07 Gimlet Bores In

by Captain W E Johns

  The dawn of another day was staining the eastern sky with its pallid glow when the long trail reached its terminus. At least, so Cub hoped when they came to a stop, for his muscles were beginning to feel the strain.

  In a wan light that grew stronger every minute he saw that they stood on the slope of a hill the lower part of which had been cleared of trees; at any rate, the trunks and main branches had been carried away, although the smaller stuff still lay strewn about where it had been lopped off.

  Fresh chips were everywhere, making it plain that this was the site of the timber felling operations. The hillside lay stark and silent in the chill early morning air. A short distance below was a track, the same one, Cub supposed that they had already seen.

  Macgreggo was now posting his men inside the uncut forest, in positions that overlooked the area where the previous day's work had been discontinued, and where, presumably, it would begin again. Sienco was buried by his companions under a pile of fir branches.

  This done Macgreggo came over to Gimlet and pointed out an area of rocks, half buried under shrubs, from where it would be possible to watch without being seen. It was obviously a good place and Gimlet took his party to it, each member then selecting the position he thought best. The others had already vanished, and as Cub sank into his den the hillside ap peared to be as deserted as when they had arrived.

  The period of waiting that followed was not of long duration. As the sun rose it lifted some mist that still hung in a valley, and there, before Cub's eyes, appeared the fort. It was less than half a mile away, and he observed that he was now looking at it from a different angle. As he stared at the forbidding pile the big door swung slowly open and a column of men appeared. The fact that they carried axes on their shoulders, and were escorted by a number of grey-coated troops, made it reasonable to suppose that these were the woodmen being marched to the scene of their task.

  This soon proved to be the case. The labourers, a ragged, motley crowd, looking like the serfs they really were, came straight on to the cleared ground and forthwith set to work, while their military overseers, with rifles under their arms, took up positions on the outskirts of the gang.

  Judging from their general manner, which was one of bored indifference, they did not expect trouble; but that they were wide awake was demonstrated when a bird, with a startled cry, sped out of a bush. The soldier nearest to it turned in a flash, his rifle at the ready. He even went over to the bush and peered into it, a proceeding that caused Cub to hold his breath, fearing that it might conceal one of Macgreggo's men. He breathed again when the man straightened his back and returned to his original position.

  The workers were now pretty well scattered, as they were bound to be, considering what they were

  doing. Some felled trees, usually slender pines, which came down with a crash, forcing other workers to run clear. Some lopped off the branches.

  When this had been done others picked up the logs and stacked them near the track ready for transportation to the fort.

  Just when the substitution trick was worked Cub did not know. Indeed, he was afraid that it had failed, although as he did not know the old man, Abuk, by sight, he was not really in a position to judge. Moreover, the labourers, all being oldish men, unkempt and bearded, looked very much alike, and were constantly on the move. Their taskmasters saw to that.

  There was another reason why Cub could not watch the proceedings as closely as he would have liked. About half-way through the morning there occurred an incident which, from then on, distracted his attention from the main issue. Lying motionless he had naturally become cramped, and was about to stretch his limbs when a slight movement near his left shoulder took his eyes in that direction. To his horror he saw a snake sliding from a hole in the rocks. Slowly the creature withdrew its five feet of length from its retreat and curled up on a ledge where the rays of the sun fell full on it. As this was only about a yard from Cub's head his sensations can be better imagined than described. That the snake might not be venomous was a detail he never once took into consideration. He was a firm believer in the sound policy of treating all snakes as poisonous. He dare not move for fear of being seen, although he would have done so, no doubt, had the reptile shown signs of hostility.

  Fortunately it did not. .It seemed content to bask in the sunshine, and Cub was quite willing for it to do so. But the result of this was, he spent more time with his eyes on his unpleasant neighbour than on those whom he had really come to watch.

  It was getting on for noon when a blast on a whistle put an end to his suspense. A glance showed him that it was knocking off time. The workmen at once stopped what they were doing and mustered near the wood pile, where they were counted by the N.C.O. in charge of the escort squad.

  Presently this man, apparently satisfied, shouted an order, whereupon the workers each picked up a log, shouldered it, and in a straggling line started off in the direction of the fort.

  Not until they had been out of sight for some minutes did any of the watchers stir. Then Macgreggo whistled, and Cub lost no time in vacating his uncomfortable couch: With the others he walked on to where Macgreggo's men were getting together.

  As soon as Gimlet had joined the bandit leader he asked: "How did it go off?"

  Macgreggo pointed to a rough-looking old fellow who was standing near.

  "That is Abuk,

  " he said. "Sienco is on his way to the fort. There is nothing more for us to do here so let us get back to camp."

  Cub knew then that the outing had been successful.

  CHAPTER VIII.

  OPERATION MIDNIGHT

  THINGS were quiet in camp the following day while those who were in it awaited the return of the scouts who had again gone to the scene of the woodcutting operations where the impersonation trick w4s to be repeated.

  The business now was to return Abuk to the fort and bring back Sienco, who would, it was hoped, have made contact with Yakoff the Cossack. The man had been described to him in detail by Abuk—not that there was much chance of mistake for he was the tallest man in his troop, and still bore on his face the marks of the harsh treatment that had caused him to hate the governor of the fort. In that part of the world, Macgreggo pointed out, to hate a man was to do him as much injury as possible. Hate was, in fact, the moving spirit of the community, a state of affairs which depressed Cub to such an extent that he hoped he would be soon out of it.

  Abuk raised no objection about going back to the fort. He appeared to think it was a high honour to be allowed to work for a man like Greggo the Scourge, whose name was a household word in the country. It was clear, too, that although he knew Macgreggo to be a bandit, this was a thing to be proud of rather than ashamed. He addressed him with the greatest respect, which gave Cub an idea of how their new friend was regarded by the common people of the country. In any case, Macgreggo promised the man that the day was not far distant when he would see to it that all the impressed men were freed from their miserable bondage.

  On this occasion, as the substitution trick appeared to entail no great risk, Gimlet and his party stayed at home, and Macgreggo with them. His men knew exactly what to do, he averred, so there was no reason why, in view of the dangerous task ahead of them, they should tire themselves by exertions that were not really necessary.

  During the forenoon the old villager, whose name it turned out was Yousouf, and who was to show them the way up the cliff, was brought in.

  Even in a land of remarkable men he was an amazing figure—a wizened snipe of a creature with dark fanatical eyes and a long white beard stained round the mouth with nicotine. His coat was in the nature of a dirty patchwork quilt, with wide sleeves. On his head he wore a conical hat decorated with gilt stars and cabalistic signs. Under his coat he wore a short pleated skirt. His spindly legs were bare down to the feet, which were protected with obviously home-made sandals.

  "Strike ole Riley! If it ain't Santa Claus 'imself," muttered Copper in an awe stricken whisper, when his eyes
first fell on this strange creature.

  "He's the man who's going to take us up the cliff to the fort," said Cub.

  "You mean, we're goin' ter trust ourselves ter that old son of a witch, all got up like a dog's breakfast?"

  "That's the idea," confirmed Cub.

  "Then I might as well write a goodbye note ter my ole Ma," groaned Copper. "Wot a country! This is where soldierin' lands yer at the finish."

  "As long as he knows the way that's all that matters," asserted Cub.

  As the old man drew near he brought with him a heavy, sickly fragrance.

  Copper's nostrils twitched. "Did you get that?" he asked Cub hoarsely.

  "Takes me straight back ter Wappin'," he went on. "I used ter know a gel who smelt like that—a barmaid, she was, at the King's Head. Married a pal o' mine, poor blighter."

  Macgreggo must have overheard this, for he smiled and explained: "Yousouf is the village chemist, which means that he's also a maker and purveyor of perfumes. Practises a bit of wizardry in his spare time, too, no doubt. Most of them do. He'll sell you a lucky charm if you want one."

  "We shall want a bagful if we're ter get out of this joint," said Copper warmly. "Wot say you, Trapper, ole pal?"

  "Tch. Three bags full," opined Trapper.

  The object of this criticism, who, knowing no English, must have taken the remarks for compliments, bowed gravely, and in his own language entered into a conversation with Macgreggo which the others were of course unable to follow. At the finish Macreggo informed them that Yousouf would lead them up the ancient path, provided it was still there. It was many years since he had seen it so it might have been carried away by a landslide. Yousouf, it seemed, like the rest of the native population, had no love for Governor Vladimir Karzoff.

  For his peace of mind, considering the hazards of the undertaking, Cub would have preferred a guide of more normal character and appearance. The old man's statement that he had studied the stars, which favoured brave enterprises, did nothing to increase his confidence. He preferred to put his trust into something more substantial than the positions of certain constellations on that particular night. However, he saw that they were in no case to be particular.

  Yousouf accepted a cup of tea, and after dropping into it something that sent off a cloud of blue smoke, swallowed it at a gulp.

  "Did yer see that?" breathed Copper. "'E's a conjurer as well. Blimey!

  It's come ter a nice thing when commandos 'ave ter fall in behind a bloke with a magic wand."

  "As long as he can conjure us up that cliff, how he does it doesn't matter," said Gimlet curtly.

  Sienco returned later, with the men who had gone out to watch the substitution, which, it was now observed, had been carried through without mishap.

  Sienco made his report to Macreggo, who trans-

  lated for the benefit of Gimlet and his party. Everything had gone well.

  Yakoff the Cossack had agreed to lower the string and haul up the rope for the bribe offered. As it happened, he was on duty that same night, which simplified matters. He would dispose of his companion, and knowing roughly where the cliff path was reported to end, would be there at midnight. He would wait. If he was in the wrong place a whistle would bring him to the right one.

  "That's capital," declared Gimlet. "Now we're all set for the show. Bring all the tools you'

  re likely to want, Copper. There may be locks to pick or bars to cut."

  "I'll provide the rope," promised Macgreggo. "We shall have to start fairly soon, not only on account of the distance to be covered but because the going will be rough, particularly at the finish. That means it will be slow. Moreover, as we get near the fort there must be no noise."

  "Are you taking the whole gang?" asked Copper.

  "What I shall do is this," replied Macgreggo. "I shall muster as many men as possible.

  Some will take up positions on the bank above the fort ready to lend a hand should things become awkward. Taking twenty selected men with me I shall then move to the lip of the gorge and post them. They will stay there to cover our retreat should we be discovered and pursued. The rest of us will go on."

  "Does that mean that you are coming into the fort with us?" asked Gimlet.

  "Most certainly. I am anxious to make an examination of the place. But don't worry! I shall do nothing to jeopardise the escape of the man you want."

  "That sounds all right to me," answered Gimlet.

  Preparations for departure were made forthwith, and it was clear from the sober behaviour of the brigands that this was a serious operation, even for them.

  The march began under a sky that had clouded over, and long before the track leading to the fort was reached the long file of men was moving through a steady drizzle that made everything uncomfortable, although fortunately it was not cold. The moon was not yet up, but here and there a star showed through a break in the clouds. Even so, the darkness in the forest was of Stygian quality. Actually, the darkness was a help as well as a hindrance. It reduced the risk of discovery when the party had reached the vicinity of the fort, but on the other hand it could not fail to retard progress, particularly over the difficult places. Such was the case when it came to crossing the gorge, where a slip might have had fatal results.

  But before the final assault party came to the gorge itself, Macgreggo had posted the majority of his men on the hill that overlooked the road with its grisly scaffold. The corpse, Cub was glad to note, was no longer there. Later he learned that it had been removed by the bandit leader's orders, and given a decent burial.

  There was another delay while Macgreggo posted his covering party on the near lip of the gorge, beyond which, unseen in the darkness, was the fort. Not a light showed to mark its position. This done, the most difficult part of the journey began. The descent to the bottom of the gorge was not too bad, because the slope was not very acute at the point selected, and there was a certain amount of rough herbage to offer a handhold should anyone slip.

  The actual party had now been reduced to eight, namely, Yousouf, who led the way, Macgreggo, two bandits carrying the rope, Gimlet, Copper, Trapper and Cub, in that order. In daylight they would have been in full view of the fort, which stood at the top of the cliff they had yet to climb, and for that reason there could be no question of using a torch.

  The bottom was reached without mishap, and Cub found himself groping through a tangle of coarse vegetation that fringed the stream that rushed through the gorge. There was inevitably a certain amount of noise, and several delays owing to the difficulty of keeping the party together.

  However, these difficulties were overcome, and in due course the rock face on the far side was reached. Here there was a long delay, the result, Cub was told, of the guide's inability to find a particular stone that marked the beginning of the secret path. Cub sat down hoping that the man would soon find it, for the mosquitoes were both numerous and voracious. What with insects, the overpowering darkness, the stagnant heat in the bottom of the gorge, and the stench of rotting vegetation, he found his enthusiasm for the whole affair wearing thin. The freedom of an unknown man seemed a poor reward for such discomfort. However, at long last the guide found the right stone, and the ascent began.

  This was of such a nature that anything that had gone before became trivial in comparison. It was impossible to see anything, so all Cub could do was follow close behind Trapper, sometimes taking his instructions at the most dangerous places. Somewhere above, although he still could not see it, was the fort. Below yawned a black void, the depth of which could be roughly gauged when a displaced stone went hurtling down.

  There were places where the track became a mere shelf less than a foot wide, with an overhanging bulge of rock above. Such places were passed by linking hands, and Cub was glad he could not see how far he had to fall should he slip. Perspiration mixed with rain on his face. The whole business became a nightmare, but he derived a crumb of comfort from the knowledge that Barbarossa and his Corsairs had been thr
ough it and survived the ordeal. If they could do it, he told himself, so could Gimlet and his Kittens.

  What filled him with increasing wonder was the fact that somewhere ahead was Yousouf, all skin and bones, finding the way. Of the return journey he dare not think.

  There would be time for that when they came to it.

  Towards the finish the rain cleared off and a wide break in the clouds allowed some watery

  moonlight to glimmer on the scene. Just above, now, he could make out the mighty pile of the fort. With a final effort he reached it, to find himself on a cornice of rock that varied in width from one yard to perhaps a dozen. On this the others were resting, with the exception of Macgreggo, who was groping his way along the wall of the fort with arms outstretched. Cub realised that he was feeling for the string which Yakoff the Cossack was to lower in order to pull up the rope.

  There was some difficulty in finding it, but at length Macgreggo announced that he had got it. This at once created a feeling of optimism, for it proved that Yakoff had, so far, at any rate, been as good as his word. The way to the inside of the fort would soon be open.

  The whole party moved along to where Macgreggo was standing. He had, he said, already tugged at the string, and had received an answering tug from above. This produced more quiet exclamations of satisfaction. The rope was made fast to the string.