CHAPTER XXIV

NEMESIS

A week later Tera and Jack were married. Owing to all that had recently occurred there were few people at the wedding. Rachel was still nursing Herbert, who was slowly but surely recovering his strength. But there was a brighter look than had been there of late on the face of Farmer Carwell as he gave away the bride. Johnson himself married them. His love for Tera, and his consequent jealousy of Jack, had died completely. He closed the book and told them they were man and wife without a pang. Miss Arnott, quite reconciled to Tera, followed, as solitary bridesmaid. Indeed, it was she who gave the bride the handsome wedding dress she wore. A few of the Bethgamul congregation were present, and looked on with great delight at the first convert of their Polynesian mission becoming the wife of their Elder's nephew. Tolai was there too, and marvelled greatly at all he saw.

Perhaps further to mark his good-will, Johnson had given the wedding feast, and to it came both Captain Jacob and Inspector Chard. The last declared a special reason for his presence, "You see, I kept my promise to dance at your wedding," said the big inspector, as he saluted the bride. "I have seen so much of you, and your case has been so interesting to me, that I felt I must put everything on one side to be present."

"And I am very pleased to see you," replied Tera, joyously, "though I fear you will have no dance. We leave in the schooner this afternoon."

"You are very glad, I suppose?"

"Yes, I am very glad; and so is Tolai. You see we are going to our own land, where it is warm and sunny and beautiful--far, far away from these grey mists."

"Well, I guess mists ain't bad at times," struck in Captain Jacob, who was going over the breakfast-table like a locust; "you grow darned tired of a blazin' sun and a sky like a fiery furnace!"

"Oh, you're there, are you, captain?" said Chard, who noted him for the first time. "Got any more cyphers for me to read?"

"Guess I bested you that trip, sonny."

"You did; but you won't best me again in a hurry. I know that cypher now."

"Oh, you won't see me writin' it again, matey! I'm bound for the Islands; and I surmise I'll hum when the barky lifts the Southern Cross. Take the ague out of my bones anyhow.

"Well, if you ask me, I think you are best on the other side of the world," said the inspector, dryly; "the law here ain't just the thing for people of your sort, captain."

"Hullo, matey, what's the jaw?"

"I'm mindful of your attempt to blackmail Mr. Johnson."

"Oh, don't bother about that; that's all square; the parson's made it up with me. Arter all it was only business. I wanted that money for our ship's stores, and I had to trade some'ow."

"You may consider yourself lucky Mr. Johnson did not prosecute you."

"Oh! he wouldn't be such a mean white as that," grinned the skipper, winking his one eye; "he's a straight cuss, he is; there ain't much wrong with 'im as I can see."

Half annoyed and amazed at the old salt's rascality, the inspector turned away. He was promptly buttonholed by Carwell.

"See here, Mr. Inspector; have you caught that blackguard Brand?"

"No, I have not; nor Pharaoh Lee either, for that matter. Where the pair of them have got to, beats me."

Captain Jacob chuckled. He knew very well where one of them was, but he had no intention of gratifying Mr. Inspector Chard's curiosity. To have done that would have been to risk a lively storm with his first mate; and the artful Shackel was counting far too much on Jack's influence at Koiau, to run any risks of that kind.

But Carwell paid no attention to Jacob's chuckle. His mind was busy with many thoughts, and he continued his conversation with the inspector.

"It is a great disgrace to Bethgamul," he said dejectedly, "a very great disgrace. We believed in the man; we called him brother; we thought he was good. But he has poured dust on our heads."

"But remember, sir, what your pastor overheard him say--that he wished to kill Tera in order that Niga might force his people to become Christians."

"So far he was misled, Mr. Inspector. Two wrongs do not make a right, and it is not the custom of our congregation to spread the Word by means of murder. He killed Zara in mistake for Tera, I know; but his intention was to do evil that good might come of it--a very wrong intention."

"Well, if I catch him, he'll pay for his experiment."

"You know now that Mayne's not guilty, of course."

"I do. Mr. Johnson and Mr. and Mrs. Finland have made an affidavit setting out Brand's confession of his crime; and so far as we are concerned that document exonerates Mr. Mayne. But I wish we could get the man himself. What of your daughter, Mr. Carwell?"

"She is to marry Mr. Mayne as soon as he is well enough," replied the farmer, gloomily. "In the end I had to give my consent. Rachel would have done without it else. However, she may yet bring the man to grace. There is joy over the sinner that repenteth."

"I hear Mr. Mayne intends to sell his farm?"

"Yes, he and Rachel intend going to America. They will start afresh there."

"And you, Mr. Carwell; do you go with them?"

"I am, I fear, too old a tree to be transplanted, Mr. Chard. No; when Rachel goes, a niece of mine--Jack's sister--is coming to look after my house. I shall miss my daughter more than I can say; but I must be content to lose her. We know that a woman must forsake father and mother to cling to her husband. I only hope that Herbert Mayne will deserve his good fortune."

"That I'm sure he will," said Chard, in a tone of conviction. "He has had a fright likely to last him his life, I promise you."

By this time the breakfast was at an end, and Tera, attended by Miss Arnott, went to her room.

"I'm really sorry you are going to leave us, my dear," said Miss Arnott, in what was almost a penitent tone, "although once, I own, I would have been glad. You know why?"

Tera laughed, and threw a quizzical glance at her.

"We quarrelled over that, didn't we?" she said. "I behaved very badly; and I hurt your ear, didn't I? I am a very wicked girl."

"You are a good girl now, Tera. But, tell me, how came that ear-ring of mine to be found by Zara's body?"

"I think it caught in the fringe of my shawl, Miss Arnott, When I changed dresses with Zara, of course it passed to her. It must have fallen from her dress when the body was removed."

"Well, perhaps that is the explanation, Tera; but the finding of it very nearly got me into trouble. However, we know the truth now, and how wicked Brand has been."

"Wicked, indeed!" said Tera. "I should like you to have heard him say how Tolai could kill me. Ah, when I return to Koiau, Niga shall be punished, and Misi Brand too."

"But he is not at Koiau?"

"No, not yet; but he has run away from England, and I am certain he intends going there to stir up trouble against Buli. Very likely Jack and I may find him there by the time we arrive. If we do----" Tera's eyes flashed, and left no doubt as to her meaning. If Brand proved to be at Koiau, assuredly it did not promise well for him. But a recollection that it was her wedding day banished these savage thoughts from her mind. "I am ready now," she said gaily, "ready for my journey. We must soon say good-bye, Mrs. Johnson."

"Tera!" Miss Arnott flushed. "How can you say such a thing?"

"Because it will come true very soon, dear. Misi Johnson no longer thinks of poor Tera, but of you. He will make you his wife."

Miss Arnott's thoughts went back to the time when she paid the minister's debts; to certain glances he had cast upon her of late, even to certain words he had spoken. "Perhaps," she said, with a half-smile; "perhaps--who knows? Oh, Tera, I love him; I do love him so!"

When Tera reappeared, Tolai straightway shouldered her box, and the whole party walked down to the jetty. The heavier baggage had gone off earlier; Shackel had purchased stores and goods; he had hired seamen, and there was nothing to do now but to up anchor, and sail Westward Ho! The bridal pair took leave of their friends, and stepped into the gig that was waiting for them at the jetty steps. Once on board the _Dayspring_, Shackel set to work to weigh anchor and get away whilst the wind held fair.

In consideration of his new position, Jack decided to abandon his post of first mate. So Shackel, with the second, managed all operations; and the happy pair stood on deck listening to the chanties of the sailors, and watching the group on the pier head. Tera waved her handkerchief and smiled as the sailors tripped the anchor and roared their song of outward bound in rude rhyme:--

"The skipper slapped his-self and swore, Oh, pulling out for Rio! He'll stay no longer slack ashore, Oh, pulling out for Rio! He's said 'so-long' to gal and boss, And started out for gain or loss, To lift the blooming Southern Cross; Pull out for Rio Grande."

"We're off at last," said Tera, with a happy laugh.

"At last!" echoed Jack; "and glad I am to see the tail of the old country. We have just got to drop Pharaoh Lee ashore somewhere down the Channel, then let her smell the open sea."

"Jack, if you put Pharaoh ashore, he may go back to Grimleigh and kill Mr. Mayne. Then what will Rachel say?"

"He couldn't show his face in Grimleigh without being arrested," replied Jack, encouragingly, "and Mayne is on his guard. Oh, you bet, Tera, that gipsy's had enough of sticking people. Don't let us talk about him."

"We must talk of Koiau," said Mrs. Finland. "Oh, Jack, how glad I am to go back! We shall be so happy in my land."

"There is bound to be trouble at first, Tera. We must tell your father about Niga's plot, and straighten him out. But perhaps Viara has already done that, and things may, of course, be all square when we arrive."

"Buli is very powerful, Jack. He will conquer Niga, and you will help. He will proclaim me as the next ruler, and when we rule, Jack, we will make a great nation of Koiau."

"Oh, we'll make it a tidy place, I dare say. Come down to the cabin, Tera, and see if the baggage is all square."

The sails were set by this time, and the _Dayspring_ was heading to sea. Overhead the sky was cloudless, and the hot sun made the plain of the sea glitter as with myriads of jewels. As the wind bellied the sails, and the boat increased her speed, the foam swirled in creamy flakes from her sharp bow. In her own cabin, Tera was arranging her effects for the voyage. Suddenly she heard loud voices, the scuffle of feet, and then a cry of surprise from Jack. She ran hurriedly into the saloon. There, between two stalwart sailors, stood Brand. He was dusty, dirty, haggard and pale; but his eyes were bright, and his face set firm.

"You scoundrel!" cried Jack, fiercely; "how did you come on board?"

"He's a blooming stowaway, sir," spoke up one of the sailors; "we found him hidden in the hold."

Before Brand could answer, the skipper came down the companion in a fury. "A stowaway aboard my boat?" he snapped out. "How did---- Well, here's a party! It's your Brand."

"Yes," replied Brand, looking from one to another; "when I ran away, I knew you'd put the police on to me, so I came back to Sister Hoppus. She hid me in her cottage, and the police never looked for me there. Last night, as she found out you were leaving for Koiau, I got down to the water, and swam out to the boat, where I concealed myself."

"I'll put you ashore, cuss you," growled Shackel. "I ain't going to have no Jonah this trip, no, sir."

"I am innocent--I never----"

"Here, shut your jaw," said Jack, sharply; "we heard you confess with your own lips that you killed Zara in mistake for my wife."

"Your wife? Are you married?"

"Yes, we are married," cried Tera; "and we go to Koiau to punish Niga."

"I go to Koiau also," said Brand, resolutely folding his arms; "you can't put me ashore now."

"Can't we?" growled Shackel, savagely. "There's two words to that, my lad; we drop Pharaoh here down Channel, and you'll go with him. A nice square time you'll have; for he knows you killed his gal, and he'll knife you, sure as a gun."

"I'll hold my own. If you won't take me to Koiau, at least I'll have a chance of escape now I'm out of Grimleigh."

"How do you know we won't hand you over to the police?"

"What good will that do?" retorted Brand, doggedly, "you can't prove that I killed the girl."

"Three of us can. Johnson, myself, and Tera. But I don't care if you swing or not. All I wish for is the truth. Here are pen, ink, and paper, so you sit down and write a confession."

"I won't," said Brand, desperately.

"Won't you, by gum!" roared the skipper; "then I'll clap you in irons, and send you ashore at the nearest port in charge of the police."

The missionary looked round. He saw no gleam of mercy on the faces before him. He reflected that if he was only put ashore away from Grimleigh, he might contrive to escape. It would not be difficult to catch a ship bound for America; then he could make for 'Frisco, and pick up a schooner for Koiau. Once on the island, and Niga, for his own sake, would protect him.

"I have health and money," he reflected, rapidly; "it really does not matter if I confess, as I shall be far beyond reach when the statement is placed in the hands of the police. I shall----"

"Come now, sonny," interrupted Shackel, sharply; "what's your game?"

"Oh, I'll write the confession you wish," said Brand, gloomily; "but I must state that I killed Zara in mistake for Tera. If by her death I could secure the advantage of Koiau being Christianized at once, I contend that I was right to remove her. The blood of martyrs is the seed of----"

"Stop that," cried Jack, roughly. "I'm not going to listen to any excuses for your infernal wickedness. Sit down and write, I tell you. Then you shall go ashore with Pharaoh, and I hope he'll knife you as you deserve."

"You misunderstand my motives, Mr. Fin----"

"I understand one thing, that you are a foul murderer. All your religion won't get you over that."

Brand said no more. The man was a fanatic, and really thought he was acting rightly when he decided to kill Tera. Her death meant the conversion of Koiau to the Christian faith, the spread of the gospel, the saving of many souls. But such arguments could not avail with the irreligious lot around him. With a sigh Brand sat down, and in half an hour had written out a full account of how he had murdered Zara. Moreover, he gave his reasons. This document he signed in the presence of Tera, Jack, and Shackel. When Mayne's safety was thus secured, Finland turned on the missionary.

"Go on deck, you hound," he said, leading him to the door, "and if you really believe in the stuff you preach, sling yourself overboard."

"If I am a sinner," cried Brand, his eyes flashing, "I repent of many things. I repent of Zara's death; but if I had killed Tera I should rejoice. I----"

Jack's arm shot out from his shoulder, but before the blow could get home Brand had scrambled up the stairs. Tera held back her husband.

"Let me go, Tera," panted Jack, "I want to kick the beast."

"Leave him alone, dear. Pharaoh will settle him."

There was a loud cry on deck. "By gad, I believe Pharaoh is settling him," cried Finland, rushing up, followed by Tera.

It was as he said. Pharaoh had come out for a stroll on deck, after being confined below so long. When he saw Brand emerge from the cabin he first stared at him in amazement, then furiously launched himself at him with a knife.

"I'll kill you--I'll kill you!" cried Pharaoh, closing with the missionary. "You killed my poor Zara--you shall die!"

"I will not die," roared Brand, putting out his great strength against the gipsy. But he was weak with fasting, and Pharaoh, unable to use his knife, tried to strangle him.

"The same death as you gave Zara," he muttered.

While the two men swayed and swung, the ship's company mustered to look on. Shackel would not let any one interfere.

"Let 'em kill one another," he said. "I'll have no Jonahs on this here barkey."

The struggle was not of long duration. With a mighty effort Pharaoh lifted Brand over the taffrail, but the man clung round his neck, and his superior weight dragged the gipsy over. Tera and Jack and every one on board ran to the side. Neither man would loose his hold, and together they splashed into the water. The ship, now well under way, sailed on. Once only two heads were seen to rise out of the glittering water, then murderer and avenger went down into the deep sea, never to rise again. Zara was avenged, and for her Pharaoh had given his life.

* * * * *

Next day Jack and Shackel went ashore at the last port before leaving England, and made a declaration of the deaths. Jack also delivered Korah's confession to the police, who promised to forward it to Inspector Chard at Grimleigh. Then they went aboard again, and the _Dayspring_ spread her white wings and lifted to the swell of the open sea. Her nose was pointed south for the Horn.

"And then, Koiau!" whispered Jack to his wife,

"Koiau!" sighed Tera, and burst into wild singing in her native tongue. So they went sailing to a future of joy--to the spicy islands set like jewels in the shining seas of the under world.

THE END

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