CHAPTER XVI

'ALL HANDS ON DECK!'

The night proved so dark and the track so difficult to follow, that, hampered by the injured seaman, the captain and his party found the return no easy matter. Everyone, however, worked so cheerfully that just as dawn showed eastward next morning the camp was reached without further adventure or accident.

After breakfast the captain called a general muster before his tent, and explained his opinions on the situation.

'The island is uninhabited,' he said. 'We must try to leave it as soon as possible. The stock of provisions cannot last beyond a month, and as I have the Chinamen to feed we must get them to Honolulu. Our three boats are in good condition, and might easily make the trip.'

'I could reach there in the long-boat, sir,' Mr. Sennit observed, 'and hire a larger craft to take you off.'

'Well, of course that could be done,' the skipper replied; 'but I believe that by a little close stowage all hands might sail together. Such a course would save a lot of time, trouble, and expense, to say nothing of being able to stick together for assistance, should foul weather set in.'

'Yes, that would be the best way out of the fix,' the mate said; 'and I have no doubt we'll do it, too.'

The boats were immediately got ready for service. Everyone became anxious that a start southward should be made. The Chinamen were informed of what was about to take place, and they made no objection.

On the morning of the contemplated departure, however, a change of weather set in, and within a few hours a tremendous gale and high sea were sweeping directly into the bay. Captain Thorne immediately gave orders for the boats to be hauled above high-water mark; but, although the two smaller ones were quickly unloaded and saved, the heavy long-boat was not so easily handled.

'All hands on deck!' the skipper shouted, through blinding rain, stinging spume, and screaming wind, 'Save the stores!'

So heavy was the surf on the beach that scarcely anything in the big boat was secured, and she was finally tossed ashore in a hopelessly shattered condition.

All the tents were blown down. Much of the stores there deposited were also carried away into the woods, and the Chinamen became so frightened that all of them disappeared, and were subsequently discovered two miles inland.

The storm increased with such rapidity that in spite of their most active efforts many men were blown off their feet. The immense waves presently caught and broke up the quarter-boats, and the beach was strewn with wreckage.

For some hours the outlook remained so thick that nothing of the 'Alert' could be seen; but some of her spars were noticed coming ashore.

As nothing more could be done along the beach Captain Thorne turned his attention toward saving as much of the tent gear as was possible, and most of it was secured.

Toward the evening the storm abated, and a sudden clearance of the atmosphere was immediately followed by the general cry, 'The barque's gone!' Of her not a trace, save the shattered wreckage ebbing and flowing with every 'send' of the high sea, remained, and all hands perceived that no hope of leaving the island by their own efforts was possible.

'Well, we're in God's hands!' the captain said. 'Had we left here and been caught outside in the storm, none could have lived two hours. Let us be thankful for that mercy.'

So rapidly did the wind fall that before sundown two tents were rigged up amongst the trees near the beach, a fire was lighted, a kettle was found, and filled with water taken from a cask which the gale could only shift a few yards, and all hands settled down for the night.

Next morning not a trace of the late trouble appeared. Indeed, the sun shone with increased brilliancy, and the clearness of the atmosphere was wonderful.

A good fire soon had the kettle steaming cheerily for breakfast, while, 'smiling all over their pigtail faces,' as Readyman said, two of the missing Chinamen strolled into camp seeking food.

'What you do with pigee me give yesterday?' Mr. Statten inquired. 'S'pose you go catchee him.'

'Win' allee same blow him San Francisco,' the man replied. 'Him no good. Wanchee too muchee chow-chow. Savvee?'

Captain Thorne laughed very heartily. 'They can't have enjoyed that old boar,' he said. 'Give them some bread, steward.'

The fellows went off smiling more serenely than ever, and the remainder of their companions soon trotted in for further supplies.

'See here, Sennit,' the old man observed, 'when on my tramp we saw several apparently cultivated patches of ground. There may be things there worth having, as the owners did not turn up. These Chinamen cause me much anxiety. I must land them in California.'

'I'll take a couple of hands and try to cross the island,' the mate replied. 'There's no time to lose.'

Three of the hands, with Readyman and Jack Clewlin, immediately volunteered for service. Each of them was supplied with a rifle and ammunition and rations sufficient for three days. Headed by the mate, all set off on the expedition, and good progress was made.

They followed the old track, and soon perceived that some easier route than that precipitous descent into the opposite valley must be found, as otherwise they would lose much valuable time in getting the crops up the rocks and into camp.

'We must separate and find another path,' the mate said. 'Should any of you discover one, fire your rifle.'

'Ay, ay, sir.'

Jack and Readyman went off together. They had some difficulty in forcing a passage through the thick undergrowth, and the quarter-master presently declared that no road in that direction would be found. 'I thought the pigs might have given us a clue, lad,' he said; 'but they have never strolled up here.'

Just then Jack, who was in advance, suddenly reached a sharp bend of the ridge, and emerged on a good clearance. From there the ground began to fall away gently toward the valley, and in an instant his eye caught slight of a pig-track.

'Then we've been the first to make a discovery!' Readyman exclaimed.

He immediately discharged his rifle, and the other men speedily arrived. The track was followed, and, after about a mile of steady tramping in single file, all hands walked straight into the midst of several rudely constructed huts that stood at the foot of a great tree; but no natives could be seen.

'They've only just cleared out,' Readyman said. 'Look! The fires are still alight.'

'Keep quiet,' Mr. Sennit whispered. 'The unfortunate people probably mistake us for "blackbirders." Captain Thorne's suggestion was correct. The place has been raided by scoundrels who carry off the men for trade.'

Close by a large patch of ground was well cultivated, and many large pumpkins, yams, and sweet potatoes were flourishing. Suddenly Jack saw a woman approaching, and held up his arms, as a sign that nothing need be feared. Then many other females, some of them accompanied by children, approached the huts; but not one man appeared. By that time the white party had hidden their weapons away, and as the mate made friendly signs the women slowly returned to their homes.

Much chattering among the half-frightened, half friendly-disposed women ensued; but in a wonderful manner Mr. Sennit explained the real nature of his visit, and how his vessel had been wrecked on the island.

Considerable satisfaction was immediately apparent among the people, and without hesitation they led him toward another and until then unseen patch of cultivated ground, which they signified he could make use of.

With deep lamentations they also indicated that quite recently a small vessel had arrived on the coast, and after some friendly palaver suddenly seized all the men, and with them left the island. Indeed, it soon became clear that such practices had been common of late, and that in that way the beautiful spot had been denuded of all its able-bodied inhabitants.

A good stock of vegetables was secured for the camp; but when the white men attempted to load themselves up for the return journey the women immediately volunteered their services, and dividing the loads into somewhat smaller quantities set out to guide the visitors home.

Their route differed considerably from that taken by the mate; for a while it seemed as though the party were pursuing a circuitous road, but on being assured that all was correct the mate ceased his advice, and in the end he was conducted straight back to camp in much less time than could have been deemed possible.

'Well, well, Sennit,' the old man sang out, 'you've been making hay while the sun shone, and no mistake.'

'Hay, sir!' the mate cried, 'it's good pumpkin, yams, and sweet spuds, this time. There is any amount of fruit as well, but I didn't like to be too greedy first time of asking.'

'Where did you find the women?'

'Quite by accident. All their men-folk have been carried off by some ruffianly "black-birders."'

The women feared only the Chinamen; and when returning home each was given a couple of biscuits.

On the following day several women returned with quantities of excellent vegetables and fruit, for which they eagerly accepted ship bread; and as the meat supply in camp was running short Captain Thorne signified his needs of more.

The women immediately offered to become guides for a shooting party, and under their directions Mr. Sennit and five hands set off on the trail.

The accurate knowledge of the animals' habits possessed by the natives proved highly advantageous, and the expedition was also fruitful of results.

On reaching a certain spot about four miles from the camp, all the white men were advised to remain in hiding, and keep a good lookout. Then the women disappeared.

An hour of inactivity ensued. Then suddenly a faint rustling among the scrub along the pig-track ahead was speedily followed by the appearance of many small and grunting animals in rapid movement, In fact, the entire track seemed to become filled with them, and the sportsmen grew excited.

As the pigs dashed forward rifles snapped out their missiles, and every shot went home.

Six fat porkers fell to the guns, and three more were killed by revolver fire. The beaters soon appeared, and as their share of the day's sport three pigs were handed over, while with the remaining spoils slung over their weapons the men returned home. A great feast was enjoyed by all hands that evening, and the Chinamen seemed perfectly contented with the new life, and by no means anxious to reach San Francisco.

However, during the next forenoon three frightened-looking and extremely agitated women hastened into camp, and by rapid signs informed the captain that the vessel had returned to the island in search of more male natives.

'Arm yourselves, all hands,' he promptly sang out. 'We shall endeavour to protect these poor people. If I can only put my hands on the scoundrels, they'll not soon forget it.'

He then told the women that they need fear nothing, and that as long as he remained on the spot they should have his assistance.

The party soon reached the opposite side of the island, and in a sheltered little bay found the vessel, a schooner of fifty tons, at anchor. None of her crew had as yet landed. The old man hastily laid a trap for their arrest, and then awaited events.

It was not long before a boat full of cowardly foreigners came on shore, and with revolvers concealed in their clothing began to separate, in quest of some new spot likely to prove successful for their purpose. By the directions of Captain Thorne some of the women now began to show themselves, and the landing party immediately followed them.

The moment the ruffians had got well in-shore the skipper and his men surrounded them. A few shots proved so effectual that within half an hour the entire gang were made prisoners and disarmed. The schooner was also taken, and, to the intense astonishment and delight of the women, she was found to be almost filled with their sons, husbands, or brothers, captured only a few weeks previously.

All the unhappy men were promptly put on shore, and the schooner made sail for Camp Bay, where the 'Alert' had been wrecked; and before sundown she anchored there. The prisoners were landed, and thus another day of adventure on the island closed.

First thing next morning the carpenter set to work fitting up a stout partition in the schooner's hold, so that the Chinamen might be kept apart from the 'black-birders'; and on its completion the latter were again placed on board.

Meanwhile, all hands had been busily collecting stores for shipment, water from a good spring was filled into every available cask, a fresh stock of pork was killed, and, to mark their sense of gratitude, the islanders presented an enormous stock of vegetables and fruit.

At length the schooner set all her canvas, and amidst the regrets of the natives left Camp Bay.