；　no；　and　again　no；〃　she　cried。　　〃You've　all　got　your　work　to　do；　and　so　have　I。　　I　came　to　the　Solomons　to　work；　not　to　be　escorted　about　like　a　doll。　　For　that　matter；　here's　my　escort；　and　there　are　seven　more　like　him。〃

Adamu　Adam　stood　beside　her；　towering　above　her；　as　he　towered　above　the　three　white　men。　　The　clinging　cotton　undershirt　he　wore　could　not　hide　the　bulge　of　his　tremendous　muscles。

〃Look　at　his　fist；〃　said　Tudor。　　〃I'd　hate　to　receive　a　punch　from　it。〃

〃I　don't　blame　you。〃　　Joan　laughed　reminiscently。　　〃I　saw　him　hit　the　captain　of　a　Swedish　bark　on　the　beach　at　Levuka；　in　the　Fijis。　It　was　the　captain's　fault。　　I　saw　it　all　myself；　and　it　was　splendid。　　Adamu　only　hit　him　once；　and　he　broke　the　man's　arm。　You　remember；　Adamu？〃

The　big　Tahitian　smiled　and　nodded；　his　black　eyes；　soft　and　deer…　like；　seeming　to　give　the　lie　to　so　belligerent　a　nature。

〃We　start　in　an　hour　in　the　whale…boat　for　Guvutu；　big　brother；〃　Joan　said　to　him。　　〃Tell　your　brothers；　all　of　them；　so　that　they　can　get　ready。　　We　catch　the　Upolu　for　Sydney。　　You　will　all　come　along；　and　sail　back　to　the　Solomons　in　the　new　schooner。　　Take　your　extra　shirts　and　dungarees　along。　　Plenty　cold　weather　down　there。　　Now　run　along；　and　tell　them　to　hurry。　　Leave　the　guns　behind。　　Turn　them　over　to　Mr。　Sheldon。　　We　won't　need　them。〃

〃If　you　are　really　bent　upon　going〃　Sheldon　began。

〃That's　settled　long　ago；〃　she　answered　shortly。　　〃I'm　going　to　pack　now。　　But　I'll　tell　you　what　you　can　do　for　meissue　some　tobacco　and　other　stuff　they　want　to　my　men。〃

An　hour　later　the　three　men　had　shaken　hands　with　Joan　down　on　the　beach。　　She　gave　the　signal；　and　the　boat　shoved　off；　six　men　at　the　oars；　the　seventh　man　for'ard；　and　Adamu　Adam　at　the　steering…　sweep。　　Joan　was　standing　up　in　the　stern…sheets；　reiterating　her　good…byesa　slim　figure　of　a　woman　in　the　tight…fitting　jacket　she　had　worn　ashore　from　the　wreck；　the　long…barrelled　Colt's　revolver　hanging　from　the　loose　belt　around　her　waist；　her　clear…cut　face　like　a　boy's　under　the　Stetson　hat　that　failed　to　conceal　the　heavy　masses　of　hair　beneath。

〃You'd　better　get　into　shelter；〃　she　called　to　them。　　〃There's　a　big　squall　coming。　　And　I　hope　you've　got　plenty　of　chain　out；　Captain　Young。　　Good…bye！　　Good…bye；　everybody！〃

Her　last　words　came　out　of　the　darkness；　which　wrapped　itself　solidly　about　the　boat。　　Yet　they　continued　to　stare　into　the　blackness　in　the　direction　in　which　the　boat　had　disappeared；　listening　to　the　steady　click　of　the　oars　in　the　rowlocks　until　it　faded　away　and　ceased。

〃She　is　only　a　girl；〃　Christian　Young　said　with　slow　solemnity。　The　discovery　seemed　to　have　been　made　on　the　spur　of　the　moment。　〃She　is　only　a　girl；〃　he　repeated　with　greater　solemnity。

〃A　dashed　pretty　one；　and　a　good　traveller；〃　Tudor　laughed。　　〃She　certainly　has　spunk；　eh；　Sheldon？〃

〃Yes；　she　is　brave；〃　was　the　reluctant　answer　for　Sheldon　did　not　feel　disposed　to　talk　about　her。

〃That's　the　American　of　it；〃　Tudor　went　on。　　〃Push；　and　go；　and　energy；　and　independence。　　What　do　you　think；　skipper？〃

〃I　think　she　is　young；　very　young；　only　a　girl；〃　replied　the　captain　of　the　Minerva；　continuing　to　stare　into　the　blackness　that　hid　the　sea。

The　blackness　seemed　suddenly　to　increase　in　density；　and　they　stumbled　up　the　beach；　feeling　their　way　to　the　gate。

〃Watch　out　for　nuts；〃　Sheldon　warned；　as　the　first　blast　of　the　squall　shrieked　through　the　palms。　　They　joined　hands　and　staggered　up　the　path；　with　the　ripe　cocoanuts　thudding　in　a　monstrous　rain　all　around　them。　　They　gained　the　veranda；　where　they　sat　in　silence　over　their　whisky；　each　man　staring　straight　out　to　sea；　where　the　wildly　swinging　riding…light　of　the　Minerva　could　be　seen　in　the　lulls　of　the　driving　rain。

Somewhere　out　there；　Sheldon　reflected；　was　Joan　Lackland；　the　girl　who　had　not　grown　up；　the　woman　good　to　look　upon；　with　only　a　boy's　mind　and　a　boy's　desires；　leaving　Berande　amid　storm　and　conflict　in　much　the　same　manner　that　she　had　first　arrived；　in　the　stern…sheets　of　her　whale…boat；　Adamu　Adam　steering；　her　savage　crew　bending　to　the　oars。　　And　she　was　taking　her　Stetson　hat　with　her；　along　with　the　car