The Dust of Conflict

  XXXII -- APPLEBY LEAVES SANTA MARTA

  THE sun was low, and the town lay in grateful shadow when Appleby walkedslowly down the calle that leads out of Santa Marta. He was dressedplainly in white duck, and no longer carried a rifle, while he scarcelyseemed to hear the observations of Harper, who walked at his side. Hisbrown face was a trifle grave, and Maccario, who went with them, smileddryly when he noticed that once or twice he sighed.

  Stone pavements and white walls were hot still, but the dazzling glarehad faded, and the street was thronged with citizens enjoying the faintcoolness of the evening. Here and there one of them greeted the littlegroup with signs of respect, but Appleby scarcely noticed them. Lookingstraight before him he saw the shattered lattices, and the scars andstains of smoke on the white walls which marked the scene of the lastgrim struggle with Morales. Morales lay at rest in the little camposanto, and in a few more minutes Appleby would in all probability haveturned his back forever on Santa Marta. It was with confused feelings,through which there ran a keen regret, he remembered what had befallenhim there.

  Then, as they approached the strip of uneven pavement hastily flung downon the spot where the Sin Verguenza had only a few days ago swept overthe barricade, he stopped a moment as brown-faced men with rifles,regardless of discipline--which was, however, seldom much in evidenceamong the Sin Verguenza--thronged about him. Amidst cries andgesticulations they thumped his shoulders and wrung his hands, whileonce more Appleby wondered whether he had decided wisely as herecognized the sincerity of the good will in their dark eyes. He hadfought with them, faced imminent peril, borne with anxiety and short-comings, and feasted riotously, in their company, and now he found itharder to part from them than it would have been from more estimablemen.

  Maccario, it seemed, understood what he was thinking, for his face wassympathetic as he glanced at his companion.

  "One would fancy that they were sorry to let you go," he said. "It is agood life, a man's life, the one you are leaving. Will you find bettercomrades in your smoky cities?"

  Appleby smiled a trifle wistfully, and did not answer for a moment. Thevivid, untrammelled life appealed to him, and for a time he had founddelight in it, but he was wise, and knew that once peace was establishedthere would be no room in Cuba for the Sin Verguenza. They must oncemore become toilers, or descend to intrigue and conspiracy, and he knewthe Castilian jealousy of the alien, and that past services are lightlyremembered in the day of prosperity. He and his comrades had borne thestress and the strain, and it seemed wiser to leave them now before thedistrust and dissension came.

  "None better to face peril or adversity with, but a change is coming,and one cannot always wear the bandolier," he said. "If I go now theywill only think well of me."

  A little gleam of comprehension came into Maccario's dark eyes. "Still,"he said slowly, "the Sin Verguenza will be remembered, and you withthem."

  Then a man leading two mules on which their baggage was strapped cameup, and Maccario held out his hand.

  "Good-bye," said Appleby simply. "I shall hope for your prosperity."

  He laid his foot in the stirrup, and Maccario swept off his hat.

  "While there is one of the Sin Verguenza left you will never be withouta friend in Cuba," he said.

  Appleby swung himself to the saddle, Harper mounted clumsily, and therewas a beat of hoofs; but in a minute or two Appleby drew bridle, andtwisted himself round in his saddle. With the two church towers risinghigh above it against the paling sky Santa Marta lay, still gleamingfaintly white, upon the dusky plain behind him, and he fancied he couldsee Maccario standing motionless in the gap between the houses where thelast fight had been. A cheerful hum of voices and a tinkle of guitarsdrifted out with a hot and musky smell from the close-packed town, andhe turned his eyes away and glanced at the tall black cross on a riseoutside the walls. Anthony Palliser of Northrop slept beneath it amongthe Sin Verguenza.

  Then the crash of the sunset gun rose from the cuartel, and there was aroll of drums, the drums of the cazadores beaten by insurgent hands, andwith a little sigh Appleby shook his bridle. He could picture hiscomrades laughing over their wine in the cafes, or mingling with thelight-hearted crowd in the plaza, but he would never meet their badinageor see them sweeping through the smoke and dust again.

  "It was pleasant while it lasted, and who knows what is in front of usnow?" he said.

  Harper, lurching in his saddle, laughed a little. "Well," he said, "onegets accustomed to changes in this country, and I can hear the sea."

  "Then you have good ears. We may have trouble before we reach it," saidAppleby dryly.

  They pushed on through the coolness of the night until the stars weregrowing dim in the eastern sky, and then rested in a little aldea untildusk came round again. The Sin Verguenza were masters of the countryround Santa Marta, but sympathies were as yet divided in the regionbetween it and the sea, and Appleby decided that it was advisable totravel circumspectly. Events proved him right, for two days later theynarrowly avoided an encounter with a company of loyalist troops, andspent the next week lying close by day, and plodding by bypaths throughthe cane at night, while it became evident to both of them that theywould never have reached the coast without the credentials with whichMaccario had supplied them.

  They found it was watched by gunboats when at last they reached a lagoonamong the mangrove swamps, and were assured that it would be perilous toattempt to get on board a steamer in any of the ports. A small vesselwith arms was expected, but when Appleby heard that she might not arrivefor a month, and perhaps land her freight somewhere else, he decided tobuy a fishing barquillo and put to sea at once. Harper concurred inthis, and said there was little doubt that they would intercept one ofthe steamers from Havana.

  The night was clearer than they cared about when with the big latine setthey slipped out of the lagoon, but the land breeze which was blowingfresh, drove steamy vapors across the moon and it was almost dark whenthey reeled into the white surf on the bar. They went through itshipping water at every plunge, Harper sitting high on the boat'squarter with his hand on the tiller and the sheet of the latine roundhis other wrist, while Appleby crouched among the ballast and bailed.Then the sea grew smooth again, save for the little white ripples madeby the hot breeze, and Appleby, standing up ankle-deep in water, lookedabout him.

  The mangroves lay behind him, a dusky blur streaked with a thick whitesteam which trailed out in long wisps across the sea that heaved blacklybeneath the boat. Then the trees were blotted out as she ran into adenser belt of mist that was heavy with a hot, sour smell, and there wasnothing to be seen but a strip of shining water shut in by sliding hazewhen she came out again. Appleby glanced at the froth that swirled pastthe gunwale, and turned to Harper.

  "She is travelling fast, and we should be clear of the land by sunrise,"he said.

  Harper glanced up at the moon. "If it had been darker it would havesuited me just as well," he said. "The trouble is that if a gunboat camealong you wouldn't see her in the mist."

  "Still, that should cut both ways."

  Harper shook his head. "It's not easy to make a boat out until you'reclose up with her, but you can see a steamer quite a long way off," hesaid.

  Appleby said nothing further for a while, and the boat's gunwale becamelevel with the froth that splashed about it, for the breeze freshened asthey drew out from the land. A thin wisp of haze had stretched acrossthe moon and dimmed the silvery light, but there was a wide strip offaintly shining water in front of them when he fancied he caught afaint, pulsating sound.

  "You hear it?" he said.

  "Oh yes," said Harper dryly. "It's a steamer's engines. I kind of fancyshe's outside of us."

  They strained their ears to listen, but it is difficult to locate asound among belts of haze, and when at last the measured throbbing wasunpleasantly distinct Harper held up his hand.

  "They're shoving her along, and she's not far away, but that's 'bout allI know," he said. "Get forward, and drop the l
atine."

  Appleby did as he was bidden, and stood staring forward in the bows whenthe sail came down. The boat lay plunging on the heave that was streakedwith flecks of froth, and there was a long trail of sliding haze not faraway from them. From out of it came the sound of water parting underiron bows. Then two tall spars that swung a little rose out of thevapor, and next moment a blur of shadowy hull grew into visibility. Itlengthened rapidly, a smear of smoke streamed across the sea, but therewas no blink of light beneath it, and with the froth piled up at herbows the vessel came down upon them, portentous in her blackness andsilence.

  "A gunboat sure!" said Harper. "Lie down."

  Appleby crouched at the foot of the mast with straining eyes. He couldsee the long black strip of hull swing with the heave until all thedeck, which caught a flash of the dim moonlight, was visible. Then itswung back with slanted spars and funnel, and there was a white frothingabout the tip of the lifted screw. It was evident that the gunboat wouldpass them unpleasantly close, and already the black shape of the manupon her forecastle was discernible against the sky, while hazy figuresupon her slanting bridge grew into sharper form, and it seemed toAppleby that they could scarcely escape observation. Still, a boat lyinglow on the dusky water is difficult to see, and while he held his breaththe war vessel drew abreast of them.

  The roar of flung-up water and the pounding of engines throbbed abouthim, he could see a man upon the inclined deck clutch at something asshe rolled, and now the funnel was level with him and a strip ofstreaming plates was lifted from the brine. It swept by, there was aswirl and a thudding beneath the lifted stern, and then the steamer grewdimmer while the boat lurched on the wake of throbbing screw.

  "Now," said Harper with a little gasp, "when you can get the latine upwe'll go on again."

  It cost Appleby an effort to hoist the thrashing sail, but when it wasset and the sheet hauled aft Harper laughed softly as the boat swungaway buoyantly with her gunwales dipping in the foam.

  "We'll be in the steamboat track by sun-up, and there'll be no windthen," he said. "Considering that each time you see a trail of smoke youmay have to pull two or three miles, it would be kind of sensible tosleep when you can."

  Appleby lay down on the wet floorings with an old sail over him, and fora time felt the swift swing of the little craft, and heard the gurglingswirl of brine, for the breeze she sped before was now breaking theheave into splashing seas. Then he became oblivious to everything savewhen a little shower of spray blew into his face. At last he fanciedthat Harper was trying to stir him with his foot, and blinked at himvacantly, until Harper kicked him harder.

  "Get up!" he said.

  There was a tone in his voice which roused Appleby suddenly, andstanding up he stared about him.

  "Another gunboat?" he said.

  "Look!" said Harper, pointing with his hand. "It can't do much good, butyou may as well get the sail off her."

  Appleby swung round, and saw that the moon was dim and low, though afaint light still shone down upon the white-flecked sea. Then he madeout a black smear that moved across it amidst a turmoil of foam and ahaze of smoke. It grew larger while he watched it, and there was a redstreak of flame from one of the two funnels that took shape rapidly, buthe could see no masts or hull, and the speed with which the smoke hazewas coming on appeared incredible. Then he sprang forward, and loweredthe latine into the boat.

  "A big torpedo boat, or a destroyer," said Harper. "She'll pass 'boutquarter of a mile off, and we're going to make nothing by running awayfrom her. It's just a question whether they see us or not."

  The dim shape had grown clearer while he spoke, and a strip of somethingblack appeared between the smoke cloud and the piled-up froth. Then aslender whip of mast stood out against the sky, and from the crown ofthe after funnel there poured another gush of flame. The craft wasalmost level with them now, but it was evident that in another minute ortwo she would have passed and be fading again, and Appleby felt hisheart throb painfully as he watched her. Then the white wash about herseemed to swirl higher, funnels and mast slanted sharply, and the half-seen hull shortened. Appleby looked at Harper, who made a little gestureof resignation.

  "Yes," he said. "They've seen us. She's coming round."

  A moment later a whistle rang out, and while Appleby sat down grim inface the white wave that frothed about the stranger's hull grew lessnoticeable. The smoke cloud also sank a little, and in a minute or twomore a strip of lean black hull slid smoothly past them. Then he gaspedas a voice came down across the waters.

  "Boat ahoy? Get your oars out, and pull up alongside," it said.

  They had the balanced sweeps out in a moment, and pulled with a will,while when they reached the craft that lay waiting them an officer stoodby an opening in her rail. He spoke to them in Castilian, but Harperlaughed, for he had recognized his uniform.

  "I've no use for that talk," he said. "Get your ladder over!"

  It was done, and in another moment he and Appleby stood on the torpedoboat's deck, where a couple of officers stared at them.

  "Since you're not Cubans, where were you going in that boat?" said one.

  "I guess you'd better take us right along to your commander," saidHarper. "Aren't you going to shake hands with a countryman, anyway?"

  The officer laughed. "I'll wait," he said dryly, "until I've heard whatyou have to say. Didn't you make your boat fast before you left her?"

  "No, sir," said Harper. "We have no more use for her. We're coming alongwith you."

  "Well, I guess we can pick her up again if that doesn't suit ourcommander," said the officer.

  He led them aft to a little cabin, and left them there until a youngofficer came in. He sat down on the opposite side of the little tableand looked at them.

  "You haven't the appearance of Cubans, in spite of your clothes," hesaid. "Now, I'll ask you for a straight tale. What brought you off theland in a boat of that kind?"

  "A wish to get as far away from Cuba by sunrise as we could," saidAppleby.

  "What did you want to get out of Cuba for?"

  "Is there any special reason why I should tell you?" asked Appleby, whowas a trifle nettled.

  "It seems to me there is. Anyway, back you go into your boat unless yousatisfy me."

  Appleby looked at the man a moment, and was pleasantly impressed, inspite of the abruptness of his manner. He had a quiet bronzed face andsteady eyes, while the faint ring of command in his voice did not seemout of keeping with them.

  "Then if you will listen for a minute or two I will try to tell you," hesaid.

  "Quick as you can!"

  Appleby spoke rapidly, disregarding Harper, who seemed anxious to tellthe story too, and the commander nodded.

  "Who is the American that employed you?" he said.

  "Cyrus P. Harding."

  The commander, who started, cast a swift glance at him, and then risingabruptly signed to a man at the door.

  "Tell Lieutenant Stalker he may go ahead, as we were steering, fullspeed," he said.

  The man went away, and in another moment or two the frail hull quivereduntil the deck beams rattled above them. Then while the splash of flung-off water swelled into a deep pulsating sound it seemed to leap onwardunder them, and the commander sat down again, looking at Appleby with acurious little smile in his eyes.

  "I haven't asked your name yet, and scarcely think it's necessary," hesaid. "So far as my duty permits, you can count upon my doing everythingI can to meet your wishes, Mr. Appleby."

  Appleby stared at him. "I appreciate your offer, though I don't quiteunderstand it yet," he said.

  "Well," said the commander with a pleasant laugh, "my name is JulianSavine, and I have been hoping that I should come across you for a longwhile. It is quite likely you have heard Miss Harding mention me."

  Appleby felt the blood creep into his face, and recognized that this wasthe last thing he could have wished for, but he met Savine's gazesteadily.

  "I have," he said slowly. "I fancy Mis
s Harding has shown herself a goodfriend to me."

  Savine stretched out a brown hand. "Well," he said, "I hope you willalso count me in. And now, if you will excuse me, I have something totell my lieutenant. In the meanwhile I'll send the steward along."

  He went out, and Harper grinned at Appleby. "That," he saidreflectively, "is the kind of man we raise in my country. He has heardabout the night you took her in. The question is how much did MissHarding know or think fit to tell him?"

  "Yes," said Appleby grimly, "it is just that point which is worryingme."

  The steward brought them in a meal, but it was a little while beforeSavine appeared again. He opened a box of cigars, and though he saidnothing that seemed to indicate that Harper's company was not altogethernecessary the latter rose.

  "I guess I'll go out and see how she's getting along," he said.

  Then there was a little silence, until Appleby glanced at the commander.

  "I have been thinking hard during the last half-hour, and I am now goingto tell you exactly what happened on the night I met Miss Harding inSanta Marta," he said. "I scarcely think you have heard it in quite thesame shape before, and I was not sure that it would have been altogetheradvisable a little while ago."

  "I don't know that it is necessary. Still, you might go on."

  Appleby told his story with almost brutal frankness, and then looked thecommander in the eyes.

  "If you have the slightest doubt on any point you may never have such anopportunity of getting rid of it again," he said.

  Savine smiled a little, though there was the faintest tinge of darkercolor in his bronzed cheek.

  "I never had any, and now there is nothing I could do which would quitewipe out the obligation I feel I am under to you," he said.

  He stopped with a curious little gleam in his eyes, and Appleby feltthat he had made another friend who would not fail him. Then he turnedthe conversation, and Savine told him that he was engaged on specialservice on the Cuban coast when he saw the boat and decided to intercepther in the hope of acquiring information. Hostilities were certain, buthe hoped to put his guests on board a steamer he expected to fall inwith on the morrow.