CHAPTER XIX
Saved from the Natives
"They're getting ready for the entertainment. My word!" whispered Alecin his chum's ear, when the two had been secreted for some little whilein the huge hut to which they had managed to gain admission. "Preparingfor the ceremony, and a fine hullabaloo they're making about it."
"And propose to conduct matters with full rites and customs andceremony. In fact, a full-dress parade," said Dick, smiling, thoughthere was an anxious look about his eyes. "Full dress, Alec, not thatthere's much dress about these niggers. That's where the difficultycomes in."
"What difficulty? How? Don't follow."
"Well, if they were decent, civilized sort of savages they'd wearcloaks, wouldn't they? They'd cover themselves with something betterthan the plaited girdles they have about them. That's where we'd comein. We'd borrow a couple of their wretched blankets, smuggle ourselvesacross the way, and then--well, there you are."
"Wish we were. But crossing the street here is no easy matter. What arethese wretches doing?"
"What I've said. Holding a full-dress parade. Making ready for aceremonial. Preparing for dinner."
There was still an excited grin on the midshipman's lips. But he was byno means happy. Who could have been under the circumstances? for therehe and Alec were, free for the moment to be sure, but separated fromtheir friends, while the latter were bound hand and foot and imprisonedin the huts opposite. As to the natives by whom they had been captured,they were an ill-smelling, murderous-looking lot. Tall, and extremelyathletic, their bodies covered with knotted muscles, they were nowparading the street, coming past the courthouse in a body, led by threedreadful individuals who wore ugly masks, and to whose persons hung ahundred different items. To a clattering dirge played by some twentymusicians, a dirge that boasted of no traceable tune, the three nativesin front were dancing wildly, extravagantly throwing their limbs about,twisting and writhing and foaming at the mouth.
"Hideous brutes. Men of mystery, I suppose," whispered Dick. "Medicinemen, sorcerers, or whatever they call 'em. Look at the chaps behind withclubs in their hands, and the rest with bows and arrows and spears. Thisis a precious pickle!"
It was worse. It was a desperate situation in which to find themselves,and the trouble was that Dick and Alec, though burning to do somethingactive, could see their way to do nothing.
"Couldn't reach the ship. Impossible," muttered the latter. "Firstthing, we don't know where she is. I couldn't find my way to her for afortune. Then I'd be so long over the job that I'd arrive too late. Eh,Dick?"
"Got to work this little business out ourselves," came the answer."You're right about the ship. Those beggars carried us a long way, forthey walked very quickly. Besides, there ain't time, as you say. We'vegot to get a move-on ourselves, for, if I'm not mistaken, that bandain't working for nothing. Look at the village folks following. Theyturned out in force to see the fun."
And fun it must have been to those untutored savages, though to theprisoners it was an agony. For those three horrible medicine men haltedopposite the hut in which Dick's friends had been incarcerated and begananother dance, if possible more frenzied than the last. The band, too,made the most of the occasion, each instrumentalist beating hisparchment-covered gourd, or his wooden native piano, as if he wished tooutdo his comrades. Then stakes were brought, fresh cut from the jungle,their ends pointed, and to the sound of the instruments, to the wildyells of the natives and the dancing of those three wretches, they weredriven into the ground, three in front of each hut, and two before thatso recently occupied by Dick and Alec. Then firewood was brought by thewomen and children and laid close to them.
The two young fellows looked on at these preparations with sinkinghearts, their spirits oozing in spite of their courage. For the reasonfor such gruesome preparations was obvious. Dick knew, Alec knew also,and explorers have declared it to be a fact beyond contradiction, thatthe natives of New Guinea are addicted to cannibilism. Horrible as thethought may be, yet there is proof positive to support this affirmation.And here were Alec and his friends faced with this desperate situation.No wonder that the young fellow had gone white to his lips, and thatDick's fists were clenched and his brows knitted.
"I'm not going to stay and look on any longer," he said all of a sudden."I'm going higher up the street, where I shall make a dart across and sotry to reach the other side. Coming? or staying? You haven't any need totake risks."
Alec blazed out instantly. He found the excuse for temper a positiverelief, and though he answered little above a whisper his words werebitter ones and angry.
"Taking risks! Who's a right to take 'em more than I have? Who are youto talk about risks to me--to ask if I'm coming or funking?"
"Didn't say funking," snarled the middy.
"No. But you meant it. It was as good as saying it. I'm jiggered if I'llstand----"
"Sorry," said Dick lamely. "Chap doesn't always think when he'sspeaking. I knew you were game. Only it's a desperate sort of thing totry, and I suggested the business."
"That's why I'll come, willingly," was the handsome answer. "There,shake hands on it, and let's move. But we want a weapon of some sort.Let's hunt round here."
The result of this effort was the discovery of a bundle of arrows, halfa dozen formidable clubs, the blade of a spear, and an old cutlass.
"Showing they have had something to do with outside people," said Dick.
"It's rusty, but it'll do. Now, I'll take a couple of the clubs, and youbring as many as you can carry. We want 'em for the others. Now, out wego. If we're going to cross, it'll have to be pretty soon or never."
Never, one would have said, seeing that the narrow street was packedwith individuals, with women coming and going, and with shriekingchildren. But the two young fellows were determined, and at once forcedtheir way through the same opening by which they had entered. They werenow on the river face of the village, directly behind the largest hut ofall, with other dwellings extending to right and left of them. A fewpaces away there was a thin fringe of jungle, and then a broad river.Dick looked at it swiftly.
"Ground falls towards it," he whispered. "The trees, too, would help tohide us. Let's creep down to the water."
They were there in a few seconds, and found themselves treading a muddybank, upon which lay a dozen or more dug-outs. Dick did not hesitate fora moment. He placed his clubs and the cutlass in one of the boats, thenearest to the water, signalled to Alec to do likewise, and then beganto lift her. Alec helped him instantly, and together they carried itdown the bank and floated it in the river.
"Step in," said Alec.
"Right! Got a paddle?"
"Yes--up stream; I saw something."
What it was that he had seen Alec did not venture to tell his comrade;together they struck their paddles into the water, and sent the boatrunning upstream.
"Keep her close in," whispered Dick. "What's this you noticed?"
"Water away to our left, at the top end of the village. I caught thereflection through the trees. It may be only a pond of sorts, or it maycommunicate with the river. If it does, they're diddled."
"Jingo, the very thing! If only we're so lucky. No--yes. I do believethere is a stream. Steady does it. Now, round with her head. Hooroo!We're in good luck now, and we'll be able to stir up those niggers. Yah!Listen to the brutes howling."
Fierce cries came from the village at this moment, and made them thinkthat their own escape had been discovered. But it was not that which hadaroused the natives. It was the production of one of their captives. Oneof the huts was opened, one of the lashed bundles lifted and draggedout, and then the door was shut firmly. It was Larkin who was broughtinto the light of day and sat upright. The lashings about his knees andfeet were cut at once, while a couple of the warriors began to knead hislimbs with the hard palms of their hands. No doubt they were merelyrestoring the circulation, and Larkin himself was by no means misled bytheir action.
"Hof all the smellin', ugly, dirty critters!"
he exploded. "And what'sthis they're up to? Has if I didn't know as well as possible. Jest giveme a chance one of these fine moments, and if I get at one of them threefuzzy-wuzzy dervishes, why, I'll make 'em fuzzy."
They dragged him to his feet at last, only to find that he could not yetsupport his weight. Then the massagers made a second attempt, while afew amiable individuals, seeing the helpless Larkin once more lifted,held the points of their spears beneath him, a gentle hint that he wasto remain standing. A little later they bound him to one of the stumpsdriven into the ground, and commenced an impressive dance about him.
Meanwhile Dick and Alec had not been idle. A few strokes of theirpaddles had taken them from the main channel of the river, and soon theyguessed, though they could not be sure of the fact, that this streamenclosed the village, and discharged itself into the river againsomewhere lower.
"Of course, I remember now. The fellows who were carrying me wadedthrough water," said Dick. "That proves it. Let's get ahead, for that'lltake us directly behind the spot we're aiming for. Then we'll creepthrough the jungle."
Digging their paddles in till the blades were submerged, they sent thelight craft swishing onward, and very soon were sure that they hadreached the correct position. Then they leaped ashore, drew the boat upon the bank, and shouldered their weapons.
"Come on!" said Alec. "If we can break into the huts we'll put adifferent sort of complexion on this business. But wait, there are twoof 'em."
"You take one, I take the other. Then we join hands. Better still, ifthey don't spot us, slip back into the jungle. Jingo! Listen to theirhowling. Hope the business hasn't begun already."
It looked very much as if it had, for as they emerged from the thicknessof the jungle and approached the village they could see an enormouscrowd assembled--that is, enormous for such a village. Perhaps therewere three hundred people there, blackening the street, dancing madly.And a glimpse between the huts showed one solitary figure lashed uprightto a post. It made Dick's heart leap and Alec's blood boil. They spedonward at once, keeping under cover, but careless of brambles andcreepers, tearing their way through the underwood till they werebreathless with their exertions. But haste was not likely to be all intheir favour, and, recognizing this, they were soon creeping onall-fours, worming their way through reeds and long grass to which thejungle had now given place. At length, when their pent-up feelings werealmost too much for them, they reached the back of the huts, whichfortunately were close together, and promptly proceeded to operate onthem. Indeed, one lusty slash from Dick's sabre made a cut to be proudof. A second sliced an opening within a foot of the first, while alittle quick handling converted the slits into a wide opening. He was inwithin a second, slashing at the creepers binding three figures whichlay helpless upon the mud floor. Nor was there need to caution thefriends whose limbs he had so unexpectedly set free.
"Guessed it must be you, sir," whispered Hawkins, sitting up andflapping his helpless hands to and fro. Indeed it was pitiable to seethe powerful man reduced for the time being to the weakness of a child.Dick seized Mr. Andrew and rubbed his limbs with energy, while Hurstbegan to kick his heels against the floor and wave his hands after themanner set by Hawkins.
"Now," whispered the latter hoarsely, when at length the feeling hadreturned to his limbs, standing in the semi-darkness of the hut openingand closing his huge hands, and fashioning formidable fists of them."Now, Mr. Dicky--beg pardon--now, sir, let a man get at them 'ere'eathen. Let 'im 'ave a say in this here matter. Swelp me, but I'm gameto take on the whole pack of black-'earted 'eathen."
If he were, there was likely to be every opportunity, for outside theroar and shrieks of the natives were appalling in their intensity. Dickstepped to the front face of the hut and peered through one of the manycrevices, for in New Guinea draughts of cold air are rather to bedesired than otherwise, the heat often enough being extreme. Throughthat peephole he saw something that almost turned him livid, rooted himto the spot, and for a moment held him helpless. For directly beneathhis ken was the figure of the unfortunate Larkin, strung up to one ofthose stumps driven into the ground, surrounded by a gesticulating andevil-smelling mob, and with those three foul, over-dressed sorcerersclose to him. They were dancing now with a different movement. They weresidling from one point to another, as far as the pressing throng wouldallow, twisting this way and that with sinuous, snake-like movements,but never once taking their eyes from their victim. And each one ofthese brutes was armed--the tallest and most hideous with an enormousclub; a second, a fat ruffian of particularly evil type of countenance,with a curving knife; while the third waved a flaming torch.
As for Larkin, he at least showed his mettle, and reflected credit uponthe service to which he belonged. For he did not wince, not even wheneach of those sorcerers in turn sidled in his direction and brandishedhis weapons at him, while the third made pretence to set on fire thewood littering the ground at his feet. Larkin addressed them in a mannercommon to the barrack-room. There was the strong flavour of the canteenabout his speech; while his two eyes, no doubt each addressing itself tosome different point, fixed upon the rascals dancing there, scowled atthem, threatened them, but never flinched.
"They're--they're going to sacrifice him, Larkin," Dick managed to blurtout at last.
"The black-'earted 'eathen," came in a growl from Hawkins, now at hisside, while Hurst joined them, muttering deeply beneath his breath."What'll you do, sir?"
"Wait for Mr. Alec and the officers, then rush 'em. Get hold of thoseclubs."
But a second later there came a disturbing noise from the adjacent hut,just at the precise moment when that hideous tall sorcerer danced hisway back to Larkin, and, swinging his club overhead, brought it downwith a thud on the top of the pillar to which the unhappy fellow waslashed. Even then the brave soldier did not flinch. They heard him growlloudly and angrily as the club thudded on the top of the stump.
"That's one fer you," they heard, "one fer you, yer ugly son of a gun.But jest you wait till I get a whack in. Then I'll make yer feel sorryyou was born, I will."
There came a shout from that adjacent hut. The door flew open, and in atwinkling a forlorn little band dashed forward, Alec at their head, theMajor and the Commander following. Hawkins and Hurst and Dick acted onthat signal. They flung themselves upon the frail walls and door of thathut, bursting it open as if it were constructed of paper. Then, followedby Mr. Andrew, they launched themselves at the natives, Dick wieldinghis rusty sabre, Hawkins with an enormous club, whilst Hurst and Andrewwere similarly armed.
"The black-'earted 'eathen!" shouted Hawkins, springing to the front,for he was a huge fellow, and extraordinarily active. "That's fer you,you smelly sea serpent!"
It was the big sorcerer, he with the club, who had made such finepractice round Larkin's head, and looked as if he would at any momentcrack his skull. But he was too late now. Hawkins was not the kind ofman to deal a blow that asked for repetition, not at least when inanger. And he was furious. His club beat down that of the native, brokeit, in fact, and then descended with a crash full on his woolly pate.The dull crushing sound that followed, and the manner in which this manof medicine fell in his tracks, told a tale there was no mistaking.Meanwhile Dick had run through a second sorcerer, while the gallant Alechad dived for the waist of the third, he with the torch, had handled himas he would a man breaking from scrum and likely to get clear away ifnot securely collared. Yes, Alec seized this wretch, and, exerting anabnormal strength, lifted him, swung him in the air, and then tossed himto the ground. By then the Major had cut Larkin free, and the latterindividual burst upon the enemy like a torrent. Seething withindignation, he selected the fellow whom Alec had tackled, and who hadnow risen to his feet. Larkin launched himself at him, seized him byneck and shoulder, and shook him as if he were a rat. Then he pushed himaway a foot or two, drew himself backward in time to escape a lunge anda blow from a knife which the rascal had suddenly produced, and thenstruck out with tremendous force, sending his fist against the p
oint ofthe sorcerer's chin.
"And he won't get askin' fer more, I don't think," declared the furioussoldier, looking about him with those pugnacious, wandering eyes. "No, Idon't think; and so here's something for some of the other fellers."
There might have been no such thing as weapons, and certainly the angryand gallant fellow had no fear of them. Unarmed himself, save with theweapons with which nature had provided him, he again flung himself atthe enemy like a rocket, and was seen striking out to right and left,sending the natives flying. Hurst was there too, Hurst bursting withrighteous indignation, and Hawkins, a force in himself. While the twoofficers and their junior, the gallant midshipman, were already in linewith them, Andrew and Alec forming two of the force also.
"Rush 'em," shouted the Commander. "Now, at 'em, hammer and tongs, butdon't go too far. Hooray! They're bolting."
The mass of natives had, indeed, of a sudden taken to their heels, andno doubt the dash and daring of Dick and his comrades had scared themwonderfully. But there was something else to account for this sudden_volte-face_, and a sharp report and a loud detonation from the far endof the village told its tale instantly. It was the airship. There shewas swooping down upon the place, one of her deck guns in operation.Pop! pop! pop! The quickfirer sent shot after shot amidst the fleeingnatives, while someone located on the very nose of the ship, on thetiny, narrow gangway which led to that exposed position, wavedfrantically to our friends. It was Joe without a doubt. Joe in theseventh heaven of delight at the sight of his comrades.
"Stay where you are," he bawled through his megaphone. "We're landing.Those niggers have gone scuttling over the river."
The ship was down in their midst in the space of a few seconds, and fora while there was violent shaking of hands amongst the friends.
"Thought I should never see you again," declared Joe, mopping a veryfevered forehead. "Missed you after a few hours had passed and rose atonce to inspect surroundings. Couldn't find a trace of you, and so beganto swoop backward and forward. By chance I saw this village, and with apair of glasses made out the situation. No, no, Larkin, not a punitiveexpedition this time. We've better things to do, and, after all, thesenatives only acted according to their own lights."
The pugnacious Larkin was positively boiling, and strutted about thelittle group, his two fists doubled, his arms waving, his head a littleforward, and his eyes turned towards the flying natives.
"Just one little turn at 'em, sir," he asked. "Just one little one, ifonly to get a bit of me own back."
"Not a step," replied Joe firmly. "Come, gentlemen, aboard, and let usbe moving."
It was obviously the best course to pursue, as there was nothing to begained by attacking the natives. But as a warning to them to leaveEuropeans alone in the future the village was fired and the numerousdug-outs lying upon the bank of the river broken to pieces. One,however, was taken aboard the airship as a trophy, as well as sundryclubs, knives, and utensils, while Dick carried away that usefulcutlass.
"Just to show Mr. Reitberg, the sportsman, that we've been here," hetold his chum. "But even when he sees the canoe he won't believe.However, there are other ways of making him do so."
As a matter of fact Joe and Andrew had been extremely careful throughoutthis momentous trip to leave records of their arrival in various parts,and that document which they had obtained from the foreign office hadbeen _viseed_ by a variety of officials in a variety of countries.
Thankful to have escaped from the plight in which they had foundthemselves, Dick and his friends now embarked, and the great airshippromptly swooped upward.
"From New Guinea to Australia is but a step," said Joe with a smile. "Wewill spend a little time in calling on our friends at the Antipodes andthen speed onward, for time is drawing in. We must now pursue astraighter course."
Ambling across Australia, where her presence caused a huge commotion,and where both passengers and crew came in for a large share of theproverbially warm-hearted hospitality of the colonials, the ship calledin at the north and south isles of New Zealand, and then, speeding upher engines, steered for the south. It was with sad and yet proud heartsthat a week later those aboard manoeuvred the huge vessel directlyover the frozen South Pole, and there gazed down upon the relics leftby Amundsen and Captain Scott, records of the daring and persistentbravery of men whose names will go down upon the roll of fame for futuregenerations to observe.
"We will land and ourselves walk across the Southern Pole," said Andrew."Then we will visit that tragic spot where Captain Scott and hiscomrades, caught by that fatal blizzard, and delayed by a sick comrade,lay down in their tent and died, died the death of heroes."
One does not need to recount how they descended, nor how they found thatcairn of snow heaped upon the bodies of the fallen. Here crew andpassengers left the ship and stood silently about the cairn reading theinscription left upon the rough cross erected above it.
"This cross and cairn erected over the remains of Captain R. F. Scott,C.V.O., R.N., Dr. E. A. Wilson, and Lieutenant H. R. Bowers, R.I.M., asa slight token to perpetuate their gallant and successful attempt toreach the goal. This they did on the 17th January, 1912, after theNorwegians had already done so on the 16th December, 1911."
"And we must not forget their sick comrades who perished on the samejourney," said Andrew solemnly. "They were Captain L. E. G. Oates andPetty Officer E. Evans, R.N. Truly has it been said of these heroes thathereabouts died some very gallant gentlemen."
From those cold and forbidding Antarctic regions the airship rushedtowards sunnier climes, and was very soon over Cape Horn. Thence shetraced the whole length of South America, passing over the Pacific coastof that enormous continent. She threaded her way above the isthmus ofPanama, where the Spaniards of old extracted wealth from the Incas andfrom the natives of Mexico, and where Drake and men of his adventurousstamp won riches from the Spaniard. Thence the vessel paid a visit tothe States of North America, her coming being heralded by the dischargeof fireworks in thousands and by signal rockets. Indeed, a warm welcomewas given to passengers and crew, and invitations to stay longer. Buttime was pressing. Canada, too, was calling, so that that long frontierbetween North America and Canada was crossed, a frontier, be it noted,devoid of forts and guns, across which Canadians and Americansfraternize.
"And now we turn our faces homewards. This is the last lap," said Joe,when a round of festivities had been enjoyed in various Canadian cities."We have proved this ship to be capable of a world-circling trip. Shehas safely ridden through tempests which would have destroyed aZeppelin. Let us now return to London, there to show the people ofEngland that we are still in existence, and there to hand over this shipto the authorities."
It was with light hearts that they sent the vessel eastward. Hoveringfor a while over the historical city of Quebec, where French and Englishhad once contested matters, and where their sons now live in amitytogether, Joe sent the aerial monster scudding over the length of themighty River St. Laurence. Then they sailed above the vast Gulf of thatname, and swept seaward between Newfoundland and Cape Breton Island. Itwas in that neighbourhood that the lookout man sighted a tiny speck uponthe ocean.
"Boat adrift, sir, I think," he reported. "I can see a man wavingsomething."
Joe fastened his glasses upon the spot, a movement which the Commandercopied.
"Man adrift on a piece of wreckage," sang out the latter. "Waving hisshirt as a signal. Lucky for him that we were crossing."
They steered above the castaway and sent Dick down upon the lift, withAlec and Hurst to help him. Then they hoisted them again and broughtaboard a man seemingly in the last stages of exhaustion. He was almostspeechless with thirst and black with exposure. A beard of ten days'growth was on his face, while his hair was long and matted.
"Fisherman," he gasped. "Driven off the land. Been drifting to and frofor days, and without food and drink for many. Water! water!"
Aboard the airship this unlucky wight received the kindest attention,and indeed was soo
n snugly curled up in a bunk in the men's quarters. Noone suspected he was other than he pretended to be, an unfortunatefisherman from the shores of Nova Scotia. No one aboard recognized theman as Adolf Fruhmann. But it was he, Carl Reitberg's rascallylieutenant, and once more crew and passengers and airship were inimminent danger.
CHAPTER XX
Adolf Fruhmann's Venture
Never perhaps was there a more exaggerated example of base ingratitude,of trickery, of cunning, and of calculated rascality than that instancedby the presence of the ruffian, Adolf Fruhmann, aboard the greatairship. Snug in his bunk, feigning exhaustion and illness afterexposure and privation, the wretch successfully evaded the ken of Joeand his friends while sending messages of the profoundest gratitude tothem.
"All so much dust," he sniggered beneath the bed-clothes, for only thetop of his head was showing. "Just a little more dust in their eyes toblind 'em. It just makes me roar when I think how the scheme acted, andCarl saying all the while that it wouldn't. Well, he pays, pays all themore handsomely."
He went off into a paroxysm of silent laughter, which shook the bunk andbrought the tender-hearted Hawkins to his side within a moment.
"Eh, mate?" he asked gently enough, for your sailor or your soldierattendant is the very best of fellows, as gentle as any woman, and oftenalmost as clever where nursing is necessary.
"Eh, mate? Got the shivers? Fever? Well, I've had it, and it ain't tooagreeable. But Mr. Andrew'll put you right. He's the doctor aboard thisship, and a good 'un. I'll send along for him."
"Please," gurgled the wretch in the bunk, still keeping his head hidden."Please, I'm as cold as an icicle at times, and then boiling hot. I'mdying."
"Not you, mate," came from the encouraging Hawkins, who hastened away atonce so that he might save this derelict fisherman some suffering. AndMr. Andrew was equally solicitous.
"Come, let us have a look at you, my friend," he begged, arriving in themen's quarters. "Show your face and so let me judge what is the matter."
The crafty Fruhmann complied in a measure. He roused himself on to oneelbow, and then fell backward as if the effort had weakened him. Then hepushed the clothes back from his face with one hand, keeping the otherfirmly across his eyes.
"Can't see," he mumbled. "Almost blind after those days and nights inthe open. Don't dare to open my eyes."
Andrew left him with a draught, and a caution to Hawkins to see that thewide windows of the men's quarters were curtained.
"Shade the electric light when it gets dark," he said. "No doubt he issuffering with his eyes. I've known the same with men lost in thebackwoods of Canada in the winter. There, my friend, a few days will putyou right. You'll be fit to travel back once we get to England."
"But not aboard this ship, no," smiled the artful Fruhmann, burying hishead again once Andrew was gone, just as if he were a frightenedostrich. "Not aboard this flying vessel, mister. 'Cos she won't beflying then if Adolf Fruhmann has anything to do with the matter. And tothink I'm here, and so easily, when Carl was in a funk all the whilethat I'd miss 'em!"
That set him off into another smothered giggle, which again shook thebunk and called Hawkins over to him. Indeed, that big-hearted fellow wasdecidedly ill at ease, till the arrival of Andrew's promised draught andits administration to the patient produced an apparently instantaneouseffect.
"Take the shivers out of yer," said Hawkins. "Make yer easy and send yerto sleep. Sing out when you're wanting anything. There's soup herethat'll make you fit for anything, and lemonade and what not."
Fruhmann thanked him with his tongue in his cheek, disappeared againbeneath the blankets, and gave himself up to scheming and consideringmatters. Indeed he was a cunning, clever fellow, and by adopting theexcuse of sickness was entirely freed of suspicion. More than that,there was no danger of recognition, and the hints and information whichthe rascally Carl Reitberg had been able to give him had showed thiswretch that there was little need for caution.
"That beard and the dirt and so on fooled 'em finely," he told himself."Not that there's a one to be feared save Sergeant Evans, the man whoworked with the police in South Africa. But he's a saloon man, anddidn't catch sight of me. If he had he'd have been bothered finely. Butif I was to use soap and water and a comb, not to mention a razor, well,the tale'd be different. And so here I am aboard, a sick and exhaustedfisherman, cared for and molly-coddled by that thundering lout Hawkins,left pretty much to myself because I'm supposed to be extra sleepy. Ho!ho! This'll make Carl laugh fit to hurt himself. It's a tale that'llhelp to make him pay up extra handsome."
It was, in fact, just the sort of story to go down with the rascallymagnate. All the sporting instincts and ideas as to love of fair playwhich he may have possessed in his youthful days were gone entirely. Andeven had he still retained a few shreds and remnants of honest feelingfor others at this period he threw them overboard when dealing with JoeGresson, Andrew Provost, and the crew and passengers of the greatairship.
"We're bound to beat them," he had told Fruhmann, when the latter hadhurried away from England to meet him at Suez. "We're bound to followthe ship and break her somewhere. There's money in it."
"I hope so. That's why I'm here. That's why I'm ready to take risks,"his rascally hireling told him.
"And we've got to find a way to get about the business. Now, I've failedwith the bombs."
"And got scared mighty badly," grinned the other. "Well, it's my turn.You leave this to me. How will I do it? You listen. See here. The paperswherever the ship goes are crammed with columns full of her history, herwonderful powers, her beauty of outline and construction; not to mentionphotos. And there's something far more important."
"Eh, yes? What?"
"There's always a list of places she's intending to visit. For instance,here's the latest telegram from India. Let's read it."
Fruhmann lolled back in his cane-work seat on the veranda of the hoteland unfolded a paper. "Listen," he said, taking his cigar from his lipsand admiring the cloud of smoke he sent upward. "Here it is. The cablecompanies are making a fortune over this airship."
"As I hope to do," sniggered the magnate.
"As you will do if you trust things to me. Now listen. 'Departure of thegreat airship. Huge excitement in India. Mr. Joseph Gresson confident ofsuccessful ending to his trip. Proposes now to steer for Borneo and NewGuinea; afterwards for Australia and New Zealand. Will cross the SouthPole direct for Cape Horn, and may be expected in North America. Willvisit Canada finally and make a triumphal return by way of Quebec andthe Gulf of St. Laurence. Those who wish to see the last of her musthasten to Newfoundland or the Island of Cape Breton.'"
Fruhmann took to his cigar again, looking sharply at his master. Carlmeditated deeply. He was not brilliant at any time, and was now dull tothe point of exasperation.
"Yes," he drawled sluggishly. "But--er--I don't quite see where thishelps us. You can't, for instance, hope to come up with the ship at theSouth Pole."
"Stop fooling!" growled his amiable lieutenant. "Who is talking of theSouth Pole? You want me to get aboard. Well, Canada's as good asAustralia, and it's possible. I couldn't reach the first before the shiphad passed. But I can reach Canada. There's a steamer leaving the Canalthis very evening. She's a pleasure cruiser direct from New York, andshe steams straight home from the Mediterranean. Now, I board her. Nevermind if they won't take passengers. I'll smuggle myself aboard and yourmoney'll do the rest. From New York the train takes me quick to NovaScotia, and from there to Cape Breton Island it's a mere step."
"Ah!" The fat magnate began to follow. "But----" he gasped, turning inhis chair. "Then?"
"Easy. I steal a boat and put out to sea just before the ship leavesQuebec. I've built a sort of raft already. I sink the boat and take tothe raft, while I've been growing a beard from this very instant. Isignal the ship----"
"Stop!" cried Carl. "It may be night-time when she comes over."
"But I have a lamp. Fortunate, ain't it? It's all I've saved from myboat
. A mere lamp! No food. No drink. Just that lucky lamp, and Isignal. I'm taken aboard. I'm ill, desperately bad. I lie up in a bunk,and----"
The fat magnate laughed till he coughed, and then became positivelypurple.
"You--you're a boy, Adolf," he wheezed. "It's a fine scheme. But--butsupposing it fails. Supposing the ship changes her course? Then it's toolate. You're leaving the attempt to the very last instant."
"And all the better. It won't fail. Besides, at the end the folks aboardwon't be suspicious. They've been looking out for you since you plantedthose bombs aboard. They've had a wary eye open for sportsmen. But I'mmerely a poor, exhausted fisherman. I don't count. I'm too ill to beinterviewed, and I----"
"How'll you do it?" asked Carl eagerly.
"Ah, that's telling!"
It was a matter on which Fruhmann had been absolutely silent. But he hadhis plans. Indeed, his scheme had been completed long ago in everydetail, and as he lay in that bunk, sniggering violently at times, hewas a proud and happy scoundrel. For his plans had carried so farwonderfully. He was in the camp of the enemy, but as a friend. He was apampered, unfortunate fisherman, at whose presence no one could feelsuspicion. In fact, he was on the verge of a triumph. Nor was he the oneto hurry.
"Let 'em settle down to the feeling that I'm aboard," he told himself."To-morrow night'll do. I ain't going to spoil things by hurrying."
And so till the following night he lay inert in his bunk, still a preyto those extraordinary attacks which alarmed the honest Hawkins. It wasafter midnight when he crept from the men's quarters, leaving them allslumbering, and made his crafty way along the gallery. Nor, strangelyenough, did he need a guide.
"Got Carl to draw a sketch of the ship, and studied it," he smiled."That's the way to do this sort of business. Ah! That's the engine-room.I have to go for'ard to find the ladder. Wonder who's on duty?"
He could hear the soft purr of those motors so beloved of Joe Gresson.He halted just above the place and stared in through the transparentfloor of the gallery. One light was burning, a shaded light, and closeto it sat the man in charge of the engines. He was asleep. Fruhmannalmost whistled.
"Got him!" he hissed. "Easy as smoking. Slip down there, keeping themotors between me and him. There's enough noise to keep him fromhearing. Then--then I do it."
A pair of socks were his only foot covering, and made not a sound as heplaced a foot on the first rung of the ladder. If anyone could evercreep like a cat it was this scoundrel. He seemed to slide down theladder while never once did he take his eyes from the form of thesleeper. Then he went on hands and knees and crawled down one side ofthe range of motors.
"Better than bombs, far," he was saying. "Must work things so as tomake the ship helpless. Just now her automatic gear's steering her uponthe course they've set. But there won't be any automatic movement whenI've finished. And the best of my scheme is that it don't endanger life,that is, my life. It's blowing tidyish now, and of course the ship'llfeel it. She'll get sent this way and that, and be wellnigh wrecked. Butshe's got wireless, and we're over the track of ships. That's handy."
How the cunning rascal had schemed it all out. Whatever he proposed todo now he reckoned would render the great ship helpless, and would wreckher. But not on the instant. No. He was not attempting desperate methodssuch as Carl had chosen. The ship would be helpless, and become a wreckin time, but her wireless would enable some steamer to be called beforethe last fatal moment.
"It's grand and so easy," Fruhmann gurgled. "Now, we remember thedescription. There's a large valve on the left of the engines. Thatempties the water tanks. But we're on the other side, and the valve justhere sets free the paraffin. It drains their tanks, runs away with thefuel supply of the engines, empties the radiators, and taps every drainfrom the hydraulic distributors. In fact, just this little, gentle turnmakes her as helpless as a child, robs her motors of power and lets thebreeze play goodness knows what with her. How very simple!"
The villain, smiling at his own cleverness, steadily turned the levercontrolling that valve and heard on the instant the gurgle of fluidrunning swiftly through the open orifice. Then he crept to the ladder,clambered it cautiously, and faced for the men's quarters. It was atthat precise moment that a hand was laid heavily on his shoulder.
"You're a slinkin', mean-faced, scheming hound," came in gruff tonesfrom no less a person than Hawkins. "I was took in with yer tales atfirst, I own I was, took in nicely. But I'm all alive-o now, and don'tyou forget it. Here's just a sample of what'll happen."
He gave the man a terrific buffet, a buffet which sent him giddilyagainst the wall of the gallery, while it awakened the sleepingmechanic. "You just look lively and turn down that paraffin valve," sangout Hawkins, "and next time you wants to sleep call in a mate terrelieve you. Now, you, I'm a goin'----"
Precisely what the angry Hawkins proposed to do there is no saying. ButAdolf Fruhmann had no intention of giving him the opportunity. To givethis rascal his due, he had courage, a greater store than possessed byCarl Reitberg. And now that he was taken in the midst of his attempt,and saw prison before him, he formed the desperate resolve of fleeing.
"Get to the liftway and keep 'em off," he told himself swiftly. "Yes,there's an aeroplane up there. You press a lever and the machine risesto the deck. A button sets the engine going. You can't upset. It's safe,safer than staying here. I'm off to try it."
He broke away from the sailor and went racing along the gallery. Amoment later he was at the liftway, where, guided by his memory of whatCarl had told him, he stepped upon a platform and touched a button. Butthat action was disastrous. A piercing shriek instantly awoke thesleepers aboard the airship. For Adolf Fruhmann, adventurer andscoundrel, had for all his cleverness made one vital error. He hadstepped upon the wrong platform. That button which he had pushedreleased the well through which that twirling lift was wont to descendbeneath the vessel. It opened with a sudden clatter, and in one secondthe ruffian who had hoped to wreck Joe Gresson's fine vessel wasprecipitated into space. Nor could he be discovered when thesearchlights were turned upon the surface of the Atlantic.
"Then forward!" cried Joe, "and let us be thankful for such adeliverance."
"Forward!" repeated Andrew. "Surely no further dangers can threaten thisvessel."
"None," declared the Major. "You may say that we're almost in homewaters already. Let's ask the engineer to put on speed. It would be niceto lunch to-morrow over Old England."
But it was early morning two days later when Dick sighted the whitecliffs of Dover, for a strong head-wind had made rapid travel difficultand undesirable.
"Port in sight, sir," he said, saluting the Commander.
"Then we'll send 'em a Marconi."
"To whom?" asked Joe, smiling now, for was not this a triumph?
"Er--well, why not to Mr. Carl Reitberg?" gurgled Dick. "Compliments,you know; happy greetings. Just arrived to claim that money, and sorryabout that fellow you sent to see us off the St. Laurence."
"Send this," said Andrew, laughing at the midshipman. "Great airship insight of England. Making for London where all may see her. Ownerspresent hundred thousand pounds deposited by Carl Reitberg tohospitals."
"And the ship?" demanded the Major.
"To King and Country," said Andrew promptly.
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