CHAPTER XVIII
A Narrow Escape
Swift indeed had been the misfortune which had fallen on Tyler andhis comrade as they escaped down the river Sarebus. So sudden andunexpected, in fact, that the former hardly realized that he had beencaught by means of some instrument and was being dragged through thewater, while the boat in which he had been kneeling, plying his paddlewith all his might, swept on and away from him, urged by the powerfularm of the Chinaman. As for the latter, until the shout of the piratewho wielded the long pole and hook broke on his ear, he had no suspicionthat the enemy was at hand, for the hiss of the water as it surgedagainst the prow drowned all other sounds. But the sudden call causedhim to sit upright with a jerk and turn his head, only to perceive thefigure of his young master disappearing in the darkness. A moment laterhe had shot away from the pursuers, and, turning the craft with a dip ofthe paddle, lay still upon the surface, while the latter, still plyingtheir oars, swept away in advance, searching there for the second of thegallant Chinamen who had caused them so much suffering.
Ten minutes later Tyler regained consciousness, and would have startedto his feet had not a naked foot pressed him to the floor.
"What has happened?" he demanded in bewildered tones. "We were runningdown-stream, and it began to look as though we were going to give thosefellows the slip. Then--Li Sung, you may not know it, but you arestanding on my chest, which is not very comfortable. Just take yourfoot away and allow me to sit up."
"Lie still, you dog!" was the answer, in a language which he did notunderstand, but which he knew must be Dyak. "Lie quiet where you are, Isay, and stir not if you value your comfort. Would you warn your comradethen? That will silence you."
The native who had charge of the prisoner lifted his paddle and hit atthe prostrate figure lying beneath him in the darkness. But, fortunatelyfor the latter, the blow failed to reach the mark, and, striking thebottom of the boat within an inch of his head, almost dashed a holethrough the wood-work. But it had the desired effect, for Tyler atonce realized his position and held his tongue, while the recollectionof what had happened came to him like a flash in spite of his dizzycondition.
"I remember now," he said to himself with something approaching a groan."A hook caught me under the arm, and before I could make out what wasup, I was splashing in the water and was being dragged into anotherboat. Then some fellow caught me a crack over the head, and--by Jove!how sore I am! They must have pulled me about and kicked me prettysavagely, for I feel as though every bone in my body were broken. AndI'm a prisoner."
The thought set him wondering what would be his fate, though that was aquestion which required little answering. Then he began to think of LiSung, and with a feeling of gladness he realized that the Chinaman hadmade good his escape.
"Then, after all, there may be some chance for me," he said to himself."Captain Keppel and the Rajah of Sarawak were to put in an appearance atthe mouth of the river on this date, and were to await our report there.If Li has got clear away he will, no doubt, lie up in some quiet spotand think the matter out. Then he will see that he can do no good alone,and he will at once set his face down-stream, and will row for all heis worth. The tide will help him, and by the time the night comes againhe will be at the rendezvous. Then the anchors will be raised, and theschooners will sail up with the flood, and may, perhaps, be here by thefollowing evening. By then I shall be--"
Once more he broke off suddenly, realizing with a feeling akin todespair that he would be dead, for was it likely that the pirates wouldkeep him a captive for long?
"Hardly," whispered Tyler to himself. "They will be angry, and men whoare in that condition do not pause and allow time to keep them fromtheir revenge. To-day, within a few hours, they will commence to tortureme, and then all will be over, and Li will have had his journey fornothing, while I shall be another of the victims to be added to the longlist already set down to the brutality of these pirates."
The conviction was not a very cheerful one, and for long it occupiedour hero's thoughts to the exclusion of all others. And all the while,as he lay there prostrate on the floor of the boat, with throbbing headand limbs which ached in every part, the native who stood guard over himstill rested a naked foot heavily on his chest, while ever and anon heturned his eyes from the dark surface of the river to the spot where hisprisoner lay.
"One of the dogs at least is in our power," he kept saying to himself,"and when the day comes, and the sun sails up to the sky, the secondwill come beneath our eyes. Then we shall return to Rembas in greatfavour, and our comrades will speak well of us. And afterwards thereshall be a feast, when our prisoners shall afford us some amusement. Andsupposing the other dog escapes?"
The question set him wondering what would be their reception at Rembas,and he was bound to confess to himself that the chief who had sent themout to make the captures would have something to say.
"He will scowl at us, and call us cowards and dogs," said the native."But he will do us no evil, for have we not been partially successful?For that reason he will talk, and then he will forgive. But we shallhave to incur the laughter of our comrades."
Once more the man lapsed into silence, while the boat sped on itscourse. But nowhere was there a sign of Li Sung, though they searchedevery foot of that portion of the river, and shouted a warning to theircomrades who had taken up their posts above and below, in the hope ofcapturing the fugitives as they passed. Then, slowly at first, and laterwith the same swiftness with which it was wont to leave the earth, theday came full upon them, and they could see for miles along the surface.
"Not a boat in sight, comrades," said the leader, the native who hadcharge of Tyler. "One of the men we have with us, but where is theother? Has anyone seen or heard aught of him?"
He looked round at his crew with questioning eyes, and, hearing noresponse, spoke to them again.
"Then what are we to do?" he demanded fiercely. "You have all heardwhat our chief has promised to do to us if we who were so many returnedunsuccessful. Well, we are that. We have but one captive, while thesecond is at large. Shall we return at once, or will it meet your viewsif we kill this dog who lies beneath my foot, and then sail for thelower reaches? For myself, I fear to enter Rembas again, for the thoughtthat our companions will jeer at me is worse than the fear of death."
"And with us also," cried his companions. "We have fought hard, and areweary. But rather than go now to our homes to rest, we will row on if toreturn is to mean trouble with those who remained behind."
"It was a bad day for all of us when we were chosen for the duty," burstin another when his comrades had done and there was silence in the boat;"but I fail to see why we should fear to return to Rembas. Tell me, myfriends, who can say where the second of the Chinamen has got to? Isthere a man here who set eyes on him or on his boat after we capturedthe fool who lies at the bottom of our own craft?"
The Dyak, a shrivelled-up and aged man, peered at each one of thecrew in turn, his beady eyes passing their faces one by one withoutdiscovering an answer.
"No one responds," he went on with a cunning smile. "Then can ourbrothers in Rembas tell more? Can they say that he has escaped simplybecause we have not laid hands upon him? Ye are children, who need a manof my years and experience to nurse you. Listen to me, and say whetherthis will suit our case. We were told off for this matter, and the fateswilled it that we should meet with great trouble; for how were we toguess that these Chinese dogs would prove so cunning? And how could weforetell the fact that the two who were caught by the bore would bearmed with guns, good guns, mark you, my brothers, which shot betterthan our own? Others would have found the task impossible, but we werenot to be so easily beaten, and though weary we clung to our ground.Then fortune came our way, and we captured one of the dogs, while witha blow of the pole to which the hook is attached the boat in which theyrowed was sent to the bottom, with a big hole through the boards. Tellme, does not the stream on the river Sarebus run fast, and are not meneasily drowned in its wa
ters? Then that is the fate which has befallenthe second of the Chinamen. He is dead, and by to-night the body willbe washing out to sea, there to satisfy the mouths of the sharks whichkeep watch there. It is all plain and simple, and those at Rembas willrecognize the truth of the story we tell."
With another cunning glance the man took his seat, and, dipping hispaddle into the stream, turned the head of the boat towards the distanttown of Rembas.
"Come," he continued persuasively, "believe what I say, and agree totell the tale as I have told it. And recollect that we have with us oneprisoner who will help to make us welcome."
For some little time the others, who sat or kneeled in the boat, lookedat one another doubtfully, while they discussed the matter in low tones.Then they began to see that their comrade had pointed out the only pathwhich they could take, and on considering it they saw that the tale wasa likely one.
"And besides," said the man who had had the post in the bows, "Iremember that as I thrust a second time at the figure of the man whostill remained to be taken, the hook struck heavily against the craft,and may well have capsized it or battered a hole in the boards. Yes, thetale is good, and we should agree to it."
And so, after a deal of discussion and eager conversation, the head ofthe boat was turned again to Rembas, for the stream had swung her round.Then the paddles dipped in the water, and very soon they were at theirjourney's end.
"Rise! The chief awaits you!"
The words were shouted in Tyler's ear, while his custodian kicked himsavagely in the ribs. Then signs were made that he was to mount theslope which led to a formidable-looking stockade, and was to enter thegate which stood wide open.
"Come," shrieked the man, angered at the delay which had occurred in thecarrying out of his orders, "stir yourself and be quick, or I will findsomething better and more persuasive than a foot. Here, stand on yourlegs!"
With that he clutched at Tyler's clothing and swung him over the gunwaleof the boat and on to the ground beside the edge of the water. Then twoothers came to his aid, and in a moment they had set him upon his feetand had given him a push in the direction in which he was to go. But, totheir amazement, the prisoner collapsed at once, and fell heavily uponhis face.
"He would make believe that he cannot stand. He is a cunning dog!" criedone of them. "Let us try again, and set something beneath him to keephim upright. Ah, perhaps the point of a knife will help him!"
Once more Tyler was hoisted to his feet, while the ruffian who hadspoken last whipped a knife from his waist-cloth, and held it so thatthe prisoner would meet with an injury if he was so foolish as to fall.Then his comrades were in the act of starting aside when a by-standerinterfered.
"You will kill the man and rob us of our fun," he called out suddenly,starting forward as he did so. "See! Have you no eyes? The fellow isweak with loss of blood, and here is the spot from which it comes."
He pointed to the arm where the knife had struck some few hours before,and then to the garments below, which were stained red with blood.As for Tyler, he made no movement, but watched his captors throughhalf-closed eyes; for he had a difficult game to play, and felt that themoment was a critical one.
"If I show fight, or am strong and can walk, they will treat me badly,"he had said to himself as he lay upon the floor of the boat and thoughtthe matter out. "Then their chief will have me brought before him, andwill endeavour to get some information from me; for the chances are thathe will guess that I have something to do with the English of Sarawak. Ishould refuse, of course, and then, seeing that I was of no further use,he would give the order for my execution. That will not suit me, formy object is to gain time. Captain Keppel will be at the mouth of theriver by now, and Li Sung will reach him to-night. To-morrow night atthe earliest is the hour when I may expect them. I must pretend to knowa lot, and yet be too weak to talk. Then in the hope of getting newsfrom me when I am stronger they will curb their impatience and treat mewell. Also, finding that I am helpless, they will not be so watchful,and perhaps I may manage to give them the slip."
The plan seemed to be a good one, and as Tyler had thought it out in thedarkness, and had sought for a good excuse for his weakness, the woundproduced by the kriss which had struck him in the arm occurred to him,and he had at once commenced to tear the bandage from it.
"That will allow the wound to bleed freely for a time and to stain myclothing," he said to himself. "I am wet from head to foot, so that alittle blood will spread and look like a lot, and so mislead them. Yes,when the day comes I shall pretend to be almost on the point of death,and shall be incapable of standing."
"See!" cried the man again, drawing attention to the prisoner's arm. "Hehas a wound, and it has bled freely, which accounts for his weakness.Let me tie a cloth about it, and then carry him, for we do not desireto see our captive slip from our fingers, and so rob us of the pleasurewhich we hope to have. Stand aside, you who gape and hold the knife,while I see to the man."
Evidently the one who had spoken was of some consequence, for hiscomrades did not demur, and instead stood on one side; while the onewho had drawn his kriss returned it to its place looking abashed anduncomfortable as he did so. A few moments later the wound was roughlybound, and Tyler was being carried up into the stockade. A shelteredspot was found for him, and he was placed upon the ground, while orderswere given for water and food to be brought to him. Then those who hadcaptured him went in a body to their chief to tell him the tale whichthey had agreed upon. As for Tyler, left alone in the shadow of one ofthe huts, he dared not so much as move an arm lest someone should bewatching.
"I must remember the part I am playing," he said to himself, "and muston no account appear to be shamming. When they see that I am helplessthey will leave me alone, and perhaps I shall have the night to myself.Ah, here comes someone!"
Through his half-closed lids he caught sight of a woman advancingtowards him, and at once made ready to act his part. Closing his eyes,he lay so still that he might have been dead, and made no movement whenthe woman spoke to him. A second later his hand was grasped and thearm lifted to its fullest height, only to be dropped again, to see,perhaps, whether it would fall with a crash, or whether this seeminglyunconscious man had power to control it. However, Tyler guessed theobject of the movement, and allowed the limb to fall with all itsweight. Then he felt a gourd placed to his lips, while a few drops ofcold water were allowed to trickle into his mouth.
"He is but young, and will recover," said the woman in soft tones. "Heis one of a race whom we admire, for their men are hard and can fightand work well, and by the tale which has come to us this lad and hiscomrade, who is dead, made a fine stand against our men. Well, it isa pity, for he must die. But the chief has sent word that he is to becarefully tended, for the rogue may have news of these white people whopropose to come up the river and attack us. Not that we care much forthe tale, for Rembas is safe against thousands. There, I have sent somewater down his throat, and in a little time he will be better and willbe sensible. He shall have some food then, and perhaps to-morrow morninghe will be well enough to be killed."
She did not seem to see the strangeness of her words, but took it forgranted that once her charge was better he would be executed. Indeed, toher mind such a course seemed only natural, for if the prisoner were notstrong and fully alive, how could he afford amusement to the pirates, acollection of people who revelled in cruelty? And therefore, having doneher best for him, she left him to himself and went about her daily work,wondering where the youthful Chinaman had come from, and how it was thathe happened to be in the river Sarebus. As for Tyler, no sooner had thewoman left him to himself than he gently opened his eyes and lookedabout him, carefully taking stock of the buildings and of the fortswhich were erected on every hand.
"Evidently making preparations for the attack which is expected," hesaid, observing that guns had been placed in position in many places,so as to command the approach from the river, and that stockades werebeing built. "But our guns would quickly send
them flat to the ground,and scatter the pirates. How much I should like to be present at theengagement, and what would I not give to be able to get away now andinform my commander of the preparations being made to resist him? Yes,when the guns have done their work the real excitement will begin, forthe boats will row right in till they are within gun-shot, and then theywill have to surmount the booms which are outside. And there is anotherquestion of importance. Captain Keppel ought to know the exact positionof those booms, so as to send a boat ahead to blow a hole through them.I must get away! The very first chance I get I shall take to my heelsand make a bolt for it."
It was a desperate resolve to make, but a natural one under thecircumstances; for what else could he do? To lie there simply meant thathis end was put off for a few hours. Sooner or later, if he but waitedfor it, he would be dragged to execution, and then no one could savehim. Why not, then, snatch at the smallest chance which offered, andtrust to his heels to carry him to safety?
So determined was our hero that, seeing that no one was at hand, hewas almost in the act of springing to his feet, when sounds broke uponhis ear, and he became aware of the fact that a number of men wereapproaching, and in their midst the leader of the Rembas pirates.Instantly his eyes closed as if he were still insensible.
"So that is the man who kept you all at bay?" said the chief, lookingcritically at the unconscious figure at his feet. "A lanky Chinaman, youtell me? But--no, surely not one of that country, for see, his pigtailis almost severed, while the arm which is bandaged is too white for oneof that race. This is no Chinaman, but an Englishman. I can tell him ata glance, for I have been at Singapore and at Sarawak."
The news that their prisoner was of greater consequence than they hadimagined caused the Malays and Dyaks the greatest astonishment andpleasure, and as their chief assured them that he was an Englishman theydanced with delight.
"He will be all the more valuable," said the chief thoughtfully, "for wewill contrive to gather news of the intended attack from him. Remember,though we of Rembas are not always on terms of friendship with thosewho live at Pakoo and at Paddi, yet on this occasion, when all are tomeet the foreigner, we shall bury our differences and make common causeagainst the enemy. For that reason the Dutchman, Hans Schlott, willnot refuse if I ask him a favour, and will come hither at my bidding.We will send to him at once, for he can speak the language of theseEnglishmen, and we will ask him to interview the prisoner. Come, no timemust be lost, for many miles of river lie between him and us."
Fortunate for Tyler was it that he could not understand what was said,for then he would have realized that his case was almost hopeless. HansSchlott to come and interview him as he lay a prisoner at Rembas! Why,the crafty Dutchman would recognize him in a moment, and would at onceinsist on his execution. That such would be the consequence of a meetingbetween the man who had murdered Mr. Beverley and Tyler Richardson couldnot be doubted, and had our hero but known of the proposal to send forhim, have but dreamed that ere noon of the following day the Dutchmanwould be there in the stockade which surrounded Rembas, there is nodoubt that he would have watched eagerly for the smallest loophole forescape, and would have snatched at it instantly, however desperatethe chance which it offered. However, perhaps it was as well that hewas ignorant of the facts, for his peace of mind was less disturbedin consequence, and he was able to devote more attention to hissurroundings and to plans for getting away than would have been possiblehad the dread of an interview with Hans Schlott been before him.
"Yes, he is an Englishman, and comes from Sarawak, I'll be bound," wenton the chief of the Rembas pirates, closely inspecting the unconsciousprisoner again. "He may have come here by accident, having been washedin by the flood from the sea, or he may have come hither with the objectof spying upon us. The last is the most likely. But we shall soonknow, for the Dutchman will interrogate him, and if his tongue wags butslowly in reply, we shall have a means to quicken it. But let us see tothe message. To you," and he took one of the by-standers by the arm,"I give the post of honour. Take a boat and crew this instant, and rowfor Paddi, bearing this from me: 'The lord of Rembas bids the lord ofPaddi greeting, and asks that he take passage in this boat, or in anyone of his own vessels, and come to Rembas at once, as we are in need ofhis services. We have a prisoner, a young Englishman, who is tall andlanky, and we desire to have him questioned, thinking that he has beensent to spy upon us.' There, that should be sufficient. Go now, withoutloss of time, and nightfall should see you at Paddi. An hour will do fordiscussion, and after that you will set out to return. By noon to-morrowyou will be here with our guest, and we shall be able to look into thismatter. When that is done, and the night is fallen, we will have abonfire in the centre of the stockade, and there we will pass the timepleasantly at the expense of the prisoner."
Once more he ran his eye over the apparently unconscious figure at hisfeet. Then he turned away and went to see that his orders were carriedout without delay. As for the others, they, too, soon went to theirhuts, and Tyler was left lying in the shadow alone.
"They suspect me," he said to himself, opening his eyes and lookingaround. "I am not certain, but I think I overheard the word 'Englis',which would make it appear that the chief recognized that I was not aChinaman. If that is so, he is likely to question me very closely, andhe will certainly not be inclined to show me any mercy on account of thefact that I am one of those who are about to attack him. Well, I mustwait for night to fall, and then I shall make a dash for it. Ah, theyhave forgotten to search me for arms!"
With a sudden flush of pleasure he realized that his revolvers stilloccupied their place in his waist-cloth, and that he had a means ofdefence. Then, as there was nothing more to be done, he looked about himtill he felt that he knew every corner of Rembas, and then fell into adoze. When he awoke again, the woman who had previously come to his helpwas standing beside him, and at once she lifted the gourd of water tohis lips.
"You are better, but still weak," she said. "Drink, and afterwards Iwill give you food, for it is only in that way that you will become aman again. There, lie still while I place the food in your mouth."
In her way she was kind to this forlorn prisoner, and seeing that hestill appeared to be so weak as to be unable to lift his hands, she fedhim with rice, which she conveyed to his lips by means of her fingers.Then she gave him another drink of water, and having placed a roll ofmatting beneath his head, and the gourd beside him, she left him for thenight.
"Sleep," she said, "and when to-morrow comes I will come to you again tofeed you. A fine rest to you!"
A moment later she was out of sight, and Tyler found himself alonelying in the lengthening shadow of a hut which was situated in the verycentre of the town of Rembas. Other huts clustered about him, but theyseemed to be untenanted, and he soon made sure that they must containprovisions and arms and ammunition. As for the inhabitants, numbers wereto be seen at work on the fortifications, busily making them more secureagainst the expected attack, while others went about their ordinarybusiness. Every now and again someone would stroll past the spot wherethe prisoner lay, perhaps to satisfy his curiosity; but on each occasionTyler was lying in precisely the same spot, his head propped upon theroll of matting, and his limbs spread out in a manner which showed thathe was helpless. Apparently the pirates were satisfied that there was nodeceit, for when the sun went down, and the long shadow cast by the hutsuddenly became merged into the general darkness, they did not troubleto move him, but left him there, feeling that he was secure.
"He can come to no harm, and the night air will serve to revive him,"said the leader of the Rembas pirates as he passed to his hut. "Thesepale-faces are not like us, and a very little takes their strength away.But you will see that he will revive by the morning, for he has alreadytaken food. Leave him, and perhaps when the day comes he will be able tosit up, or even to stand upon his feet with help. As for escape, it isout of the question in his case."
Two hours later, when all sounds in the stockade had died do
wn, Tylerprepared to make an attempt to escape, and, as a preliminary, thrust hishand into his waist-cloth and brought his revolvers out, one at a time.Carefully running his hands over them, he made sure that they were readyfor use, though whether or not the powder had been spoilt by his shortimmersion in the river he could not say. Then, having stared about him,and listened eagerly for sounds of any pirate who might happen to beabroad, he rose to his feet and began to steal away in the dense shadowof the hut.
"I must keep out of the rays of the moon," he said to himself, glancingat the sky, where a crescent of the orb was calmly floating. "The lightis quite sufficient to show me to an enemy, and, on the other hand, itwill enable me to detect one who may be approaching. I'll stick close tothe huts, and when I am bound to cross an open space will make a dashfor it. Here goes!"
With a revolver in either hand he stole along beside the wall of beatenclay and bamboo, and soon came to the end of the hut. Then, havingpaused for some moments, he flitted across the space which intervenedbetween it and a second, and once more was buried in deep darkness.
Ah! As he stood there, looking about him with eager eyes in case someoneshould have seen him, a sound, the rustle of a garment, broke uponhis ear, and instantly he became riveted to the spot, his limbs heldrigidly, while he searched the shadows with his eyes. There it wasagain, and as he looked he fancied he caught sight of a dusky figureaway on his right. Was it a Dyak sent to watch the prisoner, and who,seeing that he was about to escape, was following with the intention ofspringing upon him as his hopes were about to be realized? Yes, thatmust be the solution of this mystery, and the fellow over there wastracking him, following him like a cat.
At the thought a cold perspiration broke from Tyler's forehead, whilehis heart thumped so fiercely against his ribs that he even dreaded lestthe sound was audible. Then, too, his head throbbed, partly with therough treatment which he had received when captured, and partly owing tothe excitement under which he laboured. He could scarcely think, couldhardly gather his wits, and stood there for some seconds scarcely daringto breathe. Then the courage which had helped him thus far through themany dangers which he had of late been called upon to face came to hisaid, his old spirit of determination returned to him, and in an instant,it seemed, Tyler Richardson was himself again, peering into the darknesswith all his senses alert, and judging the situation with that calmnesswhich had astounded his friends on former occasions.
"Dyak or Malay," he whispered to himself, "it makes no difference tome, for I have met both before, and have beaten them. I will not allowthis fellow to spoil my hopes, and will shoot him like a dog if heinterferes. But does he see me? I am in the shade, and it is possiblethat he has lost sight of my figure. Ah, I will play a prank upon him!"
Suddenly perceiving that if the man, whoever he was, had been following,he would have seen him dart across the space lit by the feeble rays ofthe moon, and that, having watched the prisoner gain the shadow of thehut, the pirate would expect him to creep along beside the latter andemerge again at the farther end, Tyler decided to remain where he wasfor a time, and so mislead the man.
"By not moving myself I may force him to disclose his own position," hethought, "and then I shall be able to deal with him. And, besides, itis not at all certain that he is actually following me. Perhaps he hassome other game to carry out, and cares nothing for the prisoner."
However improbable the last might be, Tyler did not mean to lose sightof it, and, in accordance with his resolution, crouched in the shadow,and remained perfectly still there, peering out into the comparativelight beyond in the hope that he would catch sight of the stranger.
There he was. The swish of a linen garment and the patter of a sandalledfoot broke the silence, and a tall figure was seen to glide along besidea hut across the way and disappear round the corner. Strange! He wasmoving away from Tyler, for now the hut stood between them. But not forlong; for ere many moments had passed the same sounds were heard again,and the same ghostly object came into view, this time more easily seen,for the reason that a few stray rays of the moon reached him. Why, hehad made a round of the dwelling, and, as if he had failed to find thatfor which he was searching, was now flitting across to another near athand! Instantly Tyler turned to follow his movements, wondering what theman could want. Then he suddenly swung right round, for the muzzle ofone of his weapons had tapped against the woodwork of the hut, and hadgiven rise to a sharp noise which had instantly brought the stranger toa stop.
"He heard it, and if he did not know of my presence here before hesuspects it now," thought Tyler. "It was a piece of carelessness and badluck, and may cost me my life. Ah, he too is hiding in the shadow andpeering in this direction!"
For many minutes did the two silent figures watch each other, or,rather, search the shadows in the vain endeavour to recognize who washidden there. And more than once did Tyler lift his arm and take aim athis opponent, thinking that to risk a shot would be better, perhaps,than to wait there in such uncertainty, and always with the fear inhis heart that another of the pirates might put in an appearance. Buthowever justified the deed, he could not reconcile himself to it. Itseemed so much like murder, like shooting a man from behind; and as thethought came to him our hero lowered his weapon, while he puzzled hisbrains as to how he should act.
As for the stranger, his patience seemed to swiftly come to an end, andat length he commenced to creep from the shadow towards the spot whereTyler was in hiding. A tall, lanky individual, in that half-light heappeared almost like a giant as he stood for the space of a second tohis full height. Then, snatching at a weapon which was thrust in a bandof linen about his waist, he dropped on hands and knees and stealthilycrawled forward.
"He hopes to attack me in the shadow," thought Tyler, at his wits' endhow to act. "If I stay here he will crawl into the shadow higher up, andwill then come down beside the wall of the hut, where I shall be unableto see him. That will not do, and as it is clear that I am discovered,and that I shall have to fight for my life, I too will make for theopen. If he gives a shout I shall fire and then run for my life."
His mind made up to act in this manner, he threw himself on hands andknees also, and at once crawled out into the open, one weapon thrustinto his girdle, and the other held in his right hand. And thus, liketwo panthers awaiting the moment to spring upon one another, the twoghostly figures advanced across the open. Rapidly did the distancebetween them lessen, till at last only some fifteen feet separated thecombatants. Now was the time to act, and as each grasped the fact, theysprang to their feet. Instantly Tyler's figure stiffened, his arm swungup to the horizontal, and he covered his man with an aim which neverleft the mark, and which never trembled in spite of his excitement. Asfor his opponent, he seemed even taller and more forbidding than before,and as he stood to his full height, and raised his naked weapon abovehis head, the rays of the moon flashed upon him, increasing the ferocityof his appearance. But Tyler was not to be frightened so easily, andindeed scarcely seemed to have taken note of the features of the man.As if to make more certain of his aim he squinted along the barrel ofhis revolver and elevated the muzzle just a little till it lit upon someobject which glinted brightly upon the naked chest of the man. Thenhis finger went to the trigger, there was a pause, and slowly the griptightened. A second and the haunt of the river pirates would have beenawakened by the report of a shot, when an exclamation of astonishmentburst from our hero.
"What!" he exclaimed in low tones. "Can it be possible, or am Idreaming?"
As if some sight had dazed him, he passed his hand across his eyes, andstared again at his opponent, keeping his revolver levelled at him allthe while. Then he advanced a step or two and peered at the stranger. Asfor the latter, he, too, was acting in a manner strangely different fromthat which one would have expected. As Tyler had levelled his weapon hehad started back a pace. Then he had suddenly leaned forward and staredinto the face of the man who stood before him. What were his thoughtsno one could say, but there he stood as if spell-bound
, not uttering asound, staring at his silent opponent. A moment later, however, as Tylergave vent to the words, the figure opposite him had sprung forward, thenaked weapon had dropped to the ground, and two hands were groping forhis in the semi-darkness.
"Massa! Massa Tyler Richardson! You! de prisoner!"
"And that is Li Sung!" gasped Tyler. "I cannot believe it possible. I amescaping. I thought you were a pirate about to stop me, and in less timethan I can think I should have shot you. Then the moon showed me thatthe bright point at which I aimed was a small brass box in which youcarry snuff, and instantly I realized that it must be you. What are youdoing here? Speak! We have no time to lose!"
For a few seconds the faithful Li Sung could not respond to his master,so utterly taken aback and staggered was he by the extraordinary endingof what had appeared to be a serious danger. This his master! And thelatter had recognized his servant but just in time, had told him bythe snuff-box which dangled about his neck, and which, had he been awayin China, amongst his countrymen, would never have been there. Yes, itwas strange that a habit which he had learned from the Malays of Borneoshould save his life, and that the wearing of a box of metal abouthis neck should enable his master to find him. His delight was beyondeverything. This stoical, placid Chinee was a different being, and forthe first time for many a year he was at a loss for words, while hislips trembled and tears started to his slit-like eyes.
"Massa!" he managed to gasp at last. "Li he comee here to find you.He watch de town of Rembas and sneak here when de light die down. Denhe creep close to de stockade, and he hear plenty fine words from desentry who talkee to one of de men. He learn dat you am velly weak, andam wandering in de head. Den Li say dat dat not right. He must geteeyou away from de place, and he kill de sentry Yes, him not wait to tinkvelly much, but kill him wid de knife. Den him sneakee into de town,and--"
"And happened to run up against the weak and helpless prisoner," burstin Tyler in a whisper. "It is all plain now, and the rest can be left tolater on. Only this I know. You stood by me. You came here at the riskof your life to save me. I shall not forget, and later on will thankyou."
"No needee to do dat, massa," was the Chinaman's reply. "Li not aliveeto come here if massa not savee him in de river. But time we left detown. What am de orders?"
"That you lead the way to the river, and that we make for the mouth assoon as possible."
Without further conversation they turned their faces to the stockadewhich surrounded the town of Rembas. At the gate lay the figure of thesentry who had been keeping watch, and whom Li Sung had killed, and overhis body each stepped in turn. The gate gave to a slight push, and erevery long they were on the bank of the river which ran direct into theSarebus.
"De boat or a prahu? What does massa say?"
"The first till we are in the stream, and then the last," was the sharpand unhesitating reply. "Lead the way."
Grasping the edge of the Chinaman's cloak, for it was dark beneath thetrees which fringed the bank, Tyler followed Li Sung without a doubtof his ability to lead him. Then, arrived at the spot where the boatwas moored, each stepped into her, while a thrust from the Chinaman'sbrawny leg sent her afloat. There, standing up cutting the silvery beamswith a line of black, was the mast of a small river prahu, and at once,as if they had chosen it by common consent, the boat was rowed in thatdirection. No need to hoist an anchor, for a rope of rattan alone heldthe barque, and a swift flash of the knife severed it Then the two duskyfigures went to the ropes, and soon the prahu was standing down-streamwith bellying sail.
"De bore am gone and de tide am falling," said Li Sung, coming aft towhere Tyler stood at the helm. "Keep de ship to de centre of de riverand all am safe. Comee de morning and de sea am in sight."
"And perhaps the friends who are waiting for us. Get along forward, LiSung, and keep a bright look-out, for it would be hard if we were to runon a bank after all that has happened."
Alone upon the wide sweep of water they sailed swiftly towards the mouthof the river Sarebus, and, just as the sun rose, emerged into the sea.Instantly a shout left their lips, and they turned to shake one anotherby the hand; for anchored behind a tiny sandy promontory were twovessels, one of European build, which was undoubtedly the _Dido_.
With the Dyaks of Borneo: A Tale of the Head Hunters Page 20
