Blow The Man Down: A Romance Of The Coast

  XXVIII ~ GIRL'S HELP AND MAN'S WORK

  We know the tricks of wind and tide That make and mean disaster, And balk 'em, too, the Wren and me, Off on the Old Man's Pastur'. Day out and in the blackfish there Go wabbling out and under, And nights we watch the coasters creep From light to light in yonder. --The Skipper.

  It was the period of January calms--that lull between the tempestravings of the equinoxes, and the _Ethel and May_ made slow time of iton her return to the main. In Mayo's mood of anxious impatience, hope inhis affairs was as baffling as the winds in the little schooner's sails.

  His passenger sat on the rail and gave the pacing captain occasionalglances in which irony and sullenness were mingled.

  "So you're going to put me into court, eh?" he inquired, when at lastthey drifted past the end of the breakwater at Limeport. "Well, thatwill give you a good excuse for throwing up your work on that wreck."

  Mayo kept on walking and did not reply. He had been pondering on thequestion of what to do with this new "elephant" on his hands. In a way,this stranger was an unwieldy proposition to handle in conjunction withthe problem of the _Conomo_.

  "Just understand that I don't give a hoot in a scuttlebutt if you doturn me over to the police," pursued the man. "I'm going to be takencare of. So will you! You'll be tied up! Courts like to have chiefwitnesses attend strictly to the job."

  The young man had only a sailor's vague knowledge of the procedure ofcourts of law; but that knowledge and considerable hearsay had convincedhim that law was lagging, exacting, and overbearing.

  All his time, his best efforts, his presence were needed in the gigantictask he had undertaken at Razee. To allow himself to be mired in a lawscrape together with this person, even in criminal prosecution of theman, surely meant delay, along with repeated interruption of his work,if not its abandonment for a time.

  "Where's your boss?" he demanded, stopping in front of the prisoner.

  "Name, please?"

  "Don't try to bluff me. Fogg, I mean!"

  "You'll probably find Mr. Fogg at the Nicholas Hotel."

  "I'm going to walk you up there. If you try to run away--"

  "Run your Aunt Huldah! Piff, son! Now you're showing sense. Take me toMr. Fogg. You'll be shown a few things."

  They had no difficulty in finding Mr. Fogg. He was in front of the firein the office of the Nicholas, toasting his back and warming his slowlyfanning palms, and talking to a group of men.

  He affected non-recognition of Mayo when the young man asked, brusquely,if he might see him in private.

  "Certainly, sir. And your friend?"

  "Yes."

  The stranger, following up the stairs with Mayo, nudged his companion.

  "He's a wonder! 'And your friend?'" he quoted with a chuckle. "No coarsework about that!"

  Mayo had firmly decided in his mind that his present business was theonly matter he would discuss with Fletcher Fogg. Even though the justwrath of an innocent man, ruined and persecuted, prompted him to assailthis smug trickster with tongue, and even with fists, he bound himselfby mental promise to wait until he had proofs other than vague words andhis own convictions.

  "And now--" invited Fogg, when he had closed the door of his room,waiting tmtil his callers had entered.

  "Yes, _now!_" blurted Captain Mayo. "Not _then_, Mr. Fogg! We'll havethat settled later, when I make you pay for what you did to me. Thisman here, you know him, of course! He tried to dynamite the _Conomo_.I caught him in the act. He is your man. He has made his boasts that hewould be protected."

  Mr. Fogg turned a cold stare upon the man's appreciative grin.

  "I never saw this person before, sir."

  "I know better!" Mayo leaped to a conclusion, and bluffed. "I can proveby men here in this city that you have been talking with him."

  "He may have been one of the persons who came to me asking for work onthe wreck, providing my concern decided to salvage. But we concludednot to undertake the work, and I paid no attention to him. As far as anymemory of mine is concerned, I never saw him before, I say."

  "You don't represent any salvage company," insisted Mayo. "You have comehere to interfere with anybody who tries to salvage that steamer."

  "What is your business with me, sir? Get somewhere!"

  "I have come to show you this man. If you'll keep your hands off myaffairs, shut your mouth, and stop telling men here that the plan tosalvage is hopeless, I'll turn this man over to you. You know what Iought to do to you right here and now, Fogg," he cried, savagely. "ButI'm not going to bother--not now. I'm here to trade with you on this onematter."

  "I'm not interested."

  "Then I shall take this man to the police station and lodge mycomplaint. When criminal prosecution starts you'll see what happens toyou."

  "Go as far as you like," consented Mr. Fogg, listlessly. "You can't makeme responsible for the acts of a person I don't know from Adam."

  "Is that your last word?"

  "Of course it is!" snapped the promoter. "You must be a lunatic to thinkanything else."

  "Very well. May I use your telephone to call the police?"

  "Certainly." Mr. Fogg lighted a cigar and picked up a newspaper.

  "Just a moment before you use that 'phone," objected the third memberof the party. "I want an understanding. You please step out of the room,Mayo."

  "Stay where you are," commanded Fogg. "I'll give no chance for anyunderhand work." He scowled when the prisoner winked at him. "This looksto me like a put-up job between you two."

  "There's nothing put up between us," declared the man. "There'd betterbe something put up between _you_ two. The thing can go about so far,where I'm concerned, and no farther. I want an understanding, I say!"

  Fogg slapped open the pages of his newspaper.

  "I have made my talk," said Mayo.

  "By gad, I'm not going to jail--not for anybody!"

  Fogg removed his eye-glasses and gave the man a full, unblinking stare.

  "Did you try to dynamite that wreck?"

  "Is that orders--orders to talk right out?"

  "Orders? I don't know what you mean, sir. I have asked you a plainquestion."

  "And you want an answer?"

  "Naturally."

  "What I tried to do didn't work--he was too quick for me. There, now,get together! He has made you a fair offer, Mr. Fogg. There's no need ofmy going to jail. I won't go!"

  "You ought to go, for what you did!" commented Fogg, dryly.

  "No, for what he didn't do--from your standpoint," suggested CaptainMayo.

  "And you have been boasting, eh?" Fogg kept up his disconcerting stare,with fishy eyes.

  "I ain't going to let men walk over me and wipe their feet on me whenI'm obeying orders."

  "Orders from whom, sir?"

  "Condemn it all, orders from men who can protect me by saying one word!I ain't going to stand all this riddle-come-ree business! Flat down,now, Mr. Fogg, what say?"

  "Not a word! If what this fellow says is true, you ought to be in jail."

  "The advice is good. He'll be there very soon," declared Mayo, startingfor the telephone. Fogg replaced his eye-glasses and began to read.

  "I'm ready to blow up!" warned the man. He hurried across the room andguarded the telephone with outspread arms.

  "Both of you will be sorry if the police are called," he cried. To Mayo,who was close to him, he mumbled, "Damn him, if he dumps me like thisyou're going to be the winner!"

  There was so much reality in the man's rancor that Mayo was impressedand seized upon the idea which came to him.

  "We'll test your friend," he whispered, clutching the man, and makingpretense of a struggle. "I'll fake a call. Keep wrestling."

  Fogg gave only indifferent attention to the affair in the corner of theroom.

  With one hand holding down the receiver-arm Mayo called; he waspushed about violently, but managed to say: "Desk? Call police tohotel--lobby--at once!"
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  "Mr. Fogg," pleaded the man, giving Mayo an understanding nudge with hiselbow, "ain't you going to give me a chance for a private talk?"

  "If you ever speak to me or try to see me again I'll have you arrested."

  "But you're dumping me."

  "Get out of this room, both of you! I don't want the police up here."

  Mayo clapped hand on his prisoner's shoulder and pushed him out.

  "Go down-stairs slow," protested the man. "He is bound to come out andcall me back! He's got to! He doesn't dare to dump me!"

  "He dares to do anything," stated Mayo, bitterly, "including what hedid to me and the _Montana_. I suppose you read about it--everybody elsedid."

  They walked leisurely, but Mr. Fogg's door remained closed. They waitedin the office of the hotel. He did not appear.

  "By Judas!" rasped the man, "another two-spot torn up and thrown intothe discard along with you! And I helped 'em do it to you! I'm comingacross, Mayo! That telephone business was a mighty friendly trick tohelp me force him. I appreciate it! I was on board the _Montana_ thatnight you and she got yours! My name is Burkett--Oliver. I was there,though you didn't see me."

  "I heard you were there, afterward," stated Captain Mayo, grimly."Captain Wass mentioned you!"

  "And probably didn't give me much of a reputation. I can't help that!You needn't put one bit more trust in me, Captain Mayo, than you wantto. I don't ask you to have any respect for me. But I want to tell youthat when a man promises to back me and then turns round and dumps meso as to cover his own tracks, he will get his if I'm able to hand it tohim! I'm generally dirty. I'm especially dirty in a case like that!"

  "If you show me any favors, Mr. Burkett, I suppose I'll have to dependon your spite against Fogg instead of your affection for me. You see,I'm perfectly frank. But I have been fooled too much to place any trustin anybody."

  "I don't ask you to trust me. I know how the _Montana_ job was done. I'mnot going to tell you right now. I'm going to make sure that I have beenthrown down by Fogg. And if I have been--if he means it--I'm going touse you so that I can get back at him, no matter how much it helps you.I can be pretty frank myself, you understand!"

  They were silent and looked at each other.

  "Well?" inquired Burkett, sourly.

  "Well, what?" asked Mayo, with as little show of liking.

  "What about this police business--about your complaint against me?"

  "I'm not going to say anything about the case! You're free, as far asI'm concerned. I am ashore here to make a raise of money or credit. Ican't spend any time in court, bothering with you."

  "I reckon you got your satisfaction out of that beating-up you gave me.I rather began to like you after that," said Burkett, pulling one cornerof his mouth into a grin that was a grimace. "I'm going to stay at thishotel."

  "Fogg will see that our affair just now was a bluff. He will have youinto camp once more."

  "You've got to take your chances on it, Mayo. What do you say?"

  "I'll take my chances."

  "By gad! sir, you're a square chap, and I'm not meeting many of thatsort in these days! Let this thing hang. Before you leave the city, slipword to me here. I'll tell you the news!"

  With that understanding they parted.

  Three days later, acknowledging to himself that he was a thoroughlybeaten young man, Mayo walked into the Nicholas Hotel. He had beenunable to secure either encouragement, money, or credit. There wereparties who would back him in any attempt to junk the _Conomo_; but hisproposition to raise her with the aid of the tribe of Hue and Cry madehis project look like a huge joke and stirred hearty amusement allalong the water-front. Everywhere he found proof of Fogg's neat work ofdiscouragement. If a real salvaging company had turned the scheme downas impracticable, how could penniless amateurs hope? It was concededin business and financial circles that they hoped because they wereamateurs.

  Mayo's outlook on his own strictly personal affairs was as dismal ashis view of the Razee project in which his associates were concerned. Hewent to the hotel merely because he had promised Burkett that he wouldnotify that modern buccaneer regarding any intended departure. Hedespondently reflected that if Fogg and Burkett had agreed again, thecombination against him still existed. If they were persistently on theouts, Burkett was merely a discredited agent whose word, without proofs,could be as easily brushed away as his connection with Fogg in the'matter of the _Conomo_. In fact, so Mayo pondered, he might findassociation with Burkett dangerous, because demands for considerationcan be twisted into semblance of blackmail by able lawyers. Heentertained so few hopes in regard to any assistance from Burkett thathe was rather relieved to discover that the man was no longer a guest atthe hotel.

  "Has he left town?"

  "I suppose there's no secret about the thing," explained the clerk. "Mr.Fogg had the man arrested yesterday, for threatening words and actions.Something of that sort. Anyway, he is in jail and must give bonds tokeep the peace."

  Mayo's flagging interest in the possibilities of Burkett as an aid inhis affairs was a bit quickened by that piece of news, and he hurriedup to the jail. If ever a captured and fractious bird of passage wasbeating wings against his cage's bars in fury and despair, Mr. Burkettwas doing it with vigor. Mayo, admitted as a friend who might aidin quelling the disturbance that was making the deafened jailers andnoise-maddened prisoners regret the presence of Mr. Burkett, found theman clinging to the iron rods and kicking his foot against them.

  "It's the last thing he did before he left town, this what he has doneto me. I can't give bonds. I don't know anybody in this city," raved theprisoner.

  "I'm afraid that I don't know the folks here very well, judging from myexperiences trying to raise money," stated Captain Mayo, after he hadquieted Burkett. "But I'll go out and see what I can do."

  After some pleading he induced a fish wholesaler to go to the jail withhim and inspect Burkett as a risk in the matter of bonds. Mr. Burkett,being a man of guile, controlled his wrath and offered a presentableguise of mildness.

  "But how am I going to know that he won't be hunting this enemy up assoon as I give bonds?" asked the fishman.

  "Captain Mayo is tackling a job of wrecking, offcoast," said Burkett,"and I'm out of work just now and will go with him. I'll be a safe risk,all right, out there."

  "Does that go with you, Captain Mayo?"

  "Yes, sir."

  After the matter of bonds had been arranged before the commissioner, andwhen Burkett walked down the street with Mayo, the latter stopped on acorner.

  "I'll have to leave you here, Burkett. I'm going aboard the schooner.We're sailing."

  "But how about your taking me?"

  "I was willing to help you lie that much, Burkett. I knew you did notintend to go with me."

  "I don't want to put you in bad with anybody after this, Captain Mayo.I need to keep away for a time where I won't be in danger of seeingFletcher Fogg. If I meet him while I'm frothing like this, I'll killhim, even if it means the chair. Give me a lay aboard that steamer, nomatter how bad your prospects are, and I'll be square with you.That's my man's word to you. I realize it isn't much of a word in yourestimation--but there are some promises I can keep. I propose to helpyou get back at Fogg and his gang. That's reason enough for what I'mdoing," he pleaded, earnestly. "You ought to see that yourself. I'm justas good a man with machinery as I am in the pilot-house. I won't set youback any!"

  "All right, Mr. Burkett, come along," agreed Mayo, curtly, withoutenthusiasm.

  There was a fair wind for their departure and Mayo headed the schoonerfor Maquoit. The few words which Captain Candage had dropped in regardto Rowley's state of mind worried Mayo. His little edifice of hope wastottering to a fall, but the loss of the _Ethel and May_ meant the lastpush and utter ruin. He decided that he was in honor bound to preservethe schooner for the uses of the men of Hue and Cry, even if it meantabandonment of the _Conomo_ and going back to fishing. Without thatcraft they would be paupers once more.

  Th
e _Ethel and May_ sneaked her way into Maquoit harbor--if a schoonercan be said to sneak. A breeze at nightfall fanned her along, and whenher killick went down, the rusty chain groaned querulously from herhawse-hole.

  Mayo rowed ashore and toiled his way up the little street to the widow'scottage. He was ashamed to meet Polly Candage--ashamed with the feelingsof a strong man who has put out every effort and has failed. But,somehow, he wanted to feel that sisterly grip of her hand and look downinto those encouraging gray eyes. He remembered that in times pastshe had soothed and stimulated him. This time he did not come to herexpecting to get new courage for further effort; he had exhausted allresources, he told himself. But in his bitter humiliation he needed thecompanionship of a true friend--yes, he felt, almost, that she was nowthe only friend he had left. His experiences with those whom he hadbefore looked on as friends had made him feel that he stood alone.

  She came running to him in the little parlor, her hands outstretched andher face alight.

  He felt at first sight of her, and his face flushed at thought of hisweakness, that he wanted to put his head on her shoulder and weep.

  "You poor boy, things have not been going well!"

  He choked, for the caress in her tones touched his heart. He patted herhands, and she sat down beside him on the old haircloth sofa.

  "I've had a terrible week of it, Polly."

  Her sweet smile did not waver. The gray eyes stared straight into his.

  "I have talked to 'em till my mouth has been parched and my tongue sore,and God knows my heart is sore. All they do is look at me and shaketheir heads. I thought I had friends alongshore--men who believed inme--men who would take my word and help me. I'll never be fooled againby the fellows who pat you on the back in sunny weather, and won't lendyou an umbrella when it rains unless you'll leave your watch with 'emfor security. And speaking of the watch," he went on, smiling wistfully,for her mere presence and her unspoken sympathy had begun to cheerhim, "reminds me why I'm here in Maquoit. Oh yes," he put in, hastily,catching a queer look of disappointment on her face, "I did want tosee you. I looked forward to seeing you after all the others had turnedtheir backs on me. There's something wonderfully comforting in yourface, Polly, when you just look at me. You don't have to say a word."

  "I do thank you, Boyd."

  "I hear that Rowley is getting uneasy about his schooner--wants totake it away from us. So I have sold my watch and all the other bitsof personal things I could turn into cash, and am here to give him themoney and tell him we're going back to fishing again."

  "You'll give up the steamer?"

  "Yes--and hopes and prospects and all. I've got to."

  "But if you could win!"

  "I'll stay down where I belong. I won't dream any more."

  "Don't give up."

  "There's nothing else to do. We poor devils need something besides ourbare hands."

  The girl struggled mightily with her next question, but he did not noteher emotions, for his elbows were on his knees and he was staring at therag carpet.

  "Will it cost a lot of money for what you want to do on the steamer?"

  "We may need a lot before we can do it all. But I have been sitting upnights planning the thing, Polly. I have gone over and over it. When Iwas on board the steamer waiting for your father, I examined her as bestI could.. If I had a little money, I could make a start, and after Istarted, and could show the doubters what could be done, I could raisemore money then. I am sure of it. Of course the first investment is themost dangerous gamble, and that's why everybody is shy. But I believemy scheme would work, though I can't seem to get anybody else to believeit."

  "Will I understand if you'll tell me?"

  "I'd get a diver's outfit and material, and build bulk-heads in her,both sides of the hole in her bottom. Then I'd have an engine and pumps,and show that I could get the water out of her, or enough of it so thatshe'd float."

  "But the big hole, you wouldn't mend that?"

  "I think we could brace the bulkheads so that we could hold the waterout of both ends of her and let the main hole in her alone."

  "And she wouldn't sink?"

  He was patient with the girl's unwisdom in the ways of the sea.

  "Since you've been here at Maquoit, Polly, you have seen thelobster-smacks with what they call 'wells' in them. All amidships isfull of water, you know--comes in through holes bored in the hull--freshsea-water that swashes in and out and keeps the lobsters alive till theyget to market. But the vessel is tight at both ends, and she floats.Well, that's what I plan to do with the Conomo. With a few thousanddollars I'm sure I can make enough of a start so I can show 'em the restcan be done." He promptly lost the bit of enthusiasm he had shown whilehe was explaining. He began his gloomy survey of the carpet once more."But it's no use. Nobody will listen to a man who wants to borrow moneyon a wild hope."

  She was silent a long time, and gazed at him, and he did not realizethat he was the object of such intent regard. Several times she openedher mouth and seemed about to address him eagerly, for her eyes werebrilliant and her cheeks were flushed.

  "I wish I had the money to lend you," she ventured, at last.

  "Oh, I wouldn't take it--not from a girl, Polly. No, indeed! This isa gamble for men--not an investment for the widow and orphan," hedeclared, smiling at her. "I believe in it; that's because I'm desperateand need to win. It's for a big reason, Polly!"

  She turned her face away and grew pale. She flushed at his next words:

  "The biggest thing in the world to me is getting that steamer off Razeeand showing that infernal Marston and all his 'longcoast gang that I'mno four-flusher. I've got it in for 'em!"

  He patted the hands she clasped on her knees, and he did not notice thatshe was locking her fingers so tightly that they were almost bloodless.He rose and started for the door.

  "I'll go and pacify Rowley to-night, and be ready for an early start."

  "Boyd," she pleaded, "will you do me a little favor?"

  "Most certainly, Polly."

  "Wait till to-morrow morning for your business with Mr. Rowley."

  "Why?" He looked at her with considerable surprise.

  "Because--well, because you are a bit unstrung, and are tired, and youand he might have words, and you might not use your cool judgment if heshould be short with you. You know you are a little at odds with all theworld just now!" She spoke nervously and smiled wistfully. "I would besorry to have you quarrel with Mr. Rowley because--well, father is apartner, and has already had words with him. Please wait till morning.You must not lose the schooner!"

  "I'm too far down and out to dare to quarrel with Rowley, but I'll do asyou say, Polly. Good night."

  "You're a good boy to obey a girl's whim. Good night."

  The moment his foot was off the last step of the porch she hurried toher room in the cottage and secured a little packet from her portfolio.

  She heard the thud of his dory oars as she walked down the street. Shewas glad to know that he was safely out of the way.

  Rowley's dingy windows shed a dim blur upon the frosty night. It wasnear time for him to close his store, and when she entered he wasturning out the loafers who had been cuddling close to his barrel stove.

  After a few moments of waiting the girl was alone with him.

  "No, I don't want to buy anything, Mr. Rowley. I need your help. I askyou to help me to do a good deed."

  He pulled his spectacles to the end of his nose and stared at herdoubtfully and with curiosity.

  "If it's about the schooner, I'd rather do business with men-folks," hesaid.

  "This is business that only you and I can do, and it must be a secretbetween us. Will you please glance at this bank-book?"

  He licked a thin finger and turned the leaves.

  "Deposit of five thousand dollars and accrued interest," he observed,resuming his inquisitive inspection of her animated countenance.

  "My mother's sister left me that legacy. It's all my little fortune,sir. I want to l
oan that money to my father and Captain Mayo."

  "Well, go ahead, if you're fool enough to. I ain't your guardeen,"assented Deacon Rowley, holding the book out to her. "But I advise youto keep your money. I know all about their foolishness."

  "My father wouldn't take it from me--and Captain Mayo wouldn't, either."

  "That shows they ain't rogues on top of being fools."

  "But I have faith that they can succeed and make a lot of money if theyget a start," she insisted. "I see you do not understand, sir, what Ineed of you. I want you to lend them that money, just as if it came fromyou. I'll give you the book and a writing, and you can draw it."

  "No, ma'am."

  "Won't you help a girl who needs help so much? You're a Christian man,you say."

  "That's just why I can't lie about this money. I'll have to tell 'em I'mlending it."

  "You will be lending it."

  "How's that, miss?"

  "For your trouble in the matter I'll let you collect the interest foryourself at six per cent. Oh, Deacon Rowley, all you need to do is handover the money, and say you prefer not to talk about it. You're a smartbusiness man; you'll know what to say without speaking a falsehood.You'll break my heart if you refuse. Think! You're only helping meto help my own father. He has foolish notions about this. You can sayyou'll let them have it for a year, and you'll get three hundred dollarsinterest for your trouble."

  "I don't believe they'll ever make enough to pay the interest--much lessthe principal."

  "Give them five thousand dollars and draw a year's interest for yourselfout of my interest that has accrued."

  "Say, how old be you?"

  "I'll be twenty-two in June."

  Deacon Rowley looked at her calculatingly, fingering his nose.

  "Being of age, you ought to know better, but being of age, you cando what you want to with your own. Do you promise never to let on toanybody about this?"

  "I do promise, solemnly."

  "Then you sign some papers when I get 'em drawn up, and I'll hand 'emthe money; but look-a-here, if I go chasing 'em with five thousanddollars, I'll have 'em suspecting that I'm crazy, or something worse. Itain't like Rufus Rowley to do a thing of this sort with his money."

  "I know it," she confessed, softening her frank agreement with aningenuous smile. "But Captain Mayo is coming to you to-morrow morning onbusiness about the schooner, and you can put the matter to him in someway. Oh, I know you're so keen and smart you can do it without hissuspecting a thing."

  "I don't know whether you're complimenting me or sassing me, miss. ButI'll see it through, somehow."

  She signed the papers giving him power of attorney, left her bank-bookwith him, and went away into the night, her face radiant.

  She threw a happy kiss at the dim anchor light which marked the locationof the _Ethel and May_ in the harbor.

  "I am helping you get the girl you love," she said, aloud.

  She went on toward the widow's cottage. Her head was erect, but therewere tears on her cheeks.