adventure-第28章

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　　Her　unshod　horse　made　no　sound　on　the　soft；　sandy　footing；　and　a　little　further　on　she　heard　voices　proceeding　from　out　of　the　grass。　　She　reined　in　and　listened。　　It　was　Gogoomy　talking；　and　as　she　listened　she　gripped　her　bridle…　rein　tightly　and　a　wave　of　anger　passed　over　her。

〃Dog　he　stop　'm　along　house；　night…time　he　walk　about；〃　Gogoomy　was　saying；　perforce　in　beche…de…mer　English；　because　he　was　talking　to　others　beside　his　own　tribesmen。　　〃You　fella　boy　catch　'm　one　fella　pig；　put　'm　kai…kai　belong　him　along　big　fella　fish…hook。　　S'pose　dog　he　walk　about　catch　'm　kai…kai；　you　fella　boy　catch　'm　dog　allee　same　one　shark。　　Dog　he　finish　close　up。　　Big　fella　marster　sleep　along　big　fella　house。　　White　Mary　sleep　along　pickaninny　house。　　One　fella　Adamu　he　stop　along　outside　pickaninny　house。　You　fella　boy　finish　'm　dog；　finish　'm　Adamu；　finish　'm　big　fella　marster；　finish　'm　White　Mary；　finish　'em　altogether。　　Plenty　musket　he　stop；　plenty　powder；　plenty　tomahawk；　plenty　knife…fee；　plenty　porpoise　teeth；　plenty　tobacco；　plenty　calicomy　word；　too　much　plenty　everything　we　take　'm　along　whale…boat；　washee　｛5｝　like　hell；　sun　he　come　up　we　long　way　too　much。〃

〃Me　catch　'm　pig　sun　he　go　down；〃　spoke　up　one　whose　thin　falsetto　voice　Joan　recognized　as　belonging　to　Cosse；　one　of　Gogoomy's　tribesmen。

〃Me　catch　'm　dog；〃　said　another。

〃And　me　catch　'm　white　fella　Mary；〃　Gogoomy　cried　triumphantly。　〃Me　catch　'm　Kwaque　he　die　along　him　damn　quick。〃

This　much　Joan　heard　of　the　plan　to　murder；　and　then　her　rising　wrath　proved　too　much　for　her　discretion。　　She　spurred　her　horse　into　the　grass；　crying；　…

〃What　name　you　fella　boy；　eh？　　What　name？〃

They　arose；　scrambling　and　scattering；　and　to　her　surprise　she　saw　there　were　a　dozen　of　them。　　As　she　looked　in　their　glowering　faces　and　noted　the　heavy；　two…foot；　hacking　cane…knives　in　their　hands；　she　became　suddenly　aware　of　the　rashness　of　her　act。　　If　only　she　had　had　her　revolver　or　a　rifle；　all　would　have　been　well。　　But　she　had　carelessly　ventured　out　unarmed；　and　she　followed　the　glance　of　Gogoomy　to　her　waist　and　saw　the　pleased　flash　in　his　eyes　as　he　perceived　the　absence　of　the　dreadful　man…killing　revolver。

The　first　article　in　the　Solomon　Islands　code　for　white　men　was　never　to　show　fear　before　a　native；　and　Joan　tried　to　carry　off　the　situation　in　cavalier　fashion。

〃Too　much　talk　along　you　fella　boy；〃　she　said　severely。　　〃Too　much　talk；　too　little　work。　　Savvee？〃

Gogoomy　made　no　reply；　but；　apparently　shifting　weight；　he　slid　one　foot　forward。　　The　other　boys；　spread　fan…wise　about　her；　were　also　sliding　forward；　the　cruel　cane…knives　in　their　hands　advertising　their　intention。

〃You　cut　'm　grass！〃　she　commanded　imperatively。

But　Gogoomy　slid　his　other　foot　forward。　　She　measured　the　distance　with　her　eye。　　It　would　be　impossible　to　whirl　her　horse　around　and　get　away。　　She　would　be　chopped　down　from　behind。

And　in　that　tense　moment　the　faces　of　all　of　them　were　imprinted　on　her　mind　in　an　unforgettable　pictureone　of　them；　an　old　man；　with　torn　and　distended　ear…lobes　that　fell　to　his　chest；　another；　with　the　broad　flattened　nose　of　Africa；　and　with　withered　eyes　so　buried　under　frowning　brows　that　nothing　but　the　sickly；　yellowish…　looking　whites　could　be　seen；　a　third；　thick…lipped　and　bearded　with　kinky　whiskers；　and　Gogoomyshe　had　never　realized　before　how　handsome　Gogoomy　was　in　his　mutinous　and　obstinate　wild…animal　way。　There　was　a　primitive　aristocraticness　about　him　that　his　fellows　lacked。　　The　lines　of　his　figure　were　more　rounded　than　theirs；　the　skin　smooth；　well　oiled；　and　free　from　disease。　　On　his　chest；　suspended　from　a　single　string　of　porpoise…teeth　around　his　throat；　hung　a　big　crescent　carved　out　of　opalescent　pearl…shell。　　A　row　of　pure　white　cowrie　shells　banded　his　brow。　　From　his　hair　drooped　a　long；　lone　feather。　　Above　the　swelling　calf　of　one　leg　he　wore；　as　a　garter；　a　single　string　of　white　beads。　　The　effect　was　dandyish　in　the　extreme。　　A　narrow　gee…string　completed　his　costume。　Another　man　she　saw；　old　and　shrivelled；　with　puckered　forehead　and　a　puckered　face　that　trembled　and　worked　with　animal　passion　as　in　the　past　she　had　noticed　the　faces　of　monkeys　tremble　and　work。

〃Gogoomy；〃　she　said　sharply；　〃you　no　cut　'm　grass；　my　word；　I　bang　'm　head　belong　you。〃

His　expression　became　a　trifle　more　disdainful；　but　he　did　not　answer。　　Instead；　he　stole　a　glance　to　right　and　left　to　mark　how　his　fellows　were　closing　about　her。　　At　the　same　moment　he　casually　slipped　his　foot　forward　through　the　grass　for　a　matter　of　several　inches。

Joan　was　keenly　aware　of　the　desperateness　of　the　situation。　　The　only　way　out　was　through。　　She　lifted　her　riding…whip　threateningly；　and　at　the　same　moment　drove　in　both　spurs　with　her　heels；　rushing　the　startled　horse　straight　at　Gogoomy。　　It　all　happened　in　an　instant。　　Every　cane…knife　was　lifted；　and　every　boy　save　Gogoomy　leaped　for　her。　　He　swerved　aside　to　avoid　the　horse；　at　the　same　time　swinging　his　cane…knife　in　a　slicing　blow　that　would　have　cut　her　in　twain。　　She　leaned　forward　under　the　flying　steel；　which　cut　through　her　riding…skirt；　through　the　edge　of　the　saddle；　through　the　saddle　cloth；　and　even　slightly　into　the　horse　itself。　　Her　right　hand；　still　raised；　came　down；　the　thin　whip　whishing　through　the　air。　　She　saw　the　white；　cooked　mark　of　the　weal　clear　across　the　sullen；　handsome　face；　and　still　what　was　practically　in　the　same　instant　she　saw　the　man　with　the　puckered　face；　overridden；　go　down　before　her；　and　she　heard　his　snarling　and　grimacing　chatter…for　all　the　world　like　an　angry　monkey。　　Then　she　was　free　and　away；　heading　the　horse　at　top　speed　for　the　house。

Out　of　her　sea…training　she　was　able　to　appreciate　Sheldon's　executiveness　when　she　burst　in　on　him　with　her　news。　　Springing　from　the　steamer…chair　in　which　he　had　been　lounging　while　waiting　for　breakfast；　he　clapped　his　hands　for　the　house…boys；　and；　while　listening　to　her；　he　was　buckling　on　his　cartridge…belt　and　running　the　mechanism　of　his　automatic　pistol。

〃Ornfiri；〃　he　snapped　out　his　orders；　〃you　fella　ring　big　fella　bell　strong　fella　plenty。　　You　finish　'm　bell；　you　put　'm　saddle　on　horse。　　Viaburi；　you　go　quick　house　belong　Seelee　he　stop；　tell　'm　plenty　black　fella　run　awayten　fella　two　fella　black　fella　boy。〃　He　scribbled　a　note　and　handed　it　to　Lalaperu。　　〃Lalaperu；　you　go　quick　house　belong　white　fella　Marster　Boucher。〃

〃That　will　head　them　back　from　the　coast　on　both　sides；〃　he　explained　to　Joan。　　〃And　old　Seelee　will　turn　his　whole　village　loose　on　their　track　as　well。〃

In　response　to　the　summons　of　the　big　bell；　Joan's　Tahitians　were　the　first　to　arrive；　by　their　glistening　bodies　and　panting　chests　showing　that　they　had　run　all　the　way。　　Some　of　the　farthest…placed　gangs　would　be　nearly　an　hour　in　arriving。

Sheldon　proceeded　to　arm　Joan's　sailors　and　deal　out　ammunition　and　handcuffs。　　Adamu　Adam；　with　loaded　rifle；　he　placed　on　guard　over　the　whale…boats。　　Noa　Noah；　aided　by　Matapuu；　were　instructed　to　take　charge　of　the　working…gangs　as　fast　as　they　came　in；　to　keep　them　amused；　and　to　guard　against　their　being　stampeded　into　making　a　break　themselves。　　The　five　other　Tahitians　were　to　follow　Joan　and　Sheldon　on　foot。

〃I'm　glad　we　unearthed　that　arsenal　the　other　day；〃　Sheldon　remarked　as　they　rode　out　of　the　compound　gate。

A　hundred　yards　away　they　encountered　one　of　the　clearing　gangs　coming　in。　　It　was　Kwaque's　gang；　but　Sheldon　looked　in　vain　for　him。

〃What　name　that　fella　Kwaque　he　no　stop　along　you？〃　he　demanded。

A　babel　of　excited　voices　attempted　an　answer。

〃Shut　'm　mouth　belong　you　altogether；〃　Sheldon　commanded。

He　spoke　roughly；　living　up　to　the　role　of　the　white　man　who　must　always　be　strong　and　dominant。

〃Here；　you　fella　Babatani；　you　talk　'm　mouth　belong　you。〃

Babatani　stepped　forward　in　all　the　pride　of　one　singled　out　from　among　his　fellows。

〃Gogoomy　he　finish　along　Kwaque　altogether；〃　was　Babatani's　explanation。　　〃He　take　'm　head　b'long　him　run　like　hell。〃

In　brief　words；　and　with　paucity　of　imagination；　he　described　the　murder；　and　Sheldon　and　Joan　rode　on。　　In　the　grass；　where　Joan　had　been　attacked；　they　found　the　little　shrivelled　man；　still　chattering　and　grimacing；　whom　Joan　had　ridden　down。　　The　mare　had　plunged　on　his　ankle；　completely　crushing　it；　and　a　hundred　yards'　crawl　had　convinced　him　of　the　futility　of　escape。　　To　the　last　clearing…gang；　from　the　farthest　edge　of　the　plantation；　was　given　the　task　of　carrying　him　in　to　the　house。

A　mile　farther　on；　where　the　runaways'　trail　led　straight　toward　the　bush；　they　encountered　the　body　of　Kwaque。　　The　head　had　been　hacked　off　and　was　missing；　and　Sheldon　took　it　on　faith　that　the　body　was　Kwaque's。　　He　had　evidently　put　up　a　fight；　for　a　bloody　trail　led　away　from　the　body。

Once　they　were　well　into　the　thick　bush　the　horses　had　to　be　abandoned。　　Papehara　was　left　in　charge　of　them；　while　Joan　and　Sheldon　and　the　remaining　Tahitians　pushed　ahead　on　foot。　　The　way　led　down　through　a　swampy　hollow；　which　was　overflowed　by　the　Berande　River　on　occasion；　and　where　the　red　trail　of　the　murderers　was　crossed　by　a　crocodile's　trail。　　They　had　apparently　caught　the　creature　asleep　in　the　sun　and　desisted　long　enough　from　their　flight　to　hack　him　to　pieces。　　Here　the　wounded　man　had　sat　down　and　waited　until　they　were　ready　to　go　on。

An　hour　later；　following　along　a　wild…pig　trail；　Sheldon　suddenly　halted。　　The　bloody　tracks　had　ceased。　　The　Tahitians　cast　out　in　the　bush　on　either　side；　and　a　cry　from　Utami　apprised　them　of　a　find。　　Joan　waited　till　Sheldon　came　back。

〃It's　Mauko；〃　he　said。　　〃Kwaque　did　for　him；　and　he　crawled　in　there　and　died。　　That's　two　accounted　for。　　There　are　ten　more。　Don't　you　think　you've　got　enough　of　it？〃

She　nodded。

〃It　isn't　nice；〃　she　said。　　〃I'll　go　back　and　wait　for　you　with　the　horses。〃

〃But　you　can't　go　alone。　　Take　two　of　the　men。〃

〃Then　I'll　go　on；〃　she　said。　　〃It　would　be　foolish　to　weaken　the　pursuit；　and　I　am　certainly　not　tired。〃

The　trail　bent　to　the　right　as　though　the　runaways　had　changed　their　mind　and　headed　for　the　Balesuna。　　But　the　trail　still　continued　to　bend　to　the　right　till　it　promised　to　make　a　loop；　and　the　point　of　intersection　seemed　to　be　the　edge　of　the　plantation　where　the　horses　had　been　left。　　Crossing　one　of　the　quiet　jungle　spaces；　where　naught　moved　but　a　velvety；　twelve…inch　butterfly；　they　heard　the　sound　of　shots。

〃Eight；〃　Joan　counted。　　〃It　was　only　one　gun。　　It　must　be　Papehara。〃

They　hurried　on；　but　when　they　reached　the　spot　they　were　in　doubt。　The　two　horses　stood　quietly　tethered；　and　Papehara；　squatted　on　his　hams；　was　having　a　peaceful　smoke。　　Advancing　toward　him；　Sheldon　tripped　on　a　body　that　lay　in　the　grass；　and　as　he　saved　himself　from　falling　his　eyes　lighted　on　a　second。　　Joan　recognized　this　one。　　It　was　Cosse；　one　of　Gogoomy's　tribesmen；　the　one　who　had　promised　to　catch　at　sunset　the　pig　that　was　to　have　baited　the　hook　for　Satan。

〃No　luck；　Missie；〃　was　Papehara's　greeting；　accompanied　by　a　disconsolate　shake　of　the　head。　　〃Catch　only　two　boy。　　I　have　good　shot　at　Gogoomy；　only　I　miss。〃

〃But　you　killed　them；〃　Joan　chided。　　〃You　must　catch　them　al