TABLE TOP

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23277, 21 February 1939, Page 17

TABLE TOP

(COPYRIGHT)

By EDEN PHILLPOTTS Author of "Yellow Sands," "The Farmer's Wife," etc., etc,

A romance that commences in Peru and takes three young people, filled with the spirit of adventure, on a quest for Inca treasure.

I . SYNOPSIS. Tom Aylmer, son of the owner of the Atajo Silver Mine, in Peru, and Angus Maine, employed at the office iu Lima, aro out in the hills, on a camping holiday, when Felice Pardo, a friend and fellow worker, arrived with a telegram announcing the death of Tom's father in England. They return to Lima, and Tom announces that Angus will accompany him to England, and Folice will take charge of the office' in their absence. CHAPTER I.—(Continued) "Why two tickets?" asked Maine. "Who do you think to take with you?" "You," replied Tom. -"You and Pardo are my right and left hand in future—anyway as far as the mine's concerned—and I shall want you at home when decisions have got to be made. Of course, my mother is the first thought, but a mighty deal depends on what my father may have left as to his futuro wishes, and it will save a lot of time if you come with me." "Delighted if you think so," declared Angus, while Pardo made no comment but left them together. "To-morrow at the office then, Tom." was all he said. CHAPTER 11. A PARROT OF CHARACTER Jane Bradshaw had been betrothed to young Aylmer for two years, and it was understood that, upon his next visit to England, they were to be married. That their union had suddenly come a year nearer comforted Tom when he found leisure to think of it; but their future home depended 011 the fate of the mine. Preparations needed to be made for his journey, and upon the day before he left Lima, the young man remembered a matter that, under stress, had nearly slipped his memory. It was an unwritten law he should never return home without an addition to Jane's aviary.

She was an expert in the business of breeding foreign finches and, though now 110 more than 20, had already won a name of respect in cage-bird circles and taken many prizes at representative exhibitions. Jane Bradshaw's collection was famous, and Tom, who lived not far distant from a paradise of birds, had brought home litle creatures of beauty and interest from time to time to enrich her store.

Now, however, he had left no leisure to pick and choose, but visited a dealer's menagerie, known to him in a back street of Lima, and bought the first oddity that his eyes fell upon. It was a parrot much unlike any other parrot in his experience, and he guessed that Jane, who loved oddities, might well welcome it. The present owner had long been well known to his customer, and he applauded Tom's choice.

After young Aylmer learned that the parrot was going to cost him five pounds sterling, he protested. The vendor, however, possessed his own technique in these cases. He did not argue, and was seldom prepared to reduce his price, but he dwelt on the special qualities of the bird, or beast, in the balance.

"This parrot is among the rarest of all parrots," said Manuel Moreno, "and I am glad that an Englishman is going to buy him. There will be no other parrot like him in your country, and your Miss will have a unique bird. I only know two others. They are in the collection of Jacob Fernandez, and he is verv proud of them, as well he may be. This parrot comes from Lake Titicaca, and is rare even there."

Aylmer eyed the bird, but had already made up his mind, for Manuel was a truthful man. The parrot looked smaller than an ordinary Brazilian, but it possessed a certain beauty that a familiar bird is apt to lack. Its plumage was the colour of a somewhat unfamiliar gem, the zircon; a lustrous and very brilliant metallic blue. It is paler than the sapphire, yet often exudes j more light and fire. But the parrot ivas not wholly blue. It revealed a bright \ orange tail banded with white; his wing-tips were also orange, and his head was black. The bird looked at Tom and seemed to wink his purple eyelids. It suggested considerable age and wide experience. Something akin to thought appeared to animate its topaz coloured eyes. Then it turned its head sideways and regarded the possible purchaser with one eye alone. . "He looks devilish old," said Tom; but Moreno modified this opinion. "Probably seventy or thereabouts, but that is not old in the parrot world. It is impossible to tell their full span of life, but I have had them through my hands when it could be proved that they had lived through three generations of mankind and were over a hundred and still hearty and healthy and very good companions. This bird is strong and well. Not a weak spot. I have had him for three years and never known him to ail. But he must be kept warm and fed on the right things." "You can trust my ladv for that," answered Tom. "Does it talk?" "Have no fear of its language," replied the seller. "At seventy or so this bird is still a learner, and if it gives you pleasure to teach a parrot your tongue, no doubt it will oblige you and learn. It does talk, but its speech need not make you fear lor your Miss, because nobody can translate the language." Tom bought the bird and its cage, ascertained its requirements on the vovage. and went his way. On board ship it is the butcher who generally takes charge of birds, beasts, and reptiles, bound for a new home, and Tom handed his parrot to a very capable curator, who knew much more abou' birds than he did. The man was interested and even became enthusiastic, for he had never seen such a parrot before in a long experience. People aboard amused themselves by visiting the butcher's menagerie, for many creatures travelled under his charge. Some animals like the sea air; others are not such good sailors; but Aylmcr's parrot appreciated its change of circumstance, and became genial, friendly, and happy. Its plumage acquired a new lustre; it appeared to grow younger, and. much enjoyed any attention or word of praise. Coming to the cafe one forenoon, the friends discovered a man sitting beside it and watching the bird's movements. Tom and Angus knew the voyager well enough, for he happened to be a familiar figure in Lima; but lie did not know them. He was a merchant and bird fancier, Jacob Fernandez —a brown, bald Peruvian and obviously vfery old —but his eyes were as bright as black diamonds behind his blue glasses, his movements energetic, hi> voice still strong and masculine. JacobV wealth was rumoured to be prodigious, and businessmen declared that he had a finger in every prosperous pie; but none really knew much about him save that he was a childless widower,' lived a few miles from his offices and foi ] more than half a century had devoted ' his money and his leisure to collecting birds. Ornithologists came from every quarter of the globe to see them, and Signor Fernandez was engaged in thr preparation of a sumptuous bird-book illustrated in colour, which had already cost him a good many thousand pounds and had as yet only reached the seventh volume, out of ten that he designed "If your parrot interests old Fernandez, it must have points, Tom!" said ! Angus. • j They approached and the little man' accosted them. "Your bird, gentlemen?" he askerl "Mine, sir," answered Aylmer. "And my friend has just said that if yor. ,

could look twice at him, he must lie a bit out of the common." "Your bird is out of the common —a very rare parrot indeed." "I'll bet you've got another, sir?"

"Yes, I have had two for many years. They have seen me change from youth to age, but I cannot say that I. have marked any changes in them as yet. They are still in their prime." "Might I ask if my bird is all right sir? 1 got him from Moreno, at Lima, and he judged him to be about seventy."

"Manuel Moreno is a good man, and honest, and knows quite a lot about birds. Your parrot is seventy, or older; hut he is very well preserved and in good plumage. His eyes are bright and he is happy and enjoying life. Where do you take him?" "To England, sir."

"Then bo most careful. He comes from a mighty hot place, Lake Titicaca. Keep him at the best temperature to be found in England—if indeed you can talk of temperatures in that island." Suddenly the parrot intervened. He had not as yet spoken in his new owner's hearing, nor did he say much now; but he spoke a name, and to their surprise Jacob Fernandez recognised it.

"Benny Boss! Benny Boss! Benny Boss!" cried the bird loudly, and rattled off a rigmarole of noises which Tom assumed to be his own language. Then it cocked its head on one side, looked at them, and seemed to expect a reply. But old Jacob was astounded. "Now that," he said, "is a most remarkable thing a rjuite extraordinary happening! This bird, my young friends, has just spoken a name that was already familiar to me more than half a century ago!" "Is there such a person as Bfenny Boss, sir?" asked Maine.

"No," answered the other. "One may safely declare that this parrot's 'Benny Boss' has Jong joined the majority. But he was a very singular person —in his prime when I was young—and of such individuality and enterprise that I have never forgotten him and never shall. No man could tell you the true story of Benny Boss. He was such a liar that the truth about him is little likely ever to be known; but I had a good deal to do with him long ago, and he gave up his attempts to cheat me after he found that I knew far more about the matter than he did."

The speaker broke off. "There can be little doubt in my opinion that this was once his bird. It comes from his old home at Puno, in the region of Titicaca, the greatest and grandest of our lakes. It was Benny who secured me my parrots, and not a few other good things indigenous to that district. Meet me after dinner in the smoking room and you shall hear more."

" Benny Boss! Benny Boss!" bawled the parrot, and the old gentleman solemnly nodded to him.

" You revive ancient memories, excellent bird," he answered, " and if at any time you enjoyed Benny's confidences, you must have heard many a sultry story and learned of many a doubtful deed." They met after dinner and Signor Fernandez inquired as to their names. " To whom have I the honour of speaking?" he asked in his courtly way, and when Aylmer made answer, his reply awakened Jacob's interest and brought commiseration. Indeed, it was some time before Jacob remembered Benny Boss at all, for Tom's information turned his mind into another channel. He knew all about Tom's silver mine; indeed, there were few considerable Peruvian enterprises in which he was not well versed.

" I'm Tom Aylmer, .sir, and my friend is Angus Maine. We work in the office of the Mount Atajo Company; but my father has just lost his life in a motor accident, and I am on my way home to my mother." "Dear, dear accept my condolences and sympathy," said the old man. " I met your father on several occasions in the far past, Mr. Aylmer, and entertain an agreeable memory of him. The Mount Atajo Silver Mine—yes, yes." He pondered a few moments, and then brought out a massive cigar-case and offered the vonng men some heavy, black cigars. They declined, however. Angus stuck to his pipe and Tom only smoked cigarettes. Then they sat together and Signor Fernandez began to talk.

" In times long past," lie said, " the countless generation of sea-birds that inhabited our islands created wealth beyond the dreams of avarice; but their deposits, to the tune of many millions of tons, have gone to fatten the mettle of European pastures, and to-day guano is not our greatest resource. I would set first in natural strength the three esses: Silver, soda and sugar. As yet we have but scratched our silver, and one suspects that there must be plenty of gold also. The Incas' knew where it was, if we do not. As for soda, we have enough nitrate to supply Europe for centuries, and our present annual export of half a million tons, or thereabout, is wholly inadequate. When you come to sugar, there is none to beat ours and the yield increases substantially. Next in importance I should place our alpaca and sheep's wool. But silver is my particular interest, and we lag behind in this respect." Ho broke off, lighted a cigar, and turned to Tom.

" Many years ago I sounded your lamented parent on the subject of Mount Atajo, Tom, and did not hesitate to tell him that, in my humble opinion, he was neglecting opportunities and merely playing with an enterprise that might produce something spectacular if developed. I offered to buy his mine, but lie had 110 mind to sell, and I urged him then, as I now urge the future possessors, to spend money, recondition a plant and procedure now quite obsolete, and give the mine a chance. I should be inclined to predict from a lifetime of knowledge that the possibilities are substantial, and though all mining is a gamble, there would be plenty ol us in Lima quite ready to find capital for Mount Atajo. Is the future position clearly understood?" " I' haven't seen my father's will, sir; but, so far as I knoAV, the mine will have been left to me. Father was not a man to saddle other people with difficulties when he died, and I expect, after everything had been done to protect my mother and ensure her income, that I shall be free to do what I may decide." Signor Fernandez fixed his eyes upon Tom and was apparently satisfied with the scrutiny. " Well," he continued, " you look like a young man who has his head screwed on pretty tight. And I will ask you to do this if you have no objection. 1 am going to Panama for the moment on business, but shall reU ,urn home in a few weeks sit latest. ITherefore, kindly inform me as to how lyou stand, and what may be your intentions when you learn your precise position." " Glad to, sir, I'm sure, declared Avlmer. " I'll let you know just how f stand as soon as I know myself." " And now ring the bell that we may drink," said Jacob, " And I shall tell' you about that incomparable ruffian, Benny Boss." ' Signor Fernandez ordered refreshment and proceeded to the subject of the bvgono adventurer who had brought I them' together; but the tale of Benny Hvus destined to be again delayed, for Signor Fernandez touched on the side issue, and, finding it of deep interest.to liis second hearer, discoursed a little upon it. (To be continued daily.)