AN AUSTRALIAN NOVEL.

Golden Bay Argus, Volume VI, Issue 72, 14 October 1897, Page 3

AN AUSTRALIAN NOVEL.

B [!C , 3EIiOE2 Deari of pandora A - - A True Story of Northern Queensland. BY CAPTAIN LACIE. IN SIXTEEN PARTS. o PART XIV.

AS the quick brain of the man reflected it appeared clearer to him that there would be no great trouble in seizing one or both of the boats. The/ firearms gave them such a tremendous advantage over the savages that a sudden rush by the three men armed with ten muskets should mean ten lives —and the formidable cutlasses must prove effective on an already demoralised foe. Once the boat was seized the rest would be comparatively easy. Once Bloomfield formed a resolve he was implacable in carrying it out, and the idea given him by the hunchback was so much in accord with his own wishes that he then and there registered a mutual vow that come what might he would achieve the object proposed. 5 If I die for it, Jarvis, the boat will be ours, and within twenty-four hours we will be leaving this place, or ’ ‘ Dead perhaps,’ filled in the hunchback as the leader paused. ‘Not much fear of that, Jarvis, though it even would be better than living this life. If we stick together nothing can beat us. We must explain to Pera, for he is as true as steel,’ and forthwith Bloomfield began to tell

the young blackfellow what their design was, the latter nodding a ready approval to the daring scheme. 1 There isn’t any time to be lost, Jarvis, for there’s no knowing what these brutes yonder may do. I’ll not feel easy now until we have the craft in our possession. I suppose there’s >©nly one way of doing it, and that is by a rush. We can steal round the back of the range yonder and down the little creek which runs into the inlet. When we make the attack it must be on the boat. Let us get into it and then shoot the brutes as they come on,’ Bloomfield hastily explained. Even while he spoke the hunchback

was preparing for the coming fray. He had arranged three of the muskets around his body in an ingenious manner where they could be instantly seized by him and used. The other musket he carried in his hand, while cutlasses were placed in a belt of skin which the men wore.

Seeing this, Bloomfield quickly accoutred himself in similar fashion, also taking four muskets, as it was agreed Pera should have the use of two, which he would be able to put to the best advantage. Nothing else was taken as the weapons only were needed for the enterprise and other articles would have been useless and burdensome. In ten minutes the party were fully equipped and ready to start on the dangerous mission. Clambering down the face of the cliff along a deep rent or depression in the side which sheltered the men from observation they soon reached the bottom of the glen, when Bloomfield led the way towards the western end, followed closely by the others, _ After going about a quarter of a mile the leader turned sharply to the left and ascended the range on that side which was about two hundred feet in height. The vegetation here was dense, as it had not been touched by the fire, the water in the glen having cut off the flames and saved it. Pushing their way through the matted undergrowth slow progress was made down the opposite slope until a beautiful little rivulet was met embowered in magnificent vegetation. The sunlight was almost shut out by the interlacing leaves of the trees overhead, but the dim light which prevailed exactly suited the plans of the three men. It was not an easy matter to get along the banks of the stream, but the long sojourn which the two white men had made about the district made them expert in travelling through jungle. To the blackfellow it was a sort of second nature. The point where they reached the rivulet was a little more than three quarters of a mile from where it entered the bay at the extreme point of the inlet or arm already mentioned. The fall was steep so that the water was beautifully fresh and cool. At times the men were forced to wade in the stream so

dense was the surrounding undergrowth, but even if they had to swim it would not have deterred them from the enterprise in which the hopes of the white men were so bound. It was more than an hour before the party reached a point where the rivulet dropped about ten feet in a sparkling cascade down to a broad and comparatively still pool below. This was caused by the falling abruptly away of the glen in a sort of terrace to a lower level almost flush with high water. Boats could come from the bay to this point, and Bloomfield was very cautious in approaching it lest the Malays might have made their camp at the spot, though that was improbable. The first glance satisfied him that such was not the case, and then he moved towards the left from which a view of the stream to its junction with the bay could be got. This was only a

quarter of a mile distant, and as the leader anxiously looked a gleam of satisfied triumph shone in his eyes, and he beckoned Jarvis to him. ‘ We’ve got them sure enough, lad. See, both boats are moored at the mouth of the creek, and the fools are fifty yards away. Luck is on our side this time, Jarvis,’ he said. It appeared to be as he said, for the proahs were floating gracefully in the rivulet moored to bamboo trees, while the Malays were about fifty yards distant camped on the beach probably because there was less fear of a surprise on the open sands. No doubt they had reason for the action taken in leaving the boats in the creek. They well knew it was not possible to take them up that stream as they had to go to the cataract for fresh water and they never dreamed that three men would attempt to seize the vessels and get past them to the open bay. That was no doubt their reason for the action, and it was the very daring of the plan suggested by Jarvis which baffled them.

So soon as the boats and the Malays were located Bloomfield and his two companions moved across the stream to the side the crafts were moored. This, of course, was on the same bank where their dusky foes were camped, but that did not cause much concern. The country intervening was not so covered with undergrowth as that higher up in the glen, but there was plenty of cover, and the advancing party skillfully availed themselves of it, flitting from tree to tree like shadows. In ten minutes they were within fifty yards of the boat and a hundred from the main body of thesemi-saviges, who appeared to be holding a sort of council. So far as could be seen there were not more than thirty, which showed that the shooting of the previous day must have done considerable execution. Some of those seen were wounded and lying on rush mats on the beach.

Thirty against three, however, was formidable odds, and Bloomfield recognised that decisive and courageous action was needed to ensure victory. Even if every musket killed a man, which was a most improbable contingency, there would be yet twenty against three, and if anything the arms would be in favour of the twenty. They possessed a few odd firearms amongst them which might work injury at short range, and the bows and arrows were also superior to the cutlasses, which could only be used in a hand-to-hand struggle. Of course Bloomfield recognised that if he could only seize a boat and get into the bay he would be comparatively safe, as it would give the opportunity of reloading before a rush could be made. It was the latter kind of attack he feared. There was a dense thicket about forty yards from the boats on the bank of the creek, and to this point Bloomfield directed his men, he himself having reached it. When the hunchback came he stated his plan of action. It was simple enough.

‘ We must make a silent rush from here to the boats and get into that large one on the far side. Don’t fire unless compelled to. The moment we cut loose Pera and you can pull out into the bay'and I’ll keep them off. If they follow you keep to the oars and let Pera do the loading. Now is the time or never,’ he concluded. These directions were made plain to Pera, and when he understood them Bloomfield waited for a favourable chance to make the perilous attack. It was not long in coming. One of the Malays was addressing the gathering, and he appeared to be interrupted by a Japanese who angered him. His language and gesticulations became more threatening, attracting the attention of all around. Taking advantage of this Bloomfield bounded out of the thicket, followed by the others, and ran with wonderful speed to the boat, which he reached in a few seconds. He had the moorings cut when the hunchback, who was the last, jumped in, and only then did the Malays see what was happening.

For a few moments wild terror seized them, and instead of rushing on their foes, they actually fled. The brief respite given the white men was most valuable aid for they had pushed out into the stream and were making for the bay close at hand before the copper-coloured men recovered from their panic but found they were too late to do much.

As they made back Bloomfield began to fire upon them, the first two shots each killing a man. This deadly work forced the others to shelter, and in a moment the white men knew they were safe, Bloomfield lowering the loaded musket from his shoulder as the proah swept into the open bay. He was proceeding to load the two discharged guns when a short fat Malay—the one, in fact, who had been talking so excitedly when the rush was made— stepped from behind a tree and with upraised arms advanced towards the beach. It at once struck Bloomfield that the man wanted to parley, and this became a certainty when he called out in very broken Anglo-Saxon, yet understandable: ‘ Me speak Engleese.’ The white men paused at this, for it was the first time in years they had heard their own tongue spoken save by themselves. It was that curious sympathy perhaps that caused them to listen to the dark man’s stammering, hesitating, and frequently meaningless words instead of shooting him down.

The message he conveyed was brief .but to the point. He did not want bloodshed, but only to get back to his own country. He was a serang and sort of a father to his men. Enough harm had already been done, and they did not want to injure the white men. Why not be brothers—be friends.

That was the gist of the message he conveyed to the victorious white men,

while his followers skulked behind trees, some of them writhing in agony with the pain of their wounds, whilst two lay on the sand beyond the troubles of this world for ever.

‘ If we could only get rid of the fools, Jarvis, it would be a good thing. There isn’t any fun in killing them, and as long as they are here we will have trouble. If they get the upper hand what will our fate be? What do you say?’ asked Abel Bloomfield. The stony heart of the hunchback must have been softened by one of God’s electric rays of pity, for he answered :

‘ Give them the other boat and tell them to go. It will be better for all. If they stay here there will be nothing but trouble.’

‘ But if they get ahead it may go hard with us when we reach Java,’ protested Bloomfield. The hunchback paused for a few moments before he said :

‘That fellow wants us to be friends, and we might be yet. I’ll fix up the wounded for him. We have the stuff you know, and couldn’t we give them some food and other things ? That would be friendly. That’ll make them all right I think.’ The suggestion met with the instant approval of Bloomfield, and in the best manner possible he told the waiting serang on the beach what their proposal was. He explained that the white men must have oneproah to sail for their own home because the Malays had burned the white men’s boat. That they did not love blood and would be brothers —friends to the Malays. They would give them food and drink and stuff to make the wounded well if the Malays would go away in peace. It took half an hour to fully explain this, and then at a call from the headman the rest came trustingly around him while the white men remained within fifty yards. It was soon apparent that the terms of peace were satisfactory, for all the survivors could get off in the one boat, and the acceptance was announced to the white men. On this Bloomfield told the headman that they would go across the bay and return in two hours with a lot of presents, and he wanted him to come with them, which the man without hesitation did.

When they got across to the old wreck Jarvis and Pera went to the limestone cliff from which they had sallied but a few hours previously and began to carry to the boat lice, flour, coffee, tea, and various other articles stored there, not forgetting a small quantity of rum. The white men knew that ardent spirits was not good for Malays unless taken in very small quantities. After this they made several trips to the rock, when the medicine-chest, more food, and a quantity of Indian clothing stuffs were brought down. While this was being done Bloomfield conversed with the serang and then learned that there was no hostile motive in the visit of the Malays either on the first or the second occasion. When the bush was fired it was an accident caused by the burning of the boat in retaliation for having been shot at and the chief killed.

Bloomfield explained that lie fired because the Malays were destroying the boat, but the serang told him they would have stopped had he come to them. The seaman also confided to his strangely-found friend his desire to reach Java and ultimately his own country. Thereupon the headman gave hirn all the information possible on the subject and pressed him to accompany the Malays back. On this point the serang urged strongly. He argued that with the aid of the Malay rowers and their knowledge it would only be a pleasure tiip for the white men. Moreover, when Java was reached and the white men had no further use for the proah it could be restored to the rightful owners, to whom it was of great value. This latter argument Bloomfield met by saying that on his arrival at Java he would see that the boat was restored to its rightful owners —that, in fact, he was only taking a loan of it to get across.

For a time the many advantages which accompanying the Malays had almost caused the seaman to throw in his lot with them, and it was not until he consulted Jarvis, who returned with the last load, that Bloomfield made up his mind to follow his dusky friends.

‘They are treacherous, Abel, and we would never reach java. They might throw us over while asleep,’ the hunchback said, and the argument prevailed. It did not occur to Bloomfield that treachery could easily be frustrated, that they could keep a watch on board the same as they did on land, and that only a sufficient crew to handle the craft need be taken on board. As soon as the last load had come from the rock the craft was pulled across to the opposite side, where the Malays eagerly awaited the return of the white men and their serang. When within thirty yards of the beach the proah grounded on the sand, and Jarvis, with Pera and the headman, stepped out and began to convey the goods ashore. Bloomfield remained in charge, and with muskets ready, sharply watched for any sign of attack on his comrades. There was, however, not the least suspicion of treachery, and when the hideous looking hunchbach began to minister to the wounded linting and bandaging the injuries, he became transformed into a benign angel of mercy in the eyes of the semisavages. This last act completely won their confidence, and when the headman explained to them the reason of the unfortunate and bloody misunderstanding they quite understood the position. It was not long before abundance of food was cooked, and with the dried fish which the Malays

had, an ample and satisfactory repast was soon provided. It was approaching evening when the white men left the Malay camp and pulled the unweildy proah across to their own retreat. The headman told them he would leave for the north on the following morning, and Bloomfield asked him to bring the boat over and take in a supply of food which would be ready for the use of his people. As arranged, two hours after daylight on the following morning the Malay proah was seen coming across, and on the beach the white men had a pile of very acceptable goods ready for their foes of yesterday but their friends of to day. When the boat reached them Jarvis paid his last attention to the wounded, one of whom he realised would not live the day out. An hour was spent in this work and in conversation between the serang and Bloomfield. The former was again urging the white men to accompany him, and feeling that their safety was assured with the Malays, the young seaman almost consented. Then a voice which was not of this world whispered in his ear not to go, and as it seemed against his own judgment and wishes, his lips formed the words of refusal. Perhaps the shadow of Captain Cooney was about. Who can say ? He had been done to death not far away.

The leave taking was not very formal, but considering the meeting of the two parties it was a very extraordinary scene and a striking instance of the ever-changing passions of human nature. Hand-shaking, which was somewhat foreign to the Malays, was indulged in, and the proah put off amidst the cheers of the two seamen, the hoarse tones of Pera, and the shrill cries of the Malays and Japanese, while the headman stood in the stern making profound salaams to his friends on shore. When the craft got out some distance Bloomfield, Jarvis, and Pera ran into the water, and clambering on some fragments of the poor old Pandora which still protruded from the water, waved a last farewell to the dark-skinned occupants of the proah. From these points of vantage they watched the long graceful-shaped craft round the northern headland, and as it disappeared the serang still stood in the stern bowing like an automaton. Silently the three men dropped back into the water and waded ashore, each having an unaccountable feeling that it would have been better had they too formed a portion of the departing voyagers.

This feeling clung to them even in the face of the work and bustle which their own approaching journey necessitated. Not only had all the goods and articles to be removed from the rock stronghold, but the proah had to be rigged up as a sailer. It was not possible for the three men to make the voyage they intended simply with the aid of oars, and it would be necessary to rig'the vessel so that the power of the restless giant wind could be utilised and not the puny strength of man to propel the vessel to her destination.

On account of the narrow slender construction of the boat this was not an easy job, as ordinary rigging would be unsuitable and positively dangerous. The ingenuity of Jarvis was, however, equal to the occasion, and during the course of the day he adopted a design of his own which he felt would suit. It required a good deal of work to fashion out, and as evening approached he told Bloomfield that it would be at least two days before everything would be completed. That was a small delay in comparison with the four or five months of labour and waiting which confronted them on the previous morning, and they laughed at the good luck which had so reduced their residence in the now undesirable abode.

It is a singular fact in human nature that the nearer realisation becomes the less is the feeling of pain or pleasure, as the case may be experienced. This was so in the case of the two seamen. As the hour drew near when they would bid an eternal farewell to the spot in which after all they had been well treated by fortune they began to view the future with less pleasure than formerly. Doubts and fears assailed them as to probable events taking place in the country which they called home. The Shadow of the Past settled upon them, and they became to silently question themselves as to the wisdom of the course they were about to take. What if some of the betrayed crew of the Pandora had succeeded in getting back to British settlement — Sydney for instance. The arms of justice extended over the world, and sooner or later the avenging hand would grip them. In the event of the escape of any of the marooned people to a British settlement, or any other place where news of the outrage might reach British authorities, it was highly probable that information would be sent to the nearest civilised power to the outrage. In such case would not the Dutch Government be informed, and probably the two men might be arrested.

It was strange that as the muchsought escape from the mainland was now at hand all these gloomy fancies and fears should beset them. They were haunted by the phantoms of the Pandora’s crew, conjured up by their own guilty consciences. Three days after the departure of the Malays everything was ready for the start, and the morning was one to cheer the heart of a misanthropist. The sun shone in a cloudless sky, but the fierceness of the summer soltice was absent. The temperature was soft and genial, for the first breath of spring was .upon the land. A zephyr wind blew, while the woods sounded with, the rejoicing of myriad gaily plumaged birds.

To Be Continued.