CAPT. SHEEN,

Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 226, 21 September 1904, Page 11

CAPT. SHEEN,

-AD VENTURER.

AN HISTORICAL ROMANCE OF

NEW ZEALAND

(BY CHARLES OWEN)

CHAPTER XVI

The first intimation we received of the nationality of the strange vessel was the burr of a harsh, Scots voice outside the whiaxe.

The speaker's conversation reeked with foul oaths. My heart stood still; Sheen held his breath; then with a sigh of relief Uttered the one word: "Stewart!" "Who?" I whispered. "Old Jimmy Stewart," Sheen chuckled to himself, "the one man on the face of God's earth for the job."

One of our guards at this moment put his head in at the opening to the whare, which up till now had been barred.

"Haere mai"* he said. "There's a pakeha wishes to korero. Te Rauparaha sends him to you. Come!" Almost before the man had finished speaking Sheen dashed through the doorway. Though longing for light and air and afire with curiosity from Sheen's last remark, I almost feared the aspect of a fellow creature so inhuman. Then, conquering myself, after an instant's hesitation, I followed Sheen and found him greeting in free, sailor fashion, a coarse and portly seaman of middle age, grizzled and muscular. whose hard eyes glistened with surprised recognition. "God!" cried the burly stranger, "Dan Sheen! Man it's the unexpeetj happens."

"So it is, Jimmy," Sheen answered, "so it is! But you've turned up trumps for once anyway, and in the nick of time, just when the gamte was against mc. for the want of a card."

The newcomer shifted his quid and uttered a mirthless laugh.

"Aweel, Dan," he said, "ye cut a figure o' fnn an' nae rnktak' »' by yei lane in siccan a place as this. No' e'ei: a ship's dinghy by ye. I'd credited ye wi' bein' a sleekit tod but it seems I's mista'en. Hoo cam' ye here, man? Hoo cam' ye here?"

Sheen, with ah answering laugh, re turned impatiently —

"I'd as tight a craft as you ever set eyes on and the damned mate deared one night, while we were ashore. 1 hope he's run slick into Hell."

Stewart raised a big, dirty hand hypocritically.

"Hoot, toot!" he chuckled. "Dinna wish a man ill for beating ye. Dae as the lassie dae; saw na an'tak' it. Ye ken it's a quid* sayin' yon. Wha's the laddin, keekin' owre yer shonther?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting, you remember Ronald Mirrimy," said Sheen.

With the back of his hand the Scot wiped away some tobacco juice, which trickled,, down his stubbly chin.

"Sib to auld .Ronny?" he inquired, with a cautious stare.

' •Romry's nevy, no less, and as game a cock as the old 'un," said Sheen. "Here, Caspar, this is Captain Stewart."

The Scotsman seized my hand in a crushing grip. *

"I'm blythe to become aequent wi' ye," was his greeting, "for the. sake o' yer forbears. Wh_ur's Ronny the day?" "Gone by the board long since," said Sheen; "been dead a year or more."

"Syne the deil's got a gey, cannie counsellor," retorted Stewart, "he was a bonnie man, was Ronay. Here's till him, onyway. He wasna' abune a wee drap himael'."

Fetching out a flask from inside his thick cloth jacket, he took a pull, then handed it to Sheen.

"Drink, man," he urged, "it's ill speakin' on a cauld wame. Yer ootside duddies leuk the waur o' wear sac ye maun get the warmth frae the inside."

Smiling. at this allusion to our tattered clothes, which were worn and ragged, Sheen took a good drink and offered the flask to mc- I refused by a shake of the head and he returned it to Stewart.

"Now, Jimmy, what brings you here?'' he asked.

The Scot_msn was taking a second

* Cut* feci*

mp. Hisu blotchy face ..advertised the abuse of spirits, likewise his shaking hand as he caught the flask and thrust it back into his pocket. - 'TVyou hear?" said Sheen. "Im-phm!' hesitated Stewart, "naethin 5 by ordinar' profitable." "What are you on the look out for?" Sheen inquired. The smirk on Stewart's face added zest to his reply. "Flax," he said, "whale oil, dried heids. Man, I tell ye, the heids are worth nae en' o' bawbees as ornaments an' curiosities." His callous indifference to a loathsome traffic filled mc with apprehensionSheen was thoughtful a moment. I. foresaw that the fate of Tamaiharanui was sealed. I had little doubt as to the character of Stewart. If sufficient price were offered he would willingly fall in with any suggestion whatsoever. There was one remaining chance—we might slip on to the brig and leave the bargain un- j fulfilled. At the thought my pulse I

quickened, slowing again at the recollection of Te Rauparaha's gift of foresight. We had him to reckon with. "Look here, Jimmy," said Sheen: "if I put you on to a safe thing will you get mc out of a fix? It'll be as easy as winking." Stewart ceased his banter, his manner becoming attentive. ' "Ou, ay!" he observed. "I ken fine that bare gentry are whiles braggart, beggars." Sheen knit, his brows. "Hear a man out," he cried; "what'd you do for a cargo of flax?" "Gin ye want to be ta'en aff, canna ye say sac?" Stewart asked. "I'm no' for sayin' that'd be owrc muckle o' a price for flax." "That's only part of it," Sheen admitted. Then briefly, fired by the remembrance. he outlined our interview and bargain with Te Rauparaha, leaving out all mention of the treasure and making the trapping of Tamaiharanul the main condition. The expression of Stewart's face grew stern as Sheen finished, his cupidity fighjting with some slumbering remnants of conscience. "We'll start clear, onyway," he cried. "I'm no' fain to buy a thief frae the gallows, an' I'm thinkin' this suggestion o' yours has the leuk o' that Dan. Ye want mc to transport a hirsel o' thae dark loons doon to Akaroa for the purpose o' bluidy murder. I ken the gemm fine! It'd be a unco plot to ding i' the lugs o' oor native kintra, wad i no'?" "It's only acting as transport on agreement," argued Sheen. "Wi' the dc'il," Stewart broke in"With the devil, not likely," Sheen expostulated. "With one tribe against another, that's all. What the hell does it matter to you or mc if these Maori dogs do cut each other's throats—dog and cat no more. Look here, you're after flax, and you'll get no flax on any other terms, mind that. Besides, what's a few dirty images. Why, it's a godsend, man, to an old covenanter, like yourself. Run 'em down to make money; that's useful! Perhaps- your last chance to wipe off old scores in the log up aloft. The heads'll do to swear at instead of the crew they won't swear back." Stewart still hesitated, chewing meditatively. "Would'it tak' mair nor ten days, d'ye ken?" he asked. "Nothing like it," Sheen returned. "Aweel," said Stewart, "I'm thinkin' gin the cargo's safe I'll dae it. It's nae quid whilliewaing, and, as ye say, the deils are naethin' to mc. Come your ways till we spier the terms o' yon teethie chief." The newcomer was pretty forward, at any rate, for he called out in bad Maori to some natives near us, and signified our desire to be taken to Te Rauparaha. His garrulous good humour had entirely left him, and, at a jump, he had become the canny Scot. Te Rauparaha sat. waiting for us with gloomy face, at the entrance to his whare, both Rangihaeata and Whiwhi with him. He glanced from Stewart to Sheen as we approached, fixing his eyes on the.latter. "Well, panena," he taunted, "haere ana a manawareka, noho ana a manawakawa."*

Rangihaeata laughed harshly, endorsing the statement of his chief. "We are willing to come to an agreement with the Rangatira," answered Sheen pleasantly. "Ugh!" ejaculated Te Rauparaha. Whiwhi turned his back with impa : tient indifference. "The pakeha is late in keeping his promises,*' Rangihaeata broke in. "The Ingirihi have proverbs," said Sheen, "one of these says 'better late than

lever.'" "Does the pakeha mean performance?" isked Te Rauparaha angrily, "or is he -heating the Maori again? If he is I'll ook his head!" Sheen deliberated. He was about to oropose a fresh bargain, with a new condition, and the upshot was uncertain. It was possible, if not probable, that the Maoris would reject it and demand to the last stiver the utu he had formerly promised. On the other hand Sheen's astute intellect had counted all the chances. He had sounded the depths of Te Rauparaha's subtle character. Few knew better .ban he the motives that guide almost all iatives in their actions —the historical ;pite or past wrong, that brooded over, nakes revenge almost part of a man's right to live, at anyrate his chief claim to power and respect among his fellows. No man was more influenced by these motives than Te Rauparaha. Sheen knew •veil that he had plotted for years against the manaf of Tamaiharanui, and, since '.he death of Te Pehi, had hated the Southern chief with a bitterness that .vould stop at nothing to compass his destruction. It was on this the Captain ;alculated, and his accuracy of judgment vas shown in all that followed. With comparatively small experience he had ■learly read the Maori mind. "The pakeha will keep his promise," he said. "At least in part," he added emphatically. "In part!" shouted the three in chorus: Te Rauparaha"3 eyes glowing like live coals. "Ugh!" snarled Rangihaeata. "Te kuri'"s muttered Whiwhi. The faces of both the minor chiefs expressed the keenest disappointment and reproach. "In part." repeated Sheen. "I am ready, or at least this pakeha is on my behalf, to take you to Akaroa to capture Tamaiharanui." Here he stopped to see that they were following him. "But," he continued, "we must have, besides our liberty, a cargo of flax." Te Rauparaha stamped furiously, Ids bloodshot eyes blazing, as he plucked with twitching lingers at the mat that hung from one shoulder. "He harakeke,"i he cried. "Flax! There was no mention of flax when the pakeha bargained with mc to take him to Waipounamu. I have paid the pake-

* "WeU ■ pleased goes off; better mind remains behind."—Maori proverbs; see Colenso in Transactions N.Z.I. t PrerocatlTe. t The dog. ; !««. i

ha fully, in advance, for the use of his waka. He harakeke! Ugh! The Ingiribti claim to be honest, but the pakeha is a liar and a cheat. Even now I do not understand him. There are the muskets — the .'muskets,, promised for the destruction of the Ngaitahu and the Ngatiapa! Where are the muskets?"

"Rangatiras," answered Sheen, looking from one angry face to the other, "Chiefs of the great Ngatitoa hapu||! I came here in my own waka and I made promises and conditions then. I take a long journey and return to find that I have been robbed, if what the Great Chief heard from the whale-catcher be true. I am in the hands of the rangatiras. I do not go back from my bargain. I will pay all the utu I can, but the pakeha Tueriti wants utu also for helping mc. One cargo of flax will pay him. He has no muskets and I have no muskets, if mv waka fails to return "

"No muskets,:' Rangihaeata broke' in. The pakeha should be ripped open and eaten. He treats the Ngatitoa as if they were children.

Stewart, understanding the gist of this speecb, showed his appreciation in a loud chuckle. Rangihaeata glared at him contemptuously but did not speak.

"Well, llangatira," Sheen proceeded, ."what is your answer? The pakeha, Tueriti, will do nothing without his utu of he harakeke. The waka is his, not mine, and I can do no more. If you kill and eat mc, all chance of fulfilling the bargain is gone. I do not care, nor do I fear death. If the Rangatira prefers the heads of the pakehas to the blood of his enemies, so be it. He must make the choice, not we."

The chief made an effort to control his passion. He strode up and down, deep in thought, reviewing" the issues now at stake. Sheen, with assumed unconcern, waited calmly while his fate and mine hung in the balance.. His bravery was unquestioned, amounting almost to a virtue. In many a peril had it stood us in good stead. All through our transactions with the Maoris, when we carried oUr lives in our hands, his bearing was worthy of a better cause.

lt was only by satisfying Te Rauparaha's consunxing desire for vengeance on his distant enemy that we could escape with our lives. Three tiroes our safety depended on his word: when we were left behind at his mercy; when he returned from our quest to find our insincerity discovered; and now when Sheen made new proposals, urging his case with surprising tact and audacity. We should have got short Bhrift at the hands of Rangihaeata, who glared menacingly at Sheen while his-fingers clutched nervously at the handle of his mere.

"1 have no flax on Kapiti," said Te Rauparaha, at last. Sheen had anticipated this reply.

"But the mainland also belongs to the Great Chief!" he urged. "Is it much to pay for the punishment of Tamaiharanui, one cargo of he harakeke and the freedom of two pakehas who have been foully deserted. We know that Te-ika-a-Maui, with Waipounamu added to itwill belong to the Great Chief and the hapu of the Ngatitoa. What is a cargo of flax. Take our lives and other white men will shun Kapiti; trade will be

lost to-Te Rauparaha; and Tamaiharanui will laugh at the Ngatitoa from behind the pallisades of Takapuneke."*

"Is the murderer of Te Rauparaha's matua keref not worth that. Bemem.ber Te Pehi!' 1 ,-- -~

The name acted" like a battle cry; Even Rangihaeata forgot his rancour as he murmured, "Te Pehi!" Te Rauparaha's vacillating, manner changed to .swift decision. A hurried consultation ensued before Te Rauparaha spoke. "Enough!" he cried; "I will give the flax." "That's settled. Jimmy," said Sheen, turning qnickly to Stewart and speaking in English, "you'll get your flax after all."

"I ken fine it'll be weel earned," returned the Scotsman, with a grin.

"Is the brig all ready?" asked Sheen. "The morn's inornin' I'll hae her ready," answered Stewart. Te Rauparaha, Rangihaeata and Whiwhi were talking in low tones. As Stewart finished speaking Te Rauparaha looked queStioningly at Sheen, Avho at once inquired:— "Will to-morrow suit the Rangatira and his taua?"£ "E pai ana ac apopo," agreed the Chief. "We -will be ready." "Good!" said Sheen. "We will now go aboard to prepare for the Rangatira and his warriors." Te Rauparaha shook his head in reply. "Tuerti goes." he answered, pointedly. 'Tou and the taita mariki pakehag remain behind. Sheen met the repulse with a. smile. My last chance was; gone. I had half hoped we might have got away. "Why?" Sheen inquired, artlessly. "Does the pakeha forget?" replied Te Rauparaha. "Is his memory but of a day? Does he forget how the big waka lift their wings and fly across the sea?' I will have a surety that this whalecatcher will be here to-morrow." With a shrug Sheen, reconciling himself to the rebuff, turned to Stewart. ""You'd get aboard, Jimmy," he said, "and make all shipshape. We'll have to come off with the natives in the morning." "Man!" cried Stewart, "there are some gey, fule bodies amang oor fellowcreatures." "What the devil do you mean?" queried Sheen. "Yon dour faced Chief," returned the Scot, "wha kens nae mair o' human nature than a sookin' bairn. Hoot! Nae mair judgment than a cockroach I tell ye, gin he opines I'll no' bring hame my flax. Ye're a kin' o' arl-penny, Dan, my man, but there's nane needii. I'd dae mair nor ferry them doun to Aka-, roa, atwee' oursel's, for a quid sellin' cargo. The fashious loon thocht I'd gang awa' withoot my flax. , Dod, he dinna ken auld Jimmy," he concluded, and his whole frame sbook with laughter. "May be he mistook you for a soft Englisbman," grinned Sheen. "Hech. man! The puir dementi t fule!" observed Stewart in reply. * Name ot Tamaiharanui's pah at Akaroa. Also part of a war song. ,t Uncle. J War party. § Pakeha yonth."

Here, Sheen addressed Te Rauparaha and spoke as if he were interpreting the conversation that had just taken place between him and Stewart. "E Kangatii;a,", ; he said, "the .pakeha: will have .his waka ready apopo* at midday, or before if the taua is waiting. The chiefs understand?"

"E pai-ana ac apopolt vre understand," agreed the three-Maoris. Everything satisfactorily settled, Stewart took his leave, going down with high jaunty* steps to the_ brig's jolly boat. Under guard we returned to our whare prison- Te Rauparaha showed by his solicitude how deep was bis distrust of Sheen. Directly we were alone, as a forlorn hope, I attacked my companion on the iniquitous traffic in which we. were now finally engaged. STou were right, Captain Sheen," I cried, standing up and facing him. "What inhuman monsters sail tbe seas, ready to be bought, soul and body, by, the highest bidder. Proud of your purchase, I suppose, having secured one to carry out your nefarious trafficking. No doubt that hell born spirit, bloody murder, and all its attendant horrors, will ride rampant on Stewart's brig, and of course Captain Sheen will thoroughly enjoy the company. At any rate, I have spoken my mind on the eve of this atrocious butchery which T would prevent if I could, fearing death less than Ido it. I came in search of treasure, not for wholesale slaughter."

My conscience rose in arms against such iniquity and I rose with it. The Captain listened, smiling at my outburst, and jubilant at my distress.

'"You'd be a damned mutinous young spark if I gave you rope enough," he ejaculated quietly, totally avoiding the point at issue. -At this my anger and contempt blazed upland for the moment I believed I had broken from his control.

"You dissembling fiend," I cried. "Had I known you at first I'd as soon have put to sea with the devil."" He laughed outright as at a compliment. Then, pulling himself together, he spoke, with scowling face.

"Do you want the truth?" he growled"lt's not much use wanting it frsin you," I retorted. "Oh, isn't it?" he said. "Well, you've got it here! I'm about full up of you." "Not more than I am of you," I broke in. "I like men to deal With," he sneered. "No man would deal with such a monster," I hissed, spitefully. At that his face hardened and the quarrel ended, .like the bursting of a bubble. "Drop that Avoid," he commanded. I tried to utter it again, a scornful laugif greeting the vain effort. "Drop it because I tell you," he repeated, "and bear this in mind! None of yotir damned sentiment and tomfoolery where we are going. You're my slave, you know — always — my, ' slave!" (To be continued daily.) • * To-morrow. f Very good. Yes, to-morrow.