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Jones of the 64th: A Tale of the Battles of Assaye and Laswaree

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Title: Jones of the 64th: A Tale of the Battles of Assaye and Laswaree

Author: F. S. Brereton

Illustrator: W. Rainey


        
Release date: July 17, 2014 [eBook #46313]
                Most recently updated: October 24, 2024

Language: English

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JONES OF THE 64TH


      *      *      *      *      *      *

    BLACKIE & SON LIMITED
    50 Old Bailey, LONDON
    17 Stanhope Street, GLASGOW

    BLACKIE & SON (INDIA) LIMITED
    Warwick House, Fort Street, BOMBAY

    BLACKIE & SON (CANADA) LIMITED
    1118 Bay Street, TORONTO

      *      *      *      *      *      *


[Illustration: SUDDENLY THE MAHRATTA TWISTED IN HIS SADDLE, AIMED AT HIS
HEAD, AND FIRED

                             _Page 217_                  _Frontispiece_]


JONES OF THE 64TH

A Tale of the Battles of Assaye and Laswaree

by

COLONEL F. S. BRERETON

Author of "Roger the Bold" "The Great Airship"
"Colin the Scout" "A Knight of St. John" &c.

Illustrated by W. Rainey, R.I.







Blackie & Son Limited
London and Glasgow


      *      *      *      *      *      *

    By Colonel F. S. Brereton

    On the Field of Waterloo.
    The Great Airship.
    With the Allies to the Rhine.
    Under French's Command.
    Colin the Scout.
    With Allenby in Palestine.
    A Hero of Panama.
    Foes of the Red Cockade.
    Under the Chinese Dragon.
    A Sturdy Young Canadian.
    How Canada was Won.
    John Bargreave's Gold.
    With Shield and Assegai.
    With Rifle and Bayonet.
    In the King's Service.
    The Dragon of Pekin.
    One of the Fighting Scouts.
    A Knight of St. John.
    Roger the Bold.
    The Rough Riders of the Pampas.
    Indian and Scout.
    The Great Aeroplane.
    Tom Stapleton.
    A Boy of the Dominion.

      *      *      *      *      *      *

Printed in Great Britain by Blackie & Son, Ltd., Glasgow




Contents


     Chap.                                  Page
        I. MR. BENJAMIN HALBUT INTERFERES      1
       II. A PROTÉGÉ                          15
      III. FACING A DIFFICULTY                30
       IV. A HUNTING EXPEDITION               48
        V. THE EAST INDIAMAN ATTACKED         66
       VI. A TRAP FOR A TRAP                  83
      VII. TOUCH AND GO                       99
     VIII. THE CITY OF PALACES               116
       IX. JOHN COMPANY                      134
        X. A MAHRATTA STRONGHOLD             153
       XI. AN OLD MAN'S RUSE                 171
      XII. THE FIRST ASSAULT                 190
     XIII. SPECIAL SERVICE                   209
      XIV. A GLORIOUS VICTORY                228
       XV. HOLKAR THE TREACHEROUS            244
      XVI. A DANGEROUS FRENCHMAN             262
     XVII. OWEN MAKES AN EFFORT              279
    XVIII. COLONEL LE POURTON'S LEGACY       295
      XIX. THE DECCAN INVINCIBLES            310
       XX. AN END TO MYSTERY                 328




Illustrations


                                                    Facing
                                                      Page
    SUDDENLY THE MAHRATTA TWISTED IN HIS SADDLE,
        AIMED AT HIS HEAD, AND FIRED        _Frontispiece_

    REACHING UP TO HIS FULL HEIGHT HE STRUCK THE
        MAN ON THE BREAST                              104

    HE STRETCHED OUT A HUGE PAW AND DRAGGED
        OWEN UP                                        200

    COLONEL LE POURTON WAS STARING DOWN THE
        MUZZLE OF THE WEAPON                           296

    PLAN OF THE BATTLE OF ASSAYE                      viii

[Illustration: PLAN TO ILLUSTRATE THE BATTLE OF ASSAYE, Sept. 23, 1803]




CHAPTER I

Mr. Benjamin Halbut Interferes


It was late in the afternoon of a lovely summer's day in the year of
grace 1798, and all the world and his wife were abroad, taking advantage
of the brilliant weather, for it had rained heavily for a week past, and
the countryside had been flooded. But another cause had brought the
people from their homes to the town of Winchester, for it was market
day, the weekly day for sales, when farmers gathered at the square,
having driven in their sheep or cattle from miles around, while the
horse-breeders had come in with their droves of animals, many of them
having spent the previous night on the road. And in consequence the
pleasant town of Winchester wore a gay appearance. The market square was
thronged to overflowing, while within the space of a few yards one could
see such a medley of beings that the sight caused any stranger to pause
and wonder. Standing there perhaps in some retired corner watching the
crowd, he could tell at a glance that the rough fellow who had just
passed, with tattered coat and breeches, odd-coloured hose and shock
head of hair, was a cattle-drover, who had more than likely slept last
night in some wayside ditch within hearing of his beasts. Then would
come a burly farmer, stout and strong, a patron of good English beef and
ale, red of face and round of limb, jolly and hearty as a sand-boy. And
if his face failed to tell of his calling, his clothing was a sure
criterion, for your farmer has had his own particular dress for many a
century, and in the year of which we speak, providing prosperity had
come to him, the man who rented or owned his farm, and employed his
hands, turned out on market days in a manner which was distinctive. And
very well and prosperous did they look in their grey beaver hats, their
tailed jackets of broadcloth, with a cravat of ample dimensions about
their necks. And down below perhaps a pair of silken hose, as this was
market day, or, if they had ridden in, boots and spurs, the former well
blacked and polished.

But all were not farmers and drovers. Women sat huddled in the corners,
some with baskets of sweets and cakes, others selling combs,
handkerchiefs, and fancy articles likely to attract the maids who
patronised the spot. Horsy-looking men tramped the pavements, or stood
opposite the Black Bull, chewing the inevitable piece of straw,
discussing the prices of the day and the business which they had done.
Boys, for the most part barefooted and in tatters, rushed here and
there, seeking to earn an odd copper by carrying a bag or holding a
horse. And lurking in the crowd one caught sight of furtive-looking
individuals, whose slouch hats were pulled well over their eyes, and who
stood, with hands deep in their pockets, surveying the scene idly,
waiting for the night to come. For then it would be their turn to hustle
the tired marketers, to pick the pockets of the women as they looked on
at some outdoor fair, and to lure the revellers to some dark corner
where they might easily rob them of the results of their marketing.

It was all very interesting and very entertaining to one of thoughtful
mind, and Mr. Benjamin Halbut, of the celebrated East India Company,
found ample food for thought as he wandered amidst the booths and
cattle-pens. He was a gentleman of more than middle age, moderately
tall, and practically clean shaven, as was the custom of the day. He was
elegantly dressed in the height of the fashion, and wore a high stock.
But there was nothing frivolous about his appearance, for his features
told a tale of study, of a peaceful and thoughtful mind, and of a nature
which was the reverse of unfriendly. And there was something
distinguished about him too, something which his refined features
enhanced, and which caused many a farmer to glance at him with approval.
Some, in fact, raised their beavers to him and smiled, a salutation
which he instantly responded to, tucking his malacca under his arm in
military style, and lifting his hat with a grace which was captivating.
And at such times he showed a splendid head of hair, continuous with
short and bushy whiskers which were then commonly worn by those who
belonged to the quality.

"A proper gentleman, and one as it's a pleasure to rent from," said
young Farmer Smiles, as Mr. Benjamin passed before the Black Bull. "I
reckon as he's the best landlord this side o' London Town."

"And for many a mile round, lad," added a rotund individual, as he wiped
the perspiration from his brow with a brilliant bandana handkerchief,
and replaced his beaver with great care, giving it that rakish list to
one side which many a farmer practised. "And to think as he's a
bachelor, and at his time o' life," he went on. "They say as there's
many a lass from the fine houses as would willingly look over his age
and take him as a husband. But, bless yer, he don't see it. He's too
busy a man for marriage. What with sailin' to India every other year,
and posting backwards and forwards between this and town, he ain't got
the time. Well, Simon, it's main hot to-day, and so we'll have another
tankard to drink his health in. Hi, lass! another full to the brim, and
as cold as you can draw it from the cellar."

It seemed, indeed, as if all in the market square were cheerful and
contented on this day, and as Mr. Benjamin sauntered along his
thoughtful face wore a smile of pleased approval. He stopped at this
booth and at that, lifting his hat to the farmers' wives and daughters,
nodding to the drovers whom he knew by sight, and acknowledging the
salutations of the smaller fry, unknown to him personally, but who knew
well who this fine gentleman was. And presently, as he gained the
farther side of the market, a gathering crowd attracted his attention,
and, being curious, he allowed himself to be carried by the people in
that direction. It was the portion of the square given over to the
carts and teams of the marketers. Here all who drove in from the
surrounding country brought their conveyances, and taking the horses out
tied them to the wheel. Some brought large tarpaulins with them, and
rigged up a shelter for the use of their women folk, and a peep beneath
some of these improvised tents disclosed chairs and a box or two upon
which the occupants ate their meals. This was, in fact, the quarter
where the smaller farmers came, those who could not afford to take their
conveyances to the ample yard of the Black Bull.

In the far corner of this portion the crowd had collected round a rough
square, in the centre of which stood a farmer's cart, with the horse
harnessed to the shafts, and a woman seated in the vehicle, holding a
child in her arms. At the horse's head stood a burly fellow, a small
farmer of rough and brutal appearance, who was engaged in examining the
broken knees of the animal, and mopping the blood which poured from
them.

"Thirty guineas lost! Not a penny less," he shouted with an oath, as he
looked at the wounds. "Here have I been tending the beast as if he were
a child, and then this rascal lets him down. I tell you he did it on
purpose!"

He flung the last words at his wife, who sat in the vehicle, and glared
at her maliciously as if he dared her to deny the fact. Then his eyes
sought one corner of the square about which stood the crowd of
marketers, composed of the rougher element, and for the most part
consisting of touts and drovers, though there was a small sprinkling of
farmers, and in one part a tall sergeant from the regiment stationed in
the town. His gaze fixed itself upon a lad some fourteen years of age,
down at heel and shabbily dressed. In fact, his clothes hung grotesquely
about him, for they were the cast-off garments of the farmer, and had
had but little alteration. He was bareheaded, his cap lying at the
farmer's feet, showing that the latter had struck him already. The
little fellow stood there looking fearfully at his master, waiting for
the thrashing which he knew would be given him as soon as the horse's
injuries had been seen to. But if he feared his master's blows there was
an air of desperation about the lad now, and his clenched fists seemed
to argue that he would not suffer without offering some opposition.

"Broken the knees of the best horse in the stable and lost me thirty
guineas," growled the man. "Come here and take your whipping!"

"Leave the lad alone, George," cried his wife, looking fearfully at her
husband. "He couldn't help it. The horse slipped on the cobbles. Ask any
one who stood near at hand."

"And all because you'd save his skin from a hiding. Hold your tongue,
woman," retorted the farmer, snapping the words at her.

He was a nasty-tempered fellow, as any one could see, and the opposition
offered by his wife hardly helped to smooth his anger. He wrapped a
piece of linen about the animal's knees, and then calmly unstrapped the
leather belt which was about his waist. And all the while the crowd
looked on expectantly, while the lad cowered in his corner, trembling
with apprehension. A moment or two later the ruffianly farmer stepped
towards him, and as he stretched out a hand to take him by the shoulder
struck the boy a cruel blow across the face with his strap. Next second
a tiny fist flew out, and the knuckles struck the brute full in the
mouth. At once there was intense silence in the crowd. All held their
breath while they awaited the result of such audacity, craning their
heads to obtain a better view. As for the farmer he staggered back,
spitting blood from his mouth, and growling out curses at the boy. Then
his anger got the better of his discretion, and he threw himself
furiously at the boy, his eyes blazing with rage, and his strap held
well aloft, prepared to deal a stinging blow. But it was never
delivered, for just as Mr. Benjamin Halbut pressed his way to the front,
and stepped into the square with the intention of putting a stop to the
contest, the sergeant who had been a spectator of the scene ran from his
corner and faced the man.

"Fair play!" he cried. "The lad's too small. Strike one of your own size
and weight."

If there had been five sergeants there it would have made no difference,
for George Ransom, the farmer, was blind with anger. Always a
self-willed man he was noted for his brutality, and many a time had the
lad whom he now attacked suffered a severe thrashing at his hands. He
knew his strength and weight, and with a shout of fury he flung himself
upon the sergeant, bringing his belt down with a thud on his shoulder.
Then a strange thing happened. The sergeant, a man of some forty years
of age, leapt to one side, and in a trice George Ransom was met with a
terrific blow beneath the jaw, which sent him flying back on to the
ground.

"Straight from the shoulder! A fine blow! A very fine knock-out indeed!"

It was Mr. Benjamin who spoke, and at the sound of his voice the
interest of the spectators was for the moment distracted from the
combatants. A moment later George Ransom had all their attention, for he
rose slowly to his feet, his face scarlet with rage and his fists
clenched tightly. Then he slowly divested himself of his coat and rolled
his sleeves to the elbow. And as he did so the news that a fight was
about to take place spread with the rapidity of a fire, bringing the
people crowding to that end of the market square.

"A fight! A fight! Stand back and give 'em room," they shouted.

"You've taken it into your thick head to stick up for the shaver,"
growled George Ransom, as he made the final preparations. "Well, you've
got to fight for him, and you've got to take punishment for that blow.
Best get that red jacket off, unless you'll keep it on to hold up your
courage."

"Nay, I'll take it off to keep it clear of your fingers. Think I'd have
it soiled by the hands of a man like you, a big hulking brute who
strikes children! That coat, my friend, has been on the shoulders of a
better man than you, as I'll try to show you. Who'll take charge of it
for me?"

Very quietly and coolly the sergeant had begun to do as George Ransom
was doing. He had already unbuttoned his tailed tunic, and slung his
belt and sabre or side-arm from his shoulders. And now, as he turned to
the mob he called for some one to take his part. Then his eye fell on
the lad standing beside him, his cheeks flushed with excitement and his
eyes shining.

"You're the man," he said. "Here, my lad, take charge, and stand in the
corner out of harm's way."

"Silence for a moment, my friends," suddenly rang out another voice, as
Mr. Benjamin Halbut moved to the centre of the circle. "Ah, Mr. Joseph
Romwell and Mr. Tasker, you have come in good time. This gentleman, who
wears his Majesty's uniform, has been challenged to fight by
this--er--this fellow here, whom I witnessed myself striking the lad. We
will see fair play. I am an old hand at the game, and with your pleasure
will keep the rounds. Let us have a couple of chairs, and with a few
more of these friends of ours we will keep a circle. One moment,
sir"--he turned upon the farmer who was now fully prepared and was
moving towards his opponent--"one moment till all is ready. Ah, here are
others, and we shall soon be prepared for you. Gentlemen, I wager fifty
guineas on the sergeant, and if he loses I will give this fellow here
the same and twenty for the boy. If the sergeant wins I will pay twenty
guineas for the boy, and so take him off his hands. Is that a bargain?"

"I'd give him away," answered George Ransom. "But if you're fool enough
to bet on a match like this, all the better. Fifty guineas to me if I
win, and twenty also for the boy. I'm ready."

He spat on his hands and doubled his fists, bringing both in front of
his massive chest. And to look at him there seemed every prospect of his
proving the victor; for he was at least two stones heavier than the
sergeant, while his arms, now that they were bared, proved to be of as
massive proportions as were his thighs and calves. But Mr. Benjamin
Halbut seemed to have no uneasiness as to the results of the conflict,
and it was very clear to all that he at least was well able to judge.
The manner in which he held his watch, his authoritative tones, and the
precision with which he placed the opponents and the judges, showed that
he was not unused to pugilistic encounters. And in fact, like large
numbers of gentlemen of that day, he was keenly in favour of the art of
fighting. True, as viewed nowadays, prize-fighting is and was a
barbarous sport, but it had many adherents in the old days, and was not
always conducted on barbarous lines. And Mr. Halbut had done his utmost
to foster the art, feeling that it helped to make men of his countrymen.
He had attended many a bout, and was considered as good a judge of
pugilists as any in the country. At the very first he had noticed the
wiry, active proportions of the sergeant, his keen eye, and the cool
manner in which he made his preparations. And now that he saw him
stripped, the hardness of his muscles, his pose as he stepped into the
ring, and the poise of his head, told that here was a man who had
practised the game.

"A champion, if I am not mistaken," thought Mr. Halbut. "Game to fight
to a finish, and has science. Well, he will want it, for this big bully
will strike with the power of a giant. All the better; if he is beaten
it will mean that my friend the sergeant will have obtained a finer
victory."

By now the news had filtered to every portion of the square, and a big
concourse of people was gathered in the corner; in fact, all who could
possibly leave their stalls or their animals had come across, while the
hall of the Black Bull was emptied. And thanks to this fact, there were
now numbers of better-class farmers and breeders close at hand, and
these, at a sign from Mr. Halbut, took up a position within the circle
so as to keep the crowd back.

"We are ready, I think," said Mr. Halbut. "Corners, please. Break away
when time is called. Now, time!"

The two opponents at once approached one another, the farmer burning to
beat down the sergeant, and confident that his strength and superior
weight would help him to do so; while the latter came up with a quiet
and intent little smile, wary and watchful, knowing that for a time at
least he would have his hands very full. Nor was it long before his
enemy showed the tactics he was prepared to follow. For a moment or two
he stood to the utmost of his height, his fists moving to and fro like a
couple of enormous sledge-hammers. Then, dropping his head suddenly he
rushed at the sergeant, swinging both arms about his head. And in this
manner he reached the opposite corner, only to find that his opponent
had slipped past him and was waiting for him to turn and renew the
combat. There was a shout of applause from the crowd, and then a cheer
as George Ransom again rushed to the attack. When time was called the
farmer was breathing heavily, while he had so far failed to touch his
opponent. His anger now had risen, if that were possible, and when Mr.
Halbut again called the combatants into the circle the farmer came
forward without a pause, and with a shout rushed at his enemy. He was
met this time with a terrific blow beneath the guard, and staggered
back, spitting teeth from his mouth. But the blow was nothing to a man
of his size and strength, and in a little while he had closed with the
sergeant and the two were striking at one another, the farmer with blind
fury, and the sergeant with skill and coolness. Once, in the third
round, the latter failed to check a rush, and a blow from George Ransom
laid him on the ground, where he lay for a time half stunned, while Mr.
Halbut slowly counted out the seconds. Was he to be beaten after all?
for by the rules of the science of pugilism, if he failed to come up
when time was called he was defeated. But a little later he rose on his
elbow, looked about him as if bewildered, and then sprang to his feet.
And the blow seemed to have increased his activity. For in the three
rounds which followed he struck the farmer many a blow, while the latter
expended his powers on the air, and rapidly became more and more
exhausted as his more active opponent escaped his rushes. Finally, in
the eighth round the climax came. The sergeant, seeing that his man was
at the end of his tether and no longer so dangerous, struck him
unmercifully, driving him round the circle and then into one corner,
where he retained him till the man was ready to drop. He escaped,
however, and the two faced one another. But it was only for a moment. As
George Ransom advanced again he was met with a blow on the point of the
chin which threw him from his feet, and in an instant he lay unconscious
on the ground.

"One, two, three, four," Mr. Halbut began to count. "Stand away there.
Keep the circle, my friends. He has a quarter of a minute yet. Time!"

A shout went up from all who were present as the sergeant went back to
his corner and took his coat from the lad. Mr. Halbut and the others
went to the farmer and ascertained that he was merely stunned. Indeed,
in a few minutes he was conscious again and being supported on his feet,
where he remained looking sourly at the group about him. Then he
stumbled blindly towards his cart, and with the aid of his wife managed
to scramble into his coat.

"One moment," said Mr. Halbut, as he was about to climb into the cart.
"The wager was that if you lost I should pay twenty guineas for the boy.
Give me your name and address and I will bring the money and have the
lad legally handed over. Wait, though, here is half the sum down. I will
look after the boy, and the rest shall be paid through an attorney."

He pulled a long purse from his pocket and told out the guineas. Then
with a sympathetic nod to the farmer's wife he turned on his heel and
went to the sergeant.

"You are a fine fellow, and I thank you," he said. "You are a little
shaken, as is natural, and a glass and something to eat at the inn will
do you no harm. Bring the lad with you and follow."

Ten minutes later they were gathered in the hall of the famous Black
Bull, waiting while the victuals were put before them.




CHAPTER II

A Protégé


Mine host of the Black Bull was a man who prided himself upon the
welcome his house provided, and on such an occasion, when Mr. Benjamin
Halbut was the guest, there was extra need for haste. And so it happened
that within a very few minutes a meal was announced as being ready.

"In the parlour, your honour," said the maid. "The best parlour, sir,
along the passage to the left. My!" she went on, as she passed the lad
for whom the sergeant had just fought so handsomely, "but you've found
friends to-day! Never mind, laddie; you look a nice little fellow."

"This way, sergeant. Come, my lad," said Mr. Benjamin. "We'll eat and
talk. We've much to arrange. Now, seat yourselves, and may this meal not
be the last that we may share for many a day to come."

He was so quiet and affable, so friendly, that even the lad who had so
strangely come into his company was far from abashed. Not that he felt
at his ease, for all this was so strange to him. In the first place, he
had never even stepped within the doors of the Black Bull, though many a
time, on market days, he had looked within, bashfully and wondering, at
the warmth and comfort, and the massive old dressers and chairs, and at
the stags' heads hung round the walls. It had never occurred to him that
one day he might have the right to enter. And here he was now, seated at
a board which groaned beneath the weight of a massive joint of beef,
while other dainties to which he was an entire stranger stood on the
table! And how he admired the fine gentleman opposite, and envied the
coolness of the sergeant!

"If I were only he," he thought. "He is as used to this as to fighting,
while I am so strange. My feet hit against every chair I get near,
and--oh dear!"

"Come, lad, sit down beside me and let us commence," said Mr. Benjamin,
taking him by the hand and drawing him towards a chair. "A fine lad,
sergeant, and growing, or he would not be so thin."

"He struck a plucky blow, sir. But he is thin, and no doubt the feeding
provided by the farmer was not of the best."

"Where does this farmer come from?" asked Mr. Benjamin, as he carved a
slice of beef and placed it before the lad. "Tell me who he is and
something about him. And first of all, who are you? What is your name,
lad?"

He was so nice and courteous, so thoughtful, that in a little while the
lad had forgotten his rags, his dirty hands and smudged face, and was
seated chatting easily, and eating the good things provided with a gusto
which there was no mistaking.

"Now, your name?" asked Mr. Benjamin, when he saw that the lad was well
engaged and feeling more at home.

"Jones, sir--at least that is what they call me," answered the little
fellow bravely.

"That is what they call you? How is that? Had you another name?"

"I think so, sir. I was found when I was smaller and taken to the
poorhouse, as I was an orphan with no one to claim me."

"Found! That is strange. And the lad speaks well, too."

Mr. Benjamin exchanged glances with the sergeant and became silent and
thoughtful. For he had noticed something strange about this protégé of
his from the moment when the lad opened his lips. He spoke with a slight
Hampshire accent, which had evidently been recently acquired. But there
was something refined about the little fellow's voice, so much so that
it was difficult to imagine that he was merely a farmer's boy.

"You were found," he said. "Where? Tell us all about it, and how you
came to be working for this hulking bully. The fellow looked as if he
had thrashed you many a time."

"He has, sir. He said he would kill me some day. None dared to live with
him, except his wife and I, and I would have gone long ago had I not
been his apprentice. Yes, sir, I was found, they tell me, when I was
about five years of age, and a cottager and his wife, of the name of
Jones, took me in and cared for me till they died. Then I went to the
poorhouse in this town, and from there to the farmer. That is all I
know, sir, but perhaps Mrs. Towers, at the poorhouse, could tell you
more."

"A foundling, with a mysterious tale behind him, and of late a little
slave!"

Mr. Benjamin looked at the lad closely, noting his fair curly hair, now
all in disorder, his fine eyes, and the cast of his features.

"A fine little fellow," he thought aloud, "and I'll warrant he has had
few friends so far. The farmer's wife, perhaps, for she looked as if she
cared for him; and this Mrs. Towers."

"Yes, indeed, sir, they were very good to me," burst in the boy eagerly,
loyally supporting the two who had been mentioned. "Mrs. Towers says
that she was a mother to me, while Mrs. Ransom was very kind and good
when her husband could not see us. Am I to go back to him, sir?"

"Never! I have made a bargain with him, and your articles of
apprenticeship are to be cancelled. An attorney will get it done in a
couple of weeks. You will have to be taken before a magistrate, and the
facts sworn to. Then as soon as the money is paid you will be free from
that ruffian. Yes, ruffian, sergeant, and I fear that there are many
others like him, who obtain the services of lads such as this and make
drudges of them. But your other name, lad?"

"Owen M., sir."

"Owen M.! M.? What does that refer to, and where did you get the name of
Owen?"

"It is my right name, sir," answered the boy proudly, as he looked his
questioner in the eyes. "When I was left near the cottage of the Joneses
I was wrapped in a rug, and was fully dressed in old clothes. They
thought that my own had been removed, so as to make it impossible to
trace who I was, or where I came from, and had it not been for a jersey
I was wearing next to my body nothing would have been known. Owen M. was
worked on the jersey, and that is why I have the name of Owen."

"And the M. may be your Christian name or surname. These Joneses are
dead?"

With his usual interest in life Mr. Benjamin asked the question sharply
and waited impatiently for the answer, giving an exclamation of
satisfaction when the lad replied that the clothing was now in the hands
of Mrs. Towers at the poorhouse, and that the Joneses were dead.

"Then we will go there. Come, sergeant, what do you say to helping me in
the matter?" he said eagerly. "You took up the cudgels on behalf of this
lad Owen, and will like to see the matter through. We will give him a
fresh start and make a man of him. What do you say?"

"Ready and willing, sir. He has pluck, by the way in which he struck the
bully, and he'll do with a proper training and discipline. In the army,
sir, we'd make a fine soldier of him."

The sergeant sat up to his full height; while it was clear from the open
admiration with which Owen regarded his defender that service in the
army would not be unpleasant to him.

"And you like the idea?" smiled Mr. Benjamin, turning to him. "We will
see. He shall have the best. But, first, we will get him some fitting
clothing. Come, another cut of beef and a tankard to wash it down,
sergeant. You have had a struggle and need some refreshment."

He rose and went to the bell, giving it a lusty tug. When the maid
arrived he requested mine host to be sent to him.

"Do me the favour of sending across to the nearest tailor's," he said
when the good man appeared, "and tell him to come here at once with
clothing suited to this lad."

Half an hour later a hackney coach drew up at the door of the Black
Bull, and the three who had refreshed themselves in the famous hostelry
stepped into it and were driven away, Mr. Benjamin giving the poorhouse
as the address to which they were to be taken. And if Owen Jones had
felt strange before when he had been bidden to accompany this fine
gentleman, he felt even more so now, while his whole frame was filled
with a sense of elation. For he was transformed. The kind lady at the
Black Bull had helped to polish him with hot water and a plentiful
supply of soap, while the tailor and a haberdasher, who had also been
called in to help, had rigged him out in a suit of simple stuff which
fitted him well, and in which he looked a little gentleman.

"My, who would have thought as he wasn't a little gentleman!" exclaimed
the maid at the Black Bull, as she saw him descend to the hall, hat in
hand, his hair well brushed, and his eager little face shining with the
application of good Windsor soap. "Don't you look fine!"

Owen greeted her with a bashful smile, and then walked quietly into the
room where Mr. Benjamin and the sergeant awaited him. And there his
appearance caused more pleasure.

"He will do us credit, never fear," exclaimed the kindly gentleman. "But
the coach is here and we will leave."

Paying the bill, and adding something to it for the welcome and help
given, he pushed Owen into the coach before him and they drove off. Owen
could hardly believe that it was really he. Who could have guessed that
he would have ever ridden in a coach! And behind postillion-ridden
horses! And was it true that he was not to return to Farmer Ransom?
There were to be no more beatings and no more scoldings! No need to
creep to bed amidst the sacks in a cold barn, and lie there shivering of
a cold night, and awake perhaps stiff with the cold, and hungry because
supper had been denied him on the previous night out of pure spite! It
was too much to believe. He sat forward in the coach, now looking up at
Mr. Benjamin and then out of the windows at the houses and streets, at
the boys playing there and at the pedestrians. Why, there was Johnny
Banks, a lad who had been at the poorhouse with him, and was now
apprenticed to the local baker. He at any rate had had plenty to eat,
and Owen had been in the habit of envying him. Now! "I can't believe
it!" he said to himself. "And if only they would make me a soldier!"

"Here we are. Tumble out and let us see this good lady. Ring the bell,
sergeant. And, postillion, wait here for us."

A few moments later an individual appeared within the ample gate of the
poorhouse, dressed in the official uniform of the place, and showing a
portly figure and a face indicative of good temper. To the inquiry for
Mrs. Towers he responded that she was within, and at once bustled off,
impressed by the coach and by the unusually fine appearance of Mr.
Benjamin. And in a little while the trio found themselves closeted with
the matron, a stout old lady, who hugged Owen with affection, and lifted
her fat hands in amazement at finding him in such fine company.

"Lor'!" she said, "to think that you should have such friends! Little
Owen, as came to the house without a single one, and well-nigh starved!"

"Let us have the tale, my good woman," said Mr. Benjamin, as he bowed to
the old dame's curtsy, and sat on a chair. "This lad here has made
friends with the sergeant and myself, and we are desirous of finding out
a little about him. He tells us that his name is Owen M. Jones."

"As near as we know, sir," was the answer. "But, bless yer, begging your
pardon for so doing, sir, he's better than a Jones. That's the name of
the poor folk who first found him. It was a dark night--let me see,
yes, it will be nine years ago--when they heard a coach passing along
the road, which runs some yards from their cottage. That wasn't anything
out of the common, for fifty and more pass by perhaps in the day. But it
stopped for a while and then went on again at a gallop. Mrs. Jones told
me that herself. It drove on as if there were soldiers or some one of
that sort behind, and it was soon gone out of hearing. Then there came
the cry of a child who is frightened at being left all alone, and when
they ran out to see who it was, there was young Owen, a tiny little
fellow then, seated on the roadside, with his knuckles in his eyes."

"And like the kind-hearted folks they were they brought him in and fed
him, I suppose?" said Mr. Benjamin.

"That they did, sir. They weren't that well off, neither. But they had
none of their own, and they took the boy in and cared for him. Then Mr.
Jones walked in here as soon as it was day, and came to the house. The
guardians heard his tale and saw the boy, but they never learned
anything about the coach that had brought him, nor where he came from.
And as the Joneses said they were willing to adopt him, why Owen stayed
with them till the old couple died, and that would be six years ago."

"And nothing was learned about his coming?"

"Nothing, sir. Foundlings are common enough, and I don't suppose as the
guardians would spend much in making inquiries. Besides, the boy seemed
to be the child of common parents, for his clothes were rough. But Mrs.
Jones knew better, and so do I. I'll show you, sir."

She went off into another room, where they heard her pulling open the
doors of a cupboard; and finally she returned, bringing a tiny little
undervest which she handed to Mr. Benjamin.

"Made in India," he said at once, "and of the finest material. This
garment was in all probability made for the boy, and if so, then he was
born out there. Yes, I am sure of it, for look at this, sergeant. Those
letters, Owen M., were stitched by a native woman. The work is
characteristic. I am perfectly sure of what I say."

All stared at the tiny garment, which was redolent of lavender, while
Owen, who had never regarded it with any importance before now, looked
at the letters stitched in one corner with great interest.

"Perhaps the lad can help us," suggested the sergeant. "Tell us, boy,
whether you remember the coach."

"Of course he does!" exclaimed Mrs. Towers. "Why, I asked him many a
time. Tell the gentlemen, Owen."

"I remember the coach well, and being left beside the road," said Owen
promptly; "and I recollect the journey. I am sure that I was strange to
the country, and I can see now the ship in which I came. How long we
were at sea I do not know, but it was for a long while. And all that
time I was tended by a black woman, who was very kind. I seem to
remember places so different from these here. A bright sun, many trees,
and very big houses. There were soldiers, too, and one big soldier who
often threw me on his shoulder. But it may be a dream. I may have
imagined it all."

"One minute, Owen," interrupted Mrs. Towers, whose interest was fully
aroused. "Mrs. Jones said that when you came you could speak well, but
that whenever you cried you called out in a tongue which was strange to
her. You did it here too, that I remember, though bless me if I know
what the words meant. Have you forgotten?"

"Tell me," said Mr. Benjamin encouragingly, shifting a little farther on
to his chair and looking closely at Owen. "What were the words?"

Owen repeated them as well as he was able, and though they were but
childish expressions, which he had learned when beginning to speak, they
were pronounced as undoubtedly hailing from India.

"Which proves that he actually came from India," said the sergeant.

"Exactly so. He probably landed and was kidnapped, for some purpose of
which we are ignorant. There is something very interesting about this,
sergeant. I know the country well, and I say without hesitation that no
child but those belonging to Englishmen in high places would have been
dressed in such a garment. Probably our little friend is the son of an
Englishman employed in India, and was sent home because of the death of
his mother, or more likely because of the climate. Beyond that one
cannot go. There is some dark secret attached to his capture. But the
fact remains that he was kidnapped, and brought away from his guardians.
Then his identity was hidden. I should say that he may very well have
come from Bristol or some other port, and it is not to be wondered at
that his loss did not occasion very much disturbance. If his parents
were abroad, considering how slowly news travels, it is not at all
wonderful that no rumour of his having been found in this locality
failed to reach his guardians. Perhaps he was sent home to relatives,
who may themselves have had something to do with the kidnapping. There
have been cases quite as disgraceful before. But the important thing is
that one little garment is left as a clue, and that the lad can speak a
few words of the Indian tongue, and remembers places which may without a
great stretch of imagination be allowed to correspond with some Indian
city--Bombay or Calcutta, for instance."

"Lor'! To think that he may be a gentleman!" exclaimed Mrs. Towers,
lifting her hands. "Well, I always said as much. He speaks different
from other lads, and he's better behaved. There's always been something
queer about little Owen. And I've tried to keep it up too, sir. I've
encouraged him to speak well, to address his betters as he should, and
to be gentle in his play."

"And you've succeeded well, ma'am," exclaimed the sergeant with
enthusiasm.

"Very well indeed, madam," agreed Mr. Benjamin. "Is there nothing more
to tell us?"

"Nothing, sir. He stayed here till a year ago, when the guardians
apprenticed him to Mr. George Ransom, a farmer that's not the best-loved
of all living about Winchester."

"A thorough ruffian," exclaimed Mr. Benjamin indignantly. "Well, madam,
our friend the sergeant here very pluckily interfered when this farmer
was about to ill-use the boy to-day, and beat him handsomely in the
fight which followed. Now I propose to have the boy's apprenticeship
cancelled, and shall look to his future. But we must do more than that.
I will send here for you to-morrow, and will have you taken in a coach
to my attorney's, where I will ask you to make a plain statement of all
the facts you have already mentioned. If you can remember more, all the
better. We will hunt up others who may have known him, and the sergeant
and I will add our evidence. I can swear that he can speak some words of
Hindustani, for instance, and that may, one of these days, be valuable
evidence. When the statement is completed we will have it attested
before a magistrate, and then carefully locked away with this garment.
Then, supposing one day we happen to hear of these parents, we shall be
able to help in proving that Owen is actually their missing son. And I
promise you that I shall leave no stone unturned to effect that end.
Now, sergeant, we will drive on to the barracks. Owen, for the time
being, shall wear the uniform of a soldier."

He felt in his pocket for a guinea, which he placed in Mrs. Towers's fat
hand, and then led the way to the coach. An hour later he was with the
Colonel of the local detachment, and when he left that evening it had
been arranged that Owen should enlist as a band boy, and should be
instructed in the playing of the fife.

"And at the same time I can put him up to the use of his fists, as well
as side-arms and a pike," said the sergeant heartily. "And remember
this, youngster, there's many a lad who has stepped it at first behind
the drum-major, and who afterwards has shouldered a sergeant's pike and
done fine service. Never fear, sir, I'll keep an eye on the lad."

"Turn him out a man, that is what I want," said Mr. Benjamin. "I might
have put him on a stool in an office in London, or have found some other
work for him; but the lad interests me, and I want to see how he gets
on. There is nothing like the rough life of the army for that. He will
rub shoulders with every sort, and you will be able to keep an eye upon
him. Don't interfere, sergeant. Let him fight his own battles till he
shows that he is unable to do so, and don't help him at all. Let him
rise by his own exertions. When the time comes I shall have a fit post
for him."

And so, when a week had passed, Owen Jones was a full-fledged soldier,
Jones of the 64th, and his name had been borne on the regimental
strength. By then his apprenticeship with the farmer had been cancelled,
while twenty guineas had been paid to his late master. Then a full
statement of his history had been made before a magistrate and had been
signed, the document having afterwards been deposited with the attorney.

Owen looked a fine little fellow in his red-tailed tunic, his red
waistcoat and pantaloons, and felt a proud lad when he first donned
them. There is no need to tell how he became introduced to his comrades
of the regiment; how he met with and accepted with good temper all their
good-natured chaff; and how, when a few days had passed, he endeavoured
to take a leaf from the sergeant's book, and attacked a lad of greater
proportions who had attempted to bully him, and how, despite the
greatest perseverance, he had been ultimately worsted, and had retired
to his quarters with swollen eyes. He showed his grit and pluck, even if
he were defeated, and thereafter was respected. And as the days and
weeks passed, and the latter grew into months, Owen filled out
wonderfully. A heavy sack which was suspended from the beams of the
quarters given to his friend the sergeant kept his muscles in good play,
for every day he spent an hour hammering at it with his fists, while the
sergeant afterwards gave him instruction in boxing. And so, what with
playing the fife, skylarking, and becoming an expert in the use of every
kind of fire-arm and weapon of defence, Owen passed three years with the
detachment, at first at Winchester and afterwards in other places. When
he was seventeen years of age, as near as could be guessed, Mr. Benjamin
Halbut again put in an appearance, and our hero found that a new life
was about to be opened for him.




CHAPTER III

Facing a Difficulty


"Here you are, my lad," said the sergeant, when he brought the news of
the impending change to Owen. "A good friend we have both got, that I
can tell you, for ever since the fight, when I stuck up for you and beat
that ruffian, this Mr. Benjamin has never forgotten us. What's he done
for me?"

He put the question to the youthful corporal, who stood at attention
before him, as if he expected the lad to be able to answer. Then he
struck the calf of his leg a sounding thwack with his cane and gave the
information which he had asked for.

"Of course you wouldn't know," he said, "because I was told not to say.
But I can speak now, and you had best listen. It's this. Mr. Benjamin
has no children of his own, as you know, and ever since he heard the
tale of your being found, he has looked after your education as if you
were his son. 'Let him rough it,' is what he said to me. 'Let him fight
his own battles and find his own place. He's well able to do that.' And
that, lad, is why I have never interfered. That is why you fought young
Jackson with never a word from me, and took your licking handsomely.
Yes, yes, I know," he went on, as Owen was about to interrupt, "he was a
bully, and I knew that well. You had to knuckle under, and did so for a
time."

"Till I was bigger and stronger, sergeant. Then----"

"You gave him the drubbing he had been asking for so long. That's what
comes of not interfering. Things levelled themselves. You were beaten at
first, and the fellow never allowed you to forget your hiding. If you'd
been a meek kind of lad, he'd have crowed it over you for ever. But
you've a little pride, my boy, and you waited till you were able to take
him in hand again. That wasn't long either, though he's two stone
heavier than you are, and taller by half a head. But you've had
training, and that's the secret, if only you happen to have pluck as
well. But I am getting away from my yarn."

"You were about to tell me what Mr. Halbut has done for you and for me,
sir," said Owen.

"Ah, yes, I was. Well, he took a fancy to me and to you, and he put me
in charge of you, as it were. 'I could take him in hand at once, and
have him sent to a good school,' he said to me when first we talked it
over, 'but I won't. The lad shall rise from a rougher school. Teach him
manners, sergeant. Let him see that a lad with respect for his elders
will get on, and, above all, turn him out a man. When the time comes I
will take him in hand myself, and I have a place for him already decided
on.' That's what he's done. Every quarter I have received a handsome sum
from him for my work, and, my lad, let him see that I have earned it.
He knows that you can hold your own with others here, and that there
isn't another lad in the regiment who can handle the gloves as you can,
or who can use a weapon with the science that you have learned. Let him
see that there's more. They call you the gentleman corporal here. Let
Mr. Halbut see that they have reason for that."

"I will, sergeant," answered Owen earnestly. "As you say, I have learned
a lot since I came to the regiment, and thanks to your teaching I shall
have no fear, but a great deal of confidence, should it ever come to my
lot to take part in a hand-to-hand contest. And that I hope to have the
fortune to do before very long, or else what's the good of being a
soldier?"

"You're likely to meet with that in other walks of life," was the
answer. "Soldiering isn't everything, and you'll learn that Mr. Halbut
thinks so too."

"At any rate I have learned the use of my fists and other weapons," went
on Owen, "and thanks to the opportunities which have been given me I
believe my manners are a little different from those of the other
fellows. I don't say that boastfully, sergeant. It is a fact, I
believe."

"And you've to thank Mr. Tasker for that," was the sergeant's comment.
"He took up the work willingly, and he's done well. He himself says he
is more than pleased."

Mr. Tasker was a gentleman who lived in a small house in the town, and
who had once been the principal of a school for the sons of gentlemen.
He had, owing to ill-health, to give up his school, and had eagerly
undertaken to educate Owen Jones whenever his duties would allow him to
attend at his house. And so, at the direction of Mr. Halbut, Owen had
spent a couple of hours with Mr. Tasker every day, and it was thanks to
the teaching of this quiet and courtly gentleman that the young corporal
of the 64th had a polish about him which was lacking in his comrades.

"It will all help you to take the place Mr. Halbut has selected for
you," said the sergeant. "You know he's one of the powerful directors of
the East India Company--John Company as it's often called. As such he is
able to find a place for any protégé, and he is sending you out to India
by the next boat to take a commission in the native horse or infantry.
There, lad, that's the news, and you can get further particulars from
him yourself. You'll be formally discharged from the regiment to-morrow,
and will go to London at the end of the week. After that I fancy you'll
have a day or more to prepare for the passage out."

The news came as a great surprise to Owen, for he had never even
imagined that he would rise to the commissioned ranks, and the statement
that he was now to prepare to sail for India, there to join a regiment
as an ensign, filled him with huge excitement and delight. The prospect
of going to India at all was sufficiently pleasant, for the older he got
the more had he cogitated over the mystery of his birth, and the more
sure had he become that his recollection of early events was correct,
and that he had actually been born abroad, in India most likely, and had
been sent home for some reason.

"And promptly abducted and left on the road," he had often said to
himself. "Some one must have had a huge interest in getting rid of me,
and he did it effectually. However, if Mr. Halbut has been unsuccessful
in tracing the mystery so far, I may have better fortune and succeed in
the end."

"Now, lad, we'll get to work, if you please," said the sergeant, with a
pretence to be light-hearted, though the gallant fellow felt no great
joy at the prospect of separation from Owen.

"He's been like a son to me," he often said to his friends. "He's as
true as possible, and as game to learn as one could wish. And see what
I've made of him! A pluckier youngster does not exist, and no one can
call him conceited."

And now he was to part with Owen. The sergeant was an unmarried man, a
rarity in the service in those days, as in these, for he was now forty
years of age, and he knew well that he would miss the young fellow.
However, he was a sensible man, far better educated than the majority of
his rank, and he saw that the new move would be advantageous to Owen.

"We've a deal to do, Owen," he said. "There are the clothes to be got
ready, for instance. Your uniform will be made in India, but you are to
have some sort of undress to wear on the ship. I have instructions to
take you to the best tailor in the town."

Two days later our hero said good-bye to all his old comrades and
walked out of the barrack square, feeling sad at heart at the parting.
There was a big lump in his throat as he passed through the gate and
looked back to the sentry, and for a few moments he longed to return,
and would have almost sacrificed his prospects in India for the old
life. Then he threw off the feeling, and as the sergeant tucked his cane
under his arm and commenced to whistle Owen fell in beside him, his head
in air, and joined in the tune bravely, though it was as much as his
trembling lips could do.

"A good heart is nothing to be ashamed of, lad," said the sergeant
heartily, some minutes later, as they walked into the town. "You're all
the better for remembering old friends, and parting with them in sorrow.
The day will come, never fear, when you'll look back to these times with
the old 64th as the jolliest and happiest days in your life, perhaps,
and you'll think of the times we've had, of the parades, when we've
fallen in together, and of the boxing bouts at the back of the barracks.
But here we are. From Mr. Benjamin Halbut, sir."

The tailor showed unusual interest when he heard the name, and at once
commenced to take Owen's measurements. Then he wrote down a list of
clothing, including boots, hats, and under-things, which he considered
necessary, till Owen was ashamed to think that his kind friend would
have to pay for them. However, Mr. Halbut had given directions, and
there was an end of the matter. A week later, when Owen mounted the
stagecoach and took his place for London, he appeared as an altogether
different individual. He was dressed in the undress uniform of an
ensign, and very smart and gentlemanly he looked, too. Nor had those who
had looked to his upbringing any need to be ashamed of him. Old Mrs.
Towers had wept that very morning when he went to take farewell of her.

"I always thought that you were a gentleman, Owen Jones," she said, as
she mopped her eyes with her apron, "and here you are, as fine a young
fellow as ever I saw. Well, well, to be sure, but the strangest things
happen."

Having given vent to this ambiguous statement she hugged Owen very
heartily, and then plumped down in her chair, with her apron thrown over
her face to hide her tears.

Five hours after leaving Winchester the coach rattled over the cobbles
of the London streets, and for the very first time in his life Owen saw
the great city, with its thronging population, its huge buildings, its
endless rows of houses and streets, and its vast army of coaches and
flies. What would his amazement have been could he have seen the London
of to-day, extending its arms like a gigantic octopus in every
direction, absorbing the country around; its teeming millions, each bent
on his or her own business or pleasure, going to and fro through the
vast widened streets, or being carried there in swift mechanically
propelled vehicles! What if he could have imagined that the horse would
one of these days become almost a rarity in the streets of Mighty
London!

But he had little time for thoughts. He descended from the coach at the
Half Moon, in the Borough, and took a fly to Chelsea, where Mr. Halbut
lived. A week later he was aboard one of the East Indiamen, bound for
India, with the coast of England fast fading from sight.

"Here are letters which you will present when you arrive at Calcutta,"
Mr. Halbut had said to him as he was about to depart. "You will go to
see the Governor, and you will be gazetted to one of the native
regiments. On the way out you will apply yourself to such matters as Mr.
Parkins, who sails with you, shall decide, and I need hardly urge you to
work hard. Your progress in the future must depend on yourself. I will
help no one who will not help himself."

Owen made up his mind to do credit to his friend, and once he had
settled down on the ship, and had overcome his first attack of
sea-sickness, he began the close study of Hindustani.

"You will find it invaluable," said Mr. Parkins, a gentleman of middle
age, a servant of the great John Company, who was returning to India
from leave. "When I first went to India I found myself constantly
hampered by my ignorance, and, in fact, did not rise as quickly as I
might have done. We shall take three months to reach Calcutta, and by
then you should have made fine progress."

To Owen's amazement, and to the delight of Mr. Parkins, he made even
more rapid advancement than could have been expected. The language came
to him not so much as an entirely strange tongue, but as one which he
had partially known before, and which he had forgotten.

"Which proves Mr. Halbut's assertion that you have been in India, and
were born there," said Mr. Parkins. "No one else could pick up
Hindustani so rapidly. We have been at our studies for barely three
weeks, and here you are able to converse a little. Now I will give you a
piece of advice. There are numbers of natives amongst this crew, and if
I were you I would spend some time amongst them every day, chatting with
them. Perhaps you will find one who is a little more intelligent than
his fellows, and from him you may be able to learn some dialect which is
not very different from the language you are studying, but which may be
of very great advantage to you."

Owen took the advice seriously, and thereafter went every morning
forward to the quarters of the crew. Nor was it long before he came upon
one of the men who was of very different character from his comrades. He
could speak English tolerably, and soon told his story.

"I am not like these other lascars, who are men of low caste," he said,
with every sign of disdain. "I come from Bhurtpore, and am a Mahratta by
birth. There I lived with my father till ten years ago, when I fled for
my life. It is a little tale, which is of no great interest, sahib, but
here it is. It happened that there was a girl, the daughter of a
neighbouring farmer, to whom I was to be married, and should have been
but for my half-brother. He acted like a cur. He stole her from me, and
then killed her with his cruelty. In a fit of rage one day I slew him,
and fled from the punishment which would have followed. That is why I am
here now. Some day, perhaps, I shall return to my home."

"And in the meanwhile I want you to talk to me every day, Mulha,"
answered Owen. "One of these days I may find it useful, and if you have
the time to spare I shall be glad. I will pay you a rupee a week for the
service."

"I gladly accept, sahib," was the answer.

Thereafter Owen spent many hours forward in the early morning, while in
the later part of the day he and Mr. Parkins tramped the narrow deck, or
lay under the awnings, talking in Hindustani, till our hero was really
very proficient.

"You are remembering my rules well," said his instructor, when they had
been at sea for six weeks. "After the first week I said that whenever
you spoke to me out of the saloon it must be in Hindustani. If you
forgot, you were fined a trifle, which went to the box set aside for the
help of the sailors' orphans. There is nothing like a penalty to make
one sharp of memory, and the result is that you have got on even more
rapidly. When you land you will be able to take up your duties at once.
That will be an eye-opener to the authorities, who generally allow six
months for learning the language."

Altogether Owen enjoyed his trip out immensely. He was a steady young
fellow, and he had set out with keen determination to get on. His work
made the hours run away, while to the numerous other young fellows
going out time hung on their hands, till they became quarrelsome and
discontented. And it so happened that amongst these youths, some of whom
were to take up commissions like his own, while others were going out as
clerks to the East India Company, was a young man, some twenty years of
age, who seemed to have taken a great dislike to our hero. He had
quickly asserted his position as the leader of all the young men aboard,
and when he found that Owen took little notice of him, and was so busy
that he had little time to spare for his company, he commenced upon an
irritating course intended to humiliate our hero. Every time Owen passed
him and his comrades he would make some loud remark, and finally came to
openly scoffing. Owen stood it for a long while till his patience was
exhausted, then he turned upon the bully.

"You spoke of me, I think," he said suddenly, swinging round and
approaching the group, whom he had been about to pass on his way to the
lower deck. "Repeat what you said."

"Certainly, with the greatest pleasure. I said that it was bad form for
an ensign to spend his time with the deck-hands and the lascars, and
that it was only to be expected from one who I happen to know was a
corporal some few weeks ago, and who, in his earlier days, came from a
poorhouse. That's what I said, and I know I'm right, for Dandy here
happens to come from the neighbourhood of Winchester."

"And recognised you at once," burst in that worthy from the background.

"Which is all the more flattering to me," answered Owen calmly, though
it was as much as he could do to curb his anger. "I freely admit the
truth of what has been said. I have come from a poorhouse, and I was a
corporal. But as to the bad form, well, I hardly fancy one would go to
Mr. Hargreaves for a decision on that matter."

He looked the bully squarely in the face, while the latter flushed red.
Perhaps there was very good reason. It may have been that his own
antecedents were not of the best. He became flurried, and began to
bluster.

"You wouldn't!" he exclaimed. "Why? If you're impertinent I shall have
something more to say."

"You will have more to say in any case," blurted out Owen, now letting
himself go. "For days you have openly scoffed at me, Mr. Hargreaves, and
now you have to stop promptly. You talk of impertinence after what you
have said! I reply that I am proud of what I have been in the past, and
that if the truth were known it is possible that you who crow so loud,
and are so ready to sit upon one who is new to the position of officer,
would not have such a fine tale to tell."

Whether the shot went home it would be impossible to state, but
something stung the bully to the quick. He started forward, and stepping
to within a foot of Owen stared into his face and challenged him to
repeat the statement. Owen complied by instantly knocking him down with
a blow between the eyes. Then he calmly divested himself of his coat and
neckerchief, while the bully and a few of his companions stood about
him in a threatening attitude.

"Steady on there! We'll have the matter settled squarely, gentlemen.
From what I have seen--and I have had my eyes and ears open--Mr. Jones
here has been very studious, while you others have been hanging about
doing nothing. Mr. Hargreaves has considered himself a much finer
individual than our young friend Mr. Jones, and he has not been over
pleasant. Oh yes, it is useless to deny that. I have seen it. We have
all seen, and we have wondered how long our studious friend would put up
with such treatment. Now he has brought the thing to a head he shall
have fair play. Remember, we are Englishmen, and fair play is
everything."

The group swung round to find that a passenger of some forty years of
age, a gentleman known to be of some importance, and therefore to be
duly respected, had suddenly come amongst them. The threatening looks of
a few of Hargreaves' partisans at once vanished.

"Fair play, you understand," said the newcomer. "I will not interfere,
but I am sure there are some here who will take Mr. Jones's part."

He was right there, for not all aboard the ship were of Hargreaves' way
of thinking. There were some of the young men going out to the army or
as clerks who secretly or openly admired Owen because of the efforts he
was making; and now that they had heard him so candidly acknowledge his
former position, and the fact that he had come from a poorhouse, they
admired him the more, and came forward to support him at once.

"I'll hold your coat, Jones," said one of them, a young man of nineteen.
"By Jove! it was pluckily done. I have often thought it was a shame to
treat you so badly, and I think you have shown pluck. Give me your
things and I'll look after you."

"Then I am ready," said Owen promptly. "Thank you, Simpson, I shall be
glad if you will act as second. Now, Mr. Hargreaves, I am ready to give
you satisfaction for the blow I have dealt you."

"And I shall take it to the full," was the surly answer. "If we had been
in India I would have called you out with a pistol, I can tell you; but
here we shall have to fight it out with fists."

"Either would please me," answered Owen calmly, knowing well that his
practice already with pistols under the tuition of the sergeant would
act in his favour. Still, he had a horror of bloodshed, and far
preferred to have matters as they were. But in those days an insult or
an injury meant inevitably a duel.

"Then we will go to the lower deck," said Simpson, leading the way.

The group made their way down the companions to the lower deck, where
they found that a number of sailors had already collected. A couple of
midshipmen, of the East India service, were also there, and in one
corner Owen caught sight of his Mahratta friend.

"I'll bet yer a pound of bacca on the little 'un," growled one of the
sailors, as he leaned against a bulkhead. "He'll fight as he works, and
blest if he ain't a glutton for work. See 'im a learnin' the lingo from
this darkie here, when he might be takin' it easy on deck."

"Done with yer," was the answer. "It'll be a toss up. This is a-goin'
ter be a fight."

Evidently others were of the same opinion, for the news had already
spread through the ship, and while those in authority purposely kept out
of the way, others, whose official duties could not interfere, found
their way to the lower deck to watch the encounter. For Hargreaves had
given umbrage all round. His high-handedness, his want of respect for
men older than himself, and his treatment of Owen Jones, had won him
many enemies. They came, therefore, hoping to see him worsted, but
fearing the reverse.

"I'll give you a chance to take back what you have said and apologise
for the blow," said Hargreaves, as, divested of his coat and
neckerchief, and with sleeves rolled to the elbow, he entered the circle
formed between the supporting bulkheads.

Owen hardly deigned to reply. After his long practice with the sergeant
he felt the greatest confidence in himself, and was not afraid of the
superior weight or height of his antagonist. But there was more reason
than that why he should fight. He was never a quarrelsome fellow, and
this trouble had been forced upon him. If he were to back out now the
tale of his having been a pauper would hang to him all his life, and
Hargreaves and his friends would have occasion for many a sneer. No, it
was essentially a time for blows. As his opponent spoke Owen walked
calmly into the centre of the square and rolled his sleeves to a
nicety. Then he put up his fists in a manner which showed that it was
not for the first time, and faced his antagonist.

"It is your quarrel," he said quietly, "and I am the one who has
suffered. We will fight, if you please."

"Bravo, bravo, young 'un!" shouted one of the sailors in the background.

"Then look to yourself," cried Hargreaves, as he swung his fists. "I'll
show you whether a youngster from the poorhouse can do as he likes
aboard ship."

He came at our hero warily, for there was something about the latter's
attitude which spoke of good training in the art of self-defence. Then,
as Owen did nothing more than keep him at a distance, he mistook his
caution for fear and temerity. He rushed in with big swinging blows,
only to retire with stars flashing before his eyes, and a severely cut
lip. After that he lost his temper, and for a time Owen had his hands
very full. Twice he was caught by a rush and knocked to the ground. But
he was on his feet in a moment, facing Hargreaves. When four rounds had
been fought the latter was almost exhausted, while his younger and more
active antagonist was comparatively fresh.

"You have him now," said Simpson, as Owen sat at his corner waiting for
the call of time. "Go in and win this time. Give him a good beating, and
you will never need to fear trouble from any one again."

Our hero followed the instructions to the letter. Hitherto he had
allowed his opponent to prance round him, and had only struck when he
was sure of being able to reach his antagonist. But now he closed with
him, and for a minute beat him round and round the circle, getting in
beneath his guard and finally sending him with a crash amidst the
audience.

"Time!" shouted Simpson. "Dandy, is your man beaten? Does he give in?"

There was a sulky nod from the other side, and then a roar of cheering
which could be heard on the upper deck. Owen rose from his seat, wiped
his face with a towel, and went across to his enemy.

"We have had a fair fight and I have won," he said in friendly tones.
"You did not understand me before, and perhaps I did not like you. Let
this settle our differences, and be friends."

There was another shout at that, while Hargreaves lifted his head and
smiled. At heart he was a very good fellow, and he was man enough to own
that he was beaten.

"I behaved badly, Jones," he said, "and you have beaten me handsomely
for my treatment of you. I apologise for what I have done, and I will
gladly be friends."

They shook hands, and then went off to their cabins to clean themselves
and remove all traces of the combat. And that evening Owen once more
took up his Hindustani, as if nothing out of the way had occurred. But
he had made his place in the ship and amongst his comrades, and the tale
of his prowess and of his pluck was bound to reach India and there act
in his favour. More than that, an inkling of his history, of the
mystery hanging about his birth, of his friend, the powerful director of
the Company, leaked out, and the discussion which followed raised him
vastly in the estimation of all on board. They found it a fine thing to
follow his example, and that week quite a number set themselves to make
the most of their opportunities and to learn the language. However, they
had very little time before them, for within a few days the even tenor
of the voyage was rudely upset, and the passengers and crew found
themselves face to face with a difficulty and danger which none had
foreseen.




CHAPTER IV

A Hunting Expedition


"Great guns!" shouted Simpson in Owen's ear, as they clung to the rail
on the poop of the huge East Indiaman, and faced the gale. "And how
suddenly it came on!"

"We are lucky to have an experienced captain," shouted back our hero, as
he struggled to gather a breath, for the wind tore past him at hurricane
speed. "We were lying practically becalmed, with a cloudless sky
overhead, and, so far as I could see, no signs of a storm."

"Yes, and we were having a quiet sleep, all of us, for the heat was
terrific."

"When we were suddenly disturbed. As a matter of fact, I was just awake,
and as I lay in my chair I happened to see the captain coming up the
companion from his cabin, which is just beneath us. He looked about him,
as he always does, and then glanced at the barometer. Then his face
changed, and I thought he had gone mad. He raced up here, three rungs at
a time, and seized his trumpet. Then the officers appeared and the crew,
while his orders sounded through the ship. My word! I never saw men
work harder! They threw themselves into the rigging and fairly tore the
sails off her. I saw them cut through many of the ropes so as to save
time. Then down they came, and with them the gale. Didn't it howl?"

"It was terrific," agreed Simpson. "Who would have thought that with
only that small piece of rag showing this big ship would have heeled
right over as she did? But you are right. We are fortunate in our
captain. I own I was angry at first when they disturbed us, and threw
our chairs overboard without rhyme or reason. I saw why a minute later,
for had we been in them we should have gone overboard, while had the
chairs been left they would have slid and fallen here and there and done
some mischief. Where are we heading?"

Neither could answer the question, for in the excitement of the moment,
when the gale had struck the ship, they had only noticed that she had
heeled over on to her beam ends, and that then had followed an interval
of a few seconds, which to more than one aboard felt like an eternity.
Then she had righted with a jerk which threw many from their feet, and,
sheering off from her course, had gone racing away towards the east, at
a pace which was furious. That was an hour ago, and ever since the
passengers had clung to their positions, drenched by the spray which
blew aboard, and so filled with amazement at the huge seas which so
suddenly surrounded them that they had little thought for anything else.
Simpson and Owen had been together, for ever since the event of the
fight they had become close acquaintances, and they had clung to the
same length of rail.

Two hours later the ship was a little steadier, and the passengers found
their way with great difficulty to the saloon.

"You must make allowances for the gale, gentlemen, please," said the
purser, as they took their seats and clung to the tables. "The galley
fires have been drawn, for with this sea, and the ship tossing and
rolling as she is, it would not be safe to keep them in. So there is
water or wine to drink, and cold meat and bread only to eat. I should
advise you all afterwards to turn in, as it is so wet on deck and
generally uncomfortable."

The ship had indeed encountered a typhoon, one of those sudden upsets in
the atmosphere common to eastern seas, and much to be dreaded. And as
she was unable to show more than a stay-sail at the most, and could not
face the gale, she had to turn her stern to it and run from her course.
Indeed, for three days she continued to do so, till the faces of the
captain and his officers assumed serious expressions.

"I have never known a gale to last as this one has done," the captain
confided to one of the passengers. "When the hurricane struck us, you
yourself will remember that it was a furious blow. I thought that, like
typhoons in general, it had appeared in full strength, to test our
seamanship perhaps, and would then rapidly blow itself out. But it
hasn't. It has continued to blow, and blow harder too, so that we
haven't been able even to think of heading up to the wind. We're three
hundred miles at least out of our course, and completely out of our
reckoning. I shall be glad when the wind drops."

Some hours later there were signs that at last the gale had expended its
fury, and when the passengers turned in that evening it was with the
feeling that increased comfort was before them. Indeed, the ship rocked
far less, and the motion was smoother altogether. And on the following
morning they awoke to find the ship almost on an even keel, while
overhead was a hot sun, reminding them that they were in the tropics.
When they sauntered up on deck they found the officers at their posts,
anxiously gazing at a dim line of blue which lay almost directly before
them.

"Land, gentlemen," said the captain, coming towards the passengers, "and
if I am not mistaken it is the coast of Sumatra. We have worked out the
position of the ship, and checked one another's findings, so that I feel
sure that we are right. We are at least five hundred miles out of our
course."

The information caused the utmost excitement amongst the passengers at
once, for there were some aboard who had made many trips to and from
India, and not one had ever met with other than a smooth and uneventful
voyage before. And on this occasion weeks had passed smoothly since they
had left England. They had sailed down the coast of Africa, had rounded
the Cape, and had set their course for Calcutta. When the storm broke
they were well into the Indian Ocean, and heading for the Bay of Bengal.
And here was the information that they were close to Sumatra, in the
neighbourhood of the Malay Peninsula.

"We are looking for some quiet bay in which to anchor," said the captain
after a time, when he was sure that the land was indeed Sumatra. "We
have had our spars sadly knocked about, and our sails want refitting.
Then the carpenter tells me that she has been strained, probably when
the typhoon struck her, and is leaking somewhere well below the
water-line. All things considered, I think it well to run into some bay
for a time and lie up. We will careen the ship for a day or so, so as to
let the carpenter and his mates get at the leak. Meanwhile some of you
may care to have a run ashore, though it will be well to make sure that
there are no unfriendly natives about."

All were delighted at the news, for the ship had now been at sea for a
long while, and the passengers and crew were all feeling the need of
fresh water and fruit and vegetables, and also for an expedition on
shore. It was therefore with the greatest interest that they watched the
pale blue line of coast gradually develop into wooded heights, with
mountain peaks in rear, while the line of beach showed itself as a
streak of golden sand, bathed in the seething white foam cast upon it by
the surf which ran continuously. They steered into a narrow bay, the
leadsman all the while sounding so that they should not run upon the
shallows, and finally brought to and dropped their anchor within a mile
of the shore, and within hearing of the surf. At once a hundred glasses
were directed at the coast, and an hour later boats were dropped and the
passengers prepared to land.

"I can only spare a crew of four to each boat, gentlemen," said the
captain, "and perhaps some of you will not object to taking an oar
yourselves. I will fire a gun an hour before dusk, when all must return.
If natives appear I must ask you to return at once till they have shown
that they are friendly."

"And so as to be prepared I shall take a brace of pistols," said Jack
Simpson in Owen's ear. "Can you shoot, Owen?"

"A little. The sergeant of whom I have told you was a good hand at most
things. He was a splendid man with the gloves, as you know, for I have
told you how he fought for me when the farmer was going to give me a
thrashing. He was also an adept with the pike, sword and cutlass, and he
kept me at practice with the pistols till I could hit an apple perched
on a rail at twenty paces."

"By Jove! An apple at twenty paces! That is a mark! How often had you to
hit it?"

"Every time," answered Owen with a quiet smile. "And it came wonderfully
easy before I had left the regiment. I used to place the muzzle across
my left forearm and aim carefully at first. Afterwards I used to make a
rapid shot, just as if I were duelling. I would be placed with my back
to the fence; then the sergeant would say, 'One, two, three, fire!' and
round I would swing, lifting the pistol as I came, and fire the instant
I sighted the mark. I could do it now after half an hour's practice."

"No wonder, then, that you so easily agreed to fight our friend with
fists or pistols," laughed Jack. "Upon my word, Owen, you are a fellow
to be avoided. You admit you could hit an apple at twenty paces, every
time. And we know that you can fight. By Jove, you showed us real
science! And there is the Hindustani too, and the other lingo you have
been swatting at. I wish to goodness I had not been so idle. But there!
fetch your pistols and let us get ashore."

They ran to their cabin, for since the fight the two had arranged an
exchange, Jack leaving the cabin in which he had been with two other
passengers and joining Owen. Then they appeared on deck again, and
dropped into one of the boats which was just putting off. Already two
had left the ship, while one had actually landed her passengers and was
returning.

"It looks a little risky, one would have thought," said Owen, as they
dropped into the boat. "For all we know there may be unfriendly natives
ashore. But I confess I know nothing of the country."

"And need feel no alarm," said one of the passengers who sat beside him.
"The people are fierce and warlike, but this is the northern end of the
coast, and there are none here. Think of the fresh fruit we shall
gather."

A quarter of an hour later they were ashore, and within a few minutes
the whole party had separated, breaking up into couples.

"It is quite safe," said one of the passengers who had landed in the
first boat. "There is not a village nor a hut to be seen anywhere,
though I have been to the top of the hill yonder. But I advise that none
go too far from this spot."

Meanwhile the big ship was run in a little closer and slowly careened.
And as she lay, with her spars slanting at a sharp angle, the carpenter
and his mates looked to the leak, while the crew set to work to refit
the canvas. And in this manner, the passengers ashore for the most part,
and the crew hard at work, two days passed serenely; each evening seeing
the passengers return with an abundant store of fruit, while those who
had guns found wild pig and a few deer to reward their efforts.

"We shall leave in two days," said the captain that night, as they sat
down to the evening meal, congratulating themselves on the fact that the
ship was now again on an even keel, for it had been difficult to manage
to get about or even to sleep while she was careened. "In three weeks we
should be at Calcutta."

"Barring storms and other little pleasantries," laughed one of the
passengers. "Well, I shall be glad. I have had my run ashore and want to
be moving on."

On the following day, when Jack Simpson and Owen dropped into one of the
boats, only a dozen other passengers made their appearance, for it was
very hot ashore, and there was little to do but ramble along the coast.
Our young friends, however, had managed to borrow a gun apiece, and were
intent on obtaining a little sport. Indeed, an hour later found them a
couple of miles inland, threading their way through a forest of small
proportions which had attracted them as being a likely place for game.
Mulha accompanied them, for Owen had asked permission of the captain,
much to the native's delight.

"There will be pig here, sahibs," he said, as they entered the forest.
"And we shall find it cooler. If my masters will take my advice they
will take their station at the end of the first open glade, and let me
beat the forest on either side. Then if there is any beast within it may
run to the clearing."

A little later they struck upon a long narrow clearing, where the ground
was somewhat rocky, and where a tiny stream trickled through the stones.

"Plenty of beasts come here," Mulha pronounced, as he stepped along the
glade. "You can see their marks between the stones. If the sahibs take
post here they should have sport. I will go to the right first, and
afterwards to the left. Thus you will know my position, and will not
fire in my direction when the beasts bolt."

It took but a few moments to arrange their positions; then Mulha
disappeared. Owen threw himself down behind a huge boulder, over which a
cool shade was thrown by a tree near at hand. Jack posted himself behind
another boulder, on a level with the one where his friend was stationed.
Both looked up the full length of the grove, with their guns turned to
that side to which the game, should there prove to be any, would be
driven, and away from the forest where Mulha was beating.

Crash! They heard his stick as he beat the underwood in the distance,
and waited expectantly, their hearts pulsating a trifle faster, for
neither had had an opportunity of shooting before. There was another
crash in the distance, a streak of brown bounded into the grove from the
trees, alighted on all four feet, and leaped high again with such
swiftness and with such momentum that it was across the glade before
either could have thought it possible. Owen's gun went to his shoulder
with the rapidity of lightning. His training with the pistol helped him
to sight the disappearing mark, and long before Jack had gathered his
wits, or had awakened to the fact that an antelope of large proportions
was on the point of disappearing, the weapon cracked, and the animal
fell huddled up at the very edge of the clearing. Owen turned to his
friend with a gleam of excitement and triumph in his eye, while he
hastily rammed down another charge, ran a wad upon it, and dropped in
his bullet.

"One," he said quietly. "Look out for others."

"My word!" gasped Jack, "that was a lightning shot."

"Look out!" shouted Owen.

This time he held his fire as a wild pig scampered into the clearing,
and coming to a sudden halt lifted its head and stared in their
direction while it listened to the sound of the beater behind. It was
Jack's turn, and he levelled his weapon with unsteady hands, for
excitement told upon him.

"Steady," said Owen in low tones. "He's standing for you. Take him full,
half-way along the body."

A shout of triumph filled the air and set the forest ringing a second
after the gun had sent out its bullet, for Jack had hit his mark. At his
friend's words he had waited, steadying himself, and then, when he felt
that he was full on his mark, he had taken a deep breath, wedged himself
closer to the rock, and had firmly pulled the trigger. And now he was
dancing with delight, for the pig, as the sound of the shot crashed out,
had started forward at a gallop, till Owen covered it, fearing that it
had escaped the bullet. Then it suddenly toppled over, and rolling
amidst the stones came to rest with its feet in the air.

"Shut up! There may be more," commanded Owen. "There!"

Another of the animals darted into the clearing, heard the sounds
beyond, and raced toward the forest. But he ran only a few feet, for
Owen proved to be as dead a shot with the gun as with the pistol. A
minute later Mulha appeared, within a few feet of them, and advanced
with smiles of pleasure.

"The sahib is a fine shot," he said. "I am no shikaree, but the first
beast was hardly in the glade before it had darted out. And see where
the bullet struck. It is hit through the chest, and on the very edge of
the forest. In another instant it would have been gone. Now let the
sahibs take their places again, and I will beat on the far side."

He plunged into the forest again and was lost to sight. But after a few
minutes had passed they heard his blows again, as he beat the underwood,
and gun in hand waited for another shot. On this occasion, however, they
were not so fortunate. A few birds broke from the wood and went
screaming aloft, while a little later a troop of monkeys, disturbed by
the intruder, went chattering across the glade, running on all fours,
and some swinging themselves from branch to branch.

"We will move on to another part, then, sahibs," said Mulha, as he
appeared again. "There is plenty of game here, both big and small, and
you may hope to make an even finer bag. Tread carefully now, and make no
noise, for these beasts hear at a great distance."

Putting their weapons at half-cock, so that there might be no accidents,
they followed their native shikaree through the forest, ascending as
they went, for in this corner of Sumatra the land rose swiftly and
steeply from the coast. And presently they emerged into another
clearing, some two miles in extent, which was almost bare of trees and
undergrowth. Here and there there was a tree of huge proportions,
outgrowing its fellows of the forest, for the simple reason that here it
had an abundance of light which was denied to them, and in consequence
had shot up with greater strength and had made far bigger growth. Then,
too, there were some large patches of grass, towering some eight feet in
the air, and waving gently to and fro in the breeze. Owen and his friend
had never seen the like of it before, and looked with amazement at the
huge green stems and the broad blades which overtopped their heads. And
in amongst the sparse trees and patches of grass were rocks and
scattered green patches of sweet grass, where the marks plainly told
that many animals were in the habit of grazing. Now, however, the place
was deserted, though they pried into every corner.

"There may be some hidden beast yet, sahibs," said Mulha, as they toiled
across the space, for the heat was very great, and they were unused to
much walking. "We will go quietly still, and keep a careful watch."

"Steady! I thought I saw something over there," exclaimed Owen suddenly.

All looked in the direction to which he pointed, but there was not a
movement, not a sign that there existed anything but a knotted tree,
which had the appearance of having been blasted by lightning, and a wide
patch of waving grass.

"Still, I am sure that I saw something which looked like the tail and
hind quarters of some beast. We will go carefully, and it will be as
well to have our guns ready."

All three advanced on tiptoe, the native a few feet in front, and the
two young sahibs side by side. They reached the tree and the edge of the
grass, but without seeing anything. Then Mulha slipped upon hands and
knees, and crept round the edge. Scarcely a second passed ere the tall
grass which hid him from Owen's eyes parted suddenly, some few feet to
the right, while a huge beast burst its way through, its head low down
close to the ground, and its evil eyes fixed upon the intruders. There
was not a sound but that made by the grass as it was swept aside, that
and the deep gasping breaths of the animal. But though there was no
warning noise, Owen and Jack guessed the unfriendly intentions of the
animal in an instant, for its rolling eyes were fixed upon them while it
charged in their direction.

"Jump aside, sahibs!" they heard Mulha shout. "Jump for your lives! It
is a rhino!"

"Leap!" repeated Owen at the top of his voice, at the same instant
hurling himself as far to one side as he was able. Then he turned for
one instant to see whether Jack had done the same. But his comrade was
less active, perhaps, than he, and more than that, he lacked the
training which Owen had had. In a hundred little ways he had shown
already that he was slower to obey an order or to follow out an idea
than our hero, and now, at the most critical moment in his life, he
hesitated for a second. The onrushing beast fascinated him. He paused,
gave vent to a cry of dismay, and then attempted to leap aside. Owen
shouted and lifted his gun, for what he saw brought his heart into his
mouth. Jack's hesitation had proved his undoing. His foot slipped as he
leaped, and in an instant he was flat on his face on the ground, while a
dull thud told that his head had struck heavily against a small boulder
lying on the grass. And within a few seconds the rhinoceros had reached
him. Owen saw the beast's head drop a little lower, while a squeal of
rage escaped from it. Then it galloped over the prostrate figure like a
whirlwind, missing its mark by a happy chance, and failing to get its
horn beneath the young fellow who lay so helpless. Carried on by the
impetus of its charge it tore along some half-dozen yards, and finally
was brought up with a jerk, its horns having become entangled in the
root of a small tree growing at that spot. It was an opportunity, and
Owen made the most of it.

"Get me the other gun, Mulha," he shouted. "Bring it as quick as you
can, as I may miss him with this."

Dropping on to one knee he put his gun at full cock and levelled it at
the beast, which was struggling frantically to disengage itself. Aiming
just behind the shoulder, he waited for a few moments till it stood
still to gather its energies, then he pressed the trigger. A fierce
squeal rewarded him, and as soon as the smoke had cleared away he saw
that the beast was still far from dead, and that its rage had been
increased. Worse than that, the horn was now almost freed from the root,
and at any instant the charge might be repeated.

"Into the tree!" he shouted. "Quick, Mulha, up you get. I will hand up
my friend. Don't argue. Up you get."

There was no time for the native to remonstrate with his young English
friend, though he would have liked to have done so. Instead, therefore,
he slung the gun across his shoulders in a flash and swung himself into
the lower branches of the tree, which had the appearance of having been
struck by lightning. Owen meanwhile ran to Jack's side, and bending over
him lifted him in his arms. Then he half carried, half dragged him to
the tree, and as Mulha leaned over, helped the native to haul him up.

"Take him higher," he called out, "and then get the gun ready. I must
have mine."

He had left it where Jack had fallen, and turning at once he ran back to
the spot. There was little time to be lost, that he could see for
himself, for the horn was all but disengaged now. Still, without a
weapon, where would he be? Without hesitation, therefore, he picked up
the gun and ran back to the tree. Clasping the lowest bough, he was in
the act of swinging himself up when Mulha gave a warning shout.

"He is free, sahib!" he called out "You will not have time. Drop to the
ground, and put the tree between you."

It was excellent advice, and Owen made the most of it. He leaped to the
ground, and ran to the far side of the tree. And he was just in time.
Maddened with rage and pain the rhinoceros charged full at his
disappearing figure, and heedless of the tree dashed headlong into it.
But even such a terrific blow failed to stun the beast. It backed a few
paces, snorting and squealing, while its wicked-looking eyes searched
for its enemy. Then Owen did a plucky thing.

"Climb now, sahib. Drop the gun and climb. There is time. Come, I beg
you!" called out Mulha.

For answer Owen raised his weapon swiftly and pushed it round the side
of the tree. Then his arm and shoulder followed, till the gun was
pointed at the rhinoceros. Its head went down, with a hideous squeal of
rage, as it caught sight of him, and considering his youth and
inexperience it was wonderful that he did not follow the native's
advice promptly. But our hero had shown before that he was made of the
right stuff, and was not given to panic. He moved the weapon ever so
little, and was just about to pull the trigger when another shout
stopped him.

"It is empty, sahib! You have fired already."

In the excitement of the moment he had forgotten that, and for the brief
space of a second Owen was disconcerted.

"Drop yours down, then," he said hoarsely. "That's the way. I'll catch
it as it comes."

It took very few moments to make the exchange, and during that time the
beast stood its ground, for it had again lost sight of its enemy. But
very soon a squeal told that it had spied him again. The head went down,
and it moved forward to charge. Owen aimed for a spot at the root of the
neck and pressed his trigger firmly. Then he swung the gun over his
shoulders, did the same with the weapon lying at his feet, and ere the
smoke had cleared away was clambering into the tree.

"Look at his heels, sahib," cried Mulha triumphantly, a minute later, as
he pointed below. "He is in his death-struggle. It was a bold shot. You
stood fast to your post like a tried hunter. It is true what they say on
the ship, that Sahib Owen Jones will make a fine officer. Truly it was
boldly done, and the young sahib has abundant courage."

"And he will want it, too," answered Owen, with a reckless laugh, "for
look there, Mulha!"

He pointed to the patch of grass through which the rhinoceros had burst
its way, and there, filing through the gap which he had made, came three
more of the beasts, trampling and pawing the grass, shaking their heads
and sniffing angrily.

"A siege, I think," said Owen quietly, "and very well for us that we
have found such a castle."




CHAPTER V

The East Indiaman Attacked


"A strange position to find ourselves in, sahib! We are cut off from our
friends."

"As surely as if they were a hundred miles away, Mulha," answered Owen
with a laugh, as he looked down at the animals sniffing the air beneath
them. "It really is too funny. I can laugh now, you know, for we have
come out of it all right. But it was a ticklish business, and my friend
had a very narrow shave."

"And you too, sahib. I trembled when I saw you run to pick him up; and
when you dared to stand below, and the beast charged, I shut my eyes,
for I thought that he would run round the tree and catch you. They are
cunning beasts, I have heard. I would rather fight a tiger. The squeal
of rage which these animals give upsets one's nerves."

It was, indeed, a curious position in which to find themselves, and
Owen, as he stared down at the beasts, and then at his friend, laughed
again, a careless, jolly laugh. For, now that the danger was lessened, a
huge feeling of relief had come over him. He was sincerely attached to
Jack Simpson and to Mulha, and the sight of the former exposed to the
charge of the rhinoceros had filled him with terrible misgivings. And
now they were safe, while he felt, as he reviewed the events of the past
few minutes, that he had behaved as the sergeant would have had him do.

"Always try to keep your head, my lad," he had said over and over again,
and had done all in his power to train his young charge to decide
swiftly in emergencies. As Owen thought of this he remembered the many
occasions when the faithful fellow had created sudden difficulties, all
with this object in view.

"I wouldn't do it again, I think," said Owen aloud, as Mulha remarked on
his action. "It was all so sudden, you see. There was Jack Sahib lying
helpless, and the beast had got caught in the root of that tree. It was
a piece of sheer, unexpected good fortune, and I made the most of it. I
felt awfully inclined to bolt up here though, I admit. But I am thankful
I didn't. Ah, he's coming round. Let us look at his head."

"There is a large swelling and a small wound," said Mulha, who all this
while had had one arm about the unconscious figure of Jack Simpson. "He
will be well within a week, and this bruise will soon disappear. If the
sahib will help me I will bind up the head."

Owen happened to have a spirit-flask with him, and he dragged this out
of his pocket. Then, having forced a few drops between the pallid lips
of his friend, he helped the native to bandage up the wound in the head.
And very soon afterwards Jack opened his eyes, shivered violently, and
closed them once again. When he looked about him once more it was with
the utmost amazement, while his lips framed the questions which as yet
he was too weak to ask.

"It's all right, old fellow," said Owen quietly. "You're up a
tree--literally up a tree, I can tell you; but there is absolutely no
more to fear. The beast that charged at you is dead, and has made a fine
addition to our bag."

That brought his friend into a sitting position, but as he looked down
at the ground some yards beneath, and at the animals which still
remained at the foot of the tree, the height perhaps, the sight of these
fierce beasts and the memory of their attack, and more than all, the
blow which he had received, turned him dizzy and sick, and for a time he
suffered from horrible nausea. However, within a quarter of an hour he
was better and taking an intelligent interest in his surroundings.

"My word, my head does ache!" he groaned. "It feels like a pumpkin
and--hullo! what's this?"

"My handkerchief. You bumped your head against that stone over there and
the blow knocked you silly. And a good thing too, Jack, or else I fancy
you would not be here. Had you tried to rise, and lifted yourself from
the ground at all, that ugly beast would have had you. As it was you
went down so suddenly and completely that he missed you, and went with a
rush clear over your body."

It was news to Jack, and now that the nausea had left him, and he could
look down without feeling giddy, he stared at the unwieldy carcass of
the rhinoceros thoughtfully, and then at the others, now engaged in
sniffing about their fallen comrade.

"A fine mess he would have made of me," he said at length. "I suppose a
brute like that would kill you if he trampled over you. And look at his
wicked horns! He has two, and either would be sufficient to gore one to
death. How did it happen, Owen? I mean, what kept the beast from
returning in time? You see, I was down there. I'm up here now, and the
brute is dead. How did you manage it all?"

"I will answer, if the sahib will permit," said Mulha. "This is what
occurred, for I watched all that happened. You owe your life to the
sahib here."

Very quietly and accurately he described all that had occurred, showing
how Owen had fired at the beast, and had then given orders to Mulha to
carry his friend to safety. And afterwards how he had stood and killed
the rhinoceros. Jack listened to the tale thoughtfully, and looked down
at the beasts below. He was a youth possessed of fine spirit, and a most
unselfish fellow, and it was clear that his gratitude was too great for
words. He turned his head away and felt for Owen's hand. Then he gave it
a squeeze.

"Some day, old chap," he said very solemnly, "I shall hope to do
something for you, for I do most undoubtedly owe you my life. But it
seems quite natural that I should do so. I don't know when it was that I
first began to watch you--I expect from the first hour we came
aboard--but I remember thinking that you looked like a fellow well able
to take care of himself, and of others. There was such a quiet way about
you. You were so jolly with the others, and yet something seemed to show
that you had gone through a little more, and had had experiences which
few of the subalterns or clerks could boast of. Then came your swatting
at Hindustani, the remarks made about it, and the fight. Yes, it all
seems quite natural. You have a knack of finding a way out of
difficulties, and you've brought us through this one well."

"That's all right, then," said Owen with a smile, blushing furiously red
at the compliments paid him. "Now to decide how to get clear of this
place. It is early in the day yet, but we shall have to get down to the
shore before very long."

"And while these gentlemen are down below, why, it is a little
difficult," answered Jack with a laugh, for Owen's light-heartedness was
infectious. "They won't move on, I suppose, for the mere asking?"

"Hardly. But we might speak to them in a manner which would be
understood. Supposing we try a shot or two."

Owen unslung his gun and calmly loaded the weapon, perching himself
securely in the tree meanwhile, for to have tumbled out would have been
to have courted a speedy death. For the two-horned rhinoceros of Sumatra
is not a beast to trifle with, and when his anger is aroused, as on this
occasion, he is, indeed, a terrible foe to have anything to do with.
More than that, a fact which surprised all three, and caused them to
alter their opinions, was the unexpected agility of these ponderous
animals. They had only to recollect the rapidity of the charge which the
dead beast had made to know that a rhinoceros, however unwieldy he might
appear, was in fact capable of extremely rapid action. And in addition,
as many a hunter has learned ere now, the rhinoceros is an animal
possessed of an irascible temper, which makes him an extremely difficult
and dangerous enemy to attack. However, the tree in which they had found
refuge, though it had been blasted by lightning, was still sufficiently
strong to protect them from the beasts below, and Owen made the most of
the position.

"Take him at the point of the shoulder, sahib," said Mulha, as Owen put
the weapon to his shoulder and aimed at one of them. "They are so close
that you should have every chance of killing them."

"And they stand conveniently quiet. I will do my best with them."

Owen had secured his position in the tree by straddling a bough and
passing an arm round the trunk. It was not of great girth, so that he
was still able to grasp his weapon with that hand, and by bending out a
little was able to take aim. He selected the nearest beast and waited
till it dropped its head to sniff at its dead comrade. Then he pressed
the trigger gently. The shot was followed by a most unearthly squeal,
and when the smoke blew aside there was the beast down on his side,
kicking and squealing violently. The others lifted their heads, for the
sudden shot had startled them. Then as Owen moved, preparatory to
loading his weapon again, they took fright and galloped away into the
patch of grass from which they had come.

"Watch them, sahib," shouted Mulha, starting to clamber still higher.
"Watch the top of the grass, and you will be able to follow the course
they are taking. It would never do to descend and meet them again in the
open."

"Rather not," chimed in Jack, with unusual feeling. "We--that is to say,
I, personally, have had enough of these meetings with such beasts. But
it was a fine shot, Owen. A thundering good shot!"

Following the native to the very top of the tree our hero watched the
course taken by the beasts. The waving grass told where they were
clearly, and very soon they had galloped through it. Then they took to
the open for a while, finally disappearing in some low-lying grass and
undergrowth, from which, in all probability, they had first emerged that
morning. It was a huge relief to see them go, and the three promptly
slid to the ground, Owen with the agility of a cat, and Jack somewhat
stiffly, and with unusual care, for he still felt the effects of his
fall and the stunning blow on his head. However, he declared that he was
perfectly fit for the march down to the shore.

"But what about our bag," he said with a laugh, as he stood over the two
huge carcasses, inspecting the horns and the scaly hide which covered
the animals. "Supposing we get aboard and tell our tale, who is going to
believe us? A precious joke there would be at our expense. They'd say
that I had dreamed it all after getting a crack over the head. No, we
must do something to convince them."

"We cannot possibly manage to take the beasts with us," laughed Owen;
"and I suppose if we leave them here they will have disappeared by
to-morrow morning. Besides, the ship sails to-night, I believe. But I'd
like very much to take something just to remind me of my first
experience of big-game shooting."

"And of the narrow escape which you and I had. Let's ask Mulha."

They gathered round the two huge animals and discussed the question. For
though none had ever set foot in Sumatra before, and all were very
ignorant of the animals to be found there, yet they rightly guessed that
there would be many carnivorous beasts sheltering in the forests whose
instinct or sense of smell would bring them to the food so easily to be
obtained, and which ere the morning came would tear the carcasses to
pieces. Owen scratched his head, Jack placed his foot on one of the
beasts and then clambered on to the massive ribs, while Mulha looked at
the rhinos thoughtfully.

"If we were elsewhere, and had others to help us, sahibs, we would skin
the beasts and remove the skulls. As it is, we can take the ears and
tails, and the feet too if my masters wish it."

"And what about the head and horns?" asked Owen quickly. "That is what I
should like. Have you a knife, Mulha?"

The native, who was wearing a rough pair of trousers, shirt and coat,
felt for the sheath in his belt, and produced a heavy knife such as is
carried by sailors.

"We could sever the head," he said, "and then perhaps the sahib and I
could carry it. But it will be very heavy."

"Let us try it. The trophy would be a fine one, and once we get it on
board, no doubt we could have it properly preserved. Give me the knife,
Mulha."

However, the native would not agree to this, and at once set to work to
sever the head of one of the beasts. It was not such an easy task as one
might have expected, for the skin was wonderfully tough. However, he
finally decapitated the animal. Then he gathered a bundle of the grass,
and having found some creeper amongst the forest trees near at hand, he
tied the trophy up, suspending it from a straight length of bough which
he cut down from the tree in which they had taken refuge. A stroke of
the blade of his knife then divested both carcasses of the tails, which
he pushed into his pockets.

"Then we are ready," said Owen, who was delighted with their work. "It
is high time that we were on our way back. Lead us to the glade, Mulha,
and we will see what we can do with the other beasts. We might even be
able to drag one of the pigs away, or take the head of the deer. Now, up
with your end of the stick."

He grasped the other end, and lifting the stick each placed one end on
his shoulder. Jack carried one of the guns, declaring that he was now
perfectly well again, while Owen had already slung the second over his
shoulder. Then they set out through the forest, Jack bringing up the
rear, till they reached the glade in which their first shots had been
made. And here a few minutes sufficed to sling a portion of the deer to
their stick.

"I hate to have to leave the pigs," said Owen, as they prepared to move
off again. "But it cannot be helped. Still, it seems so cruel to kill
animals when one does not even intend to carry them away. We will see
what the captain says. Perhaps he will allow us to return with some of
the men, for fresh meat is always wanted."

The additional burden told heavily upon Owen and Mulha, for the head of
a full-grown rhinoceros is no light weight. But the quarters of the deer
happened to be of small proportions, so that they were able to stagger
along, streaming with perspiration as they went, for the heat was great,
even beneath the shadow cast by the trees of the forest. Indeed, so
close was the atmosphere that they were forced to rest after a while,
and came to a halt beside a stream which gushed out from the
undergrowth, and trickled away between the grass and stones at their
feet.

"I am thirsty, sahibs," said Mulha. "Shall we rest here for a time?"

He lowered his end of the pole as Owen did the same, and then went down
on hands and knees beside a pool of the clear running water. Then,
having satisfied his thirst, he strode off into the forest, returning
with a huge bunch of bananas, which he offered to his companions.

"I had forgotten food," he said. "There has been so much to do and so
much excitement that I did not desire any. But the work we have been
doing has made me hungry. Will the sahibs eat?"

Owen and his friend Jack Simpson were growing lads, and had had nothing
since breakfast. It is not to be wondered at, therefore, that they
eagerly agreed to such a proposal, and having slaked their thirst took
the fruit and ate it with the utmost pleasure.

Then Owen and Mulha took up their burden again, and the party moved off
through the trees, their road leading them all the time downhill towards
the low-lying coast. Occasionally as they went through the forest a
troop of monkeys would cross their path, just as one had done when they
were in the glade, and would disappear amidst the trees, chattering and
screaming, and hurling defiance in their own tongue at the heads of the
intruders. Another wild pig scampered across the path, and once, to the
astonishment and dismay of the party, they suddenly sighted the flank of
an enormous animal, apparently almost asleep beneath the shade cast by
the trees.

"Rhino again!" exclaimed Owen, as he lowered the stick. "Get your gun
ready, Jack, and what about a tree?"

He rapidly selected a likely one, and at his order the whole party ran
towards it. They were in the act of climbing into the lower branches
when the beast, hearing their movements, strode from beneath the shade,
and disclosed the gigantic proportions of an elephant. He stared at them
with suspicious eyes, while he swayed slowly from side to side. Then, as
Owen lifted his weapon, the huge beast turned and went off at a trot,
smashing the boughs and smaller trees which lay in his path, and
crashing through the underwood and tenacious creepers as if they were
merely dried sticks which would break at a touch. It was with a feeling
of relief that the three hunters listened as he plunged on his way.

"One would prefer his room to his company," laughed Owen, as he turned a
somewhat scared face to his comrades. "A rhino was bad enough, but an
elephant might be worse. You see, if he had chosen to turn nasty and we
had clambered into the tree he might have rammed it down with his head.
I have heard of such things happening. Then, where should we have been?"

"It would have been better to have given in to the rhinos," smiled Jack.
"We've had an escape and are lucky. Let's push on again. I shall be glad
when we are aboard."

There was no doubt that all had had enough of adventures and would
welcome the sight of the ship. And for this reason Owen and Mulha picked
up their burden with eagerness, and strode on through the forest, Jack
following, gun in hand, while he searched on every side for signs of the
beast or of others which might happen to be in the vicinity. Once he
gave vent to a shout, which brought them all to a halt. But it was a
false alarm, and no doubt the condition of his nerves was responsible
for it.

"The narrow escape I have had and that crack over the head have put me
out," he said, by way of excuse. "I'll be honest. I have got the jumps
this afternoon, and imagine I see a rhino or an elephant in every
shadow. Push on. Take no notice of me. I am a regular girl to be so
scared."

"Hark! That was a gun surely!" suddenly remarked Mulha, lifting his head
in a listening attitude. "I even fancied I heard one an hour ago, as we
were clambering out of the tree. Why should they fire from the ship?"

"Perhaps they have completed their preparations for sailing and want to
get away," Owen ventured. "Or a favourable breeze has sprung up, and the
captain wants to make the most of it. Listen! You can hear the wind as
it strikes the tops of the trees."

"And there goes another gun!"

Jack Simpson looked at his comrades, who stared back at him doubtfully.
All had heard the gun, and had wondered what it could mean. Nor were
their difficulties lessened, for as they gathered up their trophy again
and pressed downhill towards the shore, a salvo of artillery burst from
the ship, while firing seemed to come occasionally from another point
away to their left. Worse than that; as they decreased the distance
between themselves and the shore, and came to a part where the forest
was not quite so thick, they imagined that they caught the far-off
sounds of shouting, while Owen declared that he could hear musketry
firing, as though men were engaged in warfare.

"I feel sure of it," he said doggedly, as his companions argued that
this could not be the case. "I have heard it so often before at home,
and it sounded just like that. I tell you we are not the only ones who
have met with trouble. Those on the ship have been attacked."

"Then supposing they are forced to sail away?"

Jack asked the question and looked at his companions in dismay, while
the faces of Owen and Mulha showed that the same fear had occurred to
them and that they were uneasy.

"We should be in a hole, that is all," said Owen quietly, after a long
silence, during which the firing continued. "But I am sure the captain
would never desert us. He would lie off the land, hoping to pick us up
later. But what is the use of wondering, when by pushing on we can see
what is actually happening. My advice is that we get to the shore as
soon as possible, and that we take good care as we get to the edge of
the forest that we are not seen, and that we do not expose ourselves. It
might, and probably would, make all the difference to our safety and to
our escape, supposing the ship has been attacked. Pick up the stick,
Mulha, and be careful not to let that gun go off, Jack, or we too might
be attacked."

At his words the native seized his end of the stick and they lifted
their trophies. Then, with Owen in advance and Jack in rear, they walked
on towards the shore, till the forest became far less dense, and they
caught a glimpse of the ocean.

"Halt!" cried Owen, who took command for the simple reason that Jack did
not venture to do so. "Now wait here while I push on a little and see
what is happening. There is a bit of high ground just in front, and
from there I shall be able to see the ship. There go more guns,
and--hark!"

"An enemy without doubt," exclaimed Mulha with assurance. "Sahib, I know
what is happening. I have not sailed so often across the seas between
this and England without learning who are to be avoided. In these parts,
within sail of the Malaccan Straits, there are pirates, recruited from
India and the Malay States, who waylay the biggest ships. They have
attacked East Indiamen very often, and have even matched their strength
against war vessels. They must have gained information of the arrival of
our ship, and have sailed here hoping to capture her while she was
refitting. But push on, sahib. If these pirates are indeed within sight
our plight is very serious."

Owen nodded curtly to him, and strode on at once. Little by little, as
they had plunged on through the forest toward the sea, and the sound of
heavy firing had continued, he had gathered the fact that the ship was
being attacked. Then he remembered a warning which Mr. Halbut had given
him, and felt sure after Mulha's words that the attackers must indeed be
pirates.

"And of the worst sort," he said to himself as he ran forward. "They are
the worst lot of cut-throats in existence, so Mr. Halbut said, and are a
perfect pest. In fact, something will have to be done soon, for they
prey upon the shipping in these parts, and are so bold that they even
run up into the path of the Indiamen and make some their victims. Here I
am."

He threw himself on hands and knees as he came nearly to the top of the
rising ground, and slowly crawled to the very summit. Then, selecting a
low bush he wedged his way into it, and struggling on, regardless of the
thorns, finally obtained a clear view through the leaves which clothed
the farther side. What he saw brought a low cry of astonishment from
him, for the East Indiaman was under sail, and was firing rapidly at a
number of large native craft which hovered about her. Then he turned,
and backing from the bush waved to his companions. And very soon they,
too, were gathered on the rising ground, and were watching from the
security offered by the bush.

"It is as you said, Mulha," said Owen at length. "Those ruffians must
have discovered the ship by accident, or, seeing their strength, must
have gained information of our coming and set out with the fixed
intention of making an attack. In either case, they are here, and we are
in a pretty plight. As for the ship, she seems to be holding her own.
Probably she caught sight of them the instant they appeared, and made
preparations."

"And did her best to bring us off, sahibs," added Mulha, pushing his
long arm through the bush and pointing to the shore below. "Watch there,
sahibs."

All eyes were turned to the point he indicated, and another sound
escaped Owen's lips. For he caught sight of the ship's boat, by which
they were to have returned, dragged some few feet up on to the sand;
while pushing away from the spot, and just then free of the surf, was a
huge native boat, filled with men who were shouting excitedly and
brandishing their weapons.

"Poor fellows! They must have been too late, and unable either to return
to the ship or escape the enemy," exclaimed Owen, as he caught sight of
three limp figures stretched on the sand. "These ruffians must have
crept along the coast and come upon them unawares. And now they are off
to help the main attack."

"Leaving the boat for our use, perhaps, sahibs," whispered Mulha. "All
is not lost for us yet. We might put off as the night comes."

Whether this would be possible it was hopeless to decide at that moment.
For the ship upon which they had sailed from England might not make good
her own escape. But it looked as if she would; for as the three stared
out to sea they saw her, with sails fully set, steering out of the bay.
And as she went smoke belched from her sides, for she carried a dozen
guns, the shot sometimes striking the water and ricochetting, while some
few crashed into the four native craft which hovered about her, drawing
excited cries of approval from Owen and his friends. It looked, indeed,
as if she would make good her escape, for within half an hour she had
drawn away from the enemy, while one of the native craft lay well in
rear, her mast having been knocked down by one of the shots.

"She will stand out till she has shaken them off," said Owen at length,
"then she will make all ready for a renewal of the battle, and will wait
on the chance of our returning. It's getting dusk, Jack. We shall have
to make the most of the evening."




CHAPTER VI

A Trap for a Trap


That Owen and his companions would indeed have to make the most of the
coming darkness was abundantly clear to all. But how to make the most of
the time, was a question they asked one another. What could they do?
What course could they take? As they lay there beneath the shadow of the
bush, following the movements of the Indiaman and of the four native
craft, the one idea filled their minds--they must escape. They must
leave the shore that very night if ever they were to do so.

"But how? That is the question," blurted out Owen, as if thinking aloud,
as he stared first at Jack Simpson, and then into the thoughtful eyes of
Mulha. "That is what bothers me. There is the boat below, I know,
but----"

"She is heavy, and the labour would be great, sahib," ventured Mulha.
"Still, when it is a matter of life men can do much, even to pulling a
heavy boat far out to sea, for the ship will never dare to lie close in
to the bay."

"And I own that I feel done up. Completely played out," said Jack,
dropping his aching head on his arms. Indeed, a glance at his pale face
showed that he was feeling the effects of the stunning blow which he had
received, and that he told but the truth when he said that he was done
up and of little service where more effort was required.

"Then we shall have to make use of one of the native craft," exclaimed
Owen, some minutes later, having meanwhile fixed his eyes upon the scene
below. "I agree that for three men, one of whom at least is unused to
much pulling, the feat of rowing a heavy boat like that far out to sea
is out of the question, and, besides, one of the two is a youngster."

"With plenty of pluck, Owen. Don't forget to add that," burst in Jack.
"But you wouldn't. I never came across such a modest fellow. You come
aboard, and hide away in odd corners, working like a horse at languages
which are as dry as dust. Every one thinks you are a timid fellow--a bit
of a johnny, you know--and some begin to take advantage of the thought.
You put up with a lot, and then one day you select the very biggest of
your tormentors and give him a jolly good hiding. Afterwards you go on
just the same, still swatting up languages, still unobtrusive, till this
day comes along. And now what sort of a tale have I to tell?"

Jack lifted his pale face from his hands and looked his friend full in
the face, with a quaint little smile on his lips which meant much, which
spoke of the gratitude in his heart, and of more than that--of the faith
he had in Owen, of a regard for him which was fast nearing the point of
genuine admiration.

"You don't reply," he went on earnestly. "But I will tell you. I say
that you have shown pluck, and that I swear you behaved nobly when that
beast charged me. More than that. You have taken up this matter in a
curiously business-like way all your own, and I shall be surprised if
you don't contrive to get us out of this mess. As for the boat. It is
heavy, I know, but if you say that we must row it out till we are in the
open sea, why, we'll do it. I feel better already since I heard the
suggestion."

But his looks belied the words, for he was still very pale, with black
lines beneath his eyes, and a tired look in the latter which told of his
condition.

"We could do it if we set our hands to the job," admitted Owen sturdily.
"But there is another question. Supposing we were followed. We should be
nowhere, for those beggars carry sweeps. Didn't you see them in use as
the boat left the shore below and ran through the surf?"

A nod from Jack showed that he remembered, while Mulha gave an
exclamation of assent.

"The sahib has sharp eyes, which seem to take in everything," he said,
dipping his face into his hands in a salaam, a custom which he had when
addressing Owen. "My master spoke of a native vessel, and perhaps he can
say of which he speaks and how he would use her?"

For a little while there was silence again, all three staring out at
the bay, Jack listlessly and with half-hearted interest, for he felt
thoroughly ill, while his head, as he had said some two hours before,
ached till it seemed to be on the point of bursting. Mulha squatted on
his heels, in the position loved by the native, and viewed the scene
thoughtfully, his eyes every now and again seeking Owen's face as if he
expected to receive help from him. And this in fact was the case. The
native of India often finds a subtle attraction about the white man, and
once he has cause for devotion is never tired of showing his loyalty and
good feeling. It matters not what is the age of the white man, so long
as he displays parts which are attractive to the native and rouse his
admiration. And Owen had already done that in the case of Mulha. He had
honoured the Mahrattan exile by chatting with him every day as if he
were a friend and an equal, thereby bringing many hours of unexpected
happiness. For Mulha's heart was far away in his own country, and he
sighed to be back. Then Owen had undoubtedly shown that he was possessed
of resource and pluck, and that entirely clinched the matter. He was a
born leader, so said Mulha to himself, and to be obeyed and followed
blindly.

"The sahib spoke of a native craft," he ventured again, after a long
pause. "What passed in his mind? To me there is but one way out of this
difficulty, and that even may depart as the darkness falls. There is the
boat, and if it remains we can use it. On the other hand, it may well
happen that the enemy will be before us. In which case----"

"We shall be in a mess," laughed Owen, showing of a sudden unwonted good
spirits. "But I'm hungry. A man fights and struggles better when well
fed than he does when suffering the pangs of hunger. We've plenty of
meat, and fruit is close at hand. What is to prevent our having a meal?
And while it is cooking we can still keep watch. As to the native
craft--I have my eye on it, Mulha, and I fancy that very soon we shall
want to make the acquaintance of those aboard her. No. I have no plan
fixed yet, but this I will say, that I mean to reach the ship to-night
if that is possible. Now, what about the grub?"

"There is the deer, sahib, while for me fruit will be sufficient. If you
will remain where you are I will light a fire behind the bushes, and in
such a way that not even the sharpest eyes shall detect it. Then I will
bring you a steak and some fruit, which should appease your appetite."

He crawled away through the bush, and Owen watched him as he descended
the landward side of the rise and walked towards the forest. But he took
little note of his movements, for his thoughts were on other matters and
other men; and presently his face turned towards the sea once more, and
he stared out at the Indiaman and at the native craft with deeply
furrowed brows, and with every appearance of perplexity. And as he
watched, the firing of guns ceased altogether, while the native craft,
one by one, hauled in their sails and steered back towards the coast.

"Disappointed," he thought. "They must have had information that a big
ship had put in here after the storm, and hoped to come upon her
unawares. Lucky for all of us that they did not arrive when we were
careened. As it is they have failed, and I should fancy that they will
give up all thoughts of further attack. The question is, do they know
that there are still some of the ship's company ashore?"

It was a knotty question to solve, and for a long while he pondered over
it.

"It looks as though they did not suspect our presence," he thought, "for
would they have left the boat otherwise? On the other hand, they must
have asked themselves why there was a boat ashore at all, and with only
three men in her. On second thoughts I believe they know that some one
is ashore, and have left the boat, hoping we shall come down and put out
towards the ship, when they will make an easy capture."

"What on earth are you chattering about, old chap?" suddenly exclaimed
Jack, lifting his head from his arms and staring at his friend. "You've
been talking aloud for the last ten minutes, asking all sorts of
questions, and going on without waiting for a reply. What's it all
about? Look here, I'm lots better. Half an hour ago my head felt as if
it would burst, and I was giddy and almost sick. But the rest has done
me good. What's happening?"

As a matter of fact he had fallen asleep very soon after reaching the
top of the rise, and Mulha and Owen had taken good care to leave him
undisturbed. His face was still pale, but there was a brighter look
about his eyes, the sleep, short though it was, evidently having done
him a world of good.

"I was arguing with myself about those beggars down below. It's a way I
have," responded Owen apologetically. "I've come to the conclusion that
they know that some one is still ashore, and that they left the boat
below to act as a trap. The question arises, then, whether the flies
should walk into the trap and be taken, or whether they should lay a
little trap of their own? But look at the ship!"

"She's hove-to, and that's a signal, I am sure."

Jack was evidently far brighter and more wide awake, for his arm shot
out and he pointed to the Indiaman, lying rocking to and fro some two
miles from the entrance to the bay, and flying a long stream of
brilliant flags, with a Jack at the top, all seen distinctly, even at
that distance, owing to the wonderfully clear atmosphere.

"If we belonged to the navy we might be able to read the message," said
Owen as he stared at the flags, "but as it is, we can't. I fancy we
should do well to sit quietly where we are and take no notice. You see,
they know that we are ashore, for they will have seen the boat attacked
and the men in her killed. They will guess that we have kept out of the
way, and common sense will tell them that we shall make an effort to get
away from Sumatra. That being so, we can safely leave the signal
unanswered. Take note of that little native vessel over there, Jack."

It was his turn to point, and he did so at the very craft which had
left the shore below, her hands having dragged the ship's boat on to the
sand after killing her crew. "She is the one to suit us. She has one
sail, as you can see for yourself, and there are barely a dozen men
aboard her."

Jack sat up on his elbow and stared at his friend as if he could barely
believe his ears. Then he scrambled on to hands and knees and crawled
close up to him.

"What game are you after?" he asked in a whisper, as if he feared that
the enemy below would hear. "You don't intend to make a dash,--by
George! if you do, I'm with you. I don't care if you don't explain. If
you think that that will help us, why, I'm in with you and will help all
I know."

"Dinner," said Owen with a laugh. "Can you eat anything now? I'm as
hungry as a hunter. We'll sit here, and watch the boats as we eat.
That's grand, Mulha."

He smiled in Jack's face, refusing to answer one of his questions, for
as yet his plans were not matured. He had an idea, that was all, and he
meant to ponder on it for a time. The sergeant had taught him to think
where there was time to do so, before taking action, to look, in fact,
before making a leap; and in such a serious position as this was he
determined to do nothing that was rash or would lead to disaster. It
was, therefore, with a light-hearted laugh that he turned to Mulha as
the native came towards them, and eagerly looked at the food he brought
with him. This native seemed to have a thousand virtues, and one of
those was concerned with the art of cooking. He had retired to the
forest, some hundred yards behind the spot where they were lying, and
there, with the aid of flint and steel, he had soon set fire to a
handful of brittle wood. Dried sticks piled on that had soon burst into
flame, and within a few minutes the good fellow had had a couple of fine
steaks, cut from the deer, skewered on his ramrod and frizzling over the
embers. And now he brought the meal, on a fresh palm-leaf, smoking and
hot, and wonderfully appetising. Then he had filled Owen's flask with
water, and had not forgotten to bring a bunch of bananas. Our hero's
mouth watered, for the unwonted exercise, the excitement of their
hunting adventures, and of the scene which they had been watching, had
given him a healthy appetite. Even Jack was so far recovered by the rest
as to declare himself ready. They sat down close together, with a
boulder only intervening, and on this the palm-leaf dish was placed.
Each had a good-sized pocket-knife, and with these they cut up the
slices, transferring the pieces to their mouths with their fingers.

"Made before forks, you know," laughed Jack, looking a comical object as
he sat there in front of his friend, a faint tinge of pink in his cheeks
now, but with his head still swathed in Owen's coloured handkerchief.

"This is a picnic. Who would have thought that we should have had such a
time! But I was forgetting those poor fellows down there. They have had
little cause to bless the pirates."

"And we may have still less," Owen reminded him. "But we're alive, and
we're going to win through. You asked me what I meant when I pointed to
the boat down yonder."

Jack leaned towards him eagerly, while Mulha went down on his heels and
stared into the white youth's face.

"Yes. Go on. What were you thinking of? How could her capture help us?"
Jack asked eagerly.

"There will be a moon late to-night," said Owen thoughtfully. "If we
could get aboard that craft in time, and without much noise, we could
easily make out to sea and so fall in with the ship. I've been
calculating. I had forgotten the moon till a little while ago, and then
I reflected that if we started directly it was dark the chances were
that we should get out of the bay before the light came. I reckon it to
be an eight miles' pull. Well, supposing we reached the edge of the bay
when the moon got up----"

"We might still fall into the hands of the enemy, sahib," interrupted
Mulha. "These robbers below, if they have left the boat to tempt us,
will think, perhaps, that it will take us a little while to gather
courage for the attempt. They will rely upon the moon rising before we
are near our friends. They would pounce down upon us, and then----"

"You need not go on," said Jack with a shudder and a comical grimace;
"we can guess. Cut-throats have many ways of dealing with their enemies,
but they all lead to the same end. I see the drift of Owen Sahib's
argument. The chances are that we should be taken, for the boat is very
heavy and the ship far out now."

"While the attempt to reach her would be a natural one on our part, and
it is more than likely that these rogues will expect us to make it,"
went on Owen. "That being so, a little surprise might help us. There are
three of us, and we are armed. I propose that we cut three stout cudgels
or bludgeons before the light goes, and that we slip down to the boat
the instant it is dark. We will push her into the water as quietly as we
can, and paddle gently towards that craft I have selected. Her consorts
are at least four miles away, and if there is a rumpus the noise may not
be heard. Of course we must beat these fellows and get possession. After
that we'll up anchor and away."

The scheme had much to recommend it, but not a single one of the three,
however sanguine he might be, could hide the fact from himself or his
friends that the enterprise was a desperate one. There were perhaps a
dozen cut-throats aboard the native craft, and they themselves numbered
three.

"But we shall have the advantage of surprise," said Jack, as they
discussed the matter; "and after all, we have no other choice. I follow
your arguments entirely now. The boat is out of the question. We should
nearly certainly be discovered and killed."

They sat down beneath the bush again and watched, while the light waned,
slowly at first and then more rapidly. And meanwhile Mulha slipped away
into the forest, and returned before it was dark with three fine
cudgels. He made a second trip, and came staggering back with their
trophies, which he placed at their feet.

"In case we are detained aboard, sahibs," he said, with a grave smile.
"There is the deer for you, while there are bananas here for me. We will
fill the flask also."

Just before it got dark a movement was noticed aboard the smaller of the
craft, the one which Owen had selected for their expedition. A tiny
skiff dropped from her side, and three men lowered themselves into her,
and taking up the paddles went away out to the three larger craft, which
still stood backwards and forwards some miles from the shore. Then a
second skiff left her side, with four men aboard, who at once rowed for
the shore.

"They have to make farther along the coast," said Owen as he watched
their movements. "They intend to land, and cannot do so here as the surf
is too rough for them. They will come along later to the boat, and if we
have put out they will signal. That is their object, I should say, and
it raises another difficulty. As for the others, I suspect that they
have gone to the captain of these ships to tell him of the plans they
have made. We shall have to be very cunning and very quick if we are to
get out of this mess."

The sight of the second skiff had indeed damped their hopes and
ambitions considerably, for the arrival of men ashore would considerably
upset the plans they had made.

"All depends on the time it takes them to get ashore and along to the
boat," said Jack, with something approaching a groan, for he had had
sufficient dangers and difficulties to contend with that day.

"And also upon the time we take to launch the boat below and get out to
the pirate. If we are there before these beggars send their signal, all
the better, and remember there can be only five or six aboard her now.
If we're still on our way things will not be so prosperous nor nearly so
rosy as we had hoped. Still, our chances will not be spoiled."

"Unless the men ashore hear the noise of the conflict, sahibs," ventured
Mulha. "Then their signals would be sent to the ships, and our task
would be even harder. We should have to run the gauntlet of three
fast-sailing craft, armed with guns. The fourth does not count, for she
lies at anchor, her masts having been shot away."

"Then we'll have to make a small alteration," exclaimed Owen quietly.
"You will both back me up, I know."

"Through thick and thin. Give the order, old chap, and I will certainly
follow."

"And I too, sahib. You can trust in Mulha."

"We'll make a move, then. Pick up the stick, Mulha, and come along down
to the beach. Wait, though; are the guns loaded?"

"Both are fully charged," answered the native.

"Then draw the bullets and powder. This job must be managed silently.
There must be no accidental letting off of guns or intentional shooting.
We'll use our cudgels. If a fellow runs at you, Jack, catch him a crack
across the shins and then give him one over the head. Don't shout. Our
game is to make as little noise as possible."

They waited a few minutes longer while Mulha drew the charges from the
guns. And even then Owen stood still, listening to the boom of the surf
below, and trying vainly to discover the whereabouts of the men who had
last set off from the native craft. But Sumatra was buried in darkness,
which blotted out the forest behind, the ships, and the water. A
thousand stars shone out from the heavens, and their reflections could
be watched in the water. But they gave little light, and in any case
insufficient to show the whereabouts of any of the enemy.

"As good for us as for them," said Owen at last. "But there's just one
other matter that has occurred to me. It will be pitch dark aboard that
boat. How are we to avoid striking one another?"

Mulha made no reply, but as they stood there in the darkness they heard
the sharp sound of ripping linen, and guessed that he was tearing some
part of his clothing. Then he came to each in turn and bound a strip of
white material about the left arm.

"One moment, sahibs, while I step away from you," he said. "It will do
well," he went on, as he returned. "I can see the strips at a few yards,
and that should be amply sufficient. Now, Owen Sahib, I will help with
the load."

They set off for the shore, our hero in advance, and Jack following
closely on the steps of the native. And presently they were trudging
across the sand, here loose and soft, into which they sank almost to
their ankles. Owen had so far kept his face directed to the sea, to the
spot where he imagined the ship's boat to lie. But now that the sand
was reached he turned abruptly to the right and struck off along the
bay. It was a strange manoeuvre, and at once brought low-voiced
exclamations from his companions.

"Are you not leading us far to one side?" whispered Jack, hastening
forward and laying a warning hand on his friend's sleeve. "We should
have marched straight on, to get to the boat."

"And now the sahib will need to turn about and search carefully. I had
marked the exact spot in my mind's eye, but the turn has put me out of
my reckoning."

"And I went this way on purpose," answered Owen, dropping his end of the
stick for the moment "Look here, I've been thinking about this little
business, and I don't like the idea of our leaving being signalled to
the ships by the rascals who have come ashore; for I take it that they
have just about landed by now. I wondered whether it wouldn't be wise to
leave the ship's boat lying where they dragged her and make along up the
coast. Then they'll find her, and will imagine that we have funked it
and are still here."

"But how on earth can that help us?" gasped Jack, his tones lowered to a
whisper. "What are we to do along the coast? We want to reach the ship,
and the boat seems to be the only way of getting there."

"Hardly," replied Owen calmly. "There's another boat. What's to prevent
our making along and letting these gentlemen pass us? They have come
ashore as we did. Their skiff will be lying on the sands. Why shouldn't
we borrow it? It would come in very handy, and then, when we got out to
the native craft we should just be returning friends, you know, not
escaping Englishmen landed from the Indiaman. It strikes me as being a
good idea."

"Good! By George! it's splendid! The very thing for us."

Jack tossed his cap in the air and would have shouted had not Mulha
given vent to a warning word.

"Let us be careful, sahib," he said, betraying little astonishment at
the news of their altered plans. "Remember that these men may now be
near at hand. Let all be silent save Owen Sahib, who only shall give
orders. What next, sahib? The plan reads well. To lay a trap for a trap
is but fair dealing."

"Then forward," said Owen, "and listen. In a little while we will creep
aside into the forest."

Some ten minutes later they crept quietly into the fringe of the forest,
which here grew close down to the water, and threw themselves on their
faces. And presently some stealthy figures crept past, on their way to
the boat, never suspecting that the men for whom they searched were
watching them. Then the trio rose to their feet, and striking out on to
the sandy beach again cut straight along it, their eyes searching the
dull white line, where the surf broke upon the sand, for signs of the
skiff by means of which the enemy had landed.




CHAPTER VII

Touch and Go


It was densely dark beneath the trees where the three walked, so dark,
in fact, that Owen, who was leading, struck his forehead heavily against
the trunk of a tree, and staggered back, dropping his end of the stick
as he did so.

"Let us change the order, sahib," said Mulha, when his master had
recovered from the blow, which had been a severe one. "I am used to
finding my way at night, and should have seen or felt that tree. Take
this end of the stick, and let Jack Sahib cling to your sleeve."

Had it been possible they would have kept clear of the wood, but it
happened that at this part a collection of palm-trees struggled right
down to the line of the sea, their trunks being moistened by the spray
cast by the surf. And these were sufficient to delay them, so that many
minutes had elapsed before the party came upon a narrow inlet, cutting
zigzag in from the sea, into which the water ran smoothly. It was
situated round a rocky bend, and had been invisible from the position
they had occupied earlier, overlooking the bay.

"Here we shall find their skiff," exclaimed Owen, in tones of
satisfaction, "and very soon we shall be under way. One moment. Isn't
that the boat?"

"It is a boulder, sahib," answered the native without hesitation, his
eyes seeming to be able to pierce the darkness with ease. "The boat for
which we are searching is higher up. I think I see it already. It is
pulled up on to the mud."

It turned out to be as he had declared, for as the party turned inland,
their onward progress being barred by the inlet, they came upon the
craft some hundred feet higher up, stranded on the mud, with paddles
laid carelessly in the bottom.

"All in readiness, in fact," exclaimed Owen with a chuckle. "This is a
good omen, Jack. All is smooth at first, and the rest is what we care to
make it. Those aboard the native craft will hardly be expecting us. If
we don't manage to drive them overboard within a minute, well, my name's
not Owen!"

"Nor mine Jack. Any special orders before we embark?"

"None. We have our badges, by which we shall know each other. We have
only to clamber aboard and go for them."

"And supposing they should suspect?" asked the native suddenly. "Would
it not be wise, sahibs, in a case like that to approach them
differently? For instance, if they think that we are enemies I could
slip into the water as we came close, and while they follow the
movements of the boat I would clamber aboard. Then, as I fell upon
them, you two might rush in and board the vessel."

"Bravo! A good suggestion, and you shall carry it out," answered Owen
readily. "Is there anything else?"

No one answered. They had done all that was possible by way of
preparation, and could think of nothing more.

"Then dump this load aboard and let us shove her out. Mulha, can you
paddle a boat?"

"I have been at sea for many years, sahib," was the quiet answer.

"Then you will paddle us to the ship. I will take on the task if you
have to slip overboard. Down she goes! Now, into her, Jack."

They placed their load and their guns carefully in the bottom of the
native skiff, and then lifted her clear of the mud, for she was very
light, and carried her bodily into the water. Jack stepped gingerly in
and took his seat in the bows, Owen followed, picking up a paddle as he
did so, while the native placed himself in the stern and plunged his
paddle into the water. They were afloat, and at the very first stroke
the little craft shot out into the centre of the inlet.

"Trim her as well as you can, sahibs," whispered Mulha, "and depend on
me entirely. The surf is not very rough at the entrance, but any unusual
movement might lead to a capsize. I will paddle her gently through, and
then strike to the left. That is where the vessel lies, and all eyes
must search for her."

His paddle dipped regularly now, and the little craft shot down the
inlet. Indeed, it was abundantly clear by the pace she attained that a
stream fell into the bay at this point, and that the current helped the
efforts of the paddler. And before any could have believed it they had
reached the coast-line, and were in the surf, here a gentle swell only,
for had it been like that which broke upon the beach higher up, the boat
would have foundered. She was of far too light a build to have lived
there for a moment. As it was she rocked, till Owen and Jack were forced
to hold to the gunwale, while they bent their bodies as low down as
possible. Meanwhile Mulha seemed to take little heed of the commotion;
but his piercing eyes watched every wave, and the strokes of his paddle
came now at irregular moments, sometimes strong, and sometimes just a
gentle touch which turned the boat's head aside to avoid some breaker.
Spray blew over the three and drenched them, but they hardly heeded it.
All had their thoughts fixed upon the pirates' ship, and upon the coming
struggle.

"I wonder what it will be like," Owen said to himself. "I have fired a
gun and pistols at a target many a time, but till to-day I have never
killed anything. It was all right, of course, to kill those pigs and the
deer; that was sport; while the killing of the rhinos was a matter of
self-preservation. But these natives are different. They are human
beings, and I hesitate even to strike them with the cudgels which we
have prepared."

"There she is! I saw her against the stars," suddenly exclaimed Jack,
interrupting Owen's train of thought. "We shall be alongside in a
quarter of an hour. Then there'll be a tussle. Owen, these beggars would
kill us without a scruple and without mercy, wouldn't they?"

Our hero stared in the direction in which Jack pointed, for his comrade
caught his arm and turned it out to sea to the left, so that the
darkness could lead to no mistakes. And there, without any doubt, was
the pirate vessel, looming large and formidable against the starlight,
and rocking gently on the swell.

"Wouldn't they? They'd cut our throats without hesitation!"

Then his friend had been thinking of the same thing. It was all very
well to fight wild beasts, but when it came to an endeavour to kill
their own fellows, dark-skinned pirates though they were, it was a very
different matter.

"I would not trust my life in their hands for an instant," was his
answer. "Look here, Jack. It's a question of self-preservation all over
again. Those rhinos wanted to kill us, and we were forced to shoot them.
It's the same here. While there are bad men in the world there will be
murders and hangings. Lives will be taken, and robberies and violence
committed, till those who desire to lead a quiet life rebel. Finding
that words and warnings are insufficient they will take to killing the
bad men simply for the reason that if they did not do so the latter
would become too strong in time, and would do pretty well as they liked
with other people's lives and property. That's the way with these
pirates. They wanted to capture the ship, and they would like to take
us, just to revenge their defeat. I object. I want to get to India. I
will hit as hard as possible, and if a man attempts to stand up to me,
well, the better of the two shall survive."

He gripped the stout cudgel which Mulha had cut for him, and balanced it
nicely in his hand. Then his eyes went across to the native boat again,
and he watched to see whether there were any figures on her deck. But
she was still too far away, and, in fact, only her spars were visible,
showing up against the bright stars. Mulha paddled on without a pause
and without a sound. Those in the skiff could just hear the dip, dip of
his blade, but that was all. There was not sufficient noise there to
attract the attention of the pirates, and it was hardly likely that the
latter would be listening.

"Most likely they have turned in by now," said Owen to himself, as he
listened for any other sound than that of the paddle. "With a little
luck we should be able to get alongside without discovery."

He crouched in the bottom of the skiff for some ten minutes, staring
out across the water. And as the seconds passed his hopes rose higher
and higher, while the uncertainty of their position, the inevitable
struggle, and the fact that it would be the very first in which he had
ever taken part, helped to increase his excitement. He could hear and
feel his heart beating. His teeth were clenched, while his hand gripped
the cudgel with a purpose. Owen Jones had forgotten his thoughts of a
few moments ago. He no longer had scruples. There was to be a
rough-and-tumble struggle, and his side was to succeed.

[Illustration: REACHING UP TO HIS FULL HEIGHT HE STRUCK THE MAN ON THE
BREAST

                                                             _Page 107_]

"Halloo! Aboard the boat there!"

The hail, in a foreign tongue which none of the three could understand,
came from the shore from the exact point where they had put off, and was
followed by the flash of a pistol and by a sharp report. Then came
confused noises, shouts, and cries of anger, answered within a few
seconds from the very ship for which Mulha was steering.

"The game has been discovered," said Owen hastily, as the truth dawned
upon him. "We have been too slow, and those fellows who landed and
passed us must have slipped back to find their own craft gone. Push on!
Rush them! Get ready, Jack!"

"Steer out beyond the boat," suddenly whispered Mulha. "Hush, sahibs. We
are not discovered yet. They will know aboard the ship that we have
stolen from the shore, and they will scarcely guess our object. Swing to
the right, for they will be looking perhaps to the spot well to our
left. We will slide up beside them and make a rush. I will slip
overboard if we are discovered."

It was not a time for words, and at once Owen dropped his cudgel and
thrust his paddle deep into the water. But dark though the night was
they could hardly hope to avoid detection, and within a minute they knew
that the pirates aboard the ship for which they were aiming had their
eyes upon them. Shouts answered the fierce cries from the shore, and
some one suddenly appeared on the rail of the vessel, a stick in his
hand, and at its extremity, held well aloft, a mass of flaming material,
which acted as a flare and lit up the scene. In a minute, in fact, the
tables were turned, and all the plans and hopes of the three were
shattered utterly.

"Charge!" shouted Jack, turning upon his friends. "Charge! We're done
for if we don't. They will pick us off easily."

"And shoot us like birds. There goes their first weapon. Paddle, Mulha!"

Owen backed his friend up with a will, and seeing in the space of a
second that to remain there, within the circle of light, was to court
death, and that to attempt to escape would in all probability prove
equally fatal, for it would be a little while before they could withdraw
out of the light, and even did they do so, there were enemies between
them and the Indiaman, and ruffians ashore waiting for them to land, he
plunged his paddle in with a will, and, helped by the native, sent the
skiff surging on through the water. A weapon exploded a few feet from
them, and our hero experienced the curious sensation of being hit. He
felt as if some one had taken a hammer and struck him a violent blow on
the thigh. The shock was followed by a burning sensation, and then--they
were close alongside. A burly, naked individual leaned over the rail and
threw something into the skiff, knocking her bottom boards to pieces and
almost sinking her. She was leaking badly, and looked as if she would
founder.

Then another of the pirates leaned over, following the example of his
leader, and would have repeated the process of shattering the boat. But
Owen was too quick for him. Suddenly rising to his feet he swung his
cudgel round his head, and reaching up to his full height struck the man
on the breast. The thud could be heard all over the ship, and was
followed by a shriek of anger and pain.

"Now at them!" he called out at the top of his voice. "Come along, Jack.
Charge them!"

Fortunately the sides of the small native craft which they were
attacking were not very lofty, and thanks to the diversion which his
sudden blow had caused, Owen was able to grip the rail and clamber
aboard. Jack followed as quickly as possible, gaining the deck as three
men, armed with sword or knife, threw themselves upon him. Owen did not
wait for them. Dashing forward he struck out blindly with his stick,
while Jack followed him up swiftly. But the odds were against them. They
had counted on finding perhaps six men aboard, whereas the flare which
was still held aloft disclosed the presence of at least nine pirates,
all scantily dressed, and every one wearing an expression which boded
ill for the attackers. More than that, they were dumfounded at the
audacity of the white men, and as Owen beat them back, and the two
parties halted for a moment to stare at one another, the pirates could
hardly believe their eyes. Then the huge ruffian who had tossed a weight
into the skiff pushed his way to the front of the others and began to
laugh.

"Did ever game walk into the net so nicely?" he asked in the Malay
tongue. "In which way shall we kill them?"

For a moment it seemed as if he would choose a summary method, for he
dragged a huge bell-mouthed pistol from his belt and aimed at Owen. Then
another thought struck him and he turned to consult with his men.
Meanwhile Owen and Jack stood still; petrified at finding such
unexpected numbers. They looked round for Mulha, but he was nowhere to
be seen. They were alone, and had but themselves to depend upon.

"Then we'll go for them," said Owen hastily. "Strike at their shins.
Remember that. Guard their blows and whack them across the legs. A
nigger cannot stand that. I've been told so by men who have been out in
the East. Take that chap on the right. I'm going for the big man in the
centre."

Without another word, but with a shout to encourage one another, they
charged down the deck, swinging their clubs. And as they came the enemy
prepared to meet them. The big man swept a clear patch about him, and
drew a dagger, while the others lined across the deck, some armed with
daggers, and others with native swords. Two had guns which they fired as
the two white men approached, missing them narrowly.

Owen kept his club aloft till he was close to the big man. Then all of a
sudden he ducked his head and shoulders, and as the man lifted his
knife, thinking to ward off a blow made at his head, our hero's cudgel
came with terrific force against his shins and knees. There was a howl
of pain, and the man dropped like an ox which has been felled; then he
crawled away, rubbing his limbs and evidently suffering considerably.

The sudden fall of their leader disconcerted the crowd for a few
seconds, and they drew back. Then one of them raised a sudden shout, and
those in rear turned round. Owen grasped the meaning of their action
instantly.

"Mulha has carried out his plan," he shouted. "At them, Jack. Strike as
hard as you can."

There followed a desperate struggle, during which sticks rose and fell,
while the gleaming blades held by the pirates darted this way and that.
But the length of the cudgels proved an enormous advantage, and when to
that was added the sudden appearance of Mulha, and the need for
defending themselves in front and rear, it was not wonderful that the
rascals aboard gave way. In a few moments four of them lay stretched
senseless on the deck, while beneath the rail grovelled the huge ruffian
whom Owen had brought down, still hugging his shins, for one was broken.
Numbers were more evenly divided now, and the efforts of all three soon
ended the matter. Mulha lifted his club as a man dashed in upon him, and
leaping aside to avoid the blow, brought the heavy stake with a terrific
crash down on the pirate's back, breaking it instantly. Then Jack and
Owen rushed at the others, their clubs whirling, and, struck with terror
at the lot which had fallen to their comrades, these remaining pirates
raced away for their lives and leaped over the side.

"Dowse that flare," commanded Owen instantly. "But wait. Look at these
fellows, Mulha."

"This man is dead, sahib. I hit with all my might, and struck him on the
broad of the back. He is no further use to us or to his own comrades. He
shall join those who have just left us."

Very calmly Mulha stood over the native and carefully inspected him, to
make sure that he was dead. Then as Jack picked up the flare, which had
fallen to the deck and lay there spluttering, he gripped the body with
both hands and tossed it overboard; for this native was a powerful
fellow, tall and supple, with wiry limbs which would have tired the
muscles of many a man of finer development.

"The others are alive, but helpless for the moment, sahib," he went on,
turning to Owen. "Shall they follow? In the sea they will be out of
harm's way, and if we take them they will surely be hanged."

"Leave them. Perhaps the information to be obtained from them will prove
valuable. Now, dowse the light."

Mulha took the stick upon which it was supported and tossed it over the
side. Then for one second he disappeared, swarming over the rail, to
reappear within a minute.

"The boat may still be required, sahibs," he said, with a grave smile.
"There is water in the bottom, but not sufficient to matter. The sea is
calm, and therefore I have only made the rope fast. She can tow as we
sail. Shall we hoist the sails?"

It was the only possible course for them to take, and fortunately on
this craft there was no great difficulty; for she carried but one huge
triangular sheet, the strangely shaped stretch of canvas with which so
many Eastern boats are provided, and on this occasion the canvas had not
been lowered but had been furled about the yard, the latter being left
in position. Mulha went swarming up to it with the agility of a cat, and
soon the folds were trailing near the deck. Owen took hold of the
tiller, leaning heavily upon it, for his leg was strangely weak. As for
Jack, he stood aside, leaving the sail to Mulha, well knowing that he
himself would be in the way. And in a very short space of time, when the
active Mulha had severed the hawser, they were moving, the wind had
caught the sail, and the boat had listed to one side.

"Better get ready for the bombardment," laughed Jack some minutes later,
as they stole silently through the water. "I'll load, and then if any of
those beggars fire at us we shall be able to answer. I suppose she does
not carry a cannon?"

He went off along the deck, while the thoughtful Mulha dived down below,
returning shortly with some muskets, which, following Jack's example, he
commenced to load. Then he went to the unconscious figures lying on the
deck and dragged them to the foot of the mast.

"What if that big fellow with the broken shins chooses to give a shout?"
asked Owen suddenly. "Of course, the pirates on shore and those at sea
know or guess what has happened. That flare will have made everything as
plain as possible. They'll be cruising up and down to catch us, and if
that fellow cared he could bring them alongside."

"I will speak to him, Sahib," answered Mulha grimly. "He shall
understand. Give me one of the guns."

He took the weapon from Jack, who stood near at hand. Then he went to
the side of the wounded man and grasped him roughly by the shoulder.
There was just sufficient light to see him, and out here on the water,
where they were well away from overhanging trees, they could see far
better than when on the land. As he stared at the two, Jack saw Mulha
shake the man, and then raise his finger to his lips, at which the
wounded pirate ceased his groans. Then very deliberately Mulha raised
the musket, thrust the cold muzzle into the man's ear, causing him to
sit transfixed with terror, and then lifted up a warning finger again.
It was enough. The fellow groveled in the scuppers, and from that moment
not a sound escaped him. As for the others, they showed as yet no signs
of returning consciousness, so well and truly had the blows fallen.

"In an hour and a half we shall be clear of the bay," said Owen, who
still clung to the tiller, for he had little fears of his powers of
being able to sail the vessel. The wind happened to be in the right
quarter, and he had handled a tiller before in Old England.

"What if some of those other craft get alongside and blaze at us?" he
asked.

"We'll give them something back," answered Jack defiantly. "Run us in
close to them, and Mulha and I will pepper them with the muskets."

"If we are not meanwhile blown to pieces with their guns," laughed Owen.
"Keep a bright look-out, that's the best course, and run as far from
them as possible. How's the time, do you think?"

"Couldn't say," responded his friend. "We might have put off hours ago.
I've lost count of the time altogether."

So much had happened that it was not wonderful that it seemed to all
three that they had left the shore some long while ago. But, as a matter
of fact, it still wanted quite a little while before the moon would
rise. And meanwhile they steered on their course, their bows pointed to
the wide opening of the bay, and all eyes engaged in watching for the
enemy. And presently the creak of a yard was heard, and some distance to
their right, and nearer in shore, a huge indefinite shape swirled by and
was gone, the creak, creak of the yard melting into silence as she
increased her distance and ran on into the night. An hour passed, while
the little vessel pressed on, the water churned to froth at her bows.

"We are in the open sea, or just at the mouth of the bay, Sahib," said
Mulha. "I am sure of that, for there is a little roll, and in the bay
there was none, only the wind listed us to one side. We must be very
careful. At any moment we may run into the enemy. Then the moon will be
up before very long."

A few minutes later, indeed, she came up from behind the high lands
running parallel with the coast, and flooded bay and open sea. Almost
instantly there was a shout from the three who manned the stolen vessel,
a shout answered by a loud hail not far away. It was the Indiaman,
under sail, and standing silently and very slowly across the mouth of
the bay. They could see her very plainly, for the rays fell full upon
her, and she was within an easy shot. At the shout they saw men rushing
down the deck, and figures, strangely ghost-like in the silvery light,
appeared from her hatches. Then a dull red flash spurted from her side,
a puff of smoke belched into the night, and a ball, directed by no
unskilled hand, hurtled across the water and hulled the little craft
which was standing out of the bay. It was a fine shot, and brought a
wild cheer from the deck of the Indiaman; but it had disastrous
consequences, for it knocked a wide hole in the planks of the native
vessel, through which the water poured in torrents.

"Ahoy! You're firing at friends! Ahoy there!"

Owen clambered with difficulty into the rigging, till he reached a spot
where his figure stood sharply silhouetted against the moon behind. And
there he waved his arms, while he hailed at the top of his voice. And
evidently those aboard the Indiaman were not slow to discover their
mistake. Another cheer rose from her deck, and a stout figure leapt on
to the rail, and ascending a few rungs of the ladder hailed back in
stentorian tones. Then came the splash of a boat, and within five
minutes the ship's gig was pulling towards them.

"It will be touch and go yet," said Owen. "We'd better get aboard the
skiff. These poor fellows here must take their chance. Give me a hand,
Mulha."

A few minutes before he had been able to clamber into the rigging with
wonderful agility, considering his wound; but now that the danger was
passed, and help and friends were at hand, Owen collapsed utterly. He
held out his hand to Mulha, and then fell on his face on the deck. And
in this unconscious condition he was lifted aboard the skiff, which was
half full of water, and from her was transferred to the gig. A quarter
of an hour later the Indiaman was standing out of the bay, while her
deck hands were hoisting the gig back to the davits. Owen lay pale and
motionless in the sick-bay, while Jack was closeted with the captain. As
for the native craft, she had sunk beneath the water, the five wounded
pirates who had been upon her being barely rescued by the gig. It was a
tragic ending to a day's hunting, but it provided the garrulous Jack
Simpson with a theme, and at that moment he was breathlessly detailing
all that had happened. And had there been any doubt as to the truth of
their meeting with the rhinos, there was the head of the beast, and a
portion of a deer, now brought aboard, indisputable evidence of their
prowess.




CHAPTER VIII

The City of Palaces


Three uneventful weeks passed after Owen and his two companions made
their escape from Sumatra and rejoined the ship ere the pilot boat,
cruising off the sand-heads of Saugar, was sighted. And during those
days the two friends had been the heroes of the ship. Not that Owen
could enjoy much of the congratulation which was due to him, for the
wound he had received kept him in the sick-berth for a week. It was a
nasty flesh wound, and to add to the trouble the bullet had remained in
the limb.

"A fellow who can stand his ground and shoot a rhino will laugh at this
little task," said the surgeon who was aboard, when he came into the bay
on the following morning, a servant carrying a large case of instruments
for him. "There's a bullet still in that thigh, and as I imagine you are
not very anxious to keep it there, I will remove it. Now the water, some
clean basins, and--ah, here are the things."

He chatted and laughed pleasantly as he made his preparations, and still
smiling exposed the wound and probed for the bullet. Owen found it an
ordeal, but bore it manfully. He clenched his teeth firmly, and smiled
back at the surgeon whenever the latter looked at him. And finally, when
the bullet was extracted, he fell back on his pillow thoroughly
exhausted.

"Just a little troublesome to get hold of, I admit," said the surgeon,
"but you will thank me later. There was a piece of cloth too, carried in
by the bullet, and that alone would certainly have delayed healing. Now,
with a healthy, powerful young fellow, such as you are, the wound will
close so quickly that you will be surprised."

He gave Owen a restorative, and dressed the wound, and at the end of the
week our hero was on deck, lounging in a chair, his leg and thigh
elevated, and a company of admiring civilians and soldiers about him.

"I'd rather have the task of shooting another rhino any day," he
admitted, "than have a bullet probed for. It's worse than being
wounded."

"As many a soldier has found before," exclaimed one of the passengers,
Major Alexander by name. "I have been hit half a dozen times, and I know
a little about it. But it's a fine training, Jones--a good beginning.
Now you can say, when you land, that you have indeed smelt powder and
met with a bullet. But seriously, I feel that, as the senior officer
aboard, it will be my duty to make a report of all that has occurred,
and of your behaviour, your gallant behaviour, Mr. Jones. I consider
that the way in which you brought off the party was skilful, and
displayed sagacity and courage. Not a word! I say it, and I mean it
thoroughly. These gentlemen here approve of my words."

"Hear, hear! A regular young fire-eater. He will make a good soldier,"
exclaimed the passenger who had once before interfered on the eve of the
fight. "Jones has pluck, Major, and he deserves some commendation from
those into whose command he is going."

"He will have it," was the answer. "I will make it my business to
report, as I have already said, and if Jones will allow me I will see to
his comfort when we get ashore. No! Again, not a word, my lad. I am an
old soldier, and you have a few years' service. We are of the same
cloth, and if we cannot help one another, why----"

"Bravo, Major! There is nothing like being clannish. Besides, he'll want
help. The surgeon says he will not have the full use of his leg for a
month at least, and in a fortnight or less we should be at Calcutta."

Owen was not allowed even to whisper his thanks, for his gallant conduct
had won him friends throughout the vessel. Jack had not been slow to
tell of his pluck, of his strange determination and skill, while Mulha,
now a person of some importance, made the lower deck and fo'castle ring
with his name. Jones, late corporal of the 64th, was a hero aboard the
Indiaman.

"I could not have believed it. Honestly, it never occurred to my thick
head that you had it all in you," said Hargreaves one day, very quietly,
taking a seat beside him. "I now see why it was that you put up with our
vulgar abuse and sneers, and why you thrashed me so soundly. It has
done me a world of good, for now I think a little more of others. I used
to imagine that because a fellow was quiet and studious, and somewhat
retiring, he had little spirit, but, my word, Jones, you have opened my
eyes!"

Perched high up in his chair, and now, though strictly against the
surgeon's orders, able to hop on one leg with some nimbleness, Owen
watched the pilot drop a boat and send aboard. Then his eager gaze
sought for the town of Calcutta. But it was some time before it came
into sight. They steered their way up the wide Hooghly against a
powerful stream, and, once they had passed Fultah, feasted their eyes on
the delightful views on either hand. Then they rounded the projecting
spit of land, with its beautiful botanical gardens, and caught their
first glimpse of Fort William. A little later the shipping of Calcutta
was in sight, a vista of masts which seemed to pierce the sky. There
were short and stout vessels with slanting yards covered with brown
native canvas, rakish-looking native vessels, ships of war, and
merchantmen with tall spars and square yards, and in between them
numbers of rowing craft busily plying to and fro. And there was
Calcutta, the city of palaces, radiant beneath the sun. No wonder that
all crowded to the rails, that Owen staggered from his chair and,
conscious that the surgeon was right for'ard, hopped to the bulwarks.
And what a cheer they all gave as the uniforms of soldiers were seen
over the battlements of the fort and a welcoming shout reached them.
They had been more than three months at sea, but for their break at
Sumatra, and what wonder that all aboard, from the youngest upward, felt
gay at heart and jolly!

Late that afternoon Owen took up his quarters in one of the houses on
the outskirts of the city, having been carried there in a litter
provided by the Major. Jack was with him too, and very thoroughly had
the two enjoyed themselves.

"It is very strange and queer," said Owen, as he sat back in his chair.
"It is so new, and yet so very familiar. I could lay a wager that I have
lived here before. I seemed to know the Esplanade Ghaut where we
disembarked, and I am sure I have time and again watched these busy
fellows one passes hurrying through the streets. Then there were those
in the bazaar, the women and children, all strangely old and familiar to
me, and yet so new."

He looked through the wide window with a puzzled expression on his face,
and fell to thinking deeply. Indeed, he might have remained in this
brown study for a long while had not Jack interrupted him.

"Then you may take it for certain that a portion of your history is
connected with Calcutta or some other Indian port," he said. "You've
told me a good deal, and you said that it was certain that you could
speak a few words of the language. A chap couldn't imagine all this. To
me it is utterly strange. The bright streets, the dust, the
water-carriers, the stall-holders in the bazaar, elephants and horses
with their bright saddlery. It is totally different from England. To my
mind it is certain that you were born out here. It was natural for you
to forget a great deal when you were absent from the country, but the
first sight of old familiar scenes brings back recollections."

Could it be so? Did he really and truly remember Calcutta in some vague
uncertain way? Owen asked himself that question again and again. He shut
his eyes and let his mind carry him back to the days, not so very long
ago, when he was a child of four or five.

"I can see a big house, something like this," he said to himself, "with
native servants all about, and a white lady. There was a black woman
too, an ayah or nurse, I suppose, and an officer who was very tall. They
ran to me and lifted me in their arms. Then there was a ship--yes, yes,
I can see it here. It tossed up and down and I was ill. Then--I can only
recall the postchaise galloping along the road, and old Mrs. Jones's
honest face."

He gave vent to a sigh, a somewhat unusual thing with Owen, and opened
his eyes to find the Major standing over him.

"In pain?" he asked curtly.

"No, sir. Thinking only."

"What! Tired of India already? Wanting to get home again?"

He smiled in a bantering manner as he stared at our hero.

"No, sir. But--well, I was thinking of the time when I was a
youngster--I mean when I was about five years of age. You may have heard
my story, sir?"

The Major nodded sympathetically.

"We all knew it," he said gravely. "We believe that you were sent home,
and that some rascal had a reason for disposing of you. Some day, never
fear, the mystery will be cleared up. Wicked tricks like that fail very
often."

"Then I was thinking of that time, and I swear that this town, or a very
similar one, is familiar to me. I think I can, very vaguely, remember my
mother and father, and certainly I can recollect the house. When I am
able to walk I shall search for it."

"Then you will have little time," came the prompt answer, "for soldiers
have to put their private business aside, my boy, and you will be no
exception. His Majesty and the Honourable Company, otherwise John
Company, will require your services. In fact they need them now. You
must get well as rapidly as possible."

Owen and Jack both expressed astonishment, for they had heard no rumour
of expected or impending trouble. But then they had only been ashore a
very few hours.

"The news is old here," said the Major, as he lit a cheroot. "There's
war before us, boys, and a fine thing it will be too. It will give you
both an insight into Indian character, and will make men and soldiers of
you far sooner than would the peace régime, with its drills and
manoeuvres, its dances and its picnics."

Owen looked somewhat disconsolately down at his leg, and then up at the
Major.

"The sergeant told me that war brought a soldier's chance," he said.
"Whom are we to fight, Major, and when and where?"

"Steady. Three questions all in one, when you don't even know what corps
you are to belong to! Now I will tell you. I have been to see the
Governor, who tells me that he will be riding round here to-morrow, and
will make a point of calling. It seems that he has had some intimation
of your coming. I fancy you will both go to the native cavalry, but
cannot say at present. How long will it be before you are fit to ride?"

"I could almost manage now, sir," responded Owen eagerly, so eagerly
indeed that his words brought a hearty laugh from Jack and his
questioner.

"A regular young fire-eater!" exclaimed the Major. "But you know very
well that that would be out of the question. If you mounted now the
wound would open at once, and then your condition would be a sad one.
But can you ride at all?"

Owen was bound to confess, very ruefully, that he was no great artist
when mounted on a horse.

"Of course I have ridden a little, sir," he said. "I had a chance now
and again when at the poorhouse, and when I was employed on the farm I
often had a ride, sometimes as far as the town. But I cannot honestly
say that I am a horseman."

"Still you have ridden, and that is everything, and when you were young
too, which is a great advantage. I should say that you would pick up the
art very quickly. It may be, then, that you will be able to come up
country in a cart, and have your schooling when you reach your corps.
Yes, that would be a way out of the difficulty. And now to answer your
questions. The war is to be with the Mahrattas, old enemies of ours,
who have threatened British power in India for many a year. They are
freebooters for the most part, who have been a thorn in our flesh, and
who must be exterminated some day or other if we are to enjoy our
possessions tranquilly. I will tell you something about them soon. As to
when, why, there have been skirmishes already, they tell me, so that the
actual war will commence at once, hostilities being begun as soon as our
armies collect. As to where, that is asking a lot. The rendezvous may be
at Agra for all I know. But we were speaking of your joining the army. I
shall be going, and Jack also. Troops will be marching from here very
soon, and we shall ride with them. You will both want servants on the
road, and of course can have a native soldier detailed to you from the
ranks. When you join your respective corps you will draw a man from
them, and will pay off those who have been with you on the journey. And
speaking of servants, Jones, reminds me. There is a man outside, a
Mahratta, I believe, who was aboard the ship. He called here some
minutes ago and is waiting. Do you wish to see him?"

Our hero signified his desire to do so, and smiled as Mulha entered, for
he had grown very fond of the native, while Mulha had become a most
faithful follower. He entered, dressed in native costume on this
occasion, and salaamed to the Major, and then to the two younger men.

"What is it, Mulha?" asked Owen, as the native salaamed again to him.
"Speak in English so that we can all understand."

"You are to join the army, sahib, and they say in the bazaar that there
is to be war against the Mahrattas. I am one, but I am not a robber,
like those in arms now. My family is a peaceful one, and we have long
wished for the security given by British rule, and the enjoyment and
peace which the natives have here and in other British settlements. I am
returning home. It is some time since I left, and the anger of the
people will have died down. Besides, I have saved money, and can pay for
what I did. In a country inhabited by such freebooters money will settle
any matter, and there will be peace between me and my enemies. That
being so I shall want employment, and I have come to ask the sahib if he
is looking for a servant?"

Once more the fellow salaamed, putting his forehead to his hands, and
then stood erect, looking at Owen calmly, with the complacency of the
East, and yet showing by the faint twitching of his beard that the
answer would mean much to him.

"I will take you, and be glad to be able to do so," answered Owen
readily. "It is a load off my mind. When will you be free of the ship?"

"I was paid off this afternoon. I am my own master now, sahib."

"Then I will engage you, and we will settle your wages."

It took only a couple of minutes to do that, for the Major was well used
to Indian matters, and Mulha seemed to be careless as to what he
received, so long as he could be with Owen. He salaamed gravely again,
and departed to the servants' quarters, where he settled down at once,
as if he had been used to the work all his days.

"You are in luck," said the Major, when he had gone, "for there is no
doubt that the fellow is attached to you. You speak his tongue, too, and
there again you are fortunate, though you owe it entirely to your own
energy. There are billets--special billets, mind you--for the fellow who
can speak the tongue of the men we are about to fight."

At this moment servants brought in tea and cakes, and served them to all
three, passing from one to another in that silence which is such a
feature of Indian waiting. There were no clattering dishes, no clinking
spoons and cups, and no creaking boots or heavy footfalls. They passed
silently behind the chairs of the sahibs, and disappeared as quickly as
they had come.

"What about the war, Major?" asked Jack suddenly, as he lit a cheroot,
and sat up choking and spluttering, for he was as yet a novice, and
cheroots were not always of the mildest.

"Try another, my lad," laughed the Major. "That is too strong, perhaps.
No? Very well. Stick to it. You'll really enjoy it before very long. Ah
yes, this war! Well, I happen to have a few minutes, and I know the
country. I'll tell you. We fight the Mahrattas, and will give them a
hiding if we can, for they deserve it. They are cantankerous beggars,
and are always causing trouble. We've had rows with them before, and
just now their power has become very dangerous. You see, it isn't
altogether the Mahrattas. There are the French, with their eternal
schemes against British power in this country. We are as fearful of
their growing power as we are of that of the Mahrattas. In fact, it has
been a race between us and the French for a long while, and it is still
a toss up as to who will hold India in the end. John Company has had
many ups and downs, and has been very near to extinction. But Clive gave
the company a splendid fillip, and now, thanks to him and to other
heroes, we are very strong and able to make a big effort. But, mind you,
it isn't at all certain who will succeed."

"I confess that the Company and its affairs is a mystery to me," burst
in Jack, endeavouring to look at ease as he puffed smoke from his lips.
"As soon as one lands in India--indeed, as soon as one embarks upon an
Indiaman and gets free of the London docks, one hears of nothing but the
Company. We know that it exists. But how and why? Half, and more than
half, the fellows have not more than a vague notion."

There was no doubt that Jack Simpson was perfectly right. A great number
of the young fellows who went out at this period to join the Company's
service knew very little of its history and its origin. And to-day there
are many who have heard little more than its name, while numbers who
know of events which have passed in America, in Africa, in Spain and
other countries, where British forces have fought, are somewhat hazy as
to events which have passed in India since England first sent her sons
there. To them India is a British possession, teeming with millions of
dark-skinned subjects, and for ever attracting some slight attention
because of oft-recurring frontier wars. They know little of the early
struggles, of the days when British, Dutch, and French strove for
supremacy, and of the endless fighting and sacrifice by which our
country finally gained the proud title of conqueror of India, and won
for its ruler the title of Emperor of this huge country across the seas.

"Come, come," laughed the friendly Major. "You should have learned that
at school. Every young fellow should know of it, and be proud to think
that he is a descendant of the fine men who fought here before us. But
if you really wish it I will outline the life of the old Company, though
I must trust to my memory for dates. Still, you know, when an officer
has been a servant of the Company for twenty years, as I have, he
naturally knows a little about his employers. Let me see. We'll start at
the beginning."

"The very beginning, Major, please," said Jack.

"Which would take us back to the days of Alexander, if you ask me to
give a history of India. No! You must get a book and look that up. I am
going to tell you of the Company, and in doing so I must naturally speak
of India. Still, I'll say as much more as I can. To begin with, this
India is even vaster than many of us imagine. Roughly, it extends for
some nineteen hundred miles from north to south, that is from the
Himalayas to Cape Comorin, and is inhabited by a good many more than a
hundred million souls, natives I mean, and exclusive of Europeans, who
are a mere drop in that vast human ocean. Just think of that. Here are
we, a mere handful, attempting to impose our will upon a vast people,
and doing it successfully too. The audacity of such a venture is really
astounding!"

"Then how is it that we succeed, Major?" Owen ventured to ask. "If we
are so few, why don't they come down upon us and exterminate us?"

"Precisely! Why don't they? Why haven't they in the past? Because there
is no combined movement amongst them. Because the country is for ever
disturbed by jealousies and strife between the various races inhabiting
it. That is one of the reasons, and the greatest. England, represented
by the Company, has taken advantage of this condition of affairs, and
while these struggles have gone on she has slowly and steadily increased
her power and standing. Not that she was always prosperous. There have
been times when the Company has been in very low water. But I will tell
you how British pluck and determination, aided by jealousies of the
natives, have succeeded, and how the Company which was formed in England
on the 31st of December 1599 finally arrived at its present opulence.

"That Company was sanctioned by Queen Elizabeth, and it owed its origin
to many facts which are of interest. We hear that India was but a word
to the West; that few had ideas of the enormous wealth of the East, and
still vaguer knowledge of the vast countries there, with their teeming
workers. It was never even suspected that in this India, of which tales
had reached our country, there were riches beyond the dreams of
westerners, that there were gorgeous courts and palaces beside which the
palace of Queen Bess was little better than a hovel. And that ignorance
might have persisted had it not been for the energy and enterprise of a
few, and those not always of our blood.

"That brings me to deal with the men who first invaded this land, and my
memory has to carry me back to my school days for that. Very many years
before Alexander made his famous invasion the Greeks knew India, and
travelled here in search of knowledge. Then came Alexander, with his
hordes, marching through the passes in the north (Candahar Route),
across the Punjaub as far as the Hydaspes, a tributary of the Indus.
That was in B.C. 327. He retired to Persia, and doubtless after he had
gone the peoples in the north enjoyed some tranquillity.

"That the East was not entirely severed from the West in the earlier
years of the Christian era is evident, for spices were to be had even in
England, while it is said that missionaries went out to the East. But
this India was but a vague name till Vasco Da Gama made his wonderful
voyage round the Cape in 1498, and found his way to India. After that
trade developed to a huge degree, and the Portuguese enjoyed its full
benefits during the sixteenth century. And now we come, I think, to that
period when England can be said to have taken some interest in the East,
an interest, I fear, which was supported more by the hope of gain than
by any other reason. In 1588 Cavendish discovered that the natives in
the East would as willingly trade with us as with the Portuguese, while
Sir Francis Drake, that fine old sea-wolf, captured five large
Portuguese caravels, all laden with rich eastern stuffs. One had aboard
also documents showing what immense trading possibilities there were in
this country, and in addition the manner in which that trade could be
carried on. Well, England is not always the first in an enterprise. She
often waits till other nations have obtained a foothold, and then she
stirs, and the history of her conquests and of her increasing
possessions shows that she has done more than well. She waited till the
Dutch, stirred by tales of wealth, despatched an expedition to India.
Then certain gentlemen in England put their heads and their money
together and created a Company. There, young fellows, you have the
commencement of the Company."

"And did they start trade in India at once?" asked Jack. "I suppose they
had rows with the Portuguese and Dutch from the very commencement."

"You seem to think that I am a mine of information," grumbled the Major
pleasantly. "I think that the first expedition left Woolwich in 1601,
and touched the island of Sumatra, where we have so recently been. In
the neighbourhood a Portuguese ship was captured, filled with eastern
goods which were sufficient to load all the ships of the expedition,
which numbered four. Thus the success of the venture was assured, and
after sailing for Java--where agents were left, the very first trading
representatives of the Company--the expedition returned home.

"That was the beginning, and for many years the progress of the affair
was but small. Certain privileges were obtained for trade from the Mogul
Emperor, and before 1612 the ships of the Company had each made eight
voyages to the East, realising fine profits. Still, their possessions
were nil. See what they are now! Compare the condition of the Company
then with its opulence at this moment. However, to continue, a factory
was built at Surat, while an ambassador was sent to the court of the
powerful Mogul Emperor of India at Delhi. At this period the Portuguese
and Dutch were very prosperous, and exceedingly antagonistic to England
and to each other. But a fortunate chance increased the holding of the
Company. A certain Dr. Boughton had performed a service for some native
ruler, who as a reward gave permission for a settlement on the Hooghly,
while a fort was built at Madras, named Fort St. George, the land being
obtained from some native prince. Thus you will see that the Company was
making headway. But during the great Civil War in England its fortunes
declined, till Cromwell reconfirmed its privileges. An agreement was
come to with Bengal for the purposes of trade, and finally the island of
Bombay was acquired, and thither the Company removed its quarters from
Surat. And about these trading posts, for they were little else in those
days, the natives gathered with their merchandise, making trading an
easy matter.

"But circumstances occurred from time to time to disorganise the affairs
of the Company, for there were always native wars, very often fomented
by the scheming of the Portuguese and Dutch. In fact, the Company was so
often in danger that at length, from being a purely trading concern, it
became a body with some military power, and its peaceful policy was
changed. It began to look for more land and more factories from which to
conduct its business. And it was well that it did make preparations, for
the Mogul Emperor was on a tottering throne, and the French were soon to
come into the field. But steady, my lads. A cup of tea, if you please.
Much talking makes one thirsty."




CHAPTER IX

John Company


Major Alexander was not the man to be hurried, and moreover, though a
soldier, he was a studious gentleman, and having accepted the task of
enlightening his two young protégés, he was not the one to do it in a
half-hearted manner. He sipped his tea with deliberation, and afterwards
lay back in his chair, apparently more concerned with the rings of smoke
which he blew from his lips than with India, the affairs of the Company,
whose servant he was, and the war which he had intimated was about to
take place. Then he yawned, sat up briskly, and gazed at Owen.

"That's what happened," he said. "This peaceful trading Company became
pugnacious, not of its own freewill perhaps, but because it was for ever
being harassed by others, and was for ever made to feel the effect of
unfair competition on the part of the Portuguese and the Dutch.
Moreover, its properties had increased, and military and sea power were
necessary to protect not only the trading ports but the vessels and
their cargoes as they went to England. Had they confined their energies
to protection they would have done well, but they commenced upon the
unwise policy of attacking the Mogul Emperor, and were badly worsted,
Surat being wrested from them. However, it is stated that the treasury
of the Emperor was low, and the combatants came to friendly relations
again, so that Surat was restored to the Company. Meanwhile, however,
the French had secured a footing, and had obtained a strip of land at
Pondicherry, where they fortified themselves. This, as you may imagine,
was a blow to the Company, and it became more than ever necessary to
consolidate their power and prepare for eventualities. They obtained
another concession, and some few years later built Fort William, here in
Calcutta, and set up their trading post. Indeed, Calcutta was made the
presidency of all the Company's possessions, and rapidly rose in
importance. At this stage, if you have followed me carefully, you find
the traders, whose servants we are, in possession of posts in Bengal,
Madras, and Bombay.

"And now I have brought the Company to a point in its history when
matters became very critical for it," went on the Major, after he had
paused for breath. "Their successes, the profits they had made, and the
noise which their condition caused in England, led others to venture
into the same region, bent on trading enterprises, and we find that a
second company was formed, and then a third. This was a blow indeed to
the old Corporation, but in the end the three bodies were united, and in
1708 they became 'The United Company of Merchants of England trading to
the East Indies.' As you may imagine, such a settlement resulted in an
enormous increase in the power and opulence of the Company, and, in
fact, it is from this period that we find it really beginning to control
the affairs of a portion of India. Its fortunes were consolidated, its
military power increasing, and its sea power no small item when compared
with former years. In fact, we can turn from it for a moment to consider
the affa

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