[image]GRINSON LET OUT A BELLOW LIKE THE BLAST OF A FOG-HORN, AND SPRANG FROM THE TREES, FOLLOWED BY A HORDE OF NATIVES.Grinson had made straight for Hahn, hurled one of his spears at him, which missed, and coming to close quarters, lunged at him with the other. But as he reached forward, a bullet from one of the snipers who had not yet been dislodged from his tree struck the boatswain on the arm. He spun round and fell on his face, just as Trentham, with Meek and a score of natives, came rushing out at the gate. Hahn had raised his revolver to shoot the fallen seaman, but catching sight of Trentham, he snapped an ill-aimed shot at him, then took to his heels and followed his men into the forest.Trentham dispatched Lafoa to recall the natives, fearing that the Germans would rally and outmatch them in a running fight; then he returned to Grinson, who had sat up, and was trying to pull off his coat.'Just a tickler, sir,' said the boatswain, grinning. 'I 'd a sort of feeling that I 'd be wounded in the house of my friends, as you may say, them being Bible words and all correct. Easy all! That's off. My goose is all right, praise be! Missed it by an inch, your lucky shot did, sir.''My shot? I didn't fire.''I 'm sure I beg your pardon, and won't say no more about it, though I 'd a notion you fired at Trousers and missed. This 'ere scratch won't spoil my beauty sleep, anyway. Mr. Hoole, sir? He got off like a bird, not but what they didn't have a go at him; the Raider, sir--most unfortunate, she come up just as we was getting ready for the kick-off, as you may say. The old wreck's blown to blazes, but no more harm done, and I lay Mr. Hoole by this time have got somewhere, though where that may be remains to be seen.''Thankful I am as you 're not killed, Mr. Grinson,' said Meek, who had come up from behind.'Same to you, Ephraim, me lad. The only fly in my gizzard is that Trousers has got off; but we 'll dust him yet, Ephraim. No, I don't want no help; I 'm sound on my pins, and my arm don't hurt so bad as vaccination. What Iwouldlike is a pint o' beer, but I might as well cry for the moon. Things is a great puzzle, Ephraim!'CHAPTER XVIIITHE AVALANCHE'What I'd like to know, sir,' said Grinson, as they re-entered the enclosure, 'what I 'd like to know is, why them Germans, Trousers and the rest, took it into their heads to try this little game when our backs was turned, meaning Mr. Hoole and me?''You think they wouldn't have tried it if they hadn't known you were away?' said Trentham, checking a smile.'Well, sir, two 's two; you can't get over that. If the whole crew had come, 't 'ud 'a been different; but with the Raider away, Trousers hadn't got enough men for the job, unless he knew we were short-handed, and I don't see nohow he could have known that.''They must be desperately in want of coal, one would think. Or perhaps Hahn wanted to distinguish himself in the absence of his commander. It would have been a good stroke to recover the slaves, you know.''That's it, sir,' cried Grinson, slapping his thigh. 'Likewise and moreover he was riled with Ephraim what defied him, and so he folds his arms and scowls under his eyebrows and hisses through his clenched teeth, "I will have my revenge." I 've seed that on the stage many a time.''We 'll grant that Hahn is a villain; but I fancy they had a very practical object in making this raid. Perhaps they 've been unlucky on the sea lately, must have coal, and would rather get the natives to dig it than dig it themselves. In that case we may expect another attack. How far was the Raider away when you last saw her?''From fifteen to twenty sea-mile, sir. She 's back in harbour by this, I reckon.''Then I think we had better reconnoitre. I 'll have a word with Flanso; now that his ceremony is over, he 'll probably be able to attend to business. Be ready to come with me.'The chief was at first disposed to regard the recent victory as decisive; but Trentham managed to convince him that a still more serious attack might have to be met, and induced him to take the needful measures of defence. It was arranged that at the first sign of danger the whole population of the village should be withdrawn into the inner enclosure, where they would have the protection of the wall. The object of the defence must be to hold the wall until help came. There was a possibility, of course, that Hoole might not succeed in his mission. The engine might fail; even if he reached a port there might be no force available for hunting the Raider. Trentham was not blind to the difficulties of the position; but it was essential to keep up a show of confidence, and to take all possible steps to hold the ground.Less than an hour after Flanso's return Trentham set off with Grinson and half a dozen natives, among whom was Lafoa, for the cove. They marched cautiously, in case any of Hahn's party were still lingering in the forest; but the Germans had evidently been daunted and had returned to their base.Trentham had decided to make for the spot where he had organised Meek's release. While affording a good post of observation, it was difficult of access from the beach, and even if discovered by the enemy he would have plenty of time to escape into the forest behind. He gave a wide berth to the sentry-box above the cove, crept round through almost impenetrable thickets, and had nearly reached the slope strewn with boulders when there came faintly on his ear the characteristic rattle of a donkey-engine.'The Raider 's back in the cove, Grinson,' he said.'Ay, ay, sir, and hoisting coal, seemingly.'Bidding Grinson keep the natives under cover near the head of the slope, Trentham stole forward, dodging among the boulders, until he reached a point where he could peep over at the cove beneath without much risk of being detected. The Raider was anchored almost in the same position as when he had last seen her; smoke was pouring from her funnel. There was much activity both on deck and on the shore. The donkey-engine was lifting, not coal, but stores from the ship's boats lying under her side. Men were carrying boxes and bales from the shed to the shore. Everybody was moving with an air of bustle and haste. It was impossible to doubt that the vessel was about to leave the cove: the settlement was to be abandoned.An hour or two earlier Trentham would have rejoiced to know that the Raider was departing. But at this moment he felt only annoyance, disappointment, positive anger. Within a few short hours Hoole, unless baulked by ill-luck, would guide a British vessel to the cove, and the Raider would meet a well-deserved fate. It seemed that the Germans had taken alarm on seeing their seaplane flying eastwards, obviously under other than German control. They had suspected the nature of its mission, and having a wholesome dread of what might befall them, had determined to forestall the inevitable. With all his heart Trentham wished that he could hold the vessel at her anchorage. But he could do nothing to interfere with the bustling preparations below. The Raider was getting up steam; the stores were being methodically hoisted and stowed; before very long the vessel would disappear round the horn of the cove, and he could only watch her impotently.'Flanso's people won't be bothered any more; that's one good thing,' he thought, as he began to climb up the slope. Picking his way, he stumbled, and clutched at one of the boulders to maintain his footing. The rock swayed slightly. Trentham stood still for a moment, resting his hand on it. An observer would have noticed that his brow suddenly cleared, his eyes danced, a flush spread over his cheeks. Then with quick movements, yet careful to keep under cover, he clambered up and rejoined Grinson. There was a brief, rapid conversation between them. Grinson's broad face expressed in turn surprise, doubt, determination, glee. Lafoa was given an order. Then, while Trentham directed them from the cover of the trees, the others quickly rolled a number of the largest boulders to a part of the slope which, as nearly as he could gauge the position, was directly above the Raider. It was no easy matter to move unseen from the sheds. Some of the most promising of the boulders had to be neglected. But the noise below was great enough to smother the sounds of the men's swift movements, and they were not interrupted. Presently, over a space of more than a hundred yards, there were ranged in three orderly rows, each row being about twenty paces from the next, a collection of rocks of all shapes and sizes and weights, from knobs of a few pounds to boulders so heavy as to need the united efforts of several men to move them. One of these, indeed, almost escaped from the grasp of the three men handling it, and Trentham felt a cold thrill at the imminence of a premature descent. But Grinson's brawny arms arrested the monster in the nick of time, and he secured it temporarily by means of smaller rocks wedged between it and the earth. Blowing hard, he came to Trentham's side.'"Shust in time!" as old Trousers would say, sir,' he remarked. 'All's ready, but I won't answer for what 'll happen when you say "go."''We must do our best and trust to luck.''That's not my meaning, sir. It's these 'ere ugly mugs. They 've had no drill, d' ye see. Might as well be horse marines, in a manner of speaking.''Not so bad as that, Grinson. They have done very well, so far. Lafoa seems to understand what is needed, and if you set them a good example, I dare say they 'll follow it. The Germans seem to have cleared up nearly everything, and we had better start operations. I 'll climb down to the left yonder, where I 'll be out of the way, but can observe results without being seen myself. I 'll give the signal by lifting my hand; the rest is with you and the natives.''Ay, ay, sir. It 'll be a bit of a "tamasha," as they say out east.'Trentham clambered down the slope under cover of the boulders, until he gained the spot he had pointed out. Grinson and the natives posted themselves at equal intervals behind the first row of the displaced boulders. A boat filled with boxes of ammunition was putting off from the shore. All of the crew who were not already on board the vessel were moving down from the sheds; apparently their work was finished. Trentham gazed seawards; there was no sign of the seaplane or of any ship. He raised his hand. Grinson instantly gave a mighty shove to the huge boulder behind which he was standing, and it began to bump down the slope. The natives were not quite so prompt, but after only a few seconds' delay five other boulders of smaller bulk started forward. Four reached the brink almost together, the fifth rolled a few yards, then stopped. But a few moments later there were five resounding splashes in quick succession as the rocks plunged into the sea.[image]GRINSON GAVE THE BOULDER A SHOVE IN THE DESIRED DIRECTION.Eagerly watching the result of his scheme, Trentham was disappointed to see that the missiles had fallen short of the Raider. But all work on the vessel ceased; a bale of goods that was being hoisted by the donkey-engine stopped half-way; the men on board gazed in surprise up the cliff, those in the boat stopped pulling. The angle of the slope was such that the men above were invisible; there was nothing to show that the fall of the boulders was not accidental.Meanwhile, however, Grinson and his party had run up to the second row, and while the Germans were discussing the phenomenon another shower tumbled over the edge, one of the boulders falling plump on the bridge of the vessel, knocking away a portion of the rail, missing the captain by a foot or two, and crashing through the window of his cabin. Two went clean over the ship; the other two fell a little short of the port side, and threw a great volume of water into the half-empty boat. After a brief interval another set of boulders followed, and then another, until the missiles fell in a continuous shower. The captain roared an order; the grinding of the anchor chain was heard, and the men on shore, carrying rifles, rushed up the beach towards the winding path that led up the cliffs.Trentham began to feel anxious. Very little damage had yet been done; the boulders varied greatly in shape and weight, and their trajectory after leaving the edge was equally various. Some rolled sideways; one, indeed, took an extraordinary tortuous course to the right, and struck the roof of the nearest hut, which was shivered into fragments. Those that had fallen nearest to the vessel were the larger rocks from the second row, and Trentham signalled to Grinson to deal with those remaining. He felt that the sands were running out; but there were still a few minutes before the Germans rushing up the steep and roundabout path could reach the head of the slope.'A little more to the left!' he shouted to Grinson, realising that nothing was now to be gained by silence.'Ay, ay, sir!' roared the seaman, shoving a knobby rock in the desired direction.Trentham held his breath as he watched its flight. Before he was prepared for it there was a thunderous crash; the boulder had struck the side of the vessel a few feet below the rail, within twenty feet of the bows, passing clean through the plates, and leaving a huge rent. Almost immediately afterwards another boulder crashed through the deck slightly abaft the funnel. There was an instant rush of steam; apparently it had smashed through one of the boilers.[image]WITH A THUNDEROUS CRASH IT STRUCK THE SIDE OF THE VESSEL A FEW FEET BELOW THE RAIL.Among the crew surprise had become consternation, and now developed into panic. Men rushed from below and sprang overboard. Others were running wildly about the deck. The captain had gone forward with one of his officers to see the extent of the damage there. Water was pouring through the side. Trentham, judging that the vessel was at any rate disabled, and that it was time to be gone, turned to climb up the slope, and wriggled hastily aside to avoid a boulder which had swerved in its course and was hurtling in his direction. He stopped to throw a last glimpse below; the boulder which he had so narrowly escaped carried away the donkey-engine, and ricochetted from the deck into the sea.'Well done!' he cried, and ran to assist Grinson to topple over one of the large rocks which had supported the rope on the night of Meek's release.'That's riddled 'em!' shouted Grinson, as the noise of shattered metal rose from below.'She can't get away!' panted Trentham. 'They 're coming up the cliff; we must run for it.'Collecting the men, he dashed up the few remaining yards of the slope and headed them into the forest just as a German seaman came in sight near the end of the ledge.'"Shust in time!" Trousers, my son,' chuckled Grinson. 'We give her a good battering, sir?''Cut open her side, broke a boiler, and drowned the donkey-engine. What more I don't know; but she 's crippled.''My cripes! What a tale to tell my Ephraim! I only wish the lad could 'a seen it hisself.'CHAPTER XIXAT ARM'S LENGTHWithin the mazes of the forest the little party had no fear of pursuit, and they marched rapidly homeward with the alacrity of men conscious of success. They had gone only a few miles when Trentham heard the unmistakable purring of the seaplane's engine. At that spot the trees formed a canopy overhead through which the sky could scarcely be seen; but at his bidding Lafoa ordered one of the natives to climb a lofty trunk and discover if possible in what direction the machine was flying. The sound had long been inaudible when the man came to the ground again and reported that the strange bird had not soared within sight.They pushed oh, and were met some little distance from the village by Hoole himself.'Been scalp-hunting?' he said with a smile.'No; playing bowls. But what's your news?' asked Trentham. 'Ours will keep.''Well, I guess it might be worse. I made Wilhelmshafen, and had to run the gauntlet of a score or so of rifles. It seems they 'd heard a thing or two about the seaplane, and had already reported to one of your warships that's cruising somewhere east. I didn't dare land till I 'd dropped a note telling 'em who I was. There's no warship within miles; but as soon as they had heard my story they rose to the occasion; they 're some sports. The only vessel they had around was a tramp; she might make ten knots in the ordinary way, but could be speeded up to twelve, perhaps, by frantic stoking; so the engineer said. The skipper started coaling at once; he had her cleared of everything that could be spared, and the crew volunteered to a man.''But, my dear fellow, a tramp! She 'd no more offensive weapon, I suppose, than a hose.''That's correct; but, of course, the skipper had no notion of fighting the Raider. His idea was to steal up along the coast and lie doggo while his men came across country and got you away. At the same time he did what was possible by way of armament. There was a number of machine-guns on shore, left by the Germans when they hauled down their flag to the Australians. He put them aboard, and some Australian gunners were keen to join in this stunt, along with a crowd of young fellows who swore they were all crack shots, and a trader or two. Altogether there are between thirty and forty men coming along. She wasn't ready, of course, when I left; but with good luck she 'll lie off the shore eastward by sunrise to-morrow. Stealing up through the night she 's a good chance of escaping notice, and unless the Raider makes an early morning trip you 'll get away without trouble. Of course, if she is spotted--well, we know what the Raider's guns can do.''The tramp has only to keep out of range; the Raider 's crippled.''You don't say! Did she run aground?'Trentham related the morning's events.'Bully!' cried Hoole. 'Say, what's to prevent our making a good bag of Germans? You think the Raider will sink?''There can't be much question of that. They had carried most of their arms on board, and probably those went down with the vessel; the men would waste their time trying to save her. But there were some armed men still on shore, and they might rescue a certain number of rifles before the ship went down. As I came along I tried to decide what I 'd do myself in the Germans' place. They are marooned; they must guess that you flew off for help, and expect to have to deal with some sort of force. The question is, will they surrender or fight?''Well, I don't know the inside of a German's mind, so I can't say; but I know what I 'd do. I wouldn't surrender without a fight; and if I saw the odds against me, I 'd make tracks inland, live on the country, and hold out. The Germans are so cocksure of winning the war that I guess they 'll do that.''I came to the same conclusion. It's not as if they were traders; they 're naval men, and I can't imagine their giving in tamely. Well, then, we shall have to prepare for a fight.''How do you mean?'They 've lost the greater part of their provisions, and will have to replace them. What better chance than to quarter themselves by main force on the nearest village, which is our friend Flanso's, and compel the people to provide for them? Incidentally also take vengeance for the smashing of their vessel. We can't leave Flanso in the lurch.''I guess you 're right. Some of those young fellows at Wilhelmshafen were spoiling for a fight, and were real disgruntled when the skipper showed 'em they 'd have no chance against a well-armed raider. They 'll be ready enough to take a hand in beating off the Germans if they attack the village.''If they arrive in time. We may have to face the music before they get here, and I don't much like the prospect. Thanks to Grinson, we did very well against Hahn's handful this morning, but it will be quite another thing to deal with fifty or sixty, perhaps more, a good proportion armed with rifles. Your revolver ammunition is all spent; we 've got the revolvers of the two prisoners, that's all.''I brought three revolvers along and a few rounds of cartridges; very little good they 'll be against two or three score rifles. We 'll be back of the wall, of course, which is something to the good.''By the way, we heard your seaplane. Where is it?''Away yonder. I came down on that pond the Germans failed to strike. I guess they heard her too, and may waste time trying to find her, which will give us a chance to set our defences in order. Say, shall we get along?'They hurried on. The natives of their party had preceded them, and were surrounded by groups of excited villagers to whom they were expounding the method by which the white men had destroyed the enemy's vessel. A noisy throng followed Trentham and his friends to the gate of the inner enclosure, and when they had disappeared, started a victory dance up and down the broad path.Lafoa's aid was once more enlisted by Trentham in explaining the situation to the chief. More intelligent than his subjects outside, Flanso was under no illusion about the danger that threatened his village. His own experiences while in the hands of the Germans left him in no doubt as to the fate in store for his people if the enemy got the better of them, and he was ready to accept Trentham's suggestion that all but the fighting men should be at once sent away southward into the forest, where they would be at least out of harm's way until the issue was determined. But when he consulted some of his counsellors he at once encountered the strenuous opposition of the medicine-man, who had not forgiven Hoole for having made him cut so sorry a figure at the duk-duk dance. He protested that the new danger threatening the village was due to the stupidity of the white men. Why had they destroyed the blue vessel, and prevented the enemy from going away? They were already responsible for the destruction of the wreck that had been preserved and cherished by the chief's forefathers from the beginning of the world. They had prevented the human sacrifice customary at the inauguration of a new chief. They were meddlers, and all the misfortunes that had befallen the village were due to them.Such was the gist of the medicine-man's harangue, though these few sentences by no means represent the torrent of words which poured from his lips. Nor could any one but a cinematograph operator properly depict the extraordinary grimaces of his features and the violent gestures with which he emphasised his denunciations. His right hand wielded a heavy nail-studded mace, and as his excitement grew he stepped, or rather danced, nearer to the group of white men, twirling the mace, tossing it in the air, striking the ground with it. Ignorant though they were of his language, the white men could not mistake the purport of his speech, and two of them noticed with some anxiety that he was making an impression on some members of his native audience. Grinson, however, felt nothing but amusement. A broad grin spread over his face as he listened and watched, and the more excited the medicine-man became the more pleasure the seaman took in the performance, giving utterance now and then to his sentiments with sundry ejaculations and cat-calls.At last a sudden change came over his expression. The medicine-man in his frenzy had drawn very near to Hoole, and to give point to one of his statements he thrust his mace forward at the full length of his arm, so that Hoole only escaped a blow by stepping quickly back. It was uncertain whether the man had intended to attack him, but the suspicion was too much for Grinson. His lips snapped together; with a great roar he hurled himself at the orator, struck the mace from his hand, and caught him round the waist and hoisted him above his head. The sinews of the seaman's arms cracked; for some seconds he held the native aloft, as if hesitating whether to cast him to the ground. Terrified into silence, the man wriggled; the spectators looked on open-mouthed. Grinson grew purple with exertion; then he laughed. Gradually he lowered his arms, stretched to full length, and gently laid the man at Hoole's feet.'Windbag!' he muttered, passing his hand across his sweating brow, then setting his arms akimbo and looking down at the still figure.Gasps of amazement broke from the natives. The medicine-man lay for half a minute; when Grinson stooped and picked up the fallen mace he closed his eyes as if expecting a blow.'A very neat little bobby's bludgeon, sir,' said Grinson, sticking the mace under his arm. 'Move on, there!'The medicine-man opened his eyes, and seeing that Grinson had turned aside he crawled slowly away, rose to his feet, and sidled into his hut.The colloquy he had interrupted was resumed. So great was the impression made by Grinson's display of strength that the natives were ready to agree to anything the white men proposed. It was arranged that the non-combatants should be sent away; a number of huts and trees near the wall on the outside should be razed, provisions brought into the inner enclosure. A few weak spots in the wall were strengthened, and by nightfall everything that was possible had been done to prepare for attack. Scouts meanwhile had been sent out in the direction from which attack might be expected. These were withdrawn as soon as it became dark, and the whole able-bodied population was brought within the wall.Trentham recognised the futility of attempting any definite tactical measures with a rabble of undisciplined natives.'They must fight in their own way, if there is to be a fight,' he said to Hoole. 'Let alone the impossibility of giving orders with only one interpreter, we should only worry them by trying to lick them into shape. We must rely on their common sense.''Just so. It's up to them to keep the enemy out, and that's all that matters. A word as to not exposing themselves--that's all we can do, except set 'em a good example.''As to that, you 'd be useful here, old man; but I fancy you 'd be even more useful if you went off in the seaplane and guided the steamer into the cove. With the Raider sunk, she could quite well run in and land her crew on the Germans' beach; they 'd get here quicker then than if they landed at a spot we don't know the way from.''Well, I guess we 'll wait and see,' said Hoole. 'We 'll take turns to do sentry-go through the night. If nothing happens, I 'll very likely take a run out in the morning. The tramp won't be far away then, anyhow.'CHAPTER XXTHE LAST RAID'Ephraim, have you made your will, me lad?' asked Grinson, sitting in the hut with Meek in the early hours of the morning.'Never did I think of such a thing, Mr. Grinson,' replied Meek. ''Tis only lords and skippers as make wills.''That 's where you 're wrong, me lad. Specially now. For why? 'Cos 'tis the dooty of every man to make his will afore going into action.''S'pose he ain't got nothing to leave, and no widders nor orphans to purvide for?''It don't make no difference. Besides, every man's got something. Lord Admiral Nelson, as you 've heard of, had a glass eye, and 'tis said he left it to his footman, as he once caught nicking, to remind him that there 's always an Eye beholding of the evil and the good, besides his heart to the country.''Well, I never!''Not but what there 's a mighty big risk in making your will. There was once a chap I knowed as made his will and died next day--fell off a ladder, he did, and his mates said he might 'a been alive to this day only for the will. Likewise a skipper I once sailed with left his craft to be sold and divided among the crew; uncommon skipper he was; and she went down next voyage, and not insured. Ah! 'tis a solemn thought, making your will.''What put making wills and such into your head just now, Mr. Grinson?''Well, it's like this. The gentlemen expects what you may call a battle royal afore the day 's out, and you 've got to look at it sensible. We come all right out o' that scrap yesterday, but 'twas only Trousers and a few more, and we took 'em by surprise, d' ye see? Things will be different if all them Germans come up together; the odds ain't even, Ephraim.''True. I can bear ye out in that, Mr. Grinson. I don't hold with fighting--not with guns.''No more do I, 'cos I never shot a gun in my life. But this 'ere truncheon of old ugly mug's is as good as a gun, if it gets a chance; which I mean to say firing off guns ain't fighting at all, to my way of thinking. Darbies or sticks--that 's all right; the best man wins; but with guns--why, any little mean feller as would give you best if you looked at him may do you in from a distance, hiding behind a haystack, p'r'aps, or up a tree. No, Ephraim, that ain't fighting, not by a long chalk.''And have you made your own will, Mr. Grinson?''No, I ain't, and I 'm sorry for you, me lad, for I meant to leave you my old parrot as sits on his perch in Mother Perkins's parlour. You remember Mother Perkins, what said she 'd be glad to mind the bird, 'cos his language was so beautiful and reminded her of me?''Ah! I wish I could speak like you, Mr. Grinson, but there--I never could do it, not if I tried ever so. But you don't think you 're going to be killed?''Well, you see, I 'm twice as broad as you, and so the chances is against me, with guns. It's only fair, after all, 'cos in a real fight I could take on two, p'r'aps more; I should say more, with this 'ere truncheon. I ain't got no presentiments, Ephraim; but what is to be is, and in case they knock a hole in me I do hereby declare and pronounce as my old parrot is to belong to you and no one else, and so you 'll tell Mother Perkins.''I don't like to think of it, Mr. Grinson, but if so be as you 're killed and I ain't, I 'll look after that bird as if 'twas you, and think of you whenever it speaks.''Only if it speaks decent, Ephraim. I won't deny it picked up a few unholy words afore I bought it, and they come out sometimes; you can't help it.'The seamen, though they had recently returned from sentry-go, were wakeful, and talked on till morning, exchanging reminiscences of their years of comradeship. At sunrise they joined Trentham and Hoole, and were allotted posts within the walls, if the Germans should attack. Scouts had already been sent out into the forest, to keep watch in the direction from which the enemy was likely to come.During the night the position had been thoroughly discussed between Trentham and Hoole. The latter, though reluctant to leave his friend to bear the brunt of any fighting that might take place, at last agreed that probably the best service that he could render was to hasten the arrival of the steamer. About nine o'clock he set off with two natives for the lake where he had left the seaplane. Little more than two hours later Trentham heard the hum of the engine. The seaplane passed over the village, going eastward and skimming the tree-tops. From the signs made by Hoole, Trentham understood that the Germans were on their way, and this preliminary intimation was confirmed soon after noon, when the scouts came running in. Their report that a great host of the bad men was approaching aroused great excitement among the natives, who, proud of their easy victory on the previous day, showed little sign of understanding the nature of the ordeal they were to pass through. Some of them were for sallying out and meeting the Germans in the forest; but Flanso had intelligence enough to perceive the danger of breaking up his force, and at Trentham's suggestion he concentrated the greater number of his men near the gate, where the enemy's main attack was likely to be made. A few were stationed at other points along the circuit of the wall, to give notice if surprise attacks were attempted elsewhere than in front.Trentham had persuaded the chief to place under Grinson's command about a score of the men whom he had led on the day before. His leadership then, and his subsequent display of muscular strength in dealing with the medicine-man, had won their admiration; and the fact that he bore their totem mark on his shoulder was a great factor in inspiring them with confidence. Even without Lafoa's assistance Grinson seemed to be able to make them understand his wishes.'You had better hold your men in reserve, Grinson,' said Trentham. 'Put them in a central position--about the chief's house, say; and keep them out of the fight until they can come in with decisive effect.''For the knock-out, as you may say, sir,' Grinson replied. 'I understand. But begging your pardon, I ain't to remain in a state of absolution if I see a chance--you don't mean that, sir?''Not at all,' answered Trentham, who was by this time able to understand the seaman's sometimes recondite phraseology. 'All I mean is that I don't want you to take part in every scrimmage, but only when you see the rest of us hard pressed. Where 's your revolver, by the way?''I give it to Ephraim, sir.''But he had one; we have five altogether now.''True, sir; but the long and short is that I feel much more at home with this 'ere truncheon or knuckle-duster. With the pistol I might miss, not being used to such things; but with this'--he lifted it, eyeing it with affection--'with this I can be sure, by the feel.''Is Meek a good shot?''He couldn't hit a hay-stack, sir; but, talking between our two selves, we thought Ephraim was the man to keep his eye on you and be ready to give you another pistol when the fust is empty. I don't mind saying 'twas my idea, 'cos Ephraim ain't quite hisself yet arter that night on the ledge, only he 's got such a spirit that nothing would 'a kept him out of it if so be he didn't believe he was more useful otherways, and he believes that now, though I won't answer for how long it will last.'The simple dispositions that were alone possible had barely been made when Trentham, looking out over the wall beside the gate, saw a man bearing a white flag advancing unaccompanied along the broad central path through the village. In a few seconds he recognised the square, solid face of Hahn. The German, who appeared to be unarmed, halted beyond range of revolver shots, and waving his flag, shouted:'Hi, hi! Somevon speak.''What do you want, Hahn?' Trentham called.'I speak for Captain Holzbach, of ze Imperial German Navy,' said Hahn. 'Ze captain bresent his gompliments and say zat he admire very much ze clever vay his ship is sunk, and zink ze vite men shall now be friendly, because we must all remain on zis island until ze var end. He vish to buy food, and say if ze savages come out and sell, he pay good price, and zey shall be safe.'Trentham was under no illusion as to the German's good will; but wishing to temporise, partly with a view to the avoidance of further fighting, partly to allow for the arrival of the expected help, he replied:'On behalf of the chief of this village I am willing to strike a bargain. If you, Hahn, and three other officers will come inside, unarmed, as hostages, a sufficient supply of provisions shall be sent out to you, on condition that you leave this part of the country, and engage not to molest the people.'Whatever Hahn may have expected, it was clear that he was surprised at the terms offered. After a slight hesitation he said:'It is not right zat German officers shall place zemselves in ze hands of savages, vat eat men.''But I am not a savage, and I guarantee that you shall not be eaten. You have good reason for being sure of that, Hahn.'The German appeared to be annoyed at the allusion to his rescue from the dancing party on the beach.'It is absurd!' he cried. 'Ze dignity of German officers vill not permit zem to do vat you say.''Then I am afraid that you must repeat to your captain that we cannot trade with him.''You know vat you do? Of us zere are fifty or sixty, viz rifles. You zink savages viz spears any good? Ve are not hard; but if it is var, zen----''Threats are useless, Hahn,' Trentham interrupted. 'We know your idea of war. I have nothing more to say. You have my terms: you had better consult your superior officer.'The German glared, turned on his heel, and walked away. The breathless silence which had held the natives during the colloquy was broken by shouts of triumph; but Trentham sent Lafoa to explain matters to the chief, and asked him to keep his men in readiness for the assault which could not long be delayed. It was clear to him that Hahn's mission had been intended to lead to the opening of the gate and the division of the garrison. He had no doubt that if the natives had been decoyed outside their wall, the Germans would have rushed the place.For some time after Hahn's departure there was no sign of hostilities. Then the Germans could be heard shouting to one another in the forest north of the village, and with the voices mingled the sound of wood-cutting. None of the enemy came in sight, and Trentham could only conjecture the nature of their operations.Nearly two hours passed. The natives grew more and more noisy and restless. They could not understand why they were still cooped up in the enclosure. At length, however, after a brief cessation of all sounds in the forest, there was a sudden whistle, followed by the sharp crack of rifles, and from the trees facing the northern side of the village the Germans rushed forward in open order, on a front of nearly a quarter of a mile. The defenders, as Trentham had ordered, remained out of sight. He himself watched the enemy through a loophole in the log wall.They were variously armed. Some had rifles with bayonets; others cutlasses, others axes. Some carried roughly constructed ladders. As they drew nearer, Trentham noticed that these last, as well as the officers at different parts of the line, were armed with rifles. They came on steadily and silently until they were almost within effective bow-shot; then they halted, the officers collected and consulted together. It appeared that they were somewhat at a loss how to proceed against an enemy whom they could not see, and whose defences they had no means of battering down. The pause was of short duration. Another volley was fired, with the intention doubtless of overawing the natives rather than of doing effective damage. A few men behind the walls were slightly injured by splinters; none were incapacitated, and all, with a self-restraint that Trentham had not expected, remained quietly at their posts until the enemy should come to close quarters.After discharging their rifles, the Germans surged forward again, moving very rapidly, but maintaining a regular line. Trentham wondered why they were spread out so widely instead of concentrating on a limited section of the wall. In a few moments he saw through their plan. It had been desired to weaken the defence by compelling the natives to man a longer stretch of the wall than was the actual object of attack. The Germans suddenly contracted their front, no doubt calculating to reach the wall a few invaluable seconds before the defenders could mass at the threatened section.They were now within range of the natives' weapons, and in close order presented a target which even Grinson, despite his want of skill with the spear, could hardly have missed. Obeying a preconcerted signal from Trentham, Flanso at last gave his panting warriors the word they had eagerly awaited. They sprang on to the platform that lined the foot of the wall, and was just high enough to bring their heads a few inches above the top. A shower of arrows and spears burst upon the advancing enemy. Many of them fell, but the rush was not stayed. There was no answer from their rifles; their orders evidently were to force their way into the defences with cold steel. Another flight of arrows equally failed to check them. With disciplined energy they swept forward to the wall, and having reached it were in comparative safety from the weapons of the men within. Quickly they set their ladders against the barricade and began to swarm up with the agility of seamen. Where there were no ladders they mounted on one another's backs. They gained the top, and then began a furious struggle, so confused that Trentham was never able to give a clear account of it.
[image]GRINSON LET OUT A BELLOW LIKE THE BLAST OF A FOG-HORN, AND SPRANG FROM THE TREES, FOLLOWED BY A HORDE OF NATIVES.
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GRINSON LET OUT A BELLOW LIKE THE BLAST OF A FOG-HORN, AND SPRANG FROM THE TREES, FOLLOWED BY A HORDE OF NATIVES.
Grinson had made straight for Hahn, hurled one of his spears at him, which missed, and coming to close quarters, lunged at him with the other. But as he reached forward, a bullet from one of the snipers who had not yet been dislodged from his tree struck the boatswain on the arm. He spun round and fell on his face, just as Trentham, with Meek and a score of natives, came rushing out at the gate. Hahn had raised his revolver to shoot the fallen seaman, but catching sight of Trentham, he snapped an ill-aimed shot at him, then took to his heels and followed his men into the forest.
Trentham dispatched Lafoa to recall the natives, fearing that the Germans would rally and outmatch them in a running fight; then he returned to Grinson, who had sat up, and was trying to pull off his coat.
'Just a tickler, sir,' said the boatswain, grinning. 'I 'd a sort of feeling that I 'd be wounded in the house of my friends, as you may say, them being Bible words and all correct. Easy all! That's off. My goose is all right, praise be! Missed it by an inch, your lucky shot did, sir.'
'My shot? I didn't fire.'
'I 'm sure I beg your pardon, and won't say no more about it, though I 'd a notion you fired at Trousers and missed. This 'ere scratch won't spoil my beauty sleep, anyway. Mr. Hoole, sir? He got off like a bird, not but what they didn't have a go at him; the Raider, sir--most unfortunate, she come up just as we was getting ready for the kick-off, as you may say. The old wreck's blown to blazes, but no more harm done, and I lay Mr. Hoole by this time have got somewhere, though where that may be remains to be seen.'
'Thankful I am as you 're not killed, Mr. Grinson,' said Meek, who had come up from behind.
'Same to you, Ephraim, me lad. The only fly in my gizzard is that Trousers has got off; but we 'll dust him yet, Ephraim. No, I don't want no help; I 'm sound on my pins, and my arm don't hurt so bad as vaccination. What Iwouldlike is a pint o' beer, but I might as well cry for the moon. Things is a great puzzle, Ephraim!'
CHAPTER XVIII
THE AVALANCHE
'What I'd like to know, sir,' said Grinson, as they re-entered the enclosure, 'what I 'd like to know is, why them Germans, Trousers and the rest, took it into their heads to try this little game when our backs was turned, meaning Mr. Hoole and me?'
'You think they wouldn't have tried it if they hadn't known you were away?' said Trentham, checking a smile.
'Well, sir, two 's two; you can't get over that. If the whole crew had come, 't 'ud 'a been different; but with the Raider away, Trousers hadn't got enough men for the job, unless he knew we were short-handed, and I don't see nohow he could have known that.'
'They must be desperately in want of coal, one would think. Or perhaps Hahn wanted to distinguish himself in the absence of his commander. It would have been a good stroke to recover the slaves, you know.'
'That's it, sir,' cried Grinson, slapping his thigh. 'Likewise and moreover he was riled with Ephraim what defied him, and so he folds his arms and scowls under his eyebrows and hisses through his clenched teeth, "I will have my revenge." I 've seed that on the stage many a time.'
'We 'll grant that Hahn is a villain; but I fancy they had a very practical object in making this raid. Perhaps they 've been unlucky on the sea lately, must have coal, and would rather get the natives to dig it than dig it themselves. In that case we may expect another attack. How far was the Raider away when you last saw her?'
'From fifteen to twenty sea-mile, sir. She 's back in harbour by this, I reckon.'
'Then I think we had better reconnoitre. I 'll have a word with Flanso; now that his ceremony is over, he 'll probably be able to attend to business. Be ready to come with me.'
The chief was at first disposed to regard the recent victory as decisive; but Trentham managed to convince him that a still more serious attack might have to be met, and induced him to take the needful measures of defence. It was arranged that at the first sign of danger the whole population of the village should be withdrawn into the inner enclosure, where they would have the protection of the wall. The object of the defence must be to hold the wall until help came. There was a possibility, of course, that Hoole might not succeed in his mission. The engine might fail; even if he reached a port there might be no force available for hunting the Raider. Trentham was not blind to the difficulties of the position; but it was essential to keep up a show of confidence, and to take all possible steps to hold the ground.
Less than an hour after Flanso's return Trentham set off with Grinson and half a dozen natives, among whom was Lafoa, for the cove. They marched cautiously, in case any of Hahn's party were still lingering in the forest; but the Germans had evidently been daunted and had returned to their base.
Trentham had decided to make for the spot where he had organised Meek's release. While affording a good post of observation, it was difficult of access from the beach, and even if discovered by the enemy he would have plenty of time to escape into the forest behind. He gave a wide berth to the sentry-box above the cove, crept round through almost impenetrable thickets, and had nearly reached the slope strewn with boulders when there came faintly on his ear the characteristic rattle of a donkey-engine.
'The Raider 's back in the cove, Grinson,' he said.
'Ay, ay, sir, and hoisting coal, seemingly.'
Bidding Grinson keep the natives under cover near the head of the slope, Trentham stole forward, dodging among the boulders, until he reached a point where he could peep over at the cove beneath without much risk of being detected. The Raider was anchored almost in the same position as when he had last seen her; smoke was pouring from her funnel. There was much activity both on deck and on the shore. The donkey-engine was lifting, not coal, but stores from the ship's boats lying under her side. Men were carrying boxes and bales from the shed to the shore. Everybody was moving with an air of bustle and haste. It was impossible to doubt that the vessel was about to leave the cove: the settlement was to be abandoned.
An hour or two earlier Trentham would have rejoiced to know that the Raider was departing. But at this moment he felt only annoyance, disappointment, positive anger. Within a few short hours Hoole, unless baulked by ill-luck, would guide a British vessel to the cove, and the Raider would meet a well-deserved fate. It seemed that the Germans had taken alarm on seeing their seaplane flying eastwards, obviously under other than German control. They had suspected the nature of its mission, and having a wholesome dread of what might befall them, had determined to forestall the inevitable. With all his heart Trentham wished that he could hold the vessel at her anchorage. But he could do nothing to interfere with the bustling preparations below. The Raider was getting up steam; the stores were being methodically hoisted and stowed; before very long the vessel would disappear round the horn of the cove, and he could only watch her impotently.
'Flanso's people won't be bothered any more; that's one good thing,' he thought, as he began to climb up the slope. Picking his way, he stumbled, and clutched at one of the boulders to maintain his footing. The rock swayed slightly. Trentham stood still for a moment, resting his hand on it. An observer would have noticed that his brow suddenly cleared, his eyes danced, a flush spread over his cheeks. Then with quick movements, yet careful to keep under cover, he clambered up and rejoined Grinson. There was a brief, rapid conversation between them. Grinson's broad face expressed in turn surprise, doubt, determination, glee. Lafoa was given an order. Then, while Trentham directed them from the cover of the trees, the others quickly rolled a number of the largest boulders to a part of the slope which, as nearly as he could gauge the position, was directly above the Raider. It was no easy matter to move unseen from the sheds. Some of the most promising of the boulders had to be neglected. But the noise below was great enough to smother the sounds of the men's swift movements, and they were not interrupted. Presently, over a space of more than a hundred yards, there were ranged in three orderly rows, each row being about twenty paces from the next, a collection of rocks of all shapes and sizes and weights, from knobs of a few pounds to boulders so heavy as to need the united efforts of several men to move them. One of these, indeed, almost escaped from the grasp of the three men handling it, and Trentham felt a cold thrill at the imminence of a premature descent. But Grinson's brawny arms arrested the monster in the nick of time, and he secured it temporarily by means of smaller rocks wedged between it and the earth. Blowing hard, he came to Trentham's side.
'"Shust in time!" as old Trousers would say, sir,' he remarked. 'All's ready, but I won't answer for what 'll happen when you say "go."'
'We must do our best and trust to luck.'
'That's not my meaning, sir. It's these 'ere ugly mugs. They 've had no drill, d' ye see. Might as well be horse marines, in a manner of speaking.'
'Not so bad as that, Grinson. They have done very well, so far. Lafoa seems to understand what is needed, and if you set them a good example, I dare say they 'll follow it. The Germans seem to have cleared up nearly everything, and we had better start operations. I 'll climb down to the left yonder, where I 'll be out of the way, but can observe results without being seen myself. I 'll give the signal by lifting my hand; the rest is with you and the natives.'
'Ay, ay, sir. It 'll be a bit of a "tamasha," as they say out east.'
Trentham clambered down the slope under cover of the boulders, until he gained the spot he had pointed out. Grinson and the natives posted themselves at equal intervals behind the first row of the displaced boulders. A boat filled with boxes of ammunition was putting off from the shore. All of the crew who were not already on board the vessel were moving down from the sheds; apparently their work was finished. Trentham gazed seawards; there was no sign of the seaplane or of any ship. He raised his hand. Grinson instantly gave a mighty shove to the huge boulder behind which he was standing, and it began to bump down the slope. The natives were not quite so prompt, but after only a few seconds' delay five other boulders of smaller bulk started forward. Four reached the brink almost together, the fifth rolled a few yards, then stopped. But a few moments later there were five resounding splashes in quick succession as the rocks plunged into the sea.
[image]GRINSON GAVE THE BOULDER A SHOVE IN THE DESIRED DIRECTION.
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GRINSON GAVE THE BOULDER A SHOVE IN THE DESIRED DIRECTION.
Eagerly watching the result of his scheme, Trentham was disappointed to see that the missiles had fallen short of the Raider. But all work on the vessel ceased; a bale of goods that was being hoisted by the donkey-engine stopped half-way; the men on board gazed in surprise up the cliff, those in the boat stopped pulling. The angle of the slope was such that the men above were invisible; there was nothing to show that the fall of the boulders was not accidental.
Meanwhile, however, Grinson and his party had run up to the second row, and while the Germans were discussing the phenomenon another shower tumbled over the edge, one of the boulders falling plump on the bridge of the vessel, knocking away a portion of the rail, missing the captain by a foot or two, and crashing through the window of his cabin. Two went clean over the ship; the other two fell a little short of the port side, and threw a great volume of water into the half-empty boat. After a brief interval another set of boulders followed, and then another, until the missiles fell in a continuous shower. The captain roared an order; the grinding of the anchor chain was heard, and the men on shore, carrying rifles, rushed up the beach towards the winding path that led up the cliffs.
Trentham began to feel anxious. Very little damage had yet been done; the boulders varied greatly in shape and weight, and their trajectory after leaving the edge was equally various. Some rolled sideways; one, indeed, took an extraordinary tortuous course to the right, and struck the roof of the nearest hut, which was shivered into fragments. Those that had fallen nearest to the vessel were the larger rocks from the second row, and Trentham signalled to Grinson to deal with those remaining. He felt that the sands were running out; but there were still a few minutes before the Germans rushing up the steep and roundabout path could reach the head of the slope.
'A little more to the left!' he shouted to Grinson, realising that nothing was now to be gained by silence.
'Ay, ay, sir!' roared the seaman, shoving a knobby rock in the desired direction.
Trentham held his breath as he watched its flight. Before he was prepared for it there was a thunderous crash; the boulder had struck the side of the vessel a few feet below the rail, within twenty feet of the bows, passing clean through the plates, and leaving a huge rent. Almost immediately afterwards another boulder crashed through the deck slightly abaft the funnel. There was an instant rush of steam; apparently it had smashed through one of the boilers.
[image]WITH A THUNDEROUS CRASH IT STRUCK THE SIDE OF THE VESSEL A FEW FEET BELOW THE RAIL.
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WITH A THUNDEROUS CRASH IT STRUCK THE SIDE OF THE VESSEL A FEW FEET BELOW THE RAIL.
Among the crew surprise had become consternation, and now developed into panic. Men rushed from below and sprang overboard. Others were running wildly about the deck. The captain had gone forward with one of his officers to see the extent of the damage there. Water was pouring through the side. Trentham, judging that the vessel was at any rate disabled, and that it was time to be gone, turned to climb up the slope, and wriggled hastily aside to avoid a boulder which had swerved in its course and was hurtling in his direction. He stopped to throw a last glimpse below; the boulder which he had so narrowly escaped carried away the donkey-engine, and ricochetted from the deck into the sea.
'Well done!' he cried, and ran to assist Grinson to topple over one of the large rocks which had supported the rope on the night of Meek's release.
'That's riddled 'em!' shouted Grinson, as the noise of shattered metal rose from below.
'She can't get away!' panted Trentham. 'They 're coming up the cliff; we must run for it.'
Collecting the men, he dashed up the few remaining yards of the slope and headed them into the forest just as a German seaman came in sight near the end of the ledge.
'"Shust in time!" Trousers, my son,' chuckled Grinson. 'We give her a good battering, sir?'
'Cut open her side, broke a boiler, and drowned the donkey-engine. What more I don't know; but she 's crippled.'
'My cripes! What a tale to tell my Ephraim! I only wish the lad could 'a seen it hisself.'
CHAPTER XIX
AT ARM'S LENGTH
Within the mazes of the forest the little party had no fear of pursuit, and they marched rapidly homeward with the alacrity of men conscious of success. They had gone only a few miles when Trentham heard the unmistakable purring of the seaplane's engine. At that spot the trees formed a canopy overhead through which the sky could scarcely be seen; but at his bidding Lafoa ordered one of the natives to climb a lofty trunk and discover if possible in what direction the machine was flying. The sound had long been inaudible when the man came to the ground again and reported that the strange bird had not soared within sight.
They pushed oh, and were met some little distance from the village by Hoole himself.
'Been scalp-hunting?' he said with a smile.
'No; playing bowls. But what's your news?' asked Trentham. 'Ours will keep.'
'Well, I guess it might be worse. I made Wilhelmshafen, and had to run the gauntlet of a score or so of rifles. It seems they 'd heard a thing or two about the seaplane, and had already reported to one of your warships that's cruising somewhere east. I didn't dare land till I 'd dropped a note telling 'em who I was. There's no warship within miles; but as soon as they had heard my story they rose to the occasion; they 're some sports. The only vessel they had around was a tramp; she might make ten knots in the ordinary way, but could be speeded up to twelve, perhaps, by frantic stoking; so the engineer said. The skipper started coaling at once; he had her cleared of everything that could be spared, and the crew volunteered to a man.'
'But, my dear fellow, a tramp! She 'd no more offensive weapon, I suppose, than a hose.'
'That's correct; but, of course, the skipper had no notion of fighting the Raider. His idea was to steal up along the coast and lie doggo while his men came across country and got you away. At the same time he did what was possible by way of armament. There was a number of machine-guns on shore, left by the Germans when they hauled down their flag to the Australians. He put them aboard, and some Australian gunners were keen to join in this stunt, along with a crowd of young fellows who swore they were all crack shots, and a trader or two. Altogether there are between thirty and forty men coming along. She wasn't ready, of course, when I left; but with good luck she 'll lie off the shore eastward by sunrise to-morrow. Stealing up through the night she 's a good chance of escaping notice, and unless the Raider makes an early morning trip you 'll get away without trouble. Of course, if she is spotted--well, we know what the Raider's guns can do.'
'The tramp has only to keep out of range; the Raider 's crippled.'
'You don't say! Did she run aground?'
Trentham related the morning's events.
'Bully!' cried Hoole. 'Say, what's to prevent our making a good bag of Germans? You think the Raider will sink?'
'There can't be much question of that. They had carried most of their arms on board, and probably those went down with the vessel; the men would waste their time trying to save her. But there were some armed men still on shore, and they might rescue a certain number of rifles before the ship went down. As I came along I tried to decide what I 'd do myself in the Germans' place. They are marooned; they must guess that you flew off for help, and expect to have to deal with some sort of force. The question is, will they surrender or fight?'
'Well, I don't know the inside of a German's mind, so I can't say; but I know what I 'd do. I wouldn't surrender without a fight; and if I saw the odds against me, I 'd make tracks inland, live on the country, and hold out. The Germans are so cocksure of winning the war that I guess they 'll do that.'
'I came to the same conclusion. It's not as if they were traders; they 're naval men, and I can't imagine their giving in tamely. Well, then, we shall have to prepare for a fight.'
'How do you mean?
'They 've lost the greater part of their provisions, and will have to replace them. What better chance than to quarter themselves by main force on the nearest village, which is our friend Flanso's, and compel the people to provide for them? Incidentally also take vengeance for the smashing of their vessel. We can't leave Flanso in the lurch.'
'I guess you 're right. Some of those young fellows at Wilhelmshafen were spoiling for a fight, and were real disgruntled when the skipper showed 'em they 'd have no chance against a well-armed raider. They 'll be ready enough to take a hand in beating off the Germans if they attack the village.'
'If they arrive in time. We may have to face the music before they get here, and I don't much like the prospect. Thanks to Grinson, we did very well against Hahn's handful this morning, but it will be quite another thing to deal with fifty or sixty, perhaps more, a good proportion armed with rifles. Your revolver ammunition is all spent; we 've got the revolvers of the two prisoners, that's all.'
'I brought three revolvers along and a few rounds of cartridges; very little good they 'll be against two or three score rifles. We 'll be back of the wall, of course, which is something to the good.'
'By the way, we heard your seaplane. Where is it?'
'Away yonder. I came down on that pond the Germans failed to strike. I guess they heard her too, and may waste time trying to find her, which will give us a chance to set our defences in order. Say, shall we get along?'
They hurried on. The natives of their party had preceded them, and were surrounded by groups of excited villagers to whom they were expounding the method by which the white men had destroyed the enemy's vessel. A noisy throng followed Trentham and his friends to the gate of the inner enclosure, and when they had disappeared, started a victory dance up and down the broad path.
Lafoa's aid was once more enlisted by Trentham in explaining the situation to the chief. More intelligent than his subjects outside, Flanso was under no illusion about the danger that threatened his village. His own experiences while in the hands of the Germans left him in no doubt as to the fate in store for his people if the enemy got the better of them, and he was ready to accept Trentham's suggestion that all but the fighting men should be at once sent away southward into the forest, where they would be at least out of harm's way until the issue was determined. But when he consulted some of his counsellors he at once encountered the strenuous opposition of the medicine-man, who had not forgiven Hoole for having made him cut so sorry a figure at the duk-duk dance. He protested that the new danger threatening the village was due to the stupidity of the white men. Why had they destroyed the blue vessel, and prevented the enemy from going away? They were already responsible for the destruction of the wreck that had been preserved and cherished by the chief's forefathers from the beginning of the world. They had prevented the human sacrifice customary at the inauguration of a new chief. They were meddlers, and all the misfortunes that had befallen the village were due to them.
Such was the gist of the medicine-man's harangue, though these few sentences by no means represent the torrent of words which poured from his lips. Nor could any one but a cinematograph operator properly depict the extraordinary grimaces of his features and the violent gestures with which he emphasised his denunciations. His right hand wielded a heavy nail-studded mace, and as his excitement grew he stepped, or rather danced, nearer to the group of white men, twirling the mace, tossing it in the air, striking the ground with it. Ignorant though they were of his language, the white men could not mistake the purport of his speech, and two of them noticed with some anxiety that he was making an impression on some members of his native audience. Grinson, however, felt nothing but amusement. A broad grin spread over his face as he listened and watched, and the more excited the medicine-man became the more pleasure the seaman took in the performance, giving utterance now and then to his sentiments with sundry ejaculations and cat-calls.
At last a sudden change came over his expression. The medicine-man in his frenzy had drawn very near to Hoole, and to give point to one of his statements he thrust his mace forward at the full length of his arm, so that Hoole only escaped a blow by stepping quickly back. It was uncertain whether the man had intended to attack him, but the suspicion was too much for Grinson. His lips snapped together; with a great roar he hurled himself at the orator, struck the mace from his hand, and caught him round the waist and hoisted him above his head. The sinews of the seaman's arms cracked; for some seconds he held the native aloft, as if hesitating whether to cast him to the ground. Terrified into silence, the man wriggled; the spectators looked on open-mouthed. Grinson grew purple with exertion; then he laughed. Gradually he lowered his arms, stretched to full length, and gently laid the man at Hoole's feet.
'Windbag!' he muttered, passing his hand across his sweating brow, then setting his arms akimbo and looking down at the still figure.
Gasps of amazement broke from the natives. The medicine-man lay for half a minute; when Grinson stooped and picked up the fallen mace he closed his eyes as if expecting a blow.
'A very neat little bobby's bludgeon, sir,' said Grinson, sticking the mace under his arm. 'Move on, there!'
The medicine-man opened his eyes, and seeing that Grinson had turned aside he crawled slowly away, rose to his feet, and sidled into his hut.
The colloquy he had interrupted was resumed. So great was the impression made by Grinson's display of strength that the natives were ready to agree to anything the white men proposed. It was arranged that the non-combatants should be sent away; a number of huts and trees near the wall on the outside should be razed, provisions brought into the inner enclosure. A few weak spots in the wall were strengthened, and by nightfall everything that was possible had been done to prepare for attack. Scouts meanwhile had been sent out in the direction from which attack might be expected. These were withdrawn as soon as it became dark, and the whole able-bodied population was brought within the wall.
Trentham recognised the futility of attempting any definite tactical measures with a rabble of undisciplined natives.
'They must fight in their own way, if there is to be a fight,' he said to Hoole. 'Let alone the impossibility of giving orders with only one interpreter, we should only worry them by trying to lick them into shape. We must rely on their common sense.'
'Just so. It's up to them to keep the enemy out, and that's all that matters. A word as to not exposing themselves--that's all we can do, except set 'em a good example.'
'As to that, you 'd be useful here, old man; but I fancy you 'd be even more useful if you went off in the seaplane and guided the steamer into the cove. With the Raider sunk, she could quite well run in and land her crew on the Germans' beach; they 'd get here quicker then than if they landed at a spot we don't know the way from.'
'Well, I guess we 'll wait and see,' said Hoole. 'We 'll take turns to do sentry-go through the night. If nothing happens, I 'll very likely take a run out in the morning. The tramp won't be far away then, anyhow.'
CHAPTER XX
THE LAST RAID
'Ephraim, have you made your will, me lad?' asked Grinson, sitting in the hut with Meek in the early hours of the morning.
'Never did I think of such a thing, Mr. Grinson,' replied Meek. ''Tis only lords and skippers as make wills.'
'That 's where you 're wrong, me lad. Specially now. For why? 'Cos 'tis the dooty of every man to make his will afore going into action.'
'S'pose he ain't got nothing to leave, and no widders nor orphans to purvide for?'
'It don't make no difference. Besides, every man's got something. Lord Admiral Nelson, as you 've heard of, had a glass eye, and 'tis said he left it to his footman, as he once caught nicking, to remind him that there 's always an Eye beholding of the evil and the good, besides his heart to the country.'
'Well, I never!'
'Not but what there 's a mighty big risk in making your will. There was once a chap I knowed as made his will and died next day--fell off a ladder, he did, and his mates said he might 'a been alive to this day only for the will. Likewise a skipper I once sailed with left his craft to be sold and divided among the crew; uncommon skipper he was; and she went down next voyage, and not insured. Ah! 'tis a solemn thought, making your will.'
'What put making wills and such into your head just now, Mr. Grinson?'
'Well, it's like this. The gentlemen expects what you may call a battle royal afore the day 's out, and you 've got to look at it sensible. We come all right out o' that scrap yesterday, but 'twas only Trousers and a few more, and we took 'em by surprise, d' ye see? Things will be different if all them Germans come up together; the odds ain't even, Ephraim.'
'True. I can bear ye out in that, Mr. Grinson. I don't hold with fighting--not with guns.'
'No more do I, 'cos I never shot a gun in my life. But this 'ere truncheon of old ugly mug's is as good as a gun, if it gets a chance; which I mean to say firing off guns ain't fighting at all, to my way of thinking. Darbies or sticks--that 's all right; the best man wins; but with guns--why, any little mean feller as would give you best if you looked at him may do you in from a distance, hiding behind a haystack, p'r'aps, or up a tree. No, Ephraim, that ain't fighting, not by a long chalk.'
'And have you made your own will, Mr. Grinson?'
'No, I ain't, and I 'm sorry for you, me lad, for I meant to leave you my old parrot as sits on his perch in Mother Perkins's parlour. You remember Mother Perkins, what said she 'd be glad to mind the bird, 'cos his language was so beautiful and reminded her of me?'
'Ah! I wish I could speak like you, Mr. Grinson, but there--I never could do it, not if I tried ever so. But you don't think you 're going to be killed?'
'Well, you see, I 'm twice as broad as you, and so the chances is against me, with guns. It's only fair, after all, 'cos in a real fight I could take on two, p'r'aps more; I should say more, with this 'ere truncheon. I ain't got no presentiments, Ephraim; but what is to be is, and in case they knock a hole in me I do hereby declare and pronounce as my old parrot is to belong to you and no one else, and so you 'll tell Mother Perkins.'
'I don't like to think of it, Mr. Grinson, but if so be as you 're killed and I ain't, I 'll look after that bird as if 'twas you, and think of you whenever it speaks.'
'Only if it speaks decent, Ephraim. I won't deny it picked up a few unholy words afore I bought it, and they come out sometimes; you can't help it.'
The seamen, though they had recently returned from sentry-go, were wakeful, and talked on till morning, exchanging reminiscences of their years of comradeship. At sunrise they joined Trentham and Hoole, and were allotted posts within the walls, if the Germans should attack. Scouts had already been sent out into the forest, to keep watch in the direction from which the enemy was likely to come.
During the night the position had been thoroughly discussed between Trentham and Hoole. The latter, though reluctant to leave his friend to bear the brunt of any fighting that might take place, at last agreed that probably the best service that he could render was to hasten the arrival of the steamer. About nine o'clock he set off with two natives for the lake where he had left the seaplane. Little more than two hours later Trentham heard the hum of the engine. The seaplane passed over the village, going eastward and skimming the tree-tops. From the signs made by Hoole, Trentham understood that the Germans were on their way, and this preliminary intimation was confirmed soon after noon, when the scouts came running in. Their report that a great host of the bad men was approaching aroused great excitement among the natives, who, proud of their easy victory on the previous day, showed little sign of understanding the nature of the ordeal they were to pass through. Some of them were for sallying out and meeting the Germans in the forest; but Flanso had intelligence enough to perceive the danger of breaking up his force, and at Trentham's suggestion he concentrated the greater number of his men near the gate, where the enemy's main attack was likely to be made. A few were stationed at other points along the circuit of the wall, to give notice if surprise attacks were attempted elsewhere than in front.
Trentham had persuaded the chief to place under Grinson's command about a score of the men whom he had led on the day before. His leadership then, and his subsequent display of muscular strength in dealing with the medicine-man, had won their admiration; and the fact that he bore their totem mark on his shoulder was a great factor in inspiring them with confidence. Even without Lafoa's assistance Grinson seemed to be able to make them understand his wishes.
'You had better hold your men in reserve, Grinson,' said Trentham. 'Put them in a central position--about the chief's house, say; and keep them out of the fight until they can come in with decisive effect.'
'For the knock-out, as you may say, sir,' Grinson replied. 'I understand. But begging your pardon, I ain't to remain in a state of absolution if I see a chance--you don't mean that, sir?'
'Not at all,' answered Trentham, who was by this time able to understand the seaman's sometimes recondite phraseology. 'All I mean is that I don't want you to take part in every scrimmage, but only when you see the rest of us hard pressed. Where 's your revolver, by the way?'
'I give it to Ephraim, sir.'
'But he had one; we have five altogether now.'
'True, sir; but the long and short is that I feel much more at home with this 'ere truncheon or knuckle-duster. With the pistol I might miss, not being used to such things; but with this'--he lifted it, eyeing it with affection--'with this I can be sure, by the feel.'
'Is Meek a good shot?'
'He couldn't hit a hay-stack, sir; but, talking between our two selves, we thought Ephraim was the man to keep his eye on you and be ready to give you another pistol when the fust is empty. I don't mind saying 'twas my idea, 'cos Ephraim ain't quite hisself yet arter that night on the ledge, only he 's got such a spirit that nothing would 'a kept him out of it if so be he didn't believe he was more useful otherways, and he believes that now, though I won't answer for how long it will last.'
The simple dispositions that were alone possible had barely been made when Trentham, looking out over the wall beside the gate, saw a man bearing a white flag advancing unaccompanied along the broad central path through the village. In a few seconds he recognised the square, solid face of Hahn. The German, who appeared to be unarmed, halted beyond range of revolver shots, and waving his flag, shouted:
'Hi, hi! Somevon speak.'
'What do you want, Hahn?' Trentham called.
'I speak for Captain Holzbach, of ze Imperial German Navy,' said Hahn. 'Ze captain bresent his gompliments and say zat he admire very much ze clever vay his ship is sunk, and zink ze vite men shall now be friendly, because we must all remain on zis island until ze var end. He vish to buy food, and say if ze savages come out and sell, he pay good price, and zey shall be safe.'
Trentham was under no illusion as to the German's good will; but wishing to temporise, partly with a view to the avoidance of further fighting, partly to allow for the arrival of the expected help, he replied:
'On behalf of the chief of this village I am willing to strike a bargain. If you, Hahn, and three other officers will come inside, unarmed, as hostages, a sufficient supply of provisions shall be sent out to you, on condition that you leave this part of the country, and engage not to molest the people.'
Whatever Hahn may have expected, it was clear that he was surprised at the terms offered. After a slight hesitation he said:
'It is not right zat German officers shall place zemselves in ze hands of savages, vat eat men.'
'But I am not a savage, and I guarantee that you shall not be eaten. You have good reason for being sure of that, Hahn.'
The German appeared to be annoyed at the allusion to his rescue from the dancing party on the beach.
'It is absurd!' he cried. 'Ze dignity of German officers vill not permit zem to do vat you say.'
'Then I am afraid that you must repeat to your captain that we cannot trade with him.'
'You know vat you do? Of us zere are fifty or sixty, viz rifles. You zink savages viz spears any good? Ve are not hard; but if it is var, zen----'
'Threats are useless, Hahn,' Trentham interrupted. 'We know your idea of war. I have nothing more to say. You have my terms: you had better consult your superior officer.'
The German glared, turned on his heel, and walked away. The breathless silence which had held the natives during the colloquy was broken by shouts of triumph; but Trentham sent Lafoa to explain matters to the chief, and asked him to keep his men in readiness for the assault which could not long be delayed. It was clear to him that Hahn's mission had been intended to lead to the opening of the gate and the division of the garrison. He had no doubt that if the natives had been decoyed outside their wall, the Germans would have rushed the place.
For some time after Hahn's departure there was no sign of hostilities. Then the Germans could be heard shouting to one another in the forest north of the village, and with the voices mingled the sound of wood-cutting. None of the enemy came in sight, and Trentham could only conjecture the nature of their operations.
Nearly two hours passed. The natives grew more and more noisy and restless. They could not understand why they were still cooped up in the enclosure. At length, however, after a brief cessation of all sounds in the forest, there was a sudden whistle, followed by the sharp crack of rifles, and from the trees facing the northern side of the village the Germans rushed forward in open order, on a front of nearly a quarter of a mile. The defenders, as Trentham had ordered, remained out of sight. He himself watched the enemy through a loophole in the log wall.
They were variously armed. Some had rifles with bayonets; others cutlasses, others axes. Some carried roughly constructed ladders. As they drew nearer, Trentham noticed that these last, as well as the officers at different parts of the line, were armed with rifles. They came on steadily and silently until they were almost within effective bow-shot; then they halted, the officers collected and consulted together. It appeared that they were somewhat at a loss how to proceed against an enemy whom they could not see, and whose defences they had no means of battering down. The pause was of short duration. Another volley was fired, with the intention doubtless of overawing the natives rather than of doing effective damage. A few men behind the walls were slightly injured by splinters; none were incapacitated, and all, with a self-restraint that Trentham had not expected, remained quietly at their posts until the enemy should come to close quarters.
After discharging their rifles, the Germans surged forward again, moving very rapidly, but maintaining a regular line. Trentham wondered why they were spread out so widely instead of concentrating on a limited section of the wall. In a few moments he saw through their plan. It had been desired to weaken the defence by compelling the natives to man a longer stretch of the wall than was the actual object of attack. The Germans suddenly contracted their front, no doubt calculating to reach the wall a few invaluable seconds before the defenders could mass at the threatened section.
They were now within range of the natives' weapons, and in close order presented a target which even Grinson, despite his want of skill with the spear, could hardly have missed. Obeying a preconcerted signal from Trentham, Flanso at last gave his panting warriors the word they had eagerly awaited. They sprang on to the platform that lined the foot of the wall, and was just high enough to bring their heads a few inches above the top. A shower of arrows and spears burst upon the advancing enemy. Many of them fell, but the rush was not stayed. There was no answer from their rifles; their orders evidently were to force their way into the defences with cold steel. Another flight of arrows equally failed to check them. With disciplined energy they swept forward to the wall, and having reached it were in comparative safety from the weapons of the men within. Quickly they set their ladders against the barricade and began to swarm up with the agility of seamen. Where there were no ladders they mounted on one another's backs. They gained the top, and then began a furious struggle, so confused that Trentham was never able to give a clear account of it.