Esmeralda, Primrose and the Boy Pirate

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 97, 26 April 1930, Page 3 (Supplement)

Esmeralda, Primrose and the Boy Pirate

By ALICE A. KENNY.

.CHAPTER Vlll.—(Continued.) The two girls were very weary, and shaken, and hungry by now, and Esmeralda wished heartily that they had managed to bring some food and water with them. They did as Humphrey advised, leaving Mm lying on his breast on a rock, gazing down at the ship. Primrose soon fell fast asleep, but Esmeralda was too anxious and unhappy to be able to follow her example. Owing to the boulder having blocked the way to the secret caves it was impossible to reach them by the underground but Esmeralda thought the opening of it, which gave on the hillside, was not far from this rocky platform, and after a short, search she found it. It was quite narrow and hidden from careless- eyes by a group 01 flowering shrubs. She thought it- wise to . deposit the gold and pearls on a ledge inside the cave. She was afraid to enter, for it was black darkness withinj and she knew that the floor oi it was. deep down below for she remembered climbing rough steps to get out when her uncle had conducted her through the caves^ Then she went back and sat down beside Primrose in the shade of the rocks and rested. A breeze had begun to blow and the cooler air refreshed her, but she could not close - her eye». Presently Humphrey joined her there. . "I am sure they have taken the pi 1soners on board the ship," he said, an I must see if I can contrive any way to get at them. On shore like this, Black Mike's men do'what they choose. Discipline is not strict, they get diunk, and keep careless watch. We may be able to do-something. But.first we must have food, and water, and to get that we must descend again. What lies on the south side of the island, Miss Esmefalda?" "The south side," replied Esmeralda, "is. lower than the north. There is a swamp there, and a creek, muddy ana black, runs out into the sea through mangroves. "A number of negroes lrve there in charge of a white overseerbut no, he was called up to the house, he must be a prisoner, too. w ' e could get food and shelter there, j-heie is a small sugar plantation there and some groves of fruit trees."

"Good, then, we need not starve. You can guide U3 there through the woods." "Yes. Though I have never gone down to it from the peak, but only across the low lying woods, I am sure I can find my way." They discussed the position for a little while and Esmeralda told him. that she had hidden the gold and pearls away. "That is well; they were heavy to carry and will he safer there, said Humphrey, "but will you give me two Or three broad gold picces again. They may be necessary to a plan I have to get us on board." "Are we going on the pirate ship 1" exclaimed the girL "Surely —and leaving them on. shore if we can. Trust me to get us there; that is if Mike lets his men remain at the house eating and drinking." 'T~w4.1l get the money," said Esmeralda, "and whenever you wish we will start." CHAPTER IX. Night found the little party deep in the woods. Esmeralda had led them down the slope of the hill and into the thick vegetation below by daylight. A track wide enough for riding crossed the island and she had halted, with her companions, a few yards from where it wound under the talj trees. Keeping very quiet they remained there hidden for. some time, listening intently, and looking about for any sign of pursuit' before venturing out.. On either side of the path the forest was thick and tangled with creepers; a heavy scent of flowers was in the air and sometimes small wild creatures moved and rustled near them, but there was no sound of any other humcn beings. , Primrose alone showed alarm. At every faint sound she would start and whimper timidly. "Snake he catch.-me! Big spider he bite Primrose!" "I wish they would," muttered -U-™ 1 " phrey impatiently, "and then you would be quiet." "Hush!" said Esmeralda, areno snakes on the road, Primrose/' "Big debbil on de road I think." "No, they are all up at the house. Be quiet and hasten."

It was easy to keep on the track, even in the dark, and. they travelled fast, so that it did not seem long before a glimmer of lig'ht in the distance showed that some dwelling was near. . "It is Sambo's house," whispered Esmeralda when they had approachcd as near as they dared, and they paused for a whispered consultation. Sambo's cabin was the nearest of the little village on this side of the island. It stood on. the banks of a creek where mangroves, grew thick, and he wae in charge of the boats which were moored in the creek. There were 110 lights in any of the more distant houses, but voices came from Sambo's. ■ The three fugitives strained their ears to hear what was cooing on, but they were too far off to •make out any words, particularly as the slight sea breeze kept up a rustling shuffling sound among the broad fronds of the palm trees. "What sort of a nigger is this Sambo," asked Humphrey abruptly. "I think he is faithful and good," began Esmeralda, but Primiose interrupted her. _ * "2so good dat nigger—bad man! "Why is he bad, Primrose? I don't think you know," said Esmeralda. "My granny, he know—that Sambo one debbil." persisted Primrose. Esmeralda was not convinced, for Primrose's granny, really her greatgrandmother, was a queer old negress who lived alone in the woods and was considered a witch by the other negroes. They used to come up to Mr. Digby's house and complain that she had put spells on them and made them sick, or made their fowls die, aud Mr. Digby had sometimes thought seriously of sending her off the island. That he , never actually did ho was due to the ; fact that she had been a house servant " in his mother's time, and had tended faithfully the children of the family until she grew too old. "I'll go forward and look about me," said Humphrey. "As matters are with 11s we must take all precautions. Do you and the little black wench stand back in the shadow of this group of palms, but don't move away from it on any account until I come or we shall never find each other again. And look, Mistress Esmeralda, take back these gold pieces till I return in case any mishap comes to me." Esmeralda did as he suggested and he went forward cautiously, endeavouring to approach the cabin unheard. The speakers were not using hushed 1 tones, instead they were, shouting as if they were drunk or excited, and they were speaking in English. One of the voices sounded suddenly familiar to the boy and lie plainly heard the words uttered: "And be free men —and sail the ! seas under the Jolly Roger!"; x Keeping well in the shadow himself, he moved in front of the little window and looked in. By the light of a smoky lamp he saw one of the. pirate crew, Joe Benn by name, sitting at a rough table with his naked cutlass and a rum bottle before him. He was talking to a group of ■ negroes, one of whom he- addressed as : Sambo. They, too, were drinking and their rolling eyes and raised voices told Humphrey .that they were much excited, i

'There's wealth enough for all on this island," cried Joe Benn. "Don't slave any more for the old rascal we've captured-' —" "No—no! Hi in old rascal!" yelled Sambo. "You show Sambo ole Marse Dfgby now —and me spit ia liiin face and say, "Who you now, ole man? Me Cap'n Sambo!'" "That's it—Captain Sambo—the darkey pirate, only first of you and these other black gentlemen—l can see they're gentlemen, must spread out through the woods, and over the hill yonder and capture the girl and the boy for us —ancl the treasure they have '■run off with like thieves." f Humphrey's heart, which sunk low indeed at the first glimpse of the pirate in the negro's hut, began to beat in panic at these words. The negroes, who knew every inch of the island, would be far harder to elude than the pirates. He wondered if any more of the pirates were on this side of the island, and, realising that anyone else approaching the hut would be able to see his head against the light, he ducked quickly below the level of the window. But he had remembered the danger too late. A heavy foot crushcd the dead leaves near him, and at the same moment a hand grasped his shoulder, and he saw the dull gleam of a pistol barrel. "Who are you spying here in the dark?" said a savage voice. (To be continued Saturday next.)