Chapter 17: In which our hero finds himself among friends;and Colonel Clive prepares to astonish Angria.
The entrance of a strange grab had not passed unnoticed. Before theanchor had been dropped, the harbor master put off in a toni.
"What grab is that?" he shouted in Urdu, as he came alongside.
"The Tremukji, sir," replied Desmond in English.
"Eh! what! who in the name of Jupiter are you?"
"You'd better come aboard, sir, and I'll explain," said Desmond with asmile.
The harbor master mounted the side, rapping out sundry exclamations ofastonishment that amused Desmond not a little.
"Don't talk like a native! H'm! Queer! Turn him inside out! No nonsense!"
"Well, here I am," he added, stepping up to Desmond. "My name's Johnson,and I'm harbor master. Now then, explain; no nonsense."
Desmond liked the look of the little man. He was short and stout, with avery large red face, a broad turn-up nose, and childlike blue eyes thatbespoke confidence at once.
"My name is Desmond Burke, sir, and I've run away from Gheria in thisgrab."
"The deuce you have!"
"Yes, sir. I've been a prisoner there for six months and more, and we gotoff a few nights ago in the darkness."
"H'm! Any more Irishmen aboard?"
"Not that I'm aware of, sir."
"And you got away from Gheria, did you? You're the first that ever Iheard did so. Nothing to do with Commodore James, eh?"
"No, sir. I don't know what you mean."
"Why, Commodore James started t'other day to take a good sea-look atGheria. There's an expedition getting ready to draw that rascallyPirate's teeth. You saw nothing of the squadron? No nonsense, now."
"Not a thing, sir. We were blown out to sea, and I suppose the commodorepassed us in the night."
"H'm! Very likely. And you weathered that storm, did you? Learned yourseamanship, eh?"
"Picked up a little on board the Good Intent, sir. I was ship's boyaboard."
"Mighty queer ship's boy!" said Mr. Johnson in an audible aside. "TheGood Intent's a villainous interloper; how came you aboard of her?"
"I was in a sense tricked into it, sir, and when we got to Gheria CaptainBarker and Mr. Diggle, the supercargo, sold me to Angria."
"Sold you to the Pirate?"
"Yes, sir."
"And where do you hail from, then?"
"Shropshire, sir; my father was Captain Richard Burke in the Company'sservice."
"Jupiter! You're Dick Burke's son! Gad, sir, give me your hand; I knewDick Burke; many's the sneaker of Bombay punch we've tossed off together.No nonsense about Dick; give me your fist.
"And so you sneaked out of Gheria and sailed this grab, eh? Well, you'rea chip of the old block, and a credit to your old dad. I want to hear allabout this. And you'll have to come ashore and see the governor."
"It's very kind of you, Mr. Johnson, but really I can't appear before thegovernor in this rig."
He glanced ruefully at his bare legs and feet and tattered garments.
"True, you en't very shipshape, but we'll soon alter that. Ever use arazor?"
"Not yet, sir," replied Desmond with a smile.
"Thought not. Plenty of native barbers. You must get shaved. And I'll rigyou up in a suit of some sort. You must see the governor at once, and nononsense."
"What about the grab, sir?"
"Leave that to me. You've got a pretty mixed crew, I see. All escapedprisoners, too?"
"All but four."
"And not one of 'em to be trusted, I'll swear. Well, I'll put a crewaboard to take charge. Come along; there's no time to lose. Colonel Clivegoes to bed early."
"Colonel Clive! Is he here?"
"Yes; arrived from home two days ago. Ah! that reminds me; you're aShropshire lad; so's he; do you know him?"
"No, sir; I've seen him; I--I--"
Desmond stammered, remembering his unfortunate encounter with Clive inBilliter Street.
"Well, well," said the harbor master, with a quizzical look; "you'll seehim again. Come along."
Desmond accompanied Mr. Johnson on shore. A crowd had gathered. Therewere Sepoys in turban, cabay {cloak}, and baggy drawers; bearded Arabs;Parsis in their square caps; and a various assortment of habitues of theshore--crimps, landsharks, badmashes {bad characters}, bunder {port}gangs. Seeing Desmond hold his nose at the all-prevailing stench of fish,Mr. Johnson laughed.
"You'll soon get used to that," he said. "'Tis all fish oil and bummaloes{small fish the size of smelt, known when dried as 'Bombay duck'} inBombay."
Having sent a trustworthy crew on board the Tremukji, the harbor masterled Desmond to his house near the docks. Here, while a native barberplied his dexterous razor on Desmond's cheeks and chin, Mr. Johnsonsearched through a miscellaneous hoard of clothes in one of his capaciouspresses for an outfit. He found garments that proved a reasonable fit,and Desmond, while dressing, gave a rapid sketch of his adventures sincehe left the prison shed in Gheria.
"My wigs, but you've had a time of it. Mutiny and all! Dash my buttons,here's a tale for the ladies! Let me look at you. Yes, you'll do now, andfaith you're a pretty fellow. And Dick Burke's son! You've got his noseto a T; no nonsense about that. Now you're ready to make your bow to Mr.Bourchier. He's been a coursing match with Colonel Clive and Mr. Watson{it was customary to use the title Mr. in speaking to or of both navaland military officers} up Malabar Hill, and we'll catch him before hesits down to supper.
"How do you feel inside, by the way? Ready for a decent meal after thePirate's pig's wash, eh?"
"I'm quite comfortable inside," said Desmond, smiling, "but, to tell youthe truth, Mr. Johnson, I feel mighty uneasy outside. After six months ofthe dhoti these breeches and things seem just like bandages."
"It en't the first time you've been swaddled, if you had a mother. Wellnow, if you're ready. What! That rascal gashed you! Tuts! 'tis a scratch.Can't wait to doctor that. Come on."
The two made their way into the fort inclosure, and walked rapidly to theGovernment House in the center. In answer to Mr. Johnson the darwan{doorkeeper} at the door said that the governor would not return thatnight. After the coursing match he was giving a supper party at hiscountry house at Parell.
"That's a nuisance. But we can't have any nonsense. The governor's a bitof an autocrat; too much starch in his shirt, I say; but we'll go out toParell and beard him, by Jove! 'Tis only five miles out, and we'll drivethere in under an hour."
Turning away he hurried out past the tank house on to the Green, and bygood luck found an empty shigram {carriage like a palanquin on wheels}waiting to be hired. Desmond mounted the vehicle with no littlecuriosity. These great beasts with their strange humps would surely notcover five miles in less than an hour. But he was undeceived when theystarted. The two sturdy oxen trotted along at a good pace in obedience tothe driver's goad, and the shigram rattled across Bombay Green, past thechurch and the whitewashed houses of the English merchants, theiroyster-shell windows already lit up; and in some forty-five minutesentered a long avenue leading to Mr. Bourchier's country house. Twiceduring the course of the journey Desmond was interested to see theshigramwallah {wallah is a personal affix, denoting a close connectionbetween the person and the thing described by the main word.Shigramwallah thus is carriage driver} pull his team up, dismount, and,going to their heads, insert his hand in their mouths.
"What does he do that for?" he asked.
"To clear their throats, to be sure. When the beasts go at this pace theymake a terrible lot of foam, and if he didn't swab it out they'd choke,and no nonsense.
"Well, here we are. Dash my wig, won't his Excellency open his eyes!"
Since their departure from the fort the sky had become quite dark. At theend of the avenue they could see the lights of Governor Bourchier'sbungalow, and by and by caught sight of figures sitting on the veranda.Desmond's heart beat high; he made no doubt that one of them was Clive;the moment to which he had looked forward so
eagerly was at last at hand.He was in no dream land; but his dream had come true. He felt a littlenervous at the prospect of meeting men so famous, so immeasurably abovehim, as Clive and Admiral Watson; but with Clive he felt a bond of unionin his birthplace, and it was with recovered confidence that he sprangout of the cart and accompanied Mr. Johnson to the bungalow. He wasfurther reassured by a jolly laugh that rang out just as he reached thesteps leading up to the veranda.
"Hullo, Johnson," said a voice, "what does this mean?"
"I've come to see the governor, Captain."
"Then you couldn't have come at a worse time. The supper's half an hourlate, and you know what that means to the governor."
Mr. Johnson smiled.
"He'll forget his supper when he has heard my news. 'Tis about thePirate."
"What's that?" said another voice. "News of the Pirate?"
"Yes, Mr. Watson. This young gentleman--"
But he was interrupted by the khansaman {butler}, who came out at thismoment and with a salaam announced that supper was served.
"You'd better come in, Johnson," said the first speaker. "Any news of thePirate will be sauce to Mr. Bourchier's goose."
The gentlemen rose from their seats, and went into the house, followed byDesmond and the harbor master. In a moment Desmond found himself in alarge room brilliantly lighted with candles. In the center was a roundtable, and Mr. Bourchier, the governor, was placing his guests. He didnot look very pleasant, and when he saw Mr. Johnson he said:
"You come at a somewhat unseasonable hour, sir. Can not your businesswait till the morning?"
"I made bold to come, your Excellency, because 'tis a piece of news thelike of which no one in Bombay has ever heard before. This younggentleman, Mr. Desmond Burke, son of Captain Burke, whom you'll remember,sir, has escaped from Gheria."
The governor and his guests were by this time seated, and instantly alleyes were focused on Desmond, and exclamations of astonishment broke fromtheir lips.
"Indeed! Bring chairs, Hossain."
One of the native attendants left the room noiselessly, and returningwith chairs placed them at the table.
"Sit down, gentlemen. This is amazing news, as you say, Mr. Johnson.Perhaps Mr. Burke will relate his adventure as we eat."
Desmond took the chair set for him. The guests were five. Two of themwore the laced coats of admirals; the taller, a man of handsome presence,with a round chubby face, large eyes, small full lips, his head crownedby a neat curled wig, was Charles Watson, in command of the Britishfleet; the other was his second, Rear Admiral Pocock. A third was RichardKing, captain of an Indiaman, in a blue coat with velvet lappets and goldembroidery, buff waistcoat and breeches. Next him sat a jolly red-facedgentleman in plain attire, and between him and the governor was Clivehimself, whose striking face--the lawyer's brow, the warrior's nose andchin, the dreamer's mouth--would have marked him out in any company.
Desmond began his story. The barefooted attendants moved quietly aboutwith the dishes, but the food was almost neglected as the six gentlemenlistened to the clear low voice telling of the escape from the fort, thecapture of the grab, and the eventful voyage to Bombay harbor.
"By George! 'tis a famous adventure," exclaimed Admiral Watson, when thestory was ended. "What about this Pirate's den? Gheria fort is said to beimpregnable; what are the chances if we attack, eh? The approaches to theharbor, now; do you know the depth of the water?"
"Vessels can stand in to three fathoms water, sir. Seven fathoms iswithin point-blank shot of the fort. The walls are about fifty feet high;there are twenty-seven bastions, and they mount more than two hundredguns."
"And the opposite shore?"
"A flat tableland, within distance for bombarding. A diversion might bemade from there while the principal attack could be carried on in theharbor, or from a hill south of the fort."
"Is the landing easy?"
"Yes, sir. There are three sandy bays under the hill, without any surf tomake landing difficult. One is out of the line of fire from the fort."
"And what about the land side? There's a town, is there not?"
"On a neck of land, sir. There's a wall, but nothing to keep out aconsiderable force. If an attack were made from that side the peoplewould, I think, flock into the fort."
"And is that as strong as rumor says?"
"'Tis pretty strong, sir; there are double walls, and thick ones; they'dstand a good battering."
"It seems to me, Admiral," said the red-faced gentleman with a laugh,"that you've learned all you sent Commodore James to find out.
"What do you say, Mr. Clive?"
"It seems so, Mr. Merriman. But I think, Mr. Watson, in our eagerness tolearn something of Gheria, we must seem somewhat cavalier to this lad,whose interest in our plans cannot be equal to our own.
"You have shown, sir," he added, addressing Desmond, "great spirit andcourage, not less ingenuity, in your daring escape from the Pirate. But Iwant to go farther back. How came you to fall into the Pirate's hands?You have told us only part of your story."
"Yes, indeed," said Mr. Bourchier. "If you are not tired, we shall bevastly pleased to hear more, Mr. Burke."
"Your name is Burke?" interrupted Clive. "I had not before caught it. MayI ask what part of Ireland you come from, sir? Pardon me, but your accentsmacks more of Shropshire than of County Dublin."
"'Tis Shropshire, sir; I come from Market Drayton."
("Like yourself!" his glowing cheeks and flashing eyes seemed to say.This was the proudest moment in Desmond's life as yet.)
"I was not mistaken," said Clive. "I remember a schoolfellow of mine ofyour name; let me see--"
"Richard Burke, sir, my brother; my father was Captain Burke in theCompany's service."
"Sure I have it now. I remember him: a tall, fine old sea dog whom I sawat times in Market Drayton when I was a child. I had a great awe ofCaptain Burke--i'faith, the only man I was afraid of. And you are hisson!--But come, I am interrupting your story."
Desmond spoke of his longing for adventure, which had led him to leavehome in search of fortune. He glossed over his brother's ill treatment.He told how he had been inveigled on board the Good Intent, and handedover to Angria when the vessel arrived at Gheria. He mentioned no namesexcept that of Captain Barker, though he could not have explained hismotive in keeping silence about Diggle.
"Barker is a villain, ripe for the gallows," said Captain King. "But, Mr.Burke, I don't understand how you came to be so hoodwinked in London.Sure you must have known that a boy without an ounce of experience wouldnever be made supercargo. Had you any enemies in London?"
"I didn't know that I had, sir, till the Good Intent had sailed. I wasdeceived, but the man who promised me the berth was very friendly, and Ididn't suspect him."
"It was not Barker, then?"
"No, sir; it was a man I met at Market Drayton."
"At Market Drayton?" said Clive. "That's odd. What was his name?"
"His name was Diggle, and--"
"A stranger? I remember no one of that name," said Clive.
"I thought he was a stranger, sir; but of late I have begun to suspect hewas not such a stranger as he seemed."
"How did you meet him?"
"Accidentally, sir, the night of your banquet in Market Drayton."
"Indeed! 'Tis all vastly curious. Was he lodging in the town?"
"He came in from Chester that night and lodged at the Four Alls."
"With that disreputable sot Grinsell!" Clive paused. "Did he tell youanything about himself?"
"Very little, sir, except that he'd been unlucky. I think he mentionedonce that he was a fellow at a Cambridge college, but he spoke to me mostabout India."
As he put his questions Clive leaned forward, and seemed to become morekeenly interested with every answer. He now turned and gave a hard lookat the bluff man whom he had called Mr. Merriman. The rest of the companywere silent.
"Do you happen to know whether he went up to the Hall?" asked Clive.
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br /> "Sir Willoughby's? I met him several times walking in that neighborhood,but I don't think he went to the Hall. He did not appear to know SirWilloughby.--And yet, sir, I remember now that I heard Diggle andGrinsell talking about the squire the night I first saw them together atthe Four Alls."
"And you were with this--Diggle, in London, Mr. Burke?"
"Yes, sir."
Desmond began to feel uncomfortable. Clive had evidently not recognizedhim before, and he was hoping that the unfortunate incident in BilliterStreet would not be recalled. Clive's next words made him wish to sinkinto the floor.
"Do you remember, Mr. Burke, in London, throwing yourself in the way of agentleman that was in pursuit of your friend Mr. Diggle, and bringing himto the ground?"
"Yes, sir, I did, and I am sorry for it."
Desmond did not like the grim tone of Clive's voice; he wished he wouldaddress him as "my lad" instead of "Mr. Burke."
"That was a bad start, let me say, Mr. Burke--an uncommonly bad start."
"Oh come, Mr. Clive!" broke in Mr. Merriman, "say no more about that. Theboy was in bad company: 'twas not his fault. In truth, 'twas my ownfault: I am impetuous; the sight of that scoundrel was too much for me.
"I bear you no grudge, my lad, though I had a bump on my head for a weekafterwards. Had you not tripped me I should have run my rapier throughthe villain, and there would like have been an end of me."
"Shall I tell the boy, Mr. Merriman?" said Clive.
"Not now, not now," said Merriman quickly.
The other gentlemen, during this dialogue, had been discussing theinformation they had gained about Gheria fort.
"Well," said Clive, "you are lucky, let me tell you, Mr. Burke, to be outof this Diggle's clutches. By the way, have you seen him since he soldyou to the Pirate?"
"He came a few days before I escaped, and wanted me to come here as aspy. Angria promised me my freedom and a large sum of money."
"What's that?" cried Merriman. "Wanted you to come as a spy?"
"Yes, sir."
"And what did you say?"
"I told him he might do it himself."
"A palpable hit!" said Merriman with a grim laugh, "and a very properanswer. But he'll have more respect for his skin."
"Gentlemen," said Mr. Bourchier, "we have kept Mr. Burke talking so muchthat he hasn't had a mouthful of food. I think we might go out on theveranda and smoke our cigars while he takes some supper.
"Mr. Johnson, you've done most justice to my viands, I think. Perhaps youwill join us."
The harbor master became purple in the face. He had in fact been eatingand drinking with great gusto, taking advantage of the preoccupation ofthe company to insure that the excellent fare should not be wasted. Herose hurriedly and, with a sheepish look that scarcely fitted hischeerful features, followed his sarcastic host to the veranda. All theguests save Mr. Merriman accompanied Mr. Bourchier.
"They all want to talk shop; this expedition against the Pirate," saidMr. Merriman. "You and I can have a little chat."
Desmond was attracted by the open face of his new acquaintance, slightlydisfigured, as he noticed, by a long scar on the left temple.
"You're plucky and lucky," continued Merriman, "and in spite of what Mr.Clive calls your bad start in bowling me over, you'll do well."
His face clouded as he went on.
"That man Diggle: why should he have sold you to the Pirate: what had heagainst you?"
"I can not imagine, sir."
"You are lucky to have escaped him, as Mr. Clive said. I think--yes, Iwill tell you about him. His name is not Diggle; it is Simon Peloti. Heis a nephew of Sir Willoughby's. His mother married a Greek, against herbrother's wish; the man died when the child was a year old. As a boyPeloti was as charming a little fellow as one could wish: handsome, highspirited, clever. He did well at school, and afterwards at Cambridge: wona fellowship there. Then he went to the dogs--not all at once; men neverdo. He was absolutely without principle, and thought of nothing but hisown ease and success. One thing led to another; at last, in theforty-five--"
He paused. After a moment he went on:
"I had a brother, my lad--"
He stopped again, his face expressing poignant grief.
"I know, sir," said Desmond. "Sir Willoughby told me."
"He told you! He did not mention Peloti?"
"No, sir; but I see it all now. It was Diggle--Peloti, I mean--whobetrayed your brother. I understand now why the squire took no stepsagainst Grinsell. His accomplice was Diggle."
He related the incident of the house breakers.
"Yes," said Merriman, "that throws a light on things. Peloti, I imagine,had previously seen the squire, and tried to get money from him. SirWilloughby refused: he gave him a thousand pounds ten years ago oncondition he left the country and did not return. So the villain resolvedto rob him. 'Twas fortunate indeed you appeared in time. That is thereason for his hating you."
"There was another, sir," said Desmond with some hesitation. "He thoughtI was hankering after the squire's property--aiming at becoming his heir.'Twas ridiculous, sir; such an idea never entered my head."
"I see. Peloti came to India and got employment in the Company's serviceat Madras. But he behaved so badly that he had to be turned out--he saidMr. Clive hounded him out. What became of him after that I don't know.But let us leave the miserable subject. Tell me, what are your ideas?What are you going to do, now that you are a free man once more? Getanother berth as supercargo?"
His eyes twinkled as he said this.
"No, thank you, sir; once bit twice shy. I haven't really thought ofanything definite, but what I should like best of all would be acadetship under Colonel Clive."
"Soho! You're a fighter, are you? But of course you are; I have reason toknow that. Well, we'll see what my friend Mr. Clive says. You've nomoney, I suppose?"
"Not a half penny, sir; but if the governor will admit that the grab ismy lawful prize, I thought of selling her; that will bring me a fewpounds."
"Capital idea. Punctilio won't stand in the way of that, I should think.Well now, I'll speak to Mr. Clive for you, but don't build too much onit. He cannot give you a commission, I fear, without the authority of thegovernor of Madras; and though no doubt a word from him would beeffectual, he's a very particular man, and you'll have to prove you'refit for a soldier's life.
"Meanwhile, what do you say to this? I've taken a fancy to you. I'm amerchant; trade pays better than soldiering, in general. I've got shipsof my own, and I dare say I could find a berth for you on one of them.You seem to know something of navigation?"
"Very little, sir; just what I picked up on the Good Intent."
"Well, that's a beginning. I've no doubt that Admiral Watson will wishyou to go to Gheria with him: your knowledge of the place will be useful.He won't start for a month or two: why not occupy the time in improvingyour navigation, so that if there are difficulties about a cadetshipyou'll be competent for a mate's berth? Nothing like having two stringsto your bow. What do you say to that?"
"'Tis very good of you, sir; I accept with pleasure."
"That's right. Now when you've finished that curry we'll go out on theveranda. Before you came they were talking of nothing but their dogs; butI wager 'tis nothing but the Pirate now."
They soon rejoined the other gentlemen.
"Come, Mr. Burke," said Admiral Watson, "we've been talking over theinformation you've given us. You've nothing to do, I suppose?"
"I've just suggested that he should read up navigation, Mr. Watson," saidMerriman.
"You're a wizard, Mr. Merriman. I was proposing to engage Mr. Burke toaccompany us on our expedition against the Pirate. He can make himselfuseful when we get to Gheria. We'll see how James' information tallieswith his.
"You won't object to serve his Majesty, Mr. Burke?"
"'Tis what I should like best in the world, sir."
"Very well. Meanwhile learn all you can; Captain King here will takecharge of you,
I've no doubt."
"Certainly, Mr. Watson."
"You will give Mr. Burke quarters for the present, Mr. Johnson?" saidMerriman.
"To be sure. And as 'tis late we'd better be going.
"Good night, your Excellency; good night, gentlemen."
Early next day Admiral Watson himself rode down to the harbor to inspectthe grab. He was so much pleased with her that he offered to buy her forthe service. Before the day was out Desmond found himself in possessionof seven thousand rupees. After paying the Marathas the wages agreedupon, he proceeded to divide the balance. He retained two shares forhimself, and gave each of the men who had escaped with him an equal part.
No one was more surprised than Fuzl Khan when he received his share infull. He had expected to get the punishment he knew he well deserved. ButDesmond, against the advice of the harbor master, determined to overlookthe man's misconduct. He went further. At his request Admiral Watson gavehim a place on the grab. The Gujarati seemed overwhelmed by thisgenerosity on the part of a man he had wronged, and for the noncebreaking through his usual morose reserve, he thanked Desmond, awkwardlyindeed, but with manifest sincerity.
The other men were no less delighted with their good fortune. The sumsthey received made them rich men for life. None was more elated thanSurendra Nath. It happened that Mr. Merriman came on board to see thegrab at the moment when Desmond was distributing the prize money. Desmondnoticed a curious expression on the Babu's face, and he was compelled tolaugh when the man, after a moment's hesitation, walked up to Mr.Merriman, and with a strange mixture of humility and importance said:
"I wish you a very good morning, your Honor."
"Good gad!--Surendra Nath Chuckerbutti! I'm uncommonly glad to see you."
He shook hands warmly, a mark of condescension which made the Babu beamwith gratification.
"Why," continued Merriman, "we'd given you up for dead long ago. Soyou're the plucky and ingenious fellow who did so much to help Mr. Burkein the famous escape!
"Surendra Nath was one of my best clerks, Mr. Burke. His father is myhead clerk for Company's business.
"He hasn't been the same man since you disappeared. You must tell me yourstory. Come up to Mr. Bowman's house on the Green tonight; I am stayingthere."
"I shall be most glad to return to my desk in Calcutta, your Honor," saidthe Babu. "But I do not like the sea. It has no sympathy with me. I thinkof accomplishing the journey by land."
"Good heavens, man! it would take you a year at the least, if you weren'tswallowed by a tiger or strangled by a Thug on the way. You'll have to goby water, as you came."
The Babu's face fell.
"That is the fly in the ointment, your Honor. But I will chew majum andbestow myself in the cabin; thus perhaps I may avoid squeamishness. Bythe kindness of Burke Sahib I have a modicum of money, now a smallcapital; and I hope, with your Honor's permission, to do trifling tradefor myself."
"Certainly," said Merriman with a laugh. "You'll be a rich man yet,Surendra Nath. Well, don't forget; you'll find me at Mr. Bowman's on theGreen at eight o'clock."
In Clive's Command: A Story of the Fight for India Page 19
