JAVA JACK

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17526, 1 May 1925, Page 12

JAVA JACK

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1 By

OTTWELL BINNS

is s= i |j| Author of g | jj “A Mating in the ‘Wilds.” “The jp ■ p Treasure of Christophe,” etc. |

CHAPTER XV. (Continued.) The man whom he addressed swore fiercely by way of assent; and Njio began to address San Choon in the speech of her native Kowloon. Neither , Callaghan nor Blake knew what he was saying, but the angry white man seemed to bo following the words with interest. and suddenly San Choon broke into rapid, passionate speech, pointing occasionally to Java Jack. What she said- neither of the watchers had the remotest idea, but that she was in deadly earnest her tones convinced them, though Njio listened to them with a face as impassive as a graven image. When the girl had finished speaking, he spoke a few words to her. received a brief answer, and then addressed himself to his white partner. : - “ San Choon know-ee where that leetle one who fled away is. She will take us to the place that we may seize her. if we make-e plomisc to let Java Jack go. an' ” “ I’ll see her burn first! We can do , without her- and her bargaining. You and I can make Java talk, and if he - doesn't know where the jewel is, we can [ make San Choon tell us where to find that runaway. Java's 1113- meat, and when we've got the jewel J'm going to play with him and then give him to the sharks.” “ Me want jewel, not Java,” said the Celestial blandly. “Me plomise San ‘ Choon if we get the doss ” “Promise!” the -other trumpeted. “ There is another girl here, white an' j vellec beautiful. San Choon say. She say we take her with that bird-woman an’ the jewel if we lei Java go. She 1 take us to them, so me make-e bargain.” A whispered exclamation broke from Andy Callaghan's lips, and looking at him, Blake saw that his face was white. He understood what was in his companion’s mind, and gave utterance to “ After all, that li'l kitten is sellin’ the 1 lot of us to save Java, and Java’ll kill her for it. Look at his face.” Java Jack’s bloodied face was now contorted with passion. Tlis grey eyes as he glared at San Choon seemed to shoot lightnings; and Andy Callaghan guessed that if he were not gagged, he would blast with curses the little woman who by the betray al of others planned to save him. Callaghan gave him but one glance then his attention was recalled to the clash of wills taking place by the incensed voice of Njio’s partner. “Make what bargain you like, Njio, but I don't stand in! We can ‘make that little tiger-cat own up without giving anything away. Stick a knife in that man there inch by inch, and for every inch that girl will speak a word. Slip a cord round his head—not hers, and when he begins to howl she’ll speak last enough.” “If you touch him, I shall not tell where that girl is.” San Choon's voice was very quiet, but there was a note in it that told of almost incredible resolution. ! “Holy James!” commented the sailor J whisperingly; “the kid’s got steel in her! 1 reckon them two pirates won't shake her nerve by blowin' off hot Possibly the scoundrelly white man realised that too. For a moment he stood glaring at her with eyes* that dazed, looking as if he were on the point of a terrific outbuist. Then whilst the storm hung unbroken, his eyes fell on his prisoner's face, and what he read there wiped the frown from his forehead and quenched the fury in his eyes. 1 hat he read the situation aright, Callaghan had no doubt, for j suddenly he broke into cruel laughter, j “Take me to that girl, San Choon ” he cried. “We will leave Java here, and v hen you have fulfilled your pro- > ullse you can come back and set him Jree. I hope you find him proper! v grateful, though I have my doubts ” Looking at Java's lace stressed with emotion. Callaghan shared those doubts and understood quite easily that this sudden change of front on the part of ms enemy, was dictated by the desire to lash and sting him with apprehension tor his friends; it was but another way oi twisting the knife. Perhaps San Jloon ) vas 11 y also without doubts, 10. as she met Java's eyes a woeful look caiiie on her tace, her mouth worked vith sudden emotion, then she became I S' 111 * 6 , 11X1 Passive, and proceeded to drive j ner bargain. j „ o ",\ ou "' m give me knife befo' we ; Knife, you little Sataness' What | do you want a knife for?" !. ‘ an , answered plausibly 1 wanTthe , r 1 Come ' shall ! nt th lvmfe to c ut the bonds ” Before tile white i , ; «:rr a ‘\ s k , nifc U'to her hand i 100n eUd ° U - littU ***»“ KowI action was open enough • the ! vords he spoke in a cold I scented wnhout guile; but Sun i 'choon started, shivered, and in her ! , ark «yes for one moment kindled twin lamps of terror. Then she glanced at the knife, and her face and eves grew absolutely expressionless. Come!” she said in an even voice She began to move forward up the path that led to the ruined sliack ; cind in that second Blake whispered : _ Better cut along an’ warn the gals, -Mr Callaghan. I’ll watch over Jmvu - an ! lob loose just as soon as them swine are out of sight, an’ we’ll make a shift to follow on.” But apparently the task was not to he quite so easy as that, for just as the party with San Choon were plunging out oi sight in the wood, paused and ga.ve some instructions to the last man in the line, who promptly detached himself and back to the beach seated himself on the edge m of the boat. Tho man was armed with a kris, Callaghan noted., and as the fellow drew and laid it across his • knees, the American experienced swift qualms. ;i He’s not going to kill Java its '* Mining to look after him, l guess,” • t said Blake in a disgusted whisper. • I 'That Kjin’s a slim one. Means' to

keep a hand on Java in case the o-irl’s a inislire! JJut 1 ain’t scared of no Chink, an' yo’d best be hopping along to the girls. Mr Callaghan. , Jf that crowd gets too long a start of yo’ '* Callaghan knew the danger and nodded. “ Yes, I must go. Hut don’t let anything happen to Java.” tear, 5 tlie sailor assured him, whisper ingly. Witli that Callaghan hurried o/T. making his way as swiftly and as silently as possible through the jungle iu order to get ahead of the partv led by San Chocra. Through a brea'k in the verdure he saw them once, the girl still, leading and veering to the right, Njio and his brother rascal in deep conversation behind, whilst at the back of them walked the remaining ChinaAs Callaghan saw San Choon he was greatly moved by pity. She was going on a deed of treachery by which she hoped to save Java, and for his life hate her, repudiating the gift. AY'hat would happen when lie himself had warned Nora and Minah, and the hostile party arrived at the beach to find their quarry gone, lie could not guess. He was afraid that it might be bad for little San Choon. and as lie ran he wished that it was not so; then remembering the knife she carried he took heart of grace. She would at least have an opportunity M defending herself if those rascals, disappointed. turned upon her. In half the time it would have taken him in ordinary circumstances, he made the journey to the cliff above the little beach, and as he'broke from the jungle he had the shock of his life. Away beyond the jungle reef, r.Vling at anchor, was a small steamer. He could scarce believe his -eyes. He stared at the craft in wonder, then slid back into the bushes as the sound of noisy laughter came up from the beach below. He crouched there for a moment, wondering what to do. his heart beating wildly as he thought-of his sister and of Minah. Where were they? Had they been discovered by the men who had landed on the beach or were they in the recesses* of the caves? He could not»guess, but in view of the fact that the party led by San Choon might appear at any moment, it was imperative that he should find out without delay. Crouching low and keeping well in the luxuriant cover, he crept to the edge of the cliff, looked over and experienced his second shock. Standing on the pink and smiling, was the pale-eyed Dutchman. Van Oosterdyke, plainly newly landed from the boat, where half a dozen Malays were gathered in a little group whilst the Dutchman addressed them in their native toftgue. Callaghan understood no word of it and wasted no time in listening. Hastily he searched the beach, saw r.o sign of the two girls, guessed that as yet the concealed boat was undiscovered, and then at the sound of voices coming through the wood, but still at some little distace away, changed his ground once more and fell back to deeper cover. The voices drew nearer and presently through the wood, he caught a glimpse of the little party moving in the order in which it had starred, with San Choon still leading. lie waited tensely for what was to follow, wondering if the Dutchman on the beach was still in league with Njio, and tiie other man, and pitying from his heart little ban Choon. If. as was more, than possible, Willem van Oosterdyke were playing for his own hand, the men whom the girl was leading would certainly think she had led them into an ambuscade, and in that case .... His thoughts broke off as the party emerged from the thick r.f the wood into the open place whence he himself had first caught sight of the steamer. A second later a shrill cry sounded; he heaid the white man shout; “Soid by ” (To be continued). - s