Hunting the Skipper Part 60

"It is simple enough, sir; the little river forks and forms two mouths.

I sailed down one, and Mr Munday after we had met sailed down the other in pursuit of the enemy, and came out as you saw. It is quite simple, sir."

"Then I must be too dense to understand it, Mr Anderson," said the captain angrily; "and now look here, sir," he continued, "you tell me that the river has two mouths?"

"Yes, sir."

"There's one, then," said the captain, pointing to where it could be plainly seen.

"Yes, sir."

"Then where's the other, sir?"

"Really, sir," replied the first lieutenant, glancing round and seeing that the two middies were hearing every word and striving hard to keep their faces straight in spite of an intense desire to laugh--"Really, sir, I cannot point out the exact spot, but I suppose that it is where the lugger and the second cutter came out."

"You suppose that, sir, do you--suppose it!" roared the captain, thumping the rail with his open hand. "Well, that's what Mr Munday supposes; but where is it, sir--where is it?"

"I must ask Mr Munday, sir, for I suppose he examined that part of the coast when he came out himself."

"Suppose--suppose--suppose!" cried the captain. "I'm sick of all this supposition. Mr Munday knows nothing whatever about it. The lugger sailed out, and after a bit the second cutter sailed out and continued the pursuit--for I suppose it was a pursuit?"

"Yes, sir, of course."

"Don't say of course, Mr Anderson. I tell you it was all like a pantomime trick. He has thoroughly examined the coast there, and he can find no second mouth."

"River's shut it up again, d.i.c.k," whispered Murray.

"He has regularly muddled it, Mr Anderson," continued the captain--"just as you muddled your part of the expedition; and the fact is that these slaver people have here an intricate what-do-you-call-it?--the same as the cla.s.sical fellow. Here, you boys, it is not long since you left school: What did they call that puzzle?

You, Mr Roberts."

"I forget, sir," said the midshipman, upon whom the captain had turned sharply.

"More shame for you, sir! Now, Mr Murray, I hope you have a better memory."

"Labyrinth, sir," replied the lad. "Of course--labyrinth! A child could have answered such a simple question;" and the speaker turned to the first lieutenant again, while Murray c.o.c.ked his eye at Roberts and Roberts made a derisive "face" suggestive of scorn and contempt, and as much as to say, Then if a child could have answered it, why couldn't you?

"Yes," continued the captain--"a labyrinth, Mr Anderson, and it is very plain that the slaving scoundrels believe that their place is _so_ confusing and strong that they can set his Majesty's sloop of war at defiance, and continue to carry on their abominable traffic as they please. But I think not, Mr Anderson--I think not, sir, for we are going to show them that we laugh at all their slippery talk about the island, or whatever it is, belonging to the American Government, and that we are a little too sharp to be deceived over their hiding-places.

Only narrow ditches like so much network through swamps. Dreadfully confusing, of course, till you have been through them once, and afterwards as easy to thread as a big packing-needle. I'm disappointed in Mr Munday, I must say, but here is a splendid opportunity for you, you young gentlemen. You are not going to allow yourself to be baffled by a bit of a maze, Mr Murray?"

"No, sir; I hope not," said the lad. "And you, Mr Roberts?"

"No, sir, now we have been through forest, or cane brake, as Murray calls it."

"Of course you will not let such trifling obstacles stand in your way,"

said the captain, beginning to pace up and down now, and rubbing his hands. "We are going to find out here more than we expect, and after long disappointments make up for the past. Now, Mr Anderson, it is very plain that this Mr er--What do you say the American scoundrel is called?"

"His princ.i.p.al, Allen, addressed him as Huggins," replied the first lieutenant.

"Huggins! Bah! What a name! It suggests a convict of the worst type.

It is a name bad enough, young gentlemen, to condemn any ruffian.

Huggins! Why, it literally smells of villainy. But as I was going to say, this Huggins has placed himself completely in our hands by firing upon his Majesty's forces, and we are now going to give him a thoroughly severe lesson."

"I hope so, sir," said the chief officer. "Hope so, Mr Anderson!"

cried the captain, turning. "We are going to, and at once. But look here, you tell me that the man's princ.i.p.al owns quite a handsome country seat up yonder?"

"Yes, sir."

"And you saw the slaving barracks where they collect the unfortunate wretches which are brought over from the West Coast of Africa?"

"No, sir; we saw nothing of that kind, but the surroundings are thickly wooded as well as highly cultivated, and this must all be done by numbers of slaves."

"Exactly, and this--what do you say his name is?--Allen?"

"Yes, sir."

"--lives the life of a wealthy slave-owner there?"

"Boat just slipped out from among the trees, sir!" cried Murray excitedly.

"How dare you interrupt me in that rude--Eh? Yes, of course! A boat, Mr Murray? What do you make her out to be?--Not coming to the attack?"

"No, sir," replied the middy, giving his fellow a quick glance full of mirth. "Row-boat, sir, pulled by a dozen black fellows--six oars a side. Man holding the ropes in white. Looks to me like--"

"The scoundrel Huggins coming out to surrender?"

"No, sir," said the lad eagerly. "I can't quite make out at this distance, but I think it's like the thin delicate-looking Mr Allen whom Huggins was so insolent to."

"What!" cried the captain.

"Yes, sir," said the chief officer, who had had his gla.s.s to his eye; "Mr Murray is quite right. This is the head man--proprietor, I suppose--of the plantation."

"Come to surrender," said the captain, rubbing his hands, and then taking the gla.s.s his chief officer offered to him. "A nice scoundrel!"

muttered the captain, as he scanned the boat. "Everything in style, eh, and a black slave to hold a white umbrella over his head for fear the sun should burn his cheeks. Well, things are going to alter a good deal for him. The cowardly dog! This is showing the white feather, and no mistake. Well, Mr Anderson, I did not expect this."

The captain tucked the telescope under his arm and drawing himself up, marched off, while preparations were made for the coming boat's reception. The men were at their stations, and a couple of marines took their places at the gangway, while the young officers eagerly scanned the chief occupant of the boat, the doctor, who had just come on deck after seeing to the slight injuries of the first cutter's men, joining the midshipmen.

"Thank you, Murray," he said, handing back the gla.s.s the lad had offered him. "So this is the diabolical ruffian whose men fired upon his Majesty's able seamen and officers, is it? Well, he doesn't look very terrible. I think I could tackle him with a little quinine."

"Yes, doctor; he looked to me like a thorough invalid," whispered Murray.

"He is an invalid, my lad. Had fever badly. The fellow's come for advice."

"What's that?" said the captain sharply, for the doctor had made no scruple about giving his opinions aloud.

"I say your slaver or pirate captain looks as if he had come to visit the doctor and not the captain," replied the gentleman addressed.

"Come to go into irons," said the captain.

"Not he, sir. He doesn't want iron; steel is more in his way. Poor fellow! He looks as if you could blow him away."