CHAPTER XXI
ON THE ISLAND
We were not, however, bound to sea, a course which would in oursituation have been madness. Better have perished under the bloodyhands of the mutineers than adventure on a wide ocean, without sail orfood or compass, to die of thirst, exposure, or starvation. Legrandtook the boat well out upon that tranquil water before swinging herround to reach the island far away from the _Sea Queen_. We had noguess as to what size the island might be, but hoped that it might besufficiently large to provide us a hiding-place, as well as withopportunities of securing food.
The night was placid, and the sea like a smooth lake. When we had gotsome way out, and the sounds of the water on the yacht, together withthe human noises of her crew, had faded, a singular silence fell. Theplash of the oars was the only sound that broke on the ears. The airwas soft and serene; nature seemed to have at last relented, and to beout of key with those tragic deeds committed on the sea. As I sat,passing such reflections in my mind, I heard a voice at my ear inFrench:
"But, Monsieur, where is my mistress?"
It was Juliette, faithful still. I had to explain, and she cried out inalarm, and then was silent. She was above all a practical woman, as Ihad gathered, and no doubt she saw the position. Mademoiselle was gone,and it was patent how she was gone. Holgate's words had put her fatebeyond uncertainty. She was in the hands of the mutineers, but withwhat object I could not guess. Possibly, Holgate had some thought thatshe was privy to the hiding of the treasure. If he had, I knew better.But, meanwhile, whatever design he had, it was not likely thatMademoiselle was in danger. Probably, indeed, she was suffering lessdiscomfort at the moment than she had endured during the last fewhours. If we were destined to destruction by the mutineers, as I had nodoubt, Holgate was biding his time. It might be that he still had somesuspicion that one or more of us knew the secret he sought. So he heldhis hand.
Under Legrand's guidance, the boat grounded with a dull, soft, swishingnoise on sand, and in the darkness we effected our landing. That done,it remained to conceal our craft in case of emergencies, which wesucceeded in doing under a spreading patch of bushes well above thereach of the tides. Then the question of shelter faced us.
This part of the island appeared, from the trend of the ground, to movegently upwards among dwarf trees and shrubs, and, plunging almost atrandom in the night, we hit upon a knoll at the base of which was ahollow screened by some bushes. Here we decided to stay till the sunwas up. Legrand helped Lane, who was badly fatigued, and Ellison madehimself useful all round, paying complimentary attentions to the Frenchmaid. As for me, I am not ashamed to say that I had but one thoughtjust then, and that was to render the Princess comfortable. I foundsome dry ferns and piled them up as a couch, so that she was protectedfrom the hard, unyielding earth, and then I bade her sleep. She had notspoken since we had entered the boat, and she rendered herselfsubmissively as a helpless child to my directions. She lay down, and Iwas aware that she was looking into the depth of heaven, where a fewstars shone dimly. She was thinking of her brother, and (dear heart) Ipitied her. I yearned towards her as a lover yearns to his mistress,with the single desire that he may comfort and solace and protect her.Ah, well! my secret had been no secret to me for many days. There wasonly one divine woman on earth, and she lay upon a rude couch in asavage island, under the naked stars, and stared disconsolately toheaven.
I fell asleep at last, and when I awoke, stiff from the earthy bed, thenight was receding westward. The dawn was merging in pearls and gray,and a little light was suffused about the hollow. It was still warm. Mycompanions slept, some tossing restlessly, but the Princess lay almostas if she had been sleeping under the hand of death. Her bosom movedregularly, her parted lips disclosed the even white of her teeth; shewas safe from fears and immune from sorrows now at least, and I thankedGod. I got up and pushed my way through the bushes towards the beach onwhich the high tide rumbled monotonously. Each moment the light grewstronger, and I had walked only a little way before I was enabled tomake out the loom of the yacht some half-mile or more away. I mountedthe rise behind our sleeping-place, and now perceived that the land ranupwards from where we were into a central ridge, dotted on the slopeswith trees. On the south-easterly side the island appeared to be brokenand to conclude in rocks, and here was where the _Sea Queen_ lay, witha seaward list. It was plain, then, that so small a sanctuary would notoffer us adequate protection from Holgate if he wished to pursue us,and my heart sank as I considered the position. Would he at the bestleave us to our fate on the island? And if so, would that be moremerciful than despatching us by the bullet of the assassin?
I returned to my companions to find Legrand and the French maid awake.Juliette was serviceable as of old. She inquired of me sweetly whatchance her mistress had and took my assurances philosophically. Shewould do her duty, I was sure, but I doubted the depth of heraffections. She came of sound, sensible peasant blood. And this waswhat was needed at the moment, for we had to see to some breakfast,Legrand agreed to mount guard while I went on an excursion ofinvestigation along the north shore. Here I was hidden from the eyes ofthose on board the _Sea Queen_ by the intervening range of hills. Ittook me just twenty minutes of strolling to reach the farther end ofthe island, where the barren rocks swarmed with gulls and other seabirds, from which you may draw some idea as to the dimensions of ourdomain. I obtained some sea-gulls' eggs from the nests on the rocks,having to beat off some of the infuriated creatures to secure my booty,and, thus supplied, returned to the camp. The remainder of the partywere now awake, and Juliette prepared the eggs, roasting them in thesand by the aid of hot ashes. As we were well-nigh famished, I think weall ate with appetite, except the Princess, who was still very silentand listless.
"Princess," I said to her presently, "if a man lose half his treasure,will he then throw away the other half recklessly?"
She looked at me in wonder. "You have lost a brother," I continued,"but you have your own life which God gave you to guard."
"Yes," she said slowly, "I know you are right, but it is hard. I willtry, but----" She shivered. "It is hard--so hard to forget. I live in anightmare by day; it is only in sleep I can forget."
But she ate her breakfast after that, and a little later accompanied meto a spring Ellison had discovered for a drink of water. As we stoodthere in the morning sunshine, the fair wind tossing her skirts, shefaced me gravely.
"You have not given up hope, then?"
"No," said I frankly. "We are not beaten yet. I think I shall be ableto restore you to Europe, to hand you back to your uncle's palace."
She looked away to sea. "We were to have given up that foralways--Frederic and I," she said softly. "--we arranged it betweenus."
"Princess," I said, "you did not approve. I have always known it. Youconsented out of love for him. And now you shall go back."
She shook her head. "It is too late. The mill will never grind with thewaters that are passed. I did not--I was afraid. Yes, but I made up mymind. He was all I had, and now I have nothing--I am alone."
It was impossible to assure her. There was no consolation possible now,whatever might come hereafter. Her eyes encountered mine.
"But I am grateful--oh! so grateful, to those who stood by him to theend and risked their lives for him," she said in a broken voice andwith tears in her eyes, and she put out her hand impulsively. I tookit, and my voice was almost as broken as hers.
"It is not true you are alone," I said, "for those who stood by yourbrother belong to you. They would die for you."
"My friend," she murmured. "No; I am not alone."
Legrand expressed great anxiety that we should improve our position,which, indeed, left us a prey to any attack. We therefore wended ourway along the northern beach towards the rocks, in the hope of hittingupon a situation in which we might have some chance of defence. Thescarp descended boldly into the blue water here, and the edges wereplanted with brushwood. Brushwood, too, covered the slope of the hills,interspersed with larger tr
ees. Here and there the rough rockoutcropped and was broken, no doubt, by the winds of that tempestuoussea or by the frosts. Legrand and I mounted, leaving the others below,and ascended to the top of the rise, from which the shafts of our eyeswent down upon the southern beach. But the _Sea Queen_ was concealedfrom view by the abutment of hill which sloped outwards and formed anarm to a pleasant little ravine. From the top of this a stream bubbledout of the rock and fell downwards in a jet of silver. Legrand stoopedto refresh himself with a draught preparatory to turning back, for itwas not advisable that we should venture lower upon that side of thehills. As he did so he stopped suddenly and straightened himself. Withhis hand he beckoned to me, pointing to the hillside. I looked and sawwhat was in his mind. Just under the summit the rock-stratum emerged inmass, and on one side the earth yawned in a hole.
Cautiously we approached. It was the mouth of a shallow cavern sometwelve feet through and some twenty feet in width. The cave admitted usby stooping.
"The very place," said he significantly. "It's near water too, and hasthis advantage, that we can overlook the beach by which any movementwill be made."
That was in my thoughts also, and we rejoined our companions wellsatisfied. But some preparations were necessary before we installedourselves in our new quarters. We made a larder of eggs and piled aheap of brushwood before the door of our house. So long as there wereno mutineers in sight we should have liberty to come and go over thebrow of the hill; and upon the north side, in a little dip, we builtour fireplace, so that the smoke should not rise and attract the noticeof the _Sea Queen_.
These arrangements occupied a great part of the morning, during allwhich time we saw nothing of Holgate's men. No doubt they were busilyengaged in their hunt for the Prince's treasure.
The day passed wearily enough but in safety; and with the fall of nightwe felt even more secure, for our hiding-place could not be discoveredin the darkness. I reckoned that we were not, as the crow flies, morethan a few hundred yards from where the yacht lay aground, and in thegreater stillness that seems to fall at night sounds reached us fromthe mutineers. As I sat at the door of the cave, with the starsoverhead, I caught a snatch of song rolling up from below, andpresently other voices joined in. A little later there was a riotousburst of noise, as from a quarrel in progress. Had the treasure beenfound, and were the sailors celebrating their triumph, or was thismerely a drunken debauch? It sounded as if the latter were the truealternative. In their disappointment the mutineers had gone to the rumcask for consolation. As time went on the sounds increased, and Ilistened to them with a trembling fear for the unfortunate woman whowas still aboard. Black of heart as those men undoubtedly were in theirsober moments, and under the influence of the lust of gold, what wouldthey be when inflamed by spirits and in the throes of angry chagrin?
As I watched I was conscious that some one had issued from the cave onlight feet and stood by my side. A low voice addressed me, but beforeshe had spoken I knew who it was. My heart could not have failed torecognise her.
"Do you fear attack?"
"No, Princess," said I, "not to-night. They don't know where we are;and, besides, they are quarrelling among themselves."
She was silent for a time, and then, "That unhappy woman!" she sighed.
"She has lost all she cared for. I am sorry for her," I answered.
"Yes," she said slowly. "I suppose so; but what does any one of us carefor? What does it all mean? The puzzle is too great for me. I amshaken."
"You must trust yourself," I said impulsive. "Trust to those who carefor you."
"You are--good," she replied softly.
"Princess----" I began, but she interposed quickly.
"Do not call me that. I am no Princess. I have given all up. I am justAlix Morland."
"You will go back," said I, "and resume your rightful place in courts,and this will only remain to you as a horrid nightmare."
"I shall remember the evil dream. Yes," she said; "but I shall alsoremember some heroic souls and noble deeds. But it will not be incourts."
She was silent again, but presently said, in a hesitating voice: "Dr.Phillimore, I never wanted that marriage; I was always against it; andnow I am sorry. Poor Frederic! I was a traitor to him."
"No, no," I said, "but a loyal and devoted heart. Why are you here?Because, even though you mistrusted his judgment, you sacrificedyourself to your affection for him. The test of true affection is tostand by when you disapprove. Any one can stand by if he approves."
"And it has all come to this!" she said with a sigh.
"This is not the end," said I stoutly.
Suddenly she laid her hand on my arm. "What has become of her?" sheasked. "What has been her fate?"
To say the truth, I knew not what to reply, and the trouble in hervoice declared itself again. "Can we do nothing?" she askeddistressfully. "I did not like her, but can we do nothing? It isdreadful to----"
I found my voice then. "Not to-night, but to-morrow," I repliedsoothingly. "She will take no harm to-night;" but I wished I had beenas sure as I seemed.
About noon on the following day we took our first sight of themutineers. A knot emerged into view on the beach below and spread outpresently towards the wooded valley. This gave me some concern, for Iguessed that they might be searching for us by Holgate's directions. Hehad threatened to visit us. Was he now fulfilling that threat? In anycase, if they were hunting for us, we must in the end be run to earthin that small island. And then would come the final act. We had tworevolvers and a limited amount of ammunition to defend ourselvesagainst the resources of the mutineers, to whom the yacht was open. Wesaw no more of them, however, for two hours, and then they camestraggling back towards the little bluff behind which the _Sea Queen_lay. If they had been looking for us, they were so far foiled. But thatwas not the last of them. The boat which had landed the first lot ofmutineers had returned to the yacht, and now again struck the beachwith a fresh complement of hands. Were they to renew the pursuit? Ilooked down from our eyrie, scarcely more than half a mile away, withsome misgivings. Legrand was upon the other side of the hill on anexploration of his own, and Lane and Ellison were still wounded men. Ipeered from behind our pile of brushwood and awaited events. The secondgang of mutineers had brought a keg with them, and I saw them tap it.Only too clearly was its nature revealed. They had come ashore to anorgie. I counted ten of them, and thought I recognised one or two ofthe figures--Gray's and Pierce's for certain. Holgate evidently was notwith them, for his form would have been unmistakable, nor could Idiscern Pye. But why were they there? I could only answer my questionon the assumption that they had found the treasure and were makingmerry. Yet it was not like Holgate to give them the reins so completelyunless he had some purpose to serve by his complaisance.
Hurricane Island, as the mutineer had dubbed it, lay under the broadface of the sun, and the cascade sparkled at my feet on its run to thesea. Down below the ruffians were engaged in drinking themselves into acondition of maudlin merriment. Well, so much the better, I reflected,for I had made up my mind that now, if ever, was the time to inquireinto the fate of Mademoiselle. When Legrand returned, the debauch haddeveloped, and the boat was clumsily put to sea by two of the hands.Evidently a fresh supply of rum had been requisitioned, for shortlyafterwards the boat returned and two more kegs were rolled out upon thebeach. This time it also brought Holgate himself, together with acompanion, whom I made out to be Pye. The men lolled in the sun,smoking and drinking, and now singing snatches of songs. What wasHolgate about, to let them get into this condition?
Well, Holgate probably knew his own affairs. If he had not carefullycalculated every step in this situation, I should have been muchastonished. He himself, as far as I could see, took little part in theorgie, but the clamour of voices grew louder, and reached us in ourretreat very distinctly. We could even catch the names and some of thewords that flew about. The talk was boisterous, but I doubted if it wasovermerry. Had they been baffled by the treasure after all? I countedthem agai
n, and came to the conclusion that almost the whole of thedecimated company must be ashore. If that were so, it was time for myexcursion. Presently, when the dark came, it might be too late.
My plan, as I explained it to Legrand, was this. I would descend acrossthe spur of the hill, under cover of the bushes, and climb down thesteeper heights that faced the _Sea Queen_. She lay scarce more than ahundred yards from the Island, and it would be easy to reach her byswimming. If Mademoiselle were safe on board as I conjectured, we couldtake advantage of a boat to reach the northern beach, and so make ourescape without being seen by any of the mutineers ashore. As for themutineers on the ship, if there were any, I must deal with them aschance suggested.
Legrand was doubtful as to my venture, his philosophy being summed upin the adage, "Let well alone"; but he consented that the experimentshould be tried when I pressed it. He had, in the course of hisramblings, discovered in the north side of the hill another cavern,which he declared would serve us on an emergency as a secondhiding-place. It was quite possible that we might be driven from burrowto burrow like rabbits, and so it behooved us to examine well the linesof our retreat.
I started on my journey just as the sun went down, spreading a deeprose colour on the western waters. I walked cautiously anddeliberately, making deviations in my slanting course across the spur,so as to keep within the screen of the bushes. I had not gone more thana hundred yards when I was aware that I was being followed, and Istopped and looked back. To my amazement, I saw the Princess coming uprapidly in my wake. She had evidently sped down the ravine, and was alittle out of breath. This had imparted some colour to her pale face--acolour which made her radiantly beautiful.
"Princess!" I said in surprise.
"I am come after you," she said hurriedly, "because I don't want you togo. Oh, don't go, please! I did not know you were going until you weregone. Mr. Legrand told me so when I asked after you. But you must notgo. I know you are going because of what I said last night. But youmust not.... It is too dangerous. Oh, did you not see that band ofassassins there? They are wolves, they are ravening, fierce wolves. Youwill perish."
My heart throbbed hard--harder than it had done before through allthose terrible days of anxiety. I took her hand. "Princess," I said, "Imust go." I held her hand tightly. "You see that I must go. But ah, Iwill not forget your kindness!"
"They will kill you!" she burst out.
"No"; I shook my head and smiled. "God bless you! You are the most kindand most beautiful woman in life. God bless and keep you!"
I kissed her hand and turned and went down.
She stood awhile, as if lost in thought, and when I looked back Ithought I could read upon her face trouble and fear. I would have goneback to her if I had dared, but had I done so I must have taken her inmy arms.
I kept my face steadily towards the descent, and when I at lastsummoned courage to adventure the gaze, she had turned and was slowlymounting the hill.
My eyes left her and went downwards to the beach. I was almost at thetop of the spur which rolled over towards the bay on which the yachthad stranded. What was my horror to notice some excitement among themutineers, and to see a man with his face towards the hill and anuplifted arm. Good heavens! The Princess had been discovered.
I stood stock-still, rooted to the ground with my apprehensions, andthen several of the mutineers began to run towards the ravine. Istarted at once on a race up the slope. Looking down I saw the fullpack streaming up the valley, and I redoubled my exertions. I was somedistance away, but I had not so far to go as they. The Princessstopped, arrested by the drunken shouts from below, and then suddenlybroke into a run. She had recognised her danger. I bounded through thebushes, and cut across to intercept the wolves. It was all a matter oflittle more than five minutes, and then I stopped and awaited theirarrival.
The first man, who was without a weapon, came to a pause a dozen pacesfrom me.
"Stand, or I fire," I said, levelling my weapon.
He looked uncertainly round for his companions. Two or three joinedhim, and, encouraged by this accession to the force, he said jeeringly:
"Put that down, or it will be the worse for you. We've had enough ofyou. And now we've got you in a mucky hole."
"That remains to be seen," said I calmly, for I noticed that they didnot seem to be supplied with weapons. I could see others climbing upbelow, and among them Holgate. A little lull fell on the scene. It wasas if fate hung undecided, not certain whether the scales should godown on this side or that. I stood facing the group of dismayed andangry ruffians, and without turning my head was aware of some onerunning behind me. I do not think I gave this a single thought, sopreoccupied was I with the situation in front. The group was enlargedby arrivals and one of these, stumbling, uttered an oath.
"Shoot him!" he said, and himself lifted a pistol at me.
I raised mine also, and a second and a third were now levelled at me.The scales were against me, but even as this flashed across my mind, areport sounded behind me, and the drunken creature fell. I glancedabout, and there was Legrand, with his steady hand and flaming eye. Myheart thrilled. A shout of fury went up in front. "Shoot them--shootthem!" and the barrels directed at us seemed to be suddenly many.
Holgate had come to a pause on the outer edge of the group and wasobserving the scene with interest. He made no movement. Death touchedus with the breath of his passage.
An arm was flung sharply about me. "If you die, I die too!" cried avoice--a voice, ah, so well remembered and so dear! Ah, Heaven! Was itAlix?
A pistol barked, and I swerved, almost losing my feet. If we must die,we should die hard. I fired, and one of the mutineers uttered anexclamation.
"Stay there," called Holgate. "Easy, men. Don't let's kill the goosethat lays the golden eggs. Let's have a few questions answered."
"Dent's down," sang out one.
"Well, there'll be all the more for those that are left," said Holgate,easily, steering his way through the knot.
A faint laugh followed on this, but I think even the mutineers, brutalas they were, were aghast at this revolting cynicism.
"Let's have a parley first," said Holgate, now in the forefront of thegang. "Business first--pleasure afterwards. Now, doctor, out with it.Where's that treasure?"
"I have told you," said I, "that the Prince removed it."
Alix's arms were about me still. I was dazed.
"Obstinate mule!" said Holgate with a grin. "See that, boys? I've given'em every chance. Let her go."
In response to his command revolvers were raised. It marked the end,the fall of the curtain on that long tragedy. Alix's arms were aboutme, and suddenly my brain cleared. I saw as sharply and as definitelyas if I had been aloof and unconcerned in that disturbing crisis.
"Stop, men," said I. "I have one thing to say before we go further. Twothings. You shall hear about the treasure."
There was a pause. Holgate turned his black, incurious eyes on me, asif he wondered.
"I will tell you where the treasure is, if you will allow me to giveyou the history of a transaction," I said. My mind was quick, my nervewas cool. There was a chance in delay.
"Spit it out," said one of the men encouragingly. "The funeral willwait."
"Men, you've been taken in by that scoundrel there, your leader," Isaid, pointing at Holgate. "He's diddled you all through. Ask him aboutthe treasure; ask him!"
The eyes of all went round to Holgate, who stood without a sign ofdiscomposure.
"Well, are you going to let 'em go?" was all he said. Once again theinterest of the group returned to me, but I was fighting hardfor--Alix.
"Who was it planned this mutiny and the seizing of the treasure?" Icried. "Why, Holgate, you know well--Holgate and Pye. And who broughtabout the rising? Holgate again. Why didn't you push through and gethold of the treasure at the first? I suppose you were told it was toodifficult. Well, it would have been difficult, but that wasn't thereason. It was because this man had got his accomplice aft, stealingthe tr
easure against your coming. And so, when you came, where was it?Gone! Look here, men; I swear to you I saw this man and Pye gloatingover the treasure they had removed before your coming. Oh, he's acunning devil, is Holgate, and he's diddled you!"
There were some murmurs among the mutineers, who looked dubiously attheir master, and Pierce spoke.
"That's all very well, but how are we to know it's not mere bluff?You're putting up a bluff on us."
Holgate still stood there with his unpleasing smile, and he answerednothing. It was the truth I had spoken, but now I was to bluff.
"Well, I will prove my words," said I. "You asked me where the treasureis, and I'll tell you. It was removed from Holgate's hiding-place by meand hidden in Pye's cabin, and afterwards the Prince and I removed itagain and concealed it."
"Where! Where!" shouted several voices; but Holgate did not budge orspeak.
If we saved this situation, we should at least have a respite, anotherchance. There was no alternative but death.
"Why, in its proper place, to be sure," said I. "In the strong-room,where it should be. I suppose none of you thought of that. You're tooclever for that, Pierce."
"By God!" cried Pierce suddenly.
But at the moment I was startled by a change in Holgate. I had fired abarrel at random, and now he shot on me a diabolical glance. His eyesgleamed like creatures about to leap from cover; his lips in a snarlrevealed his teeth. A flash of inspiration came to me, and I knew thenfor certain that, wherever the Prince had concealed the treasure, itwas now lying in the very place I had named in the presence of allthose ruffians. Holgate glanced a swift glance from left to right.
"What's he take us for?" he said in a hoarse, fat voice, in which rageburned and trembled. "Who's he stuffing with these fairy tales?"
Pierce, his thin lips moving, stared at him. "Anyway, it's worthtrying," he said meaningly. "You've had your shot; I'll have mine."
"Damn it, he's fooling you," called out Holgate furiously; but alreadytwo or three of the mutineers had started down the ravine, and theothers turned. Excitement seized upon them, as it had been a panic.
And then suddenly a cry arose: "Look, by thunder, look!"
The sun was gone, but the beautiful twilight lingered, serene andgracious, and in that clear light we could descry the form of the _SeaQueen_ forging slowly out to sea, and rolling as she moved on the ebb.
"Good lord! she's floated off! She came off on the high tide!" criedPierce; and instantly there was a stampede from the hillside towardsthe beach. Pell-mell the mutineers tumbled down over bush and brier ata breakneck speed to reach the boat that tossed idly on the water toits moorings.