The Wireless Officer Part 37

Mostyn was the first to board the succouring craft. Somewhat dubious as to the nature of his reception, he swarmed up the low side and gained the deck.

His arrival elicited no demonstrations, either of friendliness or hostility, from the white-robed Arabs. They simply looked at him without visible signs of curiosity; without even the formal salaam.

There were five of the dhow's crew. Four, who had been attending to the lowering of the sails, were standing amidships; the fifth, a mild-looking, bearded man of more than average height, was at the long, curved tiller. Save for his swarthy skin he might have pa.s.sed for a European, for his features were regular, his nose aquiline, and his lips red and without the fullness of the typical African. He wore the white "jebbah" and burnous, the only dash of colour being his red Morocco slippers. In his white sash could be seen the leather-covered hilt of a long knife.

"English," explained Peter. "Wrecked--want pa.s.sage."

The Arab shook his head gravely, and motioned to Mostyn to get the rest of the boat's party on board.

"Mahmed!" sang out his master.

"Sahib?"

"You speak Swahili. Tell this man who we are and what we want."

Mahmed came over the side and approached the Arab captain. Apparently the former's attempt to speak Swahili was far from fluent, but the desired result was obtained.

"He for Dar-es-Salaam, Sahib," explained Mahmed "He promise pa.s.sage one hundred rupees a head."

"He'll get it," replied Peter. "We'll give him one thousand rupees if he puts into Pangawani."

The Arab rejected the amendment. He was willing enough to give them a pa.s.sage, but he was not going to put into an intermediate port even for the inducement of an addition three hundred rupees.

Preston was the next to board the dhow. He managed it practically unaided, for his lower limbs were regaining strength, and he was able to use his left arm. The Arabs showed considerable interest at his bandaged head, the captain going to the length of inquiring of Mahmed how the injuries were caused.

Mrs. Shallop and Olive followed.

The two lascars completed the transhipment. They brought with them the scanty personal belongings of the party, together with the water-beaker and the rest of the provisions.

"Tell him we are ready to cast off," said Peter.

Mahmed translated. The Arab skipper went to the side and cast envious looks at the boat, for from the deck of the dhow the damaged planking was not visible. With an instinct not confined to dhow-owners he was loth to abandon a craft that Providence had figuratively thrust into his hands; but upon consideration he was compelled to admit that the gift was too unwieldy. Nevertheless, since he was unable to make use of the boat, he was determined not to give others a chance of so doing.

At his order a couple of Arabs, armed with knives and small-headed axes, jumped into the boat. After removing the compa.s.s, oars, masts, and remaining sails, and all other loose gear, they cut the gunwale through to the water-line, regaining their own craft as the water poured through the jagged rent. The painter was cut as close to the boat as it was possible for a man to reach from the dhow, and the _West Barbican's_ boat, her mission accomplished n.o.bly in spite of difficulties, drifted slowly astern in a water-logged condition. Then, the lateen sails rehoisted, the dhow resumed her course, hauling close to the wind on the starboard tack, her head pointing practically nor'-west-by-north. For the best part of an hour the survivors of the _West Barbican_ remained on deck, no attempt being made on the part of the Arabs to offer them accommodation and shelter below. The captain had handed over the helm to one of the crew, and with the other three men was squatting on the deck. There was apparently no social distinction between the Arab skipper and his crew. They were eating _pilau_ from a common dish, and talking loudly, as if oblivious of the presence of the "Kafirs" and the three Moslem members of the rescued party.

At length Peter thought it was time to a.s.sert himself on behalf of his companions. It was scant comfort to have to grill upon the deck of the dhow, for the sails provided little shelter from the fierce rays of the sun.

Calling to Mahmed to accompany him, Mostyn made for the short ladder giving access to the steeply shelving p.o.o.p.

Seeing Peter's intention the Arab captain stood up and warned the intruder off, at the same time talking angrily to the Indian interpreter.

"Tell the accursed Kafir not to set foot upon the ladder," was what he said, but translated by Mahmed the message was, "The sahib is kindly asked not to approach while the crew are having a meal."

Which was unfortunate. Out of deference to Arab customs Peter complied with the request. The captain took it for a sign of weakness on the Englishman's part. Had Mahmed translated literally, Mostyn would have been on his guard. It would have been clear that the Arab had not any intention of setting the party ash.o.r.e at Dar-es-Salaam or at any other port where the British flag was flying, otherwise he would never have dared to insult a man who was quite capable of turning the tables on him on arrival at a place within the sphere of British influence.

Mostyn waited more or less patiently until the _pilau_-eating party had broken up. Then he again approached the Arab skipper, who was now standing at the head of the p.o.o.p ladder.

The Arab avoided a reply to the direct request for shelter by demanding immediate payment of the seven hundred rupees.

"Tell him," said Peter, "that the money will be paid directly we arrive at Dar-es-Salaam."

A faint smile fluttered over the Arab's olivine features.

"Has the Kafir the money with him?" he asked.

"That has nothing to do with the bargain," replied Peter, through his interpreter. "He will be paid promptly and in full when he has carried out his part of the deal, but for that sum we must have suitable accommodation."

For a while the Arab looked decidedly sulky. Then, with another smile, he gave a perfunctory salaam and shouted an order to two of his crew.

The latter promptly disappeared under the p.o.o.pdeck, where they spent some time shifting gear from one place to another.

When at length they reappeared, the captain led Mostyn to a fairly s.p.a.cious but low-roofed cabin on the port side of the dhow, and immediately abaft the p.o.o.p bulkhead.

"That will do for the women," thought Peter. "Now for a place where we can sling our hammocks."

His request through Mahmed for additional accommodation was curtly turned down on the score that it was impossible. Already two of the Arabs had been turned out of their quarters to make room for the Kafirs.

"We won't kick up a shine over that," decided Peter. "Preston and I can have a shelter on deck. We have a right to make use of our own sails. I suppose the women will be safe down here? No lock on the door, but I can show Olive how to jamb it with the blade of an oar.

Now there are the lascars to fix up."

That difficulty was quickly settled, the two lascars agreeing to the Arab's suggestion that they should take possession of a small cuddy for'ard, access to which was gained by a small, square hatch just for'ard of the raking foremast. Mahmed, at his own request, was to remain with his master and Preston.

Olive and Mrs. Shallop were duly shown the quarters a.s.signed to them.

The latter, for a wonder, raised no objection to the place. Peter could not help thinking that perhaps her overbearing nature had been thoroughly cowed by the rebuff she had met with on re-embarking in the boat.

It was Olive who took exception to the place.

"I think, if you don't mind," she said, "I'll get you to rig me up a shelter on deck. It's rather stuffy down there for two. You have no objection, I hope, Mrs. Shallop?"

"Not in the least," replied the lady loftily. "It's nothing to do with me. You can please yourself."

"Thank you," said the girl promptly.

Peter concurred. Although he was curious to know why Olive should have objection to the cabin--it had been swept out--he refrained from asking why. He could only come to the conclusion that Olive was reluctant to be in her late employer's company more than was actually necessary.

"It was stuffy down there," declared the girl. "No scuttle--I'd much prefer a canvas screen on deck."

The rest of the day pa.s.sed uneventfully. About four in the afternoon land was seen broad on the starboard beam. What land it was Peter had no idea. The Arabs were silent upon the subject. Preston could advance no suggestion beyond the theory that it might be Cape St. Mary, on the southernmost extremity of Madagascar.

"If so, old man, we were all out of it," he added. "On the course we were steering we would have missed the whole island. Strange things happen at sea."

At sunset the Arab crew turned their faces towards Mecca and prostrated themselves on the deck. In their acts of devotion they were joined by the lascars.

"Black heathens!" snorted Mrs. Shallop contemptuously, laughing loudly.

It was the act of an uneducated fool. People of that type, both male and female, have done so before to-day, often with serious results to themselves and others.

"For Heaven's sake shut up!" hissed Preston apprehensively. "You may get a knife across your throat for this."