RING NEPTUNE’S TOLL

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8612, 24 December 1913, Page 10

RING NEPTUNE’S TOLL

(By John Le Breton.)

The wind was blowing hard about Canvey Island ou tho afternoon or January 3rd, IkcO, and tho waves were dashing tumultuously on tho steps leading to the coastguard station, Sending the ’spray Hying over the row ot cottages where the coastguards lived, and right over tho roof of, “Tho Old Shi])” inn when tho squalls camo. The Dutch ware all secure in the crook, whore also lay a. few of tho empty sailing barges and luggers that had carried down dynamite for tho vessels in Hole Haven. About a mile off, in tho broad river, which by Canvey Island is almost sea, was a groat lump of a steamer at anchor, rolling heavily in the cross seas, and flying a red Hag to denote that sho had explosives on board. In tho old-fashioned common room ol the inn wore gathered tho usual company, Dutchmen from tho cei-boats, boatmen engaged on the river, a couple of coastguards, old Farmer Dcwm from the farm hard by, tho men from Wood’s dynamite craft, and a fpw farm labourers employed on tho island. “Sho can’t go till sho’s got her ten ton o’ dynamite,” said a man, referring to tho vessel at anchor. “Sara’H drop alongside in tho morning with tho first of tho ebb,” answered a boatman; and then oame a break m tho conversation, and tho company sucked solemnly at their pipes. “They wanted mo to take the stevics off to-night,” said Jesse Tearlo, n smart-looking young fellow, bronzed and sailor-like. “And o’ course you wouldn’t risk your precious life!” sneered Dick Evans, another well-built lad, who was known to bo Jesse’s bitter foe. . Tho two had been schoolmates, and untd they became rivals for tho affection ot Farmer Dewin’s daughter Hope, they had been good friends. Both were boatmen of Gravesend, each owning a boat, and making a sufficient income to warrant his matrimonial aspirations, for Hope was tho farmer's only child and an heiress in a small way. Jesso turned on Dick fiercely. “I’d risk as much as you if there was any reason for it! Besides, if it ain’t safe for me, it ain’t safe for the stevies 1” he said. “Aluch you thought about the steviosl” returned Dick. “Now you two, stop that jawing!

xou can’t speak but what you want to fight!” growled tfie farmer. “And vat’s der goot of it all?” observed old Dutch John, the skipper of one of the eel-boats; “aind it qvito right of Jesse? He’s pettcr pe hvin_ cm der landt dan po troonedt at sea!” A general laugh followed tho speech. It doesn’t take miich to make such an assemblage laugh, and Dutch John was an acknowledged though unconscious 'humorist. “I’d risk my life if ’twas to save life, not else I” said Jesso steadily. Dick smiled incredulously, hut said nothing, for he desired to keep in Farmer Dowin’s good books. “Dot shows vot a fool you vas I” remarked the Dutchman dryly. “Como, that’s right enough I” interposed one of the coastguards. “Pah! I pelievo efery one for himselluf,” said tho Dutchman. “You schaps oughter know dot if you safe, anyone from der sea, dor sea vill haf you insteadt!” “Stow it, Datcby; that’s an old yarnl” cried the coastguard. “It may po olt, mine fren, put it’s troo. I haf seen it como troo echo res of time! Efery time! Der sea vill haf its fictim. Ef you safe a life, you lose your life pofore a year and a tay!” “Chestnuts, Dutchyl” called out Tally Bob, one of the dynamite bargemen. “I telt you dat it is so! Alark my vorts! Now vich of you haf safed a man’s life from ter sea?” asked Dutch John. There was a. momentary silence, and llhen a coastguard said; “Aly brother Silas did.” “Veil, undt vero. is your brother Silas?” “He—he went down with tho Lady Anno, and all hands.” “Vot dit I say?” rejoined Dutch John with ponderous triumph. "Yes, but his mates hadn’t saved no lives, and they' were drov.nded too!” urged the- coastguard. “Dot vos pecause dey sailt with your brudderl I telt yon 1 haf pecn a sailor man doeso feefty-four year, and I haf seen it como- troo efery time. Der sea will haf its fictim; cef yon rop it, den you gif your life inschtead. You hear me!” Tho conversation was interrupted at this point by tho incoming of two men, one a groat rough-looking rascal, and tha other a poor frozen wretch, hardly able to drag one font after the other. The latter was a British sailor, an A.B. discharged from his ship the .week before with a v.g.

certificate and £3O in cash. lour days after his discharge ho had signed articles fur the Cherry Bloom, the steamer lying off Canvey Island, and, having missed her at the docks, had been dragged down to Beniieefc Station by bis landlord, and brought to “Tho Old Ship” inn. His £3O was all gone, ho didn’t know where oi how; and he owed his landlord money, or so that gentleman said; ho had made over his advance note and hallpay to his supposed sister, a friend of the landlord’s, and tho latter was therefore very anxious to get him on hoard tho Cherry Bloom before ho was sober enough to kick at the arrangement. Both men were dripping wet, and as they entered the bar, tho wind twirled in with them, carrying a stream of spray and rain, and making the occupants ot tlio room instinctively turn towards the fire. “1 want a boat!” said ti,e big man abruptly; the sailor did not speak ’anlil be had collapsed into a scat, and then ho mumbled something about a drink. ••’j'ou’ro likely to want,” said Jesse; and tho other boatmen grunted assent. “PH give five bob,” said the crimp. “You may offer ton pound,” replied Jesse; “why can’t you wait till tho morning?” “’Causo in tho morning that blamed Board o’ Trade launch’ll bo down, and tho cap’n’ll ship another hand, ami my man’ll lose the, voyage. Look at ’im! D’ye fink any cap’n’il take 'im if he's got another offered ’im?” “Then, what’s tho good of going on board to-night?” asked tho coastguard. “You know as well as I do, if I gets ’im on board afore the Board o’ Trade conics ’e’ll be took! Where's a. boatman?” “I’m a boatman, and I ain’t going!” said Jesse decidedly; and the wind' gave a roar as of disapproval and whirled down the chimney, filling tho room with smoke. “And I’m a boatman and I will I” cried Dick, springing to his feet, and every one of those who know him understood that ho wished it to como to Hope Dowin’s cars that ho was the bravo , man of her two swains. “Five bob!” said the crimp; “you just, put ’im on board and ask no questions. His kit’s there; I sent it to the docks, but ’e giv’ mo tho slip, and didn’t go. Five bob 1” “ ’Taint a question o’ money with me,” said Dick, grandliquently. “I’m going to show what a man can do if he’s got the pluck.”

Jesse jumped up, his bronzed face flushed and his fists clenched, but ho controlled himself, and said: “You ought to know, Dick, that no boat can live in that sea. Wait till tho tide turns.” “ I’m going now,” said Dick, with stubborn bravado, and, reaching for his oilskins and son’-wester, he put them on and opened the door. For a moment ho staggered back as the wind caught him in full strength, and the roar of the waves boomed into th© room. “ That man ain’t going to ho taken aboard to-night,” said the coastguard resolutely; “it ’ud be murder.” “Dob is so,” concurred Dutch John; “ let der tarn crimp go, but dot sailor man va'its here.” There was a chorus of approval at this, and tho crimp began to bluster. “ I say ’e’s a-going if there’s a boatman to take ’im. ’E’s signed articles, and it’s in the law as ’e’s to go, and oo’s going to step in agen the law?” “ 1 ami” said the burly coastguard, hnd then he and tha crimp rose together and glared into each other’s eyes. They were both big men, but tho crimp was an unhealthy-looking scoundrel, whilst the man-o’-war sailor was a fine specimen of the British tar. “Yes, I am; I say he’s not going in any boat to-night, and if you don’t like to sit down and shut up, I’ll make you 1” “That’s more than you can do, blustered the crimp. The coastguard raised a sledge-ham-mer fist, and then the crimp repented of bis intention to show fight and sat down promptly, saying: “ I don’t want to bring no rows to pleasant company like this ’ere, but it’s wery ’ard ou a poor man who 'as lent that there chap pounds an’ pounds to keep ’im out of the ’ands o’ wrong ’uns.” “ Shut up 1 We’ll see after the. chap in the morning,” said the coastguard; and, moodily enough, the crimp relapsed into silence. “ Well, if there’s no one else going on board that steamer, I’m going by myself,” announced Dick. “Don’t be a fooll” was the cry. “ I am going,” bo said, sullenly, and went out. Three or four men, including tha coastguard and Jesse, put on their oilskins and followed; tho crimp, to a certain degree freed from restraint, began to grumble again. “ AVhat’s weather like this ’ere to a sailor?” he asked of tho company in general. Dutch John slowly pulled his pipe out of his mouth and spoke:

“ Vouldt yon like to go on poard tonight?” he asked. “ No, 1 ain't got no call to go. “Den shu.st you kip your tom tongue qvite, or ve II put you into a poat and let you go by your own selluf,” and Dutcby nodded meaningly; and smoked again. Aleanwhile Jesse and the others had gone the twenty ot thirty yards to the landing, whore tho waves were breaking furiously in great brownish masses of water crested with foam. A little to tho west was the creek, which up at Benfleet is ferried at flood and forded at ebb, and bore the bar was marked by a swirl of frothing foam. “ He’s mad to attempt,” shouted Jesso to tho coastguard above the roar of tho waves. Tho coastguard nodded, and shaded his eyes to look whore tho distant lights" faintly showed tho Cherry Bloom at anchor. “There’ll bo nothing going up or down to-night,” he answered. “There lie comes!” cried, out Jesse, suddenly, and through tho darkness their practised eyes saw something moving down tho creek until it came abreast of them and was lost in the clouds of foam and spray on tho bar. Just for a second Jesse's heart gave a tlirob of gladness, for it seemed very probable that he would no longer have a rival; but over tlio shrieks of tho wind came a cry for help, and it did not come to Jesse’s ears in vain. Ho ran to the stops, and as he reachcd them the boat camo crashing up, and then was carried away. In another moment tho waves rolled Dick over and over, and threw him, too, against the steps, and then tor© him away. Jesse throw oft his oilskins and boots and ran a littlo further along, and then sprang into the water. Ho was a strong swimmer, but he was_ almost helpless in the raging of tho tide. Before ho had time to think, he saw Dick within arm’s reach, and seized him. Then a lino thrown from tlio shore by practised hands struck tho water almost in front of his face; bo gripped it, and both men were hauled to the .shore, Dick insensible and considerably injured. Within a quarter of an hour from th© time they had left the inn, all the party were back there again; Dick W'Os put to bed, while Jesso changed bis drenched clothes for a suit belong* tag .to the landlord. “ What Jesse done’s more hko a man than Dick’s braggin' tricks, I’m thinking,” said the coastguard. “Dot vas a pad chob, dough,” said Dutch John.

“Alight ’a bin much worse,” responded the coastguard. “Veil, you remempor vot I tolt you, and you vill seoi if I am not right. Dot Jesso vill be troonedt pofore a year and a tay pe gone.” “I believe Dutchy’s right,” said Farmer Dewin solemnly; “I’ve heard the same tale meself. You’ll find there’s always surnmin’ o’ truth in them old tales. I’ll tell my gel Hope, for it’s no good her marryin’ jest to bo left a widder, though Jesse’s a decent enough chap, and I’d as lief see her take up with him as with any one I know.” Farmer Dewin did tell his daughter how gallantly Jesse had rescued his rival from death, and Hope’s eyes lighted up with gladness as she listened. Plainly she had decided that Jesso was the man for her, and yet she was provokingly reticent when she should have been most frank. It was early on a certain April afternoon when she. and Jesse stood by .a gate on her father’s farm, talking over the old, old story. Jesso had ran down with a steamer from Gravesend, and as usual had come over to see his lady-love. He stood thero gazing at her. with immense admiration. She was tall and shapely, with a very white skin that bloomed in rose colour on her cheek, and turned to a rich scarlet on her full sweet lips. Her hair was copper-colour, and glowed in the sunlight, and her humorous-looking eyes wore dark grey-blue. Jesse tried to possess himself of her hand. “I’ve waited a long time for you, Hope,” he said. “Y’ou needn’t have waited, Jesse.” “I don’t mind how long I wait for you,” he answered fervently. Sho laughed. “Y'ou’re always laughing at me I” he said resentfully. “Isn’t it a good thing that I’m so happy in your company?” “Now tell me, Hope, once for all, do you like Dick hotter than mo?” “Perhaps!” “Then I believe you do,” be said angrily, adding, “that’s what I get for saving his life!” “Would you have let him drown because I cared for him?” said Hope, looking serious. “You know I wouldn’t! But it’s pretty hard on me all the same. Hope, am I to take it that you like Dick best?” “I have never said so, Jesse!” “But you’ve said as much. Well, I’ve run after you for two years now • —and there —good-bye, Hope!” and suddenly snatching at her hand ho

kissed it, and was away before sbe could recover from her surprise. | She sighed a little as she looked after him. “He’ll come back again,she thought, “but lie’ll have to wait for a year and a day, anyhow!” For Farmer Dewin had solemnly warned his daughter that Jesse was sure to bo drowned within that space of time, and iiad been so impressive in his manlier that Hope had promised not to engage herself until the dangerous period should be past. Jesse went back to Gravesend and moped for a day; then, meeting Hick the next afternoon down by tho “Ship: and Lobster,” lie challenged him, ana the two fought until both were the worse lor it, and neither the victor. Jesso had one eye bunged up and the other half-closed, which was unfortunate, as he was expecting a vessel ho always attended to come up river on tho morning tide. In spite of his impaired powers of vision he started that night to row down to Cimvey Island, looking out all tho time for a likely steamer to give him a tow. Presently ho saw the lights of a vessel coining round a bend of the river—a largo tramp in ballast, standing right out of the water. Ho pulled into her road, and then stood up in tho bows of his boat, with his boat-hook attached to a lino, ready to fix on. “Thump I thump I thump!” went her screws, almost out of water, and ns Jesse could not reach tho rail above she nearly passed him, hut ho just managed to hook to one of tho niterports, and went to the stern of his boat to steer her round. Ho was not quick enough, probably because the light had damaged his eyesight, ana with a jerk the boat was pulled alongside the screw, ono of the blades cutting a great jag in her side. In an instant slio had filled, but Jesso springing forward caught hold of the ropd and hung on, calling for help at tha topi qf his voice. “Hullo there 1” at last said a voice from above calmly. “Throw us a line, sharp!” gasped Jesso. A line was lot down, and in quick time Jesso was aboard. “What yer doing there?” asked the chief offiicer of tho Bridal Bell, without tho sightest curiosity or interest in his voice. “You’ve run my boat down, and nearly finished mo!” said Jesse, thinking at the moment of Dutch John’s year-and-a-day legend. “Why didn’t you look whore you

were going? Ain’t our lights plain enough ?” Josso assented unwillingly. “What are you going to do now? We’ro going to Antwerp.” “Well, I can’t swim ashore,” said Jesse, so I expect I’ll have to go with you. Before Antwerp was reached Jesse had agreed to ship as ho’sun, and to go out to Bombay in the steamer; his boat—his means of livelihood—was lost, and as Hope seemed to have decided on marrying Dick, Jesse told himself that he was “bettor out of it.” Kews camo to Canvcy Island that Jesse’s boat had been picked up near Shecrness. almost 'cut in half, and Dutch John’s legend gained credence, and Jesse’s disappearance was an instance of proof. Meanwhile the Bridal Bell had gone from Bombay to Mouhnam, and from Moulmaiu back, and thence to China. I'iiou at last she sailed for home, arriviitg in May, just over a year after having sailed from liagiaud. As soon as ever ho was paid off, Jesse made for Cauyoy Island; ho had over 401. in cash, enough to buy a new boat, and to give him a fresh start, and he determined to see Hope and give her another chance of refus ing him. Somehow he could not bring himself to believe that she really preferred his rival, or that she hail married decrying his absence. Ho told himself that ho was prepared for anything, but iu fact he was not. Down on her knees heiund a thick hedgo that sheltered her own particular little flower garden was Hope, busily engaged iu planting seedlings, the May sunshine flickering on her copper-coloured hair. Jesse was beside her in a moment, and, dropping on liis knees, ho flung his arms around her, and kissed the down-bent while neck ardently. The result was unpromising. Hope pulled herself away from him with a pettish movement, and said angrily—- “ How dale you, Dick?” Jesse’s arms dropped. Dick! The name seemed to stun him. Puzzled by the silence, Hope turned and looked up into the young man's face. “Oh —h—h! Jesse!” she said rapturously, and straightway' dropped her seedlings and threw herself in his arras, and kissed him, and met his kisses with the most complete satisfaction. It was perhaps, unfortunate for Dick’s feelings that he should have arrived and looked round the hedge at this juncture; hut the situation explained itself, and he walked away without disturbing the lovers, having received the final answer which he had come to demand.