Part 17 (2/2)

I had little doubt that the paper would come under Duran's sharp eye before being delivered to the _Pearl_. But when I surveyed my work, I had little fear that he would discover the trick.

It was still far from noon when the blacks came out of the hut. I gave the note I had written to the one who came for it. He gazed at the writing--I believe pretending to read. He then gave it, well wrapped, to the driver, who was to carry it back to the city.

My hands were again bound to my body, but they loosed the legs of us, and stood us on the ground. When the wagon was gone on the back trail, Ray and I were placed between the four men remaining, and conducted afoot over the rough way to the northward. It was an uneven road we trod; and, tied as our arms were, it was extremely hard to keep balance; so that we would stumble, and b.u.mp into one another, at times. Once, when an irregularity caused me to find Ray's shoulder with an unusually hard thump from mine, he said--”Say! Lean on your own flapjacks.” Which was by way of ironical pretending he'd had some for his breakfast; and he knew he would have had them of Rufe for the asking, had he been wise, and had not left the _Pearl_ to go on sh.o.r.e with me, adventuring. Subtle Ray! And he knew I was fully conscious that he (in his playful way) implied all this.

Cocoa palms were more and more in evidence as we went, so it was plain we were nearing the north coast of the island. And after perhaps two hours laboring over that trail, we turned off to the left, into a narrow path, going through a thicket. Times, crossing open ground, where the hot tropic sun beat down on us unmercifully; times, threading a piece of forest whose shade was most welcome; we at last came to a stop in a grove of palms. For some little while I had seemed to hear a distant sound that was familiar. Now it was become plain; we were near the sea, for the rolling of the surf on the beach was distinct to our ears.

We were denied a sight of the blue expanse, however, for the blacks kept us well within the shelter of the trees, and our legs again were well trussed, and hands freed. They set about preparing a meal; it was some time past the noon hour; and Ray and I were given a portion of the mess, whose chief ingredient was salt codfish. A spring was found, which supplied drink.

Once a wet squall came and gave us a most agreeable, cool wetting, though Ray complained to the blacks of the leaky roof.

The blacks, two and two, turn about, stood guard and slept. We two slept soundly, refreshed by that shower.

Night had come, when I awoke to hear again the rumbling of the surf. Ray still slept, and I refrained from disturbing him. Now and again one of the guards would make an examination of our cords, to see that we were not tampering with them; they had doubtless been well instructed by Duran. Ray finally stirred and sat erect.

”Well,” said he, ”who blew out the light?” One of the guard crawled close. ”h.e.l.lo, Uncle Tom,” said Ray, observing the black. ”This is a cheerful crowd. Haven't you got a banjo, or something?”

The fellow grunted in noncomprehension.

”Ugh,” continued Ray. ”Colored gentlemen where I come from have got some music in them. If Rufe was here he'd show you a double-shuffle that'd make your mouth water.”

And thus he continued to babble, until at last he stretched out with a final grumble--”This is a rum crowd. The only way to pa.s.s the time is to sleep.” And in a minute he was breathing heavily again.

I remained awake for a considerable period. The continued chirping of a cricket, and the bellowing of distant bull-frogs, finally lulled me to sleep.

Day brought us both awake. The two blacks on guard observed us dully.

”See here,” began Ray. ”Is breakfast ready? I want my breakfast.”

The man who had some English chanced to be one of the pair. ”You get breakfas' when we ready--not befo'.”

”Huh?” grunted Ray, feigning astonishment, and glaring at the black. ”I want you to understand I pay my board. I want my money's worth, and if I don't get it, I'll change my hotel.”

The fellow had enough comprehension to finally sense Ray's playfulness.

He grinned; and forthwith he routed out the two sleeping blacks, and sent them scampering for wood.

And thus had begun the second day of our captivity. We were most carefully watched, the guards--always two--made frequent inspection of the cords; and I should say, they had two guns between them, one a shot-gun, perhaps loaded with buck-shot. So that any thoughts we had of escape found little encouragement. The morning hours dragged, and the heat increased. I had my thoughts much on our friends on board the _Pearl_; wondered when they had got my note, and if they had finally picked out the words I had meant for their understanding; and so, if they had acted on them. During occasional absences on the part of that one black, Ray and I had found opportunity to exchange words on this theme, and I got much encouragement from that cheerful comrade's observations.

”Leave it to Bob,” he said, ”he's figured it out. He's got his mind so saturated with you, he'll feel out your meaning in anything you put your finger to.”

Our captors, one or two at a time, got to absenting themselves with marked regularity. They always went in the direction from which came the music of the surf. We had no difficulty to divine the cause. ”It must be getting time for their brother cannibals to show up,” said Ray.

And then, at last, two came in, showing some excitement; and there was much jabbering among them. An hour pa.s.sed. And it was then we were hustled down to the edge of the palms; and the sea opened before us. And there was a schooner, perhaps a mile from the beach, and a small boat coming in. We were thrust forward into the water, and we climbed in. And soon we stood on the deck of the _Orion_, which vessel pointed her bow out to sea. Duran's grinning face confronted us.

”And so,” said Duran, ”you like very much to sail in my company. I like very much to have you.” His smile was derisive.

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