JACK 
 HARKMY 
 
 AFLOAT 
 
 AND 
 
 ASHORE 
 
 BRACEBR1DGE 
 HEMYNG
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES

 
 JACK HARKAWAY'S 
 
 Adventures Afloat and Ashore 
 
 A SEQUEL TO 
 
 JACK HARKAWAY AFTER SCHOOLDAYS 
 
 CHICAGO 
 
 M. A. DONOHUE & COMPANY
 
 to 
 
 JACK HARKAWAY'S ADVENTURES 
 AFLOAT AND ASHORE. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 " WHAT did you want to upset the council for? They 
 don't understand your ventriloquism," continued Hun- 
 ston. 
 
 " I was getting dull in that shed place where you shut 
 me up awfully slow in fact ; and when I heard you fellows 
 enjoying yourselves, and having a bit of a barney, I 
 thought I'd join in, and sing you Rule Britannia, or some- 
 thing lively. " 
 
 " I shall never have the same influence over the Pisangs 
 again. Look how they are fighting ! " 
 
 "The Kilkenny cats are nothing to them," Jack re- 
 marked. 
 
 " Say something and stop them ; you can do it ! " ex- 
 claimed Hunston. 
 
 " And get taken back to be hanged. Thank you, no ! * 
 replied Jack. 
 
 " I'll promise you your life." 
 
 "Will you?" 
 
 " Yes, I will, indeed." 
 
 1 ' What is your promise worth, do you think ? " answered 
 Jack, derisively. ' ' You'd tell a bushel of lies for a dollar. " 
 
 " You must trust me for old acquaintance' sake. Stop 
 the row, and give them a specimen of your ventriloquial 
 powers. It will put them in a good humour." 
 
 " You're very kind," Jack said. " Perhaps they'd enjoy 
 the entertainment very much, especially as the show 
 wouldn't cost them anything. But I'm sorry I can't stop. " 
 
 "Can't stop? What do you mean?" said Hunston, 
 laying his hand on his arm. 
 
 3
 
 4 JA CK HARKA WA Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 " Paws off, Pompey ! " cried Jack, angrily. " If you 
 want a domino, just say which eye you would prefer to 
 be temporarily darkened." 
 
 " But I say you can't go. You must stop. You're a 
 prisoner," continued Hunston. 
 
 Jack's knife flashed before his eyes, and he retreated 
 further into the corner. 
 
 Taking up a lamp which stood near, Jack looked at it. 
 
 The wick, made of a bit of dry pitch, floated in the half 
 of a cocoanut rilled with oil. 
 
 " It will do, "he said. 
 
 " Do ! " repeated Hunston. " Do for what ? " 
 
 " You'll see if you live long enough. Thought you 
 were going to hang me, did you ? " replied Jack, laughing. 
 
 He held the lamp to one side of the council chamber. 
 
 It was built entirely of bamboo, which, being as dry as 
 tinder, was exceedingly inflammable. 
 
 " You'll set the place on fire ! " exclaimed Hunston, in 
 alarm. 
 
 " Just what occurred to me, my pippin ; and as the 
 wind is rather high, I shouldn't wonder if all Palembang 
 was to go to blazes before morning," Jack answered. 
 
 " Help ! here, he's " began Hunston, when the 
 
 point of Jack's knife penetrated the clothes he wore and 
 pricked his breast. 
 
 " Do you want to go to kingdom come?" said Jack. 
 
 " No," muttered Hunston, sullenly. 
 
 " Then shut up. I don't want to kill you now ; but 
 necessity has no law, and if you utter a sound I will kill 
 you. " 
 
 The bamboo framework had by this time caught fire, 
 and the flames began to spread with a loud crackling 
 noise. 
 
 Those Pisangs who had been fighting were getting tired 
 of the amusement. 
 
 The elder chiefs, who had been trying to pacify the 
 combatants, were beginning to succeed in their efforts. 
 
 " Good-bye," said Jack. 
 
 " You shan't go ! I'll " 
 
 Jack looked for a moment as if he was going to use his 
 knife. 
 
 But he put it in his belt, and, clenching his fists, let 
 Hunston have what he called " one, two."
 
 AFLOAT AND ASHORE. 5 
 
 Hunston fell back half-stunned before Jack's sledge- 
 hammer fists. 
 
 His hat fell off, and Jack took it up and put it on. It 
 was made of straw and it had a conical shape. 
 
 " Rummy sort of tile," mused Jack, " but I suppose it 
 is a badge of distinction, or something. " I'll sport it, 
 and they may take me for him ; not that I shall be flat' 
 tered at the mistake, only it may help me to make tracks." 
 
 The flames had made incredible progress in the few 
 minutes that had elapsed since Jack set fire to the bamboo 
 framework with the lamp. 
 
 " They'd better call out the engines and send for the 
 fire escape," Jack said to himself, indulging in that dry 
 humour which he could not resist even in the hour of 
 extreme danger. 
 
 The thick smoke and the crackling of the fire alarmed 
 every one. 
 
 In an instant the din ceased, the uproar had subsided, 
 and the men who had been struggling together in a sort 
 of Irish row, looked blankly at one another. 
 
 Jack passed quickly amongst the crowd. 
 
 They raised a cry of " Fire ! fire ! " and ran hither and 
 thither wildly. 
 
 A panic had seized them. 
 
 Suddenly Hunston, who had picked himself up, shouted, 
 in a commanding voice, which trembled with rage 
 
 " Guard the door! The prisoner has done this! Let 
 him not escape ! " 
 
 Cries of " Guard the door ! " " The white prisoner 1 " 
 " Death to the prisoner ! " arose on all sides. 
 
 " It's getting hot," said Jack to himself. " I wasted 
 precious time with that beast Hunston." 
 
 The smoke grew thicker, and obscured the feeble light 
 of the oil lamps, many of which had been extinguished 
 in the scuffle. 
 
 This dimness was much in his favour. 
 
 It was at the door itself where the real peril lay. 
 
 There Buru and some others, including the Tuan Biza, 
 whose faces presented the appearance of so many crushed 
 tomatoes, had congregated. 
 
 " Now for it ! " exclaimed Jack, as he was within a few 
 paces of the door. " Never say die 1 "
 
 6 /A CK HARK A WA Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 CHAPTER IL 
 
 ACROSS THE BRIDGE. 
 
 IT had not been Jack's hope or intention to escape when 
 he determined to visit the council. 
 
 The idea was suggested by his natural daring and love 
 of fun. 
 
 He thought it would create a sensation of some sort, 
 and give him an opportunity ; which it had done. 
 
 How he would be able to avail himself of that oppor- 
 tunity was another thing. 
 
 So far he had succeeded beyond his expectations. 
 
 He had got up ill blood between Hunston and his sav- 
 age friends. 
 
 The Tuan Biza and the other chiefs had engaged in a 
 dreadful riot, which had resulted in more than one broken 
 head. 
 
 Hunston had been " chaffed and punched," as Jack said, 
 when he was reckoning up the damage afterwards. 
 
 And to crown all, the council-chamber was in flames, 
 the chiefs in frantic terror, and only a few cool hands 
 guarding the door in obedience to Hunston's ill-timed 
 summons. 
 
 Such was the situation of affairs. 
 
 Up to the present time Jack had decidedly the best of it. 
 
 One of Buru's eyes was rapidly closing, and the other 
 wasn't of much use. 
 
 But he had heard Hunston's voice, and with native 
 cunning guessed that the prisoner had set the place on fire, 
 hoping to escape in the inevitable hubbub that would 
 ensue. 
 
 " If," he argued, " Hunston is at one end of the council- 
 chamber, he can't be at the other." 
 
 He did not believe that even a white chief, clever 
 though he might be, could be in two places at one time. 
 
 So Jack's conical hat did not impose upon him. 
 
 Imitating Hunston's voice again, Jack said, as he 
 reached the door 
 
 " Let me out, my good Buru. I am Hunston, the 
 white chief."
 
 APLOA T AND ASHORE. 7 
 
 ' You are the prisoner," replied Buru. " Yield your- 
 self to me." 
 
 Jack's only reply was to draw his knife, and plunge it 
 up to the hilt in his body. 
 
 Buru fell without a sound. 
 
 The Pisangs saw the deed committed and were silent 
 for a moment through terror and amazement. 
 
 But an instant afterwards a dozen spears were levelled 
 at him, and half as many ugly-looking clubs aimed at his 
 head. 
 
 Cutting right and left with his knife, he backed through 
 the crowd. 
 
 He reached the burning portion of the apartment, 
 which was fringed by an eager knot of spectators. 
 
 The wall was nearly burnt through, and the roof had 
 fallen in. 
 
 Fierce cries assailed him, and if he hesitated he was lost. 
 
 Hunston made a snatch at him, hoping to hold him fast 
 till he could get assistance. 
 
 But Jack threw him off, saying, " You didn't do it that 
 time, old boy ! " and dashed boldly into the burning 
 space, and falling timber. 
 
 With a wild plunge he dashed through the hole in the 
 wall, and, half-blinded, half-suffocated, found himself 
 outside. 
 
 The air was cool and refreshing. 
 
 At present the alarm of fire had not spread, and the 
 inhabitants of Palembang were sleeping in fancied 
 security. 
 
 His hair was singed, and his hat was on fire. 
 
 This he cast from him as a useless encumbrance, and 
 taking one look at the burning building, ran at full speed 
 up the street, 
 
 When his enemies had recovered from their surprise, 
 they rushed through the open door, and gave chase. 
 
 Hunston was at their head. 
 
 "After him ! " he cried. " He will take to the woods. 
 After him ! He cannot escape. Brave will be the chief 
 who takes his head, and all the women of Palembang will 
 smile upon him." 
 
 Jack's form could be clearly seen in the moonlight 
 
 The pursuer's halted at the extremity of the town, satis- 
 fied that they knew the direction the fugitive had taken.
 
 O JACK HARKA WA Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 They held a brief conversation, which resulted hi 
 twelve chiefs, with Hunston in command, being told on* 
 to pursue the runaway. 
 
 The rest returned to the burning council-chamber, to 
 assist in putting out the fire, which had assumed formid- 
 able dimensions. 
 
 No sooner had Jack reached the open ground than he 
 turned round, and skirted the town to throw the Pisangs 
 off the scent 
 
 They would imagine that he would go straight on, and 
 he might gain a secure shelter in the woods. 
 
 As he moderated his pace and went round the town, he 
 could hear the cries of the affrighted populace. 
 
 Gongs were beaten in every direction. 
 
 Dense clouds of smoke and bright flashes of flame 
 showed him that the fire, driven by the wind, had seized 
 on other dwellings, and was making great havoc and 
 devastation. 
 
 "It's as good as burning out a wasp's nest," he 
 remarked. 
 
 For more than two hours he ran without halting. 
 
 It was his impression that when those who followed 
 him found themselves at fault they would return to the 
 burning town. 
 
 Three separate parties of explorers would be formed, 
 and despatched in various directions. 
 
 When day broke, he had reached a dense forest, and 
 feeling tired, he climbed into a tree to enjoy a little rest. 
 
 Lashing himself with his handkerchief to a bough, he 
 closed his eyes. 
 
 For some time he could not go to sleep, owing to th< 
 sharp hiss of the serpents and the dread cries of the wiWt 
 beasts. 
 
 He thought with horror of Sinbad the Sailor when in a 
 similar position. 
 
 Sinbad had two companions with him, and they were 
 lower down in a tree. 
 
 On the first night a huge snake climbed up, and 
 dragged down one of the men. 
 
 Would the snakes of this island attempt to gratify theii 
 appetites in a similar manner? 
 
 " No serpent shall land me, " he said to himselt I'll 
 sleep with one eye open."
 
 AFLOAT AND ASHORE. 9 
 
 But at length exhausted nature had its way, and he 
 slept soundly. 
 
 Not for long, however. 
 
 He was awake before the sun had acquired any con- 
 siderable power, and unlashing himself, he descended the 
 tree. 
 
 All nature was smiling under the grateful night dew and 
 the cheering sun's rays. 
 
 He pushed on slowly through the forest, not daring to 
 retrace his steps. 
 
 His only hope was to subsist in the jungle as best he 
 might until his friends from Limbi had come over and 
 captured the island, if they could succeed in doing so. 
 
 He felt sure that Harvey was doing his utmost for him. 
 
 But he did not suspect the length to which Harvey's 
 devotion had led him. 
 
 Nor did he even faintly imagine that he and Monday 
 were at that very time on the island. 
 
 " Dick won't desert me," he thought " DICK will stick 
 to me like a leech. That's one comfort." 
 
 He was in high spirits as he slowly trudged along 
 through the dense underwood. 
 
 To have outwitted the Pisangs, bearded Hunston 
 amongst his friends, and set the town of Palembang on 
 fire was no slight achievement. 
 
 Suddenly he felt a peculiar smarting and itching sensa- 
 ion at the ankle. 
 
 Looking down, he found his socks stained with blood. 
 
 Turning them down, he saw both ankles perfectly 
 fringed with little insects like leeches, which had filled 
 themselves till they were ready to burst. 
 
 Some of the bloodsuckers had even crawled down to 
 his foot, and made an incision which allowed the blood 
 to trickle through his shoe. 
 
 Jack had heard of these annoying and disquieting pests 
 from Monday. 
 
 Sometimes the stinging worms would drop from the 
 leaves of the trees upon the heads and into the necks of 
 those who pass under them. 
 
 It was almost unendurable to think that they were 
 lancing him and sucking out his blood. 
 
 However, he knocked them off as well as he could, 
 and travelled onwards.
 
 10 JACK HARK A IV A Y 'S AD VENTURES 
 
 At length he came to a river which ran through a 
 ravine, the rocky bottom of which churned its impetuous 
 waters into foam. 
 
 Cautiously making his way by the side of the rocky 
 channel, Jack pushed along in a listless manner. 
 
 He wished to find a cave in which he could rest, with 
 a few palms in the vicinity to supply him with cocoanuts. 
 
 He had not gone far before he came to a hanging 
 bridge, which was thrown across the ravine. 
 
 On each side was a road, if an ordinary clearing in the 
 forest might be dignified with that name. 
 
 It was a suspension bridge of rattan ; at the middle it 
 rested on the tops of tall trees, which grew up from a 
 small island in the torrent below. 
 
 It was constructed by stretching across these large 
 rattans. 
 
 On these, narrow slips of board were placed and 
 fastened at each end ; other rattans starting from the 
 ground on the bank, passed above the branches of high 
 camphor trees that grew on the edge of the chasm in 
 which the torrent flowed ; descending from these branches 
 in a sharp curve, they rose again steeply at the further end 
 of the bridge. 
 
 From these rattans were fastened other rattans below 
 them, just as in our own suspension bridges, and thus all 
 parts were made to aid in supporting the weight. 
 
 As it was so light, it vibrated and shook terribly when 
 any one ventured to cross it. 
 
 Jack had been told of these bridges, of which there are 
 several in the islands, and had been cautioned against 
 grasping the side, lest it might swing over and cast him 
 in the abyss. 
 
 The difficulty in crossing this bridge, which was flex- 
 ible as a manilla rope, was so great because it oscillated 
 from left to right, and its whole floor did not move in one 
 piece, but like a series of rolling waves. 
 
 "I don't think I'll venture across that," said Jack. 
 "But I'll go down the rocks if I can manage it, and have 
 ft drink of water." 
 
 As he was speaking, he heard a loud shout behind him. 
 
 The next moment an arrow buried itself in a tree close 
 to him. 
 
 He looked round, and saw a party of Pisangs, probably
 
 AFLOA T AND A SHORE. 1 1 
 
 forming 1 one of the divisions that had been sent out to 
 search for him. 
 
 Now he blamed himself for his folly in not remaining 
 hidden. 
 
 He could not have acted more foolishly than exposing 
 himself to view on one of the few public roads in the 
 island. 
 
 To retreat into the forest, was to court instant death or 
 capture. 
 
 The road was blocked. 
 
 The sides of the ravine were just there almost perpen- 
 dicular, and impossible of descent. 
 
 If he would escape, there was nothing for it but a bold 
 attempt to cross the dangerous bridge. 
 
 Without any further hesitation, he got on the bridge, 
 with a hurried walk, which he hoped would break up the 
 rolling motion. 
 
 It was nearly four hundred feet long. 
 
 Having got half-way across the first span, he saw that 
 one of the cross-boards, on which he was in the act of 
 placing his foot, had become loose, and slipped on to one 
 side. 
 
 He drew back, for had he gone on carelessly, he must 
 have fallen through, and been dashed to pieces on the 
 rocks below. 
 
 Stopping instantly, he stood still, and the bridge swung 
 to and fro, as if it was being purposely shaken. 
 
 The Pisangs continued to fire arrows at him, but the 
 motion of the bridge interfered with the correctness of 
 their aim. 
 
 Going on again, he reached the centre, and reconnoitred 
 his enemies. 
 
 One Pisang, more adventurous than the rest, was 
 following him. 
 
 "Wait a bit ! " said Jack between his teeth. 
 
 He had gained confidence now, and crossed the remain- 
 ing half at a quick run, hiding himself behind a tree when 
 on land. 
 
 The Pisangs shouted to one another, and flattered 
 themselves that their prey was not far off. 
 
 When the whole five were together, on the second half, 
 Jack slashed away with his knife at the supports of rattan. 
 
 Three or four parted, and the remaining ones, unable to
 
 12 JACK HARK A WAY'S AD VENTURES 
 
 support the weight, snapped with a loud sharp crack, like 
 the report of a pistol. 
 
 The large rattans that supported the sides, and went 
 over the high branches of the camphor trees, had parted. 
 
 Then the bridge gave a fearful lurch, and finally the 
 whole structure fell with a crash into the boiling torrent. 
 
 Fearful cries arose from the poor wretches thus hurled 
 into eternity, but Jack smiled grimly, for it was their lives 
 or his, and again he had triumphed. 
 
 His exultation was premature, however. 
 
 Straight in front of him, he saw five more Pisangs, who 
 were attracted by the cries of their countrymen. 
 
 They hurried forward, but all was still. 
 
 Probably the party had divided, one half crossing the 
 bridge, the other, which had perished, remaining behind. 
 
 They peered down the sides of the ravine, and talked 
 hurriedly among themselves. 
 
 One, more curious than the rest, examined the rattans, 
 and saw that they had been cut with a knife. 
 
 He pointed this out to his companions. 
 
 Yells of fury arose, and Jack, who was gently stealing 
 off along the road, was perceived. 
 
 Instantly a hue and cry was raised. 
 
 "Now for it! " thought Jack, as he scudded along the 
 road. "I must step out, or make up my mind to be 
 cooked for dinner, and eaten without salt. " 
 
 He had a slight start, but it was a question whether or 
 not he would keep it. 
 
 His pursuers made the woods echo again with their 
 savage outcries. 
 
 Jack's training in hare-and-hounds, at Mr. Crawcour's 
 academy for young gentlemen, stood him in good stead 
 now. 
 
 It was a race for life. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 THE RACE FOR LIFE. 
 
 As the Pisangs knew the road and the country so much 
 better than he did, Jack was afraid to take refuge in the 
 forest again.
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 13 
 
 He ran on at the top of his speed, not daring to turn 
 round to look how the chase progressed, lest he should 
 lose time. 
 
 No arrows were fired at him ; no spears thrown. 
 
 Either the Pisangs had received orders to bring him 
 back alive, or they would not stop to adjust their bows, 
 or hurl their spears. 
 
 It scarcely could be that they had regard for his life, or 
 an arrow would not have been shot at him when he waa 
 bent on his perilous journey across the bridge. 
 
 Good runner as he was, he had not gone more than threa 
 or four miles before he felt his strength failing him. 
 
 Jack's head grew dizzy, and his legs seemed to drag 
 one after the other. 
 
 The wound inflicted upon him when captured had 
 caused him to lose blood. 
 
 This would create weakness, and even vertigo, if com* 
 pelled to undergo unwonted exertion. 
 
 For some hours he had not had anything to eat and 
 drink. 
 
 He was also running under a hot sun, which made the 
 perspiration pour from him in streams. All this told 
 against him. 
 
 The Pisangs had nothing to impede the free exercise oi 
 their limbs. 
 
 He had. 
 
 Therefore he was at an additional disadvantage. 
 
 "I'm coopered," was Jack's mental exclamation. 
 
 He turned round and saw the pursuers had him well in 
 hand three in front, two behind. 
 
 They had never once lost sight of him. 
 
 On they came ; bodies a little inclined forward, elbows 
 pressed into the side, legs going like machines. 
 
 " They've got the wind of a bellows," Jack said with a 
 groan. "I shouldn't care if I had anything to fight 
 with." 
 
 Like the stag, hunted to the extremity of his endurance, 
 he turned round, faced his pursuers, and stood at bay. 
 
 " I'll die with my eyes open," he exclaimed ; "at least, 
 I'll see what kills me, and how it's done. It'll be a com- 
 fort to know the modus operandi." 
 
 When the Pisangs saw that he did not run any further, 
 they halted also.
 
 14 JACK HARK A WAY'S AD VENTURES 
 
 The foremost made signs that they wanted to speak, 
 and Jack said that he was listening. 
 
 ' ' Are you armed ? " asked the Pisang. 
 
 " No ; you can see I'm not. I shouldn't have cut and 
 run if I had had anything to fight with," exclaimed Jack. 
 " That was why I heaved anchor." 
 
 "O white chief," continued the Pisang, "come back 
 with us to the ruins of our city, for Palembang is now in 
 ashes." 
 
 "That's a blessing, only it will make the beggars more 
 sarage," said Jack. 
 
 "You must die the death that has been decided on ; I 
 can hold out no hope of mercy, but I doubt not you will 
 die like a brave man." 
 
 "That depends upon circumstances. What is this par- 
 ticularly pleasant death ? " 
 
 "It is the punishment of the stake. Every warrior in 
 Pisang will be entitled to cut off a piece of your flesh, 
 about an inch square in size, till all the flesh is gone and 
 notl.ing but bones remain." 
 
 "Thank you, then I shan't come," said Jack, in his 
 usual careless manner. 
 
 The Pisang raised his bow. 
 
 "You can tell them I am much obliged for their kind 
 invitation, but I have a previous appointment in another 
 direction. I hope to enjoy the pleasure another time. " 
 
 "The white chief cannot escape; his Pisang enemy 
 will shoot him down and carry him wounded to the city/' 
 replied the warrior. 
 
 " Let fly," exclaimed Jack impatiently, "perhaps I can 
 dodge you after all." 
 
 He remembered his knife, and prepared to dash forward 
 and close with his assailants, so as to perish, as it were, 
 sword in hand. 
 
 The Pisang did not waste any further time in talk. 
 
 He drew his bow to its utmost capacity of tension. 
 
 The arrow quivered on the string. 
 
 Suddenly there was a loud report, and the Pisang, struck 
 with a leaden messenger of death, fell heavily forward on 
 his face. 
 
 Three other reports made themselves heard, and as 
 many Pisangs fell; and the fifth, stricken with a deadly 
 terror, plunged into the tangled depths of the forest and 
 was seen no more.
 
 A FLO A T AND ASHORE. 15 
 
 Jack could scarcely bring himself to believe in the 
 evidence of his senses. 
 
 Guns in Pisang, and people to fire them ; and what is 
 more to fire them on his behalf! 
 
 The age of miracles was come back again. 
 
 " If that isn't Dick's doings," he muttered, " it must be 
 something that rhymes with Dick, and that's Old Nick." 
 
 Just then two forms emerged from some dense brush- 
 wood. 
 
 One was Harvey, and the other Monday. 
 
 Advancing towards Jack, they shook him cordially by 
 the hand. 
 
 Monday danced and capered about in the wildest glee. 
 
 Jack was too much affected to be able to speak for 
 some seconds. 
 
 " Well, my cockalorum, how goes it ? " exclaimed 
 Harvey. 
 
 "Dick," replied Harkaway, "how you managed it I 
 don't know, but you came up just in time to save my 
 life, and I'm deeply grateful for it." 
 
 " Don't say anything about that, old fellow," answered 
 Harvey. "I'm modestly inclined, and don't like to be 
 praised." 
 
 "I was dead beat; a four-mile run in this climate is a 
 pipe-opener, I can tell you, and it was six to four on the 
 niggers." 
 
 " I knew you'd want me, and that's why I came." 
 
 " Have you landed in force ? " asked Jack. 
 
 " No ; Monday and I are alone." 
 
 "Have you ventured, all by yourselves, into the ene 
 mies' country for my sake ? " asked Jack, deeply moved. 
 
 "Why not ? You don't think we came to explore thi 
 beauties of Pisang, in the interests of high art, do you ? * 
 
 "Not exactly; but it is more than I had a right to 
 expect. " 
 
 "It is not. You had a right to expect that we should 
 do everything we could for you," returned Harvey ; " and 
 as the bloated old Limbi chief wasn't ready, we put on 
 steam and started. If you'd sent us a telegram we 
 should have made a move sooner." 
 
 "There is such a thing as electricity of the heart, 
 Dick ; and I think our hearts spoke to one another," said 
 Jack Harkaway.
 
 l6 JA CK HARKA WA F VT AD VENTURES 
 
 "Very likely I dreamt about you, and I thought you 
 wanted me. Didn't I, Mon ? " said Harvey. 
 
 "Yes, sare. You say 'Go to Mast' Jack. He in 
 much big danger,' and so we come," replied the black. 
 
 "You arrived in the nick of time. I was sewed up 
 regularly licked." 
 
 " Tell us all about it What have you done? " 
 
 "I've seen Emily, and made it all square with her," 
 replied Jack. "I've cheeked Hunston, and got up a 
 small Donnybrook Fair in the council-chamber. I've 
 been the death of six Pisangs and I've burnt Palembang 
 to the ground." 
 
 " By George, Jack, you're a wonder ! Explain all this 
 to me," said Harvey in astonishment. 
 
 "I will directly. It was more a fluke after all, than 
 anything else ; but just now I'm like a parched pea. 
 Can you lay your hands on any civilised or uncivilised 
 sort of grub ? " 
 
 "Certainly we can. Our ship is hidden not far off, 
 and we have a few odds and ends in her. I'm not ex- 
 actly a pocket Soyer, or a sea-cook, but I can rig you up 
 a good breakfast." 
 
 "Fire away, then. If it's boiled snake I'm on, like 
 a hundred bricks," replied Jack. 
 
 Harvey gave Jack his arm, for he trembled violently 
 and needed support. 
 
 They walked to the shore, where the boat was con- 
 cealed, and were quickly engaged in discussing an ex- 
 cellent breakfast, when we consider the materials they 
 had to work with. 
 
 A kettle was boiled, and some tea made from some of 
 the Hyson found on board the wreck. 
 
 This was very grateful and cheering. 
 
 After he had satisfied his appetite, and gained the 
 strength he stood so much in need of, Jack related his 
 adventures to Harvey. 
 
 "By Jove!" replied the latter, "you had a closer 
 shave than even I imagined." 
 
 "I saw Hunston meant it," answered Jack "and that 
 put me more on my mettle." 
 
 " You are all right now, thank goodness ; and the best 
 thing we can do is to jump on board, and set sail for 
 Limbi," remarked Harvey.
 
 AFL OA T AND ASHORE. 1 7 
 
 " No," replied Jack shortly. 
 
 "What!" cried Harvey in astonishment; "do you 
 want to stop here ? " 
 
 "That's precisely what I mean to do." 
 
 "Are you mad? " 
 
 "I don't think so. All I want from you, Dick, is a 
 rifle and a few charges of powder and shot." 
 
 "But think a bit, the Pisangs will have you; it's a 
 moral. You've burnt their city, and they'll swarm all 
 over the place after you." 
 
 "I'll chance it. We can but die once." 
 
 Harvey reflected a moment. 
 
 "The Limbians won't be here for a day or two. You 
 know what slow coaches they are, as well as I do," he 
 exclaimed. 
 
 " r ve gt work to do here, Dick." 
 
 ' V\Tiat work?" 
 
 "Can't you guess ? " r.cked Jack. 
 
 "No ; hang me if I can ! " replied Harvey. 
 
 "Then I will tell you. But first of all, give me an- 
 other half cocoanutful of that Souchong, or whatever 
 it is. " 
 
 Harvey did so, and Jack proceeded to drink the tea 
 with calm enjoyment 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 THE STRATAGEM. 
 
 THE sun was now rising high in the heavens. 
 
 Jack began to get merry. 
 
 "I'll trouble you, Mr. Monday," he said, "for another 
 of those dried fish. They're not equal to bloaters, but 
 they're not bad." 
 
 "Um dried fish, sare? Yes, sare, very fine," replied 
 Monday. 
 
 "I didn't ask you for your opinion ; the fish is quite 
 sufficient You can dry up," answered Jack. 
 
 Harvey was dying with impatience to know what 
 Jack's intentions were, though the latter did not show 
 *ny signs of being- in a hu' ry to gratify his curiosity. 
 a
 
 l8 JACK HARKA WA Y'S ADVENTURES 
 
 "Fine day," said Jack, wiping his mouth with the 
 back of his hand, in the absence of a pocket hand- 
 kerchief. 
 
 "What's the use of telling a fellow that, when it always 
 is fine here?" answered Harvey. 
 
 "Don't ruffle your feathers, Dick 1 As I'm going to 
 stop in the island, I like to study the signs of the 
 weather." 
 
 "What are you going to stay for? " 
 
 " Can't you guess ? " 
 
 "I've told you I can't once," replied Harvey. "I 
 never was good at riddles, as a kid." 
 
 "But you're not a kid now, and you ought to have 
 improved. Why does a miller wear a white hat ? " 
 
 "To keep his head warm, I suppose." 
 
 "Exactly," replied Jack. "That shows you're not 
 quite a Simple Simon." 
 
 Harvey looked angry, and pressing his lips together, 
 remained silent. 
 
 " Dick, you've lost something," exclaimed Jack quickly. 
 
 " Have I ? What ? " asked Harvey. 
 
 " Only your tongue, that's all. You're sulking because 
 I won't speak fast enough for you. Did they teaze the 
 poor old boy ? " cried Jack coaxingly. 
 
 "Go 011 ; I don't mind," replied Harvey. 
 
 "Forgive me, Dick. I feel so jolly at getting away 
 from those Pisangs that I must chaff or die," exclaimed 
 Jack in a good-natured voice. "You would if you 
 were me." 
 
 " So I should, Jack. I'm not angry." 
 
 "It's so freezingly delightful that's the phrase out 
 here to have licked the skunks, that I can't help 
 exuberating." 
 
 "That's a big word," said Harvey, smiling. 
 
 "Big words suit the occasion," answered Jack ; " and 
 now I'll tell you why I want to stay here. Emily is in 
 the hands of the Pisangs ; and, what is worse, in the 
 power of that brute Hunston, who is a Pisang double 
 distilled." 
 
 " I see ; don't say any more, Jack. I was an unfeeling 
 wretch not to think of that before," Harvey hastened 
 to say. 
 
 "I don't want you to stay," continued Jack. "We
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 19 
 
 may be Damon and Pythias, but it would be too much 
 to ask you to play the part of Pythias, to empty boxes." 
 
 " No, it wouldn't ; and the boxes wouldn't be empty, for 
 my heart and my conscience are big enough to fill the 
 house." 
 
 " Close the show," exclaimed Jack. "You're a good 
 sort; you're a trump, and you shall help me to rescue 
 Emily." 
 
 "Or die in the attempt." 
 
 "Good again, Dick; they've got to kill us though, now 
 we have these little pop-guns ; " and Jack handled the 
 rifle and revolver which Monday had given him, looking 
 at them affectionately. 
 
 "Monday help too, rescue Missey Em'ly," cried 
 Monday. 
 
 ' ' So you shall All hands are welcome," replied Jack. 
 
 "You should have seen Monday's get-up before we 
 left Limbi ; there was a wreck all the crew dead, and 
 we had the first overhaul," exclaimed Harvey. 
 
 "What did he do ? " asked Jack. 
 
 "Togged himself out till he was quite nobby, didn't 
 you, Mon ? " 
 
 "Never mind," replied Monday; "me show Mast* 
 Jack, one of these days. All very fine, make fun of poor 
 Monday ; him know what him do know." 
 
 "Don't be riled, Prince Matabella," continued Har- 
 vey; "you shall sport your things when we get back 
 again. " 
 
 Monday retired to pack up the remains of the breakfast, 
 and from the way in which he talked to himself in his 
 own language, he did not seem very well pleased at the 
 ridicule Harvey cast upon his newly-acquired European 
 clothes. 
 
 To him, his attire was simply perfect. 
 
 It whipped that of his young masters altogether, and 
 threw Mr. Mole's rather shabby dress quite into the shade. 
 
 "You say you have seen Emily?" observed Harvey. 
 
 "Yes, I did enjoy that happiness, but not for long, and 
 under very trying circumstances," replied Jack. 
 
 "I should have liked to see you stir up the chiefs in 
 Palembang ; what a lark it must have been." 
 
 "It wasn't all fun. I must confess I was in a dismal 
 funk all the time."
 
 20 JACK II ARK A WA Y 'S AD VENTURES 
 
 "What do you think of doing about Emily?" asked 
 Harvey. 
 
 "I fancy," replied Jack, "that as the city is burned 
 down, they will all be up a tree ; that is to say, camped 
 out anywhere, and in the confusion we might make a 
 dash." 
 
 ' ' Just like a man-of-war's boats cutting out an armed 
 vessel in harbour." 
 
 "Something of that sort," answered Jack. 
 
 "When shall you try it on ? " 
 
 " To-morrow. I'm so knocked out of time that I must 
 sleep all day." 
 
 " I'll join you. Suppose we sleep under this tree, and 
 leave Monday to watch," said Harvey. 
 
 "That's the idea," replied Jack. "Call him; I'm so 
 beastly tired, and can't raise my voice." 
 
 " Monday," cried Harvey. "You're wanted." 
 
 ' ' What um want him for, Mast' Harvey ? " asked 
 Monday. 
 
 "We're going to recruit exhausted nature; in other 
 words, to sleep, and you must keep a good look-out. If 
 you don't " 
 
 "What then, sare ? " 
 
 " We'll get some chemical stuff and turn you white." 
 
 " He I he !" laughed Monday. " You have um joke, 
 Mast' Harvey." 
 
 "You'll find it no joke, when you're all cream and no 
 chocolate. So keep your eyes open, and stick something 
 under your eyelids." 
 
 Monday promised to exercise the greatest vigilance, and 
 there was some necessity for it 
 
 The Pisangs were evidently swarming about the island 
 in pursuit of Jack. 
 
 A party might discover them, and if no watch was kept 
 they would be surprised before they could use their 
 guns. 
 
 In a very short time Jack and Harvey were fast asleep. 
 
 They had every confidence in Monday. 
 
 The latter stood near the trunk of the tree, rifle in hand, 
 revolver in his belt, and looked searchingly by turns in 
 every direction. 
 
 " Monday like to see um Pisang take him in," he mut- 
 tered. " Monday smell um Pisans: mile off."
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 2 1 
 
 A couple of hours passed, and the heat of the day was 
 at its height. 
 
 Monday, like all the other natives of the islands, 
 owned the power of the sun at this particular time. 
 
 He felt drowsy, and had the greatest difficulty in keep- 
 ing himself awake. 
 
 His eyes closed, and he was aroused in a short time by 
 a slight noise. 
 
 A large monkey of the ourang-outang species had crept 
 up, and was hurrying off with his rifle, which he had 
 placed against a tree. 
 
 He did not like to take Jack's or Harvey's, for they had 
 put them under their heads, to be ready at a moment's 
 notice. 
 
 If he touched them he should wake them. 
 
 So he followed the monkey. 
 
 It went slowly into the forest, and Monday, not caring 
 to go into the jungle after it, drew a revolver from his belt 
 and fired. 
 
 The monkey threw up his ungainly arms and fell upon 
 its back. 
 
 Monday advanced to gain possession of his rifle, and 
 was astonished to find the skin fall off. 
 
 A full-grown Pisang was revealed to his view. 
 
 It was a disguise. 
 
 As he stooped to take possession of his rifle half-a-dozen 
 strong hands seized him. 
 
 He had fallen into a trap. 
 
 The Pisang who had assumed the disguise had paid the 
 penalty with his life. 
 
 But he had enabled his companions to succeed in their 
 enterprise. 
 
 Almost before he could realise the fact, Monday was 
 strongly bound. 
 
 He cast his eyes towards Jack and Harvey, and found 
 that a score of dusky figures were busily engaged in 
 securing them. 
 
 They had been surprised while they slept. 
 
 " Hullo," cried Jack, as he felt himself strongly grasped. 
 "What's this?" 
 
 '' Monday Monday ! " cried Harvey. 
 
 "You may go through all the days in the week, and it 
 won't help you," said a voice in his ear.
 
 2 2 JACK HARK A WA Y'S ADVENT URES 
 
 He looked up. " Hunston!" he ejaculated. 
 
 "Yes, my boy. We've been one too many for you," 
 said Hunston, with a malevolent laugh 
 
 Monday was marched up to the spot where his young 
 masters were safely bound. 
 
 He hung down his head and was ashamed to speak. 
 
 "This is your fault," said Harvey angrily. 
 
 "They come one dodge over Monday, Mast' Harvey. 
 Him think it um monkey and shoot, but then it too late," 
 replied Monday. 
 
 "It's no good howling," said Jack. "We're copped 
 and there's an end of it." 
 
 " I'm glad to see you bear it with resignation. " rejoined 
 Hunston. " When I set out after you I did not expect to 
 make such a haul as this." 
 
 "Didn't it burn well? It was a proper flare-up. I 
 mean Palembang," said Jack, smiling 
 
 " You'll suffer all the more for it, and we can make an- 
 other gallows, big enough for the three of you," answered 
 Hunston. 
 
 Jack laughed again 
 
 "You'll laugh on the wrong side of your face soon," 
 said Hunston. 
 
 " Not I," answered Jack; " I haven't got a wrong side. 
 I leave that sort of thing to you. I can't help laughing 
 when I see you." 
 
 " Let them laugh who win," replied Hunston savagely. 
 
 He spoke a few words to his attendants, and the Pisangs 
 placed themselves in a triple line round the captives. 
 
 Their legs were free, though their arms were tightly 
 bound behind their backs. 
 
 Hunston took their revolvers from them and placed 
 them in his own belt. 
 
 The rifle he told the Pisangs to carry. 
 
 "March!" he cried. 
 
 The party moved forward, going towards the interior. 
 
 "Cheer up, Dick," said Harkaway. 
 
 "I'm all right," said Harvey. "Only I can't help 
 thinking that Monday " 
 
 "Don't bully the poor beggar. They had him just as 
 they might have had you or me. It was a dodge," inter- 
 rupted Jack.
 
 AFLOAT AND ASHORE. 23 
 
 "Silence, there ! No talking," cried Hunston. 
 
 "Who are you when you're at home?" asked Jack, 
 with his usual impudence. 
 
 Hunston, delighted to have a pistol again, flourished it 
 in his face. 
 
 "Shut up," he said, " or I'll let you know." 
 
 "Will you?" 
 
 " Yes ; and I'll pistol the first who disobeys my orders. 
 Silence ! March ! " 
 
 The prisoners moved on again, and not a word was 
 spoken. 
 
 " Don't rile him," whispered Harvey. "It is as well 
 to bide our time." 
 
 Jack made no reply, but his pale face and compressed 
 lips showed that evil thoughts were passing through his 
 mind. 
 
 He regretted now that he had not killed Hunston the 
 night before, when he had the chance. 
 
 But the chance was gone. 
 
 It was too late to think of that now. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 GRIN AND BEAR IT. 
 
 THE captives were placed in the midst of a guard, and 
 the procession, if such it can be called, started for the 
 ruins of Palembang. 
 
 Jack, Harvey, and Monday were together, their arms 
 being bound behind them. 
 
 "It's all your fault, Monday," said Jack, with just the 
 \east tinge of anger in his tone. 
 
 ' ' How on earth he could be such an ass, I don't know, " 
 aid Harvey. 
 
 "Monday one fool," said the black. " Him deserve 
 to be eaten. '' 
 
 " Perhaps they'll doit," replied Harvey; "only they 
 may prefer white meat first, worse luck ! " 
 
 "I don't know how the deuce to get out of this scrape," 
 remarked Jack. "I shouldn't care so much for myself.
 
 34 JA CK HARKA WA l"S AD VENTURES 
 
 It's you and Monday I am in a funk about If you 
 could get away, Dick " 
 
 " Leave thee, leave thee, lad; 
 111 never leave thee," 
 
 said Harvey, quoting the words of an old Scotch song. 
 
 " I know you're a brick, and you'll stand to your guns 
 as long as anybody," said Jack. " But hang me if I can 
 help being riled at this turn-up. It oughtn't to have 
 happened." 
 
 Hunston was not far off, and hearing voices, he came 
 up to the captives. 
 
 "No talking there," he said. " I don't permit it." 
 
 "You can't well stop it unless you gag us," answered 
 Jack. 
 
 "Can't I? We'll see about that. What do you sup- 
 pose you are going to do ? " 
 
 "Grin and bear it," said Jack, with a laugh. 
 
 "That's what you'll have to do, until you're strung 
 up," said Hunston. 
 
 "You said that before and yet you didn't do it." 
 
 Hunston gnashed his teeth with rage. 
 
 "Perhaps I shall have better luck next time," he said. 
 "I've got you safe enough now." 
 
 "Didn't Palembang burn finely, and didn't I set your 
 chiefs milling like steam ? " 
 
 " Don't cheek me. If you do, you'll find yourself in 
 the wrong box, I can tell you," said Hunston, angrily. 
 
 " You can tie my arms, but you can't stop my tongue, 
 unless you've got a gag," said Jack. 
 
 "Can't I I What does that taste like? " was Hunstons 
 answer. 
 
 He hit Harkaway in the face with all his might, and as 
 Jack could not use his arms to steady himself, he fell 
 backwards. 
 
 The blood streamed from his nose, and he was a good 
 deal hurt 
 
 ' ' That's plucky, " he said. 
 
 "Do you want another?" asked Hunston. 
 
 "You can pitch in as long as you like to be coward 
 enough. I can't stop you," replied Jack. "But just 
 untie my arms, and I'll give you toko for yam, my boy ! " 
 
 "Get up."
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 25 
 
 " I shan't. You knocked me down, and you may pick 
 me up, or ask some of your niggers to do it " 
 
 "Not likely," said Hunston. "If you don't get up, 
 I'll kick you till you do. How would you like a toe in 
 the ribs ? " 
 
 He suited the action to the word, and Jack contrived 
 in some way to get on his feet. 
 
 "All right, Mister Tuan Biza Hunston," he said. " I'll 
 be one with you before long." 
 
 "You won't have the chance," said Hunston. 
 
 " You can't tell that. I've spared you once or twice, 
 but the next time if ever it does come it will be a case 
 of a tombstone, with something written on it." 
 
 "What?' : 
 
 "Oh, something like this. ' Here lies Harry Hunston, 
 the biggest blackguard who ever disgraced the name of 
 Englishman.'" 
 
 ' ' You dare to say this to me ? " cried Hunston fran- 
 tically. 
 
 " Why shouldn't I? Do you want to give me another 
 nose-ender ? Do it if you like ; you are cock now, and 
 I'm only a hen." 
 
 " Wait till you dance on nothing, and then you'll alter 
 your tone." 
 
 "Think so?" said Jack, beginning to whistle "The 
 Night before Larry was Stretched ! " 
 
 Going up to Harvey, Hunston said 
 
 "Walk on with me. I want to talk to you." 
 
 "All right," said Harvey. 
 
 They separated themselves from the other prisoners, 
 and went on a little ahead. 
 
 " I've no particular ill feeling towards you," continued 
 Hunston, in a slightly embarrassed manner, "though 
 you were always a friend of Harkaway's." 
 
 "I'm not ashamed of it. Jack and I are like brothers," 
 said Harvey. 
 
 "You won't be long, for Harkaway will be as dead as 
 a door-nail before this time to-morrow." 
 
 "And I?" 
 
 " Your fate depends upon yourself. I am all-powerful 
 with the Pisangs, though I do not think my influence 
 would suffice to save Harkaway, even were I disposed 
 to try."
 
 26 JACK HARKA WA Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 "\Vhy not ? " asked Harvey. 
 
 "The chiefs are so ashamed of being humbugged by 
 him last night, and they are enraged as well at the burn- 
 ing of Palembang. He set the place on fire, and there 
 is scarcely a house left standing. All the people are 
 camped out." 
 
 "Can't they be generous to an enemy ? " 
 
 " They don't understand the word," replied Hunston, 
 "but you I can save. They will be content with tortur- 
 ing and hanging Harkaway, and that black Limbian 
 thief of a servant you've got" 
 
 "Monday ?" 
 
 "I do not know what you call him." 
 
 " Oh ! he's harmless enough. Show yourself a man 
 for once, Hunston, and let us all go free. We will 
 undertake not to molest you any more." 
 
 "Can't be done at the price, my boy. There is an 
 old score between Harkaway and myself, which must be 
 rubbed out this time, and I would not spare him if I 
 could. " 
 
 "If that is all you have to tell me, you might have 
 saved me the pain of listening to it," said Harvey, in a 
 tone of disgust. 
 
 "It is not all." 
 
 "Let me go back to Jack. I don't care about the 
 society of a butcher. " 
 
 "Who's a butcher ? " 
 
 " You are ; and an inhuman brute into the bargain. I 
 will say it, if you kill me for it. You are not so good as 
 a butcher by a long chalk." 
 
 "Take care," exclaimed Hunston, with a savage, 
 vindictive glance in his snake-like eye. " I repeat that 
 I don't wish to harm you. Listen to me. I feel rather 
 lonely among the Pisangs, having no one to talk to, 
 except Emily." 
 
 "And her father?" 
 
 " He is dead." 
 
 "How was that?" 
 
 "She swears I did it; but I didn't want the fool to 
 kick the bucket. He insulted me, and I had him publicly 
 flogged with bamboos, and I suppose his constitution 
 couldn't stand it, though I only ordered him to receive 
 two hundred strokes."
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 27 
 
 " Why, it's barbarous ! " said Harvey. 
 
 "At all events," resumed Hunston, "it knocked old 
 Scratchley off his perch, and Emily hates me like bricks 
 for it. So you see I want a chum." 
 
 " You've got your Pisang chief," said Harvey. 
 
 "No good at all. I could cut a better chum out of a 
 cocoanut than any of them would make. You be my 
 friend, Harvey, and you shall not die." 
 
 " What ! " replied Dick, with a feeling of loathing and 
 horror ; "I pal up with you ? " 
 
 "Why not?" 
 
 ' After what you've just told me after your vindictive 
 hatred to Jack your flogging old Scratchley to death 
 and your determination to make the daughter marry the 
 murderer of her father, whether she will or not ? " 
 
 " You put it rather strongly," said Hunston, cowering 
 beneath the withering look Harvey gave him. 
 
 " Not a bit too strong," answered Harvey. 
 
 "Do you consent?" 
 
 "Consent? I should think not, indeed I'd die a thou- 
 sand deaths first. You won't catch me buying my life 
 at such a price. I'd rather chum with a burglar. The 
 most desperate convict is a greater gentleman than you." 
 
 "Die, then!" replied Hunston savagely, "you're a 
 bigger fool than I took you to be. " 
 
 "If I had my hands loose, I'd punch your ugly head 
 for insulting me by such an offer," cried Harvey. 
 
 "Don't provoke me too far," said Hunston; "or I'll 
 serve you as I did Scratchley. " 
 
 Harvey turned round and walked away without giving 
 him any answer. 
 
 Hunston was mad with rage. 
 
 Speaking in the native language, he cried " Halt ! " 
 
 Instantly the Pisangs stopped, and looked to theii 
 leader for orders. 
 
 "Two of you seize that fellow," Hunston went on; 
 "strip him, and tie him to a palm-tree. Two more of you 
 break off a couple of long bamboos, and give him twenty 
 cuts as hard as you can lay them on. Twenty from each 
 of you." 
 
 In an instant Harvey was seized, and tightly bound 
 with thick rattans. His jacket and shirt stripped off, and 
 his back laid bare.
 
 fS JACK HARKA WA Y'S ADVENTURE 
 
 " III teach you to cheek me, my hearty," said Hunston, 
 Smiling bitterly. " I'm king here, and YOU shall know it* 
 
 Harvey made no answer, feeling that it would be of 
 no use to appeal to his tormentor. 
 
 There was nothing for it, as Jack had said, but to " grin 
 and bear it." 
 
 Nevertheless, he gnashed his teeth angrily and waited 
 with a sinking feeling at his heart for the first strokes of 
 the supple bamboos. 
 
 He was not kept long in suspense. 
 
 " Whish ! whish ! " They came with a sound like a 
 hiss through the yielding air, and his back felt as if some 
 one was stripping off the skin with a sharp knife. 
 
 CHAPTER VL 
 MONDAY'S DODGE. 
 
 IF Hunston expected to have the triumph of hearing his 
 victim howl and cry for mercy, he was disappointed. 
 
 He bore the infliction bravely. 
 
 At times low wailing moans escaped him, which were 
 wrung from him by the severity of the pain. 
 
 But that was all ; and when they cast him loose, after 
 giving him the last cut, he trembled violently, while they 
 dressed him again, and then rejoined Jack, who, power- 
 less to help him, had looked on with frantic rage. 
 
 " Did I bear it well ? " asked Harvey in a whisper. 
 
 " Like a trump. Never mind, Dick, I hope it's only lent 
 We'll pay him back again before long. What was it for ? " 
 
 " He offered me my life if I'd be his friend, and I told 
 him to go to Jericho," answered Harvey. 
 
 " Did he say anything about me ? " 
 
 "Yes. You're a gone coon. Your case is past pray- 
 ing for ; but now we're both tarred with the same brush, 
 and I suppose the cowardly brute will have it all his own 
 way. " 
 
 "Perhaps Mole and the Limbians will come soon." 
 
 "They will come," replied Harvey, "of that I'm cer- 
 tain ; but the mischief is, they may come too late. How 
 sny back burns I "
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHOKE. 29 
 
 " I should think so. I'll ask Hunston if his fellows 
 have got any oil," said Jack who added aloud "Hun- 
 ston ! " 
 
 "What is it ? " was the reply. 
 
 " May your men rub some oil on Harvey's back ! " 
 
 " Not a drop." 
 
 " You are torturing him," said Jack, whose face flushed 
 angrily. 
 
 ' ' Just what I want to do. You don't suppose I had 
 him flogged for nothing, do you ? And you'd best shut 
 up, or I'll give you a dose of it. Tell him he'll be out of 
 his misery to-morrow," answered Hunston with a laugh. 
 
 Jack was about to make some reply, when Harvey 
 touched his sleeve. 
 
 "Don't, "he said, "it's no use. You might as well 
 talk to a stone wall ; and I shouldn't like you to cop it as 
 well as me." 
 
 Much against his will, Harkaway remained silent. 
 
 " You're right. We must bide our time ; though I 
 should like to have five minutes' play with my fists with 
 him in the open. He might tie one hand behind me if he 
 liked, and then I'd back myself to lick him." 
 
 "He's a nice pup ; but we'll make him yelp before 
 we've done with him," replied Harvey, smarting with pain. 
 
 In a short time a halt was ordered, and a guard being 
 established, the Pisangs threw themselves down to rest. 
 
 The heat of the sun had been great, which made the 
 march very fatiguing. 
 
 Glad to follow their example, the captives sank on the 
 hard ground. 
 
 Presently Monday looked round him ; all was still. 
 
 "You sleep, Mast' Jack ? " he whispered. 
 
 "No," replied Harkaway, "for my mind is so full of 
 disagreeable thoughts that I'm not likely to be." 
 
 " Lie still. Monday use um teeth." 
 
 "What for?" 
 
 "Cut in two the rattans ; then Mast' Jack make a dive 
 for the woods, and get off," continued Monday. 
 
 "It's not a bad dodge, but I'd rather you did it for 
 Harvey. I can take care of myself; something always 
 turns up for me," answered Jack. 
 
 "Very well," replied Monday. 
 
 He rolled over a little, and got nearer to Harvey, to
 
 30 JACK HARKA WA Y'S ADVENTURES 
 
 whom he communicated his plan, and soon his teeth were 
 at work. 
 
 In ten minutes Harvey was free. 
 
 "Run, Dick, for your life," whispered Jack ; "and go 
 zigzag, so that they won't be able to hit you if they fire. 
 There is only Hunston who knows how to use a gun, 
 and the lazy beggar is snoring. " 
 
 "Aren't you coming too? " asked Harvey. 
 
 "No. Monday and I will stop. We can't all hope to 
 get away." 
 
 " I can't leave you." 
 
 "But you must. Think how much you can do forme. 
 There are arms in the boat, and you can come and rescue 
 me. Whether you are successful or not, you must try to 
 get away. I got you into this mess by asking you to stop 
 to help me to carry off Emily from Hunston. Poor 
 Emily ! " 
 
 Jack sighed. 
 
 "If anything should go wrong with me, Dick," he con- 
 tinued, " promise me you'll be a brother to Emily. She 
 mustn't marry Hunston. ' 
 
 " She shan't if I can help it." 
 
 " I may be a croaker by this time to-morrow ; there's 
 no telling. " 
 
 "Well, I'll go, in the hope of being of use to you," said 
 Harvey. "Good-bye." 
 
 "Good-bye, old flick," replied Jack, trying to be jocular 
 once more. 
 
 "God bless you ! " said Harvey. 
 
 The next minute he was crawling on his stomach 
 towards a dense jungle. 
 
 He had reached it, and was just about to plunge into 
 it, when a Pisang saw him. 
 
 Uttering a fierce yell, he discharged the gun Hunston 
 had given him. 
 
 So bad was his aim, that, instead of hitting Harvey, he 
 shot a comrade who stood near him 
 
 The native fell to the ground with a groan. 
 
 Hunston sprang up. 
 
 "You blundering fool !" he exclaimed. "What's the 
 matter ? " 
 
 The Pisang explained that one of the white chiefs had 
 escaped.
 
 A FLO A T AND ASHORE. 3 1 
 
 "Which one?" cried Hunston. 
 
 He ran to the spot where he had left the prisoners. 
 
 Jack and Monday pretended to be fast asleep. 
 
 Kicking them in the ribs he exclaimed, "Get up. 
 Where's Harvey?" 
 
 " You needn't kick a fellow like that, in the middle of 
 his first sleep," replied Jack, in a tone of remonstrance. 
 "It's very hard a man can't have a nap for a few min- 
 utes." 
 
 He rubbed his eyes and yawned drowsily. 
 
 "Where's Harvey ? " thundered Hunston. 
 
 "How should I know? Don't I tell you I've been 
 nodding ? " replied Jack. 
 
 Turning to the Pisangs Hunston said " After him 1 I'll 
 have all your lives, if you don't catch him." 
 
 By this time, however, the fugitive had got a good start, 
 and, though the Pisangs ran hither and thither, they could 
 not find him. 
 
 Hunston foamed at the mouth with rage. 
 
 "Now, that's what I call a shabby trick," remarked 
 Jack. " He didn't appreciate your kindness at all. You 
 were going to hang him to-morrow, and he's stepped it 
 Dick ought to be ashamed of himself ! " 
 
 Jack's broad grin irritated Hunston. 
 
 ' ' What do you want to work me up for ? " he exclaimed. 
 " I'll treat you as I did him, and make a cat scratch your 
 back. " 
 
 "Don't get wild. Dick's a very good fellow, but he 
 shouldn't have taken his hook without saying he was 
 going," replied Jack. 
 
 Hunston turned away, and himself assisted in the pur- 
 suit of Harvey. 
 
 It was fruitless, however. 
 
 He had got safely away. 
 
 Then the order to resume the march was given, and 
 leaving the body of the dead Pisang, they continued their 
 way to the town of Palembang, or, more strictly, what 
 remained of it. 
 
 Hunston was more sullen than ever ; but he comforted 
 himself with the reflection that Jack and Monday were 
 still in his power. 
 
 They reached the smoking ruins of the town about 
 nightfall, weary and foot-sore.
 
 32 JACK HARKAWAY'S ADVENTURES 
 
 The people had made themselves rude shelters of boughs 
 and grass. 
 
 Loud were the lamentations over their burnt property, 
 and their household utensils, for only a few had saved 
 even the necessary implements of domestic use. 
 
 The fire occurring in the night time, had taken all by 
 surprise. 
 
 Owing to the high wind prevailing, its progress had 
 been very rapid. 
 
 Jack and Monday were placed in one of the few houses, 
 which, owing to their isolated position, the flames had 
 not reached. 
 
 The door was shut, and they were left to brood over 
 their coming fate. 
 
 "Well, Mast' Jack," said Monday, "how um like it 
 now ? " 
 
 "Oh, tol lol ; I'm pretty bobbish," replied Jack. "I 
 think if I was going to be hanged in five minutes, I should 
 sing my prayers instead of saying them." 
 
 " It what you call possum up um gum tree now, sare." 
 
 "And a very tall gum tree, too," said Jack. 
 
 " P'raps Mist' Mole come in night and walk into um 
 Pisang." 
 
 "No such luck, I'm afraid." 
 
 There was a great noise outside, and looking through a 
 crack in the wall, Jack saw the Pisang warriors beating 
 back the crowd. 
 
 They had heard that Jack was the cause of the destruc- 
 tion of their city, and they wanted to get at him and tear 
 him in pieces. 
 
 But Hunston reserved him for public execution, and 
 the wild untamed mob was driven back. 
 
 "Want to lynch us, " remarked Jack. " Amiable beings, 
 these Pisangs. I wish my hands were not tied." 
 
 "Suppose Monday try um teeth, sare ; and then you 
 untie Monday when you free ! " 
 
 "Stunning," said Jack. "Cut along, old chocolate 
 and cream. You've got some sense in your noddle." 
 
 Monday set to work, as he had done in Harvey's case, 
 resembling the mouse which liberated the lion, by gnaw- 
 ing the meshes of the net in which he was caught. 
 
 " Bravo ! " cried Jack, springing up in a short time, and 
 stretching himself*
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 33 
 
 That all right, sare ? " asked Monday. 
 
 "Ripping ! I don't know if my grinders are so sharp 
 as yours ; but I'll have a go in." 
 
 By dint of biting and pulling, he contrived to liberate 
 Monday. 
 
 " Now um fight, before they take us to die," said the 
 black proudly. 
 
 Just then there was a crash, and something fell through 
 the frail roof. 
 
 " Hallo ! " said Jack, " who's chucking bricks ? " 
 
 "What that, sare?" asked Monday. 
 
 " I don't know. It's so beastly dark I can't see ; but 
 it looks to me as if one of somebody's teeth had dropped 
 out. " 
 
 "Oh ! Mast' Jack, how you make um poor Monday 
 faugh ! Why him do it, when there so much misery ? " 
 *aid Monday chuckling. 
 
 ' ' That's the time to laugh, ugly mug, " answered Jack, 
 groping about in the dark. 
 
 Presently he stumbled upon a heavy stone. 
 
 "Lucky," he said, "that this litle pebble didn't light on 
 my nut. I know which is the hardest. " 
 
 " Ah ! de debble ! " cried Monday, in a voice of pain. 
 
 " What's up now ? " said Jack, 
 
 " Musquito bite him on the nose," answered Monday 
 ruefully. " How um sting ! " 
 
 "Squash him, then," cried Jack. " I thought I heard 
 one of the beggars buzzing about. I say, Monday, this 
 stone didn't come here by accident." 
 
 " How him know that, sare? " 
 
 '* Because I can feel a bit of paper tied to it." 
 
 "Paper?" 
 
 " Yes ; and I shouldn't wonder if there was something 
 written on it. Blow the darkness ! It's no good asking 
 you if you've got a match in your pocket, as one could in a 
 civilised country ; and as we're not cats, we can't see in 
 the dark," said Jack. 
 
 ' ' The moon him shine through that crack, sare. " 
 
 " By Jove ! That will do. There are more ways of 
 killing a dog than hanging him, Monday," Jack said, in 
 great glee. 
 
 He knelt down near the crack, and saw that the bit of 
 paper, a very small one, had been written on with a pencil. 
 3
 
 34 JA CK HARK A WA Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 The writing was that of a woman. 
 
 " Emily for a hundred ! " he muttered. 
 
 With some difficulty he contrived to read : 
 
 " * Dearest Jack " 
 
 " Dearest ! " he said. " I like that." 
 
 Then he went on : 
 
 " ' I took a walk near the coast to-day, and saw a 
 quantity of boats lying off near the shore, hidden partly 
 by the rock. They must be your friends the Limbians. 
 
 " 'Keep up your spirits. I was deeply grieved to hear 
 you were recaptured ; but I expect a night attack will be 
 made, and if so, rest assured I will open the door of your 
 prison before they can come and kill you. 
 
 " 'Ever your own loving 
 '"EMILY."' 
 
 " She's a brick ! " said Jack, in great exultation. 
 
 ' ' What that, sare ? " asked Monday who was all curiosity. 
 
 " A friend has sent this letter attached to a stone. The 
 Limbians are off the island. " 
 
 " My people. That jolly ! Then they not hang urn 
 after all," said Monday, joyfully. 
 
 " I never thought they would, though it looked un- 
 commonly black an hour ago. Hurrah, Monday ! You 
 weren't born to be hanged, you scoundrel ! " said Jack. 
 
 " Mist' Mole come and fight like um tiger, sare. Mon- 
 day like to see Mole fighting. " 
 
 " I think Mole will be like the Yankee, who said to his 
 men, ' Fight till all your powder is gone, and then run 
 away ;' and as I'm rather lame, I'll start now, before the 
 enemy comes up," said Jack laughing. 
 
 " Ha ! ha ! him brave man," exclaimed Monday, also 
 laughing. 
 
 " Hunston will be sold this time." 
 
 The door suddenly opened, and a voice said, " Will 
 he? " 
 
 It was Hunston. 
 
 "You're rather too fast, Harkaway ; and you shouldn't 
 talk so loud," he exclaimed. "These walls are not very 
 thick, and you didn't think I was listening." 
 
 A diabolical smile played round the corners of Hun- 
 ston's mouth in the moonlight
 
 AFLOAT AND ASHORE 3S 
 
 Jack's heart fell within him; and Monday would have 
 turned pale if his skin had permitted him. 
 
 Here was adisastrous interruption to their plan. 
 Their hopes were crushed in the bud. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 THE NIGHT ATTACK. 
 
 "So," continued Hunston, "the Limbian fleet is off 
 our shore?" 
 
 "That can't be very pleasing intelligence to you," re- 
 plied Jack, who began to recover himself. 
 
 "We have a traitor in the camp, it appears, and it is 
 lucky for her she is a woman whom I love, or she should 
 share your fate." 
 
 " Emily, you mean?" 
 
 "Yes; your correspondent. It was a clever idea to 
 write you a letter, and fasten it to a stone. But you for- 
 get the old saying that 'walls have ears.' " 
 
 " I forgot that you were such a cad you wouldn't mind 
 listening," answered Jack. 
 
 " You'll forget more than that soon, for I mean to order 
 you out for instant execution instant death, you and 
 your black friend here, do you understand that?" 
 
 " I've one comfort," replied Jack, "and that is, I'm not 
 afraid to die. Don't you wish you could say the same 
 thing?" 
 
 ' ' Never mind. I meant to have had you tortured, but 
 there isn't time for that. It will be torture enough to 
 know that Emily is in my power." 
 
 Jackf retted inwardly , but outwardly he remained calm. 
 
 " Heaven will protect her," he said. 
 
 "Will it?" answered Hunston. "Why doesn't 
 Heaven interfere for you ?" 
 
 "Perhaps it may. I'm not dead yet; and while I 
 have life there is hope, you know, old boy," Jack said 
 cheerily. 
 
 ' ' Not much hope for you. I could pistol you where 
 you stand. I don't know why I shouldn't do it, and 
 make sure of you. I wouldn't lose you for ten years of 
 my life. Perhaps you are reckoning on your friends?" 
 
 Jack made no answer.
 
 36 J* CtC HARK A IV A y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 He had a faint hope that Mr. Mole might come up in 
 time to save him. 
 
 Hunston saw this gleam of hope in his eyes. 
 
 " If they were at this door now, I'd shoot you through 
 the head." he said. 
 
 "You're quite capable of it," was Jack's cool answer. 
 
 Suddenly there arose a great shouting outside. 
 
 Jack's heart leaped in his bosom. 
 
 Shots were fired, and then he knew that the Limbians 
 had arrived. 
 
 A loud, clear voice was heard exclaiming 
 
 ' ' Fire away, my lads. No quarter. Give it them hot 
 and strong." 
 
 Hunston turned pale. 
 
 He saw his prey escaping from his murderous clutches, 
 just when it was within his grasp. 
 
 "Harvey's voice, by jingo!" cried Jack. "I must 
 have a cut in." 
 
 He dashed his fist in Hunston's face, just being able to 
 see him in the moonlight that streamed in through the 
 open door. 
 
 Hunston stepped back, and the blow grazed his temple. 
 
 "Curse you," he cried ; " I'll have one life at least." 
 
 Raising his pistol the one he had taken from Harvey, 
 he fired it point-blank at Jack. 
 
 Our hero's days were nearly numbered. 
 
 Monday, however, saw the action, and quick as 
 thought, jerked Hunston's arm so that the ball went 
 through the roof, and the pistol fell from his hand. 
 
 " Touch and go," said Jack calmly. 
 
 Hunston turned and dashed through the open door, 
 seeing that all was lost 
 
 "After him, Monday, "said Jack ; "he'sgoneto Emily. 
 Now's our time; we must save her." 
 
 But Hunston was too quick for him. 
 
 The ground outside was filled with frightened Pisangs. 
 
 They lost sight of him in the crowd, which was panic- 
 stricken. 
 
 The night attack had taken them all by surprise, and 
 they were ill able to cope with their well-armed as- 
 sailants. 
 
 A dropping musketry fire continued at intervals, and 
 Pisangs fell on every side.
 
 AFLOAT AND ASHORE. 37 
 
 At last they began to run. 
 
 Men, women, and children, helter-skelter, sought the 
 shelter of the woods. 
 
 Monday and Jack stood a chance of being shot by their 
 own friends, and got separated in the confusion. 
 
 Dreadful cries arose on all sides. 
 
 It was not a defeat simply. 
 
 It was more than a rout for it became a massacre. 
 
 Jack ran he knew not whither, seeking for Emily and 
 found her not. 
 
 No one took any notice of him, for all were intent upon 
 securing their own safety. 
 
 At length Monday rested under a tree upon the out- 
 skirts of what had once been the thriving town of Palem- 
 bang. 
 
 The moon, which had been partially hidden by drifting 
 clouds, now shone out brilliantly. 
 
 He heard groans, and was at a loss to know where the 
 sounds came from. 
 
 Looking up, he saw a man perched on one of the lower 
 branches of a tree. 
 
 "You come down out of that," exclaimed Monday, in 
 his own language. 
 
 "Ah 1 my good Pisang," replied the trembling voiceof 
 Mr. Mole ; "I mean you no harm. I was forced to take 
 part in this expedition, much against my will." 
 
 Monday laughed quietly to himself, and determined to 
 have some fun. 
 
 "I am a Pisang chief," he said; "and I want the head 
 of the Tuan Biza of the pale-faces." 
 
 "What a bother, I left my gun on the ground," Mr. 
 Mole muttered. "That infernal arrow frightened me so 
 when it grazed the calf of my leg, as I was leading the 
 brave fellows to the battle, that I sought the friendly 
 shelter of the first tree in a scamper." 
 
 ' ' Will the white chief come down, " continued Monday ; 
 " or must the Pisang warrior shoot him like a bird?" 
 
 "Don't shoot, my good Pisang; for Heaven's sake 
 don't shoot ! " said Mr. Mole in a terrified tone. 
 "Come down, then." 
 
 "I would gladly do so, if I could, but I fear I cannot. 
 How on earth I contrived to get up here is a mystery to 
 me."
 
 38 JACK HARK A WA y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 "The white chief is a coward, and he must die, "said 
 Monday. "All the Limbians are conquered, and our 
 young men are crying loudly for heads. " 
 
 "What a fool I was to come here," said Mr. Mole to 
 himself. "I wish I'd stayed with Ambonia and Alfura. 
 This is out of the frying-pan into the fire. Dear me ! I 
 think I should have remained with the boats, if that im- 
 petuous boy Harvey had not suddenly joined us, and in- 
 sisted upon my marching with him." 
 
 Taking up a stone, Monday threw it near Mr. Mole, 
 causing a rustling in the leaves and a sharp hiss through 
 the air. 
 
 "Is that an arrow?" cried Mr. Mole, in abject terror. 
 " I say, you Pisang fellow, don't do that. I'll come 
 down, at least I'll try. Oh, Lord ! oh, Lord ! why did 
 my uncle die and leave me a tea-garden in China." 
 
 " Make haste ! the Pisang wants the white chiefs head. " 
 
 "Won't anything else content you ? " replied Mr. Mole. 
 " My head isn't worth much, and I'm getting dreadfully 
 bald. Oh ! why did I leave England? Deuce take these 
 beastly boughs ; I can't get down." 
 
 Monday threw up another stone, and hit Mr. Mole on 
 the leg. 
 
 "Oh, Lord 1" exclaimed Mr. Mole; "I knew he'd do 
 it. I'm wounded. Oh ! my poor shin. The arrow's 
 gone right through my leg. I can feel the pain up to my 
 knee already." 
 
 In his fright he let go his hold, and tumbled rather 
 ungracefully to the ground. 
 
 The distance was not great, so that the fall only shook 
 him a little ; but he lay quite still. 
 
 "I'll sham dead," he thought; "and then the blood- 
 thirsty savage may let me alone. " 
 
 Monday grinned, and altering his voice, as he spoke 
 English, said 
 
 " Mist' Mole not know um poor Monday." 
 
 The effect was magical upon Mr. Mole when he heard 
 this speech. 
 
 He opened his eyes, took a look at the well-known 
 features which he had been too much alarmed to notice 
 closely before and sprang up. 
 
 His former terror vanished, and with his countenance 
 radiant with delight, he said
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 39 
 
 " You rascally black thief, if I wasn't so pleased, I do 
 think I should be tempted to kick you ! " 
 
 " Take care, sare. Pisang have um head." 
 
 "You mustn't play those tricks with me. However, I 
 forgive you. Yes, out of the generous emotions of my 
 heart, which bubble up from from confound it, I can't 
 collect my ideas ! " 
 
 "You have snug place up there, sare," said Monday, 
 pointing to the tree. 
 
 "Ah ! I crept up there to rest. See how I have been 
 fighting. Seventeen Pisangs fell by my hand alone." 
 
 Monday looked as if he didn't believe him. 
 
 "You and I have always been good friends, Monday," 
 said Mr. Mole ; "and you must promise me one thing. 
 That is, not to say anything about finding me up that 
 tree." 
 
 ' ' Not tell Mast' Jack, sare ; not tell Mast' Harvey ? " 
 
 "Precisely. They have an unfortunate habit of 
 making fun of people, which they call chaffing. I detest 
 and abominate the practice ; and what I want to impress 
 upon your uncultivated mind is that my courage is up 
 to the average, I may say beyond it." 
 
 " Monday keep um secret." 
 
 " That's right Mum's the word and you and I will be 
 fast friends. I still hear the sound of firing, and the 
 shrieks of the dying. Is it safe to venture far away ? " 
 
 "Monday have a lark with you, sare," replied the 
 black. " Fighting nearly all over. Pisangs all beat ; they 
 fly' way or dead. " 
 
 "And Harkaway? I trust he is safe, and will thank 
 me for the generous effort I have made to effect his 
 liberation. " 
 
 "Not know exactly, sare," replied Monday. "Mast' 
 Jack him gone somewhere after Missy Em'ly." 
 
 " Ah ! I have heard that he is much attached in that 
 quarter. There's my gun ; take it up, and mind, it is loaded. 
 Walk in front ; you shall have the post of honour. I will 
 follow close behind you," exclaimed Mr. Mole. 
 
 ' ' We go and find Mast' Jack, eh, sare ? " replied Mon- 
 day. 
 
 "We will endeavour to do so. I long to shake him by 
 the hand, and receive his thanks ; for I assure you, Mo- 
 day, that I have risen in my own estimation hv tJae pro
 
 40 JA CK HARK A WAY'S AD VENTURES 
 
 digies of valour I have performed during this night's 
 work ; twenty-seven Pisangs did I kill." 
 
 "You say seventeen just now, sare?" 
 
 "Nonsense. I am like an old war-horse," cried Mr. 
 Mole, after applying himself to the contents of a pocket- 
 flask ; "I smell the battle afar off." 
 
 ' ' You great fighting man, sare. " 
 
 "Rather, my young friend. I don't know how I did 
 it, but my spirit carries me on. Seven and thirty Pisangs 
 did I slay with my own hand." 
 
 "That ten more," muttered Monday. 
 
 "I laid about me with an old ship's cutlass, and the 
 warriors fell before my prowess like leaves in autumn. 
 Forty-seven Pisangs dead by my " 
 
 Monday burst out laughing ; he could not stand Mr. 
 Mole's exaggeration any longer. 
 
 " Irreverent negro ; I'll talk no more to you. When I 
 again recount my exploits, you may tell me of it," ex- 
 claimed Mr. Mole, in high dudgeon. 
 
 "Come on, sare. This way. Quick march!" cried 
 Monday, with military precision. 
 
 They walked cautiously towards the town, near which 
 the sounds of the battle were dying away, though in the 
 distance there was a noise as of furious pursuit. 
 
 The Limbian warriors were exacting a terrible account 
 from their old enemies the Pisangs. 
 
 CHAPTER VIIL 
 
 DEATH OF THE KING. 
 
 THE morning broke serene and cloudless, as it almost 
 always did in those regions. 
 
 On the part of the Limbians, the loss was slight, for 
 their guns had given them a great advantage over the 
 surprised and terror-stricken enemy. 
 
 Harkaway had joined the pursuing party, but he could 
 not contrive to find any trace of Hunston. 
 
 Nor was he more fortunate with regard to Emily. 
 
 Both of them had disappeared as completely as if the 
 ground had opened and swallowed them up.
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 41 
 
 n the morning he returned, jaded and weary, to find 
 Harvey, Mr. Mole, and Monday, preparing breakfast, by 
 means of a fire they had kindled. 
 
 The Limbians were assembled in little parties, and all 
 did their own foraging. 
 
 Great was the rejoicing of the friends at being together 
 safe and sound. 
 
 "I owe my life," said Jack; "to you, Dick, and our 
 faithful Monday." 
 
 "And me," continued Mr. Mole. " May I not claim 
 some share in the good work ? " 
 
 "Of course," answered Jack; "we haven't forgotten 
 you, sir ; and you shall have a medal or a statue, which- 
 ever takes your fancy most." 
 
 "I think I should prefer a medal," replied Mr. Mole, 
 after a moment's reflection. 
 
 "What shall we put on it, sir? " asked Harvey. 
 
 "Let me see. Two natives fighting, and trying, to 
 kill a white man myself " 
 
 "Up a tree, sare?" put in Monday, with a grin. 
 
 Mr. Mole gave him a warning look. 
 
 "Behind one, if you like, firing at them, and under- 
 neath the words, ' In token of bravery and devotion ; ' 
 while, on the reverse, you may put my portrait, and 
 write, ' Isaac Mole, a tried friend, and a fierce soldier. ' " 
 
 "It shall be done, sir," replied Jack, who could 
 scarcely refrain from laughing at Mr. Mole's vanity. 
 
 Taking Harvey on one side, Jack informed him of his 
 vain search for Emily. 
 
 "I too have looked for her," replied Harvey. "You 
 know when I left you, I ran to the coast, and found the 
 Limbians under Mole and the king landing ? " 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 "They were delighted to see me, and I hurried their 
 movements, because you were in danger. When we 
 reached Palembang, I did all I could to discover you and 
 Emily," continued Harvey. 
 
 " Hunston's got a hiding-place somewhere," said Jack 
 thoughtfully. 
 
 "We'll unearth the fox." 
 
 " I fully intend to do so, but the task will be difficult. 
 These islands abound with rocks, mountains, and 
 caverns, to which the natives have taken themselves. "
 
 42 JA CK HARKA WA Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 "So Monday's been telling me," replied Harvey. 
 
 "I mean to stop here, Dick, till I've found her," con 
 tinued Jack. 
 
 "You won't get the Limbians to stay, I'm thinking. 
 
 "Never mind them. They've done their work, and 
 they've beaten the enemy. So it is only natural that 
 they should want to get back to their homes, and cele- 
 brate their rites and customs." 
 
 "I told them we'd have no head-hunting or eating 
 captives," said Harvey. 
 
 " What did they say ?" 
 
 ' ' The king did not like it ; but he gave orders that no 
 prisoners were to be taken, so that has made the battle 
 more bloody." 
 
 "I expect there are an awful lot of the poor Pisang 
 beggars killed ? " 
 
 "Awful! Over a hundred, I expect," replied Harvey. 
 
 "They won't get over this wollopping in a hurry," Jack 
 said. "And now I'll tell you what we'll do. The Lim- 
 bians may go home." 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 "We'll go and look out for a cave near the coast, so as 
 to have an open front to prevent a surprise, if the disor- 
 ganised band of Pisangs should try to have another 
 go-in." 
 
 "And you and I, with Mole and Monday, form the 
 garrison. I see," replied Harvey. 
 
 "Exactly. That's the ticket to a T," Jack answered. 
 
 "I've got stores in my boat ; and Mole brought over a 
 lot of grub, and powder, and things," continued Harvey. 
 
 "We shan't hurt And now let's have some break- 
 fast." 
 
 Mr. Mole's voice was heard exclaiming 
 
 "Now, then, Harkaway, and you, Harvey, come and 
 join me in a cup of tea. Who says bacon, and who'll 
 have parrot ? " 
 
 " I'll leave the cockatoo to you, sir, and go in for a 
 slice of pig," replied Jack. 
 
 Monday handed some tea to his young masters, but in 
 doing so stumbled, and let the calabash fall. 
 
 " Hold up !" cried Jack. "You're as awkward as a 
 Newf un'land pup ; not half so clever, and twice as 
 ugly."
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE, 43 
 
 Monday apologised, and the breakfast proceeded. 
 
 Presently an old chief name Madura came up, and 
 beckoned to Jack, who went out to meet him, 
 
 ' ' Anything happened ? " asked Jack in the native lan- 
 guage. 
 
 " Bad news for Matabella," replied Madura. 
 
 "Indeed ! " 
 
 " During the battle, King Lanindyer received a wound, 
 from which he has just died." 
 
 " Monday's father dead ? " cried Jack. " By Jove, I'm 
 sorry for that." 
 
 The old chief had wished to break the news gently to 
 Monday, but Jack's loud exclamation reached his ears, 
 he instantly stopped eating, and ran away to the camp. 
 
 Madura and Jack followed him. 
 
 They found him kneeling by the side of the dead body, 
 which he kissed repeatedly, uttering wild lamentations 
 the while. 
 
 The king had fallen fighting bravely, pierced through 
 the heart by an arrow. 
 
 All the Limbians were profoundly grieved, and they 
 talked together in whispers. 
 
 The ruined city was close by. 
 
 Great numbers of dead bodies lay on all sides, as yet 
 unburied. 
 
 The distant mountains, in which the defeated Pisangs 
 had taken refuge, were lying like a blue cloud on the 
 western horizon. 
 
 A dizzy light played over the surface of the land. 
 
 The sun looked like a shield of red-hot iron, and the 
 hot earth scorched the feet 
 
 Madura took Monday by the arm, and led him away, 
 saying 
 
 ' ' You are called to the throne of your fathers ; but 
 though your destiny is high, remember that he who gazeth 
 on the sky may stumble on the earth." 
 
 " Oh ! my father !" replied Monday. " Why are you 
 taken away from me?" 
 
 " Recollect," said Jack, " that you have plenty of 
 friends, and you are now king." 
 
 " No, no ! " cried Monday, " I will not be the Tuan 
 Biza of my people. I will remain with you. Do not send 
 me away. Monday will die if he be not with you."
 
 44 JACK HARKA WA y'S ADVENTURES 
 
 Touched by the poor fellow's devotion, which was ex- 
 pressed by a piteous look, Jack replied 
 
 ' ' I like to have you with me ; but who is to reign over 
 Limbi ? " 
 
 " My uncle Selim. O Madura, make Selim your king. 
 He is a great chief. Let him reign. " 
 
 " He who can neither save himself nor hunt his 
 enemies ? " replied Madura. " What is he but a broken 
 spear, and a blunted sword ? " 
 
 "Never mind," said Monday. "The man who has 
 health, strength, and courage, has three parts that will 
 not turn white in the fire. " 
 
 "Stay with your people and ruleover them, O Matabel- 
 ia ! " said Madura sternly. "What are the white men. 
 that they should rob us of our king ? " Has it not been 
 said that the unpurposed man makes his meal of the 
 clouds? " 
 
 " I will not leave my friends, the white men," answered 
 Monday determinedly. " Call upon Selim, O Madura, 
 he will make a wise and good king. " 
 
 " Young man," replied Madura, angry at being baffled, 
 " for six things is a fool known Wrath without cause, 
 change without reason, inquiries without object, putting 
 trust in strangers, and wanting the power to know a friend 
 from a foe ; and let me add, that long experience maketh 
 large wit." 
 
 " I'm very sorry for you, Monday, "said Jack ; " very 
 much so indeed. It is a great blow, and I thank you for 
 wishing to stay with us. Think the matter over. Listen 
 to this old swell." 
 
 " Monday go with you, Mast' Jack. Go anywhere 
 to end of the world. " 
 
 " Don't be in a hurry to decide. I'll leave you to 
 fight it out with your chief; and if you want my advice, 
 give me a hail." 
 
 He walked away, and Harvey, with Mr. Mole, asked 
 him what had happened. 
 
 " Monday's governor has burst up," exclaimed Jack. 
 
 " Done what ? " said Mr. Mole, looking puzzled. 
 
 " Bust up. Croaked. Got knocked on the head in the 
 scrimmage last night." 
 
 " ' Bust ' is not English, at least not grammatical 
 English," said Mr. Mole, " and I did not understand you ;
 
 A FLO A T AND ASHORE. 45 
 
 though now I take your meaning. Is the young savage 
 
 much affected?" 
 
 " Frightfully cut up," said Jack. 
 
 ' ' Dear me ! It is a bad job ; but one savage the less is 
 no loss to civilization. Finish your breakfast" 
 
 " I can't eat, "said Jack. "I haven't had a wink all 
 night. I'm more tired than an elephant at noon. So if 
 one of you will kindly fan away the beastly flies, I'll seek 
 
 the arms of of Who was that ancient swell whom 
 
 they called the god of sleep ? " 
 
 "I was never the cheese at classics," answered Harvey. 
 
 " You mean Morpheus," said Mr. Mole, ' who, with 
 Somnus " 
 
 " Thank you, sir. Won't it keep till I wake up ? " said 
 Jack. " I know it was Morpheus, or one of the family." 
 
 Jack found a retired spot, and was soon asleep. 
 
 Harvey followed his example, and Mr. Mole, applying 
 himself to his flask said 
 
 ' ' What a wrong-headed creature is a boy. They waste 
 their opportunities when young, and as they grow up 
 they have neither time or inclination to learn. " 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 BEN BLUNT THE Bo'sUN. 
 
 MONDAY'S uncle Selim was very glad of the chance of 
 becoming king of Limbi. 
 
 Being a wise and good chief, he was not unacceptable 
 to, or unpopular with, the leaders of the little nation. 
 
 Still Madura was not willing that Monday should lose 
 his right of succeeding to the throne. 
 
 A council was held. 
 
 It was decided that Monday should be able to assume 
 the kingship whenever he liked, and that Selim should 
 only reign in his absence. 
 
 "Oh, my son," said Madura, "never give up that 
 which is within your grasp. The pearls in their beds are 
 as thick as stars, but wishing never brought up one of 
 them from the bottom of the sea ! " 
 
 " Selim will make a better king than I should," replied
 
 4 6 JA CK HARK A WA Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 Monday. " Matabella is young, but Selim has the wis- 
 dom of age." 
 
 " The wise men have said," answered Madura, " that 
 the deer is swift on the plains, but a child leads him in 
 the streets. You are young, and you must learn, and . 
 would teach you, for the proverb is true which says 
 ' The lamp may be made of diamonds, but it dies without 
 oil.' " 
 
 Monday was glad when it was all settled, and Selim 
 made king. 
 
 He could go away then, and mourn over his dead father, 
 whom he loved dearly. 
 
 Selim at once assumed the position which the unani- 
 mous vote of the council gave him. 
 
 He decided that the Limbians should return immediately 
 in their boats, and bury the late king with all the pomp 
 usual on such occasions. 
 
 Monday said he would not leave his father's body till 
 it was in the grave. 
 
 Therefore he returned with his followers. 
 
 " Good-bye, Monday," said Jack, when he heard what 
 had been arranged. " I hope we shall see you again 
 soon ; but don't stand in your own light. " 
 
 " Monday live and die with you, Mast' Jack," he replied. 
 " If you live in Limbi with me, then I be king ; if you go 
 I go." 
 
 " Then we shall see you soon after the funeral ? " 
 
 " I come back in boat." 
 
 " All right. I won't say how grieved I am at your 
 heavy loss, Monday. You know what I feel," cried Jack. 
 
 He squeezed Monday's hand as he spoke, and the black 
 returned the affectionate pressure. 
 
 " Give us your fist, Mon.," cried Harvey ; " and here's 
 fortune to you in a cup of cold tea that is to say, half a 
 cocoanutful." 
 
 Mr. Mole sidled up to Monday as he was going away. 
 ' Monday, will you do me a favour ? " he said. 
 What that, Mist' Mole ? " asked Monday. 
 Tell my wives, I'm dead, will you ? " 
 Dead ! " 
 Killed in battle. Dead and buried." 
 
 In spite of his engrossing sorrow, Monday could not 
 help grinning faintly.
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 47 
 
 "What! Tell um lie, sare? No; Monday never tell 
 torn lie," he answered. 
 
 " It won't hurt either Ambonia or Alfura ; they'll marry 
 again. Think of it, my good friend," urged Mr. Mole. 
 
 " No, sare 1 Monday have him conscience, and he not 
 let him tell um lie," replied the black. 
 
 " Deuce take the beast," said Mr. Mole, as Monday 
 walked away. " I suppose I shall have those beauties 
 coming over here to take me home in a boat. A nice 
 look-out that would be. Heigho ! * 
 
 " What's that, sir?" asked Harvey, who had overheard 
 the conversation. 
 
 *' Oblige me by minding your own business, Harvey," 
 said Mr. Mole. 
 
 " Didn't I hear you mention the names of Alfura and 
 Ambonia, sir ? " 
 
 "If I did, what then?" 
 
 " Nothing, sir. I thought you'd fret What is it Moore 
 says 
 
 " I never loved a sweet gazelle, 
 
 To glad me with its sweet blue eye^ 
 Than when it grew to be a swell, 
 It always used to fight me shy ; 
 
 and married a market-gardener ." 
 
 "How shamefully you misquote," cried Mr. Mole in- 
 dignantly. "Moore is my favourite author, and you 
 murder him." 
 
 "Very sorry, I'm sure, sir." 
 
 Jack called Harvey away to take a walk with him in the 
 country. 
 
 They were well armed, and intended to look for a 
 cave where they could locate themselves while they re- 
 mained on the island. 
 
 They went to the sea-shore, and soon found what they 
 wanted. 
 
 All their stores were removed into this harbor of refuge, 
 and they returned for Mr. Mole. 
 
 "The Limbians have gone, my dear Harkaway," cried 
 Mr. Mole ; " and you have left toe alone here at the 
 mercy of the enemy, as I may say." 
 
 " You've got your gun, sir. Besides your reputation is 
 so great, that no one would think of attacking you," re- 
 plied Jack,
 
 48 JA CK HARKA WA Y 'S AD VENTURES 
 
 "Is it, indeed? Do you think that those benighted 
 savages have heard of me ? " 
 
 "I'm sure of it." 
 
 " What are we going to do? " continued Mr. Mole. 
 
 " Dwell in a cave, sir. Harvey and I have pitched 
 upon a stunning place. Nice and dry no snakes ; not 
 too big ; close to the sea and we have put our stores out 
 of the boat there." 
 
 " This is foolhardy, Harkaway," said Mr. Mole gravely. 
 ' ' But you shall not say I deserted you. I will cast in 
 my lot with you." 
 
 "What's wrong now, sir? " 
 
 " You are stopping here to rescue a chit of a girl, who 
 would make Hunston as good a wife as she would you." 
 
 Jack ground his teeth. 
 
 "Don't excite me, sir," he said. 
 
 "Bless me ! How like a Pisang you look," cried Mr. 
 Mole. "I didn't know you were so deeply smitten." 
 
 "Jack's very hard hit, sir," said Harvey. "You don't 
 know how spoony he is." 
 
 " I wish he had enjoyed my brief experience of matri- 
 mony, that's all," replied Mr. Mole. 
 
 "Emily is not Ambonia or Alfura either," put in Jack. 
 "And letting temper alone though I'm sure she's the 
 sweetest-tempered darling in the world wouldn't it be 
 cowardly to leave her in that scoundrel Hunston's power, 
 as long as we can lift a finger to get her out of it ? " 
 
 "So it would, Harkaway," answered Mr. Mole. "You 
 appeal to my feelings as an Englishman there. I feel 
 them gushing and bubbling up from the fountain of my 
 heart. You have touched a mine of sentiment in my 
 breast, and you shall have my support. " 
 
 "Thank you for nothing," said Jack who was getting 
 angry. 
 
 Mr. Mole thought it prudent not to hear this remark. 
 
 The guns were presently shouldered, and they marched 
 to their new home. 
 
 When they reached it, they found it very comfortable. 
 
 Leaves and grass made good beds, and they had such 
 provisions as they stood in need of. 
 
 A watch was set, it being arranged that two should 
 sleep while one watched. 
 
 Harvey and Mr. Mole entered the cavern, while Jack,
 
 AFLOAT AND ASHORE 4 q 
 
 who was almost always foremost when there was any- 
 thing to be done, remained outside. 
 
 An oil lamp, such as we have previously described, was 
 lighted. 
 
 Mr. Mole had his cocoanut shell and his whisky bottle. 
 
 He ate some dry bread, made of roughly-beaten un- 
 leavened maize flour, and began to imbibe. 
 
 " Now," said he, "this is what I call jolly. A sensible 
 man ought to live in the present hour. What is ambition 
 to me? I am happy now. Why should I disquiet my- 
 self about the future?" 
 
 " I wish you wouldn't disquiet me, sir. I want to go 
 to sleep," said Harvey. 
 
 "Laziness sheer laziness," answered Mr. Mole. "I 
 
 had some hope of you boys at Pomona House, but 
 
 This whisky is not bad; it has a grateful flavour." 
 
 Harvey closed his eyes, and let Mr. Mole have all the 
 talking to himself. He was ill and feverish. 
 
 The punishment Hunston had subjected him to, and 
 the following excitement of attacking the Pisangs, had 
 fatigued him dreadfully. 
 
 Mr. Mole filled his half-cocoanut again, and emptied it. 
 
 " If I crook my elbow a little too much," he murmured, 
 * it is excusable under the circumstances. I have no re- 
 spectability here to keep up, and I want to forget. I will 
 seek oblivion in the flowing bowl. Let the landlord fill 
 the bowl, until it does run over; for to-night I mean to be 
 merry, and to-morrow I hope I shan't have a headache." 
 
 While Mr. Mole was amusing himself in his own 
 peculiar fashion inside the cave, Jack was keeping a sharp 
 lookout. 
 
 It was within an hour of sunset a time when the dy- 
 ing away of nature in the tropics if one may use the 
 phrase is most apt to attack and lull the senses. 
 
 His eyes almost closed. 
 
 He leaned against the entrance to the cave, and felt 
 dreamy. 
 
 Suddenly a loud voice exclaimed 
 
 " What cheer, my hearty?" 
 
 Jack started as if he had been shot. 
 
 A British voice! 
 
 A British sailor's voice in that lone island!
 
 50 JA CK HARK A WAY 'S AD VENTURES 
 
 That such a thing could happen, at such a time, in such 
 a place, he scarcely thought possible. 
 
 ' ' Who goes there ? " he cried. 
 
 "Who goes there?" repeated the voice. "Why, who 
 do you suppose but Ben Blunt the bo'sun ? " 
 
 Jack looked up and saw a stranger before him. 
 
 But as he was unarmed apparently, he did not feel 
 alarmed. 
 
 The stranger was dressed line a aaiiot , and had a bluS, 
 hearty, good-natured face. 
 
 " Was he friend or foe?* 
 
 That was the question. 
 
 CHAPTER X 
 
 THB XOTlBftBftt. 
 
 THE new-comer was unarmed, and did not ddem to b 
 
 in the least dangerous. 
 
 But Jack proceeded to act cautiously. 
 
 Raising his gun he said 
 
 "Don't come any nearer, until you have given an 
 account of yourself. ' 
 
 "Right you are, cap V replied Ben Blunt "I'm no 
 sea-lawyer, and shan't spin you any yarns. ' 
 
 " What's your ship? " 
 
 " Haven't got one, though this time yesterday I was 
 first mate of as good a ship as ever sailed the sea " 
 
 " I thought you said just now you were a boatswain ? " 
 exclaimed Jack, suspiciously. 
 
 "Look 'ee here, my hearty, that's right enough. You 
 see I was bo'sun on board the ' Rattlesnake ' when I was 
 in the R. N ; but I've left the navy and gone into the 
 merchant service. I'm mate. Forge afcead. What are 
 your next soundings?" 
 
 ' ' Why have you left your vessel ? Wrecked, eh ? " 
 
 "No, I'm not wrecked either. It's this way," replied 
 Ben Blunt, hitching up his trousers, and rolling his quid 
 over in his mouth ; " I shipped aboard the ' Sea-horse ' 
 from London to Shanghai, and we were on the return 
 voyage, when Sam Parsons may the old un keelhaul 
 him ! turned mutineer. "
 
 AFLOAT A ND ASHORE. 5 1 
 
 " A mutiny, eh ?" exclaimed Jack, beginning to under- 
 stand 
 
 "May I never eat salt junk again, if I'm telling you a 
 word of a lie, cap'n ! " 
 
 "Go on ! " 
 
 Jack was much interested in the recital. 
 
 " Well, you see, sir, they killed the skipper and all the 
 officers, bar me. I was a bit of a favourite with the lads, 
 you see, and they didn't make me go to Davy Jones. But 
 when that mutinous dog, Sam Parsons, who's what we 
 should call in the navy an A. B., asked me to join 'em, 
 'No,' says I; 'I'll see you jolly well hanged first, my 
 hearty, and then I won't.' " 
 
 ' Case of ' not to-day, baker,' " remarked Jack, smiling. 
 
 "It was so, sir. 'Not to-day, baker; call to-morrow 
 with a crusty cottage,'" answered Ben Blunt 
 
 "You were quite right," said Jack ; " and your experi- 
 ence of discipline in the navy did you good service." 
 
 "Well, look'ee here, cap'n," continued Ben. "I'm 
 Blunt by name and blunt by nature. You may douse my 
 daylights, but I'll stand true to my flag. So they talked 
 among themselves, and then they shoved me into a boat 
 and landed me on this here island." 
 
 "How long ago? " 
 
 " A matter of maybe two or three hours, and I've been 
 boxing the compass, as ye may say, and taking an ob- 
 servation as to how to steer my course." 
 
 ' ' The mutineers are in command of the ship, I suppose ? " 
 said Jack. 
 
 " Devil a doubt about that, cap'n I They've got her, 
 and a beauty she is. Look 1 there she rides at anchor 
 round that point." 
 
 Jack looked in the direction indicated, and saw a ves* 
 sel, dimly visible, of about eight hundred tons register. 
 
 This was the " Sea-horse." 
 
 "I didn't think to meet an European, let alone a 
 countryman on this outlandish bit o' ground," said Ben. 
 "And now, sir, you've overhauled me, are my papers 
 correct ? " 
 
 "Quite. I'm satisfied, Ber. and I fee! as if I'd known 
 you for a score of years already >" answered Jack. 
 
 His confidence was fully established in the man, who 
 spoke with a genuineness that carried conviction with it
 
 52 JACK HARKAWAY'S ADVENTURES 
 
 "Thank you kindly, sir; and now, if so be as I may 
 ask, how did you come to drop anchor in these parts?" ' 
 
 Jack told him how he had been wrecked with his 
 friends; how the Pisangs had been defeated: and how 
 he was stopping to rescue a beautiful young lady, a cap- 
 tive in the hands of Hunston, formerly a friend, and now 
 an enemy. 
 
 " This Hunston's gone mutinous," remarked Ben Blunt. 
 " String him up to the yard-arm, cap'n." 
 
 "I've got to catch him first," said Jack. "But what 
 will your men with Sam Parsons do?" 
 
 "They daren't go back into our waters. They'll have 
 to potter about these coasts, sir," replied Ben. 
 
 " I wish we could help you to get back the 'Sea-horse; 
 she'd take us all back to England," said Jack, thought- 
 fully. 
 
 "And that's a true saying," answered Ben. "What 
 I'm thinking is, cap'n, that if you'll let me sail along of 
 you, I'll sign articles, and go ahead this minute." 
 
 "You want to join us ? " 
 
 " Heart and soul, sir. We'll get back the beautiful 
 young lady of whom you was a-speaking. We'll hang 
 our mutineers, or take ''em in irons to the first port where 
 there's a British Consul, and we'll sail her back to old 
 England." 
 
 " A stunning idea. But there's a lot to be done first," 
 answered Jack. "However, I gladly accept your offer 
 of friendship, Ben. You shall be one of us." 
 
 "That's done me more good than I expected, when 
 the muzzle of your gun brought me up all standing just 
 now. Thank you kindly, cap'n. I'm true blue, and you 
 wouldn't find a dog more faithful than Ben Blunt to those 
 he takes to." 
 
 ' ' We've got some stores inside the cave. Will you eat 
 something?" 
 
 "I could stow away a chunk of beef and bread, cap'n, 
 for my belly cries cupboard. But I say, sir." 
 
 "What?" 
 
 " Let's give one cheer for old England. I'm so happy 
 I'm fit to bust, and all along of meeting you. Just now I 
 thought I should die of starvation, or snakes, or tigers, or 
 niggers, or some of the varmint that grows here, and now 
 I'm up to the mast-head again. Just a little un' for old 
 England, sir."
 
 A FLO A T AND ASHORE. 53 
 
 " I'm with you," cried Jack. " Go it, my old sea-horse. 
 Hurrah for Old England ! Hurrah ! Hurrah ! " 
 
 Ben Blunt joined in, and their ringing cheers woke up 
 the echoes in the island. 
 
 They did more. 
 
 They woke up Mr. Mole, who came out of the cave in 
 a bad temper, to ascertain the cause of the disturbance. 
 
 "What is the meaning of this unseemly riot, Harka- 
 way? "said Mr. Mole. "It is hard I cannot enjoy my 
 natural rest And who is this stranger ? " 
 
 "Ben Blunt the bo'sun, sir, at your honour's service," 
 replied that individual. 
 
 " I am in a fog. Explain the mystery to me, Harkaway. " 
 
 Jack did so. 
 
 "You see, sir," added Ben, "I cut down the top 
 hamper, and took in all sail under stress of weather ; but 
 I'm drifted into port after all." 
 
 "And we're going to recapture the ship, and hang the 
 mutineers, sir," said Jack. "That's why we're cheering." 
 
 "Mind you are not cackling over an addled egg, my 
 young friend," said Mr. Mole. "However, I'm glad to 
 see our new friend Ben, and cheerfully hold out the hand 
 of welcome." 
 
 "The more the merrier, sir." 
 
 " And now I'll turn in again," said Mr. Mole sleepily. 
 
 " Going to bye-bye again, sir? Don't do that. We're 
 going to have a can of grog to celebrate Ben's arrival. 
 Come and join us ; don't be a hen, sir." 
 
 " A hen, Harkaway?" 
 
 " Yes, sir ; be a cock for once." 
 
 "Grog is not to be lightly refused. You have put a 
 different complexion on the case, and I will condescend 
 to join you," replied Mr. Mole. "Arouse that lazy slum- 
 berer Harvey, with a poke in the ribs." 
 
 Going into the cave, which somewhat resembled the 
 abode of the robbers in "Gil Bias, "Jack woke up Harvey. 
 
 "Turn out, Dick," he exclaimed. 
 
 " What for ? ; ' asked Harvey. 
 
 "There's a gentleman from England come to see you." 
 
 " Go on," said, Harvey, " you're having larks." 
 
 " I'm not, "answered Jack. " You go outside, and see. " 
 
 Harvey did so, and was at once introduced to Mr. 
 Benjamin Blunt, otherwise Ben Blunt the bo'sun.
 
 54 JACK HARKA WA Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 He was much astonished at hearing his story, but, like 
 Mr. Mole and Jack, delighted to have such an addition to 
 their little party. 
 
 "Axing your pardon, sir," said Ben, pointing into the 
 cave, " are there any more of them to come out? " 
 
 "No; that's the lot." 
 
 " Then I'll take this mossal of victuals we was speaking 
 of, that is, by your leave, cap'n," said Ben. 
 
 A dinner was hastily provided, and the cup that cheers 
 passed round. 
 
 Ben became a favourite in less than no time. 
 
 He took his turn in watching and went out to scour the 
 country with Jack to find some trace of Hunston, but in vain. 
 
 Days passed, and Jack grew sick at heart with his 
 want of success. 
 
 They met isolated bands of Pisangs occasionally, but 
 the poor fellows ran away like hunted hares. 
 
 Their city was burnt, the flower of their warriors killed, 
 and they were no longer a great nation. 
 
 A week had elapsed, during which Jack's exertions on 
 behalf of Emily had been unremitting. 
 
 "I'd give my life to save her," he kept on saying to 
 himself. 
 
 One morning Ben the bo'sun was on the look-out. 
 
 Suddenly he exclaimed 
 
 "Sail on the larboard bow, sir." 
 
 Jack was dozing under a tree, and thinking of Emily. 
 
 "Where away ? " he asked, springing up. 
 
 Ben Blunt pointed it out, and Jack saw a small boat 
 approaching. 
 
 Taking up a telescope he distinctly made out one man 
 in her. 
 
 As she got nearer he recognized Monday. 
 
 "It's our native, whom we call Monday," said he by 
 way of explanation. "The faithful fellow has kept his 
 word, and is coming back." 
 
 In less than an hour, guided by a signal flag, Monday 
 made the island, and was shaking hands in true British 
 fashion with his young master. 
 
 " Well, Monday, what's the news ? " asked Jack. 
 
 "Who that man ?" inquired Monday, pointing to Ben. 
 
 Jack told him all about the new arrival, but Monday 
 did not seem to take kindly to him.
 
 AFLOA T AND ASflORE. 55 
 
 " You asked what news, sare," he continued " Noth- 
 ing- much to tell. The funeral over and now all Limbi 
 very gay celebrating victory. It all one big drink and 
 war-dance. You found Miss Em'ly ? " 
 
 "No ; I wish I had." 
 
 " Some one come for Mr. Mole soon," exclaimed Mon- 
 day. 
 
 " What ! his wives are coming?" 
 
 "That it, sare. Alfura and Ambonia tell me they sail 
 over." 
 
 " We can't have them here. There is no room for a 
 parcel of women. He'll have to look out for a cave of 
 his own." 
 
 " Mist' Mole not like that much, sare, "replied Monday. 
 Adding, " Oh, sare, here he is. He heard all we say." 
 
 Mr. Mole had indeed come out of the cave, and was 
 looking the picture of blank despair. 
 
 "Harkaway," he said, in a sepulchral voice, "is this 
 true ? " 
 
 "What, sir?" 
 
 "About my ahem ! my wives coming over here 1 " 
 
 "Monday says so, sir." 
 
 Mr. Mole made a rush toward the sea and Jack, becom- 
 ing alarmed, ran after him. 
 
 " What are you going to do, sir ? " he cried, as he held 
 him back. 
 
 "Let me go!" replied Mr. Mole. "I will commit 
 suicide. Let me go, I say ! The awful prospect of Am- 
 bonia's presence is more than I can bear." 
 
 " Don't be silly, sir," Jack replied. "If they do come 
 we'll protect you. But perhaps we shall be gone away 
 before that time." 
 
 Mr. Mole stepped on to dry land again, and heaved a 
 deep sigh of relief. 
 
 " You have put new life into me, my young friend," he 
 replied. "I will live. Oh, that I had the wings of a bird. 
 I'd like to be a bird, Harkaway." 
 
 "Have a drink, sir, and pull yourself together. We 
 can't spare you." 
 
 "What's that the gentleman says?" asked Ben Blunt 
 
 " He's afraid his wives are coming to fetch him, Ben," 
 replied Jack. 
 
 "There's only one enemy, sir, a sailor knocks under to,
 
 56 JACK ffARKA WA Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 and that's woman. He's not a true sailor, if he doesnt 
 strike his flag to a petticoat," replied Ben with a laugh. 
 
 "My good, amiable and worthy tar," replied Mr. Mole, 
 "oblige me by not indulging your merriment at my ex- 
 pense. My domestic troubles are my own." 
 
 "Belay, sir! I'll put a stopper on my tongue, though 
 there was no offence meant," answered Ben. 
 
 Mr. Mole retired into the cave, and was not seen again 
 all day, though when Jack looked for him at night, he 
 found him lying on his back snoring hard, with an empty 
 bottle on each side. 
 
 When he was gone, Ben Blunt said 
 
 "May I make bold to ask how many wives the gentle- 
 man has got, sir ? " 
 
 " Only two," replied Jack. 
 
 "Oh, that's one for week-days and an extra partner for 
 Sundays ; still, the ship's not short-handed with two. I've 
 got one at home, and stop my grog if she isn't one too 
 many sometimes ! " 
 
 Old Ben laughed heartily, and Jack, taking Monday 
 with him, went out as usual to search for Emily. 
 
 They had not gone far before they saw a Pisang asleep 
 under a bush. 
 
 " Look, sare, look 1 " he cried. 
 
 "Don't kill him, Monday; catch him alive," Jack re- 
 plied, hastily. "Creep up slowly. He may give us some 
 valuable information." 
 
 Monday glided up through the long grass to where the 
 sleeping Pisang lay. 
 
 The latter was unsuspicious of the presence of an 
 enemy. 
 
 Jack looked on with his rifle at full cock, to be ready 
 for any emergency. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 THE BIRD HAS FLOWN. 
 
 " HOLD him tight, Monday," cried Jack. 
 
 This advice was not altogether unnecessary, for a& 
 soon as Monday fell upon the sleeping Pisang he awoke, 
 and began to writhe and wriggle like an eel.
 
 AFLOAT AND ASHORE 57 
 
 "You come help, sare," exclaimed Monday out of 
 breath. How um beast kick." 
 
 " He's as slippery as an eel," said Jack, coming up, 
 "but we'll fix him. Soho! gently there. No kicking 
 over the traces, my boy, or I shall have to take the curb 
 up a hole or two." 
 
 In a few minutes the Pisang was sitting on the ground 
 with his hands tied behind him with a piece of rattan. 
 
 His face evinced the utmost astonishment, mixed with 
 fear. 
 
 That he was doomed to lose his life in some cruel 
 manner, he did not doubt for a single moment. 
 
 "I'm going to ask you some questions," said Jack. 
 
 The Pisang stared sullenly at him. 
 
 " If you answer truthfully I will spare your life; if you 
 trifle with me you'll have an ounce of lead showing the 
 daylight the way into your ugly carcase. Will you speak 
 the truth?" 
 
 " Ya, ya, Tuan," answered the captive, his eyes bright- 
 ening 
 
 This was equivalent to "Yes, yes, chief," and it was 
 clear that if he had any information to give he would not 
 withhold it. 
 
 "You know the Tuan Biza whom you call Hunstani. 
 Where is he now?" 
 
 "On the island still." 
 
 " Do you mean that he intends to go away?" 
 
 " Ya, all go soon," replied the captive. "Several chiefs, 
 with women and children, have gone already. We are 
 not going to remain in Pisang, since you have burned the 
 city and killed our best warriors." 
 
 "Where are you going to?" asked Jack. 
 
 "Long, long way; to the city of the Golden Towers," 
 answered the man. 
 
 Jack inquired where that was, but the fellow could not 
 tell him. 
 
 All he knew was that it was a long way off, and that it 
 was reached in boats which sailed across the sea. 
 
 " Have you seen a white woman, who was wrecked on 
 your coast?" continued Jack. 
 
 His voice trembled a little as he put this question, be- 
 cause it would let him know something about Emily's 
 movements, if faithfully answered.
 
 58 JA CK HARK A WAY'S AD VENTURES 
 
 "Ya, Tuan." 
 
 " Is she with Hunstani ? " 
 
 " No," the Pisang answered ; " she has gone away with 
 the others to the city of the Golden Towers." 
 
 Something like a groan broke from Jack. 
 
 "Gone," he repeated. " Hunston has outwitted me 
 again. Just when I think I have got him into a corner, 
 he bests me. " 
 
 He paced up and down impatiently. 
 
 " Any more thing to ask him, sare ? * 
 
 "No." 
 
 " Monday let um go ? " 
 
 "You may as well. I promised him his life, and I 
 have no reason to think he has been humbugging me," 
 said Jack. 
 
 Untying the rattan, Monday gave him a friendly kick 
 to start him. 
 
 "You go 'long," he said ; "you no good, you can't 
 fight. Go home to the old women, and say you've seen 
 your master. " 
 
 The Pisang did not stay to reply, he was too glad to 
 get away ; and running with the speed of the wind, was 
 soon lost to sight. 
 
 Jack lay down under a tree, which happened to be a 
 palm, and fretted and fumed at the news he had just heard. 
 
 The sudden and unexpected emigration of the Pisangs 
 was very annoying. 
 
 He had fancied that they could not get away, and that 
 sooner or later he would discover the hiding-place where 
 Hunston kept Emily. 
 
 Monday was thirsty, and wanted some cocoanuts, so, 
 without thinking of his young master, he began to throw 
 sticks up at the palm-tree. 
 
 For a time he was unsuccessful. 
 
 Then he cut off a large ripe cluster. 
 
 Jack at that moment started up, crying 
 
 "It's a case of no thoroughfare. The way's blocked, 
 and I'm floored, by Jove ! " 
 
 He had scarcely spoken the words, than the cluster of 
 cocoanuts hit him on the back, which was slightly bent, 
 a ff er grazing his head. 
 
 The force of the blow brought him on his knees, and 
 looking round, he exclaimed
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 
 
 59 
 
 " Bless your eyes, Monday, what foolishness are you 
 ttp to now ? " 
 
 " Monday him dry, sare, and knock down nut." 
 
 "You needn't upset my apple-cart, if you are thirsty. 
 I beg leave to observe that my head is not made of cast- 
 iron. " 
 
 Monday laughed, and began to suck a cocoanut. 
 
 " Halves ! " continued " Jack. I think I deserve some 
 of the milk." 
 
 When they had satisfied their thirst they prepared to 
 return to the cave. 
 
 " I am glad," said Jack, "I know what the Pisangs are 
 doing, though I did not expect they would leave the 
 island. That beggar told the truth, I suppose." 
 
 "Yes, sare," answered Monday ; "him speak um truth 
 safe enough. He too much funk to tell a lie." 
 
 " Did you ever hear of the city of the Golden Towers? " 
 
 "Yes ; Monday hear of him." 
 
 "Where is it? " asked Jack. 
 
 " Great way off over the sea. Go in boat." 
 
 " Who lives there ? " 
 
 "Malay. All fierce, cruel Malay. They have ships, 
 and go and take other ships, either kill all on board, or 
 carry them home and make slave. " 
 
 "You mean they are pirates." 
 
 "That it, sare," replied Monday, with a sagacious nod. 
 
 " Is the city made of gold, or is that only a tale of the 
 natives ? " 
 
 "Once a Limbi man was taken prisoner by the Malay, 
 he escape and come back, and tell us it one fine city full 
 of towers and palaces, all made of gold." 
 
 "It must be a fine place, though I don't believe in its 
 being all gold. That is a stretch beyond my imagina- 
 tion," said Jack thoughtfully. 
 
 " Oh ! it right enough, Mast' Jack, all built of gold ! 
 Very fine, grand city," exclaimed Monday. 
 
 "Well, we shall have a chance of judging soon, for I 
 mean to go there." 
 
 "How go there, sare?" 
 
 "You have heard Ben Blunt speak of his ship the 
 1 Sea-horse, ' which the mutineers have got possession of? * 
 
 ** Yes ; Monday hear him talk of um." 
 
 "I mean to have that shin."
 
 60 JACK HARK A WA Y 'S AD VENTURES 
 
 "That jolly, Mast' Tack. Fine thing to have ship of 
 one's own, and sail bout anywhere," said Monday. 
 *' But how it to be done ? " 
 
 "You leave that to me; we'll work it somewhow," 
 Jack answered confidently. 
 
 It was now noon, and the heat of the sun was so in- 
 tense that they were glad to regain the cool precincts of 
 the cave. 
 
 No one was to be seen outside, but when Jack whis- 
 tled Mr. Mole came out. 
 
 "Don't think, Harkaway, that I am neglectful of my 
 duty," said he ; "I was on the alert." 
 
 " The guard should be outside, sir I " exclaimed Jack ; 
 "there are Pisangs about." 
 
 "Have you seen any?" 
 
 "Yes, we caught one; but what were you doing in 
 the cave 3 " asked Jack. 
 
 " Yc-a'll laugh at me," replied Mr. Mole ; " but I fancy 
 there is a Pisang concealed there. " 
 
 "Nonsense, sir; what makes you think that? " 
 
 " You know that Harvey slung up some boards to the 
 top of the cave, to make a sort of shelf to put things on ? " 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 "Well," continued Mr. Mole, "I was sitting down 
 under that shelf, when I heard a curious noise and rust- 
 ling overhead, as if some heavy animal was moving 
 about" 
 
 "I won't say that a Pisang wouldn't be up to any low 
 dodge," said Jack ; "at all events we'll go and see what 
 it is." 
 
 Monday and Jack entered the cave, which was only 
 imperfectly lighted. 
 
 Having come out of the garish and blinding sunshine, 
 it was some time before they could accustom their eyes 
 to the semi-darkness of the cavern. 
 
 At length, looking up, Jack clearly saw a large mass of 
 something overhead. 
 
 Gazing more carefully, he could distinguish yellow and 
 black marks, like tortoise-shell. 
 
 "Oh, sare," cried Monday, "what urn lark! It um 
 big snake. Oh, my ! such a whopper, sare ! " 
 
 "You are right, Mon. It is a snake, and as well as I 
 make out, far and away the biggest I ever saw," said Jack.
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. ic 
 
 As he continued to gaze, the indistinct mass resolv ed 
 itself into a huge serpent compactly coiled up into a kind 
 of knot. 
 
 He could detect his head and his bright eyes in the 
 very centre of its folds. 
 
 The sound which had alarmed and puzzled Mr. Mole 
 was now explained. 
 
 During the night the snake must have crawled into the 
 cave, and taken up a comfortable position on Harvey's 
 shelf. 
 
 Perhaps the cave was its regular dwelling place, and 
 it had no idea of being turned out by the new-comers. 
 
 "What is to be done? " asked Jack. 
 
 He had tackled the python on board the vessel he 
 came out in, but he did not care about another encounter 
 of the same kind. 
 
 His voice aroused Harvey and Ben Blunt, who were 
 equally alarmed. 
 
 Mr. Mole actually shook in his shoes. 
 
 "I can't stand them pesky varmint," said Ben Blunt. 
 "Never could abide the critters." 
 
 "And I was just under him," cried Mr. Mole with a 
 shudder. " It's a mercy he let me alone." 
 
 " Monday have um out ! " 
 
 " You ! " exclaimed Jack. 
 
 ' ' Yes ; me kill much big snake in our country. All 
 you go out of the cave, and stand ready with guns and 
 axes. Monday show how to do the trick." 
 
 Monday's instructions were obeyed, and he went to 
 work immediately in a business-like manner. 
 
 He made a strong noose of rope, and taking up a long 
 pole in his disengaged hand, began to poke at the snake. 
 
 The reptile began to slowly unfold itself. 
 
 By a clever throw he got the noose over the reptile's 
 head, and tightened it about its body. 
 
 Then he began to drag it down. 
 
 The serpent resisted with all its might, coiling around 
 anything it could lay hold of. 
 
 Strong though Monday was, the snake gave him plenty 
 of work to do. 
 
 First he got the advantage, then the serpent won a 
 yard or two. 
 
 It was "pull devil, pull baker."
 
 62 JACK HARK A WA Y 'S AD VENTURES 
 
 The boys laughed at the singular contest till the tears 
 ran down their cheeks. 
 
 Monday jabbered away at the snake, and perspired at 
 every pore. 
 
 "You black thief," cried Monday, "come out dat, or 
 I'll give you something. Oh, you beast ; go in 'gain, 
 will you ? Come out that, I say, won't you ? Then 
 Monday have your head, you old villain. " 
 
 "This is extremely comical," observed Mr. Mole, who 
 being at a safe distance, had recovered his presence of 
 mind. 
 
 " Haul on the rope, lad. Never let him cast anchor ! " 
 cried Ben Blunt, who enjoyed the scene as much as any 
 one. 
 
 "Go it, Monday! I'll bet on Monday. Who'll take 
 the odds ? " exclaimed Jack. 
 
 " Done with you for a tenner," replied Harvey. "Just 
 for the fun of the thing I'll lay the snake gets off through 
 some hole or other." 
 
 "And I'll bet he don't," answered Jack. 
 
 They watched the varying contest with increasing in- 
 terest, and it was clear from the loudness of Monday's 
 tone that he was losing his temper. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 HUNSTON'S NEW FRIENDS. 
 
 THE snake was certainly a formidable antagonist. 
 
 It was fully twelve feet long and very thick. 
 
 Such reptiles were common in these islands, and had 
 been known to do much mischief, as they frequently 
 swallowed a little child. 
 
 Suddenly Monday dropped the rope, and quick as 
 lightning he caught hold of the creature's tail. 
 
 He ran out of the cave so quickly, still holding on, 
 that the reptile seemed quite confounded, and did not 
 know what to do. 
 
 " Look out, sare," cried Monday. "Now him come. 
 Mist' Mole, mind um eye." 
 
 Directly he had dragged the snake out of the cave,
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 63 
 
 Monday swung it round with all his strength, intending 
 to knock its head against a tree. 
 
 Mr. Mole, however, was in the way. 
 
 The snake hit him on the head, and he fell down 
 sprawling on the ground and howling dismally. 
 
 Monday was obliged to let go, and the reptile crept 
 under the boat which had been drawn up near the cave. 
 
 It was difficult to say which was the most frightened, 
 Mr. Mole or the snake. 
 
 "Poke um out, sare. Now we got him," cried Mon- 
 day, who was fairly excited by this time. 
 
 Jack took up the pole which Monday had dropped and 
 began to poke under the boat. 
 
 "There it goes ! Tally ho ! Stole away ! " exclaimed 
 Harvey, who saw the reptile gliding out at the other 
 side. 
 
 Monday was after it like a shot 
 
 He cleverly grasped its tail again, and with a quick 
 jerk swung it round. 
 
 This time its head struck against a tree, and it fell con- 
 fused and hurt to the ground. 
 
 Ben Blunt and Jack now fell upon it with hatchets, and 
 it was quickly dispatched. 
 
 "That's the way we kill um snake, sare, " said Mon- 
 day, standing in triumph over the quivering body. 
 
 "Bravo! You can doit," exclaimed Jack; adding, 
 "Where's Mr. Mole?" 
 
 This gentleman had crept under a bush, and his voice 
 was heard faintly exclaiming 
 
 " Is it dead ? Have you killed the brute ? " 
 
 " Dead as a door-nail, sir," replied Jack. 
 
 Mr. Mole came out into the open air. 
 
 "I hope you did not think I was afraid," said he. 
 "That would be a misconception I should be very sorry 
 for you to put on my conduct. " 
 
 "If you didn't hoist the white flag in token of sur- 
 render," observed Ben Blunt, "why, I never saw any- 
 thing so much like it." 
 
 "Man," replied Mr. Mole, "it is unbecoming for a 
 common seaman like you, to pass judgment upon me." 
 
 "On the likes of you," said Ben, with a hearty laugh. 
 " We're all equal in the forecastle, mate. So tip us your 
 flapper. There are no bones broke. "
 
 64 JA CK HARKA WA Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 "I distinctly refuse to place myself on a footing of 
 Familiarity with you," answered Mr. Mole. 
 
 " Jack's as good as his master," remarked Ben. " But 
 I don't want to run my ship where she's not required." 
 
 "Ben didn't mean any offence," said Jack. "It's only 
 his way, sir." 
 
 "Then it's a very nasty, disagreeable habit, Hark- 
 away," answered Mr. Mole. " I stopped the snake very 
 cleverly. If it had not been for me, he might have 
 crushed that poor black fellow to death. I don't like Mr. 
 Blunt's jeers. I will not be mocked by him." 
 
 " Avast there, sir," said Ben. " I'll say you killed the 
 varmint, if that will please you." 
 
 "It will not please me, because it would be untrue," 
 Mr. Mole replied. " But I assert, and will maintain that 
 without me the reptile would not have come to so sudden 
 an end." 
 
 No one contradicting this assertion, Mr. Mole looked 
 grandly around him, and went to examine the dead 
 monster. 
 
 During the day Jack had the snake buried, as its re- 
 maining in the sun would have created an unpleasant 
 smell so near the cave. 
 
 Then he took Harvey on one side, and told him what 
 he had heard respecting Emily. 
 
 " She's gone, Dick, and what am I to do? " said Jack. 
 
 "I don't believe in this golden city," replied Harvey. 
 "It is most likely a rich and luxurious place where the 
 pirates live." 
 
 "So I think. It is a comfort to know that Emily is 
 removed from Hunston, if only for a short time." 
 
 "Of course he means to join her as soon as possible, 
 and imagines you will never find her." 
 
 "He's mistaken if he does," answered Jack, with his 
 old look of determination. "I'll never rest till I have 
 found her. " 
 
 " It wouldn't be a bad dodge to capture Hunston and 
 make him take us to her," said Harvey. 
 
 "If we could ; but there is no telling where he is hid- 
 ing. He's got a cave like ours, I expect ; look how I've 
 hunted for him." 
 
 " Let's have another try, shall we? Have you been 
 round the coast ? "
 
 AFLOAT AND ASHORE. 65 
 
 "No; inland chiefly." 
 
 "It's cool, now. Come fora stroll about the beach," 
 continued Harvey. "I should think Hunston is more 
 likely to be near the sea, so as to have access to his boats 
 and be able to cut it, if hard pressed." 
 
 "You're right, by gum," said Jack. "I feel there is 
 sense in what you say. Come on." 
 
 They took up their arms, saw that the caps were all 
 right, and started on their journey. 
 
 After travelling about three or four miles, they saw a 
 handsome ship not very far from land. 
 
 She lowered a boat, and a party of men got into her 
 and pulled for the shore. 
 
 "I say, Dick, I'll bet a new hat that's the 'Sea- 
 horse,' " exclaimed Jack. 
 
 "Ben Blunt's ship ? " 
 
 ' ' Yes ; the one the mutineers have taken possession 
 of, after murdering their officers." 
 
 "I shouldn't wonder," said Harvey. "But what a 
 precious set of rascals they must be." 
 
 " This Sam Parsons, from all accounts, is a beauty. 
 If all Ben says of him is true, he's a caution. What shall 
 we do ? " 
 
 "Perhaps," replied Jack, "they're coming on shore for 
 water, or to have a spree. They don't expect to find 
 white men here. Let's get as close to where they are 
 likely to land, as we can without being seen, and fog 
 them. " 
 
 ' ' All right. Creep along behind these bushes, they will 
 hide us," said Harvey. 
 
 The boys made their way cautiously along, and when- 
 ever they looked up they could see that the boat was 
 coming nearer. 
 
 At last they could hear the measured sound of the oars 
 in the rowlocks. 
 
 " Let's pitch here, "said Jack, deeming it prudent to call 
 a halt. 
 
 He pointed as he spoke to a clump of trees that afforded 
 excellent shelter, at the same time giving them a capital 
 view of the sandy shore. 
 
 There were fifteen men in the boat. 
 
 Two remained in her when she was beached, and the 
 others landed.
 
 66 JA CK HARK A WA Y 'S AD VENTURES 
 
 Some carried small casks, so that it was evident that 
 they were in search of water as Jack had surmised. 
 
 These started in various directions, and half-a-dozen 
 stayed under a clump of trees, throwing themselves down 
 and beginning to smoke and drink. 
 
 Suddenly a form emerged from behind a rock, and 
 advanced to the men. 
 
 All sprang to their feet and grasped their arms. 
 
 "Look, Dick, that's Hunston," whispered Jack. 
 
 " So it is. What's his game ? " 
 
 " Stand close. We shall see directly, "replied Jack. 
 
 Hunston, for it was he, stopped, and the leader of the 
 sailors exclaimed 
 
 " Who goes there ? " 
 
 "A friend," replied Hunston. 
 
 " Are you alone? " 
 
 "Yes, with the exception of a few friendly natives. 
 Who are you ? " 
 
 " My name is Sam Parsons," was the answer; "and 
 I'm the captain of that ship you see riding in the offing. 
 Now, who and what are you ? " 
 
 "1 was wrecked on one of these islands with some 
 companions, but we've had a split, " replied Hunston. 
 
 " Where are the others ? " asked Parsons. 
 
 "On this island, too. We've had a fight, and they've 
 beaten us." 
 
 ' ' Are they armed ? " 
 
 "They are," answered Hunston; "but if you'd join 
 me, we'd soon settle their hash. " 
 
 "You seem a free and easy sort of chap,' said Sam 
 Parsons ; "and if you like to turn pirate, you're welcome 
 to a berth with us. " 
 
 "Pirate? " repeated Hunston. 
 
 " Yes. Is there anything wonderful in that ? " answered 
 the mutineer. "We didn't like our officers, so we " 
 
 " He drew his hand significantly across his throat. 
 
 " Gave them a free passage to the other world, eh ? " 
 said Hunston, with a grim smile. "That's just my style, 
 and if you'll have me, I'll cut and hang with the best of 
 you. " 
 
 "Well said, my hearty!" exclaimed Sam Parsons. 
 "You're made of the right stuff, and a man of bette*
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 67 
 
 kidney never sailed under the black flag, I can see. Come 
 and join us in a glass of grog." 
 
 "That I'll do with pleasure, for I've tasted nothing 
 strong than water this many a long day," said Hunston. 
 
 The men dropped their arms, and they were soon 
 pledging each other. 
 
 They seemed to consider Hunston an acquisition, ai.d 
 crowded round him to hear the story which he recounted. 
 
 "So you want to have a slap at your old friends?" 
 said Sam Parsons. 
 
 " That's my pious intention. I wasn't strong enough 
 without you, but with you we can easily do it." 
 
 "Where are they?" 
 
 "About four or five miles up along the coast. They've 
 got a cave, and are well armed ; still we might surprise 
 them at night" 
 
 "How many are there of them?" continued the 
 mutineer. 
 
 "Two youngsters, a middle-aged man, a native, and a 
 sailor-looking sort of cove who has only just joined 
 them," replied Hunston. 
 
 " How do you know this ? " 
 
 " Because I watched them this morning, one of my 
 natives having met them. He pretended to run away 
 from them, but turned back and tracked them to their 
 lair. He took me close to them afterwards, so I know 
 it's all right." 
 
 " What's this sailor like?" 
 
 "He's a bluff sort of fellow, and they call him Ben 
 Blunt," answered Hunston. 
 
 " Hang me if I didn't think so. It's Ben Blunt the 
 bo'sun ! " cried Sam Parsons. 
 
 ' ' And who may he be ? " 
 
 "Why, he was in our ship's company, and being the 
 only officer we liked, we spared his life and put him 
 ashore here. So he's joined the enemy 1 " 
 
 "Yes, that's the lot." 
 
 "Oh, by the Lord Harry," continued the mutineer, 
 "we must have a slap at Ben. He may get off the 
 island with his new mates, and he knows enough to 
 send a man-of-war after us, and get the lot of us strung 
 up." 
 
 A savage smile lighted up Hunston's countenance.
 
 68 JACK HARKA WA Y'S ADVENTURES 
 
 "You're with me, then?" he said. "Let us attack 
 them in the grey dawn of to-morrow morning. " 
 
 " Right you are, my hearty ! What do you say, lads ? * 
 
 "Aye, aye," responded the mutineers, in answer to 
 Sam Parsons's appeal. 
 
 Harvey grasped Jack's hand. 
 
 "It's lucky we came out," he said, in a low tone. 
 
 "Yes," replied Jack. " Now we're warned we shall be 
 a match for them, though if they'd surprised us and killed 
 our sentry, we should have been shot like parrots as we 
 came out of the cave." 
 
 "Shall we go back now, and fortify ourselves? " 
 
 " I think so. Those fellows who are out for water 
 may see us if we stop, " replied Jack. 
 
 With the same caution they had exercised in advanc- 
 ing, they beat a retreat. 
 
 They were disgusted with Hunston's constant enmity, 
 and feared they would have no peace while he lived. 
 
 Mr. Mole and Monday had been preparing dinner, and 
 having been successful in killing a hog that had escaped 
 from its pen when Palembang was burnt, a very savoury 
 smell of roast pork greeted them as they approached. 
 
 "Come along, Harkaway," exclaimed Mr. Mole. 
 " We've got a spread fit for a king." 
 
 "All right, sir; pitch in," replied Jack. "I've got 
 some startling news for you, but it shan't take away 
 my appetite." 
 
 " Anything new ? " asked Ben Blunt. 
 
 "The 'Sea-horse' is anchored off the shore, a few 
 miles away, and our old enemy, Hunston, has met with 
 and joined the mutineers." 
 
 ' ' Is Sam Parsons ashore ? " 
 
 "That he is," replied Jack. "He and his confeder- 
 ates have hoisted the black flag, and they mean to attack 
 us to-morrow morning." 
 
 "The deuce they do ! " said Mr. Mole, who was in the 
 act of conveying a savoury piece of pork to his mouth. 
 
 "The villains 1 " replied Ben Blunt. "It's all that Sam 
 Parsons, though I could manage the rest of the crew, if 
 it wasn't for him." 
 
 "It's you they want, Ben," continued Jack. "They 
 are afraid of you since Hunston has told them you are 
 with us. They say you can hang them."
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 69 
 
 " That's true enough ; but hanging at the yard-arm 
 is too good for Sam Parsons." 
 
 "Never mind; we won't give you up, Ben; we'll 
 fight for you." 
 
 "I'll tell you what I'll do," said Ben Blunt; "I'll 
 challenge Sam to fight me in single combat with cutlasses, 
 and let the best man win. That'll save bloodshed." 
 
 " Bravo ! " cried Jack. " I like a fair stand-up fight" 
 
 "Will he consent?" asked Mr. Mole. 
 
 "Oh, Sam's plucky enough. He'll fight." 
 
 "And you mean to propose that if you beat him they 
 shall let us alone, and we won't interfere with him," 
 said Jack. 
 
 "That's just the idea," answered Ben. 
 
 " I've got an amendment to propose," said Harvey. 
 
 "What's that? "asked Jack. 
 
 "Only this : When the fight is over, whichever way it 
 goes, get up a big drink ; you and I will steal away, get 
 into a boat and board the ship. " 
 
 "They'll have men on guard," said Ben. 
 
 "Of course they will, but you forget that where there 
 are no officers, there is no discipline. The men will be 
 drunk or asleep. I know what sailors are well enough." 
 
 " Let me go with you, Harvey. I should like to share 
 in that glorious enterprise," said Mr. Mole. 
 
 "More by token, the gentleman would not like to be 
 left with Sam Parsons and his mutineers," replied Ben, 
 with a grin. 
 
 "Silence, my good fellow, " answered Mr. Mole. ' ' My 
 bravery has been tried often and often, in the hour of 
 danger. We have got to see what you can do." 
 
 " Let us all go," said Jack. 
 
 "Better still," Mr. Mole continued. "If our friend 
 Ben here is victorious, he will be of service, and when 
 we have made friends with the mutineers, and they are 
 all intoxicated, we will sail for the vessel." 
 
 " Monday know a plant which make um all sleep till 
 this time next week," exclaimed the black. 
 
 " Do you propose to drug them ? " 
 
 " That it, Mist' Mole. Put something in one big stone 
 bottle, that for them ; put nothing but rum in another, 
 that for us. " 
 
 " Excellent ! The thanks of the meeting are, I think.
 
 yo JACK HARK A WA Y 'S AD VENTURES 
 
 due to Harvey and Monday for two excellent ideas. Eat 
 up your pig, Monday, and go in search of the drug," said 
 Mr. Mole. 
 
 "If it all comes off, it will be ripping," exclaimed 
 Jack. 
 
 "We'll do our little worst, any how, "re marked Harvey. 
 
 After dinner the cave was strengthened by the erection 
 of some mounds of earth which protected the entrance. 
 
 Each defender could crouch behind one of those little 
 hills, and fire at the enemy without being exposed him- 
 self. 
 
 Monday procured the herb he wanted, and put large 
 quantities of it into a big bottle of rum. 
 
 The guns were all loaded. 
 
 Each member of the little board took up a position 
 assigned him by Jack. 
 
 The oars were put in the boat, which was moored near 
 the shore so as to be ready at a moment's notice. 
 
 Anxiously the moments glided by. 
 
 Each heart beat quickly, for the coming day was preg- 
 nant with events of importance. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 SENDING THE CHALLENGE. 
 
 THE excitement attendant upon the expected attack of 
 the mutineers prevented any of the party from sleeping. 
 
 They sat outside the cave with their arms ready to 
 their hands, and Monday walked up and down with a 
 loaded rifle. 
 
 Mr. Mole had a bottle of rum, and dispensed the grog 
 with a liberality which won the heart of Ben Blunt. 
 
 "You're a gentleman, every inch of you, sir," he ex- 
 claimed ; "I can see by the way you handle the liquor." 
 
 "No personal allusions, if you please, my worthy 
 friend," replied Mr. Mole. 
 
 "I can't help it, cap'n. What I've got in my mind 
 must come out. Now, if it isn't a rude question, what 
 do you think it cost you to colour your nose ? It must 
 have been a tidy sum, but you can make a rough guess."
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 7 I 
 
 It was a fact that Mr. Mole's nose had assumed a rosy 
 hue of late, and shone like a fiery beacon on a dark 
 night. 
 
 "Nonsense, my good fellow!" he exclaimed. "It's 
 the hot sun of these infernal regions. You're mistaken 
 when you ascribe the effect to intemperance. It's noth- 
 ing of the sort. Pass the bottle." 
 
 "Right, sir. B'ilers require water; quite nat'ral." 
 
 " Now, then," said Jack, " don't you two get sparring." 
 
 Mr. Mole had sprung up, as if he intended to correct 
 Ben Blunt by striking him. 
 
 But Jack pushed him back again. 
 
 Putting one hand on his head and the other on 
 Ben's he said, in an unctuous voice like that of a clergy- 
 man 
 
 ' ' Bless you ! ber-less you, my children ! Kiss and be 
 friends." 
 
 "Remove your hand from my head instantly, Hark- 
 away!" cried Mr. Mole. "It's a liberty I allow no 
 man to take ! " 
 
 "Kiss and be friends, then," said Jack; "we can't 
 have you fighting. Wait for the mutineers." 
 
 "You're becoming very impertinent," continued Mr. 
 Mole. "Both you and Harvey seem to have lost the 
 respect you ought to entertain for me. Don't take any 
 more liberties with me, Harkaway, or you'll hear more 
 of it." 
 
 "Hullo!" cried Tack "What's the matter? You're 
 out of order, sir. Whose pills do you take ? " 
 
 "Never mind; I will keep my place as leader of this 
 party and protector of you poor defenceless boys : you 
 keep yours. It is my province to command, yours to 
 obey. " 
 
 Jack smiled and winked at Harvey. 
 
 "If so be as the gentleman wants a turn up on the 
 grass, man to man, a fair field and no favour, I'm ready 
 for him," remarked Ben Blunt. 
 
 " I do not fight," replied Mr. Mole. "Such low and 
 blackguard practices may suit Whitechapel roughs." 
 
 " Hang me if I know how to take him. I'm game. I 
 was never sick or sorry an hour in my life, and if he 
 means fitting, why, I'll fit," said Ben. 
 
 "Don't you make any mistake, Ben," replied Jack
 
 72 JACK HARK A WA Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 "Mr. Mole is as game as a pebble, and would come up 
 fresh as a daisy after the fiftieth round. Don't you provoke 
 him." 
 
 " What's he keep snacking at me for ? " 
 
 "It is not for a boatswain, or whatever you call your- 
 self, to insult a man of education like myself, understand 
 that," exclaimed Mr. Mole, proudly. 
 
 "The likes of you ! And what be I ? " 
 
 " An indifferent cross, I should say between an idiot 
 and a sea-cow," replied Mr. Mole, who was rapidly drink- 
 ing more than he ought to. 
 
 Jack and Harvey roared with laughter at this sally. 
 
 Mr. Mole smiled blandly at this token of their appro val. 
 
 "That's good. I flatter myself that's good, eh Hark- 
 away," he said. 
 
 " Stunning, sir. You've spotted him to a T." 
 
 " He asked my candid opinion, and I gave it him." 
 
 " Well, I'm bio wed, gents," exclaimed Ben Blunt, 
 getting as red as a turkey cock. "He's a-giving it me a 
 rum 'un all round the hoop and no kid. Cross atween 
 a hidiot and a sea-cow. Blow me tight ! That s a nice 
 thing to say about a respectable cove, whose father fought 
 with Nelson in the 'Victory/ and whose mother took in 
 officers' washing at Portsmouth. I'll spoil his figurehead ! " 
 
 "Harvey, hold that misguided man while I hit him on 
 the head with a stick," exclaimed Mr. Mole, adding, in a 
 whisper, " Harkaway, what shall I do? " 
 
 "Cheek it out, sir." 
 
 "Mutinous dog, forbear ! " continued Mr. Mole. " You 
 were the companion of mutineers. I will put you in 
 chains, and convey you to your native land, there to 
 await the judgment of your outraged countrymen." 
 
 Harvey had great difficulty in restraining Ben, who 
 was speechless with rage and indignation. 
 
 " I think I've settled him," said Mr. Mole, with a hiccup. 
 "What was it that broke the thingamy's back, Hark- 
 away ? " 
 
 ' ' Straw, sir. Last straw broke the camel's back. " 
 
 "Precisely. Turn to your natural history, and you 
 find that the camel is a native of Bactria." 
 
 Mr. Mole took Ben's quiet attitude for cowardice. 
 
 His courage rose accordingly. 
 
 "You need not hold the poor wretch any longer,
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 73 
 
 Harvey. Let him go," he said. " I think I have snuffed 
 him out." 
 
 "He's in a mortal funk, sir. I don't know what it is, 
 but there's something about you which knocks them all 
 over," replied Harvey. 
 
 "It's my bearing, Harvey, my majestic bearing." 
 
 Suddenly Ben found his tongue, and sprang to his feet. 
 
 "I'll give him something!" he gasped, "when I've 
 finished with him, he shall have a cock eye and a game 
 leg. There won't be much what d'ye call bearing about 
 that. Sink me, if there will." 
 
 "My word, sir," whispered Jack; "his monkey's up. 
 You'd better cut and run." 
 
 "Run, Harkaway ! I'd scorn to. But do you really 
 think he means it ? I thought I'd cowed him.' 
 
 "Cut into the cave, sir. I'll square it in tw minutes." 
 
 Ben Blunt was coming on at full speed, like an iron- 
 clad ram with the steam full on. 
 
 Mr. Mole made a clean bolt into the cave, and began to 
 barricade the entrance with some wood and bits of rock. 
 
 Jack stopped Ben Blunt, and exclaimed 
 
 "Steady, Ben ; steady ! " 
 
 "Steady she is, sir," replied Ben, who was too good a 
 sailor not to pull up when spoken to by one whom he 
 considered his superior officer. 
 
 "Drop anchor, Ben." 
 
 "Lower away, my lads," replied Ben; adding, as he 
 sat down 
 
 "She's swung round to her moorings, sir." 
 
 "Right, Ben. Now listen to me. We make allowance 
 for Mr. Mole. He is our senior, and we take no notice 
 of what he says. He's privileged, Ben." 
 
 "That's all well enough, sir," cried Ben. "I'm no 
 scholard, but it's hard to be called sea-cows an cussed 
 hidiots, ain't it now?" 
 
 "All chaff, Ben. Nothing but empty chaff. I'll take 
 my oath he didn't mean it. He's a good sort when you 
 know him." 
 
 "Then may I be wrecked on a lee shore if I want to 
 know him." 
 
 "Step aft, Ben, and say there's no bad blood between 
 you. He's the bung on board this ship, and will stop 
 your grog if you ain't civil "
 
 74 JJCJt- HARK A WAY'S AD VENTURES 
 
 "Will he 'pologise for the sea-cow, sir, think ye?* 
 asked Ben, scratching his head dubiously. 
 
 " Avast there, Ben. He's your superior officer. Never 
 strike your flag, Ben, but always doff your hat to the 
 ward-room." 
 
 "You're right, sir. Tell him to come out. I won't 
 hurt him," answered Ben Blunt, who was a good-natured 
 fellow, and easily pacified. 
 
 Jack went to the cave and said 
 
 " It's supper time, sir ; come and join us." 
 
 " Is is that wild sailor-fellow inclined to make peace, 
 Harkaway ? " asked Mr. Mole, looking cautiously through 
 a hole in his barricade. 
 
 " He's like a lamb, sir." 
 
 "Is he? Then I'll venture out. I don't like mutineers 
 as a rule. Not that I am afraid of any man living, but 
 directly I recollected he was a mutineer, I thought it best 
 to get out of the dog's way," answered Mr. Mole. 
 
 "Now, then, Dick," cried Jack, "wake up 1 See what 
 there is in the larder, and put on the feed." 
 
 "There's cold venison and some bird stuff or other 
 parrot, I think," answered Harvey. 
 
 "All right; put it on. We'll make a night of it, and 
 fight the enemy all the better when they come." 
 
 Mr. Mole emerged from the cave, and was induced to 
 3hake hands with Ben, who showed no further ill-feeling. 
 
 The "feed," as Jack called it, was put "on," and a 
 very pleasant evening passed. 
 
 In a short time the daylight came and everybody was 
 very valiant, especially Mr. Mole and Ben Blunt 
 
 "Sam Parsons knows me well enough," exclaimed 
 Ben, "and I don't believe that he'll show up." 
 
 "I've got an idea, Ben," said Jack. 
 
 " Bully for you, sir," replied the boatswain. 
 
 "* Suppose you send Sam Parsons a challenge." 
 
 ' I'm game to do that, sir, and fight him as long as I 
 can stand, with cutlashes or pistols, or both." 
 
 "Very well; Monday shall take the challenge, but it 
 must be written." 
 
 "I'm no scholard, sir, as I said before," answered Ben ; 
 "but if so be that your honour will write it out, I'll put 
 my mark to it." 
 
 "I've got a pencil and a bit of paper," said Harvey.
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 75 
 
 "Fork it out, then," replied Jack 
 
 Harvey gave him the pencil and paper, and Jack spread 
 the latter out on his knee. 
 
 "What shall I say, Ben ?" he asked. 
 
 Ben scratched his head, and looked up at the reddening 
 sky, and then down upon the ground. 
 
 " It'll run somehow in this way, " remarked Ben. " 'I, 
 Ben Blunt, late bo'sun of the "Sea-horse," bound from 
 Shanghai to the port of London.' Got that, sir ! " 
 
 " Yes ; ' port of London.' Go ahead." 
 
 "'Challenge Sam Parsons, also of the "Sea-horse," 
 and mutineer, to single combat.' Got that, sir?" 
 
 "All right ; ' single combat.' Cut along." 
 
 " 'And the said Ben Blunt will fight with cutlashes or 
 pistols, and ' Got pistols, sir? " 
 
 "7 es ; 'pistols.' " 
 
 " ' And him as is whopped will have to bury the other, 
 if so be as his lights is put out for ever.'" 
 
 " That's lovely ! I like the last bit," observed Harvey. 
 
 "We'll avenge you, Ben, if you fall," said Jack. 
 
 " P'r'aps Mr. Mole will have a turn at him, sir, if so be 
 as I'm beat," observed Ben. 
 
 "Do you think I'd condescend to fight your battle you 
 son of a sea-cook ? " exclaimed Mr. Mole, angrily. 
 
 "Gents," said Ben, "he's at me again." 
 
 " Never mind him ; it's his way," answered Jack. " It 
 pleases him and don't hurt you." 
 
 " Right, sir," replied Ben. "I only clap on sail when 
 there's a capful of wind ; it's when I feel a tempest com- 
 ing that I take in canvas." 
 
 "Vulgar seaman ! " said Mr. Mole. 
 
 "Well, sir? " inquired Ben. 
 
 " Peace, common fellow peace ! "continued Mr. Mole, 
 waving his hand. 
 
 "Beg your honour's pardon," said Ben, speaking to 
 Jack ; "is that in the articles of war? " 
 
 " Yes ; hold your noise." 
 
 " But sea-cows, and sea-cooks, and vulgar seamens, 
 and common fellows ! Why, hang me, if I was a por- 
 poise I couldn't stand it much longer." 
 
 "Polish off Sam Parsons first, and then you shall have 
 a go at Mole." 
 
 "You promise me that, sir?"
 
 76 JA CK HARKA WAY'S AD VENTURES. 
 
 "Religiously." 
 
 ' ' Right. I'm dumb as an oyster, and then he'd better 
 batten down his hatch, or I'll walk into his hold," said 
 Ben. 
 
 Jack got up and dispatched Monday, with a white flag, 
 to seek out the mutineers. 
 
 "Give them this," he said, "and bring us their 
 answer. " 
 
 "All serene, Mast' Jack; Monday him do it," replied 
 the black. 
 
 But he hadn't gone half-a-dozen yards before he ran 
 back in a great state of agitation, crying 
 
 " Here they come, sare such a lot of 'em ! Oh, my, 
 Mast' Jack ! look out, sare ! " 
 
 Each member of the party firmly grasped his weapon 
 and stood on the defensive. 
 
 The mutineers of the "Sea-horse" were advancing in 
 force. 
 
 It was a critical moment 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 THE SINGLE COMBAT. 
 
 "HARVEY," said Mr. Mole, "don't get behind me. 
 Show yourself a man, as I mean to do." 
 
 Dick was only kneeling to load his extra rifle, and took 
 no notice of the admonition. 
 
 "You, Harvey, are a fine specimen of the vitulus Brit- 
 annicus," continued Mr. Mole. 
 
 "Who's he, sir, when he's at home?" answered Har- 
 vey, getting up when he had finished loading. 
 
 " The British calf. Vitulus Brit oh 1 get out of my 
 
 way, Harvey. I will make for the cave. A bullet 
 whistled past my head, and I thought there was only to 
 be a single combat." 
 
 As Mr. Mole spoke a couple of shots hurled past and 
 buried themselves in the walls of the cave. 
 
 The mutineers had commenced the attack. 
 
 "This is getting hot," remarked Harvey. 
 
 " Getting hot," replied Jack ; "it's boiling hot already.
 
 AFLOAT AND ASHORE. 77 
 
 Monday, hoist the white flag, as a sign we want to parley 
 with them." 
 
 Monday did so. 
 
 The white flag was simply a bit of an old shirt stuck on 
 the end of a bamboo. 
 
 " Hold your fire, Sam Parsons," cried Jack. " Here's 
 a letter I want to show you from an old messmate. 
 Stay where you are. Don't advance another step or we 
 fire." 
 
 Hunston at this moment came to the front. 
 
 "You haven't taken us by surprise, old fellow, "con- 
 tinued Jack. 
 
 " Let them have it I " cried Hunston, angrily. 
 
 " Hold hard, governor." said Sam Parsons. " If so be 
 as my old shipmate, Ben Blunt " 
 
 ' ' That's me, " interposed Ben. 
 
 " I can see your old hull," continued Sam. "Well, as 
 I was a-saying, if so be as Ben wants a bit of palaver, I 
 ain't a-going to forget old times, and shan't say nary 
 word against it. " 
 
 "That's righteous, that is, Sam, and though we ain't 
 cousins, blow me if I don't sort of admire your style 1 " 
 answered Ben. 
 
 "Shoot them all down, you fool j you'll lose your 
 chance ! " exclaimed Hunston, more furious than ever. 
 
 "Belay, there! It's a truce, Ben, isn't it?" said Sara 
 Parsons. 
 
 "Truce it is, Sam." 
 
 "Look here, Hunston," exclaimed Jack, "I know you 
 to be a coward and a villain, and so I've covered you 
 with my rifle. If " 
 
 " You wouldn't break the truce ? " said Hunston, hastily, 
 fearing Jack meant to kill him. 
 
 "No, I shan't do that, but I shall keep my eye on the 
 bead and my finger on the trigger, and if you so much as 
 move half an inch, or open your ugly mouth again, I take 
 my Dick I'll pot you ! " 
 
 Hunston turned ghastly pale. 
 
 _ But as he looked at Jack, he saw that he had his rifle to 
 his shoulder, and that he could make "dead meat*' of 
 him in no time. 
 
 So he was obliged to be quiet. 
 
 " Ben I " exclaimed the mutineer.
 
 78 JACK HARKA WA Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 ' Here, lad," answered Ben. 
 
 ' Where's this bit o' writin' you spoke about? * 
 
 ' Monday f " said Jack. 
 
 'Yes, sare," replied the black. 
 
 'Deliver the challenge." 
 
 Monday advanced to Sam Parsons with the piece o 
 paper on which the challenge was written, and Sam took 
 it up, reading it with difficulty. 
 
 Some of his companions crowded round him and helped 
 to make out its contents. 
 
 Turning to his lieutenant, Jimmy Clark, Sam said 
 
 "What shall I do, Jim?" 
 
 "Do ? " repeated Jimmy. "Why, fight him like a man. 
 It's a fair challenge, and if he beats, we'll shake hands all 
 round and let 'em alone." 
 
 "Well, if I beat?" 
 
 "Why, if you beats we'll shake hands all round, too, 
 and after a good liquor-up, we'll up anchor and part 
 friends," said Jimmy. 
 
 "Is that business, Jim?" asked Sam Parsons. 
 
 Jimmy had been a clerk somewhere, at some time or 
 the other, and they called him the sea-lawyer. 
 
 If anything difficult had to be decided, they always 
 said 
 
 "Go and ask Jimmy Clark : he's our sea-lawyer, and 
 be hanged to him ! " 
 
 Thus it happened that Jimmy had great influence over 
 his lawless companions. 
 
 A little learning is a dangerous thing, and Jimmy 
 hadn't much, but what little he had he made do double 
 duty. 
 
 " Of course it's business," replied Jimmy. " If Antony 
 had sent a challenge to Caesar, to meet him in the Campus 
 Martius, wouldn't Caesar have accepted it ? " 
 
 "Then we must fight?" 
 
 " You and Ben must fight, that's about the size of it, 
 and I'll bet a demi-quid on you, Sam." 
 
 "Right you are Jimmy," said Sam Parsons. "I'm a 
 plucked one." 
 
 "You have the choice of weapons, being the chaU 
 lenged party," continued Jimmy. "What will you 
 have ? " 
 
 "Cutlashes for me, : ' exclaimed Ben.
 
 AFL OAT AND ASHORE. 79 
 
 "You dry up, old whale," exclaimed Jimmy. "It's 
 for my man to choose. What do you want to spout 
 for ? " ' 
 
 "Well," said Sam, "cutlashes be it. I never liked to 
 crab a pal, and if Ben Blunt says cutlashes, I'm on with 
 cutlashes." 
 
 Two of the mutineers stepped forward, and gave each 
 of the intending combatants a cutlass. 
 
 They took the weapons and faced one another. 
 
 Both sides made a circle round the principals. 
 
 Jack, however, did not lower his rifle, and never took 
 his eye off Hunston. 
 
 The single combat was about to begin. 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 THE RESULT OF THE FIGHT. 
 
 THE two old salts stood opposite one another and flour~ 
 ished their weapons, which glittered in the sunshine. 
 
 " Tip us your flapper, Ben," said Sam Parsons. 
 
 " Done with you, Sam," replied Ben Blunt ; " I've no 
 particular ill-will against you, though you didn't behave 
 quite friendly." 
 
 " It's understood, lads," said Jimmy Clark, " that who- 
 ever licks we makes friends, and each party goes its own 
 way. " 
 
 Everyone assented. 
 
 " We'll stand the liquor," remarked Harvey, " and all 
 shall be agreeable as far as we can make it." 
 
 " All right," replied Jimmy; " I'll back up Sam, and 
 that gentleman with the clerical mug on him will per- 
 haps do the same for Ben." 
 
 He pointed to Mr. Mole. 
 
 " Did you allude to me ? " asked Mr. Mole. 
 
 " You're the cove. Step out here and we'll see fair 
 play. " 
 
 " I can have no possible objection to seconding the 
 champion of our party, but I strongly object to being 
 called the cove with the clerical what did you say ? " 
 
 " Mug," replied Jimmy.
 
 80 JACK HARKA WA Y 'S AD VENTURES 
 
 " I think I understand your meaning, though I must 
 protest against the vulgarity of your language. However, 
 let that pass. I will do my duty," replied Mr. Mole. 
 
 Jimmy Clark took his place behind Sam Parsons. 
 
 Mr. Mole took his behind Ben Blunt. 
 " Make ready," said Jimmy. 
 
 The cutlasses described circles in the air. 
 
 " At the word ' three,' strike," continued Jimmy. 
 
 There was a momentary pause. 
 
 Then Jimmy exclaimed 
 
 " One, two, three ! " 
 
 In an instant the blades crossed and struck fire. 
 
 Sam Parsons was a tall, active fellow, but Ben was the 
 stronger of the two. 
 
 Perhaps he was not so active as his opponent, though 
 he seemed to understand the sword exercise. 
 
 The spectators applauded their respective champions, 
 taking the utmost interest in the contest 
 
 " Lay on, Sam," cried the mutineers. " Stick to him, 
 lad ; let him have it ! " 
 
 While Jack and Harvey said 
 
 " Cut him down, Ben that's your sort ! Be careful, 
 old man. Now you have him ! " 
 
 Sam Parsons had the honour of dealing the first cut that 
 drew blood. 
 
 It was an ugly blow on the left shoulder but it did not 
 disable his opponent 
 
 The pain it caused him made him more furious than 
 ever. 
 
 Hunston looked on and gnashed his teeth, for this 
 affair was so different to what he had anticipated 
 
 He intended to have massacred all his own friends, and 
 his plans were spoilt by the chivalrous combat that was 
 taking place. 
 
 Of course he was safe with the mutineers, and did not 
 fear being taken prisoner. 
 
 They would protect him. 
 
 At length, Ben, by a lucky stroke, brought Sam Parsons 
 on one knee, having cut through the tendons of his left leg. 
 
 " Good again, Ben ! Cut him down ! " cried Jack. 
 
 "Curse the luck!" gasped the mutineer, still dealing 
 blows with his cutlass. 
 
 Ben Blunt was excited, and encouraged by the cries of
 
 AFL OA T AND ASHORE. 8 1 
 
 his party, rushed forward raised, his weapon with both 
 hands, and brought it down on the defenceless head of 
 his enemy. 
 
 There was a groan. 
 
 Sam Parsons fell forward on his face, his head being 
 cleft in two to the chin. 
 
 The mutineer's last hour had come. 
 
 There was a faint gurgle in his throat, a sort of death- 
 rattle, and he gave up the ghost. 
 
 With the utmost composure the mutineers removed the 
 body out of sight. 
 
 Then Jimmy Clark went up to Ben, and said 
 
 " I guess you're best man, and Sammy's gone home." 
 
 " And you're cap'n of the ' Sea-horse,'" replied Ben. 
 
 " That's right enough. However, we'll keep our com- 
 pact. No more fighting. You've done the trick, Ben, 
 and so we'll claim your promise. Bring out the liquor." 
 
 Jack was horrified at the careless indifference of those 
 men at the loss of their companion. 
 
 A moment's reflection showed him that a ship's crew 
 who had risen against and killed their officers were not 
 likely to give way to tender emotions. 
 
 Nor had he any time to waste in a melting mood. 
 
 " Monday," he exclaimed. 
 
 " Yes, sare," replied the black. 
 
 " Bring out the stone bottle you know which one," 
 he added, in the native language, in a low tone. 
 
 Monday nodded his head in a significant manner, and 
 entered the cave. 
 
 He returned with a large stone bottle containing rum. 
 
 The contents had been drugged with the peculiar herb 
 of which he had spoken. 
 
 Harvey and Mr. Mole were attending to Ben Blunt's 
 hurt, which they bound up. 
 
 " Now, my lads, bring yourselves to an anchor," ex- 
 claimed Jack. " We shan't charge you any more for sit- 
 ting. Here are some cups, such as we use ourselves, and 
 here's the stuff." 
 
 With this he distributed some-half cocoa-nutshells, which 
 could not be set down until they were empty, the bot- 
 tom being round. 
 
 The men began to pour out the liquor and Jack spoke 
 to Hunston, saying 
 6
 
 82 JA CK HARKA WA Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 " Are you going to join your new friends ? " 
 
 " No, I'm not," replied Hunston. " I'm going to take 
 my hook. The sight of you makes me feel ill " 
 
 "Does it?" answered Jack, with a sneer. " Then 
 take that with you to remind you of me." 
 
 As he spoke he kicked him as hard as he could just as 
 he turned his back 
 
 " You dare " cried Hunston, in a rage. 
 
 Jack levelled a pistol-barrel at him. 
 
 " Sheer off," he exclaimed, " or I'll settle accounts 
 with you, and wipe out all I have got against you. " 
 
 " A time will come," said Hunston, burning with rage. 
 
 The next instant he had darted away and was lost to 
 sight in the dense jungle. 
 
 Returning to the mutineers Jack saw that they had all 
 drunk. 
 
 Then he gave the stone bottle to Monday, saying 
 
 " This is empty ; go and get another." 
 
 " Ah, that's right," exclaimed Jimmy ; " you'll join us. 
 I thought you weren't going to leave us all alone. When 
 we've had this drinking bout out and the truce is over, 
 we shall be at liberty to fight again." 
 
 " Oh, yes ; I quite understand that," replied Jack. 
 
 " You know, we ain't going to let Ben Blunt crow 
 over us. " 
 
 "Of course not." 
 
 " We arranged that poor Sammy and Ben should fight 
 it out, and that there should be a truce," continued Jimmy. 
 " Now we're drinking to our noble selves ; but when we 
 leave you here and get out of sight, the war begins again." 
 
 " We're ready for you," said Jack. 
 
 Mr. Mole approached. 
 
 " I think, Harkaway, that I should not be showing the 
 loving kindness of my nature if I did not drink the health 
 of these fine fellows." 
 
 " Fire away, sir," answered Jack, handing him a cup 
 full of rum. 
 
 Harvey, Ben, and Monday now came in for their share 
 and they all fraternised. 
 
 " Ben, you old lubber," said Jimmy, " come and join 
 us, lad, and we'll make you our cap'n." 
 
 " Not if I know it, Jimmy," answered Ben. 
 
 " You won't ? Then to-morrow will see you as low as
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 83 
 
 poor Sam Parsons, and we shall have lost the two best 
 men in our crew." 
 
 " I'll never be a mutineer," replied Ben. " Scuttle me 
 first." 
 
 " Come, gentlemen," exclaimed Jack, fearing a quarrel, 
 " let the merry jest go round. We're friends now, what- 
 ever we may be to-morrow." 
 
 " That's right," answered Jimmy. " Who'll favour us 
 with a song ? Will you, sir ? " 
 
 This request was addressed to Mr. Mole. 
 
 "I I sing ? " said Mr. Mole, in surprise. "I never 
 did such a thing in my life. It is totally out of keeping 
 with my character." 
 
 "Go on, sir," said Jack. "You can tip them a stave if 
 you like." 
 
 1 ' Harka way, I protest. " 
 
 "It's no use protesting, sir. You're knocked down for 
 a song, and sing you must. It will be your call after- 
 wards. " 
 
 Harvey clapped his hands. 
 
 "Silence, gentlemen," he said, "silence, please, for Mr. 
 Mole's song." 
 
 There was a dead silence, and everybody looked at 
 Mr. Mole. 
 
 The unhappy gentleman bestowed a supplicating look 
 upon Jack, who kept his eyes fixed on the ground. 
 
 "The penalty for not singing is being ducked in the sea, 
 I believe," remarked Harvey. 
 
 Thus stimulated, Mr. Mole sighed, and said 
 
 " If I must, I must, though I can only give you a dimly- 
 remembered trifle of my childhood. 
 
 Clearing his throat he sang, in a cracked voice 
 
 " Did you ever, ever, ever see a whale ? 
 Did you ever, ever, ever see a whale ? " 
 
 Did you " 
 
 "Blarmme," interrupted Ben Blunt, "if I didn't once 
 
 see a lovely spermaceti whale off the coast " 
 
 "Order, Ben. Shut up," cried Jack. "You're inter- 
 rupting the harmony." 
 
 "Beg pardon, sir. Thought he was speaking to me, 
 
 acos he looked " 
 
 " Will you dry up ? " 
 
 Ben collapsed, and Mr. Mole continued
 
 84 JACK HA RKA WAY'S AD VENTURES 
 
 " Did you ever, ever, ever see a whale ? 
 No, I never, never, never ; 
 No, I never, never, never, saw a whale, 
 But I've often, often, often ; 
 But I've often, often, often seen a cow." 
 
 How much longer Mr. Mole might have gone on with 
 his song it is difficult to say. 
 
 His voice, however, was drowned in a rude burst of 
 loud laughter, in which every one joined. 
 
 This was followed by hurrahs and bravos, and it be- 
 came quite a word afterwards with every one to say, "Did 
 you ever see a whale?" and the reply would be, "No, 
 but I've seen a cow." 
 
 Mr. Mole sat down and solaced himself with a little 
 refreshment. 
 
 "I flatter myself I did that well, Harkaway," remarked 
 Mr. Mole. ' ' I was greeted with applause, and came off 
 with flying colours." 
 
 ' ' Certainly, sir, " replied Jack. Adding, ' ' Dick, did you 
 ever see a whale ? " 
 
 At this there was another roar, in which Mr. Mole 
 joined. 
 
 'The fact is, Harkaway," continued Mr. Mole, "that 
 it sn't everybody who could sing that song." 
 So I should think, sir." 
 
 ' The words are so simple " 
 
 'Very simple, sir," said Jack, with a grin. 
 'So simple, I say," continued Mr. Mole, "that a great 
 deal depends on the way it is sung." 
 
 Jack now remarked that some of the mutineers were 
 lying on their sides. 
 
 The drug was beginning to take effect. 
 
 "Hullo! dowse my daylights!" exclaimed Jimmy 
 Clark, " but this is a rummy go. I've come over wonder- 
 ful sleepy all of a minute." 
 
 " Pitch on the ground, then," replied Ben Blunt. "No- 
 body won't eat you." 
 
 Unable to resist the influence of the drug that Monday 
 had mixed with the liquor, the leader sank gently forward. 
 
 Directly afterwards he was fast asleep. 
 
 One by one the mutineers dropped off, and springing to 
 his feet, Jack exclaimed 
 
 "Now, my boys, are you all armed? "
 
 A FLO A T AND ASHORE. 85 
 
 There was a general chorus in the affirmative. 
 ' Does the boat float, Monday ? " 
 
 'Yes, sare ; him float safe enough," replied Monday. 
 'Slip your cable then, and away to the 'Sea-horse.' 
 She is ours if we do our duty." 
 
 ' Hur " began Harvey. 
 
 ' Silence, Dick. No holloaing till we're out of the wood. 
 That thief Hunston's slinking about somewhere. We've 
 our work cut out for us yet," interrupted Jack. 
 
 They did not know how many men had been left on 
 board the ship. 
 
 But their enterprise had succeeded so well, as far as it 
 had gone, that they ran down the beach flushed with hope, 
 and jumped into the boat. 
 
 When they were all seated the sail bellied to the breeze, 
 and away they went. 
 
 CHAPTER XXL 
 
 TAKING THE SHIP. 
 
 THEY had not gone far from the shore when Hunston, 
 who had been hiding in the bushes, crept up to the scene 
 of the late revelry. 
 
 The stillness that reigned where just before all had been 
 noise and uproar alarmed him. 
 
 The sudden quietude boded no good. 
 
 When he saw the mutineers all extended on the ground, 
 he thought they were dead. 
 
 But a glance assured him that they slept, and as their 
 hearts beat, and they breathed easily, it was clear that 
 they were not poisoned. 
 
 ' ' They have been drugged, " he muttered. 
 
 His next anxiety was to discover what had become of 
 Jack and his companions. 
 
 He reached the cave, and found nobody. 
 
 Then he gazed out over the sea, and saw the boat sail- 
 ing towards the ship. 
 
 "Fiend take them!" he cried. "This is Jack's plan, 
 I'll bet a sovereign, and a good one it is too. There 
 cannot be more than half-a-dozen men on board the
 
 86 JA CK HARK A W 'A Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 'Sea-horse,' and probably they are drunk and keeping no 
 look-out. " 
 
 He danced about with uncontrollable passion. 
 
 All at once he remembered that Sam Parsons had told 
 him he had arranged a signal with those on board the ship. 
 
 This was to light a fire. 
 
 If the look-out on board the "Sea-horse" saw a fire on 
 the shore, he would know at once that there was danger 
 in the wind. 
 
 "I'll try and foil Harkaway, at all hazards," he cried. 
 
 Hastily gathering together some sticks, he contrived to 
 light a fire by striking two flints together over some dry 
 grass. 
 
 Heaping what wood he could find on the top of it, he 
 soon had a roaring fire. 
 
 A black column of smoke ascended high in the air and 
 extended seaward. 
 
 "Those on board the ship must see the signal," he 
 muttered. 
 
 If the ship was captured he knew that his dearest 
 scheme would be frustrated. 
 
 Jack had learnt from the native he captured, that Emily 
 had been sent to the pirates' stronghold. 
 
 This was called the City of the Golden Towers. 
 
 The ship would enable Jack to sail to the island, on 
 which the famous city was situated, and the rescue of 
 Emily would be comparatively easy. 
 
 Besides this, the vessel would take Jack back to Eng- 
 land, while Hunston would be left alone amongst the 
 savages. 
 
 "I could gnaw my heart out with vexation," he said, 
 almost crying with rage. 
 
 He stood by the fire piling on wood, and watching the 
 progress of the boat towards the ship. 
 
 The morning had broken clear and serene ; not a cloud 
 obscured the magnificent disc of the yellow sun. 
 
 A refreshing breeze carried the boat over the water like 
 a thing of life. 
 
 In his impatience, Jack had seized an oar, while Har- 
 vey had grasped another. 
 
 She flew through the water. 
 
 Monday looked after the sail, while Mr. Mole sat be- 
 hind Ben Blunt, who handled the tiller.
 
 A FLO A T AND ASHORE. 87 
 
 The dangerous nature of the task they had undertaken 
 prevented them from feeling any inclination to talk. 
 
 It seemed an age before they reached the ship, though 
 the actual distance traversed was not more than five or 
 six miles. 
 
 When they were within a few yards of the vessel, they 
 saw dark forms on the deck. 
 
 " Ship ahoy ! " cried a sailor. 
 
 ' ' Lower your flag ! " exclaimed Jack, dropping his oar 
 and grasping his weapons. 
 
 "Who are you, and where do you hail from?" con- 
 tinued the mutineer. 
 
 "You know me, Bill Drake, don't you?" said Ben 
 Blunt. 
 
 "Of course I do. What tack are you on now, Ben?" 
 returned the one addressed as Blake. 
 
 " Sam Parsons is dead, and I've come to summon you 
 to lay down your arms." 
 
 " Never ! " replied Drake. "There's something wrong, 
 lads. I see the signal on the shore ; it's a caution. Take 
 your boat away," he added, "or, by , we'll sink her ! " 
 
 "Pour in a volley ! " cried Jack. "Now, then, each of 
 you cover your man and aim low. Are you ready ? Fire ! " 
 
 In a moment there was a succession of reports. 
 
 "Run her alongside, Ben, and then board her!" con- 
 tinued Jack. 
 
 " I'll stick to you," said Harvey to his friend. 
 
 "All right. Bet you a bob I'm on deck first, Dick," 
 replied Jack. 
 
 Almost directly, the crew of the boat were clambering 
 up the sides of the ship. 
 
 Whether the mutineers were disheartened or not, Jack 
 did not know. 
 
 But they returned the fire in a half-hearted manner, 
 Which did not appear to do any damage. 
 
 With his pistols in his belt, and a knife between his 
 teeth, Jack went up the ship's side, as if he were walking 
 upstairs into his father's drawing-room. 
 
 Harvey was after him in a trice. 
 
 They saw four men on deck, two having fallen at the 
 first discharge. 
 
 Jack having fired his pistol at one, rushed at the other 
 with his dirk and ran it through his body.
 
 88 JACK HARKA WA Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 Harvey made short work with another, and the fourth 
 fell on his knees and begged for mercy. 
 
 "Shall I settle him ? " asked Harvey. 
 
 ' ' No, let the beggar live. Take away his arms, though, " 
 replied Jack. The mutineer gladly allowed himself to be 
 disarmed, and then the victors looked round to see the 
 extent of the damage. 
 
 By this time Monday had gained the deck, not being so 
 active as the boys, who, of course, knew much better 
 how to get on board a ship than he did 
 
 " Oh, Mast' Jack ! " cried Monday ; " how him bleed I " 
 
 "Who? "asked Jack. 
 
 " You, sare ; look, your face I " 
 
 Jackput up his hand and withdrew it covered with blood. 
 
 "By Jove!" he said; "I've copped it, somehow, 
 though I didn't feel I was wounded. Is it much, Dick ? " 
 
 Harvey approached to examine and said 
 
 " It isn't deep, but it's a neat enough cut over the cheek 
 bone. It's a cutlass wound. I saw one of the fellows 
 make a swipe at you as you boarded." 
 
 " Tie something round it, will you ? " 
 
 Taking a handkerchief off his neck, Harvey fastened it 
 as well as he could round his friend's face. 
 
 "Hurrah," said Jack, "the ship's ours! Ben! Where's 
 Ben ? " 
 
 " Here, cap'n," replied the old sailor coming up the 
 ship's side with difficulty. "I've got a bullet in the leg, 
 but I wouldn't stop below." 
 
 "That's a pity, for we're short-handed already, and 
 can't afford to let you go into the sick bay," said Jack. 
 
 Harvey had a look at the wound, and exclaimed 
 
 "I'm surgeon's mate, Ben." 
 
 " Might have a worse, sir, and meaning no flattery to 
 you," answered Ben." 
 
 The ball fortunately had not gone in very far, and 
 Dick felt it by probing the wound with his finger. 
 
 "Can you plumb it, sir?" asked Ben. 
 
 " True as a die, Ben. Shut your mouth and keep still." 
 
 "Oh ! That last poke seemed to touch up a muscle," 
 cried Ben, wincing beneath the pain. 
 
 Harvey had one of those wonderful knives in his 
 pocket, which are a cork-screw, penknife, stone-picker, 
 bradawl, forceps, etc., all in one.
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 89 
 
 Opening the forceps, he, with great nerve and consider- 
 able skill, inserted the instrument in the wound, grappled 
 the bullet, and drew it out. 
 
 ' ' The Lord love you, sir, " said Ben, joyfully. ' ' Perhaps 
 you've saved my life, leastways, my leg, which would 
 have cankered without a doctor's help." 
 
 Harvey tore up part of his shirt and made bandages, 
 which he tied round the wound. 
 
 ' ' Now you lie still, my old sea-lion, " he said. ' ' You've 
 got an uncommon bad leg, and we shall have you tied up 
 in your hammock with a big shot at your feet, if you 
 don't watch it" 
 
 Ben hobbled to the after-deck, and sat down on a car- 
 ronade, knowing that Dick's advice was too good not 
 to be followed. 
 
 The bodies of the mutineers were quickly thrown over- 
 board by Monday, and the decks swabbed. 
 
 In a short time not even a blood-stain remained to show 
 there had been an action. 
 
 Going up to Ben, Jack said 
 
 " What's the name of the man whose life we spared ? 
 Will he join us ?" 
 
 "Bouncer's his name, leastways, I never heard him 
 called anything else," answered Ben ; "and as to join- 
 ing us, will a duck swim ? " 
 
 ' ' What do they call him Bouncer for ? " 
 
 "'Cos he's the biggest out and outer at lying as ever 
 had breath put into him," said Ben. 
 
 "Oh, that's it," exclaimed Jack, laughing. 
 
 "You mustn't believe anything that Bouncer tells you, 
 'cos he can't speak the truth even a little bit. He don't 
 know how." 
 
 " Can we go to sea like this, Ben ? " asked Jack. 
 
 " No, sir," answered the old sailor. "We couldn't work 
 her if a storm came on. It would be a tempting of 
 Providence, and I'd as soon sail on a Friday." 
 
 "Then what's the good of the vessel ? " asked Jack in 
 a tone of disappointment. 
 
 "Might man her with niggers, sir." 
 
 " Niggers ? Natives you mean." 
 
 "Yes," replied Ben. "I've seen Lascars do their duty 
 when they've been well larruped with a rope's end. But 
 you can't do nothing with them with kindness."
 
 90 JACK HARKA WA Y'S ADVENTURES 
 
 "Are they lazy?" 
 
 "Ain't they?" said Ben. "I've seen 'em a score or 
 more sleeping on deck of a night, cuddled up in each 
 other's arms, all the world like monkeys, and that's what 
 they'd like to do always eat and drink and sleep ; but 
 these here niggers may be a chalk better." 
 
 "I'll consider what's to be done, Ben. Let Harvey 
 help you below. Turn into your old bunk. You must 
 take care of yourself." 
 
 "Thank'ee, sir. I shall know little rest though till I 
 can take my place again by your side," answered the 
 sailor. 
 
 "Where's Mole?" said Jack, as Harvey and Ben 
 disappeared. 
 
 In the excitement of the moment he had forgotten all 
 about Mr. Mole, and he now looked anxiously round for 
 him. 
 
 The proprietor of a tea-garden in China was nowhere 
 to be seen. 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 HUNSTON IN DANGER. 
 
 THE delight of Harkaway at having so boldly and 
 gallantly captured the beautiful little ship "Sea-horse" 
 was unbounded. 
 
 He had many difficulties yet to contend with ; but 
 having possession of the vessel gave him hopes of sailing 
 to the mysterious city where Emily had been sent. 
 
 Then, having rescued her, he could up anchor and sail 
 for England. 
 
 The very thought of his home and all his friends, who 
 no doubt, for his long silence, were mourning him as 
 dead, sent him wild with joy. 
 
 He forgot the pain of his wound, which was beginning 
 to stiffen. 
 
 He forgot all the difficulties he had to encounter, and 
 had it not been for his anxiety on Mr. Mole's account, he 
 would have sunk into a charming reverie. 
 
 Monday came up at this moment, and he said 
 
 " Have you seen Mr. Mole ? I am afraid he is hurt,
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 91 
 
 and I wouldn't lose Mole for the world. We should have 
 no fun without him." 
 
 Monday grinned. 
 
 "Mist' Mole all right, sare," he replied. 
 
 "Is he ? How do you know that? " asked Jack, much 
 relieved. 
 
 " Monday saw him lower the sail in the boat, and creep 
 under um, sare." 
 
 "He's in the boat, then?" 
 
 "Yes, sare." 
 
 Jack looked over the side, and saw the boat drifting 
 astern. 
 
 " Drop into the water, and swim to her," he exclaimed, 
 " or she'll get into a current and go in shore. He'll 
 never work her himself." 
 
 Monday had no superfluous clothing, and quickly 
 dropped into the sea, swimming like a fish towards the 
 boat. 
 
 He looked under the sail, but saw no one. 
 
 " Him gone," he exclaimed. 
 
 "Gone ! Pull the boat in, and make fast the painter 
 to the ship," answered Jack, whose presence of mind 
 never failed him. 
 
 He had got into the habit now of giving orders, and 
 commanded as if he had been born to it. 
 
 In a short time Monday worked the boat back, moored 
 her, and came on deck, his dusky skin glistening in the 
 sun after his immersion. 
 
 " Now, where's Mole ? " said Jack. 
 
 "Monday saw him, sare, creep under the sail when 
 we began to fire." 
 
 "Perhaps he's on board, and we have missed him. 
 Come below." 
 
 Jack went down the hatch, and entered the captain's 
 cabin. 
 
 Here to his surprise, was Mr. Mole. 
 
 On the floor lay a man, very much the worse for liquor, 
 and Mr. Mole had put his foot on his neck. 
 
 Bottles of various kinds, containing spirits and wines, 
 were displayed on the table. 
 
 Mr. Mole had been trying each of them, and held a 
 glass of something red in his hand, which he was sipping 
 with great gusto.
 
 92 JACK HARKA WA y'S ADVENTURES 
 
 "How did you get here, sir?" asked Jack. "We 
 thought you had come to grief. " 
 
 " Harkaway," answered Mr. Mole, "I have subjugated 
 this Philistine. Look at him ! " 
 
 "I can see him, sir." 
 
 " Have I not put my foot on his neck? " 
 
 "But how did you get into this stateroom ? " persisted 
 Jack. 
 
 "You shall hear. First of all, try a glass of this 
 liquor. I know not its name, but of a verity, Harkaway, 
 it is comforting to the inner man." 
 
 " Don't mind if I do, sir. 1 got a nasty knock on the 
 head, and don't feel over and above bobbish," replied 
 Jack. 
 
 They drank, Mr. Mole raising his glass to his mouth 
 with an unsteady hand, and saying 
 
 "When the boat struck against the side of this goodly 
 ship I saw a port-hole, Harkaway." 
 
 "Yes, sir." 
 
 " My first impulse was to follow you on deck, but on 
 reflection, I decided not to do so. I crept through the 
 port-hole, and entered this cabin." 
 
 "Where you found the liquor, sir," said Jack. 
 
 "No, Harkaway, not so, " replied Mr. Mole. "Where 
 I found this truculent mutineer. We fought for more 
 than ten minutes, and at last 1 conquered him." 
 
 "You haven't got a scratch, sir. That's lucky, after 
 a ten-minutes' tussle." 
 
 " I don't show my wounds like some people. If I am 
 thrust through the thigh with a murderous sort of knife, 
 I don't go and proclaim it on the housetops, not I, Hark- 
 away," 
 
 "Well, I'm glad to see you so well as you are, sir," 
 replied Jack. "You'll excuse me for a time, as I have 
 affairs to attend to. " 
 
 "Can I help you? If so, command Isaac Mole." 
 
 "You must come on deck, sir. I must keep this 
 cabin shut up." 
 
 "Shut up the cabin ?" said Mr. Mole, in dismay. 
 
 "Yes; this is my den in the future. I'm captain, sir, 
 and you shall be one of my lieutenants." 
 
 "This is reversing the order of things, Harkaway. 
 Am I not entitled by my age and experience to be the
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 93 
 
 leader? I will not quit this cabin at present, I protest 
 against it ; but I will drink your health nevertheless." 
 
 While he was speaking he slipped off his chair, and 
 fell stretched on the floor. 
 
 "Let him be, sare," said Monday. "Him right 
 enough now." 
 
 "You black beast!" exclaimed Mr. Mole. "I will 
 teach you how to respect your pastors and masters when 
 I am better. Just now I feel sleepy. My exertions in 
 the battle have made me drowsy. You can go and play. " 
 
 A benignant smile overspread his countenance, and 
 Jack and Monday left the cabin. 
 
 Going on deck again, they met Harvey. 
 
 "Hullo, Jack!" said Harvey, "did you ever see a 
 whale ? " 
 
 " No, I never, never saw a whale, but I've just seen a 
 Mole," replied Jack. 
 
 "Where?" 
 
 " In the cabin tight." 
 
 "Well, he's happy. I thought he was potted. 
 Shouldn't like to lose old Mole. He isn't a bad sort, and! 
 taught our young ideas, you know." 
 
 "So he did. I like Mole. He keeps us alive." 
 
 " Well, what's the next move? " said Harvey. 
 
 " Blest if I know ; I'm cornered," answered Jack. "1 
 must have a little while to rest and think. There's Mole 
 tight, Ben Blunt wounded, and I'm dead beat" 
 
 " You're wounded too." 
 
 "It isn't much, though I must own I want rest," said 
 Jack. 
 
 "Have it then. Monday and I will keep watch. 
 There are too small cannons on deck, which I suppose 
 the crew had to protect them against the Malay pirates. 
 We will keep them loaded, and if the mutineers wake up 
 and try to board us, we will sink them." 
 
 "By the way, Monday," asked Jack, "how long will 
 the fellows be before the drug works off ? " 
 
 " They wide 'wake enough now, sare," replied Monday. 
 
 " How do you know ? " 
 
 "You look, sare. See um all dance about ; and, look, 
 they got Mast' Hunston ! " 
 
 "I'll be hanged if I can see them. Your eyes are 
 sharper than mine," replied Jack.
 
 94 J* CX HA RKA WAY'S AD VENTURES 
 
 "Get a glass, Monday?" said Harvey. "We have 
 one somewhere." 
 
 Monday saw one lying on the deck, and handed it to 
 Jack. 
 
 He put the telescope to his eye, and took a steady 
 view of the opposite shore. 
 
 " By Jove ! " he said. " Monday's right The fellows 
 are all up, and bustling about like bees. " 
 
 " Have they got Hunston ? " asked Harvey. 
 
 " Yes ; they are binding a fellow who looks like Hunston. " 
 
 "Him Mast' Hunston, sure enough," said Monday. 
 "Me never forget um face." 
 
 "What are they going to do with him?" continued 
 Harvey. 
 
 "Jiggered if I know," answered Jack. "They've got 
 him safe. There is something on, but what it is, I can't 
 make out for the life of me. " 
 
 "I expect he's had a row with the mutineers," said 
 Harvey; "but he'll square it with them, no doubt It 
 isn't worth while bothering about him." 
 
 "Not much," replied Jack. 
 
 He dropped the glass, and as he did so, Bouncer, who 
 had been neglected in the confusion came up. 
 
 "Beg pardon, captain," he said. 
 
 "What do you want? Oh, you are the prisoner," 
 replied Jack. 
 
 "Yes, sir, and I want to know what you're going to 
 do with me." 
 
 "Look here, Mr. Bouncer," said Jack; "the ship is 
 ours now, and we mean to take very good care she shall 
 remain ours. If you like to become one of our crew, 
 we'll take you to England with us, and say nothing 
 about the mutiny." 
 
 "That's generous, sir," replied Bouncer, "though, to 
 tell you the truth, I was dead against the rising from the 
 first, and it was through me that Ben Blunt's life was saved. " 
 
 Jack did not quite believe this, for he remembered 
 what Ben had said about Bouncer's lying powers. 
 
 "You'll be short-handed, sir," continued Bouncer. 
 --There's only yourselves, me, and Geary, who's been 
 drunk in the captain's cabin for the last two days." 
 
 "You'll have to work double tides, then," said Jack; 
 "but we mean to get some niggers to ship with us. '
 
 A FLO A T AND AS f JOKE. 
 
 95 
 
 " From one of the islands ? " 
 
 "Yes ; say a dozen or so, and they can be brought to 
 their homes by the next ship that comes out this way. 
 I'll see about that." 
 
 "Then I'd better set about my duty, sir," exclaimed 
 Bouncer; "for although I say it who shouldn't, there 
 isn't a better fo'castle hand than I am." 
 
 "No treachery, mind, Mr. Bouncer," said Jack. "If 
 I see the least symptom of an inclination on your part to 
 join your old friends, I'll shoot you like a seagull." 
 
 "No fear, sir. I'm glad to be under a proper cap'n 
 again. When do you sail ? " 
 
 "Not yet. We must wait till that drunken hound in 
 the cabin is sober, and Ben Blunt can get about and give 
 us a hand. You, I, Harvey, and Monday, with Mr. 
 Mole thrown in, are not sufficient to work the ship." 
 
 "That's the crew, is it, sir? Four men and a black 
 five all told." 
 
 "That's all five men, if you like to call Harvey and I 
 men." 
 
 "Ah, I could spin you a yarn, sir," said Bouncer, " of 
 how I and another chap crossed the Atlantic, when we 
 wasn't fourteen years old, in a cockle-shell of thirty tons. 
 It isn't the years, it's the spirit that makes a man." 
 
 "There is something in that," replied Jack ; "and now 
 keep a good look-out. Those two small cannons are loaded. 
 If the mutineers come near us in their boats depress the 
 muzzles and fire low, and we shall sink the lot of them." 
 
 Having given some trifling orders to Harvey and Mon- 
 day, Jack took up the glass again and reconnoitred the 
 Shore. 
 
 Hunston was certainly in trouble. 
 
 But what about ? 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 THE RAGE OF THE MUTINEERS. 
 
 To explain the peculiar position into which Hunston 
 had fallen, we must return to the mutineers. 
 
 The drug which had been given them, though quick in 
 its action, was not lasting in its effects.
 
 96 JACK HARKA WA Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 In a few hours they had slept off the lethargy whicft 
 had overtaken them. 
 
 Jimmy Clark, being a man of strong constitution, was 
 the first to return to his senses. 
 
 He was followed by the rest of his companions, one by 
 one. 
 
 They all awoke somewhat dizzy and drowsy, rubbing 
 their eyes and stretching their limbs. 
 
 Hunston no sooner saw they were getting about again, 
 than he left the signal fire and came towards them. 
 
 "What's the meaning of this, and where are your late 
 friends ? " asked Jimmy. 
 
 "They've been one too many for you, curse them!" 
 replied Hunston. 
 
 " How's that ; and why did you light the signal ? " 
 
 "To give those on board warning that there was 
 danger. " 
 
 "What danger? " asked the mutineer. 
 
 "You've had some stuff put in your grog," said Hun- 
 ston, " which sent you all off to sleep." 
 
 " Hang me, if I didn't think as much." 
 
 "While you slept, the party, under Jack Harkaway, 
 sailed to the ship, attacked, and captured it. I heard 
 the firing, and though I lighted the signal, it did not save 
 the vessel. " 
 
 The mutineers looked blankly at one another. 
 
 " Is this true? " cried Jimmy fiercely. 
 
 "Judge for yourself," replied Hunston. " Look, they 
 are lowering the black flag you hoisted, and running up 
 the Union Jack." 
 
 "So they are. It's a case, and Ben Blunt has us in 
 the palm of his hand. He'll send one of Her Majesty's 
 cruisers after us, and we shall be shot or hanged. " 
 
 The dismay of the mutineers increased. 
 
 "Death is better than being left on this island," said 
 one. 
 
 Turning savagely to Hunston, and eyeing him sus- 
 piciously, Jimmy Clark exclaimed 
 
 "It strikes me, my hearty, that you've had a hand in 
 this." 
 
 " I ? " repeated Hunston. 
 
 " Yes, you ; they used to be your friends. How is it 
 you were not drugged with the rest of us ? "
 
 AFLOAT AND ASHORE. 97 
 
 " Because I wouldn't drink with them." 
 
 "That be bio wed for a yarn. Catch an old sailor re- 
 fusing his allowance, when it's offered him," said Jimmy. 
 
 "Look here," replied Hunston, growing alarmed at 
 the threatening looks which were bent upon him from 
 all sides. 
 
 " Well ? " said the mutineer, sullenly. 
 
 " If I'd stood in with them, shouldn't I have gone off 
 in the boat with them, and not have stopped here with 
 you ? " 
 
 This argument did not convince Jimmy. 
 
 "Not you. There is some dodge on. You didn't ex- 
 pect us to wake up so soon, and meant to have joined 
 them later. If they ain't waiting for you, why don't they 
 set sail at once?" 
 
 " Look 'ee here," said a hairy, rough-looking mutineer, 
 "you see the smoke from that fire's a-blowing right into 
 the cave, ain't it ? " 
 
 "Yes, it be so," replied Jimmy. 
 
 "Well, then, it's my idea he meant to have dragged 
 all our bodies in there and have suffocated us right off, 
 only we come to a sight too quick for him." 
 
 This unlikely suggestion was eagerly caught at by the 
 mutineers, and fully believed in. 
 
 Knives leaped from sheaths and flashed in the sunlight. 
 
 More than one pistol was levelled at Hunston's head, 
 and his life with these ferocious men did not seem worth 
 a minute's purchase. 
 
 Jimmy now interfered. 
 
 "Put up your shooting-irons, lads," he exclaimed. 
 "There is one comfort, we've got the traitor." 
 
 " Kill him ! kill him ! " cried a chorus of voices. 
 
 "Not yet. Seize him and bind his arms, so as he 
 shan't slip his cable." 
 
 A dozen willing hands fell upon Hunston, and securely 
 bound his hands behind his back. 
 
 This was what Jack had observed from the deck of the 
 "Sea-horse." 
 
 It was this confusion which had puzzled him. 
 
 "Now, my lads, let's have a bit of a palaver," said 
 Jimmy. 
 
 The mutineers crowded round their leader in a circle. 
 7
 
 98 JA CK HARK A WAY'S AD VENTURES 
 
 Hunston was sitting on the ground, looking sullen and 
 dejected. 
 
 "It was this chap," continued Jimmy, pointing to 
 Hunston, "who got us to come here to attack Ben 
 Blunt, wasn't it ? " 
 
 "That's right enough." 
 
 "Well, Sam Parsons got killed, and I always thought 
 there was foul play about that, which was all of a piece 
 with the rest." 
 
 "Ben Blunt never could have beat Sam Parsons if 
 there wasn't something quizzy a-going on," remarked a 
 mutineer. 
 
 "So I say," remarked Jimmy ; " and it's all bits of the 
 same plot. Well, we gets drugged, doesn't us ? " 
 
 "Sure," replied the men. 
 
 "Then, while we's asleep, Ben and his mates goes and 
 takes our ship. Now what I say is that this Hunston ia 
 at the bottom of it all. He's helped his friends, and all 
 what's happened is all along of him." 
 
 "Don't I tell you that I hate Harkaway and all hia 
 companions like poison ? " exclaimed Hunston. 
 
 "What you say don't matter much. It ain't of no 
 account," answered Jimmy. 
 
 "Won't you listen to reason?" continued Hunston. 
 "A child, if he'd look at the facts fairly, could see that 
 I've had nothing to do with it" 
 
 "Look here," said the mutineer, "you may jaw for a 
 month, but you won't alter our opinion. We've dropped 
 anchor at that idea, and we shall ride at it, shan't us, lads? " 
 
 There was a noisy chorus of assent. 
 
 " Now, you've done a deal for your pals, and they 
 ought to do summat for you," persisted Jimmy. 
 
 "They won't do anything for me," replied Hunston, 
 " so it is no use your thinking of it." 
 
 "We'll try them. I want that ship. We're treed so 
 long as we ain't got our ship, and I don't know as we 
 should do much good by attacking of her now she's well 
 looked arter." 
 
 " Why not ? You're four to one." 
 
 "Maybe; but Ben Blunt and his friends are wide 
 awake, they are, not like our two scoundrels Bouncer 
 and Geary, and the others, who must have got blazing 
 drunk, and kept no watch."
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE, 99 
 
 " You've got two boats. Go and attack the ship. I'll 
 lead the attack," Hunston suggested. 
 
 " No, thank you ; I've got a better dodge than that. 
 You'd go over to the enemy. I know you. Wanted to 
 smother us all in the cave, didn't you ? " 
 
 Hunston groaned at the pig-headed and ignorant ob- 
 stinacy of the man. 
 
 "No, my lads," Jimmy went on; "we won't attack 
 the ship to be sent to the bottom by the cannon, not us. 
 We'll send a flag of truce, and tell who ever's captain 
 of the ' Sea-horse ' that if the ship isn't given up in twelve 
 hours, we'll hang this Hunston on a tree in sight of his pals." 
 
 There was a roar of assent to this proposition. 
 
 "Jimmy can do it. He's a born lawyer all over," 
 said one of the mutineers named Phillips. 
 
 "Are we sailing on the right tack?" asked Jimmy, 
 much pleased with the applause he received. 
 
 " That's right, " replied Phillips. "Let Hunston write 
 a bit of a note we've got pencil and paper among us 
 and then two of us will go in the boat with a flag of 
 truce and let'em think it over." 
 
 "It must be put strong and simple to them," said 
 another mutineer. 
 
 "You leave that to me, and don't attempt to teach 
 your betters," exclaimed Jimmy. "It's this way; they 
 give up the ship in twelve hours, or we put a noose 
 round their friend Hunston's neck, and hang him up to 
 the nearest tree. " 
 
 " But I'm not their friend," said Hunston. 
 
 "Go along, and tell that to the marines," replied 
 Jimmy, derisively. 
 
 " We're enemies. We hate one another, and I've been 
 trying to kill the whole of them this ever so long. My 
 life doesn't matter a rush to them." 
 
 " It won't do, governor," said Jimmy. "We're able- 
 bodied seamen, and it won't wash." 
 
 "All right; you're a parcel of fools, and must do as 
 you like, I suppose," exclaimed Hunston, with a sigh of 
 resignation. 
 
 He saw it was useless to talk to them. 
 
 They fancied he was a traitor to them, and a friend of 
 Ben Blunt and Harkaway, which was quite enough for 
 them.
 
 100 JA CK HARKA WA Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 Paper and pencil were produced, and handed to Hun- 
 ston. 
 
 1 ' Now, then, write for your life ; that's what you've 
 got to do." 
 
 Write to Harkaway to save his life ! 
 
 What a strange turn events had taken since Jack was 
 Hunston's captive in Palembang, and a high gallows had 
 been erected especially for him. 
 
 Hunston had some spirit and pride left in him, and he 
 hesitated before he put pencil to paper. 
 
 He felt it would be no use. 
 
 It would be an unnecessary humiliation. 
 
 Throwing the pencil down, he said 
 
 " Write yourselves ! I'll be hanged if I lower myself 
 by writing to Jack, not even to beg my life. " 
 
 The mutineers regarded him with astonishment 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 TWELVE HOURS ONLY. 
 
 THE scene was a striking one. 
 
 Hunston's arms had been unbound to permit him to 
 write, and an empty biscuit cask had been rolled before 
 him, upon which the sheet of rough paper was placed. 
 
 Around him were gathered the picturesquely-attired 
 mutineers, with their savage faces sunburnt and swarthy. 
 
 On one side was a cave, situated at the base of a rocky 
 ledge, which stretched for some distance along the shore. 
 
 Behind arose a vast forest, filled with all the luxuriant 
 vegetation of the tropics. 
 
 In front a sandy plateau swept down to the blue, 
 curly waves of the sea, which, agitated by a faint breeze 
 swept in gently eddying circles, flecked with foam. 
 
 "Won't you write?" asked Jimmy Clark, angrily. 
 
 " No ; I have told you I won't." replied Hunston. 
 
 "Perhaps we can find a way of persuading you, my 
 bantam cock." 
 
 "What's the good of bullying me?" Hunston said. 
 "Can't you write yourself? You seem to have some 
 education. " 
 
 "I can write, and read, too, for that matter; not that 
 either accomplishment's of much use to a sailor. But
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. IOI 
 
 give us hold of the pencil, I don't want to be nasty," said 
 Jimmy. 
 
 He took up the pencil, and hastily wrote 
 
 "To Ben Blunt, and those on board the 'Sea-horse' 
 with him. 
 
 " Look here, old mate, you've been and gone and done 
 it, and we ain't a-going to stand it, that's flat. 
 
 "We've got your friend Hunston leastaways he's a 
 friend of the chap they calls Jack Harkaway, who's at 
 the bottom of this fakement. 
 
 ' ' Now this is the size of it. 
 
 "If so be as you don't part with the ship in twelve 
 hours from the time of getting this writing, we shall string 
 up Hunston. 
 
 "That means hanging of him. 
 
 "We give you twelve hours to think it over. 
 
 "Let us have our ship, and we'll shake hands and cry 
 quits. 
 
 " Your lot shall have this island, which we'll vacu 
 cu " 
 
 ' ' I say, how do you spell 'vacuate ? " asked Jimmy. 
 
 Hunston told him. 
 
 "There maybe a 'e' at the end," said Jimmy; "I 
 don't say there isn't, but blow me if there's one at the 
 beginning, and blame me if I put one. It's 'vacuate, 
 ain't it? Well, then, how can you put a 'e' at the top. 
 Go on. It's foolishness. You'll tell me next I ain't been 
 to school at all. " 
 
 "Put it as you like," replied Hunston. 
 
 "Which will be, "vacuate the island,'" continued 
 Jimmy, "and say no more about it, though that drug- 
 ging business was a dirty bit, and no flies. 
 
 "So give up the ship, and cry a go, or we'll hang this 
 this cur, Hunston. 
 
 "So no more from yours at present, and a hoping it 
 leaves you. 
 
 "JiM CLARK." 
 
 "Will that do, lads ? " said Jim, reading it out with con- 
 scious pride. 
 
 The mutineers said it was beautiful, and evidently 
 regarded the composition as the highest style of art.
 
 1 02 JA CK HARK A WAY'S AD VENTURES 
 
 " Now, Phillips, my man, you and me will sail over to 
 the old tub, and deliver this 'ere letter," continued Jimmy. 
 
 Hunston was again bound, and the mutineers, after 
 seeing their companions start, began to busy themselves 
 in preparing their breakfast. 
 
 In the cave they found a variety of articles, abandoned 
 by Jack and his party, which came in very handy. 
 
 Hunston watched the boat sail off with a dogged look. 
 
 He did not expect any mercy from Jack, and thought 
 that the attempt to get back the ship by threatening his 
 own life would be a failure. 
 
 On all occasions he had treated Harkaway and Harvey, 
 too, so infamously that he fancied they would show 
 more than Christian forgiveness if they raised a hand in 
 his defence. 
 
 ' ' I'm a bad lot, " he muttered. ' ' I'm a thorn in their 
 side, and the sooner I'm dead and gone the better for 
 them. What do they care for me ? " 
 
 The mutineers left him to himself, taking no notice of 
 him. 
 
 He could not escape ; that was all they cared about. 
 
 Hunston evidently believed his end was approaching. 
 
 No wonder he was sullen and silent. 
 
 Meanwhile the boat was on its way to the "Sea- 
 horse." 
 
 Jack saw it long before it came near, and seeing only 
 two men in it, did not feel much alarmed. 
 
 He called Harvey to his side, and pointed it out. 
 
 "What shall we do ? " he asked. 
 
 "Oh, we needn't funk," replied Harvey. "They've 
 come to remonstrate with us, perhaps." 
 
 A white flag was run up to the top of the little mast, 
 and Jack cried 
 
 " Lay to ! " 
 
 The mutineers hauled down their sail, and hove to. 
 
 "We're unarmed," cried Jimmy Clark, "and have 
 brought you a letter, sir." 
 
 " Come on board then," replied Jack. "You, I mean 
 the other fellow, can stay in the boat. " 
 
 The mutineer approached nearer, and in a few minutes 
 Jimmy was on deck. 
 
 " I'm the bearer of a letter sir," he said ; " and come 
 with a flag of truce, so of course you won't do anything
 
 AFLOAT AND ASHORE. 103 
 
 to me. More by token that we've got your friend hard 
 and fast." 
 
 "What friend?" 
 
 "Him they call Hunston." 
 
 " He's no friend of ours, my good fellow," said Jack. 
 ' ' You never made a greater mistake in your life. " 
 
 " I thought you would say so," exclaimed Jimmy. 
 ' ' Howsomever, read that bit of writing. " 
 
 Jack took the scrawl, and with difficulty made himself 
 master of its contents. 
 
 " Is this a dodge? " he asked. 
 
 "What do you mean, sir? " inquired Jimmy. 
 
 "Is this a dodge of Hunston's or are you really going 
 to hang him because you think he has betrayed you and 
 is a friend of ours ? " 
 
 "Wish I may die, cappen," answered Jimmy, "if 
 every word of that letter isn't gospel truth." 
 
 "You mean to hang Hunston, if we don't give up this 
 ship in twelve hours ? " 
 
 "That's it, sir." 
 
 "And you give me twelve hours to decide ? " 
 
 "Not a minute more. If we don't hear from you then, 
 up he goes." 
 
 "Very well," said Jack. " I can't give you an answer 
 off-hand, but I'll think the matter over." 
 
 The mutineer inquired after his comrades, and declared 
 that he was sorry Geary and Bouncer were alive as they 
 deserved killing with the others, because they had kept 
 such a bad look-out. 
 
 "You ought never to have had this ship," he said. 
 
 "But we've got it, my friend," answered Jack. 
 
 " I know that Well, sir, we'll expect your answer, 
 and if you'll give us a glass of grog " 
 
 "Not a drop. You're a mutinous dog and I'll have 
 nothing further to say to you," interrupted Jack. 
 
 "But sir " 
 
 "Be off, or I'll help you," said Jack, who was indignant 
 with the mutineers, and did not care to take the trouble 
 to speak civilly to any of them. 
 
 Jimmy descended the side, and the sail of the boat was 
 soon bellying to the breeze, as he returned to his com- 
 panions. 
 
 ' ' Dick ! " cried Harkaway.
 
 104 J A CK HARK A WA Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 " Here ! " replied Harvey, who had been standing at a 
 respectful distance, and had not heard what passed. 
 
 "Come below ; we must hold a council of war." 
 
 " All right. Lead on," said Harvey. 
 
 They went into the captain's cabin. 
 
 Monday remained on deck with Bouncer. 
 
 Ben Blunt was in a hammock. 
 
 Geary had been removed, and was trying to get sober, 
 while Mr. Mole was drinking some fine Madeira he had 
 found in a locker, and was nibbling a ship's biscuit. 
 
 "Ah! you have come at last, Harkaway," he said. 
 "That is my lunch. Have some lunch." 
 
 "What is it, sir?" 
 
 "Merely a biscuit and a glass of wine. Excellent 
 Madeira. Try a glass. " 
 
 Both Harvey and Jack complied with his request, and 
 had some lunch. 
 
 "Comfortable quarters these, Harkaway. When do 
 we sail ? " asked Mr. Mole. 
 
 "Not for a day or two, sir," replied Jack. 
 
 "Ah, well! I leave all those things to you. Of course 
 you'll put me in the way of getting to China. I must see 
 after my tea-garden." 
 
 "Sell it, sir. We shall not get much further up the 
 China Sea." 
 
 "I should like to see it. I must see my tea-garden, 
 and shan't die happy if I don't," exclaimed Mr. Mole. 
 
 ' ' What are you going to do with your wives, sir ? " in- 
 quired Harvey. 
 
 "Wives! ah! Great bother wives; but I've given 
 them the slip, eh ! Shouldn't mind Alfura so much, but 
 Ambon ia is a what shall I say ? " 
 
 "A teazer, sir." 
 
 "She's worse than that, Harvey. She's a millstone 
 round a man's neck. What a lovely corpse she would 
 make, to be sure. " 
 
 "I'm ashamed of you, sir," said Jack. "You don't 
 manage her rightly, but you'll have an opportunity of 
 making up for your bad behaviour, as we are going to 
 Limbi." 
 
 ' ' Going to Limbi 1 " said Mr. Mole, in horrified 
 amazement. 
 
 "Must go."
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 105 
 
 "What for?" 
 
 "Haven't got our full complement of hands. Want 
 niggers to make up the crew," replied Jack. 
 
 "Let me work. Let me do the work of a common 
 seaman. I will indeed ; but don't, for the love of Heaven, 
 go to Limbi." 
 
 "Must," said Jack. 
 
 "Well, then, say I'm dead. Tell them I fell fighting 
 bravely against the Pisangs. Tell them anything, only 
 don't give me up to the furies," supplicated Mr. Mole. 
 
 "We'll see what can be done for you, sir, "replied Jack. 
 "By the way, did you hear the news Monday brought 
 from Limbi ? " 
 
 "That my wives meant to come after me? " 
 
 "No, not that. Mrs. Mole Number One expects to be- 
 come a mother." 
 
 "Oh, Lord ! " cried Mole, pressing his hand to his head. 
 
 "And Mrs. Mole Number Two also has an expectation 
 of the same sort, but isn't quite sure." 
 
 "The Lord be good to me ! Two Little Isaacs ! Oh, 
 Lord ! what shall I do ? Two little Isaac Moles, with a 
 prospect of more," said the wretched man. 
 
 "It's nice to be a father, sir," remarked Harvey. 
 
 "Not when they're niggers; the children, I mean. 
 No, Harvey, I cannot look forward to such a prospect 
 with an equal mind." 
 
 "Poor little innocents. What have they done ? If you 
 don't like kids, sir " 
 
 " Harvey, I beg of you to refrain from any indulgence 
 in unseemly mirth on my account. I will not put up 
 with it." 
 
 Harvey sang 
 
 " One little Isaac, 
 Two little Isaacs, 
 Three little Isaac Moles. 
 
 You can do it, sir. Perhaps Ambonia will have twins." 
 " Do you want to drive me mad? " asked Mr. Mole. 
 "Shut up, Dick ; I want to talk about business ? " cried 
 
 Jack. 
 
 "Ah! business!" exclaimed Mr. Mole, rubbing his 
 
 hands, and taking another glass of wine. "That's more 
 
 in my way. I hate and abominate chaff. What is the 
 
 business may I ask ? "
 
 106 JACK HARKA WA Y'S ADVENTURES 
 
 "The mutineers fancy Hunston has betrayed them, 
 and mean to hang him in twelve hours if we don't give 
 up the ship," replied Jack. 
 
 Both Harvey and Mr. Mole received this news without 
 showing any signs of astonishment or regret. 
 
 They did not seem to care whether Hunston lived or 
 died. 
 
 Possible of the two they would have preferred him 
 dead. 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 JACK'S GENEROSITY. 
 
 " LET them hang him," said Mr. Mole. 
 
 "So I say," remarked Harvey. "He's no good. It 
 will save us the trouble of settling his hash some day." 
 
 "Give up the ship and these comfortable quarters, with 
 the chance of getting to China or home again ? " continued 
 Mr. Mole. "We're not candidates for Colney Hatch 
 lunatic asylum yet." 
 
 "Nor Han well either," replied Harvey. "What do you 
 say, Jack ? " 
 
 " I don't see the force of giving up the ship," answered 
 Jack, "and yet I don't like to leave Hunston to his fate." 
 
 " Has he ever shown you any kindness ? " said Harvey. 
 
 "Was he not always your determined enemy at school, 
 and has he not been so since," said Mr. Mole 
 
 "That is true ; but I shouldn't like to see an old school- 
 fellow hanged before my eyes, as I may say. " 
 
 "The sentiment does more honour to your heart than 
 head, Harkaway," Mr. Mole said. "If I were you I 
 should not trouble about the scoundrel." 
 
 " But I shall, sir. You and I are two different people, 
 and I won't leave Hunston in the hands of the mutineers." 
 
 "Dear, dear,"said Mr. Mole. "This is an unfortunate 
 determination of yours. Here have we fought valiantly 
 for the ship, and " 
 
 "I'm not going to give up the ship." 
 
 "Oh ! that's a different thing. What is it you propose 
 to do, then ? " Mr. Mole said, much relieved.
 
 A FLO A T AND ASHOKE. 1 07 
 
 "I shall go ashore, and have a shy at the mutineers. 
 By myself, if no one has the pluck to go with me." 
 
 "Really I must decline the challenge," Mr. Mole re- 
 plied. "The fatigues of this morning's battle have been 
 too much for me. It was mainly owing to me that the 
 ship was captured. Had I not gone through the porthole, 
 and settled the man down below, I verily believe he 
 would have fired the magazine, and then what would 
 have become of you who were struggling on deck ? " 
 
 Jack looked at Harvey, who saw the glance and com- 
 prehended it, but he preserved silence. 
 
 "Won't you lend a hand, Dick, to save an old school- 
 fellow ? " urged Jack. 
 
 "I'll tell you what it is," replied Harvey; "if it had 
 been anybody but Hunston, I would not have hesitated 
 a moment, but " 
 
 He paused. 
 
 "Well Dick?" said Jack, calmly. 
 
 "It seems to me to be folly to risk our own lives to 
 save his. " 
 
 ' ' He's got friends, Dick. He's got a mother and father, 
 and brothers and sisters. Won't they like to see him 
 again, bad as he is. Think of his poor mother," said 
 Jack. 
 
 "I wish you wouldn't be so eloquent, "replied Harvey. 
 "I shall have to give in whether I like it or not, if you 
 go on like that." 
 
 "He's young, Dick, not above a year or two older than 
 we are, and he's led a wicked life, and done what : it 
 we say at church, Mr. Mole ? " 
 
 " 'Those things which we ought not to have done/ 
 Harkaway. Is that what you mean ? " 
 
 " That's it, sir. Well, Dick, he's got sins to repent, and 
 you know he might turn out a decent fellow after all." 
 
 " Don't walk into my affections like that, Jack," said 
 Harvey. 
 
 "But I must and will." 
 
 "What do you want me to do?" 
 
 "To come and save Hunston." 
 
 "How ?" 
 
 " It's a time to forget his faults," said Jack. "We 
 must put those on one side. " 
 
 " I don't know at present. We've got twelve hours to
 
 1 08 JACK HARKA WA Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 do it in. Only twelve hours. Just one day. It doesn't 
 seem long, though it's time enough to save a man's life 
 in." 
 
 Still Harvey was irresolute. 
 
 ' ' Would it look well to go home and see Mr. Craw- 
 cour, and Collinson, and Mr. Stonor, and all our own 
 friends, and tell them that we left Hunston to be hanged 
 before our eyes, when we might have raised a hand 
 to save him ? Dick, old boy, you're not showing your 
 proper form, you're not, indeed. " 
 
 "You've licked, Jack," cried Harvey, jumping up. "I 
 didn't think anyone could have persuaded me to go across 
 the street for Hunston, but you've done it." 
 
 "You'll come?" 
 
 " Rather. I'm with you, Jack, sink or swim. They 
 shan't say we left an old schoolfellow in the lurch." 
 
 " He had me beaten with the bamboos," remarked 
 Harvey, " till I thought my back was being skinned." 
 
 "And he tried to hang me twice over. Never mind," 
 replied Jack, " we'll show them all that we've got some 
 British pluck left, and we'll save him, or " 
 
 He paused. 
 
 "Or what, my very impulsive young friend?" asked 
 Mr. Mole, with a cynical smile. 
 
 "Turn up our toes, sir," replied Jack. 
 
 "What may that mean ? " 
 
 "Croak, sir. Get ready for your six feet of polished 
 elm or oak, if your family can afford the luxury. " 
 
 "You should not joke about such subjects, Harkaway. 
 It is wrong. I trust neither you nor Harvey will want a 
 coffin ; but, if you should, depend upon it, I will do the 
 best I can, taking into consideration the slender resources 
 of the country." 
 
 " Well," said Jack ; " that's cool." 
 
 "I trust I am always cool in the hour of danger, Hark- 
 away," replied Mr. Mole. 
 
 "Well, sir, laughing's better than crying, and I daresay 
 we shall hit upon a dodge of rescuing Hunston without 
 losing our lives." 
 
 "Let us hope so." 
 
 Jack was rather annoyed with Mr. Mole for the selfish 
 <vay in which he spoke, and, rising, beckoned to Harvey. 
 
 "Come on deck, Dick," he said.
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 109 
 
 *'Are you going?" asked Mr. Mole. 
 
 ' ' Yes, we are going. " 
 
 "You leave me with my friend," said Mr. Mole, play- 
 fully tapping the wine-bottle. 
 
 ' ' Take care of it, sir. It's the only friend you've got, 
 and he won't turn out a real one," replied Jack. 
 
 Directly he had said this, he was sorry for it 
 
 Mr. Mole got up, and running after Jack, caught him 
 close to the entrance to the cabin. 
 
 He looked hurt, and really felt hurt, for it was the first 
 time either of the boys had said anything unkind to him, 
 or noticed his growing weakness for the bottle. 
 
 " Harkaway," he exclaimed, touching his shoulder. 
 
 "Well, sir, "replied Jack. 
 
 "You said something, which I thought very unkind, a 
 moment ago. Did you mean it ? " 
 
 Jack's heart was in his mouth in a moment. 
 
 " No, sir, I didn't," he replied ; "and I'm very sorry I 
 said it. Will you forgive me ? " 
 
 ' ' Our lot, " said Mr. Mole, ' ' is cast in a foreign land, 
 and we are in the midst of danger. I may have drunk 
 too much, Harkaway ; perhaps I have " 
 
 "No, sir " 
 
 "I'm not blind to my own faults, but it cuts me to the 
 quick to be ridiculed by my own pupils, my dear friends, 
 for I love you both as my own children." 
 
 "I believe you do, sir," replied Jack. 
 
 "You must not think I am a silly old man," continued 
 Mr. Mole. "Out here I may indulge too much oc- 
 casionally, but why shouldn't I ? Look at the surround- 
 ing circumstances. What are they ? " 
 
 "Niggers and sea, sir," replied Harvey. 
 
 "With occasional snakes and mutineers," said Mr. 
 Mole. "But seriously, my dear boys, do not say any- 
 thing rude to me again. I cannot bear it. Believe me, 
 that however foolish I may seem to you occasionally, I 
 do value your good opinion, most highly. I do, indeed. " 
 
 " I beg your pardon, sir, I didn't mean anything. I 
 didn't want to be cheeky," said Jack. 
 
 " And I'll say more, Harkaway, now I'm on the sub- 
 ject," Mr. Mole went on. "I admire the courage you 
 have displayed under the most trying circumstances. It's 
 been a source of pride and wonder to me."
 
 110 JACK HA RKA WA Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 "Don't butter me too much, sir ; I can't lend you half- 
 a-crown if you want it, " replied Jack, smiling. 
 
 ' ' No, no ; you must not make fun of what I say. I do 
 my best, but I cannot equal you. However, we are not 
 of an age, and youth is always ardent." 
 
 "That's it, sir," exclaimed Jack. " Please accept my 
 apology for hurting your feelings. I wouldn't have done 
 it for a fiver. Will you forgive me ? " 
 
 "Forgive you, Harkaway ? There's my hand." 
 
 Jack took it, and grasped it heartily. 
 
 "Now we're friends, sir," he said. 
 
 "Yes, Harkaway." 
 
 "And you're perfectly satisfied?" 
 
 "Perfectly. God bless you ! No one shall say that 
 Isaac Mole ever bore malice, but I wouldn't lose the 
 esteem of you two boys for anything. Remember that, 
 and if I do say anything foolish, try and think well of me.' 
 
 "I assure you, Mr. Mole," said Jack, "that we have a 
 strong regard for you, and if we leave you now it is 
 because we have business to attend to." 
 
 With this assurance Mr. Mole rested satisfied, an<J the 
 boys went on deck. 
 
 "Well, Jack," exclaimed Harvey, "what's the Ifttte 
 game now ? " 
 
 "I don't know, I'm cornered," replied Jack. 
 
 "About Hunston, I mean." 
 
 "I know what you mean, well enough," Jack ex- 
 claimed. " But how to get him out of the hands of those 
 blessed mutineers is more than your humble servant, 
 Jack Harkaway, can tell." 
 
 Harvey looked puzzled, and they were both silent for 
 some little time. 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 JACK DOES HIS BEST FOR HIS OLD ENEMY. 
 
 IT was some time before Jack could hit upon a plan for 
 being of service to Hunston. 
 
 That he should not die if he could help it, he deter- 
 mined.
 
 AFL OA T AND ASHORE. \ \ \ 
 
 At the same time he was equally firmly resolved that 
 he would not give up the ship to the mutineers. 
 
 As the vessel was so short-handed, he could not take 
 any one but Harvey with him. 
 
 We have already spoken of the two small cannon they 
 had on board. 
 
 Looking at one of these, Jack said 
 
 " I think I know how to do it, Dick." 
 
 '"How?" asked Harvey, " I've had my thinking-cap 
 on for a long while, and can't hit upon any dodge which 
 comes within a mile of the proper thing." 
 
 "Suppose we put one of these cannon on board the 
 boat, load it up to the muzzle, take a slow match with us, 
 sail in to the shore, and when we get within range of the 
 mutineers let them have it hot and strong." 
 
 "That will do, if they let us get near enough," said 
 Harvey. 
 
 "The cannon," replied Jack, "will carry farther than 
 their rifles, so that we shall not be in danger." 
 
 "What if Hunston is in the line of fire? " 
 
 "He isn't at present. I have been looking through 
 the glass, and he is tied to a tree on the left. The tree, 
 perhaps, to which they mean to hang him." 
 
 "What are the mutineers doing?" 
 
 " Just what might have been expected, drinking and 
 gambling. They have one or two packs of cards and 
 seem greatly excited. Shall we try the plan ? " 
 
 "If you like. It's better than nothing," answered 
 Harvey. 
 
 ' ' At once, or wait for night ? " 
 
 "Oh, at once. I hate waiting," said Harvey. 
 
 "All right. Send Bouncer aft, with Monday. We will 
 sling the gun into the boat, and get ready," exclaimed 
 Jack. 
 
 It did not take long to put the little gun in the bows. 
 
 They loaded it nearly up to the muzzle with bullets, 
 slugs, and pieces of old iron. 
 
 With them they took a bag of similar ammunition, so 
 as to be ready for a second discharge. 
 
 Over the gun they threw a bit of old bunting, to pre- 
 vent the mutineers seeing it and having their suspicions 
 aroused. 
 
 "Is it all ready ? "
 
 112 JACK HARKA WA Y'S ADVENTURES 
 
 "Aye, aye, sir," replied Bouncer. 
 
 "Jump in, Dick." 
 
 Harvey took his place in the stern and Jack followed 
 him. 
 
 "Going to give them pepper, sir?" said Bouncer, 
 smiling grimly as he regarded these warlike preparations, 
 which were intended for his old comrades. 
 
 "I think I'm justified in doing so," replied Jack. 
 " They are murderers, for they killed the officers of their 
 ship, and are consequently out of the pale of the law." 
 
 "That's right enough, sir." 
 
 "Therefore," continued Jack, "in dealing with them I 
 need not follow the rules of civilised warfare. If I can 
 shoot them like dogs, they deserve it, for they'd cut our 
 throats without the least compunction, if they got the 
 chance." 
 
 "So they would. I can't say much for them," replied 
 Bouncer; "and I did all I could to stop the mutiny, 
 though what is one against a dozen or more ? " 
 
 "Shove her off, Dick," said Jack, who had not much 
 faith in Bouncer's hypocritical assertions of innocence. 
 
 The boat, by dint of successive tacks, made for the 
 shore. 
 
 As they got nearer they clearly distinguished Hunston 
 bound to a large palm-tree on the left of the cave. 
 
 He looked very miserable. 
 
 The mutineers were gambling and quarrelling, but they 
 desisted when they saw the boat. 
 
 They thought that Jack was coming to make terms 
 with them, and did not apprehend an attack. 
 
 "Lie down in the bows, Dick, and get the match 
 ready," whispered Jack. 
 
 Harvey did so, and Jack lowered the sail when they 
 were within what he judged to be a proper distance. 
 
 Holding the tiller, he kept the nose of the boat well in 
 front, so that Harvey might point the gun without any 
 difficulty and in such a manner that it might do good 
 execution. 
 
 "Ahoy, there! Ahoy," exclaimed Jimmy Clark, who 
 was in the centre of his companions. 
 
 " What cheer ? " replied Jack, putting his hand to his 
 mouth to make a speaking-trumpet. 
 
 "Are you come to give up the ship? "
 
 AFL OAT A ND ASHORE. 1 1 3 
 
 "Speak louder ; I can't hear," said Jack, pretending he 
 could not distinguish what was said. 
 
 " Do you agree to our terms ? " continued Jimmy. 
 
 Jack bent down. 
 
 "Are you ready, Dick?" he asked. 
 
 " Half a minute," replied Harvey. 
 
 "They're all in a heap. Cover them well, and fire as 
 soon as you can. Remember, all depends upon the first 
 fire. They will scatter and shelter if we don't chaw 
 them up." 
 
 " I've got a message for you," said Jack aloud. 
 
 "What is it? Let's have it," replied the mutineer. 
 
 "Look out then, it's coming. Now, Dick," he added, 
 " aim low, and shoot straight." 
 
 The mutineers, numbering a dozen or fourteen, were 
 grouped together. 
 
 They were not at all prepared for the sort of message 
 Jack was going to send them. 
 
 Only a few of them thought it advisable to stand to 
 their arms. 
 
 Suddenly a little tongue of flame shot up in the air, as 
 Harvey applied the lighted match. 
 
 Then there was a puff of smoke and a sullen roar. 
 
 The next moment terrible shrieks rent the air, and 
 more than half the number of the mutineers fell to the 
 ground mortally wounded. 
 
 The others were so panic-stricken that they took to 
 their heels, and ran for their lives. 
 
 Jack hoisted the sail, and saying, "Stand in," grasped 
 the tiller again, and sent the boat rolling towards the land. 
 
 Harvey held a loaded rifle in his hand, and was pre- 
 pared to pick off any of the survivors who showed them- 
 selves. 
 
 " Mind the boat as well as you can, Dick, and cover 
 me while I go ashore," exclaimed Jack. 
 
 "Aye, aye ! " replied Harvey. 
 
 Setting his teeth firmly together, Jack dashed into the 
 sea as soon as the boat grounded. 
 
 In one hand he held a pistol, in the other a knife. 
 
 His intention was to cut Hunston loose. 
 
 Running across the sand, he soon gained the tree, and 
 with a few vigorous cuts severed the cords which bound 
 him. 
 8
 
 114 JACK HARK A WAY'S AD VENTURES 
 
 Hunston was scarcely able to believe the evidence of 
 his senses. 
 
 "How can I thank you?" he said, with tears in his 
 eyes. 
 
 "Say nothing about it," replied Jack. 
 
 "I'd rather have owed my life to anybody else, but 
 life is sweet, and if I can ever do you a good turn, Hark- 
 away . " 
 
 "Never mind that. Take this pistol, and cut it to 
 your friends the Pisangs as quick as you can." 
 
 "Won't you take me on board with you ? " 
 
 "No; that's asking too much. Good-bye," said Jack. 
 
 He gave Hunston a friendly nod, and ran back to the 
 boat. 
 
 At that moment Harvey's rifle was fired off with a 
 sharp crack. 
 
 His quick eye had seen one of the escaped mutineers 
 emerge from the cave where he had taken refuge. 
 
 He had levelled his rifle at Jack, but a leaden mes- 
 senger of death cut short his career before he could pull 
 the trigger. 
 
 Hunston was off like a shot. 
 
 He disappeared in the jungle, and the boys knew he 
 was safe. 
 
 Jack put the boat about, and trembling with excitement, 
 waited for the wind to catch her and send her out to sea. 
 
 Again Harvey's rifle was discharged, and again a muti- 
 neer fell to the ground. 
 
 "They shan't show a head," he exclaimed; "if they 
 do I'm down on them like a beaver." 
 
 " Well done, Dick," replied Jack. " I think we deserve 
 the Victoria Cross. Do you know, I am as pleased at 
 saving Hunston as if I had escaped myself from a great 
 danger. " 
 
 "So am I," said Harvey, adding 
 
 ' ' Look at those fellows. What are they up to ? " 
 
 Jack looked towards the shore, and saw five of the 
 mutineers, who had emerged into the open from their 
 temporary place of concealment. 
 
 They held their arms over their heads, as if to indicate 
 that they surrendered and were defenceless. 
 
 "Ahoy ! " cried one, who appeared to be the spokes- 
 man.
 
 AFL OAT A ND ASHORE. 1 1 5 
 
 "What do you want ? " inquired Jack. 
 
 "Take us to the ship, sir," answered the man. "We 
 *re the only ones left alive, and we must starve on this 
 island." 
 
 ' ' Serve you right ; you should have thought of that 
 before, " replied Jack. 
 
 "Have mercy upon us, sir," continued the mutineer. 
 "We surrender." 
 
 " But you have been guilty of mutiny on the high seas, 
 and are murderers." 
 
 " We're very sorry. Take us prisoners, and convey us 
 to Singapore in irons, if you like, sir, to take our trial," 
 the man went on. 
 
 Jack hesitated. 
 
 "The fellows seem sorry enough, Dick," he remarked. 
 " They're regularly licked. Shall we take them on board ? " 
 
 " We're very short of men, and if we pardoned them 
 they might turn out good men and true," answered 
 Harvey. 
 
 "All our leaders are dead, sir. We had no hand in the 
 mutiny. It was Sam Parsons and Jimmy Clark," said 
 the mutineer. 
 
 "Come down to the beach, then," replied Jack, " and 
 stand there unarmed. If you try any games on I'll pistol 
 the lot of you. " 
 
 The mutineers did as they were directed. 
 
 Jack stood in shore and allowed them to come on 
 board, making them sit down on the thwarts. 
 
 He held pistols in his hands in case of any treachery. 
 
 But the poor fellows were so cowed that there did not 
 seem to be the smallest mutinous spirit left in them. 
 
 " If you'll try and look over it, sir, we'll work the ship 
 like slaves for you," said the leader : " we will indeed." 
 
 "I can't promise you a pardon," answered Jack. "It 
 depends in a great measure on your own conduct. If 
 you behave yourselves I may be inclined to say nothing 
 about the share you took in the mutiny, though you know 
 well enough what the British consul would do to you. " 
 
 "We were misled, sir, and acted on bad advice. All 
 we want is to return to our duty, and get back to 
 England. We're all every one of us married men, sir, 
 and have wives and children, think of that 1 " 
 
 "I can't say any more than I have said," Jack ex-
 
 1 16 JACK HARKA WA Y'S ADVENTURES 
 
 claimed. " My conduct in the matter will depend upon 
 your behaviour, though I've a good mind to have you 
 lashed to a grating and give you a couple of dozen lashes 
 apiece." 
 
 "Do that, and welcome, sir. We deserve it," replied 
 the mutineers, in a body. 
 
 They spoke humbly enough, and in the end proved 
 themselves very good men, and were of great use to Jack 
 in the navigation of the ship. 
 
 He did ultimately pardon them, and did not have them 
 flogged as he threatened. 
 
 They were grateful for his kindness, and it was clear 
 that after the death of their leader they were pleased 
 enough to return to their duty. 
 
 With this accession of strength, he hove up the anchor 
 that afternoon and stood for Limbi to get a few natives 
 to help make up the complement of his crew. 
 
 Mr. Mole was loud in his praises when he heard the 
 successful result of Jack's expedition. 
 
 "A good action, Harkaway, is never thrown away," 
 he said. "You will sleep all the better for it, and I'm 
 sorry now that I tried to dissuade you from the enter- 
 prise. What did Hunston say ? " 
 
 " We hadn't much time to talk, sir?" answered Jack ; 
 "the mutineers were popping away at me." 
 
 " Did he appear thankful ? " 
 
 "Very much so. He was quite doubled up by his 
 feelings. But that wouldn't last long. He wanted to 
 join us, and be taken on board." i 
 
 "Which you, of course refused ?" replied Mr. Mole. 
 
 " I didn't see it, sir. A black sheep in the flock is not 
 desirable. " 
 
 "You put coals of fire on his head. Ah, well, it was 
 a gallant action, and one you will never regret. And, 
 now, whither away, may I ask ? " 
 
 " Limbi is our destination, sir," answered Jack. 
 
 Mr. Mole trembled. 
 
 "My prophetic soul," he exclaimed, "warns me that 
 my wives will seek to annoy me. What am I to do ? " 
 
 "Do the best you can, sir." 
 
 " Bad will be the best, I am afraid. However," re- 
 plied Mr. Mole, with a groan, "I will hide myself, and 
 trust to fortune."
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. I J 7 
 
 Early next morning the "Sea-horse" was standing off 
 Limbi. 
 
 They fired a gun to give notice of their arrival to the 
 inhabitants of Tompano. 
 
 An hour afterwards several boats put off from the 
 shore. 
 
 In one was the new king, Selim, who reigned in the 
 stead of Monday's father, Lanindyer, and with him were 
 several of the most prominent chiefs. 
 
 'Where's Mole ? " asked Jack of Harvey. 
 ' I don't know ; he wasn't at breakfast. He's vanished 
 into the coal bunk or somewhere," replied Harvey. 
 ' Ain't there some women in that last boat ? " 
 ' Yes, I can see two. " 
 
 ' Mole's wives, for money ! " said Jack. ' ' I'll bet a 
 pound to a pinch of snuff they are Mole's wives." 
 "Shouldn't wonder," replied Harvey. 
 In the meantime the little fleet of boats drew nearer. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIL 
 
 MR. MOLE BECOMES A BASE DECEIVER. 
 
 "Hi, y< 
 "Can't 
 
 JUST as Ha'xaway was speaking he saw Monday with 
 a sheet on his arm. 
 
 Monday ! come here," he said, 
 stop, sare. Monday very busy," replied the 
 black. 
 
 " What are you doing with that sheet? " 
 
 " That one secret, sare. Mist' Mole and me do bus 
 iness." 
 
 "Oh, Mole's in it, is he ? What's the business you've 
 got on ? " aske'i Harvey, 
 
 " You not Ml, Mast' Harvey ? " 
 
 "Not I. Out with it." 
 
 "Mist* Mole, him sham dead." 
 
 "Do what? " cried Jack and Harvey in a breath. 
 
 "Sham dead, sare," replied Monday. "Him much 
 'fraid b',n wives come on board, so he sham dead. 
 Monday go to lay him out and put the sheet on him. 
 You not say a word."
 
 1 18 JACK HARK A WA Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 "Where is he?" 
 
 "In the cabin, sare. Him lie stretched out on a table, 
 and if Ambonia and Alfura come, I got to say he fight 
 like a warrior and get kill." 
 
 "Oh, that's it. He's getting dodgy in his old age," 
 remarked Jack. ' ' Well, cut along, Monday. I shan't split. " 
 
 Monday disappeared down the companion, and, turn- 
 ing to Harvey, Jack said 
 
 " We must spoil old Mole somehow." 
 
 "I should like to," replied Harvey. "Fancy the 
 beggar going to sham being dead ! " 
 
 " How can we do it ? " 
 
 "His sorrowing wives will weep over him," said 
 Harvey. "Can't we stick a pin in his leg and wake 
 him up ? " 
 
 " He's a base deceiver. A pin might galvanise him, 
 only, unfortunately, we haven't got one. There isn't 
 such a thing to be had." 
 
 " I'll tell you what we can do," said Harvey. 
 
 "What?" 
 
 " Tell Ambonia it's the custom in our country, when 
 a man dies, to pull out twelve hairs from each whisker 
 and twenty-four hairs from the head. 
 
 Jack laughed 
 
 "You'll be the death of me, Dick," he said. 
 
 "And tell her," continued Harvey, "that to save 
 trouble she can pull the hairs out in bunches, and count 
 them afterwards." 
 
 "What is she to do with them ? " 
 
 "Oh, wrap them up in a palm leaf and keep them as 
 relics," said Harvey. 
 
 "That will do." 
 
 "We might add that the hairs from the head are to be 
 pulled out behind, where it is most tender ; and if Mole 
 don't halloa out ten thousand murders, I'm a donkey. " 
 
 "All right," said Jack; "111 speak to her when she 
 comes." 
 
 The boats approached nearer and nearer. 
 
 At last they came near enough for those in them to 
 speak to those on board the vessel. 
 
 They were invited on board, and a grand banquet 
 got ready for them. 
 
 Ambonia and Alfura were in the last boat, which wns
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. X 1^ 
 
 fifled with fruit, with which they had intended to do a 
 trade with the strangers. 
 
 When they heard that Jack and Harvey were the com- 
 manders, they freely made them a present of their cargo. 
 
 Their first inquiry, however, was after their husband. 
 
 "I'm afraid he is very ill, if not dead," replied Jack. 
 
 "Dead I " echoed Alfura and Ambonia. 
 
 "Yes, Monday is attending upon him, and he will 
 tell you more about it ; but will you come into the cabin 
 and see ? " replied Jack. 
 
 Both the ladies set up a most cruel yelling, and Jack 
 put his fingers in his ears. 
 
 "Don't cry like that," he replied. "He may be all 
 right, though I fear the worst If he is dead, he fell 
 fighting bravely." 
 
 " Let me see him," said Ambonia* 
 Alfura wept silently. 
 
 " It is our custom," continued Jack, " for the widow 
 of a chief to pull out twelve hairs from each of the de- 
 ceased's whiskers, and twenty-four hairs from the back 
 of his head ; you may pull them out in a bunch, if you 
 like, and afterwards they are to be kept in your house to 
 remind you of your husband. Mind you do this if he is 
 dead. " 
 
 " Call Matabella," said Ambonia. 
 
 Jack went to the companion, and called Monday. 
 
 He came up, and when he saw Mr. Mole's wives, told 
 them, with a sorrowful face, that he was no more. 
 
 " He fell fighting, and has since died of his wounds," 
 be exclaimed. 
 
 " When did he die? " asked Ambonia. 
 
 " This morning. He is scarcely cold." 
 
 " Oh, my poor husband ! He was a great chief, and 
 bis chf/A will be fatherless," said Ambonia. 
 
 Monday did what he could to prevent them going below, 
 but the wives could not be persuaded to stop on deck. 
 
 So Monday led the way to the cabin, followed by Jack 
 and Harvey. 
 
 When they entered the cabin, they found Mr. Mole 
 stretched out on a table covered with a white sheet 
 
 Their grief was about to burst forth again, when Jack 
 whispered 
 
 " R^inember what I told you about *vx customs."
 
 1 20 JACK HARK A WA Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 " Oh, yes ! We will do that," replied Ambonia. 
 
 Removing the sheet from Mr. Mole's face, she took hold 
 of a bunch of whiskers and gave it a sharp pull. 
 
 It did not come out. 
 
 Then she tugged again, and it yielded. 
 
 Mr. Mole gave the corner of his mouth a short comical 
 ywinge. 
 
 But he did not cry out 
 
 " Take those hairs, and count them, Alfura," said Am- 
 oonia. " I will now try the other side of our dear hus 
 band's face." 
 
 Mr. Mole's whiskers were scanty, and there was not 
 much hair left on the right side. 
 
 He suffered the most acute pain, but bore it like a stoic. 
 
 Setting her feet firmly on the floor of the cabin, Ambonia 
 took another hand full and pulled it vigorously. 
 
 The hair came out in a bunch like the other. 
 
 Something like a stifled curse escaped from the unhappy 
 sufferer. 
 
 " Count them, Alfura," said Ambonia, handing her the 
 second tuft. 
 
 Alfura proceeded to do so in dolorous silence, and she 
 bathed the grizzly hairs with her tears. 
 
 Jack approached and whispered 
 
 " Shall I hold up his head for you? " 
 
 Ambonia nodded, and went on with her duty of affec- 
 tion. 
 
 She twisted her knuckles firmly in the back hair of the 
 supposed dead man, which was long and tangled. 
 
 There was a wrench. 
 
 Mr. Mole could bear no more the pain was too great 
 
 He sprang up and threw the sheet from him. 
 
 The resurrection of Lazarus could not have more sur- 
 prised the beholders than this sudden coming to life. 
 
 Ambonia and Alfura darted back, and looked at the late 
 corpse with undisguised terror. 
 
 " What the deuce do you mean ! "cried Mr. Mole, rub- 
 bing the injured part savagely. 
 
 "Aren't you dead, sir? " asked Harvey stifled with 
 laughter. 
 
 " This is your doing, Master Harvey," replied Mole. 
 " I'll be one with you ; and as for those furies, I'll be the 
 death of one or both of them,"
 
 AFL OA T AND ASHORE, 2 1 
 
 Jack and Harvey laughed immoderately. 
 
 The wives began to regain their courage, and advanced 
 to their husband with a boldness which they had not 
 shown at first. 
 
 He certainly was not dead. 
 
 If so, he had been playing them some trick. 
 
 Ambonia grew angry, and her yellow face glowed with 
 passion. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIIL 
 
 RUNNING A MUCK. 
 
 IN his anger, Mr. Mole caught hold of Monday by the 
 ear and shook him. 
 
 " You've betrayed me," he cried, " and I'll have it 
 out of you." 
 
 "No, sare; not me, sare," replied Monday. "You 
 let go um ear, sare. " 
 
 " I'll give it you, you black swab," continued Mr. Mole. 
 
 Fortunately for Monday, Ambonia rushed up and 
 pushed her husband away. 
 
 " Him dead man just now," remarked Monday, grin- 
 ning with pain ; adding, " Oh, golly, how um pull um ear." 
 
 Mr. Mole grasped a chair, and brandishing it in the air, 
 threatened to strike any one who came near him. 
 
 The women shrank back crying 
 
 " Amok \ amok !" 
 
 This is a word of peculiar significance among all the 
 Malay tribe. 
 
 If a man is unhappy with his wife, unsuccessful in busi- 
 ness, and miserable in any manner, he does " amok." 
 
 That is to say, he runs into the street with a knife and 
 stabs every one he can meet. 
 
 In return for this the inhabitants raise the cry of "Amok !" 
 and run after him with whatever weapon they can obtain. 
 
 Eventually he is killed like a mad dog. 
 
 It is the Malay mode of committing suicide. 
 
 The custom has become proverbial among Englishmen 
 abroad, under the term of running a muck. 
 
 Even Monday got out of the way, thinking Mr. Mole 
 was going to "amok."
 
 122 JACK HARK A WAY'S AD VENTURES 
 
 Jack advanced to Mr. Mole, fearing from his wild 
 appearance that he would do somebody some harm. 
 
 " I say, sir ! " he said. 
 
 " Well, Harkaway, what is it ? Keep off, I'm desperate," 
 replied Mole. 
 
 " Turn it up, sir." 
 
 " I tell you I'm desperate. I tried a little plan of my 
 own, and that black thief betrayed me ; may his father, 
 the devil, seize him." 
 
 " Are you going off your nut, sir? " asked Jack. 
 
 " Let me get at him ! I'll pound him," cried Mr. Mole, 
 making a dash at Monday. 
 
 " Amok 1 amok ! "exclaimed the terrified women, fully 
 believing that their liege lord and master had gone mad, 
 and was about to run a muck; and, " Amok! amok!" 
 cried Monday, who also thought the same thing. 
 
 The wives rushed up on deck, followed by Monday. 
 
 " Amok ! amok ! " rang through the ship. 
 
 The native chiefs heard the cry, and they, too, grew 
 alarmed and sought the deck. 
 
 " Amok ! amok ! " cried everybody, with as much ter- 
 ror as we in England say " Mad dog ! mad dog ! " 
 
 The chiefs drew the dreaded creese, or curved knife, so 
 common among the Malay tribes. 
 
 Every one stood on the defensive. 
 
 When they saw it was a white man who was ' ' amok- 
 ing," and that white man was Mr. Mole, the great Tuan 
 Biza of the whites, they forebore to strike. 
 
 Jack ran on deck after him, and exclaimed in the native 
 language 
 
 " Don't touch him ! He's all right." 
 
 " Am I all right ? " replied Mr. Mole, hitting King Selim 
 on the head with his chair. 
 
 Selim fell to the deck stunned. 
 
 " Dropped him like a bullock," continued Mr. Mole, 
 with a ghastly grin. " Who is the next gentleman ?" 
 
 Turning to Harvey, Jack said, 
 
 " Mole's cranky, and no humbug about it ! " 
 
 Madura, the old chief, came up to remonstrate with the 
 white man. 
 
 But Mr. Mole was ready for him. 
 
 " I'll floor you," he said, " if you come any nearer." 
 
 " Listen to the words of wisdom," replied Madura.
 
 AFLOAT AND ASHORE. 123 
 
 " VTou have married our princesses, and you are dear to 
 us as " 
 
 " Bother the words of wisdom ! Take that ! " inter- 
 rupted Mr. Mole. 
 
 Madura fell by the side of the king, and the Limbian 
 chiefs began to get angry. 
 
 Knives flashed in the sun. 
 
 Again the ominous cry of "Amok! amok!" rose on 
 the air. 
 
 Ambonia and Alfura now made their appearance on 
 deck. 
 
 Alfura fell fainting into Monday's arms. 
 
 But Ambonia, being made of sterner stuff, ran to her 
 husband. 
 
 " Put down that chair, and come home, "she exclaimed. 
 
 "Never ! " replied Mr. Mole ; adding, " Mind your eye ! " 
 
 He made a push at her with a chair, and struck her in 
 the mouth with one of the wooden legs. 
 
 Ambonia began to cough and choke and fell on hef 
 back in strong convulsions. 
 
 "She's swallowed a tooth," said Jack. 
 
 "Ha, ha ! " exclaimed Mr. Mole, with a light of insanity 
 in his eye. "Who is the next? Will you kindly keep 
 the ball rolling?" 
 
 Nobody seemed inclined to oblige him, and the knives 
 flashed more ominously than ever in the sunlight. 
 
 The Limbians were waiting for him to make a rush 
 down the deck, where they were prepared to cut short 
 his mortal career as quickly as possible. 
 
 But Ambonia was a woman of spirit. 
 
 She was one of those estimable women you don't 
 knock down for nothing. 
 
 It is true she had swallowed a tooth, as Jack surmised. 
 
 But what then ? 
 
 She was for the moment subdued, not conquered, and 
 as soon as the tooth was properly down and she could 
 breathe again she was on her feet. 
 
 Advancing to Mr. Mole with the quickness of a cannon- 
 ball, she grasped the chair which he brandished on high, 
 and a desperate struggle took place between them. 
 
 "Amok! amok!" cried the natives, advancing threat- 
 eningly. 
 
 Wresting himself free from Ambonia's grasp, Mr. Mole
 
 J24 JACK HARKA WA Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 sprang on the taffrail, and throwing up his arms ex- 
 claimed 
 
 "Thus do I free myself from the strange women, and 
 the house of bondage ! " 
 
 With that he cast himself headlong into the sea and 
 disappeared. 
 
 Jack was now fully assured that Mr. Mole had really 
 gone out of his mind for a time. 
 
 " Man overboard 1" cried Bouncer, who was standing 
 near. 
 
 Jack had an idea that Mr. Mole could not swim, and 
 was determined to save him at all hazards. 
 
 "Lower a boat and man her ! " he exclaimed. 
 
 "Aye, aye, sir!" replied Bouncer. "We saved the 
 lives of two hundred and fifty men off the coast of Africa, 
 and " 
 
 " Hang your yarns ! Obey orders ! " shouted Jack. 
 
 He caught sight of Harvey, who was taking off his 
 Jacket. 
 
 "Toss you who does it, Dick ! " he exclaimed. 
 
 "All right," said Harvey; "I've got a coin in my 
 pocket. First time. Man or woman ? " 
 
 He put a small coin between his hands and Jack said 
 
 "Man." 
 
 "Man it is ; over you go," said Harvey. 
 
 The next moment Jack was diving like an otter after 
 Mr. Mole. 
 
 He fortunately saw him as he rose to the surface, and 
 grasping him by the arm held him up. 
 
 In a short time the boat which had been duly lowered 
 under Harvey's superintendence came up. 
 
 It took them both on board. 
 
 Mr. Mole was insensible and raved incoherently, as if 
 stricken with a fever. 
 
 They drew him on board, and put him to bed in what 
 they call a sick bay or hospital. 
 
 Ben Blunt was still an inmate of this cabin, but he could 
 get about a little, and readily undertook to nurse and look 
 after Mr. Mole. 
 
 " I've seen many a fever, sir," he remarked, "and cured 
 'em too ; they're common enough in these latitudes. The 
 gentleman may be bad for a few weeks, but it'll do him 
 good afterwards. "
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 125 
 
 "He's very ill, Ben," replied Jack. 
 
 "Yes, sir; it's the mental excitement He's been 
 worked upon." 
 
 "So he has, Ben." 
 
 "And there's another thing, sir ; he's had a good drop 
 to drink lately, as I know of, and I shouldn't wonder if it 
 wasn't no real fever after all." 
 
 Ben Blunt shook his head significantly as he spoke. 
 
 " No fever, Ben ? " said Jack. 
 
 "No. sir. It's the delirium tremblings; that's what 
 it is." 
 
 " Keep your eye on him, Ben, and say nothing to any- 
 body. I must go on deck, and see to the women." 
 
 "Very well, sir," replied the boatswain. 
 
 "This affair has upset the banquet We were going to 
 put on a feed for the natives." 
 
 "Lor* love you, sir, they can allers eat," said Ben ; 
 "and they'll be none the worse for waiting. Though I 
 may say as I did laugh that hearty as I was fit to bust, 
 when I heard them a-crying ' amok ! amok ! ' and saw the 
 gentleman floor them beautiful." 
 
 Jack took leave of Ben, after exacting another assurance 
 that he would look after his patient 
 
 Then he went on deck. 
 
 Harvey had kept the women quiet, and was trying to 
 explain matters to the chiefs. 
 
 The king and Madura were not much hurt, and under 
 the soothing influence of a glass or two of good wine, 
 which was handed round by Monday, speedily regained 
 their good temper. 
 
 Ambonia begged to be taken to her husband. 
 
 Jack was obliged to refuse this request, though he told 
 told her she might see him later in the day. 
 
 It was soon understood that Tuan Biza Mole had been 
 attacked by fever. 
 
 "He'll be all right in a short time," said Jack to the two 
 wives ; "and I know he really loves you both, though of 
 the two I think he's rather more spoony on you, Ambonia. " 
 
 The lady's eyes flashed at this announcement, which 
 pleased her greatly. 
 
 " He's always talking about you," said Jack. 
 
 "Will he come on shore, and go to live with us at 
 Tompano, when he gets better ? " she asked.
 
 126 JACK HARKA WA Y'S ADVENTURES 
 
 "Of course he will ; he's only too anxious." 
 
 "Bless him," said Ambonia, in her own language, "I 
 could go and kiss every bit of him." 
 
 It was lucky Mr. Mole did not hear this expression of 
 affection on the part of his biggest wife, or he might have 
 died there and then. 
 
 Jack succeeded in assuring her that Mr. Mole had in the 
 morning been attacked with a faintness that Monday 
 thought was death, and that no one had played any trick 
 upon her. 
 
 After that, he gave her his arm, and led her into the 
 chief cabin. 
 
 Harvey took Alfura in, and the chiefs followed in order 
 of merit 
 
 The banquet consisted of all the eatables and drinkables 
 they could find in the ship. 
 
 Jack had arranged for the pardoned mutineers to wait 
 at table, which they did with great steadiness. 
 
 The banquet passed off capitally. All the chiefs en- 
 joyed themselves immensely, and some drank so much 
 wine that they had to be carried out and put gently into 
 their boats. 
 
 Alfura and Ambonia had a look at Mr. Mole before they 
 went to shore. 
 
 This time they w:re satisfied that he was really ill, 
 and said they would bring him some fruit in the morning. 
 
 Harvey gave Alfura a kiss on the sly, as he handed her 
 over the ship's side, and she squeezed his hand in return. 
 
 Such are wives in Limbi. 
 
 King Selim readily lent Jack half a dozen of his subjects 
 to help work the ship. 
 
 It was understood that they should be sent back again 
 to their native land, and they were chosen by Monday 
 from among his personal friends. 
 
 So popular were the white men, that they could have 
 got a hundred men if they had wanted them. 
 
 Instead of the ques'l n being who should not go, there 
 was a rush of men of all ages t< get the chance. 
 
 When all was ready for sailing, Jack went ashore to 
 return the complimentary visit of the Limbians. 
 
 He had also an object in going. 
 
 Madura was an old chief of great knowledge and 
 experience.
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 127 
 
 He wished to ask him some questions about the City of 
 the Golden Towers. 
 
 Who more likely than the venerable Madura to give him 
 the information he sought ? 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 ON arriving at Tompano, Jack sought Madura and ex- 
 plained, as briefly as he could, the object he had in view. 
 
 " I want," he said, "to recover this English girl, Emily, 
 before I return to England." 
 
 " You say," said Madura, "that she has gone with the 
 fugitive Pisangs to the City of the Golden Towers?" 
 
 "Yes. Do you know where it is ? " 
 
 ' ' I do. I have been there, " replied Madura. 
 
 " Have you ? " cried Jack, joyfully. "That's your sort, 
 old man. That will do ; tell us all about it." 
 
 "I cannot give you much information," replied Madura ; 
 " and for this reason " 
 
 Jack's countenance fell again. 
 
 ' ' I was very young when my father and I were out 
 fishing, and the pirates captured us. My father died in 
 the City of the Golden Towers, and I lived there some 
 years. " 
 
 " How did you get back here ? " 
 
 " I escaped with some others in a boat, and can only 
 dimly remember a great city, very rich, with many ships ; 
 and all the people pirates." 
 
 ' ' That is a nice place indeed for my poor little Emily 
 to be sent to," said Jack. 
 
 "Your Emily is young and beautiful," said Madura, 
 "and they will guard her as carefully as they would a 
 pearl of Sirendib." 
 
 "I hope so, I'm sure. But can't you tell us how to 
 steer to get to this wonderful city of pirates? " 
 
 Madura shook his head. 
 
 "There is one amongst us who can if be will," he said, 
 after a thoughtful pause; "and that is old Ayoub, the
 
 128 JA CK HARK A WA Y 'S AD VENTURES 
 
 Arab. He is a great sailor, and was a pirate himself once, 
 some say." 
 
 "Where is he to be found? " asked Jack. 
 
 " He has a house here in Tompano. You must have 
 seen him, for he attends the council. It is now ten years 
 since he came ashore in a boat and became friends with 
 us, settling down and taking a Limbian woman to wife." 
 
 ' ' Let us go to him. Is he very old ? " 
 
 "No. Though his hair is tinged with grey, he is 
 younger than he looks," replied Madura 
 
 "Will he pilot us to this city?" 
 
 " Ask him. I dare say he will." 
 
 They walked to the house occupied by Ayoub, the 
 Arab, who was sitting outside, with a little curly-haired 
 child on his knee, that was just learning to call him 
 father. 
 
 Madura, in a few words, explained to the venerable- 
 looking man the object which Jack had in view. 
 
 " He has got a good ship, plenty of men, arms, am- 
 munition, and provisions. All he now wants is to dis- 
 cover the City of the Golden Towers, rescue his beloved 
 Emily, and return to his own land," concluded Madura. 
 
 Ayoub's eyes flashed with a keenness that showed he 
 could remember the scene of his early days. 
 
 "Is it not written," he said, "that the bold man may 
 be overthrown, and the wise man be confounded, but the 
 patient man overcometh ? " 
 
 " I'm not in a hurry, governor," replied Jack; "and 
 am rather in favour of taking things easy." 
 
 "There are few nations and countries, my son, that I 
 have not seen," continued Ayoub. " Most of my country- 
 men travel from the Bar-el-Sham to the Bar-el-Gemm" 
 (really, Syria to Arabia Felix), "and say they have seen 
 the world, but I * 
 
 "I'll tell you what I'll do," interrupted Jack, who saw 
 that the Arab was a prosy old fellow, whatever else he 
 might be. 
 
 "Speak. It is well to listen ; so say all the men of 
 understanding." 
 
 "I'll give you and your wife and kids a free passage 
 to Arabia, if you will come on board and pilot us to this 
 city of the pirates. " 
 
 The old man's eyes sparkled.
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 129 
 
 " You have well said, O my son," he replied "These 
 old eyes yearn to behold my friends and relations once 
 more. I would fain lay my bones with my fathers." 
 
 " Do you accept my terms ? " said Jack. 
 
 "Yes, I will go with you," said Ayoub. "When I 
 reached this land in a little boat, and all those who had 
 sailed with me were dead and gone, I was received with 
 kindness, which I have endeavoured to repay by lifting 
 my voice in the council, but I thought to die here. You 
 come to me, young man, like pleasant water to the travel- 
 ler in the desert, and behold, I find your speech good." 
 
 "Pack up your traps," exclaimed Jack, "as soon as 
 you like. Say good-bye, and don't take more luggage 
 than is absolutely necessary. By the way, is the missis 
 agreeable ? " 
 
 " My wife obeyeth me in all things," replied the Arab. 
 " For is it not written that ' a virtuous woman is a crown 
 to her husband ? ' " 
 
 ' ' You are sure that you can pilot us to the City of the 
 Golden Towers," continued Jack. 
 
 An expression of lofty scorn sat on the old man's face. 
 
 "The dreams of the young," he said, "are stronger 
 than the realities of the old ; but for many years I have 
 steered the ships of the pirates in these China seas. So 
 that they are become familiar to me as a well-trodden 
 pathway." 
 
 " How many days will it take us to get there? " 
 
 " When one moon shall have come and gone, then shall 
 we behold the Towers of the Golden City," replied 
 Ayoub. 
 
 "That means a month," replied Jack. "Time enough 
 too." 
 
 He returned to the ship, however, much pleased at hav- 
 ing obtained a guide to the mysterious city. 
 
 The next day the ship sailed. 
 
 Ayoub took the post of pilot, and directed the vessel's 
 course. 
 
 In a short time both Mr. Mole and Ben Blunt were well 
 enough to get about again. 
 
 Mole's wives had been assured that their husband would 
 return to them in a month or two. 
 
 They were desirous of accompanying him on the voyage, 
 but this Jack could not permit 
 9
 
 130 JA CK HARK A WA Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 Each hung a charm round his neck, to guard him from 
 evil spirits. 
 
 Alfura's charm was a dried tree-toad and Ambonia's the 
 tail of a snake also dried. 
 
 Whether they were efficacious or not, the fever left him 
 in a few days, and he went about as usual. 
 
 As far as Jack could make out, Ayoub caused the ship 
 to skirt the Malay peninsula, going towards Cape Pentani. 
 
 Everyone was well on board, and in high spirits. 
 
 Harvey did not like Ayoub. 
 
 He communicated his suspicions to Jack, who laughed 
 at his fears. 
 
 "The old fellow talks to himself, and smiles when no 
 one is looking, as he thinks, at him," said Harvey. 
 
 "He's all right enough," replied Jack, carelessly. 
 
 "I don't know so much about that," continued Harvey. 
 " We are going amongst Malay pirates." 
 
 "Well?" 
 
 "Well," said Harvey, " they are a daring and blood- 
 thirsty race. This Ayoub has been amongst them." 
 
 "What then?" 
 
 "He may intend to betray us. I don't say he will, 
 still we should keep an eye on him," said Harvey. 
 
 This conversation produced a great impression on Jack. 
 
 He watched Ayoub narrowly, but did not for some time 
 discover anything that would lend confirmation to the 
 Ritsnicions Harvey's remarks had excited in his mind. 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 H. M. s. "VICTOR." 
 
 AYOUB, the pilot, seemed a harmless, inoffensive man, 
 and Jack could see no just ground for the suspicions in 
 which Harvey indulged. 
 
 He had undertaken to guide him to the City of the 
 Golden Towers, and he appeared to be keeping his word 
 to the best of his ability. 
 
 How Jack longed to reach that mysterious nest of the 
 Malay pirates, that hidden stronghold, where the defeated 
 Pisangs had gone, and where Emily was a prisoner.
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHOKE. 
 
 '3* 
 
 A slight incident occurred which tended to give some 
 confirmation to Harvey's injurious remarks about Ayoub. 
 
 After they had been some days out, they sighted a large 
 ship. 
 
 Ben Blunt was standing by Jack's side, and before a 
 glass was brought to bear upon her, Ben said 
 
 " I'm a Dutchman, sir, if that's not a man-of-war." 
 
 ' ' Yankee ? " asked Jack. 
 
 "No; she's not a Yankee either. That's one of Her 
 Britannic Majesty's cruisers. I ought to know the shape 
 of 'em if any one does, seeing I served aboard one for so 
 many years. " 
 
 " What's she doing out here, Ben ? " 
 
 " After the pirates, maybe ; or going from one station 
 to another. Lor, sir, England's such a great power by land 
 and sea that she's got ships and armies, leastways regi- 
 ments, pretty nigh everywhere." 
 
 " Cut down below, Ben, and see that the cabin is all 
 straight and shipshape," exclaimed Jack. 
 
 ' ' Aye, aye, sir. " 
 
 "If I've got to receive on board my ship one of the 
 captains in the Royal Navy, I should not like him to go 
 away with the impression that we are a set of lubbers. 
 You know how to do it, and how things ought to be, Ben ? " 
 
 " Do you think I'm a sucking porpoise, sir?" said Ben, 
 in a tone of indignation. 
 
 He went below to execute his orders, and the two ships 
 gradually neared each other. 
 
 It soon became clear enough that Ben's sharp eyes had 
 not deceived him. 
 
 The approaching vessel was a man-of-war, and the 
 mutineers whom Jack had taken on board getting wind of 
 it, came aft. 
 
 " I ax your pardon, Captain Harkaway," said the fore- 
 most, " but here's one of the Queen's ships." 
 
 ' ' What of that ? " replied Jack. 
 
 " We've tried to do our duty, sir, and we're only poor 
 fellows who were misled by others. You're not going 
 to send us to Singapore, to be punished for the mutiny ? 
 Give us your word, sir, that's all, or we'd rather jump 
 overboard. " 
 
 " Go forward, and do your duty," answered Jack, 
 " I shan't be hard on you."
 
 132 JA CK HARK A WA Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 " But, sir " 
 
 " Do you hear when you are spoken to ? " cried Jack, 
 in the commanding tone he could assume when he liked. 
 "Be off." 
 
 The men touched their hats and went forward, much 
 comforted by the way in which Jack spoke to them, 
 although they were not quite relieved from a fear of the 
 consequences of their actions. 
 
 The man-of-war fired a gun as a signal that the " Sea- 
 horse " was to lay to, which she did. 
 
 Then a boat was lowered and manned, pulling towards 
 the merchantman. 
 
 Mr. Mole, who, like Ben Blunt, had recovered from his 
 illness, heard the news and came on deck. 
 
 " Ah ! " he exclaimed, " a ship, I perceive, Harkaway, 
 a big ship. They tell me an H. M. S. , which I presume 
 you are aware is short for her majesty's service. They 
 have lowered a boat. They propel it in man-of-war fash- 
 ion through the waves and they near us perceptibly. " 
 
 " They'll board us directly, sir," exclaimed Jack. 
 
 "And why so ? Is not our ship private property, and 
 why should they board us ? " 
 
 " Nothing unfriendly about it, sir. There's opium- 
 smuggling going on, and pirates are about in these seas. 
 They only want to see our papers, and know who we are." 
 
 "Ah, I apprehend I may be of service to you," said 
 Mr. Mole. " My age, my manner, my position as a 
 land-owner in China, will give me weight with our visitors. 
 They will treat me with more deference than they would 
 bestow upon a mere boy. " 
 
 " Mere boy as you call me," said Jack, biting his lips 
 with annoyance, " I think I can manage my affairs better 
 than any one can manage them for me." 
 
 " Listen to reason, Harkaway, I " 
 
 " Mr. Mole," interrupted Jack, " without wishing to be 
 in the least degree in the world discourteous to you, I 
 must tell you, once for all, that you are only a passenger 
 on board this ship, and the sooner you recognise the fact 
 the better it will be for all parties. " 
 
 " Oh ! as you please, as you please," replied Mr. Mole, 
 shrugging his shoulders. " If you reject my well-meant 
 offer of assistance, I can only regret your utter want of 
 appreciation."
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 133 
 
 He walked away along the deck in high dudgeon. 
 
 In a short time the boat ran alongside, and an officer 
 came on board. 
 
 He looked round him and stared, when Jack said 
 
 " I am the captain of this ship, sir ; anything you have 
 to say I shall be happy to hear." 
 
 " You ! " repeated the officer, who was a naval lieuten- 
 ant about forty years of age, dressed in uniform, and who, 
 from want of interest, had not been able to attain a higher 
 rank. 
 
 " I have already had the honour to inform you that I 
 am the captain of this vessel, and if you doubt my word 
 I will give you satisfactory proof of the truth of what I 
 say." 
 
 " I beg your pardon. You are so young that I trust 
 you will forgive my momentary hesitation," said the 
 officer. 
 
 " And who may I be talking to ? " asked Jack. 
 
 " I am Lieutenant Skeffington, of H. M. S. ' Victor/ 
 Commander Dacres, cruising in the China Sea in search 
 of pirates, who have done a vast amount of mischief lately 
 amongst the English and other merchantmen." 
 
 "Will you follow me into my cabin? We can talk 
 more at our ease there," continued Jack. 
 
 The lieutenant bowed, and Jack, preceded by Ben Blunt, 
 Conducted his visitor into the cabin. 
 
 Directly Lieutenant Skeffington was seated and saw 
 Ben, he said 
 
 " I have seen you before, my man." 
 
 " Your honour's right," replied Ben. " I was bo'sun 
 on board the ' Rattlesnake, ' Captain Howard, nigh upon 
 two years ago, and your honour was second luff. 
 
 " I remember you taking your discharge when we were 
 paid off. I consider your presence on board this ship 
 as a guarantee of the respectability of its captain," said 
 Lieutenant Skeffington. 
 
 Ben bowed and scraped in true sailor fashion in recog- 
 nition of the compliment, and retired outside the door, 
 waiting within call. 
 
 Jack, in as few words as possible, explained to the 
 lieutenant how he came to be in his present position, and 
 why he was going to the pirates' stronghold. 
 
 " You have had some strange adventures, Mr. Hark-
 
 134 JA CK HARK A WA Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 away," said the lieutenant. " Wrecked, cast on a desert 
 island, nearly killed by savage head-hunters you are 
 quite a hero of romance, and will be the lion of the London 
 drawing-rooms on your return to your own country." 
 
 " I have no wish to be a lion," replied Jack, laughing. 
 
 " Those who go down to the sea in ships, become 
 acquainted with strange perils. However, I hope you 
 will find, and rescue this young lady in whom you take 
 such :i laudable interest. We too are in search of this City 
 of the Golden Towers. " 
 
 ** Do you know its position ? " 
 
 " We do not, though we are told it is somewhere near 
 here, on the coast of the Malay Peninsula. Has not the 
 pilot, Ayoub, of whom you speak, told you where it is 
 situated ? " 
 
 " No, he is very reserved. He says he will take me to 
 the city, but he is not at all inclined to be communicative," 
 said Jack. 
 
 " It is our intention to burn all the ships we can find, 
 and then blow the town about the ears of the pirates. 
 We might sail in consort. " 
 
 " With pleasure. The ' Victor ' would be an agreeable 
 companion." 
 
 " Do you mind sending for this Ayoub ? I will put some 
 questions to him." 
 
 " Certainly." 
 
 Jack called Ben and despatched him for the pilot, with 
 whom he presently returned. 
 
 The venerable Arab looked suspiciously at Lieutenant 
 Skeffington, and asked what his pleasure was with him. 
 
 " What is the position of the pirates' stronghold, and 
 how are we to steer to it ? " said the lieutenant. 
 
 Ayoub's face assumed a sullen demeanour. 
 
 " I am not at liberty to make any disclosures," he an- 
 swered. 
 
 "And why not? " 
 
 "Because you would go there in an unfriendly spirit. 
 Those Malays, pirates though they be, were once my 
 friends." 
 
 " That is as much as admitting that you were a pirate 
 yourself. " 
 
 Ayoub turned pale under his dusky skin. 
 
 "No," he said, "you do not speak the words of truth.
 
 AFLOAT AND ASHORE. 135 
 
 I was not one of them, though they saved my life, and 
 my lot was cast among them for many months." 
 
 ' ' You have undertaken to conduct Captain Harkaway 
 to the city ? " 
 
 "I have, but he means no harm." 
 
 "What is to prevent us from following in your wake, 
 and stringing you up to the yard-arm if you play us false," 
 asked the lieutenant, fixing his clear grey eyes searchingly 
 upon him. 
 
 " My poor life is of little value, and if an English officer 
 thought fit to hang the poor Arab, he would be welcome 
 to do so ; yet would Ayoub, if he saw the British man-of- 
 war following this merchantman, run her upon a rock, 
 so that all should perish." 
 
 "The villanous old scoundrel !" muttered Skeffington, 
 adding aloud, "you would destroy the ship and all on 
 board of her ? " 
 
 "As surely as the water-logged and dismantled vessel, 
 when caught by a swift current, rushes swiftly to her 
 doom, so would Ayoub steer the ' Sea-horse ' to the waters 
 of death." 
 
 "But reflect, Ayoub," said Jack, "those pirates are 
 bloodthirsty villains ; they murder people and sink ships ; 
 they are the robbers of the sea ; do they not deserve 
 death ? " 
 
 ' ' Ayoub has spoken. " 
 
 "I am very much displeased with you. Return to 
 your duty," exclaimed Jack, angrily. 
 
 The old man salaamed, and retired. 
 
 "He would be as good as his word, too," said the 
 lieutenant. "Can you do without him ? " 
 
 "Impossible. There is no one on board who knows 
 where this mysterious city is but Ayoub, and I might 
 wander up and down a dangerous coast, of which I have 
 no chart, for months and never find it." 
 
 "I have heard that it is placed some miles up the 
 mouth of a river. However, if you must have Ayoub's 
 services, we can not keep your company, that is evident." 
 
 " It is my loss." 
 
 ' | You are very good to say so, " answered the lieutenant, 
 politely. " I will make a favourable report of you to my 
 captain, and I hope we shall not be long in finding out 
 the town. "
 
 136 JA CK HARKA WA Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 " I hope so, too." 
 
 " I have a word of advice to give you. Beware of that 
 old man." 
 
 "Why ? He is honest enough," said Jack. 
 
 "I don't think so," answered the lieutenant, shaking 
 his head gravely. " He has a bad face. His eyes are 
 full of deceit, and I fear he means to betray you." 
 
 " He will be clever if he does." 
 
 " His refusal to allow us to accompany you tells against 
 him, but if you should be given up to the pirates-^ " 
 
 " By Ayoub? " 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 "We would fight to the last man, first," said Jack. 
 
 "Aye, aye, that is all very well, but you can't fight 
 against treachery. Should you be a prisoner, will your 
 friends, when we come to the city, and commence shell- 
 ing it for all things are possible hoist a white flag over 
 the house in which you are ? and I will direct our gunners 
 to spare that particular building." 
 
 Jack smiled incredulously. 
 
 "I hope, Lieutenant Skeffington," he replied, "that 
 you are taking too gloomy a view of what may happen. " 
 
 " I hope so, too. Promise me, nevertheless, that you 
 will remember my undertaking." 
 
 "Certainly I will, and I thank you very much for the 
 kindness you have shown in thinking so far ahead of the 
 chances of war. " 
 
 "And now farewell," said Skeffington. 
 
 "Can I offer you any refreshment ? " 
 
 "Thanks, none at present. Is there anything we can 
 send you ? Medical stores, or things of that sort. " 
 
 Jack declined the offer. 
 
 The lieutenant rose, and shook 'lim heartily by the 
 hand. 
 
 " I am very pleased to have madv your acquaintance, 
 Mr. Harkaway," he said ; " you have displayed great tact 
 and courage under very trying circumstances and you are 
 an honour to the merchant service ; I feel that the royal 
 navy has suffered a heavy loss in not having you as one 
 of its sons. " 
 
 Jack uttered his thanks at this praise, and conducted 
 the lieutenant to the side of the vessel. 
 
 As he was getting into his boat, he said
 
 AFLOAT AND ASHORE. 137 
 
 "Once more, keep an eye on that villanous Arab." 
 
 " Never fear," replied Jack. 
 
 In less than a minute the oars fell into the water, and 
 the measured sound of their rise and fall in the rowlocks 
 fell upon the ear with that regularity which only a man- 
 of-war's crew can produce. 
 
 "Now, my lads," said Jack, "give them a cheer. 
 Don't be afraid of it. Three times three, and let it be a 
 rouser. " 
 
 Instantly the members of the crew, who had congre- 
 gated on deck, gave a tremenduous cheer in true British 
 fashion. 
 
 The man-of-war's men acknowledged the compliment 
 by raising their oars, and standing them upright in a row 
 in the centre of the boat 
 
 Then they fell with a splash, and the launch returned to 
 H. M. S. "Victor," which looked the picture of beauty 
 as she rode proudly on the rippling waves. 
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 
 THE CASTAWAY. 
 
 JACK was rather alarmed at the confirmation which 
 Harvey's suspicions had received. 
 
 It was strange that Ayoub should show such a decided 
 disinclination to have the "Victor" for a consort. 
 
 And yet, on consideration, Jack made excuses for his 
 desire to save from fire and sword these amongst whom 
 he had lived, and who had been kind to him. 
 
 However, he was sincere in his determination to find 
 Emily, and nothing would have induced him to turn out 
 of his course. 
 
 Harvey was anxious to know what had passed between 
 him and the officer of the British vessel. 
 
 Jack repeated their conversation. 
 
 "What did I tell you?" said Harvey. "I knew that 
 Arab was a bad lot. " 
 
 " He won't do us any harm," replied Jack. 
 
 "I don't feel so sure about that. You are too easy- 
 going. "
 
 1 38 JACK HARKA WA Y 'S AD VENTURES 
 
 "My dear Dick, if one was always to fancy danger 
 ahead, one would be worried into the grave. Time 
 enough to face it when the peril comes," answered Jack. 
 
 "If I saw any indication of foul play I'd shoot him 
 through the head, as a warning toothers." 
 
 "So I will. He shall have a bullet through his head 
 in double quick time," Jack said. 
 
 The man-of-war set her sails, and was soon lost to 
 sight in the distance. 
 
 About midday the lookout reported an object in sight. 
 
 "Where away ? " asked Jack. 
 
 "Abaft the beam," was the reply. 
 
 Jack gave orders to bear down upon it, and in about an 
 hour, a small boat was clearly made out 
 
 Whether there was anyone in it or not could not be 
 distinguished. 
 
 But as the "Sea-horse" got nearer, the body of a 
 human being was discovered lying down between the 
 thwarts, apparently in the last stage of exhaustion. 
 
 Lowering a boat, Jack had the castaway brought on 
 board. 
 
 He was laid on the deck, and seemed to be only just 
 alive, if the spark of life wasn't already extinguished. 
 
 As Jack's eyes fell on his face, he uttered a cry of 
 amazement. 
 
 " Dick," he exclaimed, " come here." 
 
 Harvey was by his side in a moment. 
 
 "What is it?" he asked. 
 
 " Don't you see? " 
 
 "See what?" 
 
 "The fellow's face. It is Hunston." 
 
 "Bless my soul! so it is; but how altered," replied 
 Harvey. "He is pinched with hunger. Case of starv- 
 ation. Poor beggar ! " 
 
 "Poor beggar, indeed," said Jack, visibly annoyed. 
 "I almost wish we hadn't seen him, and that the man- 
 of-war had picked him up instead." 
 
 "You can't abandon him now." 
 
 " I don't mean to. But it looks as if he had done it 
 on purpose." 
 
 Harvey could not help smiling at this view of the case. 
 
 " Have him put in a bunk," he said, " and attended to. 
 Ben ! Where's Ben Blunt ? "
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 139 
 
 " Present, sir," replied Ben, coming up. 
 
 "Here is a man you have seen before. He was the 
 friend and companion of your mutineers. Mr. Harkaway 
 saved his life if you remember." 
 
 ' ' They say a bad penny is sure to turn up, sir, " re- 
 marked Ben. 
 
 " Have him taken below, please, "returned Jack, "and 
 pour some soup down his throat ; he is in the last stage 
 of exhaustion. Do what you can for him," Ben. 
 
 "Aye, aye, sir," answered the boatswain. 
 
 Hunston, pale, emaciated, scarcely breathing, was 
 attended to with a care peculiar to sailors when cases of 
 distress are brought before their notice. 
 
 Monday brought a report a couple of hours later, 
 that the sick man was progressing favourably. 
 
 "I '.im eat um soup, sare," he replied, " and him wink 
 at it with um eyes." 
 
 " Is that a good sign, Monday ? " asked Harvey. 
 
 " Always um good sign, sare, when um wink um eye," 
 replied Monday. 
 
 "All right. Keep near him. He shan't say we are 
 behind the age in civilisation ; we are not barbarians, and 
 know how to behave ourselves even when an enemy 
 comes amongst us." 
 
 "We've got two of them now, Dick," observed Jack. 
 
 "Two? ' 
 
 " Yes ; Hunston if he lives and Ayoub, that is, if 
 your suspicions are well founded." 
 
 Mr. Mole now came on deck with a book in his hand. 
 
 He had found a box of books in the captain's cabin, 
 and he passed the principal part of his time lolling on a 
 couch near an open port-hole, smoking some good cigars, 
 which he had also found and "requisitioned," and drink- 
 ing brandy and water, which he called brandy pawnee. 
 
 "Fine thing, brandy pawnee," hesaid. "Stuff all Indian 
 gentlemen drink ; that is to say, all gentlemen all English 
 gentlemen in India drink ; for we can't call the native 
 Mahomedans, Hindoos, and what not gentlemen." 
 
 " Well, sir, what's the time of day ? " said Jack. 
 
 "You know very well, Harkaway," answered Mr. 
 Mole, " that when I was in captivity among the Pisangs, 
 the wretched Hunston stole my watch." 
 
 "Just like him, sir. He'd steal another if you'd got it."
 
 140 JACK HARKA WA Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 "No, he wouldn't, my lad," replied Mr. Mole, with a 
 knowing look ; " Hunston is vegetating on his island." 
 
 " What will you bet about that, sir? said Jack. 
 
 "Bet? I'd bet my my tea-garden in China. It's a 
 man-of-war to a fishing smack, or Homer to a boy's first 
 Greek exercise." 
 
 ' ' I'll take you, sir. If Hunston is now on board this 
 ship, and I convince you of the fact, your tea-garden 
 becomes mine ? " 
 
 "Certainly," replied Mr. Mole, puzzled. 
 
 " Monday ! " said Jack. 
 
 "Coming, sare," replied Monday, who was in the 
 centre of a group of sailors, whom he was entertaining 
 with an account of Hunston 's villany. 
 
 " Isn't Hunston on board the ' Sea-horse' ? " 
 
 "For sartin, Mast' Jack; wuss luck, too. No good 
 come to ship while villain Hunston on board of him," 
 said Monday. 
 
 "Don't call names, Monday," replied Harvey. 
 
 "Is this a joke, Harkaway?" said Mr. Mole. "If so, 
 it is a very bad one, and I will cudgel this black fellow 
 for joining in it." 
 
 Monday grinned. 
 
 "Candidly, sir, it is no joke. We picked Hunston up 
 this morning lying in an exhausted condition in a boat" 
 
 "All by himself?" 
 
 "Quite alone," replied Jack. 
 
 "Where is he now ? " 
 
 "Monday will show you." 
 
 "Come, my coloured friend," said Mr. Mole, "I must 
 behold him with my own eyes ; seeing is believing. No 
 offence to you, Harkaway. Lead on, Monday." 
 
 " Did you ever see a whale, Dick ? " asked Jack. 
 
 Harvey put his tongue in his cheek, and Mr. Mole, 
 turning sharply round, said 
 
 " Harkaway, it is too bad of you to make fun of my 
 poor attempt at a song. I will never oblige you again 
 in a similar manner. " ^ 
 
 "Don't say that, sir," replied Jack, as he moved away. * 
 "Mole's awfully touchy about his song," he added to 
 Harvey. 
 
 "Yes, he knows it's a bad one, and he would not have 
 sung at all, if he had not been made, so he gets needled."
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 1 41 
 
 Presently Mr. Mole came back. 
 
 ' ' Have you seen him, sir ? " asked Jack. 
 
 " Yes, but what a wreck ! " 
 
 "Are you satisfied? " 
 
 " I am not/' replied Mr. Mole emphatically. "I look 
 upon Hunston's presence in this ship as a fertile source 
 of disaster. How do you suppose he came into that 
 boat ? " 
 
 " That's what the father asked about his son in Moliere's 
 comedy ' How the deuce did he get into the boat?'" 
 replied Jack. 
 
 "I think I can make a guess," cried Harvey. "He 
 must have started with some Pisangs, for the City of the 
 Golden Towers, a storm came on " 
 
 "Or they had a free fight," put in Jack. 
 
 "That's probable at all events. The remainder of the 
 crew were washed or thrown overboard, Hunston re- 
 mained alone, and couldn't manage the boat by himself. 
 Starvation ensued, as he lost his way on the pathless 
 ocean." 
 
 " Don't become poetical, Dick," exclaimed Jack. 
 
 'Why shouldn't I, if I choose? You show me a road 
 on the sea, and I'll never apply the epithet pathless to it 
 again." 
 
 "Have a care, Harkaway, how you warm a viper in 
 your bosom," said Mr. Mole. 
 
 "I am not in the habit, sir, of imparting artificial heat 
 to vermin of that description," replied Jack 
 
 " Nonsense ! You know what I mean." 
 
 "I beg your pardon, sir, I do not." 
 
 "Then," said Mr. Mole, "you are more obtuse than I 
 gave you credit for being I spoke figuratively. Mind 
 that, if you are kind to Hunston, he does not, as he has 
 done before, turn round upon you." 
 
 "I'll keep my weather eye open, sir. But you would 
 not have had me turn the poor beast adrift in the state in 
 which we found him," said Jack. 
 
 "Well, no ; on consideration, decidedly no. There is 
 something which beats under the fifth rib. Harkaway, 
 which counsels a more humane course." 
 
 "The heart?" said Jack 
 
 " Precisely ; you have guessed rightly. We have 
 hearts, we must be human. We are Christians, and
 
 142 JA CK HARKA WA Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 must play the part of the good Samaritan. Will any of 
 you boys come into the cabin and partake of pawnee ? " 
 
 " Don't mind if I do so. Been reading," said Jack. 
 
 "Yes, just a little go in at the higher mathematics, 
 Harkaway. Having the advantage of books, one must 
 keep one's hand in," replied Mr. Mole. 
 
 Harvey and Jack followed him into the cabin, to have 
 some brandy pawnee, and Harvey whispered 
 
 "The old humbug. Do you know what he has been 
 reading? It's not mathematics at all. I looked at the 
 book while he had it under his arm." 
 
 "What was it, then?" 
 
 "A French novel," answered Harvey laughing. 
 
 It must be confessed that Mr. Mole was a bit of a 
 humbug. 
 
 CHAPTER XXVIL 
 
 THE STORM. 
 
 THE boys stayed in the cabin with Mr. Mole until that 
 gentleman became very good-tempered, and was more 
 highly pleased than ever with his brandy pawnee. 
 
 Feeling an increased motion of the ship, Jack said the 
 wind was rising. 
 
 ' ' Let it rise," replied Mr. Mole grandly. " I trust we are 
 superior to changes of the weather. In my young days, 
 I knew the time when I was very glad to raise the wind." 
 
 " Uncle, sir?" said Harvey. 
 
 " Precisely so, but not for luxuries or superfluities. If 
 I spent money, it was on my studies. Books, Harvey, 
 were what I bought. I could live on a crust of bread and 
 a draught of water for a week. " 
 
 " You've changed a good bit since then, sir. Haven't 
 you ? " said Jack. 
 
 "Now, my dear boy, I am in the noontide of life, I 
 have a tea-garden in China. Circumstances alter cases," 
 replied Mr. Mole. 
 
 " If we get any rough weather I hope we shan't come 
 to grief," Jack remarked. 
 
 " Ah," faaid Mr. Mole, " that's the worst of putting boys 
 in men's places."
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 
 
 '43 
 
 "What, sir?" 
 
 "It's the case of the square peg in the round hole, 
 Harka way. " 
 
 " Am I a square peg ? " asked Jack. 
 
 "Very square, and to use a vulgar expression, you may 
 find yourself in a hole. You should have made good use 
 of your time and have learnt navigation." 
 
 "I know a little enough for everyday use, sir, "Jack 
 said. 
 
 " It's my opinion there is only one man on board this 
 ship who knows how to work it, ' Mr. Mole continued. 
 
 "Who's he ? " said Harvey. 
 
 "Myself, Harvey. Isaac Mole, your humble servant. " 
 
 Jack laughed. 
 
 "Do not laugh, my young, but still intelligent friend," 
 Mr. Mole exclaimed; "it is not becoming to laugh at 
 those older than yourself. I have an observant eye. ' 
 
 " Did you ever see a whale, sir?" 
 
 "That question shows a want of respect, and I shall 
 devote my conversation to Harvey," answered Mr. Mole 
 in high dudgeon. 
 
 "Certainly, sir," Harvey said. "Curious creatures, 
 whales, ain't they ? " 
 
 "If you indulge also in the puerile amusement called 
 chaff, I shall retire into myself, smoke the cigar of peace, 
 and hold my peace," said Mr. Mole, mixing himself an- 
 other pawnee. 
 
 Monday entered the cabin. 
 
 "Good-morning, Monday," said Mr. Mole forgetting 
 that he had seen him before that day. 
 
 "It's not morning, Monday, now, sir," remarked 
 Jack. 
 
 "Eh?" 
 
 "It's Monday afternoon, sir," said Jack perpetrating a 
 joke, and adding 
 
 "What is it, Mon?" 
 
 " Urn Ben Blunt want Mast' Jack. The weather, him 
 getting very bad, sare." 
 
 "Hang me if I didn't think so, " replied Jack, rising 
 with an uneasy expression of face. 
 
 "It's all Mast' Hunston, sare; him like um Mother 
 Carey's chicken. When him come on board, all go 
 wrong," exclaimed Monday.
 
 1 44 JA CK HARKA WA y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 "I am not superstitious enough to believe that, though 
 I don't like the look of things at all." 
 
 Suddenly the ship gave a lurch. 
 
 She was struck by a heavy squall, and had heeled a 
 little on the left side. 
 
 The men were all at their stations, and touching his hat, 
 Ben reported to Jack, as he hurried on deck, that the fore- 
 sail was split. 
 
 "Bend another," replied Jack. 
 
 The crew set to work, unbent the split foresail and bent 
 another. 
 
 For some hours the weather got worse. 
 
 They experienced a succession of heavy squalls, and 
 shipped water. 
 
 At four o'clock a heavy sea burst into the main deck, 
 sweeping water casks and loose gear overboard. 
 
 " Go forward, Dick, and ask Ben to ascertain if the 
 cargo has shifted," said Jack. 
 
 Harvey returned with Ben, who said he thought the 
 first tier had shifted a little, but not to an extent of any 
 consequence. 
 
 " What's the damage ? " asked Jack. 
 
 " It's carried away the mainsheet," replied Ben, "and 
 the peak halyards." 
 
 "Anything else? " 
 
 ' ' Monday reports that the cabin windows are smashed 
 in." 
 
 " Man the pumps," exclaimed Jack, "and at the same 
 time secure cargo and repair damages. " 
 
 ' ' Aye, aye, sir, " replied Ben, who liked to be com- 
 manded in this navy fashion. 
 
 If Jack had lost his head and said, "What are we to 
 do ? " perhaps the old boatswain would have lost his too, 
 and the men would have followed suit. 
 
 Example is everything to men in a subordinate position. 
 
 The majority of men can obey, but they can't order. 
 
 Jack was as cool as a melon, and went about every- 
 where, encouraging the men with his presence. 
 
 At nine o'clock the pumps had hove out a quantity of 
 water mixed with tea which had got loose in the hold. 
 
 There was a high cross sea. 
 
 Jack stowed foresail and jib, set close-reefed mainsail 
 and hove the ship to, with her head northwest.
 
 AFLOAT A ND ASHORE. 1 45 
 
 The night passed without any change. 
 
 Mr. Mole was nowhere to be seen, though Monday 
 hinted he was on his back, snoring loudly, under the 
 mingled influence of fear and brandy pawnee. 
 
 In the morning the sea raged with dreadful fury. 
 
 Jack had not closed his eyes all night. 
 
 Ayoub still kept the helm, and stated that the coast was 
 at times very stormy, and he knew they were not far from 
 their destination. 
 
 "How many days' sail are we from the City of the 
 Golden Towers ? " asked Jack. 
 
 "Two, sahib," replied the Arab. 
 
 "Only two?" 
 
 " If we run before this wind, we shall make the land 
 sooner, but we have to run some miles up a river," con- 
 tinued Ayoub. 
 
 "Then," thought Jack, "Lieutenant Skeffington was 
 right in his suspicions. This remarkable city does lie up 
 a river, and there is more chance of H. M. S. ' Victor ' 
 finding it out than I first thought there was." 
 
 While he was talking to Ayoub a sea swept the 
 bowsprit from the bollards and the foremast from the 
 deck. 
 
 " Hullo ! God help us," ejaculated Jack, who remem- 
 bered his first wreck. 
 
 Another sea followed, and the mainmast snapped like 
 a reed, three feet above the deck. 
 
 One man was hurt badly, and the cargo shifted. 
 
 The ship tossed, and swayed her spars with great 
 violence. 
 
 Ben Blunt hastened to the helm. 
 
 He pushed Ayoub on one side saying 
 
 " What's the blundering old ass about ? He's no better 
 than a woman at the wheel in a gale of wind." 
 
 " Wear her, Blunt, wear her," cried Jack. 
 
 "Aye, aye, sir," replied the veteran. 
 
 Ayoub looked on with the passivity of an oriental. 
 
 "Steady, Blunt, for your life, steady," continued Jack. 
 " She'll bilge and founder else. " 
 
 "Aye, aye, sir," replied Ben, again, as the wheel flew 
 round under his practised hands. 
 
 It was a great risk, but the ship answered to the helm, 
 and she was brought to windward. 
 10
 
 1 46 JA CK HARK A WAY'S AD VENTURES 
 
 Jack now ordered the crew to cut away abaft, holding 
 on forward. 
 
 In a short time she floated clear, but the once beautiful 
 "Sea-horse" was a perfect wreck. 
 
 The storm was now at its height 
 
 In a short time it began visibly to decline, and the im- 
 mediate danger was over. 
 
 But Jack's heart grew sad when he thought of the irre- 
 parable damage that was done to the lovely ship he had 
 hoped to reach England in, but which would now be 
 useless. 
 
 Ben reported the rudder-head disabled, and the wheel 
 broken. 
 
 She was drifting at the mercy of the waves towards an 
 unknown coast, the only inhabitants of which were a 
 nest oi pirates. 
 
 With difficulty the rudder was wedged, and damages 
 again repaired in the best manner under the circumstances. 
 
 Finding the port anchor stock to be the best elevation, 
 Jack had a globular light placed upon it, during the night. 
 
 Then the wind went down and the gale abated, but not 
 before it had swept away the storm drag, leaving the 
 vessel a helpless wreck. 
 
 A small spar was stood by the stump of the mainmast, 
 and secured as well as possible. 
 
 This formed a jury mast. 
 
 Two oars were clinched together for a yard and bent to 
 a piece of canvas. 
 
 This set a sail, leg-of-mutton fashion. 
 
 With this curiously-rigged mast, and a signal of distress 
 flying, the ' ' Sea-horse " drifted for two days. 
 
 Mr. Mole obstinately refused to move, and the boys 
 took all the responsibility upon themselves. 
 
 Ben Blunt, who was an old sailor, gave Jack great 
 credit for the way in which he had handled the ship. 
 
 " Under Providence, sir," he said, " you've saved this 
 vessel, young as you are. I'm an old salt, and I know 
 how things should be, though I couldn't have done as you 
 did, and I doubt whether many a first luff in her majesty's 
 service could have done better." 
 
 "I did my best, Ben," Jack answered. 
 
 " And a good ' best ' it was, sir. We've saved our lives 
 and we may hope to make a port somewhere."
 
 AFLOAT AND ASHORE. 1 47 
 
 Jack and Ben Blunt were standing alone, Harvey was 
 with Mr. Mole in the cabin, for Mr. Mole had not been at 
 all well. 
 
 Either the brandy pawnee or the storm had not agreed 
 with him. 
 
 In Jack's face could be discovered a trace of sadness 
 and disappointment. 
 
 Jack had got to love the old ship. 
 
 She was to have borne him and Emily back to England, 
 when he had rescued her from the pirates to whom the 
 Pisangs had taken her. 
 
 How had his prospects altered in a few days ! 
 
 The trimly-built "Sea-horse" was floating like a help- 
 less log upon the water. 
 
 He did not think that his life or those of his companions 
 were in danger. 
 
 There was a chance of making land, which Ayoub de- 
 tlared solemnly could not be far off. 
 
 All at once a pale, thin, skeleton figure crept up the 
 main hatch. 
 
 It walked with difficulty, and, as it neared Jack, the 
 latter exclaimed 
 
 "Hunston ! *' 
 
 He had not gone near him or spoken to him while he 
 vas recovering from his privations, though he had 
 .teused every attention to be paid him, so that he wanted 
 for nothing. 
 
 " Harkaway," Hunston said, in a hollow voice, " I am 
 better now, and I have come to thank you for caring for 
 me as you did." 
 
 " Don't say anything about that," exclaimed Jack. 
 
 "But I must. I have heard from Harvey how you 
 picked me up and took me in." 
 
 "Glad of it," said Jack. 
 
 "No, you are not glad. I know you would much 
 rather you had not met me, but you are a kind-hearted Eng- 
 lish fellow, and behaved as you thought you ought to." 
 
 "You might do as much for me some day," suggested 
 Jack. 
 
 " Wrong again," replied Hunston. " If I had seen you 
 adrift in a boat, I should not have stirred a finger to save 
 you. " 
 
 "You speak plainly, anyhow."
 
 148 JACK HARKA WA Y'S ADVENTURES 
 
 "I do, and I say what I mean. You have the advan- 
 tage over me in generosity and good-nature, if that is any 
 gratification to you." 
 
 ' ' Yes ; it is. I'd rather be thought a decent fellow than 
 a brute," replied Jack. 
 
 " I don't care what people think of me. I've got over 
 that weakness long ago." 
 
 " More's the pity." 
 
 "Perhaps, but if a man's hardened he can't be worried 
 by scruples of conscience. I have just been snatched 
 from the brink of the grave. I was at my last gasp." 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 "And I don't thank you for saving me," replied Hun- 
 ston, whose malicious eyes twinkled with malignity as he 
 spoke. 
 
 " I don't want you to," replied Jack. 
 
 "The fact is, Harkaway, I'm not a humbug, I never 
 was. You can't accuse me of being a sham. I was 
 always straightforward. " 
 
 " I can't say that. You've done a lot of dirty things," 
 answered Jack. " But you are ill and weak, and I would 
 rather not argue with you while you are in that state. " 
 
 "That be bothered. I should show the same spirit if I 
 were dying," Hunston said. "Talk to me, or put me in 
 my boat and cast me adrift once more." 
 
 Jack gazed at him with astonishment. 
 
 " Put me in the boat. I'm in your power," continued 
 Hunston. 
 
 "No ; I won't do that." 
 
 "Listen, then. I'm your enemy still, though I thank 
 you for saving me. That's candid, isn't it?" 
 
 "Very much so," said Jack. "But look here, old 
 fellow, if we can't be friends, the world is wide enough 
 for both of us. I'll take care of you, and put you ashore 
 wherever you like." 
 
 "You haven't much choice," said Hunston, with a 
 sneer. "Your ship isn't the vessel it was when you 
 stole it. " 
 
 ' ' Stole it ! " repeated Jack indignantly. 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 " I only took it from the mutineers, and intend to 
 return it to the owners." 
 
 "Oh, of course; your intentions are highly virtuous," 

 
 AFL OA T AND ASHORE. 1 49 
 
 said Hunston. " But while I am on board, am I to con- 
 sider myself a prisoner? " 
 
 4 ' No ; you can do what you like. " 
 
 44 Then I shan't trouble you any more ; and as soon as 
 I can get away, I shall." 
 
 As he finished speaking, Hunston walked away and 
 amused himself by talking to Ayoub, who was again at 
 the wheel. 
 
 Something he said seemed to excite the Arab's attention, 
 as they were soon engaged in earnest conversation. 
 
 44 He's a beast," said Jack, half aloud. 
 
 " Who's a beast ? " exclaimed a voice at his elbow. 
 
 CHAPTER XXVIII. 
 
 JACK KEEPS HIS EYE ON AYOUR 
 
 IT was Harvey who spoke. 
 
 44 Who's the beast ? " repeated Jack. 44 Why, Hunston. 
 He's not a bit thankful for being saved. I thought he 
 would be. When I rescued him from the mutineers, he 
 did say, ' thank you. ' " 
 
 4 'Then," replied Harvey, " the fear of death was present 
 to his mind. Now the case is different. He knows very 
 well he's right, and can afford to be cheeky. " 
 
 44 What's he saying to Ayoub, I wonder? " asked Jack. 
 
 4 'There is some villany on, I'll bet." 
 
 44 Lieutenant Skeffington warned me against Ayoub, 
 and told me to keep my eye on him." 
 
 4 'Do it, then. It's my advice too," said Harvey. 
 
 "I wish I could hear what they are saying." 
 
 44 So do I." 
 
 44 Can't you fox them in some way? " said Jack. 
 
 44 Not now," replied Harvey. " They would see me and 
 stop talking. I'll tell you how to manage it, though." 
 
 "How?" 
 
 44 I'll go up and stand close to Ayoub, ask him some 
 questions and so on. Hunston will go away, and they'll 
 meet again later, when we can watch." 
 
 " Good again, Dick ; I always said you were a genius, " 
 said Jack.
 
 150 JA CK HARKA WA Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 Harvey went up to the wheel, and, as he had expected, 
 Hunston walked away, going down to his berth, from 
 which he did not emerge till the evening. 
 
 It was with difficulty that Ayoub could, with the badly- 
 broken rudder, keep the ship before the wind. 
 
 But he contrived to steer somehow, and ere nightfall 
 land was discovered. 
 
 Great were the rejoicings of the crew, more especially 
 when the mouth of the river was seen, and Ayoub 
 declared that it was the very one they were in search 
 of. 
 
 "In four-and-twenty hours, crippled as we are," said 
 the pilot, " we shall be anchored near the City of the 
 Golden Towers." 
 
 There was no further danger from the elements, for the 
 storm had altogether subsided. 
 
 Harvey, who was worn out, went to his berth and slept 
 soundly. 
 
 Jack, however, was watching Hunston. 
 
 Darkness had fallen and all was still, when he heard 
 Hunston leave the cabin in which he was berthed, and go 
 on deck. 
 
 He followed. 
 
 Ayoub was standing amidships, looking at the crescent 
 moon, just rising in the heavens. 
 
 "Is it you, my son?" he exclaimed, as Hunston 
 touched him on the shoulder. 
 
 " Did I not say I would meet you when the moon rose 
 at this spot? " replied Hunston. 
 
 "You did." 
 
 "You hate these white men, and so do I; as far as 
 that we agreed this morning. We were interrupted in 
 our conversation. " 
 
 " My son," replied the Arab, "I was formerly the most 
 famous pirate in the City of the Golden Towers, but I 
 was cast on the island of Limbi, and seeing no means of 
 getting back to my friends, unless I braved the perils of 
 a voyage which was nearly fatal to you, I determined to 
 wait." 
 
 " You settled on the island? " 
 
 "Yes; and when this boy, Harkaway, asked me to 
 steer him to the Golden City, I was more than glad to 
 do so. It was the wish of my heart. I have heard all
 
 AFL OA T AND ASHORE. 1 5 1 
 
 about you, and I know that your friends, the Pisangs, 
 have gone to the Malay pirates in large numbers." 
 
 " They have." 
 
 " With them they bore a lovely English maiden," con- 
 tinued Ayoub. 
 
 "You know that ? " cried Hunston. 
 
 "And more than that, you love her. Harkaway loves 
 her, and there is a hatred between you." 
 
 "You are right there," Hunston said, between his 
 teeth. "The more he does for me, the more I seem to 
 detest him. The reason I have come to speak to you is 
 that I do not think you mean to keep faith with him." 
 
 ' ' Can I trust you ? " said Ayoub. 
 
 " I'll take any oath you like." 
 
 ' ' What are oaths to men like you and I ? " replied the 
 Arab, contemptuously. 
 
 " You must have sense enough to know that you can 
 frust me, and if I can give you a hand in any villany, 
 I'm ready to do so." 
 
 "I don't know that you can do anything," replied 
 Ayoub, " yet it is a relief to have some one to talk to. 
 The ship is a wreck, and scarcely worthy of the pirates' 
 attention." 
 
 " Are we near the pirates ? " Hunston asked. 
 
 "Yes, they will be here soon. I shall hoist a red 
 light at midnight, to show them there are friends on 
 board. " 
 
 "What then?" 
 
 "When they board the ship they will spare the lives of 
 all who are near the red light, the rest they will slay." 
 
 "There will be an end of Harkaway then," said Hun- 
 ston, with a savage smile. 
 
 " And all his friends," replied Ayoub. 
 
 Jack was listening intently to this conversation. "The 
 fiends ! " he muttered. 
 
 "You shall marry the white maiden, and be a great 
 chief among the pirates," continued Ayoub. 
 
 "That will suit me exactly. I should like to be a 
 pirate king." 
 
 "I held a high position among them," the Arab went 
 on, " before I was wrecked off Limbi. Often have I 
 longed to return to the scene of youth and manhood. 
 But the voyage was too perilous to be undertaken alone."
 
 152 JACK HARKA WA Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 "Are the pirates Malays? " 
 
 "Not all. They have men of all nations with them. 
 French, English, Spanish and American. We are near- 
 ing the mouth of the river now. Can not you see under 
 the bluff headlands on the right some lights dancing like 
 fire-flies ? " 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 "Those are the lights of the pirates' proas riding at an- 
 chor. There is a safe anchorage there, and many ships 
 remain there to guard the entrance to the river." 
 
 "There must be a lot of them from the number of 
 lights," cried Hunston. 
 
 "Twice six, and full of armed men. What chance has 
 this disabled ship of contending against the pirate fleet ? " 
 
 " Have they seen us yet ? " 
 
 "Not yet. We are hull down in the water," said 
 Ayoub, who talked in the Limbian language, that being 
 perfectly intelligible to Hunston. 
 
 " Have you got a red light ready ? " 
 
 "I have." 
 
 "Will they recognise it? " continued Hunston. 
 
 "They will," replied Ayoub with a smile. "I used to 
 go out in a boat on the look-out for a passing ship, telling 
 the captain I was a pilot, who would navigate his vessel 
 through the dangerous channels with which the coast of 
 the Malay peninsula abounds, and when I got them here 
 I showed the red light, which means blood." 
 
 Jack shuddered. 
 
 "They will say, 'Heaven is good to us,'" continued 
 the Arab ; " 'our old friend Ayoub, the mighty, has come 
 back again. Blood will run like water. Come, my 
 brethren, let us go to Ayoub, and slay the disciples of 
 the cross.' " 
 
 ' ' You are sure they won't kill you and me by mistake ?" 
 said Hunston. 
 
 "Our lives are safe in my hands ; though, had you not 
 spoken to me to-day, yours would have been sacrificed 
 with the rest." 
 
 As he spoke, the infamous wretch who had been all 
 along planning this massacre of the officers and crew of 
 the "Sea-horse," took up a lamp he had concealed be- 
 hind some spars. 
 
 He held it up in the air, saying, "Behold the signal."
 
 AtLOA T AND ASHORE. 153 
 
 The next moment Jack had levelled a pistol at his head, 
 and crying 
 
 " Rascally Arab, take that," he fired. 
 
 Ayoub, shot through the forehead, uttered the single 
 word "Allah ! " and fell forward at Hunston's feet 
 
 There was another barrel in the pistol undischarged. 
 
 Jack played restlessly with the trigger. 
 
 "I've a deuced good mind to give you the contents of 
 number two, Mister Hunston," he said. 
 
 Hunston's eyes fell, and he trembled a little. 
 
 "Ha!" said Jack noticing this, "does the fear of 
 death come upon you after all ? " 
 
 " I am weak and ill. You forget what troubles I have 
 gone through lately. It's the body that trembles, not the 
 spirit," Hunston replied. 
 
 " Your companion revealed himself in his true colours 
 at last, and he died the death of a traitor." 
 
 "Shoot away, if you are going to shoot," cried Hun- 
 ston ; "only don't stand jawing at me. You're as 
 bad as the chaplain of a gaol preaching a condemned 
 sermon." 
 
 Jack's hand still held the pistol, and the least move- 
 ment of his finger would have hurled Hunston into 
 eternity. 
 
 He hesitated, however, to fire. 
 
 The recollections of the old days at school came over 
 him. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIX. 
 
 ATTACKED BY PIRATES. 
 
 THE sudden death of Ayoub, and the consequent col- 
 lapse of his treacherous plans, alarmed Hunston. 
 
 He saw that Harkaway was very angry, and he ex- 
 pected to be shot every moment. 
 
 "At least I will have a struggle for it," he muttered 
 between his clenched teeth. 
 
 Rushing upon Jack, he endeavored to wrench the pistol 
 out of his hand. 
 
 Had he succeeded in doing so, he would undoubtedly 
 have shot him.
 
 154 JACK HARKA WA Y'S ADVENTURES 
 
 But Jack would not release his hold. 
 
 They swayed backwards and forwards. 
 
 All at once the trigger of the pistol was accidentally 
 pulled, and, as the muzzle happened to be presented 
 against Hunston, he received the charge in his left 
 arm. 
 
 The injured limb hung helplessly by his side. 
 
 He staggered against the bulwarks, pale as death, and 
 cursing his ill-luck. 
 
 " It was your own fault ; you would have it," exclaimed 
 Jack. 
 
 Ben Blunt, attracted by the firing, advanced, and ex- 
 amined the injured limb. 
 
 " It must come off," he said. 
 
 "What? " cried Hunston. "Lose my arm? " 
 
 " There is no help for it," replied Ben. 
 
 " Be a one-armed man all my life ! " 
 
 The expression of Hunston's face, as he uttered these 
 words, was fiendish in the extreme. 
 
 " You ought to think yourself lucky you have escaped 
 with your life," remarked Harvey. 
 
 "I'll be revenged on you, Harkaway for this," cried 
 Hunston, writhing with pain. 
 
 Jack turned contemptuously from him. 
 
 "Wherever you are in whatever quarter of the globe 
 I am more than ever your enemy, and I will find you 
 out," continued Hunston. 
 
 He would have said more, but, faint from loss of blood 
 and severe pain, he sank on the deck insensible. 
 
 "Take him below, Ben, and see to him," said Jack. 
 
 "Aye, aye, sir." 
 
 "And some of you fellows throw that carrion over- 
 board," added Jack, pointing to the dead body of Ayoub. 
 
 His orders were obeyed, and Ben carried Hunston 
 below. 
 
 Ben Blunt had a rough knowledge of surgery, having 
 been in more than one action, and with Harvey's help, 
 he amputated Hunston's arm just below the shoulder. 
 
 A sharp knife and a saw were all that was required, 
 with a bit of silk for a tourniquet to take up the veins. 
 
 Bandaging it round afterwards, he left the wretched 
 young man to go to sleep. 
 
 His thoughts were not pleasant.
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 
 
 '55 
 
 For the remainder of his life Hunston would be a one- 
 armed man. 
 
 His wickedness had been punished at last. 
 
 A good look-out was kept on board, and the best 
 weapons that could be found were supplied to the crew. 
 
 Jack anticipated an attack from the pirates. 
 
 Nor was he mistaken. 
 
 About midnight they with difficulty made out half-a- 
 dozen heavily manned boats rowing towards them. 
 
 "All hands forward to repel boarders," exclaimed Jack. 
 
 Directly he heard this order, Mr. Mole disappeared. 
 
 The remainder of those on board, however, evinced 
 every inclination for the fight. 
 
 Steadily the pirates came on. 
 
 The movement of the oars in the row-locks became 
 more distinct. 
 
 Dividing into two parties, the pirates began the attack 
 on each side simultaneously. 
 
 With their cruel sharp knives in their mouths they 
 swarmed up the sides. 
 
 Volley after volley was fired at them. 
 
 Many fell back into the boats or the sea mortally 
 wounded. 
 
 Others immediately took their places. 
 
 Jack fought valiantly. 
 
 A stalwart Malay singled him out, and after a few 
 attempts succeeded in cutting him down. 
 
 Jack fell to the deck, badly wounded. 
 
 The fall of their leader damped the ardour of the Eng- 
 lish crew. 
 
 In vain Harvey strove to lead them forward. 
 
 They were overpowered by numbers, and surrendered 
 at discretion. 
 
 Ben Blunt was stabbed to the heart, and his body 
 stiffened in the moonlight. 
 
 Harvey had a flesh wound in the leg, and could only 
 limp about. 
 
 When the fighting was over, the Malays ceased the 
 work of slaughter. 
 
 It was the custom of the pirates to take as many pris- 
 oners as they could, in order to obtain ransom. 
 
 Monday had fought valiantly, and, strange to say, was 
 unhurt.
 
 156 JACK HARKA WAY'S AD VENTURES 
 
 Perhaps in the confusion the Malays, from his dark 
 skin, mistook him for one of their own party. 
 
 The faithful fellow attended to his young masters and 
 bound up their wounds. 
 
 He spoke to the pirates and told them they were great 
 chiefs. 
 
 This made the Malays treat them with great considera- 
 tion. 
 
 Mr. Mole was captured and fastened to Monday with a 
 chain. 
 
 Jack and Harvey were conveyed below, and the latter 
 did all that lay in his power for his old friend. 
 
 When the pirates had cleared the deck of the dead, 
 they began to tow the ship to the mouth of the river. 
 
 All night long they continued to work and by morning 
 the vessel was moored alongside a landing-place, in the 
 city of the Golden Towers. 
 
 Harvey was disappointed at the first view of the city. 
 
 It was like most oriental towns ; an assemblage of 
 narrow dirty streets. 
 
 In the centre rose a temple which had a dome, sur- 
 rounded by twelve towers or minarets. 
 
 These were covered with gilding. 
 
 It was this temple that gave the pirates' stronghold the 
 romantic and fascinating name of the City of the Golden 
 Towers. 
 
 Ill as Hunston was, he contrived to speak to the pirate 
 chiefs. 
 
 The result was that he was not classed with the other 
 prisoners. 
 
 Probably he referred to the Pisang chiefs, who had left 
 their own country and joined the pirates. 
 
 At all events he was treated with distinction, while 
 Harkaway, Harvey, Monday and Mr. Mole were re- 
 moved to a loathsome dungeon in the city. 
 
 Jack lay upon a heap of mouldy straw, Harvey by his 
 side. 
 
 His wounds were very painful, and he was weak in 
 the extreme. 
 
 " I shall never get home again, Dick ! " he exclaimed, 
 in a low voice. 
 
 "Yes, you will. Eat some of this rice, and drink 
 some water," replied Harvey.
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 
 
 '57 
 
 "I can't eat. Give me the water." 
 
 He drank copiously, for his blood was hot and feverish. 
 
 "They've done for me this time," he moaned. 
 
 "What's that you say, Harkaway?" exclaimed Mr. 
 Mole. " Don't give way. Look at my position." 
 
 " You're not hurt, sir, as Harkaway is," rejoined 
 Harvey. 
 
 "No; but I am suffering the intolerable indignity of 
 being chained to a negro in this stifling vault." 
 
 Monday gave the chain a pull. 
 
 ' ' Don't do that," cried Mr. Mole ; "you'll wrench my 
 leg off." 
 
 "Speak Monday civil," replied the black. "It's no 
 good um grumble now. Monday pull um leg off if not 
 quiet." 
 
 Mr. Mole groaned dismally. 
 
 ' ' I wonder if they will spare our lives ? " he said. 
 " Perhaps owing to the way I fought, they will be extra 
 savage against me." 
 
 No one took any notice of him, and he continued to 
 grumble to himself. 
 
 The position of the little party was anything but agree- 
 able. 
 
 Two of them were wounded, and they were confined 
 in a hot, stifling vault ; the only air and light they 
 enjoyed penetrating through a little grated window high 
 up in the wall. 
 
 Thus a week passed. 
 
 Food was brought them regularly every day, but they 
 could glean no information from their gaoler, who re- 
 fused to answer any questions. 
 
 Jack wanted quinine and fresh air to complete his cure, 
 but there did not seem much hope of his obtaining them. 
 
 Their despair was at its height when they received a 
 visit which put new life into them. 
 
 The gaoler one morning introduced a fairy-like vision, 
 which Jack, from his straw bed, at once recognized. 
 
 He made an effort to rise, but was too weak to do so. 
 
 " Emily," he murmured, softly. 
 
 Her eyes, accustomed to the blinding sun, could not 
 distinguish him in the semi-darkness. 
 
 Guided by his voice she ran to the side of the straw 
 bed and sank on her knees.
 
 1 58 JA CK HARKA WA Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 Seizing his thin, transparent hand, she bedewed it 
 with tears. 
 
 " Oh, Jack dear ! " she exclaimed. "It is so sad to see 
 you like this ; but I would rather meet you thus than not 
 see you at all." 
 
 "Thank you, Emily," replied Jack. "I wanted to 
 see you before I died. I can die happy now." 
 
 " Die ! Are you hurt ? " 
 
 " I was wounded with a creese when the pirates attacked 
 us. How did you get in here ? " he said. 
 
 "I live in the palace of the pirate king, and he sent me 
 to you to ask what ransom you could pay," replied Emily. 
 
 "Where is Hunston ? " 
 
 "Very ill. He has had a bad attack of fever, and has 
 been delirious for some days, which is lucky, as he might 
 have done you some harm. All his Pisang friends are 
 here, and he is being taken care of." 
 
 "Why have the pirates kept us here so long?" asked 
 Jack. 
 
 " I cannot tell exactly," answered Emily. "But I have 
 heard them say that one of Her Majesty's ships has been 
 cruising about the mouth of the river." 
 
 "And that has occupied all their time?" 
 
 "Exactly." 
 
 A ray of hope lighted up Jack's face. 
 
 "Dick ! " he exclaimed. 
 
 "Yes," replied Harvey. 
 
 "That ship they speak about must be the one we met, 
 H. M. S. 'Victor,' Commander Dacres." 
 
 " I hope to goodness she is," replied Harvey. 
 
 "Well, Jack dear, what shall I say to the pirate king? " 
 
 "Tell him we've got lots of money at home, and we 
 will ransom ourselves handsomely, as soon as we have 
 means of communicating with our guardians," said Jack. 
 
 "Very well." 
 
 Suddenly a voice said 
 
 "Young lady ! " 
 
 It was Mr Mole who spoke. 
 
 " Who is that, Jack? " asked Emily. 
 
 "Only Mr. Mole." 
 
 "One of your friends ? " 
 
 "The best, truest, and staunchest that Harkaway ever 
 had, miss," replied Mr. Mole.
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 
 
 '59 
 
 " Indeed, sir." 
 
 "I have shed my blood for him on innumerable occa- 
 sions, and I will show my magnanimity now." 
 
 "That's right, sir," said Harvey. 
 
 "Monday," remarked Mr. Mole, " don't pull so hard on 
 that confounded chain; do you hear? You gall my 
 leg." 
 
 "Never mind um leg, sare," replied Monday, "go on 
 with the magnanimimums. " 
 
 "I, young lady, am the proprietor of a tea-garden in 
 China," continued Mr. Mole. 
 
 " Yes ? " said Emily. 
 
 " Tell your pirate friends that I will make them a present 
 of this lovely tea-garden, if they will give us our liberty 
 and let us go." 
 
 " Bravo," cried Harvey. " Mole isn't such a bad sort 
 after all. " 
 
 ' ' When you have occasion to allude to me, Harvey, 
 you will please to address me as Mr. Mole." 
 
 " Beg pardon, sir." 
 
 "It is granted, " replied Mr. Mole, grandly. 
 
 Emily spoke a few words to Jack in a low voice, beg- 
 ging him to keep up his spirits, and holding out hopes of 
 speedy liberation. 
 
 Then she took her departure. 
 
 CHAPTER XXX 
 
 SHELLING THE PIRATE CITY. 
 
 " ANGELS' visits are few and far between, and don't last 
 long," said Jack, as if speaking to himself. 
 
 "Havel not behaved handsomely, Harkaway?" asked 
 Mr. Mole. 
 
 Jack was thinking of Emily, and made no answer. 
 
 " Harvey, I appeal to you," continued Mr. Mole. 
 
 "You know, sir, that land is not like money. The 
 pirates could never go and claim your land, because you 
 could say who they were, and have them taken up," re- 
 plied Harvey.
 
 160 JACK HARKA WA Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 He had been thinking over Mr. Mole's apparent gen 
 erosity, and the more he considered it, the less he believed 
 in its reality. 
 
 Jack remembered what the lieutenant of Her Majesty's 
 ship had told him when he overhauled the "Sea-horse." 
 
 Emily's remark about the pirates being worried by a 
 vessel of war, raised his spirits considerably. 
 
 When Harvey damped the bandages with water and 
 replaced them over his wounds, Jack said 
 
 "I feel better, Dick." 
 
 "That's right, old man. Keep up your pluck," replied 
 Harvey. 
 
 " It's so difficult to do that when you're ill. You don't 
 know what a change illness makes in a fellow. It seems 
 to take all the go out of him." 
 
 " I know it does. I was ill once had a fever." 
 
 "But I feel different now. Emily has put new life 
 into me." 
 
 " I thought she would, bless her ! " said Harvey. 
 
 "And I don't believe we shall be prisoners much 
 longer," continued Jack. 
 
 "Why not?" 
 
 "The 'Victor ' has found the pirates out, and they will 
 shell the city." 
 
 "It's an advantage, then, to be shut up in this vault." 
 
 " Well, " said Jack, "so far as escaping the effects of the 
 bombardment, it is. I know the British government have 
 been trying for some time to exterminate the nest of 
 pirates who have infested these seas so long. " 
 
 While he was speaking, a loud booming was heard. 
 
 The whiz of a shell made itself distinctly audible as it 
 flew over the devoted city. 
 
 There was a crash of falling masonry, and then for a 
 minute all was still. 
 
 "By Jove, they're at it ! " cried Harvey. 
 
 "Sooner than I expected," said Jack, with a quiet 
 smile playing over his emaciated face. 
 
 Presently the sound was repeated, and it continued at 
 intervals of half a minute. 
 
 The crashes were incessant. 
 
 It appeared that by morning there would not be one 
 stone left standing on another in the famous City of the 
 Golden Towers.
 
 AFLOAT AND ASHORE. l6l 
 
 " That's splendid practice. How well they fire," said 
 Jack, delightedly. 
 
 " Hurrah for the royal navy, and our rattling blue 
 jackets ! " exclaimed Harvey. 
 
 "What is all this hubbub ? " asked Mr. Mole, trembling 
 all over. 
 
 "The British fighting the pirates. They have found 
 them out at last," replied Jack. 
 ' How do you know ? " 
 
 ' I'm sure of it. We shall be free in a few hours, sir." 
 ' That is good news. I hope this casement is shot- 
 proof," said Mr. Mole, adding, " Monday ! " 
 ' Sare ? " replied the black. 
 
 'Don't pull so confoundedly hard on that chain." 
 'Can't help um, sare." 
 ' You drag on it. " 
 'Monday do um war dance, sare." 
 ' Well, then, kindly postpone it, because it is painful 
 to my feelings, and my skin is tender." 
 
 "All right, sare," replied Monday, "him stop um 
 dance." 
 
 The bombardment had continued for four hours with- 
 out a break. 
 
 Jack was anxious about Emily. 
 
 Suddenly he was relieved by seeing the door open, and 
 his darling rush in, her hair dishevelled and showing signs 
 of terror. 
 
 " Oh ! Jack," she said, " I've had such an escape." 
 ' ' From what, dear ? " he asked. 
 
 "The city is on fire in a dozen places, and the pirates 
 are leaving in crowds." 
 "Is it the 'Victor'?" 
 
 "I don't know the name of the ship, but it is a British 
 man-of-war, and it is giving it the pirates finely. " 
 " Hurrah ! " cried Harvey. 
 
 "The pirate chief wanted to take me with him up the 
 country somewhere, and make me his wife," she said. 
 "Beast ! " ejaculated Jack. 
 
 "I escaped and ran through the burning city. How I 
 
 missed being shot, or crushed by the falling masonry, or 
 
 burnt, I don't know, but I thought it best to come to you." 
 
 " Did the guards let you in ? " 
 
 "There are no guards; they have all run away. I
 
 162 JACK HARKA WA Y'S ADVENTURES 
 
 merely slipped back the bolt, and here I am," she re- 
 plied. 
 
 "Thank Heaven you are near me," rejoined Jack. 
 "Sit down by my side, and let me hold your hand in 
 mine, dear." 
 
 She did so. 
 
 Crash, crash, continued the shells. 
 
 H. M. S. "Victor" was in earnest this time. 
 
 The destruction is terrible when an unfortified town is 
 bombarded by all the appliances of modern science. 
 
 At the expiration of about six hours, as well as the boys 
 could guess, the firing ceased. 
 
 " Dick," said Jack, " are you well enough to walk? " 
 
 "I can limp about a bit," answered Harvey. 
 
 "Go then to the riverside with something white, and 
 let the English know that British prisoners are confined 
 here. " 
 
 "All right, I'll try." 
 
 " Shall I go with him ? " asked Emily. 
 
 " No, my precious one," answered Jack, "I can't part 
 with you ; sit still where you are. " 
 
 She pressed his hand affectionately. 
 
 Harvey was at a loss for something of a white colour. 
 
 He, as well as the rest of the party, had a handkerchief 
 and a shirt. 
 
 These, however, had long ago ceased to bear any re- 
 semblance to white. 
 
 If any colour at all, they were black. 
 
 "To sally forth with such a thing, would be to hoist 
 the black flag," as Harvey said, with a laugh. 
 
 Emily blushed. 
 
 " If you don't mind," she said, " you can have a bit of 
 my petticoat. It is clean, for I washed it out myself, 
 yesterday. " 
 
 "You, Emily?" exclaimed Jack. 
 
 "Yes; and I'm not ashamed of it. There are no 
 laundresses here, for the best possible reason." 
 
 " What's that ?" 
 
 " The people don't wear any clothes to speak about" 
 
 Everyone laughed at this answer. 
 
 " Now don't look at me and make fun," she went on. 
 
 "As if we could do such a thing," rejoined Harvey. 
 
 " Oh, I know what you boys are," she answered smiling.
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 163 
 
 Turning round, she lifted up her dress and dexterously 
 tore off a part of her petticoat, which she handed to 
 Harvey. 
 
 "If you lose that, I'll kill you, Dick," said Jack, " It's 
 more precious than cloth of gold." 
 
 "Don't be foolish, Jack," said Emily. 
 
 "I'll guard it with my life," answered Harvey, "and if 
 I'm asked what flag it is, I shall say it's the flag of all 
 nations." 
 
 "All nations ? " repeated Emily. 
 
 "Yes; every man strikes his flag to a petticoat, " said 
 Harvey. 
 
 He had no difficulty in opening the door and going up 
 the mouldy steps which led from the dungeon. He 
 reached the open air. 
 
 A strange spectacle met his gaze. 
 
 The city, a few hours before proud and wealthy, was 
 literally a heap of ruins. 
 
 Flames shot up into the air in different directions, and 
 a thick pall of smoke obscured the sky. 
 
 No one was to be seen. 
 
 The city was deserted by its inhabitants. 
 
 He had not picked his way far between the d&bris, when 
 a shot went by his ear and pinged against a wall. 
 
 "Hi!" he said. "Rule Britannia. Don't shoot a 
 countryman." 
 
 He held up his strange flag. 
 
 The next moment he was face to face with a party of 
 marines. 
 
 "Who are you, my lad?" asked the officer in com- 
 mand. 
 
 " British prisoner, sir; wounded in the leg, and taken 
 out of a merchantman with others by the pirates." 
 
 " How many are there of you ? " 
 
 " Five in all, and one's a lady," replied Harvey. 
 
 " In that case, I had better get you out of this and put 
 you aboard. Lead on to the prison," said the officer; add- 
 ing, "now, my lads, keep your weather eye open for an 
 ambush. By your right quick march ! " 
 
 " Slow march, if you please, sir," said Harvey. 
 
 "Why?" 
 
 ' Didn't I tell you I had a game leg ? Give me an arm. 
 It's uncommonly siiS. I can tell you."
 
 164 JA CK HARKA WA Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 "Ah, I forgot that; lean on me," said the officer. 
 " Those creeses of the Malays give nasty wounds." 
 
 "That they do," exclaimed Harvey, limping along. 
 
 With a wildly beating heart he led the way to the 
 dungeon. 
 
 Hope dawned in his breast once more. 
 
 Their troubles were nearly over. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXL 
 
 ON BOARD H. M. S. "VICTOR." 
 
 IN less than an hour the prisoners were removed on 
 board the "Victor." 
 
 Here all the surgeon attended to Jack's wounds, and were 
 treated with the utmost kindness and consideration. 
 
 It was a pleasant and happy change. 
 
 A large quantity of valuable property was recovered 
 from the burning city, and this put the sailors in a good 
 temper, as they could look forward to prize-money. 
 
 The pirates being thoroughly beaten and their city de- 
 stroyed, the "Victor" dropped down the river. 
 
 It was the captain's intention to land the captives at 
 Singapore. 
 
 His cruise was not yet over, and he could not leave the 
 China Seas. 
 
 At Singapore no doubt a vessel would give them a pass- 
 age to England. 
 
 Good food, fresh air, and excellent surgical attendance 
 was all that Jack and Harvey required. 
 
 They soon recovered, and went about as usual. 
 
 Emily was the pet and darling of the whole ship's 
 company, but she had only eyes for Jack. 
 
 There was one man on board Jack did not like. 
 
 He was tall and thin, with dark, flashing eyes. 
 
 His father was a merchant at Singapore, and a friend 
 of the captain of the ' ' Victor. " 
 
 The young man, who was about nineteen, not being in 
 very good health, had been received on board the ship as 
 the guest of the captain, and taken for a cruise. 
 
 His name was Frank Davis.
 
 AFLOAT AND ASHORE. 165 
 
 He fell violently in love with Emily, and persecuted 
 her with his attentions on all occasions. 
 
 Being an idle man, and having no duty to do on board 
 the ship, he was able to roam about when and where he 
 liked. 
 
 Emily did not encourage him, but she did not like to be 
 rude. 
 
 Consequently Jack often saw them together and his face 
 flushed as he saw Frank Davis bending over her. 
 
 Pointing him out to Harvey, Jack said 
 
 " I shall punch that snob's head some day." 
 
 " I wouldn't," replied Harvey. "You are not strong, 
 and we shall soon make Singapore, when we shall get rid 
 of him." 
 
 "It's a nuisance to think I have got another fellow to 
 worry me, just when Hunston is wiped out and we have 
 made an end to all our troubles." 
 
 "Do you think Hunston is dead?" 
 
 " I fancy he must have died in the burning city. Ill 
 as he was, he could scarcely escape," replied Jack. 
 
 ' ' At all events, he is not on board this ship. That's 
 one comfort," remarked Harvey. 
 
 Jack watched Mr. Davis carefully, and in spite of 
 Harvey's advice, sought an opportunity to pick a quarrel 
 with him. 
 
 Davis, however, was very civil to him and seemed to try 
 to avoid a rupture. 
 
 Mr. Mole went about from one to another of the crew, 
 and recounted his valiant exploits among the savages. 
 
 Monday caused the sailors great amusement. 
 
 He begged and borrowed from them a complete sailor's 
 dress, and was very proud of it. 
 
 The "Victor" had to go out of her course to chase some 
 pirate craft. 
 
 Sighting an island, a boat was lowered to go and obtain 
 a supply of water. 
 
 Monday ran up to Jack in great excitement. 
 ' Mast' Jack ! " he exclaimed. 
 'Well, "replied Jack. 
 
 : That's Limbi. That's my island. I know um well." 
 Is it?" 
 
 Yes. You aslc the Tuan carAain if he let you and me 
 go and land with the sailor men.'
 
 166 fACK HARKA WA Y >S AD VENTURES 
 
 "Would you like to see the island once more? " asked 
 Jack. 
 
 " Very much like, sare," replied Monday. 
 
 "All right. I'll go and get permission." 
 
 Jack went to the captain, stated the case, and asked 
 leave for himself and Monday to accompany the boat. 
 
 Leave was at once granted. 
 
 They embarked in the boat, and the Limbians came to 
 receive them. 
 
 When they saw Jack and Monday they made a great 
 feast in their honor, and would not allow the English 
 sailors to do any work, but filled the casks with water for 
 them. 
 
 They went up to the city, and Jack called upon Alfura 
 and Ambonia. 
 
 He was asked a variety of questions about Mr. Mole, 
 who, he said, had remained in the pirate city. 
 
 "Will he come back ? " asked Ambonia. 
 
 "Oh, yes," replied Jack. "He is very anxious to see 
 you again. Can I take him any message ? " 
 
 ' ' We have a surprise for him, " said Alfura and Ambonia 
 in a breath. 
 
 "What?" 
 
 "Two little babies ; such beauties. Mine is a boy, we 
 call Isaac, and Alfura's is a girl, named after her." 
 
 Jack whistled. 
 
 "Two kids," he exclaimed. "Mr. Mole expected this." 
 
 "Did he?" asked Alfura. 
 
 ' ' Yes ; and he wants you to send the children to him. 
 Cannot the nurse take them in a basket ? " 
 
 "We should not like to part with them ; but if it is 
 their father's wish " 
 
 " It is," rejoined Jack. 
 
 "Then the dear little Innocents must go," replied 
 Ambonia. 
 
 She went into an adjoining room, and the nurse who 
 had charge of them brought them in for Jack's inspection. 
 
 They were not quite so dusky as their mothers, but 
 there was a half-caste tinge about their complexions. 
 
 ' ' Bless 'em ! " said Jack. 
 
 He kissed their foreheads. 
 
 This gracious act quite won the hearts of the mothers. 
 
 The infants were placed in a basket, covered over.
 
 AFLOAT AND ASHORE. 167 
 
 On the breast of one Jack put a piece of paper, on 
 which he wrote "The gentle Isaac." 
 
 On the other he placed the inscription, '"The lovely 
 Alfura. " 
 
 And on the top of the basket he wrote "A present 
 from Limbi, for a good Mole. " 
 
 " Now, nurse," he said, " carry that down to the boat. 
 You will come with us to take care of the precious 
 babbies. " 
 
 " Have they far to go ? " asked Alfura. 
 
 "Only a few days' voyage." 
 
 "And will Mr. Mole come soon ? " sighed Ambonia. 
 
 " Before another moon has passed," replied Jack. 
 
 The mothers began to cry, and Jack cleared out, 
 making for the boat, where the crew were waiting for 
 him. 
 
 When the lieutenant in charge asked who the old 
 woman was, Jack informed him that she was taking 
 something on board for Mr. Mole, and it would be all 
 right. 
 
 The children, having been well fed, slept placidly. 
 
 At length the boat reached the ship, and the basket 
 was taken up and placed on the quarter-deck. 
 
 " You stand back till you're wanted," said Jack to the 
 nurse. 
 
 The captain and officers crowded round the basket. 
 
 The crew looked on at a distance. 
 
 Jack saluted the captain, and the captain saluted Jack. 
 
 "What's this, Mr. H arka way ?" asked Captain Dacre. 
 
 "A present for Mr. Mole, sir," replied Jack. 
 
 " Pass the word for Mr. Mole," said the captain. 
 
 The word was passed and Mr. Mole emerged from the 
 captain's servant's cabin, where all the good things were 
 kept. 
 
 He wiped his mouth as he came out and he exhaled a 
 smell of brandy. 
 
 "You did me the honor to send for me, sir," he said. 
 
 "Your former friends have sent you something," replied 
 the captain. 
 
 "Ah! indeed. They remember my valorous feats. 
 This is kind of them, and also proper. " 
 
 " Will you open the basket now ? " 
 
 "I will, sir, with your permission."
 
 1 68 JACK HARK A WAY'S AD VENTURES 
 
 Mr. Mole stooped down and untied the fastenings of 
 the basket. 
 
 The cloth was thrown back, and the children revealed 
 to view. 
 
 Mr. Mole staggered, and uttered a groan. 
 
 "The gentle Isaac and the lovely Alfura," he mur- 
 mured. 
 
 The officers burst into a roar of laughter, and even 
 Captain Dacre himself could not refrain from smiling. 
 
 Suddenly Mr. Mole's manner changed. 
 
 He grew furious. 
 
 "Who has done this? Who has played me this base 
 trick ? " he cried. 
 
 "They are your children, sir," replied Harkaway. 
 "You know you married two wives in Limbi, and these 
 children are the consequence of the rash act " 
 
 "I'll have none of them! Away with the reptiles; 
 the vermin ; the little black images ! " 
 
 "I appeal to these gentlemen if the sleeping innocents 
 are not the exact likeness of their father," said Jack. 
 
 " Into the sea with them," cried Mr. Mole. 
 
 He grasped the basket and would have cast them over 
 the ship's side, had not the nurse run forward and seized 
 him by the ear. 
 
 ' ' Oh ! my ear, my ear ! The she-fiend ; she'll wring 
 it off," vociferated Mole, dropping the basket 
 
 The children began to scream. 
 
 Leaving her hold of his ear, the nurse attended to the 
 children. 
 
 Mole danced up and down like a madman. 
 
 "Mr. Harkaway," said the captain, "this may be a 
 very good joke, but we cannot be burdened with this sort 
 of livestock." 
 
 "Beg pardon, sir. Didn't wish to put you to any in- 
 convenience," said Jack. 
 
 " Possibly not" 
 
 "Fact is, sir, I've got a feeling heart," said Jack. 
 
 "Every sailor ought to have one." 
 
 "Mr. Mole, sir, has deserted his wives, and the poor 
 infants will be half orphans, if " 
 
 "Yes, yes," said the captain, rather impatiently, as he 
 dectected a half twinkle in Jack's eye; "we know all 
 about that ; but you have given me the trouble of again
 
 A FLO A T AND ASHORE, 169 
 
 lowering a boat to send these children and their nurse to 
 the shore. " 
 
 " Won't you have the half orphans, sir ? " 
 
 " Not on board this ship ; it is absurd to ask me. Any 
 one would take you for their father, you are so anxious 
 about them." 
 
 "I, sir? No, sir. Wouldn't do such things," answered 
 Jack, with a broad grin. 
 
 "Go forward, Mr. Harkaway if you please," said Cap- 
 tain Dacre, sternly. "We have had enough of this 
 nonsense." 
 
 Jack retired, whistling 
 
 " It's nice to be a father." 
 
 When Mr. Mole saw that the captain was going to 
 send the gentle Isaac and his sister back, he recovered 
 himself. 
 
 "Remove the brats at once, sailors," he said, "and 
 you shall have a crown to drink my health." 
 
 A boat was soon lowered, and the nurse, with the 
 "precious tits," as Jack called them, put into it. 
 
 "This proper and decided act of the captain's has 
 saved me the trouble and work of buying some vermin- 
 destroying powder," muttered Mr. Mole. "Ugh! the 
 black beasts." 
 
 "They're yours, sir," whispered Jack at his elbow. 
 
 "Harkaway, this is a painful joke," replied Mr. Mole. 
 
 " Bad for the poor half orphans, sir." 
 
 "You have exposed me to the ridicule of the officers 
 and crew of the vessel." 
 
 "Never be ashamed of your own, sir," said Jack. 
 
 "The captain has behaved like a gentleman. Look at 
 that boat conveying the vermin to the shore. It is a 
 pleasant sight." 
 
 Mr. Mole sighed deeply. 
 
 "You're a gay deceiver, sir ; but I shouldn't wonder if 
 Ambonia followed you to England. " 
 
 "If she does, I'll " 
 
 Mr. Mole stopped abruptly. 
 
 It did not exactly occur to him what he could do in 
 the event of such an unpleasant contingency. 
 
 Jack did not worry him any more, though he had 
 many a laugh over the affair with Harvey.
 
 170 JACK HARK A WA Y 'S AD VEN TURES 
 
 The ship went on to Singapore, and there landed the 
 little party. 
 
 Monday had made up his mind to go to England 
 
 As Jack and Mr. Mole were the richest, they drew 
 bills on England, and got them discounted to pay their 
 expenses. 
 
 Before the "Victor" left, they made the captain a 
 handsome present. 
 
 Jack took care of Emily, who, now her father and 
 mother were dead, was a penniless orphan. 
 
 They all lodged at the same hotel. 
 
 Monday insisted on being Jack and Harvey's servant, 
 but he would not do a thing for Mr. Mole. 
 
 "He one humbug, sare, that what Mist' Mole is," he 
 used to say. 
 
 The boys secured a passage to England in a fast steamer, 
 which was to sail in a few days after taking in cargo. 
 
 "Our worries are all over now, Dick," said Jack, 
 gleefully. 
 
 "About time they were," replied Harvey. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXII. 
 
 JACK BECOMES JEALOUS. 
 
 WE have said that Emily was very grateful to Jack for 
 all he had done for her. 
 
 Had it not been for him she might have endured an in- 
 tolerable captivity among the pirates. 
 
 She might even have been compelled to become 
 Hunston's wife. 
 
 It was not much she could do in return, so she said. 
 
 But Jack thought it a great deal. 
 
 She could give him her heart, and promise to be his 
 wife some day when he was a man. 
 
 "Whatever shall I do, Jack dear," she said, "when I 
 get back to England ? I have no parents now no 
 home. " 
 
 His eyes filled with tears. 
 
 "Stay with my father and mother, Emily," replied 
 Jack. " They will make you happy for my sake."
 
 AFLOAT AND ASHORE. 1 7 1 
 
 e 'Oh, I don't like to do that. I'll go out as govern ess." 
 
 "You shall not," Jack said, emphatically. "I should 
 like to see anyone bullying my darling. You'll stay with 
 us." 
 
 " If you think your friends will let me " 
 
 "I know they will ; so don't fret about that, my pet." 
 
 "I have often thought lately, Jack," she exclaimed, 
 "that it was very fortunate you were among the sav- 
 ages. " 
 
 ' ' We've had our trials, Emmy, but it doesn't matter so 
 long as we've pulled through, does it?" 
 
 " No," she answered ; " that is the great thing : and I 
 am so happy to know that you love me." 
 
 Mr. Mole came in just then, and interrupted any further 
 conversation of a private nature. 
 
 " I'm going home with you, Harkaway," he said. 
 
 "I always thought you were, sir." 
 
 "No ; I had it in my mind to proceed to China, but 1 
 shall sell my tea-garden." 
 
 "Sell it? "replied Jack. 
 
 "As soon as possible. I have had enough of savage 
 life. I went forth 'strange countries for to see,' as the 
 song has it, and I have seen enough of them." 
 
 " I think you have come to a wise determination, Mr. 
 Mole," said Emily. 
 
 "I cannot doubt that I have, my dear, if you say so." 
 
 "As for Harvey and myself, we shall be glad to have 
 you with us, " said Jack. 
 
 "My idea," exclaimed Mr. Mole, "is to go to some 
 university town." 
 
 "Indeed!" 
 
 "Yes; I am fond of teaching, and I shall establish 
 myself as a private tutor." 
 
 "But you have an income?" 
 
 ' ' I dare say, when my tea-garden is sold, I shall have 
 two or three hundred a year. Well, with that and the 
 proceeds of my teaching, my life will glide calmly on." 
 
 "Capital, sir," exclaimed Jack. 
 
 "Calmly on," continued Mr. Mole, "until I go over to 
 the majority, which means the greater number, or those 
 who have gone before to their everlasting home. " 
 
 "You are becoming sentimental, Mr. Mole," remarked 
 Emily.
 
 172 JACK HARKA WA Y'S ADVENTURES 
 
 "I feel so, my dear young lady. When a man has 
 come to a great determination, and settled a crisis in his 
 life, he ought to feel happy." 
 
 The skipper of the homeward-bound sent word to say 
 that his ship would not be ready to sail for' at least three 
 weeks. 
 
 He had a quantity of cargo to take on board, and this 
 would delay his start. 
 
 There was nothing for it but to make themselves as 
 comfortable as possible at their hotel. 
 
 When the "Victor" sailed, Frank Davis, of whom we 
 have spoken as an admirer of Emily, remained behind. 
 
 His father was a rich merchant. 
 
 The sea air had done him good, and he was now able 
 to stay on shore and resume his ordinary duties. Not 
 that he did much work. 
 
 He would stroll down to the counting-house with a cigar 
 in his mouth, stay for an hour or two, and then go away 
 again. 
 
 Frank Davis had been born in England, though most of 
 his life had been passed in Singapore. 
 
 He had long, dark hair, regular features, and a keen, 
 flashing eye. 
 
 Altogether he was not bad looking, though his face 
 wore a conceited and haughty expression. Jack hated 
 him. 
 
 Having made acquaintance with our little party on 
 board ship, he thought himself privileged to visit them at 
 their hotel, which he did very frequently. 
 
 He talked to Mr. Mole, and made himself very agree- 
 able to Emily, but scarcely condescended to speak to 
 Jack and Harvey. 
 
 One evening he had been for more than an hour turn- 
 ing over Emily's music while she sang and played. 
 
 Jack was biting his lips with vexation, for he really 
 loved Emily, and did not like to see her encourage, as he 
 thought, this comparative stranger. 
 
 At length she rose and went to the sofa. 
 
 Jack placed himself by the side of her immediately. 
 
 Davis walked up to Mr. Mole, and began to talk about 
 the higher mathematics. 
 
 "Emily," said Jack, "do you find the society of that 
 fellow Davis so very entertaining ? "
 
 A FLO A T AND ASHORE. 173 
 
 " He praises my playing, and turns my music for me," 
 answered Emily. 
 
 "Couldn't I do the same? " 
 
 ' ' Of course ; only you and Harvey get together and 
 talk about old times, and never come near me. I must 
 talk to some one. What am I to do? " 
 
 " I thought I wasn't wanted," said Jack. 
 
 "Nonsense ! " she said, with a musical laugh. "You're 
 not going to get jealous in your old age." 
 
 "I am jealous." 
 
 "You stupid old Jack. You deserve that I should 
 scold you." 
 
 "But look here, haven't you been going on anyhow 
 with that ugly brute, Davis ? " asked Jack. 
 
 "I'm sure he isn't ugly, and he knows how to make 
 himself very agreeable to the ladies," replied Emily, who, 
 like all pretty women, was a tyrant, and wished to tor- 
 ment him a little. 
 
 "That is as much as to say I'm not." 
 
 " No, it isn't." 
 
 "And you like him best ? Very well ; I'm glad you've 
 told me," said Jack, flushing angrily. 
 
 "Now, Jack, I shall be very cross with you indeed, if 
 you run away with a mistaken idea like that," replied 
 Emily. 
 
 "All right, you have said quite enough," said Jack, 
 savagely. 
 
 He got up and walked away. 
 
 "Dick," exclaimed Emily, appealing to Harvey. 
 
 "What is it? "asked Dick. 
 
 "Do, please, go after Jack. He's in such a rage, and 
 I'm afraid there will be a quarrel between him and and 
 Mr. Davis." 
 
 "Shouldn't wonder if there was," replied Harvey. 
 
 "Why?" 
 
 "If it had been me, I'd have punched his ugly head 
 long ago." 
 
 "I haven't done anything wrong," replied Emily. 
 
 ' ' I don't know about wrong," replied Harvey. ' ' You've 
 been carrying on anyhow with that fellow. " 
 
 " I was only civil to him." 
 
 'I'm Jack's friend, you know, Miss Emily," continued
 
 1 74 JA CK HARK A WA V'S AD VENTURES 
 
 Harvey, "and I don't like to see him made a fool of. 
 He's awfully fond of you." 
 
 "So am I of him," she said. 
 
 "Well, you don't go the right way to show it," Harvey 
 answered bluntly. 
 
 " Never mind ; I will explain all to Jack presently, only 
 go after him, will you, please, and tell him how sorry I 
 am. I don't want a quarrel. Mr. Davis might hurt him." 
 
 Harvey laughed scornfully. 
 
 " Hurt him? Hurt Jack ! " he said, contemptuously. 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 "Why, Jack wouldn't make a mouthful of him. He's 
 bigger than either of us, but I should be sorry if his face 
 came against Jack's fist. Hurt Jack ! Not much. Don't 
 fret about that. " 
 
 " Will you go and speak to Jack ? " urged Emily. 
 
 "If you wish it, though I'd rather let them alone," 
 replied Harvey. "Mr. Merchant's son is sure to get a 
 jolly good walloping. " 
 
 "Very well," said Emily, leaning back; "I can see 
 you are both against me." 
 
 "Let them alone, I tell you," replied Harvey. "I 
 know what Jack's game is." 
 
 "What?" 
 
 " He is too much of the gentleman to have a row in 
 his own room, with a fellow who is his guest." 
 
 "I hope so," said Emily ; "but what will he do?" 
 
 "Oh, square him up somehow. Let them alone," 
 replied Harvey. 
 
 Frank Davis now took his leave, the fact being that 
 Mr. Mole rather bored him with cube roots and one thing 
 and another. 
 
 Emily rather distantly wished him good night. 
 
 She had not intended to encourage his advances, and 
 wished to draw back as soon as she saw Harkaway was 
 annoyed. 
 
 A little way from the hotel Davis met Jack and said 
 
 "Good-night. I wondered where you had gone to. " 
 
 "I came out here to speak to you," replied Jack. 
 
 ' ' That is funny. I have spent the evening in your room, 
 and you have had every opportunity of talking to me." 
 
 " I did not choose to talk to you upstairs." 
 
 "And I don't choose to talk to you in the street
 
 AFL OA T AND ASHORE. \ 75 
 
 That's the difference," exclaimed Davis, in his usual 
 sneering manner. 
 
 " Excuse me ; you cannot help yourself." 
 
 "Oh ! but I can, "replied Davis, walking on. 
 
 Jack ran forward, and placed himself before him. 
 
 "Really, Mr. Harkaway, this is very strange be* 
 haviour/'said Davis, finding himself stopped. 
 
 "Not at all." 
 
 "Perhaps you have lived so long amongst savages that 
 you forget how to behave yourself amongst gentlemen." 
 
 This remark stung Jack. 
 
 "I simply want to tell you that I wish your visits to 
 cease at my hotel," he said ; "that's plain enough." 
 
 "I don't come to see you," said Davis insolently. 
 
 "That is a remark which if you dare to repeat, I will 
 knock you down for," cried Jack. 
 
 "I have no reason to say it again," replied Davis, 
 "since you have heard it once, and seem to appreciate 
 the force of it" 
 
 Jack's fingers itched to strike him, but he restrained 
 himself. 
 
 "Who do you come to see?" he asked. 
 
 " Use your eyes, and you will find out." 
 
 Jack felt inclined to spring upon him, but at that mo- 
 ment Monday came up. 
 
 "What do you want ? " he asked. 
 
 " Mist' Harvey, him send me, sare," replied Monday ; 
 "him think you want me." 
 
 " So I do," replied Jack. 
 
 " What um for, sare?" 
 
 "Kick this fellow in front of me. I won't dirty my 
 hands with him at present." 
 
 " Mist' Davis, sare? Kick um friend?" said Monday, 
 in surprise. 
 
 " He's no friend of mine. Wire in ! " 
 
 Davis looked alarmed. 
 
 " I warn you," he said, "that if this black fellow touches 
 me, I will have him punished." 
 
 " You can do your little worst, my boy," answered 
 Jack, adding, "go in, Monday ; let him have it." 
 
 Monday did not hesitate any longer. 
 
 Jack's word was law to him. 
 
 He administered several hearty kicks and cuffs to Davis,
 
 176 JACK HARK A WAY'S AD VENTURES 
 
 who ran swiftly up the street, with Jack's derisive laughter 
 ringing in his ears. 
 
 "Monday kick him well, sare? " asked the black. 
 
 "Beautiful!" 
 
 "Urn proper kicks, sare? " 
 
 "Lovely, Monday. I'll buy you a new hat," replied 
 Jack still laughing heartily. 
 
 The way in which the dandified merchant's son ran 
 away pleased him immensely. 
 
 Returning to his hotel, he found Emily had gone to bed, 
 saying she had a bad headache. 
 
 Mr. Mole and Harvey were at supper. 
 
 Jack joined them and told them how he had made 
 Monday treat Davis. 
 
 "Impetuous as usual, Harkaway," said Mr. Mole. 
 "Just like you." 
 
 " Why shouldn't I, sir? He tried to spoon on Emily," 
 replied Jack. 
 
 ' ' She should have snubbed him. You were wrong, and 
 it is unfortunate just now." 
 
 "Why, sir?"' 
 
 "Because we have been put up for election at the 
 English club, of which Davis is a member. Two black 
 balls in the ballot exclude, and he may so vote and in- 
 fluence his friends as to get us shut out" 
 
 "I didn't think of that." 
 
 "Of course you didn't. You bull-at-a-gate fellows 
 never do think of consequences." 
 
 "I dare say we shall pull through, sir, "remarked Harvey. 
 
 " We may ; but it would not be pleasant during the 
 short time we stay here to be shut out of the only club in 
 the place, and for people to say that we were blackballed 
 at the ballot. You really should think of these things, 
 Harkaway. " 
 
 "I'm not a bit sorry I made Monday kick him," Jack 
 replied, obstinately. 
 
 " It would not have been so bad if you had kicked him 
 yourself." 
 
 "I know that, and that's why I made the nigger do 
 it." anwered Jack. 
 
 " He has a revengeful face. I would rather have him 
 as a friend than an enemy," said Mr. Mole. 
 
 "He can't hurt me."
 
 AFLOAT AND ASHORE. 1 7 7 
 
 " You don't know that. Never make an enemy. The 
 mouse once helped the lion." 
 
 "That's a fable, sir," said Jack. 
 
 " It is, but we often see it exemplified in real life." 
 
 " Bother fables ! " exclaimed Jack, yawning. 
 
 "That young man's father is one of the richest mer- 
 chants in Singapore," continued Mr. Mole ; " and he tells 
 me that he is to be sent shortly to England." 
 
 " Indeed?" ejaculated Jack. 
 
 " Yes ; he is to go to a university to complete his edu- 
 cation. His health is not good, and it is thought that the 
 climate of England will do him a vast deal of service. " 
 
 "We've enough scamps in England without him," re- 
 plied Jack. 
 
 "Never mind. Take my advice, and don't make an 
 enemy of the young man. This is only a half-civilised 
 place after all, and you don't know what he might be 
 capable of." 
 
 " I only know one thing, sir," said Jack. 
 
 "What's that?" 
 
 ' ' He won't stay here any more ; I've put the kibosh 
 on that." 
 
 " My dear Harkaway " 
 
 "My dear Mr. Mole. Good-night. I'm not in the 
 humour for a jaw, and I shall have a glass at the bar, and 
 then turn into my virtuous bug-walk." 
 
 " I should rather call it mosquito-run," added Mr. Mole, 
 with a smile. " But good-night, if you are off. Harvey 
 and I will finish the wine over a game at crib. Eh, 
 Harvey, what do you say?" 
 
 "I am agreeable, sir," replied Harvey. 
 
 Jack left them to themselves, and they did not retire till 
 nearly midnight 
 
 CHAPTER XXXIII. 
 
 A SCENE AT THE ENGLISH CLUB. 
 
 THE English club was an unpretending building near 
 the custom-house. 
 
 Its windows overlooked the water of the harbour, which 
 flowed up to its walls. 
 i2
 
 1 78 JA CK HARK A WAY'S AD VENTURES 
 
 All the Englishmen and the Americans in Singapoie 
 belonged to it ; and when our travellers were put up for 
 election, it was considered as a compliment which the 
 residents wished to pay them. 
 
 Captain Hammond, of the " Rangoon," the steamer in 
 which they were to sail for England, which was now 
 taking in cargo, had put them up. 
 
 They were influentially seconded. 
 
 On the morning after the fracas in the street between 
 Frank Davis and Monday, Jack and Harvey walked down 
 to the club to ascertain the result of the ballot. 
 
 They were ushered into the reading-room of the club, 
 which was also the smoking-room. 
 
 Through the open window of the club they could see 
 the shipping in the harbour, and the bright sunbeams 
 danced gaily over the water. 
 
 Captain Hammond approached Jack and said 
 
 "I have much pleasure, Mr. Harka way, in informing 
 you that you and your friends were elected members of 
 this club last evening. I was just coming to your hotel 
 to bring you the news." 
 
 " Thank you very much for your kindness, which I shall 
 not forget, and for which I thank you on behalf of myself 
 and friends," replied Jack. 
 
 "Your friends were elected without opposition, and 
 you had only one blackball." 
 
 "Indeed," said Jack. "I wonder who could have 
 favoured me with that ? My stay here has been so short 
 that I was not aware I had had time to make any enemies. " 
 
 Suddenly he thought of Frank Davis. 
 
 "Is Mr. Davis r. member cf your club ? " he asked. 
 
 " Oh, yes. I remember thr.t he came ir>. last night just 
 in time for the election," answered Captain Hammond. 
 
 "In that case, I know v/hcrc to look for my enemy, 
 though I care very little for the malice of a blackguard " 
 
 A slight cough arrested his attention. 
 
 Looking up, he saw Davis sitting on the ledge of one of 
 the open windows, smoking a cigarette. 
 
 Had he known he was there, he would not have spoken 
 so openly. 
 
 The attention of the few members in the club-room was 
 called by this speech to Davis. 
 
 Looking very red in the face, the latter exclaimed
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 
 
 179 
 
 "I think I heard my name mentioned?" 
 "Yes," replied Jack, promptly. "By me." 
 say anvthii 
 
 " I wish you would say anything relating to me in my 
 presence, and not attack me behind my back," answered 
 Davis. 
 
 "I am perfectly willing to repeat what I said. My re- 
 mark merely had reference to your attempt to keep me 
 out of the club last night." 
 
 "If I chose to blackball you, I only exercised my 
 right. I have no wish to associate myself with objection- 
 able people. But was that all you said ? " 
 
 "I called you a blackguard, if you particularly wish to 
 know," exclaimed Jack, boldly. 
 
 "Gentlemen, gentlemen," said Captain Hammond, 
 "permit me to remind you that this is deplorably bad 
 taste." 
 
 "Can't help it, my dear sir," replied Jack. "It is his 
 doing. " 
 
 Frank Davis grew very pale, and bit his lip. 
 
 "I have no wish to create a scene, "he said; "but 
 when I am grossly insulted by a man who has lived 
 among savages, and makes a friend of a nigger, I really 
 must protect myself." 
 
 "Certainly, certainly," observed some of Davis's 
 friends. 
 
 Owing to his father's wealth and reputation, Davis was 
 a great man with a certain set 
 
 "Come outside, and have a dust-up with fists," said 
 Jack. "Give and take alike, and if you lick me, I'll shake 
 hands." 
 
 "It is impossible, sir," answered Davis, "that I could 
 so demean myself. If I fight, I use the weapons of a 
 gentleman." 
 
 "What may they be ? " 
 
 "Swords or pistols, either of which I place at your dis- 
 posal," replied Davis. 
 
 "Gentlemen, gentlemen," again said Captain Ham> 
 mond, "I really must beg that you will remember wherf. 
 you are." 
 
 "I decline your challenge. It is not the custom ot 
 Englishmen to fight duels. But I repeat, that if you want 
 to see who is best man, I am ready for you with a bunch 
 of fives," exclaimed lack.
 
 l8o JA CK HARK A WA Y 'S AD VENTURES 
 
 1 ' Just what I might have expected from a man of your 
 stamp," answered Davis, with one of his most offensive 
 sneers. 
 
 ' ' What do you mean ? " asked Jack. 
 
 "Simply that, relying on your natural cowardice, you 
 think you can insult a gentleman with impunity." 
 
 " Why, you ugly little whipper-snapper, you counter- 
 jumping land-lubber, I've a good mind to punch your 
 head," said Jack, indignantly. 
 
 "Of course. Cowards are always bullies. But vulgar 
 abuse only lowers you still more in my eyes ; and let me 
 tell you, my blustering friend, that I shall be under the 
 painful necessity of horsewhipping you in public if you 
 do not mind what you are saying." 
 
 Jack could bear this no longer. 
 
 He rushed across the room, regardless of clubs, rules 
 and etiquette. 
 
 Davis was still sitting in the open window, with his 
 back to the water of the harbour. 
 
 Without giving him any notice, he struck him full in 
 the face with his fist. 
 
 The blow caused the little dandy to lose his balance, 
 and with a ludicrous cry of rage and fear, he toppled over, 
 and fell with a splash into the water. 
 
 " Hullo ! " exclaimed Harvey, as he disappeared, 
 " where has he gone to ? " 
 
 "Kingdom come, I hope, "replied Jack, smiling grimly. 
 
 The members of the club rushed to the window in great 
 excitement. 
 
 Davis was seen to rise to the surface, and shake his fist 
 at Jack. 
 
 Then he swam away to a boat, climbed up the side, 
 and was rowed, dripping wet, to the shore. 
 
 Jack laughed heartily ; but Captain Hammond looked 
 grave. 
 
 "This will have to be brought before the committee," 
 he said. 
 
 " What will the result of that be ? " asked Jack. 
 
 " I fear your election will be cancelled." 
 
 "That won't break my heart," answered Jack. 
 
 "I will try to avoid it, because that little wasp Davis 
 will go about saying you were kicked out of the club for 
 ungentlemanly conduct."
 
 AfLOA T AND ASHORE. iSl 
 
 " Was it ungentlemanly ? " inquired Jack, thinking the 
 matter over for the first time. 
 
 Captain Hammond laughed. 
 
 "Ask yourself," he said. "That sort of thing would 
 do very well on board ship, but in a club, my dear fellow, 
 we allow no wrangling." 
 
 "Well, good-morning. I am much obliged to you all 
 the same, " replied Jack. 
 
 He made a stiff bow to the gentlemen in the room, who 
 regarded him coldly. 
 
 Some acknowledged his salutation, and others simply 
 stared rudely at him. 
 
 As he passed out he heard such remarks as 
 
 " Bull in a china shop. " " Uncultivated boor. '' "Turn 
 the club into a bear-garden," etc. 
 
 "Come along, Dick," he exclaimed to Harvey. "It 
 appears we're not good enough for this lot. " 
 
 "They're no great loss," answered Harvey. 
 
 With a defiant air they left the club, and were just 
 in time to see Frank Davis, covered with mud, wet 
 through, and bareheaded, get into a carriage to be driven 
 home. 
 
 His face wore the expression of a demon. 
 
 "I say, Jack," said Harvey, "mind that fellow doesn't 
 knife you." 
 
 "Not he," replied Jack. "The beggar hasn't pluck 
 enough to come within a mile of me." 
 
 The boys strolled about for some hours, visited several 
 of the ships in harbour, and at length returned to the hotel 
 to dinner. 
 
 " A note for you from the English club, Harkaway," 
 exclaimed Mr. Mole. 
 
 "Read it, sir, if you please," replied Jack. 
 
 Mr. Mole did so. 
 
 "Dear me," he said. "It is a notice from the commit- 
 tee stating that, owing to your conduct this morning, the 
 committee feel bound to censure you strongly ; but on a 
 vote being taken, it was decided to retain your name on 
 the books by a majority of one." 
 
 "I'm glad of that," answered Jack ; " because if I had 
 been expelled, it would have been a triumph for that fel- 
 low Davis." 
 
 "What have you been doing? " asked Mr. Mole.
 
 182 JACK HARKA WA Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 " Only punching, sir. Knocking this cove Davis into 
 the sea for cheeking me." 
 
 "Ah 1 that is bad. What a pity you cannot keep your 
 righting propensities in check, but you always had too 
 much of the bull-dog in you. " 
 
 "Can't help it, sir," answered Jack. "It's the nature 
 of the animal." 
 
 "You seem to have a great spite against Mr. Davis." 
 
 "It's his fault. Oh ! here's Emily. First time I've seen 
 her to-day," exclaimed Jack. "Emmy dear, I'm sorry to 
 say I've been slipping into your friend." 
 
 "What friend?" asked Emily. 
 
 "Mr. Frank Davis." 
 
 "He's no friend of mine. I merely regarded him as 
 an acquaintance of yours," she answered. 
 
 "Don't tell fibs, Emmy. You know you like him." 
 
 Emily began to cry. 
 
 " If you are going to treat me so cruelly/' she sobbed, 
 "I shall go upstairs again. I'm sure I did not put myself 
 out of the way to be civil to him. You would not, I 
 thought, like me to be rude to your guests." 
 
 Jack's heart melted in a moment. 
 
 Springing to her side, he kissed her tears away, and 
 said 
 
 "Don't cry, darling. Say you forgive me, and I'll 
 never be naughty again." 
 
 " It's a great shame of you," she replied. 
 
 "So 'tis. I'm a beast, but that stuck-up, sneering cad 
 riled me. I couldn't stand it any longer, so I mauled him 
 about a bit." 
 
 "I shouldn't care if if you kil killed him," Emily 
 answered continuing to sob, " if if you were not so un- 
 kind to me." 
 
 It was some time before Jack could make his peace 
 with her, but at last he succeeded and they were better 
 friends than ever. 
 
 Emily wiped away her tears. Dinner was brought up ; 
 they all sat down, and as if by common consent, Mr. 
 Davis's name was never once mentioned, and no allusion 
 was made to the disturbance at the club. 
 
 After dinner the gentlemen lighted their cigarettes, and 
 Emily took up a book to read. 
 
 Suddenly Monday burst into the room out of breath.
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 183 
 
 "What's up now, Monday?" cried Jack. "You'll 
 bust up if you waste your wind like that." 
 
 "Take your hat off," said Harvey, removing his broad- 
 brimmed Panama straw. "Why don't you learn decent 
 manners ? " 
 
 "I should think there was going to be a donkey-race 
 to-morrow," remarked Dick. 
 
 "Where? " asked Harvey. 
 
 "All round Monday's hat. Sold again. I had you 
 then, Dick," replied Jack, laughing. 
 
 Monday now found his tongue. 
 
 "Oh! Mast' Jack," he exclaimed, "such um big fire 
 down street." 
 
 " A fire ! " cried the boys, jumping to their feet. 
 
 " Yes, a big one. All the houses crackle and burn ever 
 much so. Come on, sare, and see um fun." 
 
 "By Jove ! I'm in that," exclaimed Jack, putting on his 
 hat. 
 
 His example was followed by Harvey. 
 
 "And I, too," said Mr. Mole. "I will accompany you 
 to the scene of the conflagration. Perhaps with my usual 
 bravery I may be instrumental in saving some poor 
 creature's life." 
 
 Before he had finished speaking, the boys were out of 
 the room. 
 
 They followed Monday down the street, and were soon 
 in the midst of a great crowd. 
 
 Smoke rose in dense masses, and sparks fell around in 
 all directions. 
 
 Some wooden buildings used as warehouses were in 
 flames. 
 
 How they had caught fire no one knew. 
 
 The firemen had already brought up their hand-engines, 
 and were busily engaged in laying the hose, and getting 
 to work. 
 
 "Man the pumps, " shouted Jack, pushing his way to 
 the front. 
 
 He laid hold of the handle of the nearest engine, which 
 was speedily manned. 
 
 Harvey seized the hose, and directed it against the 
 burning building. 
 
 A plentiful supply of water was secured from the har- 
 bour, which was not far off.
 
 184 JACK HARKA WA Y'S ADVENTURES 
 
 The crowd took Jack and Harvey for British officers, 
 owing to their uniforms, and having a great respect for 
 the English, they let them do just as they liked. 
 
 A small tree grew near one of the houses, but sufficient- 
 ly distant to be safe from the effects of the fire. 
 
 Mr. Mole espied this, and with difficulty climbed up, 
 sitting astride one of the branches. 
 
 "This is capital," he said to himself, as he rubbed his 
 hands. "I shall have a good view here, and be out of 
 the crowd. Harkaway will not know where I am, and I 
 can say I bore an active part in extinguishing this dread- 
 ful fire." 
 
 The houses, being made of wood, burnt fiercely, and in 
 spite of the torrents of water poured upon them, they were 
 speedily destroyed. 
 
 Fortunately, they were nearly empty at the time of the 
 fire ; had they been full of goods, the result would have 
 been much more disastrous. 
 
 Jack worked at the pumps like a nigger, and at length 
 left off from sheer fatigue. 
 
 The fire was nearly out now, and had been prevented 
 from extending any further on either side. 
 
 Looking around him, Jack perceived Harvey guiding 
 the hose as if he had been born a fireman. 
 
 "I say, Dick," he said, stretching his limbs, "you got 
 a better berth than I did. " 
 
 'Talent, sir, talent," replied Harvey. 
 ' Hullo ! " exclaimed Jack ; "there's some one who has 
 got a better berth than either of us." 
 Who?" 
 'Old Mole." 
 
 ' Where is he ? " asked Harvey. 
 ' Up that tree. Pump on him," said Jack. 
 
 Harvey looked round and saw Mr. Mole serenely perched 
 up in the tree, and half hidden by the leaves. 
 
 In an instant he diverted the hose from the burning 
 building. 
 
 It did not much matter now as half-a-dozen engines 
 were at work on it, and the fire was nearly over. 
 
 "Mind your eye, sir; the tree's on fire," shouted 
 Harvey. 
 
 The next moment a shower of water fell like a deluge 
 on Mr. Mole.
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 185 
 
 In his eyes, his mouth, knocking of his hat, in his 
 stomach, filling his trousers and boots, came the unceas- 
 ing stream. 
 
 " Wo ! " he cried. "I say, Harvey, I am up in this 
 tree" splutter, splutter " you'll choke me. I shall be 
 drowned. Ho, ho! I say, stop that performance." 
 
 But Harvey continued to water him as if he was 
 syringing a plant in a green house. 
 
 "Go it, Dick. Give it him hot," said Jack. 
 
 "This is unseemly. Bother those boys!" splutter, 
 splutter stammered Mr. Mole. "They'll be the death 
 of me before they've done ; I know they will. Ugh ! I'm 
 half full of water already, and nearly drowned." 
 
 The cascade played gracefully upon him. 
 
 Much amused, the crowd looked up and began to 
 laugh. 
 
 Mr. Mole could bear it no longer, and toppled off the 
 branch, falling on the heads of the crowd below. 
 
 This fortunately broke his fall, and he was only a little 
 shaken. 
 
 Rushing up to Harvey, he shook his fist in his face. 
 
 " You scamp !" he exclaimed. "What do you mean 
 by this ? " 
 
 Harvey said 
 
 "Sorry to knock you off your perch, sir. Mind you! 
 eye, again." 
 
 He lifted the hose, and sent another jet right into his 
 face. 
 
 In vain Mr. Mole capered and danced and tried to hit 
 him. 
 
 The water drove him back, and he turned tail, running 
 away to his hotel. 
 
 "Well done, Dick. Wire in, old man," cried Jack. 
 
 Suddenly Monday touched Jack on the shoulder. 
 
 " Mast' Jack," he said in a thrilling whisper, " you take 
 care ! " 
 
 "What of? "asked Jack. 
 
 " Mist' Davis close by. He speak to one man, and him 
 a big scoundrel." 
 
 " What did he say ? " inquired Jack. 
 
 Instead of answering, Monday turned rapidly round. 
 
 At the same moment a knife glided up Jack's arm, and 
 he felt the hot blood slowly trickle down his sleeve.
 
 l36 JACK HARKA WA Y'S ADVENTURES 
 
 CHAPTER XXXIV. 
 
 THE HIDDEN HAND. 
 
 "I'M wounded !" cried Jack, clutching his arm as a 
 trickling sensation ran through it. 
 
 Turning round, he saw Monday struggling with an ugly- 
 looking native, who, with a jerk of his leg, threw Monday 
 off, and ran away, being speedily lost in the crowd. 
 
 Having heard Jack say he was stabbed Harvey came 
 up at once. 
 
 "I hope you are not hurt?" he exclaimed, anxiously, 
 
 " Not much, I think," answered Jack, "though I be- 
 lieve the fellow tried to get at my heart with his bread-and- 
 cheese cutter. Where's Monday ? " 
 
 "Here him be, sare,"said the faithful fellow. 
 
 "What does all this mean?" quickly inquired Jack. 
 
 " Monday him hear Mist' Davis point you out, sare, to 
 that black thief, and just when I speak to you, him whip 
 out um knife to stick with. " 
 
 "Ah, I see ; you turned the blow ? " 
 
 " Monday seize him arm, sare, and turn him off. Don't 
 know how he got away. Some twist him give with um 
 leg." 
 
 " Perhaps you've saved my life," said Jack. "I didn't 
 think Mr. Davis was one of that sort." 
 
 "But I did," answered Harvey. "Lean on me, and 
 let us find a doctor. You must have your arm seen to." 
 
 With some difficulty they found a doctor, who happened 
 to be an Englishman. 
 
 He examined the wound, and said 
 
 "Where did you get this, young gentleman ?" 
 
 Jack told him it was done in a scrimmage at the fire. 
 
 "Ah!" replied the doctor, "such things are not un- 
 common hereabouts ; and if, sailor fashion, you will go in 
 for free fights, you must take the consequences. My ad- 
 vice is, keep out of them." 
 
 "I will in future," answered Jack. "Is it anything 
 serious ? " 
 
 "No, it is not. I find it is merely a flesh wound ; just
 
 AFLOAT AND ASHORE. 187 
 
 a rip of the skin. You have had what we should have 
 called a shave, when I was a medical student at Guy's." 
 
 " I'm the luckiest dog out," exclaimed Jack, joyfully. 
 "Always drop on my legs, don't I, Dick? " 
 
 " I must say you certainly do," answered Harvey. 
 
 When the wound was washed and strapped up, they 
 went back to the hotel. Jack experienced nothing more 
 than a slight weakness, with some smarting stiffness in 
 the arm. 
 
 Mr. Mole was sitting before a big fire, huddled up in a 
 thick dressing-gown. 
 
 A tumbler of steaming grog stood before him, and he 
 had his feet in a pan of hot water. 
 
 ' ' What on earth are you doing, sir ? " said Jack. 
 
 " Enjoying the comforts of civilization, of which I have 
 been deprived for some time," replied Mr. Mole. 
 
 " But a fire in the tropics, when it is hot enough to 
 melt an iceberg in three minutes " 
 
 " Is necessary for the preservation of my health. I 
 have been shamefully treated, and already feel bronchitis 
 fastening upon my chest." 
 
 " The ducking will cool you, sir," Jack said, laughing. 
 
 " It has done so. Can you find me a tallow candle, to 
 tallow my nose with? " 
 
 " I don't suppose you'd get such a thing here, sir. 
 Candles all melt. Try some soft soap." 
 
 " Harkaway, no joking; this is serious. Where's Har- 
 vey, the wretch ? If I were not so ill, I would chastise 
 him for his cruel joke." 
 
 " I am here, sir," answered Harvey. " Glad to see 
 you're not dead yet." 
 
 " No thanks to you," said Mr. Mole, severely ; " you 
 see the wretched state you've reduced me to. Dreadful 
 cold coming on come on, in fact and no candle to tallow 
 my nose with. Awful ! " 
 
 The boys could not help laughing. 
 
 Mr. Mole perceived that Harkaway carried his arm in 
 a sling. 
 
 " What's the matter ? " he inquired. " Nothing much, I 
 hope. " 
 
 " Oh, nothing half so bad as your cold, sir,'' answered 
 Jack, carelessly ; " only a stab in the arm." 
 
 41 A stab ? Dear me ! Who did it ? "
 
 188 JA CK HARK A WA y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 " Davis hired a fellow to knife me out of the way. It 
 appears to be the custom out here. Nice sort of a place 
 to live in, isn't it, sir? " 
 
 " Dear me, how quietly you take it. Bless my soul, is 
 there not some sort of justice here ? " 
 
 ' ' Perhaps, yes ; perhaps, no. But where 's Emily ? " 
 
 " I don't know. She was not here when I came in, 
 and I have been so much taken up with my cold that " 
 
 " Bother your cold. Ring the bell, Dick/' cried Jack. 
 
 " Impulsive youths," remarked Mr. Mole, " are like 
 obstinate mules ; they will have their own way." 
 
 Harvey rang the bell, and Jack questioned the servants 
 about Emily. 
 
 One said he saw her go to the door to look at the fire, 
 and wh ; le standing there a man came up and requested 
 her to come to Mr. Harkaway, who wanted her. 
 
 Jack turned deadly pale. 
 
 " I never sent for her," he said. 
 
 " She went a little way down the street, sir, and then 
 I saw her get into a carriage, which drove off at a rapid 
 pace," continued the domestic. 
 
 Jack sank into a seat faint and ill. 
 
 " It's a trap," exclaimed Harvey. 
 
 " Brandy," cried Jack ; " give me some brandy." 
 
 " His request was complied with, and he freshened up 
 a little. 
 
 "Who has done this base thing?" asked Mr. Mole. 
 "Who can have carried off our little Emily, the life and soul 
 of our party ? " 
 
 " There is only one man in Singapore," replied Harvey, 
 " who could have done it." 
 
 " And he is " 
 
 " Frank Davis." 
 
 Jack was too agitated to speak. 
 
 " It is all part of a planned thing," continued Harvey. 
 " Davis is in love with Emily Jack insults him ; he ar- 
 ranges to have Jack assassinated, and at the same time 
 carry off Emily." 
 
 " I fear you are not fat wrong," said Mr. Mole. 
 
 Jack got up and paced the room impatiently. 
 
 " Call Monday," he said. 
 
 Harvey went into the hall, and sent for the faithful 
 Linabian.
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. ^9 
 
 When he entered the room he saw at a glance that 
 something had happened. 
 
 " You taken worse, Mast' Jack? " he said. 
 
 " Look here, Monday, you must do me a service," said 
 Jack. 
 
 " Monday lay down um life, sare. Can't say any 
 more." 
 
 " I know that, and perhaps you will have to risk your 
 life. Miss Emily has been carried off, we expect, by 
 Davis." 
 
 " Missey Emily gone, sare? " 
 
 " Yes ; not an hour ago." 
 
 " Where she go to, sare ? " asked Monday. 
 
 " That we can only guess. I have heard that Mr. 
 Davis's father has a house a few miles inland, which he 
 very seldom uses. Find out where that is ; go there at 
 once, and bring us what news you can." 
 
 " Monday him go now, sare. He find the Missey 
 Emily." 
 
 " Take off those togs, and go about as if you were a 
 native of this place. You will attract less attention," said 
 Harvey. 
 
 " A good suggestion," remarked Mr. Mole. " I forgive 
 you now for pumping upon me, Harvey, I do indeed, and 
 pardon you freely, for your cleverness." 
 
 "I thank you, sir; I'll make a note of it," answered 
 Harvey. 
 
 " Off you go, Monday," continued Jack, " and mind you 
 don't come back without news of some sort." 
 
 Monday nodded, and started on his errand. 
 
 Turning to Harvey, Jack said 
 
 " You and I will work the city. If I could only catch 
 that cowardly hound Davis, I'd wring the secret out of 
 him somehow." 
 
 " Perhaps," said Mr. Mole, "it is not Mr. Davis after 
 all." 
 
 ' ' Who else can it be ? " replied Jack. 
 
 Puzzled at this question, Mr. Mole was unable to give 
 any answer. 
 
 " If I were not so ill I would accompany you," he re- 
 marked. " You must take the wish for the deed." 
 
 Harvey was as much concerned as his friend, and he 
 gladly accompanied him on his vovas^e of discovery.
 
 igo JA CK HARKA WA Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 " Let's go to the club first," said Dick. " We may see 
 or hear something of Davis there." 
 
 A short walk brought them to the club, where they 
 found several people they did not know talking about the 
 fire. 
 
 In a small community like that of Singapore a fire is an 
 event of importance. 
 
 Talking to some friends. Jack saw Frank Davis, who did 
 not seem any the worse for his immersion. 
 
 With some difficulty he restrained himself from rushing 
 up to him. 
 
 The folly of such a proceeding occurred to him, and he 
 fortunately drove back the wild beast feeling that will 
 take possession of all of us at times. 
 
 " Watch him," whispered Harvey. " We can always 
 follow him when he attempts to go." 
 
 To Jack's intense surprise, Davis no sooner saw him 
 than he walked up, and extending his hand before every- 
 body, exclaimed 
 
 " Will you shake hands with me, Mr. Harkaway?" 
 
 " With you ? " replied Jack. 
 
 " Yes ; I was a little hasty this morning, and provoked 
 you. I am willing to forgive that disagreeable shove you 
 gave me into the water, for I can't bear malice." 
 
 The members of the club were much interested in this 
 scene. 
 
 "Capital fellow!" "Good heart!" " Always said 
 so," and so on arose from various quarters. 
 
 " I would rather not make friends with you," said Jack. 
 
 " Come, come, don't cherish a nasty feeling. You a 
 sailor, Harkaway, and treasure up a grudge ! " exclaimed 
 Captain Hammond in his cheery voice. 
 
 " I have my reasons," said Jack. 
 
 " I am sure they can't be very good ones." 
 
 " I'm the best judge of that," Jack exclaimed, dryly. 
 
 " Well, you must please yourself, Mr. Harkaway," con- 
 tinued Frank Davis, with an apparently open smile. " I 
 have made the advance, which there was no occasion I 
 should do, I'm sure ; but we have been friends and trav- 
 elled together, so that I can afford to put a little ill-feeling 
 in my pocket. Have you hurt your arm dear me ! I 
 did not notice that you wore it in a sling." 
 
 Jack was confounded at his cool impudence.
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 191 
 
 " I was stabbed in the crowd at the fire," he said, look- 
 ing Davis straight in the face. 
 
 The latter did not quail or flinch in the least. He bore 
 the scrutiny without so much as lowering his eyes. 
 
 " He's got the nerve of old Nick himself, " thought Jack. 
 
 "Stabbed!" repeated Davis, incredulously. "Now 
 you are drawing upon your imagination." 
 
 " I am telling the plain truth without any varnish," 
 answered Jack. 
 
 Many gentlemen crowded round him, and pressed him 
 with a dozen questions, to all of which Jack replied 
 
 " Ask Mr. Davis. He pretends to be ignorant of an 
 attack which was directed at my life, when he knows 
 more about it than I do." 
 
 Eyes were turned inquiringly at Davis. 
 
 " Really, gentlemen," he exclaimed, " Mr. Harkaway 
 is an enigma to me, and I am at loss to a understand his 
 meaning." 
 
 " He insinuates that you tried to assassinate him," ex-, 
 claimed one gentleman. 
 
 "No, I don't insinuate anything," answered Jack. " I 
 say openly that he hired a man to kill me, and I can 
 prove it" 
 
 "How?" 
 
 " By the testimony of my black servant who saw him 
 in the crowd, and heard him point me out to the ruffian 
 in his pay." 
 
 Frank Davis turned away with a laugh. 
 
 "Is he drunk? " he exclaimed. 
 
 1 ' I'm as sober as you are, perhaps more so, " replied 
 Jack, furiously; "and in spite of your sneers, I'll un- 
 mask you yet." 
 
 "Gentlemen," said Frank Davis, appealing to the 
 members of the club, " I have tried to soothe the savage 
 breast. What can I do more?" 
 
 "No, no; let him alone. Give him up,' 7 said his 
 friends. " He must be mad." 
 
 What Jack would have said or done it is difficult to 
 say, had not Captain Hammond seized him by the arm 
 and drawn him towards the door. 
 
 " Let go my arm," said Jack, struggling. 
 
 "No, I will not There will be a riot presently if you 
 stop."
 
 a 92 JACK HARK A WA Y 'S AD VENTURES 
 
 "What if there is?" 
 
 "'Every man in the club except myself is against you. 
 Come along," persisted Captain Hammond. 
 
 "I will not go to let that fellow have the best of me," 
 said Jack. 
 
 "You shall. Come, come, I am a man, and you are 
 only a boy after all. I will have my own way in this 
 instance, " Captain Hammond said good-naturedly. 
 
 "That is right. Get him away. Our time will come," 
 remarked Harvey. 
 
 He was not blinded with passion and a sense of wrong 
 as Jack was, and he saw that it would be of no use to 
 have a row in the club just then. 
 
 By the exercise of main force, Captain Hammond 
 drew Jack out of the room. 
 
 Presently they stood in the street, Jack panting and 
 glaring fiercely at his friend. 
 
 "Well," laughed the captain, "are you going to eat 
 me ? " 
 
 Jack said nothing. 
 
 "Come, that's better. I thought you were going to 
 make a meal off me. Take a stroll and let us talk the 
 matter over." 
 
 As Jack hesitated, Harvey said 
 
 "Do, there's a good fellow. Captain Hammond's 
 advice is sensible I feel sure." 
 
 Jack put his uninjured arm in that of the captain's. 
 
 Harvey took the other side, and they walked up the 
 quay. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXV. 
 
 MONDAY AND THE BLOODHOUND. 
 
 IT was not difficult for Monday to discover the locality 
 in which Mr. Davis's country house was situated. 
 
 But when he heard that he possessed two, it was not 
 easy to decide which to go to. 
 
 The idea which had struck Jack was that Frank Davi* 
 had carried off Emily to a country residence, where by 
 threats and confinement he would try to induce her t 
 marry him.
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 193 
 
 If he had succeeded in his attempt to assassinate Jack, 
 
 his task would have been easier. 
 
 Mr. Mole would not have occupied himself much 
 about Emily, and it was doubtful whether Harvey would 
 have done more than communicate with the authorities 
 about the affair. 
 
 When Monday, who thoroughly endorsed his master's 
 idea, heard that one of Mr. Davis's houses was situated 
 in a lonely place and seldom or ever inhabited, he con- 
 cluded that it was very likely Frank had caused her to 
 be conveyed there. 
 
 It was late in the day when he had gathered all the 
 information he wanted, but he did not hesitate to start 
 at once and on foot, for the house. 
 
 The moon was shining brightly when he reached it, 
 and saw a small, one-storied, pavilion-like house, sur- 
 rounded with those verandahs so common in the east. 
 
 Gardens rilled with lovely flowers and shrubs environed 
 it, except at the back, where were built the stable and 
 domestic offices. 
 
 Penetrating through the gardens, Monday cautiously 
 advanced to the house. 
 
 A window in the Venetian style opened on to the 
 lawn, and a light burning on a table enabled him to look 
 inside. 
 
 Lying on a sofa, bathed in tears, with her hair hang- 
 ing loosely over her shoulders he saw Emily, who was 
 evidently plunged into the depths of despair, and over- 
 whelmed with grief. 
 
 He was about to rush forward, when he found the 
 window was carefully guarded with thick iron bars, 
 which, while permitting the cool evening air to enter, 
 effectually prevented anyone going in or out. 
 
 Advancing cautiously to the bars, Monday said in a 
 low voice 
 
 "Missey Emily, Missey Emily." 
 
 The girl started, and rising, looked eagerly towards him. 
 "Is it you, Monday?" she cried. "Oh, I am so 
 glad. Where am I ? " 
 
 " You not know ? " asked Monday, in surprise. 
 
 " No. I have not the remotest idea. All I am aware 
 of is that I was induced to go down the street to meet 
 Jack, thrust into a carriage, driven off at a gallop, taken 
 '3
 
 194 fA t Ji HARK A WA Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 here and put into this room, where I have only seen an 
 old n egress." 
 
 "This is Mist' Da vis's house," said Monday. 
 
 "Then it is he who has carried me oft Does Jack 
 know this? " 
 
 " Him suspect it, Missey Emily, and he send me to 
 find out." 
 
 "Where is he now?" she inquired. 
 
 "In Singapore; but he soon come take you out," 
 answered Monday. 
 
 "Oh, pray lose no time, but go at once. I am so 
 frightened." 
 
 "Monday go now, Missey Emily. Before to-morrow 
 morning she get 'way." 
 
 Emily thanked him heartily. 
 
 " Keep up your pluck, missey ; all be right soon," said 
 Monday. 
 
 He retired as cautiously as he came, and reaching the 
 extremity of the garden jumped over the wooden fence, 
 alighting in the road. 
 
 He was much pleased with his success, and prepared 
 for a sharp run home. 
 
 All at once the sound of horse's hoofs fell upon his 
 ears, and by the moonlight he saw a man on horseback, 
 followed by a big dog of the bloodhound species, ap- 
 proaching him. 
 
 His sharp eyes enabled him to recognise Frank Davis. 
 
 But the recognition was not mutual. 
 
 Stripped to the skin like an ordinary native, Monday 
 appeared to Frank to be some prowling robber. 
 
 " Hilloo, you black thief, what are you doing here at 
 this time of night ? " he exclaimed. 
 
 "Do? Nothing, sare," replied Monday. "Him as 
 much right on the road as yo.i." 
 
 "Have you, my good follow, we'll see about that," 
 answered Davis. "Here, Juno! Here, lass." 
 
 The dog looked up in its master's face and wagged its 
 tail. 
 
 "After him, girl ; fetch him down," continued Davis. 
 
 Monday took to hio heels, having no fancy to be man- 
 gled and torn by the bloodthirsty hound. 
 
 His only weapon of defence was a long knife, which 
 he had stuck in his girdle
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. \^ 
 
 Although lie could run fast, the hound could run faster, 
 and sprang after him with huge bounds. 
 
 Hearing the panting brute just behind him, Monday 
 turned, and drawing his knife, stood at bay. 
 
 Frank galloped up to see what he called fun. 
 
 A fight between his dog and a common nigger just 
 suited his truculent and cruel disposition. 
 
 "Hi, at him! Stick to himl Hi, at him 1 Loo! 
 Loo ! " cried Davis. 
 
 Encouraged by her master's voice, Juno seized Mon- 
 day by the arm, and drew him on his knees. 
 
 Then a terrible fight began. 
 
 Monday stabbed at the dog, and the dog tore his flesh 
 in various places, always trying to get at his throat. 
 
 This Monday struggled to prevent, as he knew tha 
 beast would strangle him if she succeeded in doing so. 
 
 They rolled over and over in the dusty road. 
 Frank laughed immoderately at the sport, and kept 
 on encouraging the dog. 
 
 At length Monday made a home thrust, which struck 
 the heart of his enemy. 
 
 With a short yelp, the dog turned over on her back 
 dead. 
 
 "Confound you," cried Davis angrily, " you've killed 
 my best hound. If I had a pistol about me, I'd shoot you. " 
 
 Monday rose with difficulty ; he was streaming with 
 blood, and was much exhausted. 
 
 Game to the last, however, he nerved himself for 
 another encounter. 
 
 Rushing forward, he seized Davis by the right leg, and 
 jerked him upwards. 
 
 Unprepared for such a novel assault, Davis was pitched 
 off his horse, and felt half-stunned by the fall into the 
 road. 
 
 The next moment Monday, with the agility of a deer, 
 was in the saddle. 
 
 Turning the horse's head in the right direction, he 
 kicked its sides with his heels and was off like the wind 
 towards Singapore. 
 
 Frank Davis picked himself up with a rueful expre.^ 
 sion, and looked after his horse. 
 
 "That's what I call a clever nigger," he said with a 
 laugh. " He's killed my best hound, and hooked
 
 1 96 JA CK HARK A WA Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 with one of the fastest horses in the governor's stable. 
 Well, I shan't holloa. He deserves it, hang me if he 
 doesn't. " 
 
 He shook the dust off his clothes, and walked along to 
 the house. 
 
 "Now," he muttered, " for an interview with my little 
 Emily. I wonder how she will receive me. It's a pity 
 my fellow did not kill that infernal Harkaway right out, 
 but I haven't done with him yet." 
 
 We must leave this amiable young gentleman to visit 
 the bird in the cage, while we accompany Monday on 
 his wild career to the city. 
 
 It was nearly midnight when he dismounted at the 
 door of the hotel. 
 
 Jack and Harvey had just come in, after a long walk 
 with Captain Hammond, which had cooled Jack's hot 
 head. 
 
 Mr. Mole had gone to bed. 
 
 Bursting into the room, covered with blood and dust, 
 Monday appeared to resemble some dreadful spectre. 
 
 "Why, Monday, what's come to you ? " said Jack. 
 
 "Me found Missey Emily, sare," said Monday. 
 
 " Have you? That's first rate. You're a trump, Mon- 
 day ; but you're hurt." 
 
 " Never mind urn hurt, sare. Mist' Davis he set um 
 dog on me." 
 
 "What! that bloodhound I have seen with him? 
 What a beastly shame." 
 
 "Great big dog, big as a man, sare. Monday kill him 
 with um knife, and come home on Mist' Davis' horse." 
 
 "Good again. You can do it," cried Harvey. 
 
 "But tell us all about it." 
 
 "No time lose, sir. Just tie up Monday's wounds," 
 replied the black, "and order carriage and two horses; 
 quick, tell um all on the road. Missey Emily and Mist' 
 Davis all 'lone together." 
 
 " He's right, " answered Jack. "Cut downstairs, Dick, 
 and order the carriage, while I tie up his bites ; he's 
 bleeding like a pig." 
 
 Harvey went downstairs, and Jack getting a sponge 
 and a basin of water, wiped away the blood and dust, 
 and then, tearing a shirt into strips, bound up tha 
 principal injuries which the black had sustained.
 
 AFLOAT AND ASHORE. 197 
 
 "Now um all right. Lose no more blood. That 
 what um 'fraid of, sare," said Monday. 
 
 At the same time he tottered with weakness, and 
 was obliged to lean against the table for support. 
 
 " Here, drink this," said Jack, pouring him out half a 
 tumbler of brandy. 
 
 He did so, and it revived his drooping energies. 
 
 When the carriage was ready Monday directed the 
 driver what road to take, and as they went along he 
 related his adventures to his young master, who highly 
 commended him for his cleverness and his courage. 
 
 "That must have been a nasty tussle with the pup," 
 remarked Harvey. 
 
 "It would have been all up with Monday if he had 
 not carried a knife. I know what those cross-bred 
 Cuban hounds are," said Dick. 
 
 "Him think once it all up, sare," replied Monday. 
 "The big brute him get me down and his face come 
 close to my face. Ugh! It close shave." 
 
 They stopped the carriage at a little distance from 
 the house, and told the driver to pull up by the side 
 of the road and wait 
 
 "Don't take the bridles off, or get down from your 
 box, even," said Jack ; " we may want to bolt in a hurry. 
 Let this case of pistols remain by your side, for I shall 
 sit on the box, and we can't tell what will happen." 
 
 The man said he fully understood, and Monday led the 
 way to the back of the house. 
 
 It would have been useless to go to the front, as it was 
 impossible to get through the iron bars which guarded 
 the windows. 
 
 A door stood open, through which they passed, walk- 
 ing on tiptoe. 
 
 The sound of voices guided them to a room at the end 
 of a long corridor. 
 
 " Listen ! " said Jack, holding up his hand as a signal 
 for his companions to stop. 
 
 They did so. 
 
 It was Emily's voice. 
 
 "I tell you plainly, Mr. Davis," she said, "that I can 
 never love you, and after this declaration, if you persist 
 in annoying me, you are guilty of an outrage which no 
 gentleman should be guilty of."
 
 198 JACK HA RKA WAY'S AD VENTURES 
 
 "Lovely Emily," replied the young man, "my love 
 for you must be my excuse. I am passionately fond of 
 you. With my wealth 1 can make you take a position 
 that a princess might envy." 
 
 "All that I have heard before. I beg you to restore 
 me to my friends." 
 
 "Your friends cannot help you. Believe me, you are 
 entirely in my power." 
 
 "Not so much, perhaps, as you may think, "Emily said. 
 
 "Do you defy me?" Davis asked. "If so, there is 
 nothing before you but a long captivity. Who could find 
 you in this lonely house ? " 
 
 "Jack Harkaway would find me anywhere," she 
 answered. 
 
 " Bravo, Emily ! " muttered Jack. 
 
 "Do not rely upon him; he is a broken reed," said 
 Davis. 
 
 "Ami?" muttered Jack, again. "Fillet you know, 
 my tulip, in a minute or two. " 
 
 "Mr. Davis," said Emily, "I have always believed 
 you to be a gentleman. Why do you act in this extraor- 
 dinary manner?" 
 
 "Because I love you, and mean to have a kiss," he 
 replied. 
 
 "Sir," she exclaimed, "I am helpless and defenceless, 
 yet I have the weapons nature gave me, and if you dare 
 to touch me with your little finger even, I will bite and 
 scratch ! " 
 
 "Bravo, Emily ! " whispered Jack, a second time. 
 
 " By Heaven ! " replied Davis, " you are very lovely. 
 I will have a kiss, if I die for it." 
 
 He helped himself to some wine several decanters 
 were standing on the table and approached her with 
 an amorous leer on his face. 
 
 " Help ! help ! " cried Emily, as his arm encircled her 
 waist. "Help! Oh, Jack, why are you not here to 
 protect me? " 
 
 There was a sound of feet in the passage. 
 
 A heavy body rushed towards Davis, a fist clenched 
 so firmly that it resembled iron, was dashed into his face, 
 and he fell on the floor stunned. 
 
 The next moment Jack held Emily in his arms, and 
 was covering her lips with kisses.
 
 AFLOAT AND ASHORE. 199 
 
 "I thought you wouldn't come, Jack dear," she mur- 
 mured. 
 
 "Just in time," replied Jack. 
 
 Harvey and Monday were busily engaged in tying 
 Davis's hands and legs. 
 
 Having done this, Harvey exclaimed 
 
 What shall we do with him ? " 
 'Have you tied him fast?" asked Jack. 
 ' Yes. " 
 
 ; He can't wriggle out ? " 
 
 : If he does, I'll forgive him," replied Harvey. 
 ' Then chuck him under the sofa like a hundred of 
 coals, and let him lie there for a bit. I've got a new idea 
 for punishing him, but it will keep a little while. What 
 have you got in those bottles ? " 
 
 Harvey examined the bottles on the table, and re- 
 plied 
 
 " All sorts." 
 
 "Open some champagne; I'll have a lush of some- 
 thing to celebrate this victory, " exclaimed Jack 
 
 CHAPTER XXXVL 
 
 TAR AND FEATHERS. 
 
 HARVEY contemptuously rolled Frank Davis under the 
 sofa, where he lay as still as a mouse, either being really 
 stunned by Jack's sledge-hammer blow or pretending to 
 be so. 
 
 Not a sound escaped him in reality. 
 
 "It was fortunate you came when you did," said 
 Emily. "I can't tell you how thankful I am." 
 
 "You must thank Monday," replied Jack. 
 
 Monday was grinning with delight. 
 
 He presented a singular sight, covered with white 
 bandages as he was. 
 
 " Is he hurt, or are his clothes torn ? " asked Emily. 
 
 " It isn't clothes ; it's bandages," replied Jack. "Tell 
 the lady all about it. What are you grinning at, you old 
 mummy ? "
 
 200 JA CK HARKA WA Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 Monday complied with this request, and Emily thanked 
 him very much for his bravery. 
 
 Suddenly Jack jumped up from the sofa with a yell. 
 
 " What's the row ? " said Harvey. 
 
 "Something's bitten me in the calf of the leg, and 
 made its teeth meet," replied Jack. "Have you any 
 dogs here, Emily? " 
 
 "I have seen none," she answered. 
 
 He looked under the sofa and found that Davis had 
 rolled over, and so been able to bite him. 
 
 "You brute," exclaimed Jack. "If you weren't bound 
 hard and fast, upon my word I could kick you in the face. 
 Why didn't you fasten him up better, Dick? " 
 
 "I thought I had," replied Harvey. "It was my 
 impression he couldn't wriggle a little bit. " 
 
 "Bring him out, and put him in the middle of the 
 room," exclaimed Jack. 
 
 Harvey hauled him out, and Davis looked up in Hark- 
 away's eyes with a malicious expression of gratified 
 malignity. 
 
 " I shouldn't care if I had been bitten by a decent sort 
 of a man, "said Jack. "The cad may poison the flesh 
 or something. Perhaps he's been eating mouldy victuals." 
 
 Harvey laughed. 
 
 " He's not so bad as that," he said. 
 
 " When are we to go home?'' asked Emily. 
 
 "Presently, my dear," answered Jack. "I have a 
 carriage waiting outside. But first of all I must settle 
 accounts with this cur here." 
 
 " What are you going to do with him ? " 
 
 "You'll see if you live long enough," said Jack ; add- 
 ing, " Monday." 
 
 " Yes, sare," replied the black. 
 
 "Go into the yard, and see if you can find a barrel of 
 tar." 
 
 "Tar? " exclaimed Emily. " What's that for ? " 
 
 "Don't ask questions," answered Jack. " Be a good 
 girl, and you'll see what you will see." 
 
 " There generally is tar about a country place to do up 
 the palings with," said Harvey. 
 
 "Of course," answered Jack. " When you have found 
 it, bring it in here. " 
 
 "Yes, sare," replied Monday.
 
 AFLOAT AND ASHORE. 2 o I 
 
 "What am I to do ? " asked Harvey. 
 
 " Go into the yard and kill a couple of geese or half-a- 
 dozen fowls, and bring them here." 
 
 " Are you going to have a feed? " 
 
 "Never mind; do as I tell you. Off you go both of 
 you," said Jack. 
 
 Monday and Harvey started together, and were gone 
 nearly half-an-hour. 
 
 Jack put his arm round Emily's waist, and looking at 
 Davis, said 
 
 " You wanted a kiss, just now, from the best girl that 
 ever lived ? " 
 
 Davis made no answer. 
 
 Jack got up and kicked him in the ribs. 
 
 ' ' Answer when you are spoken to, or it will be the 
 worse for you," he exclaimed. 
 
 "If I did what then?" asked Davis, with some of his 
 old independent manner. 
 
 "Just this ; see me kiss her. That's all, old boy. 
 That's your share." 
 
 Jack drew Emily to him as he spoke, and she let her 
 head fall on his breast while he bent down and kissed her 
 as he liked. 
 
 When he had done he said 
 
 " How do you like that ? Nice, isn't it, Mr. Cowardly 
 Davis ? " 
 
 Davis groaned. 
 
 If he could have got at Jack he would have killed him 
 then and there, regardless of consequences. 
 
 Harvey came in first with two fine geese, a turkey, and 
 three hens, which he had surprised in the hen-house, and 
 killed by wringing their necks. 
 
 " There they are," he said. 
 
 " Chuck them down," replied Jack. 
 
 " What am I to do ? " inquired Emily, with a smile. 
 
 "Help Harvey to pluck them, and throw the feathers 
 in a heap on the floor." 
 
 "Oh! what a mess it will make on this beautiful 
 carpet," she exclaimed. 
 
 "Never mind that. I think I shall burn the house 
 down before I go." 
 
 "Oh, Jack?" 
 
 "You needn't say 'Oh Jack!' as if I were going to
 
 202 JA CK HA RKA WAY'S AD VENTURES 
 
 jump down your throat," said Jack laughing. "Get to 
 work instantly, miss." 
 
 Presently Monday returned, lugging a small barrel of 
 tar with him. 
 
 Jack went to Davis, and putting him on a chair, took 
 a knife out of his pocket and stood over him. 
 
 "Don't kill me," whined Davis, who thought his last 
 hour had come. 
 
 " No fear," answered Jack ; " I know a trick worth two 
 of killing you." 
 
 He began to cut away his clothes until he was naked 
 to the waist. 
 
 " What are you going to do with me? " asked Davis, 
 who was puzzled at all these preparations. 
 
 " You'll know all in good time," answered Jack ; who 
 added "Monday, as I tar him you throw feathers on 
 him. " 
 
 Monday grinned all over his face. 
 
 Jack took up a turkey's wing, and dipping it in the tar, 
 smeared Davis all over with the sticky stuff. 
 
 Monday threw handful after handful of feathers over 
 him, and he began gradually to take the appearance of a 
 feathered creature. 
 
 Jack left his face unsmeared, so that people might know 
 him ; but he feathered his hair, and covered him in a 
 most artistic manner. 
 
 Frank Davis's rage knew no bounds. 
 
 He swore, raved, and threatened them all with the 
 severest penalties of the law. 
 
 "Don't you talk about law, my hearty," returned 
 Jack. " You have carried off a young lady, tried to have 
 me stabbed, and endeavoured to worry with your dog a 
 poor inoffensive fellow you saw on the road. Law, 
 indeed ! I'll give you enough law, if you want it." 
 
 When he was thoroughly tarred and feathered Jack 
 *aid 
 
 "Now we are ready to start. Come along, Emily 
 take my arm. Dick, see to the bird. " 
 
 Harvey touched Davis on the leg, and exclaimed 
 
 "Get up." 
 
 Davis refused to move. 
 
 "Won't budge," said Harvey. 
 
 " Won't he? " replied Jack. "Emily, give me a pin."
 
 AFLOAT AND ASHORE. 203 
 
 She handed him one, which Jack stuck into Frank 
 Davis's thigh. 
 
 He sprang up in a moment with a cry of pain. 
 
 " Found your legs, have you, old fellow ? Thought you 
 would," laughed Jack. 
 
 Davis had his legs untied, and walked by Harvey's side, 
 his arms being fastened behind his back. 
 
 They all went to the carriage, which was waiting for 
 them in the road, and getting in were driven to the city. 
 
 Davis was made to sit by himself on the front seat, 
 Harvey standing over him. 
 
 Monday got on the box, and Jack and Emily sat side 
 by side. 
 
 When they reached Singapore it was early morning. 
 
 Under the tropics people get up early and sleep in the 
 micnif e of the day when the sun is fiercest. 
 
 Consequently the city was astir. 
 
 When the principal street was reached Jack stopped 
 the carriage near the market-place, and told Davis to get 
 out. 
 
 ' ' Get out here ? " he exclaimed, with horror. 
 
 "Yes; out you go immediately, if not sooner. Stir 
 your stumps," answered Jack. 
 
 Reluctantly Davis descended the steps and stood in the 
 street. 
 
 He presented a strange spectacle. 
 
 Half man, half bird. 
 
 When the people in the street saw him they set up a 
 great shout. 
 
 "Go on," said Jack ; " cut along, or I shall stick a pin 
 into you again." 
 
 Davis knew the locality very well, and his father's 
 offices were not far off, so that he decided to run as fast 
 as he could through the streets. 
 
 He made a start, but could not go very quickly owing 
 to his hands being tied behind his back. 
 
 Men, women, and children howled at him and threw 
 any object that came handiest, and it was only when 
 bruised and exhausted that he reached a haven of refuge. 
 
 "That will teach him a lesson," said Jack, laughing 
 heartily. 
 
 "I should think so," replied Harvey. "He will be a 
 week getting the tar and feathers off.
 
 204 JA CK HARK A WA Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 " Mind one thing, Emily," exclaimed Jack ; "don't you 
 be humbugged again. '' 
 
 " I will take very good care I am not," replied Emily ; 
 "and believe me, dear Jack, and you, too, Monday, 
 that I shall never, never forget your kindness. " 
 
 " What have I done," said Harvey, " that I should not 
 be thought of?" 
 
 "Oh, you're nobody; you can go and play," replied 
 Jack. 
 
 When they reached the hotel they inquired for Mr. Mole. 
 
 The servant said that he had called him, but he refused 
 to get up. 
 
 " Look here, "said Jack ; "perhaps Mole's taken worse ; 
 he said he had a cold. I will go and see to him." 
 
 "All right," said Harvey ; "I will see Monday looked 
 after. His wounds are getting stiff. " 
 
 Harvey and Monday went away together, and Jack 
 saw Emily to her bedroom, gave her a kiss, and went to 
 Mr. Mole. 
 
 "How do, sir?" said Jack. "We've got back the 
 lost dove." 
 
 "Glad to hear it, Harkaway ; it is more than you de- 
 serve," answerd Mr. Mole, who was wrapped up in bed, 
 as if he had a severe attack of influenza, and lived in 
 Kamschatka. 
 
 He wore a nightcap which culminated in a most ludi- 
 crous tassel. 
 
 " Get up, sir," said Jack, "and take a turn with me in 
 the fresh morning air." 
 
 "No, Harkaway, I distinctly refuse," answered Mr. 
 Mole. "I have been very badly treated, and I shall not 
 move from this bed for a month." 
 
 "What, sir, sleep for a month?" cried Jack. 
 
 " I did not say sleep, but I shall not get out of this bed 
 for a month, and during that time you cannot play me 
 any tricks. I have been pumped upon, and the result is 
 a severe cold, which only the most careful nursing will 
 cure. '' 
 
 " You've got a tile off, sir," replied Jack. 
 
 "Cease, if you please, to make vulgar allusions to the 
 sii*e of my mind, and leave me," said Mr. Mole. 
 
 ' ' As j<,~? Hke, sir," replied Jack. ' ' Hope you will be in 
 a better temper %'!>" T see you again. "
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 205 
 
 Mr. Mole pulled his nightcap over his eyes, and settled 
 himself down for a second sleep. 
 
 Jack was tired and turned in, marvelling at the peculiar 
 state of mind in which he had found Mr. Mole. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXVII. 
 
 MR. MOLE GOES TO BED FOR A MONTH. 
 
 THE boys did not breakfast till late. 
 
 Both were worn out with the fatigue and excitement of 
 the previous night. 
 
 Monday's wounds, though not dangerous, were exceed- 
 ingly painful, and the doctor who had been called in 
 advised him not to move out of his bed for a day or two. 
 
 When Harvey and Jack met over their coffee, the former 
 said 
 
 "Where's Mole?" 
 
 "Gone to bed for a month," replied Jack. 
 
 " Go on 1 " said Harvey. "What's the use of chaffing 
 me?" 
 
 "I'm not chaffing. He swore last night he would not 
 move. He is sulky because we pumped upon him." 
 
 ' ' Does he mean it ? " 
 
 " I believe he does." 
 
 "Oh, I can't live without old Mole," replied Harvey. 
 
 "Why?" 
 
 " He's such fun. We must have him out." 
 
 " It's all very well to say, have him out," answered 
 Jack. " But how are you going to do it ? " 
 
 "Easy enough," replied Harvey. "Look at those 
 fellows in the street." 
 
 Jack looked out of the window, and saw some jugglers, 
 who were performing with snakes, which they twined 
 round their necks and even allowed to bite them. 
 
 "Well," said Jack, "what have those men to do with 
 Mole ? " 
 
 " I'll show you," replied Harvey. 
 
 He went downstairs, and talked to one of the jugglers 
 for a few minutes, and when he came back, he carried 
 something with him in a small basket
 
 206 JA CK HARK A WA Y 'S AD VENTURES 
 
 "What have you got there ? " asked Jack, curiously. 
 
 "A fine young cobra," replied Harvey. " It isn't dan- 
 gerous, so don't start ; besides it can't get out, unless I 
 open the basket." 
 
 "Isn't it poisonous ? " 
 
 " It was once upon a time; but my juggling friend 
 told me that they had drawn his poison fangs, and that if 
 the thing did bite now, it wouldn't do any harm." 
 
 "I see," exclaimed Jack. "Still, I don't like snakes, 
 whether they are harmless or not." 
 
 " I don't suppose Mole does either. Don't you think 
 he would jump, if he found a thing of this sort in his 
 bed ? " 
 
 "By Jove ! " cried Jack, laughing ; "he'd have a fit" 
 
 "Sorry for him, but he will have to make acquaintance 
 with this new sort of bedfellow." 
 
 " When and how is the nameless deed to be done? " 
 
 "Presently he will get up to have his bed made, and 
 then I shall introduce the snake. It will be all a lark." 
 
 "You're improving," said Jack, patting him on his 
 back. 
 
 "It's being so much with you," replied Harvey. 
 "Evil communications corrupt good manners. Come up 
 to Mole's room." 
 
 They ascended the stairs together, and found Mr. Mole 
 sitting in his dressing-gown, with a cotton nightcap on 
 his head, looking out of the window, through which a 
 cool breeze entered. 
 
 The servant was just finishing making the bed. 
 
 Jack went up and spoke to Mr. Mole, and when the 
 servant departed, Harvey opened the basket, and allowed 
 the serpent to glide into the bed. 
 
 Then he, too, went up, and talked to Mr. Mole. 
 
 "Going to turn in again, sir," he said; "or have you 
 thought better of it ? " 
 
 "No," replied Mr. Mole, "I intend to keep my bed 
 until we sail for England. You boys shall not play me 
 any more tricks, I promise you, for I will keep out of 
 your way." 
 
 "What shall we do without you, sir? " said Jack. 
 
 "You should have thought of that before. I am sure 
 the deprivation of my society must be a great blow to 
 you."
 
 AFLOAT AND ASHORE. 207 
 
 "You're sulking, sir. Don't sulk; it's childish," ex- 
 claimed Jack. 
 
 "I am the best judge of my own actions, and I tell you 
 flatly, once for all, that I have gone to bed for a month, 
 and no persuasion on your part shall get me out." 
 
 "Won't anything induce you to change your mind ? " 
 
 " No power on earth will doit, Harkaway," answered 
 Mr. Mole, firmly. 
 
 He threw off his dressing-gown and stood in his night- 
 shirt, looking very comical with his old-fashioned night- 
 cap on his head. 
 
 " In my bed I am at peace," he murmured. 
 
 Turning the clothes down a little way, he crept in, and 
 a smile of placid satisfaction stole over his features. 
 
 All at once the placid expression vanished. 
 
 He fidgeted in bed, and seemed ill at ease. 
 
 "What's the matter, sir?" asked Jack. 
 
 "The slut who made this bed has left something in it. 
 I can feel something about my legs. What the deuce is 
 it?" exclaimed Mr. Mole, uneasily. 
 
 " Better have a look, sir. Perhaps it is a dead dog." 
 
 "Drat it!" continued Mole. "It's something alive. 
 It keeps on moving." 
 
 He rose up and threw down the bedclothes. 
 
 The snake had been making itself a nest to go to sleep 
 in, and was annoyed at being disturbed in the midst of 
 its preparations. 
 
 It coiled its tail, and sat upright, darting its forked 
 tongue in and out, and emitting a sharp hiss. 
 
 "The Lord be good to me ! " cried Mole, in dire terror. 
 
 "Why, it's a snake," said Harvey. "How on earth 
 could it get there ? " 
 
 ' ' It's a deadly cobra, " continued Mole. ' ' A venomous 
 serpent. Oh, Lord ! oh, Lord ! I wish I was well home 
 again. Strike it, Harvey. Take it by the neck and throw 
 it out of window." 
 
 "Thank you, sir ; I'd rather not, if it is the same to 
 you," replied Harvey, coldly. 
 
 "Harkaway," pleaded Mr. Mole, "you are a brave 
 boy." 
 
 " Hope so, sir." 
 
 "For goodness' sake, seize the snake ! It will spring 
 upon me. Already it is fixing me with its awful eyes.
 
 208 JACK HARK A WA Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 Save me, Harkaway ; all my worldly goods shall be 
 yours. Save me save me ! " 
 
 " Nasty things snakes, sir ; don't like to handle them," 
 said Jack. 
 
 Mr. Mole's terror increased every moment. 
 
 The snake did not attempt to fly at him. 
 
 It had been more than two years with the jugglers, and 
 was used to human beings, and expected to be taken up 
 and put through its performance. 
 
 "Look," cried Mr. Mole, white with fear, "look at the 
 venomous creature. It will dart at me, fix its fangs in my 
 flesh, and in half an hour, I, Isaac Mole, will have ceased 
 to exist. Oh, Lord ! oh Lord ! " 
 
 " Neither Harvey nor I dare touch it, sir," said Jack. 
 
 "What am I to do ? " asked Mole. 
 
 "If I were you, sir, I'd bolt. Perhaps there are more 
 in the room. There is generally a nest where you see one. " 
 
 Finding that Mr. Mole did not attempt to handle it, the 
 jnake, which was inclined to be tame, thought it would 
 Commence the performance by itself. 
 
 It put itself in motion, gliding along Mr. Mole's leg, 
 Causing him to utter the most awful yells. 
 
 Then it wound round his arm, and reaching his neck, 
 toiled itseh in two folds, and bringing its head to a level 
 with Mr. Male's nose, looked in a half affectionate manner 
 at him. 
 
 Jack and Harvey laughed immoderately. 
 
 They had never seen anything so funny. 
 
 " It wants to kiss you, sir. Stroke it," said Jack. 
 
 For a moment Mr. Mole had been paralysed with fear. 
 
 Recovering himself, he sprang out of bed, and in his 
 night-gown and cap, descended the stairs six at a time, 
 cleared the hall at a few bounds, dashed into the street 
 and ran for his life. 
 
 He uttered incoherent cries, and the crowd in the street 
 thinking he was mad, ran after him, hooting and yelling 
 like demons. 
 
 The snake clung fast, evidently regarding this as a new 
 performance. 
 
 Mr. Mole had only one idea, and that was to throw 
 himself headlong into the water of the harbour, which was 
 at the bottom of the street. 
 
 He thought that land snakes could not live in water.
 
 AFLOAT AND ASHORE. 
 
 209 
 
 But just as he reached the quay, a rough grasp seized 
 his arm and forced him on his knees. 
 
 The jerk threw off the snake, which glided away, look- 
 ing for its basket. 
 
 Unfortunately for it, some boys in the crowd saw it, 
 and speedily dispatched it with stones. 
 
 The person who had stopped Mr. Mole's wild career 
 was Captain Hammond. 
 
 "A madman," shouted the throng. 
 
 "Who are you," asked the captain, "and what are you 
 doing? " 
 
 Mr. Mole put up his hand, and finding the snake was 
 gone, breathed again. 
 
 At the same moment he looked up and recognised 
 Captain Hammond. 
 
 " Do you not know me ? " he said. 
 
 " No ; hang me if I do," replied the captain. 
 
 " I am Mr. Mole." 
 
 " Harkaway's Mole ? " asked the skipper. 
 
 "If you choose to put it so. I am anybody's Mole. 
 Take me back to the hotel ; the danger is over now." 
 
 "What danger?" 
 
 "Snakes." 
 
 " Snakes ?" repeated the captain. "Humbug. They 
 don't come into this city." 
 
 "Don't they! There was one in my bed. But take 
 me back. I fear, from the tittering of the crowd, that I 
 present a singular not to say a ludicrous appearance." 
 
 The captain gave him his arm, and in a very tottering 
 state, Mr. Mole was conducted back to his hotel. 
 
 Nothing would induce him to go into his bedroom 
 again ; he was afraid of more snakes, and throwing him- 
 self into an armchair, he sighed deeply and shivered. 
 
 "If ever I am caught out of England again," he ex- 
 claimed, " I'll buy a stick and beat myself." 
 
 Harvey took Captain Hammond on one side and let 
 him into the joke, at which he laughed. 
 
 Mr. Mole, however, did not suspect Harvey's share in 
 the matter. 
 
 He thought the snake had crept into the house through 
 the window. 
 
 In fact, his mind was so perturbed, that he could 
 scarcely think at all. 
 U
 
 210 JACK HARK A WA Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 "Heaven has been good to me," he said. "I will 
 make a vow in olden times, people, after a great mercy 
 had been vouchsafed to them, used to go on a pilgrimage 
 or a crusade. I can't go about like a pilgrim or a crusader. 
 What shall I do, Harkaway ? " 
 
 "Go to bed again, sir." 
 
 " No ! " replied Mr. Mole, with a shudder. "No more 
 bed for me in Singapore. I shall sleep on a sofa during 
 the remainder of our stay here." 
 
 "About this vow, sir? " 
 
 " Ah ! What shall I do to show my gratitude for my 
 preservation from that poisonous reptile? I will never 
 pass a blind man without giving him sixpence. There, 
 Harkaway, what do you think of that ? " 
 
 "Make it a bob, sir; a tanner's mean, and will look 
 shabby. " 
 
 ' ' A shilling be it then. But what are you doing there ? " 
 said Mr. Mole. 
 
 "Opening a case of wine, sir." 
 
 "Wine?" 
 
 " Yes. It has just come. It is directed to ' Mr. Hark- 
 away, with Captain Hammond's compliments.'" 
 
 "Ah! Something very choice, I daresay," said Mr. 
 Mole, smacking his lips. "Just what I want to revive 
 me after my trials. Pour me out a tumbler full. I will 
 taste it, Harkaway." 
 
 "All right," said Jack. "You shall have the first 
 swig." 
 
 He drew out a bottle from the case, and removing the 
 cork, poured out a tumbler full, which he handed to Mr. 
 Mole. 
 
 The latter drank it at a draught. 
 
 "What do you think of it ? " asked Jack. 
 
 "Not bad not bad, by any means; but it's funny 
 tasting stuff, and has a burning in the mouth," replied 
 Mr. Mole. 
 
 "Your mouth's out of taste, sir." 
 
 "What's that?" inquired Captain Hammond, who had 
 just finished listening to Harvey's relation of the trick of 
 which Mr. Mole was the victim. 
 
 "We have tapped your wine, captain," said Jack. 
 
 " My wine ? " repeated Hammond in surprise. 
 
 "Yes ! the wine you sent me just now, and for which
 
 AFLOA T AND ASH&Rft. 211 
 
 I have not had an opportunity to thank you before 
 now." 
 
 "My dear fellow, there must be some mistake ! " said 
 Captain Hammond. 
 
 " How ? " inquired Jack. 
 
 "I sent you no wine." 
 
 " Look at the direction on the case," said Jack. " Here 
 it is, as plain as a pikestaff : ' Mr. Harkaway, with Cap- 
 tain Hammond's compliments.'" 
 
 The captain looked carefully at the label. 
 
 "Yes; you are right so far, "he said. "But still I'll 
 swear I sent you no wine, neither is that direction in my 
 handwriting." 
 
 Jack had refilled Mr. Mole's tumbler, and was going to 
 drink, when the captain said 
 
 " Don't touch it, my lad. Taere is something wrong 1 
 here. " 
 
 Jack regarded him with astonishment, in which both 
 Harvey and Mr. Mole shared. 
 
 What new danger or mystery threatened them ? 
 
 CHAPTER XXXVIIL 
 
 MORE TREACHERY. 
 
 THE captain was positive that he had not sent the boys 
 the wine, and Mr. Mole became alarmed at having 
 drunk it. 
 
 "It seems to me," said the captain, "that this direc- 
 tion on the case is in Mr. Davis's writing." 
 
 " My enemy," remarked Jack. 
 
 "Yes, indeed. We have heard at the club all about 
 your tarring and feathering him, and then turning him 
 up in the market-place, more like a bird than a human 
 being. He is the laughing-stock of the town." 
 
 "Why then should he become civil, and send me some 
 wine? '' asked Jack. 
 
 "Perhaps it is poisoned. Let us procure a dog, and 
 try the experiment on him." 
 
 "No need to do that," said Jack ; " Mr. Mole has drunk 
 half a tumbler Hullo! what's the matter with him?"
 
 212 JACK HARK A WA Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 Mr. Mole had fallen into a chair, and was putting both 
 hands to his stomach as if in pain. 
 
 " Got the mullygrubs, sir ? " said Jack. 
 
 " I'm very bad. I was taken all at once," replied Mr. 
 Mole, groaning. "Send for a doctor. Get a stomach- 
 pump." 
 
 " Good idea, stomach-pump," said Jack. " Run, Dick, 
 and fetch a saw-bones. I should like to see Mole 
 pumped. " 
 
 Mr. Mole sank from the chair to the floor and writhed 
 in sinuous contortions, while Harvey went for the 
 doctor. 
 
 "I'm poisoned," he said. "It's very hard to be 
 poisoned. Oh, Lord ! what a time they are getting that 
 pump ! " 
 
 The captain and Jack were much alarmed at the symp- 
 toms displayed by Mr. Mole. 
 
 There was no doubt that the wine had been poisoned, 
 and that Frank Davis had hoped by these means to kill 
 the whole party. 
 
 It was a great relief when at last the doctor arrived 
 with the strange apparatus called the stomach-pump, 
 which was immediately applied. 
 
 Instead of feeling any relief, and getting better, Mr. 
 Mole's limbs contracted, and he appeared to be sinking 
 into a state of stupor. 
 
 " He is not going to croak, is he? " said Jack. 
 
 "I cannot tell," said the doctor. "It is a serious 
 case. " 
 
 He put his hand on his breast. 
 
 There was no movement. 
 
 "I fear," he added, "that the unfortunate gentleman 
 is gone." 
 
 "Ill have it out of that Davis," cried Jack. 
 
 "Poor old Mole," said Harvey. 
 
 "Well," continued Jack; "I wouldn't have lost Mole 
 for anything. Is there nothing you can do, doctor ? " 
 
 " He is beyond human aid. Allow me to give you the 
 card of an undertaker. In this climate the body must be 
 buried to-morrow morning." 
 
 "I'm flummoxed," said Jack. "This is getting se- 
 vere. It's cut me up more than anything." 
 
 Seeing he could do no more, the doctor retired.
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 2 1 3 
 
 Jack had Mr. Mole put on his bed, and covered with a 
 sheet. 
 
 The captain went to communicate with the police of 
 the town, who said that the evidence against Mr. Davis 
 was not strong enough to warrant his arrest. 
 
 In fact Davis's father was so great a man in the town, 
 that they were afraid of attacking him. 
 
 Both Harkaway and Harvey were much shocked, and 
 Emily joined in their grief. 
 
 They had narrowly escaped a sudden death themselves. 
 
 "It's an awful grief, just now," remarked Jack, " when 
 our troubles are nearly over." 
 
 "He wasn't a bad sort," said Harvey, "and it makes 
 me mad to think that the poor beggar, who had done 
 nothing, should suffer through our rows." 
 
 "I've a good mind to have him embalmed, and take 
 him back to England in a glass case," said Jack. 
 
 "Better bury him. You be chief mourner," replied 
 Harvey. 
 
 "No. I should like to have him mummified. There 
 are always embalmers in these countries ; we must in- 
 quire for one," persisted Jack. 
 
 Emily laughed. 
 
 "I'm ashamed of you, Emmy," said Jack, putting on 
 a severe look. " Come here and give me a kiss, by way 
 of doing penance, at once." 
 
 "If you want one, you can come and take it," she 
 answered coquettishly, adding 
 
 "I know it is a very dreadful thing to laugh at a time 
 like this, but the idea of poor dear Mr. Mole being made 
 into a mummy, is so funny." 
 
 "So it is when you come to think of it," observed 
 Harvey. 
 
 "I don't see it," replied Jack. " Mole, in a glass case, 
 looking as large as life, with a suitable epitaph, would be 
 highly edifying. Suppose we were to say 
 
 " This is the mummified Mole, 
 Who was a jolly old soul." 
 
 "' Give us another rhyme, Dick." 
 
 " Let the bell toll for poor old Mole." 
 replied Harve)
 
 214 JACK HARKA WA Y'S ADVENTURES 
 
 "That's better. Go on," exclaimed Jack, encourag- 
 ingly. 
 
 " He wasn't worth a farden, 
 Till he got his tea-garden." 
 
 "That's bad. You began well, as you generally do, 
 but you always fall off," Jack exclaimed. 
 
 "If you can't make a better epitaph than that, you 
 ought to give up the attempt," said Emily ; "and I think 
 your trying to do so is much more disgraceful than my 
 laughing." 
 
 "We don't mean anything, Emmy," replied Jack. 
 "If I wasn't to talk and chaff a little, I should cry. You 
 don't know how this has cut me." 
 
 "I can say ditto to that," remarked Harvey. "It's 
 entirely crabbed any pleasure I feel in going back to 
 England. " 
 
 They became grave after this, and it was soon time to 
 retire to rest. 
 
 Early the next morning they were astir, and the first 
 visitor at the hotel was the undertaker, who was a Dutch- 
 man, unable to speak a word of English. 
 
 Jack looked at his card, and read ' ' Mynheer Van Clootz, " 
 and seeing the word "undertaker" in English, divined 
 the motive of his visit, and sadly led the way upstairs. 
 
 An assistant followed with a coffin, which was placed 
 on the floor. 
 
 Mr. Mole was then perfectly rigid and motionless, and 
 taking him up in his arms, Mynheer Van Clootz laid him 
 down in the coffin. 
 
 As it happened he did not quite fit. 
 
 It was necessary to bend the legs a little, to make 
 them come in, and this Mynheer Van Clootz proceeded 
 to do with some force. 
 
 Jack had turned to the window, and was wiping away 
 the tears as they chased one another down his face. 
 
 Suddenly he heard a noise, and Mynheer Van Clootz, 
 uttering strange cries in his own sweet native tongue, 
 ran past him. 
 
 Turning to the coffin, Jack saw Mr. Mole sitting up, 
 and looking curiously around him. 
 
 " Harkaway," said Mr. Mole, "I have overslept my- 
 self, and the bed feels hard. What have you got for 
 breakfast? My stomach is strangely empty."
 
 A FLO A T AND ASHORE. 2 1 5 
 
 Jack could understand this when he recollected how 
 the doctor had worked the pump the night before. 
 
 His surprise at seeing Mr. Mole alive was immense, 
 but his joy equalled his astonishment. 
 
 The Dutchman and his assistant were so frightened 
 that they did not stop until they reached their place of 
 business, for they thought they had seen a ghost. 
 
 "Where am I?" continued Mr. Mole, looking round 
 him ; " and what have I been doing?" 
 
 His mind was so confused that he could not recollect 
 anything. 
 
 1 ' You have been on a visit to another land, sir, and 
 I'm very glad they let you come back again," said Jack. 
 
 " Let me see ; I drank that wine I was ill the doctor 
 came I got worse, and I suppose you thought me dead." 
 
 "That we did, sir." 
 
 "I must have fallen into a trance. The stomach- 
 pump saved my life, but the effect of the poison was to 
 send me into a deep sleep. What is this ? A coffin ? 
 Bless my soul ! I have had a narrower escape than I 
 thought" 
 
 " You would have been screwed down in another five 
 minutes, sir, " said Jack. ' ' The cold-meat box was ready, 
 and things won't keep in this climate." 
 
 A shudder ran through Mr. Mole as he extricated him- 
 self from the coffin and threw off the ghastly cerements 
 of the grave. 
 
 "I say, sir," exclaimed Jack, "have a lark with Har- 
 vey." 
 
 " In what way, may I ask ? " 
 
 "Go into our sitting-room, and frighten him into fits. 
 If Emily is there, I will prepare her for your resurrection. " 
 
 "Upon my word, Harkaway, I do not think I ought 
 to lend myself to such an imposture," replied Mr. Mole, 
 With a grim smile. 
 
 "Just for fun, sir." 
 
 " And moreover, I am physically incompetent. I am 
 consumed with a raging thirst, and my unhappy stomach 
 is as empty as a drum. " 
 
 "It shall be filled, sir, without delay. Tog yourself 
 up a bit, and in ten minutes come downstairs. I wit 
 order a cold collation champagne and cold fowl, or some 
 thing ; and if we don't give Dick fits, I'm not all there."
 
 2 16 JACK HARKA WA Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 "Very well. On that understanding, I fall in with 
 your views, but I will first offer up a thanksgiving for my 
 deliverance from the grave. " 
 
 "Perhaps you are reserved for a different fate, sir. 
 Water won't drown you, poison don't hurt you, savages 
 won't eat you, snakes won't bite you, and two wives only 
 make you grow fat and saucy." 
 
 " Do you mean to imply that I was born to be hanged, 
 Harkaway ! " asked Mr. Mole. 
 
 " No, sir, we won't say that ; we will say that you were 
 born to be elevated. Don't rile, sir. Don't shy your 
 coffin at me. I'm not strong, and mother says I'm not to 
 be hurt," exclaimed Jack, laughing, as he ran from the 
 room. 
 
 " What a boy that is," remarked Mr. Mole, as he poured 
 some water into the basin and washed his face and hands. 
 " But I do think he is pleased to see me alive. What an 
 escape I have had, to be sure ? " 
 
 Jack's first care was to order the banquet, as he called 
 it, and to see the best spread that could be got ready at a 
 moment's notice was sent upstairs. 
 
 The food and Jack entered the room together, and 
 Harvey exclaimed 
 
 "What, grubbing again ? You have only just had your 
 breakfast. What a fellow you are to gorge ! Have you 
 seen the decent thing done by poor old Mole ? " 
 
 ' ' Yes ; he's screwed down as tight as wax. " 
 
 " How did he look ? " 
 
 " Fine. I never felt so queer in my life as when I took 
 my last look at him," said Jack. 
 
 "I couldn't do it," exclaimed Harvey. "I tried to 
 screw my courage up, but it was no good at all. You've 
 more pluck than I have." 
 
 " Of course. You're not in the hunt with me." 
 
 Harvey wiped his eyes with his sleeve. 
 
 " Hullo ! " replied Jack ; "why those weeps? You're 
 doing the briny old woman." 
 
 "And I'm not ashamed of it. If any one would bring 
 old Mole to life, I'd 
 
 Harvey hesitated. 
 
 " What would you do ? " asked Jack. 
 
 " I'd stand on my head in a corner till dinner time, 
 hang me if I wouldn't," replied Harvey, at a loss how to
 
 A FLO A T AND ASHORE. 2 IJ 
 
 express the gratitude he would feel in the event of such 
 an improbable occurrence taking place. 
 
 Jack smiled quietly, and drawing Emily on one side, 
 whispered to her 
 
 " Don't be frightened. Mole isn't dead. It was only 
 a trance. I want to startle Dick ; do you twig ? " 
 
 Emily looked astonished and made no reply, though 
 she intimated by a significant look that she understood 
 him. 
 
 Going back to the table Jack drank some iced water 
 and exclaimed 
 
 "Perhaps Mole's ghost will favour you with a visit 
 some of these fine nights, Master Dick." 
 
 " And if it did do you think I should care ? I've seen 
 too many things in my time to be frightened easily," 
 replied Dick. 
 
 " Wouldn't anything frighten you ? " 
 
 "No. I don't believe any mortal thing would, after 
 the course of Pisang I have been put through," replied 
 Harvey, boldly. 
 
 At this moment Mole entered the room. 
 
 He looked gravely, almost threateningly at Harvey, 
 who trembled violently, and showed symptoms of being 
 startled, if not really frightened. 
 
 " It it's Mole ! " he stammered. 
 
 Mi. Mole raised his arm, and Harvey shrank back into 
 a corner. 
 
 ' Jack," he cried, " what is it? " 
 
 ' What's what ? " replied Jack, rather ungrammatically, 
 'Why this this thing." 
 ' I can't see anything,'' answered Jack. 
 'Not see anything? Then it's a ghost. It's Mole's 
 spirit ! What shall I do ? " 
 
 " Get under the table," suggested Jack. 
 
 Thoroughly terrified, Harvey crept under the table and 
 laid still, until a hearty laugh fell upon his ears. 
 
 He got out of his undignified position and beheld Mr. 
 Mole eating a salmon steak, done to a turn, as fast as he 
 could. 
 
 "Ghosts don't eat," he exclaimed. 
 
 " Any fool knows that," replied Jack. 
 
 " Then it's no ghost." 
 
 " Touch him and see. He's tucking in a good un," con-
 
 2 18 JACK HARKA WA K'5 AD VENTURES 
 
 tinued Jack. "Thought you said nothing could frighten 
 you, eh, Dick ? " 
 
 Harvey looked crestfallen ; but he was not yet satisfied, 
 and walking up to Mr. Mole, said 
 
 "Is it really you, sir ? " 
 
 "Yes, Harvey, I am the sleeper awakened. Foursome 
 of that iced hock into the silver goblet," replied Mr. Mole; 
 "you may be my cup-bearer." 
 
 Harvey did so, and remarked 
 
 "I am delighted to see you again, sir ; but I must admit 
 I was considerably knocked off my perch at first, although 
 I wasn't really frightened." 
 
 "Now, Dick, that won't do. It's a clumsy get off," ex- 
 claimed Jack, laughing. 
 
 "No more I was." 
 
 " You know you were in a dismal fright." 
 
 " I wasn't. It was only a slight shock, that's all. I 
 knew it was Mole all along." 
 
 Emily approached Jack, and said in a low tone 
 
 " I fancy I can see some one listening at the half-open 
 door. " 
 
 "Nonsense ! " replied Jack. 
 
 " I'm almost certain," she persisted. 
 
 " Hold hard," replied Jack ; " I'll soon unearth the fox. 
 Wonder who it is ? " 
 
 He approached the door on tiptoe. 
 
 " Oh, be careful, Jack ! " said Emily. 
 
 He nodded, and prepared himself for a struggle. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXIX. 
 
 FRANK DAVIS HAS HIS EAR NAILED TO THE DOOR. 
 
 THE next minute Jack bounded over the threshold. 
 
 A jnan who was in reality listening at the door, tried to 
 escape. 
 
 Jack seized him in his powerful grasp. 
 
 There was a short, sharp struggle. 
 
 "Presently he reappeared, dragging the listener in triumph 
 jnto the room. 
 
 A glance sufficed to show that he had captured his
 
 AFLOA T AfrD ASHORE. 2 19 
 
 enemy, Frank Davis, though how he came in his peculiar 
 position, or what his motive was, he had yet to find out. 
 
 ' ' So, Mr. Davis, you add listening at doors to your other 
 accomplishments," said Jack, holding him down. 
 
 Davis looked sheepishly around. 
 
 "I came to pay you a visit," he said, "to explain, or 
 rather, to demand an explanation." 
 
 "Why did you not send your name up like a gentle- 
 man ? " 
 
 "I did not consider it necessary." 
 
 " You were anxious, I suppose, to know if we were all 
 dead, but you see we are alive and kicking," said Jack. 
 
 "I have heard something about some poisoned wine 
 being sent to you. Though why you should accuse me 
 of the crime, I don't know." 
 
 "We have our reasons." 
 
 " Ever since you have been in Singapore," cried Davis, 
 "you have persecuted me. First of all, you knock me 
 into the harbour ; then you break into my house, and 
 cover me with tar and feathers ; now you assault me, in 
 an infamous manner. What is the reason of it ? " 
 
 "It's all very well to put on a face of injured inno- 
 cence," replied Jack ; "but, as I said, we have our rea- 
 sons." 
 
 "What are they?" 
 
 " Did you not insult me? " 
 
 "Not that I am aware of," replied Davis. "Let me 
 get up, please. " 
 
 " Get up, if you like, but if you stir without my permis- 
 sion, when you are on your pins, it will not be well for 
 you." 
 
 Davis rose, and shook himself. 
 
 " Now answer my question," continued Jack. " Did 
 you not hire a man to stab me ? " 
 
 " Certainly not." 
 
 " Did you, or did you not carry off Emily ? " 
 
 " I was wrong there, I admit, but I offer a most hand- 
 some apology to the young lady," replied Davis, sheep- 
 ishly. 
 
 " Did you not send me a present of poisoned wine, 
 which might have killed the lot of us, and very nearly 
 settled Mr. Mole's goose as it was ? " 
 
 "No, I deny that."
 
 220 JACK HARKA WA Y'S ADVENTURES 
 
 " Were you not listening at the door to hear what our 
 suspicions about you were ? " pursued Jack. 
 
 " I repeat," replied Davis, " that I came to demand an 
 explanation of your conduct, which I hold that I have a 
 right to do." 
 
 " It will be best for you to clear our of Singapore 
 as soon as you can, or I shall insist upon the authorities 
 arresting you," replied Jack. 
 
 " That you can do as you like about," said Davis, with 
 his accustomed insolence. " Do you still refuse me an 
 explanation ? " 
 
 " You cowardly humbug ! " cried Jack, " you will see 
 directly what I will do with you. Dick, go and get me a 
 hammer and a long nail." 
 
 Harvey ran downstairs at once, and soon returned with 
 what he had been sent for. 
 
 " Now," cried Jack, " hold this cur up against the 
 door. " 
 
 Harvey seized the unfortunate Davis, and pushed him 
 up against the edge of the door. 
 
 Jack approached with the nail and hammer. 
 
 " In Heaven's name, what new outrage am I to be 
 subjected to ? " cried Davis. 
 
 He was watching the preparations with dismay. 
 
 " You needn't howl before you're hurt," replied Jack. 
 
 " Miss Emily," pleaded Davis, " you are a lady ; inter- 
 cede for me." 
 
 Emily remained silent. 
 
 " Mr. Mole," exclaimed Davis. 
 
 " Sir, to you," replied Mr. Mole, with his mouth full. 
 
 " Save me from this treatment. I am a gentleman." 
 
 " Pity you don't behave as such," answered Mr. Mole. 
 " I can not help you. People who send other people 
 poisoned wine, and subject them to the exhaustive action 
 of the stomach-pump, deserve no mercy at my hands." 
 
 " Hold him tight, Dick," exclaimed Jack. 
 
 When Davis' right ear was close to the door Jack put 
 the nail against it. 
 
 A sharp blow from the hammer forced the nail through 
 the cartilage, another sent the iron into the door, a third 
 made it fast ; and Davis had his ear nailed to the wood- 
 work. 
 
 A sharp cry of mingled pain and rage broke from him.
 
 AFLOAT A ND ASHORE. 2 2 1 
 
 " You shall repent this ! " he screamed. 
 
 "That is how we serve fellows that listen at doors," 
 remarked Jack, surveying him complacently. 
 
 " It just serves him right," observed Harvey ; adding, 
 " what a fool he looks." 
 
 " So you would look a fool, under the circs.," replied 
 Jack. 
 
 " Don't keep him long like that," replied Emily, whose 
 tender heart felt for him. 
 
 " I shall," answered Jack. " We are all going out for 
 a walk when Mr. Mole's done pitching in, and he will 
 have to stop where he is till somebody finds him, unless 
 he likes to bolt and leave his ear behind him." 
 
 " I am just getting my second wind," said Mr. Mole, 
 attacking a larded capon. 
 
 "Don't hurry, sir; the performance is not yet over. 
 Come here, Emily." 
 
 "What for, jack?" 
 
 " To stick pins into him. Come along. Stick them in 
 anywhere soft, and make him holloa again, like the cur 
 he is. " 
 
 " This behaviour is worthy only of savages, " protested 
 Davis. 
 
 " How about the poisoned wine and abduction ? " asked 
 Jack. " Is that civilised? " 
 
 " I am sure Miss Emily is too much of a lady to tort- 
 ure me," continued Davis. 
 
 " She will have to do what she is told. You come 
 prick him, Emily, or there will be a row in the house." 
 
 Emily hesitated. 
 
 "Let him off, Jack dear; you have punished him 
 enough," she said. 
 
 " This is mutiny in the camp ; but I suppose I must, 
 if you ask me, my pet," replied Jack. " Put on your sun- 
 hat, and let us go out. I can't breathe while I am in the 
 room with this fellow." 
 
 Davis presented at once a painful and a ridiculous figure, 
 nailed by the ear, as he was, to the doorpost. 
 
 His face was distorted with rage. 
 
 " Look here, Mr. Harkaway," he exclaimed. 
 
 "What now?" asked Jack. 
 
 ' ' You sail in a day or two for England, and you may 
 think that you will escape me. "
 
 222 JACK HARK A WA Y 'S AD VEN TURES 
 
 " I ain't afraid of you. Now I know what you are 
 and what your game is, I shall be on my guard." 
 
 " Never mind; listen to what I have to say. I, too, 
 am going to England to complete my education at a 
 university." 
 
 " I daresay it requires it," sneered Jack 
 
 " Mark my words, we shall meet again." 
 
 " I hope not." 
 
 " But I say we shall," replied Davis. 
 
 "Well, there is one comfort, England isn't Singapore ; 
 and if you try any of your poisoning dodges on there, 
 you will find yourself in the wrong box." 
 
 " You hope to marry Emily," continued Davis. 
 
 " That's my business," replied Jack flushing. 
 
 " I tell you, she shall never be your wife. Never, never ; 
 as long as I live. " 
 
 Jack stared at him in amazement 
 
 " You're a nice sort of a fellow," he said. " What do 
 you mean by threatening me ? " 
 
 " I speak the truth, and you will find that making an 
 enemy of me was the worst day's work you ever did," 
 answered Davis, vindictively. 
 
 Suddenly a gust of wind blew the door to with great 
 violence. 
 
 A horrible cry broke from Davis, who was forced outside. 
 
 Dismal yells were heard in the corridor. 
 
 ' ' By Jove ! " said Harvey, ' ' he's left his ear behind him. " 
 
 " Has he? I didn't mean that," exclaimed Jack. 
 
 He opened the door, and there, on the post, was the 
 unfortunate man's ear, literally torn from his head. 
 
 They could see nothing of Davis. 
 
 The fact was that, mad with pain and rage, he had run 
 away, holding his handkerchief to his head, to seek for 
 medical assistance. 
 
 " Blow me tight," said Jack, " that's a funny thing. 
 He's a settled member now. I am sorry for it though." 
 
 " You have two enemies, Hunston and Davis," said 
 Harvey. " The first is one-armed, and the second one- 
 eared. " 
 
 ' ' Can't help spotting them in a crowd, then. " 
 
 " Not much." 
 
 " I didn't mean to wrench his ear off," observed Jack ; 
 " though he deserves it, for what he has done to us."
 
 AFLOAT AND ASHORE. 223 
 
 "What's that?" asked Mr. Mole, throwing himself 
 back in his chair with a sigh of satisfaction. 
 
 " Mr. Davis has bolted, sir, and left his ear behind 
 him. " 
 
 " Left his ear ! Ha, ha ! You're joking." 
 
 " I'm not. There it is on the doorpost," replied Jack. 
 
 " Dear, dear! What a strange proceeding. Poor fel- 
 low ! Well, I had no hand in it, that's one comfort, though 
 I hope you won't get into trouble for pulling people's ears 
 off." 
 
 " It was an accident. I nailed him up, but I didn't 
 make the door blow to. " 
 
 " It came as a punishment to him. He was cursing 
 like a pagan," observed Harvey. 
 
 " Can't be helped," said Jack. " Have you fed, sir ? " 
 
 " Well, Harkaway, very well," answered Mr. Mole ; 
 " the inner man is comforted, and Isaac's himself once 
 more. I shall now be glad to join you in a drive say a 
 drive, for walk I can not, with all the luggage I have taken 
 on board." 
 
 " We must not let Emily see this," replied Jack. " I'll 
 undo the ear, and you can swab the claret with the table- 
 cloth, Dick." 
 
 The blood was quickly wiped up, and Jack unfastened 
 the ear, which he wrapped in a piece of paper with ghastly 
 precision. 
 
 " What shall we do with the lug? " he asked. 
 
 A waiter solved the difficulty by coming in and saying 
 
 " Mr. Davis has sent for his ear, sir." 
 
 In spite of the horror of the whole thing, Jack could not 
 helping smiling. 
 
 " Here it is ; in the paper," he replied. " Give it his 
 messenger with my compliments." 
 
 The servant, who was an American, and who had seen 
 a little shooting and bowie-knifing, did not seem in the 
 least surprised. 
 
 One man had gouged another's eye out in a bar and 
 then thrown it at him, so that acts of violence were noth- 
 ing new to his experience. 
 
 "That's done with," said Harvey. "Wonder if they 
 can stick it on ? " 
 
 "Not they," replied Jack. 
 
 " Funny idea, a cove sending for his ear."
 
 224 J*CJT HARK A WAY'S AD VENTURES 
 
 "Very. Wasn't my answer studiously polite ?" asked 
 Jack. 
 
 "Quite O. K. He's nothing to grumble at," replied 
 Harvey. 
 
 They went for a drive, and Jack could not help wonder- 
 ing if he should meet with Frank Davis in England. 
 
 If Hunston made his way back, and Davis really went 
 to England, he would have two determined enemies to 
 contend with. 
 
 "I don't care," he muttered, in his dare-devil way; 
 "one's only got one arm, and the other minus an ear. 
 What is the good of a man with only one ear? Let them 
 rip, they can't hurt me." 
 
 CHAPTER XL. 
 
 FRANK DAVIS AND HIS FATHER PLOT FOR REVENGE AH SING 
 THE CHINAMAN POPPY LAND AN OPIUM FACTORY. 
 
 LIKE most young men of a daring and adventurous dis- 
 position, our hero was apt at times to be a little over con- 
 fident. 
 
 It is easy to despise an enemy, but the one you look 
 upon with contempt may be powerful for evil against you. 
 
 Frank Davis was mad with rage at the loss of his ear, 
 which of course disfigured him for life. 
 
 He had heard of artificial legs, arms, and eyes, but 
 never of an artificial ear. 
 
 It was a void that he was afraid could never be sup- 
 plied. 
 
 Being of a vain disposition, he thought it would sadlj 
 mar his appearance in the eyes of the ladies. 
 
 He felt that he must have a terrible revenge upon Hark- 
 away. 
 
 On his way home he called at the house of a doctoi 
 who had attended him before. 
 
 All the medical man could do for him was to stop the 
 bleeding, and put some salve on the injured part to allay 
 the pain. 
 
 " I can not put it on," said the doctor, as Davis unrolled 
 the piece of paper in which the ear was wrapped. 
 
 " Am I to be a maimed man for life? " asked Davis.
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 225 
 
 "Yes. There is no help for it." 
 
 "Can't I have a substitute?" 
 
 "Well, you might get one in London or Paris, but not 
 in Singapore. How did it happen? " 
 
 "An enemy tore it off. Curse him, he shall repent it. 
 I feel as if I could shoot or stab him." 
 
 " Do nothing rash. Go home, consult your father, and 
 take a rest. " 
 
 This was good advice. 
 
 Frank paid the doctor his fee and went away, almost 
 broken-hearted at his disfigurement 
 
 His mother had been dead some years, and he lived 
 alone with his father. 
 
 Mr. Davis senior's Christian name was Josiah. He 
 was of Jewish extraction, and a successful merchant in the 
 opium line, which is the principal trade in the Straits 
 Settlements. 
 
 He had an opium factory a few miles out of Singapore, 
 and employed a number of Chinamen. 
 
 These, about a hundred altogether, lived with their 
 families close by in a village. 
 
 Here were opium-smoking dens, Joss-houses, Chinese 
 tea-drinking places, gambling shops, and other attrac- 
 tions peculiar to Chinese communities. 
 
 The fields of poppies from which the opium was made 
 was quite a sight when in flower. 
 
 Many visitors came from Singapore to see the many 
 miles of matchless colour waving in the wind. 
 
 The country residence of Mr. Davis was not more than 
 a mile from his opium factory. 
 
 It was here that Frank betook himself when he left the 
 doctor, whom he consulted about his ear. 
 
 The millionaire merchant was seated in his study, look- 
 ing over a map of the island. 
 
 A fine property was offered for sale, and he was in- 
 clined to buy it. 
 
 Singapore is only a small island, about twenty-seven 
 miles in length and in breadth fourteen. 
 
 Josiah Davis already owned a goodly portion of it. 
 
 He intended it all for his son Frank, whom he loved so 
 much and was so proud of. 
 
 Frank was to go to Oxford University in England soon, 
 and be educated like an English gentleman. 
 15
 
 226 JACK HAKKA WA Y'S ADVENTURES 
 
 His father thought he was very handsome, and ought 
 to marry the daughter of a lord at least. 
 
 His horror can be easily imagined and his rage pict- 
 ured, when Frank entered his study wounded. 
 
 It was easy to see at a glance that his ear was missing, 
 for that side of his head was flat, and his cheek was 
 smeared with blood. 
 
 "Good heaven ! " cried Mr. Davis. " Is it an accident, 
 or the deed of an enemy ? " 
 
 "The latter." 
 
 "You are disfigured for life, my poor boy ! " said his 
 father, feelingly. 
 
 "Yes," snapped Frank. 
 
 "Who did it? We must nave a terrible revenge for 
 this. What did Moses say when he gave the law to the 
 Israelites, who are our own people ? " 
 
 "An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth, father." 
 
 "Very true. You shall have justice, never fear. Tell 
 me all." 
 
 Frank did not hesitate to do so. 
 
 In a few minutes Josiah Davis had heard all that his 
 son could tell him about Jack Harkaway and his party. 
 
 " I would give any thing I possess," concluded Frank, 
 " to injure him as he has injured me, or to kill the fellow 
 right out." 
 
 "We must first get him in our power," replied the 
 merchant. 
 
 " How is that to be done? " 
 
 "Let me think." 
 
 Mr. Davis rested his chin on his hand and appeared to 
 be plunged in deep thought. 
 
 He knew well, from what he had heard, that Jack was 
 wary as well as brave. 
 
 In addition to this he was surrounded by friends. 
 
 "My opium factory is a source of attraction to visitors 
 to Singapore," said Mr. Davis at length. "They wind 
 up by drinking tea at Ah Sing's house in the Chinese vil- 
 lage and sometimes smoke a pipe of opium to see what 
 it is like. Ah Sing is a very clever fellow, artful as a 
 weasel. If Ah Sing could entice Harkaway here, some- 
 thing might be done towards our revenge." 
 
 "Good!" exclaimed Frank, nodding his head approv- 
 ingly.
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 
 
 227 
 
 "Shall we try it?" 
 
 "Certainly ; it is a first-rate scheme. What will you do 
 to Harkaway if you get hold of him? Cut off his ear? " 
 
 "Father Abraham ! I'll cut them both off," roared Mr. 
 Davis. 
 
 "Bravo ! That's your sort ! " 
 
 "I'll let him know what it is to mutilate my son ! " 
 
 "I can scarcely find words to thank you," said Frank. 
 "My blood is boiling. I shall never rest until I get square 
 with that man." 
 
 "You shall do so, and that, too, before many hours 
 have passed over your head." 
 
 " It is necessary to act quickly." 
 
 "Why so?" 
 
 "Because Harkaway and party are going to England 
 by the mail steamer which is due at this port either to- 
 day or to-morrow," said Frank. 
 
 " She will not be here fora week," answered Mr. Davis. 
 
 " How do you know that ? " 
 
 "I had a telegram this morning from Malacca stating 
 that her machinery had broken down, and that she had 
 gone into dock for repairs." 
 
 "That is excellent ; it will give us time." 
 
 "We must not be seen in the matter," continued the 
 merchant. " I must study my good name. Ah Sing has 
 been foreman in my employ for several years ; he can 
 not refuse to do any thing I require." 
 
 "Where is the Chinaman who would not do anything 
 for money ? " laughed Frank. 
 
 "True. At a price, John Chinaman will break every 
 law in the Decalogue." 
 
 " We must send for him," suggested Frank. 
 
 "I expect him here every moment with a report," re- 
 plied Mr. Davis, adding, "Ah ! Frank. You shall be able 
 to laugh as well as this wild rover, Harkaway." 
 
 "I heard his friend, Harvey, state that on their return 
 to England they intended to matriculate at Oxford, and 
 stay there until they graduated." 
 
 "It would not be nice for him to point to your one ear, 
 unless you could point out that he had none at all." 
 
 "I should like to slit his nose, too, as they used to do 
 in the days of the Star Chamber," cried Frank. 
 
 "No, no. It will not be right to overdo the thing."
 
 228 JACK HAKKA WA Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 "The vicious young cub deserves it." 
 
 " Justice, according to the law of Moses, you shall have," 
 said Mr. Davis; "an ear for an ear." 
 
 ' ' And the other one thrown in by way of interest or 
 overweight," replied Frank, forcing a smile. 
 
 "Of course. We Hebrews could do nothing without 
 interest " 
 
 As he spoke, a Malay servant (nearly all work in those 
 regions is done by Chinese and Malays) announced that 
 his excellency's slave, Ah Sing, humbly demanded an 
 audience. 
 
 " Let him come in at once," said the merchant. 
 
 Ah Sing was a little, spare-figured man, with almond- 
 shaped eyes, a mouth which seemed made to grin, high 
 cheek bones, and an expression which appeared to say, 
 " I wasn't born yesterday." 
 
 He presented a sheet of paper covered with figures, 
 which was the balance-sheet of the week at the opium 
 works. 
 
 "Taken as read," exclaimed Mr. Davis. "We will 
 postpone business, as I have something else to talk about, 
 which ought to put a thousand dollars into your pocket. " 
 
 Ah Sing's eyes glistened with inherent cupidity. 
 
 He was a native of Canton. 
 
 For years he had been saving all the money he could 
 to take back to China, where he intended his bones should 
 rest when he died. 
 
 " Vellee good," replied Ah Sing. 
 
 The Chinaman husbanded his words, as if he thought 
 that talking was a waste of energy. 
 
 " You often show people over my factory, take them to 
 your tea-shop in Chinatown, and make money out of 
 them. " 
 
 "You not tellee me that wrongee," replied Ah Sing. 
 
 " I am not saying so now." 
 
 "Ah Sing makee money allee samee Englishmans. " 
 
 " I have heard that you send a printed circular to the 
 hotels. Have you one in your possession ? If so, show 
 it me." 
 
 Ah Sing did not hesitate a moment ; he knew he had 
 his master's confidence. If he supplemented his salary 
 by showing strangers over the opium works, and taking 
 them to his tea-shop, he dir 1 rot rob his employer.
 
 AFLOAT AND ASHORE. 229 
 
 His accounts were always satisfactory. 
 He put his hand in the pocket of the loose dress h 
 wore and handed Josiah Davis a printed paper. 
 Its contents were as follows: 
 
 "In the name of the sun, moon and stars, the strictlj 
 honourable Ah Sing sendeth greeting to all intelligent 
 strangers staying in the English City of Singapore, at 
 which all ships call. 
 
 ' ' Ah Sing is the head of the great opium factory at 
 Chinatown. Please take particular notice. 
 
 "He is also proprietor of the Pagoda tea-house, where 
 you can have the best Souchong, Bohea, and Pekoe. 
 N.B. Leaves not coloured ; pure tea. 
 
 "There are rooms to experiment in smoking the opium 
 
 e'pe, which will produce dreams of bliss. It is a cheap 
 eaven. NOTE. This is true. 
 
 "Come for a drive to CUinatown ; only five miles out. 
 Ask for the strictly honourable Ah Sing. 
 
 " For one dollar, OT two rupees, he will show each one 
 all, and can refresh with tea of the best, and pipe at 
 Pagoda House for same sum. 
 
 " The poppies in fields very fine view just now. 
 
 ' ' Ah Sitg, the strictly honourable and highly consid- 
 ered. 
 
 " Cniiatown opium works, as above. 
 
 -* Oi your kindly, sentimental, and gentlemanly favours 
 
 f og. 
 
 "An SING." 
 
 Mr. Davis could not help laughing when he had read 
 this comical circular. 
 
 It showed that the Chinaman had a good opinion of 
 himself. 
 
 Frank also joined in the mirth. 
 
 "So, you rascal, "said Mr. Davis, "that is how you 
 make money out of me ? " 
 
 Ah Sing bowed politely, and indulged in a quiet grin. 
 
 " Must livee somehow," he replied. 
 
 "That is all right ; it does not hurt me, so long as you 
 do your work. Listen ! " 
 
 "Speakee. The recipient of your bounty is notdeafee." 
 
 "Take one of your precious circulars to the Hotel
 
 230 JA CK HARK A WA Y 'S AD VENTURES 
 
 Victoria in Singapore, and send it up to a gentleman 
 named Harkaway." 
 
 "Yes, remember namee ; the honourable Harkawayee." 
 
 " Persuade him to come to the Pagoda tea-house. You 
 can show him over the works if you like, but do not men - 
 tion my name. Get him to smoke opium or drug him." 
 
 Ah Sing looked at the carpet as if he were admiring the 
 pattern. 
 
 "Do you hear me ? " cried Mr. Davis. 
 
 "One thousand dollars for only thatee thingee?" the 
 Chinaman asked. 
 
 ' ' More than that. When this young man is stupefied, 
 you must cut off his ears. " 
 
 " Policemans takee me then." 
 
 " Carry him out amongst the poppies. Do it in a field, 
 and he will not be able to prove anything against you. 
 All he will know when he wakes up will be that his ears 
 are gone." 
 
 "Velleegood. Me do it, your high mightiness excel- 
 lent master. I see about it this afternoonee. To-morrow 
 I will be an attender to Harkawayee." 
 
 "Don't make a mull of it," said Frank. 
 
 Ah Sing assured the father and son that they might rely 
 on his discretion, and after being given some refreshment 
 he retired to carry out the preliminaries of this nefarious 
 scheme. 
 
 Walking back to Chinatown through the poppy-fields, 
 which were all aglow with bloom, he gave himself up to 
 thought. 
 
 The town was composed of houses built of wood, dried 
 in the hot sun ; houses which would burn like tinder if 
 they once caught fire. 
 
 At the Pagoda tea-house, which was his domicile, he 
 obtained a mule he was in the habit of riding, and started 
 for Singapore. 
 
 He put on a bland, child-like and inoffensive air. 
 
 It was well calculated to deceive anybody. 
 
 No one would have thought that his heart was full of 
 guile. 
 
 As the sun was declining in the west in a flood of golden 
 splendour, he arrived at the city. 
 
 Leaving the mule in a stable, Ah Sing walked to the 
 hotel where Jack Harkaway and his friends were staying.
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 23 1 
 
 The entire service of the hotel was conducted by China- 
 men, who rejoiced in long pig-tails, the glory of their 
 race. 
 
 Accosting one of his countrymen, the indefatigable Ah 
 Sing said 
 
 " Havee stayee the English Mandarin, Harkawayee?" 
 
 "Yes," was the reply. "First floor numberee sixee." 
 
 " What your honourable namee ? " 
 
 "Hi Chung." 
 
 ' ' Veree vellee. Hi ! here is halfee dollar to let me 
 show him a trade letteree." 
 
 "What is the namee of your esteemed familee ? " asked 
 Hi Chung. 
 
 " I rejoice in the time-honoured name of Ah Sing." 
 
 "You can be a proceeder to numberee sixee, and if 
 there are any forks or spoons missing, the distinguished 
 policeman will look for Ah Sing." 
 
 "We are not a stealee familee," replied Ah Sing, shak- 
 ing his pig-tail angrily. 
 
 "May you never losee your hairee ! " said Hi Chung. 
 
 This remark was meant to convey a wish, sarcastically 
 expressed, that he might never go to prison. 
 
 The first operation a prisoner is subjected to on enter- 
 ing a jail is to have his hair cut. 
 
 A Chinaman holds that he is disgraced for life if his 
 much cherished pig-tail is cut off. 
 
 As he kneels on the hard concrete of the prison floor, 
 and the warder's scissors, as large as shears, snip off his 
 pig-tail, he seems to undergo excruciating mental agony. 
 
 Ah Sing smiled, waved his hand paternally to Hi 
 Chung, and went upstairs. 
 
 Harvey had a slight attack of ague, and having taken 
 a strong dose of quinine, had gone to bed. 
 
 Jack was playing a game of chess with Professor Mole, 
 who was jubilant at having checkmated his opponent. 
 
 Emily was in her own apartment, preparing for dinner, 
 which would be served in about an hour. 
 
 Monday had thrown himself down in a corner on a 
 rug, and was dozing like a cat. 
 
 It was a peculiarity of his that he slept with one eye 
 and one ear open. 
 
 His sense of hearing was so acute, that he could hear 
 the slightest sound.
 
 232 JA CK HARKA WA Y'S ADVENTURES 
 
 "I think, Master Jack," exclaimed Mr. Mole, "that 
 you will own yourself beaten this time." 
 
 "It is only the first game, sir ; best two out of three, 
 you know," Jack replied. 
 
 " Ah, hum ! That is one way of getting out of it ; but 
 perhaps there is some game you play better than this. " 
 
 ' ' Don't chaff. " 
 
 " If so, I shall be glad to oblige you." 
 
 It was at this moment that Ah Sing arrived outside 
 number six. 
 
 The disciple of Confucius knocked at the door. 
 
 ' ' Come in ! " cried Jack. 
 
 The terra-cotta coloured son of a Mongolian did not 
 hesitate to enter. 
 
 He smiled unctuously, as only a Chinaman can smile, 
 and bowed. 
 
 Advancing to Jack, he held up one of his printed 
 circulars. 
 
 "For the high and mightee mandarin, Lord Harka- 
 wayee," he said 
 
 "Thank you," replied Jack. "I'm getting on in the 
 world. I didn't know I had been raised to the peerage ! " 
 
 "Be a condescender and readee my paperee." 
 
 " With pleasure. Sit down." 
 
 "It is not for me to sit in the distinguished presence of 
 so great a mandarin." 
 
 "All right. Stand if you like," said Jack. 
 
 Mr. Mole looked at Jack with a smile. 
 
 " That observation of yours reminds me," he remarked, 
 "that I ought to ask you what you are going to stand. 
 I vanquished you, and to the victor belong the spoils." 
 
 "Have what you like. Ring the bell, sir, and let me 
 read this heathen Chinee's effusion." 
 
 "Is it good? " 
 
 "It strikes me as being very funny. You shall see it 
 and judge for yourself presently." 
 
 When he had finished reading it, he gave it to Mr. Mole. 
 
 "Opium-making," said the professor ; "that must be 
 an interesting process. I should much like to see it. I 
 vote we go. It will be a new experience to smoke the 
 pipe of peace." 
 
 "The poppy-fields, I hear, are lovely in the extreme," 
 Jack remarked. " I do not mind smoking a pipe of opium
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 233 
 
 for the fun of the thing, but I should be very sorry to con- 
 tract a habit of it, as it is a most soul-deadening custom." 
 
 " Horrible! It makes a slave of a man. I say, Mr. 
 Strictly Honourable Ah Sing, what part of China do you 
 come from? " 
 
 "Canton, most venerable," replied Ah Sing. 
 
 "Indeed! I have a tea-garden the^e. Did you ever 
 hear the name of Mole ? " 
 
 Ah Sing tapped his forehead and reflected for a brief 
 space. 
 
 " I think he knows you, sir," said Jack. 
 
 " Of course he does. They must have heard of my tea- 
 garden. You talk like a child." 
 
 " Canton is a big place." 
 
 "Wait and hear what the fellow has to say ; he looks 
 very respectable and highly intelligent." 
 
 "Chinese people are doubtful characters, sir." 
 
 "You are easily prejudiced. Because you fancy he is 
 going to say something good of me, you are annoyed." 
 
 ' ' Not at all. It would be a novelty. " 
 
 " Harkaway, you are insulting. My age ought to 
 entitle me to respect, but you are my boy. I helped to 
 educate you ; I brought you up ; I taught the young idea 
 how to shoot ; I formed your mind, and made you the 
 fine character you are ; and bless you, I forgive you. " 
 
 "That is good of you," Jack answered. 
 
 "I am of a forgiving disposition." 
 
 "That is something new about you." 
 
 "Say what you like, it is a censorious world, and boys 
 are sadly given to chaff." 
 
 "I am not a boy now I am a young man and a 
 gentleman." 
 
 "What am I ?" asked Mr. Mole. 
 
 " Oh, don't ask riddles ! You wouldn't like it if I called 
 you an old humbug," replied Jack impatiently. 
 
 " Harkaway, you will bring my grey hairs with sorrow 
 to the grave ! " 
 
 "Bosh!" 
 
 "Harkaway, you are like a lively puppy; you will 
 bark away. Be you silent." 
 
 " Well," said Jack, " I like your style, old man." 
 
 Just then Ah Sing lifted his head. 
 
 The recollection had come to him.
 
 234 JA CK HARK A WA Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 "Yes," he exclaimed, "I do remember one of your 
 namee. There was Ah Fool Mole." 
 
 The professor reddened. 
 
 His ire began to rise rapidly. 
 
 " What do you mean, you rascally heathen ? " he cried. 
 
 ' ' Meanee nothingee. " 
 
 " You called me a fool ! " 
 
 "That was the namee. Ah Fool ! China namee. " 
 
 "It may be a porcelain name, or a Bohemian glass 
 name, as well as a China one, but I don't like it. " 
 
 "Can't helpee that. They callee him so," replied 
 Ah Sing. 
 
 "What was he?" 
 
 "Carree water. Sell in the streetee." 
 
 "Common water-carrier?" gasped the professor. 
 
 " Yes ; no goodee no goodee.' 
 
 'A low fellow !" 
 
 " Veree lowee, till they raised him a bit" 
 
 " Oh ! they raised him ? " 
 
 "Yes, they raisee Ah Fool Mole." 
 
 The professor smiled blandly. 
 
 "You see, Jack," he exclaimed, "we are getting at 
 the facts, in a gradual manner/' 
 
 " We are a long time about i:," replied Jack. 
 
 "Don't be impatient" 
 
 " It is a long yarn and a tough one, sir." 
 
 " Don't you wish to hear about my namesake in 
 Canton, China?" 
 
 "Ah Fool Mole?" 
 
 " Do you want to hear or not ? " 
 
 " I don't particularly care about it, though it may be 
 family history, my dear sir." 
 
 " Don't be unkind Will you listen ? " 
 
 Jack crossed his legs and lighted a cigarette. 
 
 "Anything for a quiet life," he answered. "Go 
 ahead." 
 
 "You will see that Ah Fool I don't like the name " 
 
 "It is good enough for you J " 
 
 "Will you be quiet?" 
 
 ' ' Go ahead, I say. " 
 
 "You will see that Ah Fool went to the front like a 
 solid man ; he elevated himself," continued the professor. 
 
 " I hope so."
 
 AFLOAT AND ASHORE, 235 
 
 "Just wait. Now, my Celestial friend, go on with your 
 story. What became of my namesake ? " 
 
 Ah Sing rolled his almond eyes. 
 
 " They raisee him," he replied 
 
 "In what way? " 
 
 "They hangee him ! " 
 
 Mr. Mole jumped about a foot in the air. 
 
 ' ' What ! " he cried. ' ' Hanged him ? " 
 
 "Yes, hangee Ah Fool Mole." 
 
 "You lying scoundrel ! What for? " 
 
 "He killee a man, to rob him of a dollar," answered 
 Ah Sing. 
 
 With a gasp Mr. Mole sank into a chair. 
 
 " I won't believe it," he said. 
 
 "The man lived in Canton before he came here, and he 
 ought to know, sir," Jack replied. 
 
 ' ' It's a base libel on a respectable family. " 
 
 "Certainly it is a blot on your escutcheon I'll admit 
 that ; but perhaps you weren't born to be drowned." 
 
 "Thank you." 
 
 " Oh, don't mention it," said Jack, carelessly. 
 
 "You mean to insinuate that I ought to be hanged, or 
 shall be hanged. '* 
 
 " Like your namesake, Ah Fool Mole, of Canton ? " 
 
 " Do you intend to convey that'? " 
 
 " People don't always get their deserts, sir," was Jack's 
 answer. 
 
 " You are quick at repartee, but allow me to tell you 
 that people can be too sharp. " 
 
 "What about Ah Fool Mole, of Canton, who " 
 
 " Drop it" 
 
 "Who was er elevated?" 
 
 " No connection of mine, Harkaway. I wouldn't Own 
 him." 
 
 "Uncle or cousin, sir ? " 
 
 "I wouldn't find him," replied the professor. "He 
 does not exist in my genealogical tree." 
 
 ' ' Some kind of relation. I hope the complaint does 
 not run in the family." 
 
 "No more ; drop it. The subject is distasteful to me. 
 I would not have Ah Fool hate the name ! in my family 
 as a gift." 
 
 Jack laughed.
 
 236 JA CK HARK A WAY'S AD VEN1 URES 
 
 1 ' Oh, you can grin, " said Mr. Mole. ** I've seen a donkey 
 laugh when he came across a thistle." 
 
 "Were you gazing in a looking-glass, sir? " 
 
 " Will you hold your tongue ? " 
 
 " Can't do it, sir. It's a way I've got," answered 
 Jack. 
 
 While they were engaged in this animated, but some- 
 what acrimonious discussion, Ah Sing had strayed to a 
 side table. 
 
 On it was a galvanic battery in a wooden case. 
 
 It was charged up to five hundred volts. 
 
 Jack had bought it for Emily, who had not been very 
 strong lately. 
 
 The doctor said H would tone up her nervous system. 
 
 There were two brass knobs to hold, one in each 
 hand. 
 
 Somebody had to turn a handle, and the electricity was 
 conveyed to the person holding the knobs. 
 
 It was impossible to let go while the shock lasted. 
 
 If the handle of the machine were turned violently, the 
 one who held the knobs suffered great pain, the whole 
 system being convulsed with electricity. 
 
 When the handle ceased turning, the current was 
 stopped. 
 
 Mr. Mole noticed that Ah Sing was looking curiously 
 at the instrument 
 
 " My friend," he said, " do you wish to investigate the 
 mysteries of science ? " 
 
 " What kind of thingee is this ? " asked Ah Sing. 
 
 " A revigorator. It puts new life into you ; it is better 
 than all the massage and electric belts." 
 
 "Me tryee it" 
 
 "If you like." 
 
 Jack nudged the professor's arm. 
 
 ' ' Let him alone, " he whispered. 
 
 " Not I," replied Mole. " 111 pay him out for Ah Fool. 
 I'll give him a twister, or I'm not here." 
 
 " You are vindictive." 
 
 " Listen to his death- wail in a minute." 
 
 "Spare him." 
 
 "Not I." 
 
 "The strong ought always to be merciful," remarked 
 Jack.
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 237 
 
 " I'd like to flay him alive, the rascal. Ill Ah Fool 
 him, see if I don't." 
 
 " He couldn't help it if your relation was hanged." 
 
 ' ' It's a falsehood ; he was not. " 
 
 "Ah Sing, the strictly honourable, says so." 
 
 " He's a well, I won't use bad language ; it is unbe- 
 coming for one in my position to do so, though I am 
 sorely tried. Wait a while." 
 
 "What for?" 
 
 " I'll make an example of him." 
 
 Saying this, Mr. Mole walked up to Ah Sing. 
 
 "Take the brass knobs in your hands," he exclaimed. 
 
 "That veree simplee," replied Ah Sing. 
 
 He did as he was directed. 
 
 " Hold tight," continued the professor. 
 
 "You bettee." 
 
 "Are you ready ?" 
 
 "Alice rightee. Me readee ; go aheadee," answered 
 Ah Sing. 
 
 Mr. Mole turned the handle of the battery. 
 
 The electric current began to run up Ah Sing's arms, 
 and pervade his body. 
 
 He writhed, twisted, and contorted himself. 
 
 " Stoppee, stoppee ! " he cried. 
 
 "Not yet. You're in for it, my friend," replied Mole. 
 
 " Oh, ough ! I can not bearee it ! " 
 
 "You'll have to. I'll make you skip lively." 
 
 Ah Sing began to dance like a bear on hot bricks. 
 
 "Leavee off! "he yelled. "Devil's gottee hold of 
 me ! " 
 
 "I'll give you Ah Fool ! " 
 
 Mr. Mole continued to turn the handle vigorously. 
 
 The perspiration rolled in streams down the contorted 
 face of Ah Sing. 
 
 The unfortunate Chinaman shouted, stamped and 
 struggled, but all in vain. 
 
 He was utterly powerless to let go the handles, which 
 by electric force had him as in a vi<~e. 
 
 His hair bristled, and his long pigtail swung to and fro 
 like the pendulum of a clock. 
 
 " Ah Fool Mole, am I ? " said the professor, slackening 
 the electric current a little. 
 
 " Notee you," replied Ah Sing.
 
 238 JA CK HARKA WA Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 "Who then?" 
 
 "Your relations in Canton. Lettee go. Me be a par- 
 alysee soon ! " 
 
 " Not before you apologise." 
 
 " Me makee a mistakee. Veree soiree." 
 
 " You never knew a relation of mine of that name." 
 
 " Notee Mole. Thinkee now, it was Cole." 
 
 "Ah Fool Cole. That is more like it Cole, you see, 
 Jack, Cole ; he has mixed the names up. " 
 
 "Release him, sir," replied Jack. "We all know you 
 are an awful mole at times." 
 
 " Do you join in as well in ridiculing your mentor and 
 instructor your faithful Achates, who has accompanied 
 you in your Odyssey ? " 
 
 ' ' Cut the Greek references, sir, and come to the busi- 
 ness of the evening." 
 
 "I will, and more than that, I will give you a glass of 
 the finest wine you ever tasted," said Mr. Mole. 
 
 " Bravo ! You are a brick." 
 
 The professor released Ah Sing, who trembled for a 
 little while, but did not seem much the worse for the 
 galvanism he had been subjected to. 
 
 In fact he was more frightened than hurt. 
 
 Electricity, except in the shape of a thunder-storm, was 
 an entirely new thing to him. 
 
 " How do you feel now, my Cochin China rooster?" 
 asked Mr. Mole in a jocular tone. 
 
 " Me feelee like jumpee over the moonee," answered 
 Ah Sing, whose nerves were yet quivering. 
 
 "Was it nice?" 
 
 " Bad. Me glad it all overee." 
 
 " You shall have a little wine. I did not tell you, Jack, 
 that I bought a quarter-cask of imported Cadiz sherry 
 yesterday, and had it put in yonder cupboard, tapped and 
 ready for use. I am not able to bear the hotel-charges 
 for wines. Let the Heathen Chinee wait on us." 
 
 "If the strictly honourable and highly respectable one, 
 will condescend to do so," replied Jack. 
 
 "Ha, ha ! Let him refuse, that is all ! " 
 
 "You have been sampling that sherry, sir, on the strict 
 Q.T., haven't you?" 
 
 " Only a glass or two a mere trifle. It is very good 
 though ; I can recommend it."
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 
 
 2 39 
 
 "Don't irritate the Celestial too much." 
 
 "Bah! In the language of the ring, what price a 
 Mongolian or a Malay in a conflict with me ? Pish ! I 
 should pulverise him ! " said the professor, snapping his 
 ringers contemptuously at Ah Sing. 
 
 "We all know you are brave, sir." 
 
 " Have I not proved it in a dozen fights of Homeric 
 dimensions ? I am a very Ajax for valour 1 " 
 
 " I'm sure you deserve the Victoria Cross." 
 
 " Pshaw ! The only cross I bear is the worry of look- 
 ing after and taking care of you." 
 
 "Don't you like it?" 
 
 "No, I do not, frankly." 
 
 "Then you know what you can do." 
 
 " What is that ? " asked Mr. Mole. 
 
 " Do the other thing lump it," replied Jack. 
 
 The professor sighed deeply. 
 
 "Oh, the ingratitude of the rising generation!" he 
 groaned. "Boys were very different when I was young 
 to what they are now. I was taught to respect my elders : 
 you scoff at them." 
 
 "Do I scoff well, sir? I like to do everything well." 
 
 "Alas ! too well," replied Mr. Mole, "and well I know 
 it You blight my life ; yes you are a blighter." 
 
 " Thank you. That is a new name." 
 
 "I can conscientiously call you nothing but a blighter. 
 You were told in your boyhood days that, to have faith- 
 fully learnt the fine arts, and acquired softened manners, 
 would prevent people from being fierce and wild. You 
 drive me to drink." 
 
 " It strikes me you do not want much driving." 
 
 "Peace! Enough of this. Friend Sing, take this 
 key : it turns the tap of the sherry cask." 
 
 "Turnee the tapee? " asked Ah Sing. 
 
 "Yes. In the cupboard, on the shelf, you will find a 
 crystal jug and glasses. Draw the wine, as Horace 
 dear, good, old convivial Horace sings, in the First Book 
 of Odes. I thrashed you once for not construing that 
 correctly, Harkaway you must remember it. Now is 
 the time to drink ; now we will beat the earth with a 
 quick foot, which is a synonym for dancing." 
 
 " I'm not at school now, thank goodness." 
 
 "Ingrate!"
 
 240 JA CK HARKA WA VS AD VENTURES 
 
 "Go on, sir, call me names." 
 
 " Let me speak of Anacreon, who loved to see the ruby 
 wine sparkle in the cup, what time his slave held it for 
 him ! Ah Sing shall be my Ganymede." 
 
 "Shut up," said Jack, who did not feel classically in- 
 clined. 
 
 " You know those lines beginning " 
 
 " Hire a hall if you want to spout, and give a lec- 
 ture. " 
 
 " Has contact with savages blunted your mind and 
 deadened your soul to a sense of the sublime and 
 beautiful ? " 
 
 "Give us a rest," cried Jack, impatiently. 
 
 Mr. Mole turned up the whites of his eyes. 
 
 " O tempora, O mores," he muttered. 
 
 While this conversation if a one-sided dialogue can be 
 dignified with that name was going on, Ah Sing had 
 opened the cupboard and drawn the wine. 
 
 But the wily Chinaman had done more than that. 
 
 He intended to have his revenge on Mr. Mole for tha 
 galvanic shock he had received. 
 
 When he had drawn the wine, he threw the key into a 
 dark corner and left the tap running. 
 
 " Ha ! " exclaimed the professor, " this is something like 
 wine. It cost me a large sum ; it is an old, high-priced 
 wine. Superlativa, the merchants who meet on the Rialto 
 call it." 
 
 " That's a good word, sir; I'd have that stuffed," said 
 Jack. 
 
 ' None of your nonsense, if you please." 
 'When stuffed, put in a glass case." 
 
 ' Superlativa is " 
 
 ' We don't want too much ' Superlativa, sir, but just 
 enough ; any more would be a superfluity." 
 'Taste it." 
 ' With all the pleasure in life." 
 
 Mr. Mole filled three glasses, when suddenly his ear 
 heard a noise as of water running rapidly. 
 
 He cast his eye towards the cupboard. 
 
 The truth became apparent in a moment. 
 
 Ah Sing had not turned the tap off, and his special 
 Superlativa, imported from Cadiz, in Spain, was running 
 rapidly to waste.
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 2 4 l 
 
 As a matter of fact, the wine had never seen Spain, 
 but was a vile decoction manufactured at the Cape. 
 
 There were a dozen headaches and other aches in every 
 quart of it, as anyone who has drunk Cape wine will 
 testify. 
 
 "You scoundrel ! " cried Mr. Mole, " turn that tap off. 
 You've left it running." 
 
 Ah Sing ran to the cupboard. 
 
 "Stoppee the tappee ! " he said. 
 
 "Yes, quick; all my wine will runaway. Think of 
 the cost of it ! The ceiling below will be soaked the 
 carpets all spoiled. Won't they bring me in a bill Here's 
 another blight ! Oh, you idiot ! You, you " 
 
 "Can't findee the key," Ah Sing answered. 
 
 "What have you done with it ? " 
 
 "It has fallen somewhere. Can not tellee where." 
 
 " Look for it, you son of a sea-cook." 
 
 "Oh, the language, sir ! " put in Jack. " Did the gentles 
 manly Horace speak like that? " 
 
 " I'll make him feel worse than a boiled owl presently." 
 
 "Is that according to Anacreon, sir?" 
 
 "The wretched blighter! I'll do for him ; I'll be the 
 death of the Heathen," shouted Mr. Mole. 
 
 Ah Sing looked at Jack. 
 
 " You comee to-morrow," he said. 
 
 " That's settled," replied Jack. 
 
 " Alice righ tee." 
 
 Saying this, Ah Sing dodged a cnair and a couple of 
 spittoons that Mole threw at him, and ran out of the room. 
 
 Going to the cupboard, the professor looked ruefully at 
 the cask, from which the wine was running as fast as it 
 could. 
 
 "Oh, dear!" he exclaimed, " this is indeed a blight. 
 I shall have to turn the cask base over apex." 
 
 " Is that English for upside down ? " 
 
 "Nevermind the interpretation. Here goes. I will 
 save all I possibly can." 
 
 As he spoke, the professor put the cask on end, and the 
 flow at once stopped. 
 
 Harkaway tasted the wine. 
 
 " I say," he cried, " where did you get this stuff? * 
 
 "What's the matter with ; i? " 
 
 "I call it sudden death.'' 
 16
 
 942 JA CK HARK A WA Y 'S AD VENTURES, 
 
 "My dear boy," replied Mr. Mole, "your taste is not 
 educated," 
 
 "I know good wine from bad." 
 
 ' ' Ah ! you have a lot to learn. I will go out for a walk 
 and see the shipping in the harbour ; I love a ship. I go 
 on board, I give my card to the purser, and seeing that I 
 am a learned man and a traveller, he treats me with " 
 
 "Whisky ! " Jack interrupted. 
 
 ' ' No ; with respect." 
 
 Putting his hat on, Mr. Mole strode away indignantly. 
 
 Scarcely was he gone than Monday sprang up from the 
 skin on which he had been lying. 
 
 ' ' Hullo, ebony, what's the matter with you ? " Jack en- 
 quired. 
 
 "Mast* Jack, 'um want to speak to you," replied 
 Monday. 
 
 There was a strange light in his eyea 
 
 CHAPTER XLL 
 
 MONDAY GOES ON A LITTLE JOURNEY AND ENCOUNTERS MORE 
 ADVENTURES THAN HE BARGAINED FOR. 
 
 JACK always paid the greatest attention to any thing that 
 came from Monday. 
 
 He had faith in the sagacity of his black servant and 
 companion. 
 
 " Out with it ; I'm listening," he said. 
 "You and Mist' Mole going to-morrow to that China- 
 man's house, sah ? " asked Monday. 
 
 "Yes, just for the fun of the thing, and to while away 
 the time. We are stuck here for another week owing to 
 the breakdown of the mail-steamer for Europe, you 
 know." 
 
 ' Ah Sing am one rascal thief." 
 ' How can you tell ? " 
 
 'Very easy, sah," answered Monday. "Nature write 
 it on um bad, bold, yet cunning face." 
 
 ' I thought he looked as guileless and simple as a child. " 
 ' Put all dat on. Chinaman got a different face for 
 ebery hour io the day."
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 243 
 
 "Are they such a bad lot then ? " 
 
 "The worst in the world," said Monday ; "everybody 
 %tf!l you so. No Chinamen in Heaven ! The Lord won't 
 hab nuffin' to do with them. Where Ah Sing live ? " 
 
 "At a place called Chinatown. He is manager of an 
 opium factory, and runs a tea-house and smoke-room. 
 Calls his drum the Pagoda, I think." 
 
 "Think I go there," observed Monday. 
 
 " What for ? Do you smoke opium ? " 
 
 "The Lord forbid. Bad habit that, Mast' Jack; play 
 Old Nick with the nervous system. Don't mind a pipe ob 
 good, sound, honest tobacco, but bar smoke opium-joint" 
 
 " What are you going to Chinatown for, then ? " 
 
 "Jes' to take a little journey, Mast' Jack, and find out 
 who dis Ah Sing chap is." 
 
 "Precisely what 1 have told you," replied Harkaway. 
 
 "That is his story ; not good enough for dis child. Ah 
 Sing got mighty bad face ; me not like um. Berry likely 
 him visit all one big plant to hurt you." 
 
 " How can that be ? " 
 
 "You forgot Frank Davis already?" queried Monday. 
 " If so, you got berry poor memory." 
 
 " I don't think we shall be troubled by him. I sickened 
 him when I nailed his ear up." 
 
 "Who told you that he had forgiven him injury like 
 that ? Jes' very thing to rankle in um mind. You sit 
 down and think all safe. Bah ! you what street boys call 
 um mug. Hab more sense, sah ! " 
 
 "Don't bother me. I shall go and see Ah Sing to- 
 morrow," persisted Jack. 
 
 " Me go to-night and find out." 
 
 "I hope to have a lark with Sing and Mole. Did you 
 hear Sing tell the professor that in Canton he knew an 
 Ah Fool Mole? It made me laugh, but didn't Mole get 
 savage ? " 
 
 " Me hear and see, too. Mist' Mole so mad he hop on 
 one leg." 
 
 " He soon loses his temper now, but he was always, 
 rather thin-skinned and touchy," remarked Jack. 
 
 "Um got good heart all same, sah," replied Monday. 
 
 "Yes ; he is very faithful and affectionate." 
 
 " T'ink all the world ob you, Mast' Jack. Jes' same a> 
 Monday. Bleeve both die for you, if want um. "
 
 3 44 JA CK HARKA WA Y'S ADVENTURES 
 
 Jack smiled pleasantly at this speech, which showed 
 how highly esteemed he was by those about him. 
 
 " I hope I shall never have occasion to call upon either 
 of you to make such a sacrifice," he rejoined. 
 
 " Hab a glass of Mist' Mole's wine, then I be off to see 
 what kind of a person this Ah Sing is." 
 
 " Help yourself." 
 
 Monday poured out a glass, drank it, and made a wry 
 face. 
 
 "What kind of stuff you call this, Mast' Jack?" he 
 asked. " It um worse than a sour grape. Pah ! not up 
 to much. Kind of hog's wash, I should t'ink." 
 
 " Some one has imposed on Mole. He thinks it is fine 
 wine. " 
 
 "Want to insure um life before anyone drink much of 
 this. It what the sailors call very bad booze. No more." 
 
 " Declined with thanks, as the editor said to the school- 
 girl's poem," observed Jack. 
 
 "Missey Emily go with you to-morrow to opium 
 place ? " asked Monday. 
 
 "No, I sha'n't take her. That kind of thing wouldn't 
 interest a lady." 
 
 " Mast' Harvey too much sick with ague to go. Jes' 
 you and Mist' Mole, that is all. I see. Well, I proceed 
 first, and if there any scheme on to hurt you, I find um 
 out and give you warning." 
 
 "Good old Monday," exclaimed Jack. 
 
 Monday grinned, showing his white teeth, and was off 
 like a shot. 
 
 While pretending to be asleep on the skins, he had 
 listened and narrowly watched Ah Sing's sallow counte- 
 nance. 
 
 In the hall of the hotel he saw Hi Chung, the waiter 
 who had spoken to Ah Sing on his entrance. 
 
 Monday had a supreme contempt for all Chinese, think- 
 ing the men of Limbi and even the Pisangs far superior. 
 
 The Chinese returned the compliment by hating the 
 inhabitants of the Malay Peninsula. 
 
 At the same time they dreaded them as a brave, fierce, 
 and warlike race, which the Chinese certainly are not. 
 
 "Hi, hi! Mist' Hi Chung," cried Monday. "You tell 
 me the way to a place called Chinatown ? " 
 
 "Veree vellee. It is the road out of the city on the
 
 AFLOAT AND ASHORE. 24? 
 
 rightee. A sign-post will direct more nearee," replied Hi 
 Chung. "Do you go to the strictly honourable, highly 
 intelligent, and magnificently uprightee Ah Sing ? " 
 
 "That is my business, not yours. You half-washed 
 niggers are too cheeky," cried Monday ; "and as for um 
 friend, Ah Sing, I wouldn't trust him with the care of one 
 single dollar." 
 
 " Halfee-washee, eh? What kind of nigger you callee 
 yourself? " demanded Hi Chung. 
 
 "I'm one of the dandy kind from um island of Limbi, 
 where we eat every morning a Chinaman for um break- 
 fast. I'll eat you. " 
 
 "Cannibal, eatee manee I " 
 
 "That is the sort of a nigger I am, you bet," said 
 Monday, opening his mouth wide. 
 
 The Chinaman was alarmed. 
 
 He fell on his knees in a state of abject terror. 
 
 "No eatee me," he cried. "Me veree sorry to be 
 cheekee to so distinguished a person. Your high might" 
 iness will forgive the humblest of your slaves." 
 
 " Mind you are always as civil as this, or I'll have your 
 pig-tail. Remember who I am in future ! " 
 
 Saying this, Monday gave Hi Chung a kick which sent 
 him sprawling several feet up the hall. 
 
 "Pah ! " he muttered, as he quitted the hotel, "Chinese 
 no good, except to lie and steal money to gamble with. 
 One must kick um to make um civil." 
 
 Hi Chung got up and bowed. 
 
 "Thankee veree muchee, O Lord of the White 
 Elephant ! " he exclaimed mildly. 
 
 Taking no heed of him, Monday walked in the direction 
 indicated, and soon found the road leading to China- 
 town. 
 
 ' ' Mast' Jack too easy, " he muttered, ' ' too trusting in his 
 own strength. Me find out all ; Monday business man 
 up to date. Soon see what Ah Sing is about, and not be 
 long-winded over it either." 
 
 Acquaintance with civilisation had taught Monday 
 many things which he had never dreamed of in his island 
 of Limbi. 
 
 Among these was the practise of carrying an umbrella 
 in one hand to keep off the sun, and a fan in the other to 
 brush off those everlasting pests, the flies and mosquitoes.
 
 2 46 JA CK HA RKA WAY'S AD VENTURES 
 
 By the time he arrived at Chinatown, he was tired and 
 thirsty. 
 
 He had imbibed a liking for tea, and was looking for- 
 ward to a cup of the refreshing beverage. 
 
 Almost one of the first buildings that attracted his at- 
 tention was the Pagoda house. 
 
 A signboard, with English writing on, informed every- 
 body that it was kept by the highly respectable and 
 strictly honourable Ah Sing, formerly of Canton, China. 
 
 Chinese lanterns hung over the verandahs under which 
 people were sitting at small tables drinking tea. 
 
 There were also rooms inside where parties could make 
 themselves comfortable. 
 
 Ah Sing was standing at the door with a big fan in his 
 hand, and a cheroot in his mouth, one of the best that 
 Manilla could produce. 
 
 "Good-evening," said Monday. "I have come from 
 Singapore to drink some tea and smoke some pipe. 
 Everyone talk so much of um Pagoda house." 
 
 "Everything of the very fine best," replied Ah Sing. 
 "Souchong, Bohea, Pekoe, that is delicate green leafee, 
 lovalee flavour. Sittee downee. " 
 
 "Will you join me in a cup ? I will pay." 
 
 " Withee pleasure," answered Ah Sing. 
 
 "I am of the highly respectable, and I can see you are 
 the samee." 
 
 ' ' What you charge for um cup ? " 
 
 "Quarter of a dollar to a well-connected, true-bred 
 gentleman like you, descended from the firstee familees. " 
 
 Monday sat down under the verandah at a small table 
 by himself, and presently Ah Sing joined him, bearing 
 the teapot and two cups on a tray. 
 
 "I waiteeon you," he said, "instead ofmyservantees. 
 Wantee to talkee ? " 
 
 "As you please." 
 
 " Where you comee from ? " 
 
 "Nowhere in particular," answered Monday ; "a place 
 called Limbi. " 
 
 Ah Sing shook his head. 
 
 "Not knowee," he replied. " So many islands round 
 here. What your business ? " 
 
 "Big merchant," said Monday; "I trade in sponges 
 and shells."
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 247 
 
 " Spongees and shellees. Good ! " 
 
 "What do you do besides keeping this tea-house ? " in- 
 quired Monday, with an innocent far-away look in his 
 eyes. 
 
 Clever as Ah Sing undoubtedly was, he did not think 
 that Monday was fishing for information. 
 
 " Manage large opium factory for high-class mandarin," 
 was the ready reply. 
 
 "What is his name ? " 
 
 "Davis." 
 
 At hearing this answer, Monday nearly let his teacup 
 fall from his hand, but he controlled himself. 
 
 " You feelee badee ? " asked Ah Sing. 
 
 "Oh, no. Um got a touch of the country ague. Make 
 um hand shake, that is all," replied Monday. 
 
 Other customers came in, and Ah Sing, the strictly 
 honourable, went away to attend to them in person. 
 
 Monday was convinced, when he heard that the China- 
 man was the manager of Mr. Davis's opium factory, that 
 there was a plot on foot. 
 
 He waited, however, for further developments. 
 
 Nothing, however, occurred to arrest his attention. 
 
 He called tor a cigar, and smoked it placidly, being very 
 fond of smoking, which was a habit he had acquired from 
 the sailors on board ship. 
 
 He was not aware that all the cigars sold by Ah Sing 
 were, to suit the taste of his customers, soaked in a 
 solution of opium. 
 
 This produced a drowsy, dreamy condition of mind in 
 those habituated to it ; while to those not used to the 
 drug, in any shape, it induced sleep. 
 
 On Monday it had this effect. 
 
 He wanted to keep wide awake, but he fell fast asleep 
 in his chair, his head resting against the wall. 
 
 Scarcely had he been asleep five minutes, than Frank 
 Davis walked up to the Pagoda house. 
 
 His eyes instantly fell upon the well-known features of 
 Monday. 
 
 He was alarmed at his presence there, for it boded no 
 good for the success of his plans. 
 
 The cause of his visit to the Pagoda house, was his 
 anxiety to know if Ah Sing could get Jack to venture as 
 far as Chinatown.
 
 2 48 JA CK HARK A WA Y 'S AD VENTURES 
 
 Making sure that Monday was really asleep, and not 
 shamming, he hastily sought Ah Sing. 
 
 The strictly honourable one was in a private room 
 where the tea was made. 
 
 " Ha ! " he exclaimed, " you comee too soonee." 
 
 " How did you get on ? " asked Frank. 
 
 "First chop," replied Ah Sing. "To-morrow Hark- 
 awayee is to visit me, and also a friend callee old Ah 
 Fool Mole." 
 
 "I know him, but I fear there is something wrong." 
 
 "No, me doee the business allee rightee, samee as 
 Englishman," Ah Sing protested. 
 
 "Are you aware that you have a spy here?" 
 
 "Hongs and Gongs! " cried Ah Sing, who was not 
 much given to the use of expletives. 
 
 "You may well say that, and add Chingaring-a-Chop- 
 sticks, or any other forcible expression in your outland- 
 ish lingo," replied Frank Davis. 
 
 ' ' Where is he, this spy ee ? " 
 
 "Asleep under the verandah. He is a black fellow, 
 or coloured person as they term it ; a Lascar kind of chap. " 
 
 " Why, me talkee to him and he treatee to tea. Veree 
 nice-spoken man," said Ah Sing. 
 
 "You're a fool. He'd cut your throat and mine too." 
 
 "Who is he?" 
 
 " Harkaway's nigger, that's who he is, and I tell you 
 that he is down here for no good. He has been sent, or 
 come on his own hook, to spy out the land." 
 
 "Hum," muttered Ah Sing. "What we doee now? 
 This is rather awkward for plotee. " 
 
 " He must not be allowed to go away until you have 
 settled Harkaway, that is flat." 
 
 " Put him in some holee." 
 
 "Haven't you got a cellar you can shove him into? " 
 
 "Yes. Veree good dry cellar, full of emptee tea- 
 chestees," answered Ah Sing. 
 
 ' ' The very thing, nothing could be better. All you have 
 to do, is to bind his hands and feet while he is asleep. 
 It is dark now, and the customers have all gone away. " 
 
 "Yes," said Ah Sing. "Tea drinkee people gone, 
 only pipe smokers in opium roomee. " 
 
 " Do it at once then, or he may wake up, and he is a 
 devil to fight, I can tell you," exclaimed Frank Davis.
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 249 
 
 " Me no fightee man, but stick knifee, first-chop." 
 
 " Get a bit of rope and out along." 
 
 " You helpee me to carry in cellar presentlee ? " asked 
 A.h Sing. ' ' Too heavee nigger for me to liftee. " 
 
 Frank nodded assent. 
 
 Ah Sing found two pieces of rope, and glided up to 
 Monday like a snake. 
 
 The black still slept. 
 
 A thin rain was falling, making the air cool and fra 
 grant. 
 
 The heavy clouds drifting over the land, indicated that 
 there had been a storm out at sea. 
 
 Very gently, Ah Sing encircled Monday's wrists with 
 the rope, which he tied in a triple knot 
 
 "Pullee tightee," he muttered. "Don't wantee hinj 
 to be an escaper." 
 
 Kneeling down, he put the other bit of rope around hiri 
 ankles. 
 
 He had just time to fasten the knot when Monday 
 awoke. 
 
 As he opened his eyes, he also opened his mouth, 
 and indulged in a yawn, after which he tried to stretch 
 his limbs. 
 
 Great was his surprise, not unmixed with consternation, 
 when he found he could not move hand or foot. 
 
 He discovered, however, that he could move both feet 
 at once. 
 
 This he did, catching the retreating Ah Sing a heavy 
 and uncomfortable blow under the chin. 
 
 It sent him heels over head down the half-dozen wooden 
 steps which led up to the verandah. 
 
 He fell on his back in the muddy road, and began to 
 moan and groan. 
 
 Frank Davis came out on hearing the noise. 
 
 A dozen large Chinese lanterns were hanging to the 
 verandah, and had been lighted some time. 
 
 This light enabled him to see that Monday could not 
 move, which was a great relief to him. 
 
 It was not his desire to have a conflict with the black 
 
 Everyone who had ever fought with Monday had a 
 Vvholesome dread of him, and gave the black a wide berth. 
 
 "Ha! ha ! " he laughed in triumph, "you are fairly 
 cornered, you lump of black ivory."
 
 250 /A CK HARK A WAY'S AD VENTURES 
 
 Monday's unusually joyous countenance fell. 
 
 "Frank Davis, by golly 1 " he cried, "caught in ura 
 trap for certain, all through going to sleep. Fool ! that's 
 me fool ! and nothing else. Tie um hands and feet, 
 and make helpless. I'm no more use than a baby." 
 
 "How do you like doing the private detective busi- 
 ness, my highly intelligent coloured friend ? " 
 
 "Don't want to hold any talk with you." 
 
 "Because you don't know what to say," replied Frank 
 Davis. "You are discounted, I may say double dis- 
 counted. It was lucky I came here and saw you, for 
 Ah Sing did not know you. Now I shall be able to have 
 some fun with you, and be revenged on Harkaway 
 too." 
 
 Monday's eyes flashed. 
 
 " What you going to do to him? " he demanded. 
 
 "Wouldn't you like to know ? " sneered Davis. " Fish 
 and find out, that's good enough for you." 
 
 There was a loud wail from Ah Sing. 
 
 "What's the matter with you, you terra-cotta image ?" 
 asked Frank Davis ; "you aren't dying." 
 
 "Yes, me am a dyer," answered Ah Sing. "That nigger 
 kickee me under the chinee and makee my teethe all 
 rattlers." 
 
 "Brace up and rub your jaw." 
 
 "Talkee in painee." 
 
 "Don't talk then ; you can use your arms, I suppose? 
 Come and put this chap in the cellar you spoke of." 
 
 "Allee rightee, rie makee an effortee," replied Ah Sing. 
 
 "Look sharp, you arc such a time. I want to get 
 home to my supper," said Frank. 
 
 "Nigger givee me all the supperee I wantee." 
 
 He got up after making this doleful remark, and un- 
 locked a door under the verandah. 
 
 This led into the cellar, which was spacious and dry. 
 Scores of tea chests were scattered around, and in one 
 corner was a large tin receptacle full of opium. 
 
 Ah Sing had stolen this, in small packages, from the 
 works which he superintended for Josiah Davis. 
 
 Davis and the Chinaman now took hold of Monday 
 and carried him into the cellar. 
 
 They deposited him on the floor, giving him a tea-chest 
 for a pillow.
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 
 
 251 
 
 "Suppose he shouts and makes a noise, so as to attract 
 attention?" remarked Frank. "That won't do, you 
 know. We must guard against that." 
 
 " Me knockee him on the headee," Ah Sing replied. 
 
 "You may be asleep, or engaged about your business 
 in the day-time. Better gag him. " 
 
 " Don't knowee how to doee thatee, boss." 
 
 "I'll show you." 
 
 Frank went outside, took down a lantern, and groped 
 about till he found two pieces of wood, which he cut to 
 a certain length and bound together with a piece of string. 
 
 Then, on coming back, he said 
 
 "Now, my man, open your mouth. I've got a pill 
 for you. " 
 
 ' ' Let um go, you have no right to keep me here ! " 
 exclaimed Monday. " Um go to a magistrate when 
 you let um loose." 
 
 Davis bestowed a malignant look upon him. 
 
 "Perhaps you will never get out. Think yourself 
 lucky that I don't put a bullet in you," he replied. " Open 
 that potato trap of yours, double quick 1 Come, hurry up 1 " 
 
 Monday was obliged to submit 
 
 The gag was put in his mouth. He was now unable to 
 move or speak, and had the pleasant prospect before 
 him of remaining in that condition for probably twenty 
 hours. 
 
 Ah Sing and Davis retired j the door was locked and 
 Monday was alone. 
 
 The cellar was close and stuffy. Sand flies and mos- 
 quitos began to worry him ; but luckily for his peace of 
 mind and body, the drowsy feeling produced by the 
 opium-soaked cigar he had smoked, again overcame him. 
 
 He went off into a sound sleep. 
 
 CHAPTER XUI. 
 
 A DANGEROUS POSITION JACK HARKAWAY AND MOLE ARE DT THE 
 POWER OF THE CHINAMAN. 
 
 IT was about ten o'clock on the morning following the 
 day that Monday fell into the trap. 
 At the entrance to the village of Chinatown Jack and
 
 252 JACK HARKA WA Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 Mole dismounted, from mules they had ridden from 
 Singapore. 
 
 Telling the guide to let the mules graze, as they should 
 not want them again for several hours, they walked on. 
 
 They were on the look-out for the strictly reliable Ah 
 Sing's pagoda house. 
 
 In a short time it greeted their sight. 
 
 Ah Sing had been early to the opium factory, seen that 
 everything was going on properly, and returned early. 
 
 He was on the look-out for his expected visitors. 
 
 A smile of cunning, mingled with avarice, lighted up 
 his countenance. 
 
 Part of the night he had been awake arranging his plans. 
 
 He had determined to decoy Jack and the professor 
 into the country where he could stupefy them with opium. 
 Then he would, as ordered by Josiah and Frank Davis, 
 cut off both of Harka way's ears. 
 
 Going back to the pagoda house, he intended to liberate 
 Monday, whose death he did not wish to have on his 
 mind. 
 
 It would not be safe for him to remain in Chinatown. 
 
 He meant to escape into the interior of the island, 
 where he had friends, and hide himself. 
 
 In ten days or less, the steamer would sail with Jack 
 and his friends for England. 
 
 All danger of reprisals would be over. 
 
 "Good-day, my friend," exclaimed Jack. "Is our 
 breakfast ready ? " 
 
 "It is awaiting your honourable and esteemed appe- 
 tite," replied Ah Sing. 
 
 " What have you got ? " 
 
 "Tea of the best, pigeons, chickens, steak of cowbeef, 
 chopee from the woolee sheepee, bread, cakes, and the 
 usual condimentees," was the rejoinder. 
 
 "That will do. I am glad you have left puppy dogs, 
 rats, bird's-nest soup, and other Chinese delicacies out of 
 your bill of fare." 
 
 " I prepare a breakfastee fit for the distinguished Eng- 
 lishmanee. Please follow." 
 
 With a bow, and a childlike, innocent smile. Ah Sing 
 led the way to the top of the house. 
 
 This was flat, surrounded by a railing three feet high, 
 up which climbed creepers of various hues.
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 253 
 
 There was the beautiful blue of the Westaria, mingled 
 with the bright red of the canariensis. 
 
 About eight feet above the roof, was suspended an 
 awning to keep off the rays of the sun. 
 
 Chairs and tables were scattered about, and two or 
 three straw mattresses were put down for those who 
 wanted to lounge. 
 
 A splendid view of the adjacent poppy-fields was to be 
 obtained. 
 
 They were one mass of glorious colour. 
 
 Ah Sing disappeared to bring up the repast he had pre- 
 pared for them. 
 
 " This is lovely," remarked Jack. 
 
 ' ' Yes, " replied Mole, ' ' the sight will long linger in the 
 memory. " 
 
 To the left was a wood of palm-trees, through an open- 
 ing in which could be seen a small lake embosomed in 
 the foliage. 
 
 In the centre of the lake was an island of small propor- 
 tions, also covered with trees. 
 
 Principal among these was the Magnolia, now full of 
 flowers. 
 
 "What is that over there?" asked Jack, when the 
 Chinaman returned, and placed the tray on the table. 
 
 "The Lake of Pleasure, and the Island of Delight," 
 replied Ah Sing. 
 
 " Are there fish in it?" 
 
 "Veree many fishee." 
 
 "What kind?" 
 
 "Gold and silver. The highly distinguished visitors 
 to me often go fishee. " 
 
 "By Jove ! that's a good idea. We will make a day 
 of it," said Jack. " Have you tackle ? " 
 
 " Rodee, linee, plentee, and little wormees for baitees,* 
 Ah Sing answered. 
 
 " Good. I don t care much about the opium factory ; 
 that will be dry work." 
 
 "True. Who cares how the accursed stuff is made?" 
 observed Mole. 
 
 "I prefer fishing," continued Jack. "We will order 
 dinner and come back here. Are you listening, Sing?" 
 
 The representative of the Flowery Land nodded. 
 
 "Smokee pipe on the Island of Delight ? " he said.
 
 54 J A CK HA RKA WAY'S AD VENTURES 
 
 "That will do. Bring the pipes with you." 
 
 "And I say," exclaimed Mole. 
 
 " What is the desire of the most learned? " 
 
 "Bring something to drink with you. What have you 
 got ? " 
 
 "Some champagne drinkee, brandy drinkee," an- 
 swered Ah Sing. 
 
 Mr. Mole's eyes glistened. 
 
 "A very capital mixture," exclaimed he, smacking hh> 
 lips. " We will have some of both, my good fellow." 
 
 They sat down to breakfast, which they enjoyed ex- 
 ceedingly, their appetites being sharpened by their ride. 
 
 "It's funny," said Jack, "that we saw nothing oi 
 Monday before we started. " 
 
 "He often goes off like that. I believe he drinks!" 
 Mole rejoined. 
 
 " No, he does not. You can't accuse him of that." 
 
 "You could not tell it by his nose; it is the wrong 
 colour to show it. Ha, ha ! " 
 
 The professor laughed at his own joke. 
 
 "Yours is like a flaming beacon, sir," remarked Jack. 
 
 "All the sun, I assure you. My skin is tender. I 
 can't stand these high latitudes. " 
 
 "Is that it?" 
 
 "The vicinity of the equator does not agree with my 
 complexion,'* replied Mole. 
 
 When Ah Sing again appeared, they had finished eat- 
 ing. 
 
 He had a basket containing wine in one hand, and 
 rods, lines, and a box of bait in the other. 
 
 "Alice rightee now, excellencees?" he asked. 
 
 "Right as rain," responded Jack. " By the way, did 
 you see a Malay here last evening ? " 
 
 "No, sir," answered Ah Sing, carelessly. "Blackee 
 manee no comee here. All regular customers, Chinee." 
 
 Then he watched a butterfly that was hovering over 
 the creepers. 
 
 Mr. Mole looked in the basket 
 
 He was satisfied at seeing two bottles of wine and two 
 of brandy, together with pipes, and a ball of opium. 
 
 Descending the stairs, they went out into the quaintly- 
 built street, Ah Sing leading the way through the poppy- 
 fields.
 
 AFLOAT AND ASHORE. 255 
 
 Thousands of butterflies, all ablaze with colour like the 
 flower, were flying about. 
 
 The eye grew tired of so much colour at last. 
 
 It was a relief to reach the green woodland, shrub* 
 bamboo, and cacti, growing between the trees. 
 
 There were half-a-dozen small boats moored to a raft 
 
 Ah Sing gave one to each of them, taking another him- 
 self. 
 
 " Fishee from boatee, or from Island ? " he inquired. 
 
 "Which do you think best, Mister Strictly Reliable" 
 Jack asked. 
 
 "Allee samee, excellencee." 
 
 ' ' I should like the island, for I am afraid of being 
 swamped in this little craft," said Mole. 
 
 "You can swim, and a dip would not hurt you." 
 
 "There's the danger of water-snakes." 
 
 "Yes," put in Ah Sing. " Veree nastee snakes in 
 water. " 
 
 At this moment, a long thin snake, with black and 
 white hoops, came up with a spiral motion. 
 
 " Lookee ! lookee ! " cried Ah Sing. 
 
 "What is it?" 
 
 " Water-snakee ; him come up to have little ;e\eep at 
 us." 
 
 Mr. Mole was greatly alarmed. 
 
 He turned sharply round. 
 
 The boat inclined to one side, Mole lost hits balance, 
 and stretching out his arms fell with a dismal scream into 
 the lake. 
 
 That which he had hoped to avoid h?d in reality 
 happened to him. 
 
 It was deep near the raft, and he sank like t\ stone. 
 
 Frightened by the noise and splash of the r-atastrophe, 
 the snake shot down to the bottom. 
 
 So did Professor Mole. 
 
 The snake was as much frightened as he was, and did 
 not make any attempt to molest him. 
 
 A smile stole over Ah Sing's face as he fished up the 
 professor's straw hat. 
 
 "Divee like a duck," he remarked. "V-sree funnee. 
 Heap comical, you betee." 
 
 In a short time Mole regained the surface, gasping for 
 breath, and blowing like a whale or a grampus.
 
 356 /ACA hARKA IVA y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 The force of imagination made him think that a snake 
 was twined round his leg. 
 
 His face was convulsed with terror, and his eyes were 
 nearly starting out of his head. 
 
 " Look out, sir," laughed Jack. " Beware of the steam 
 roller ! " 
 
 " Hang rollers ; help me out. A serpent is biting me 
 in fact, a dozen are at me. " 
 
 "So many as that?" 
 
 "Yes, yes. I descended into a nest of them. Help 
 me out" 
 
 He was clinging to the edge of the raft 
 
 But he had no power to raise himself. 
 
 From his appearance, Jack thought that he was going to 
 have an attack of epileptic vertigo. 
 
 He went to his assistance at once. 
 
 With difficulty the professor, badly scared, and dripping 
 with water, was hauled on to the raft. 
 
 His first care was to look for water-snakes about his 
 legs. 
 
 He was deeply gratified to find that there were none 
 there. 
 
 "Narrow escape," he exclaimed. "I have shaken 
 them off, I suppose. Ugh ! ugly things, nasty, horrid ! " 
 
 He looked at Ah Sing. 
 
 ' ' My Chinese friend, " he added, ' ' I have drunk enough 
 lake water to float a canoe. Give me some brandy." 
 
 "Drawee corkee," replied Ah Sing. 
 
 Suiting the action to the word, he poured out some of 
 the spirit into a glass. 
 
 The professor snatched it from his hand, and drank 
 greedily. 
 
 " Ah ! " he said, drawing a deep breath of satisfaction. 
 "How shall I sing the praises of this noble spirit? All 
 honour to the man who invented it. " 
 
 "You will soon dry sir, and if you don't take a chill 
 you will be none the worse for your ducking," Jack re- 
 marked. 
 
 They got into the boats again, Mole steaming like a 
 geyser under the hot sun. 
 
 It was a short scull to the island, and, having found a 
 suitable spot, they landed, made their boats fast to the 
 limb of a tree and began fishing.
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 
 
 257 
 
 With the dislike of an Oriental to do anything of an 
 active nature that is not absolutely necessary, Ah Sing 
 sat down, hoisted an umbrella made of strips of bamboo 
 and paper, and looked on. 
 
 The fish bit freely, and the sport was good, though the 
 fish were of a small size, the largest scaling half-a-pound 
 only. 
 
 Making frequent applications to the bottle, Mr. Mole, in 
 the course of a couple of hours grew sleepy. 
 
 ' ' Let us give over for a time and try a pipe, Harkaway ? " 
 he exclaimed. 
 
 "I'm agreeable," replied Jack. "These fish are too 
 tame to afford me any excitement." 
 
 "What a fellow you are for that kind of thing, so full 
 of dash and go ! " 
 
 "I like something to stir the blood, and make the heafrt 
 beat, sir." 
 
 "I don't; that's the difference between us, you know, 
 although you must admit I am bravery itself." 
 
 "When there is no danger," replied Jack. 
 
 "Come, come, don't say that ; I can't stand your nasty 
 snacks," protested the professor ; " it is base ingratitude." 
 
 " I take it back, sir you are brave. Didn't you dive 
 after a water-snake just now ? " 
 
 "That will do; I accept your apology. Light up the 
 pipes, my pig- tailed friend. I am anxious to travel to the 
 realms of bliss in an opium dream, do you hear ! " 
 
 " Alice rightee, boss; me fixee you first-chop pipee," 
 Ah Sing replied. 
 
 Jack allayed his thirst with some of the sparkling 
 vintage of champagne, which proved to be of rather an 
 inferior quality. 
 
 Ah Sing was no judge of wine, his potations being con- 
 fined to tea and a white Chinese spirit made from rice. 
 
 The brandy bottle was Mole's friend again, and by this 
 time he was getting what the sailors call groggy or half- 
 seas over. 
 
 He and Jack selected shady spots under the trees to lie 
 down. 
 
 Filling the pipes with opium, Ah Sing lighted them, and 
 handed one to each. 
 
 Soon Jack became conscious of a pleasant feeling 
 creeping over him.
 
 258 JACK HARKA WA Y'S ADVENTURES 
 
 He was lifted away, as it were, to a fairer land, where 
 the trees were of gold, bearing precious stones of varied 
 hues. 
 
 Beautiful women, clad in rich garments, handed him 
 dainty dishes and drinks, such as he had never seen 
 before. 
 
 He was entirely unconscious of his surroundings. 
 
 The sweetest music floated in the air, enchanted his 
 soul, and made every fibre of his being thrill with 
 pleasurable emotion. 
 
 Ah Sing glided up to him like a snake. 
 
 The loud snoring of Mole indicated that he, too, slept 
 soundly. 
 
 Both were under the influence of the insidious narcotic. 
 
 With a piece of silken cord, Ah Sing bound Jack's wrists 
 together. 
 
 He was rendered helpless if he should vake up. 
 
 The Chinaman then produced a knife, which was as 
 sharp as a new razor. 
 
 His eyes scintillated, and he Ghoved his gleaming 
 teeth. 
 
 " Now cuttee ears off for Mr. Davis, then runnee away 
 and hidee for a time," muttcrcc! Ah Sing. 
 
 Jack was insensible to his danger. 
 
 He had fallen into the trap laid for him. 
 
 CHAPTER XLIII. 
 
 MONDAY BECOMES DESPERATE. 
 
 IT can readily be imagined how furious Monday was 
 when he found himself a close prisoner in Ah Sing's cellar. 
 
 He was totally unable to move hand or foot, or to utter 
 a cry. 
 
 How frantically he blamed himself for being so un- 
 suspecting. 
 
 He felt convinced that the cigar given him to smoke 
 had been drugged ; for he had the peculiar faculty of being 
 able to keep awake easily for forty-eight hours at a 
 stretch. 
 
 Often had he done so in Limbi, and since he left
 
 AFLOAT AND ASHORE. 259 
 
 That Chinamen were tricky, he knew, but he always 
 fancied he was more cunning than they were. 
 
 For once he had been outwitted. 
 
 His capture, he was sure, was part of a deep plot on 
 the part of Frank Davis, of which Jack was to be the 
 victim. 
 
 And he (Monday) was unable to warn him. 
 
 For his own fate he cared little. It was of his master 
 he thought, and for whom he trembled. 
 
 In the morning, Jack was coming to Chinatown, and 
 unfortunately the crafty Ah Sing had discovered that he 
 was his servant. 
 
 As the night wore on he suffered from thirst, but those 
 pangs were forgotten in his acute mental distress. 
 
 His thoughts were bent entirely in devising some 
 means of escape. 
 
 In vain he racked his tortured and fevered brain. 
 
 The cords defied his most frantic efforts to burst them. 
 
 He rolled over and over in his intense agony, and was 
 bathed in a profuse prespiration. 
 
 Suddenly his hand touched something sharp, which 
 pricked the skin of his knuckles. 
 
 All was dark as pitch in the cellar, though, through a 
 crack in the top of the door, he could see a star twinkling. 
 
 He rubbed the back of his hand against the substance 
 that had pricked him. 
 
 Some anxious consideration induced him, from its 
 jagged shape, to believe it was an old saw. 
 
 Nor was he mistaken. 
 
 At some time or other, the saw had been thrown into 
 the cellar, and had stuck in the earth with the teeth 
 upward. 
 
 Gradually it had sunk, or been forced in farther and 
 farther, until it was firmly embedded. 
 
 Here was a slight chance for the faithful fellow. 
 
 He could possibly keep on rubbing the cord round his 
 wrists against the teeth of the saw until he so frayed it, 
 that he would be able to force it asunder. 
 
 It was a long and difficult task. 
 
 To rub hard would be dangerous, for he might displace 
 the saw, and if it fell on its side, it would be rendered 
 useless,. 
 
 With the utmost gentleness he set to work
 
 260 JA CK HARKA WA Y 'S AD VENTURES 
 
 For hours he kept on, and could feel that he was making 
 but slow progress. 
 
 Nevertheless he was progressing, and his heart beat 
 high with hope. 
 
 He could not help scratching his skin now and again, 
 which made the blood come. 
 
 The pain of the smart he disregarded, because the blood 
 fell on the cord and softened it. 
 
 Morning came, yet the sunlight but fitfully came in here 
 and there at the door. 
 
 His keen eyes, however, saw that the cord was parting 
 strand by strand. 
 
 Noises began to be heard in the street 
 
 Carts went by, and people going to work indulged in 
 conversation and laughter. 
 
 Monday grew desperate. 
 
 He wanted to be out and about before Jack arrived, so 
 that he might waylay him. 
 
 It was useless, however, to be precipitate. 
 
 The weary hours dragged their clow length along. 
 
 All at once he gave a more energetic jerk than usual. 
 
 The saw was dislodged and fell on its side. 
 
 Tears foil down Monday's cheeks, and he could have 
 bobbed aloud at his bad luck, if it had not been for the 
 
 For some time he lay as if stunned. 
 
 It seemed as if all his patient toil was to go for nothing. 
 
 A feeling of despair came over him, and he gave him- 
 self up for lost, as well as his master. 
 
 He was roused from his lethargy by hearing the sound 
 of Jack's voice in the street outside. 
 
 Jack was talking to Mr. Mole after breakfast, as they 
 went with Ah Sing to fish in the lake. 
 
 This fairly maddened Monday. 
 
 He tried to throw up his arms with a prodigious effort. 
 
 To his unspeakable joy he succeeded in doing so. 
 
 The cord, already worn down to a thin point, gave way 
 and fell from his lacerated wrists. 
 
 So far Monday was free. 
 
 He acknowledged that this was a great advance, but 
 there was more to be done. 
 
 With a sigh of relief he removed the gag from his mouth, 
 and was able to breathe freely again.
 
 AFL OAT AND ASHORE. 26 1 
 
 His jaws were so stiff that it was with pain and diffi- 
 culty he shut his mouth. 
 
 " Nice thing," he muttered. " Sha'nt be able to do 
 much in um eating line for some time. Suck um egg, I 
 reckon." 
 
 He next untied the rope that fastened his legs. 
 
 When this was done, he rose to his feet and stretched 
 himself. 
 
 Now he was confronted with the difficulty of getting 
 out of the cellar, which was locked on the outside. 
 
 It was stoutly made of teak wood, such as ships are 
 built of, and the hinges were firm and solid. 
 
 To cry out would undoubtedly have brought assistance 
 in time. 
 
 Yet it might, he thought, bring Ah Sinr;, with some of 
 his friends and neighbours, to wreak his vengeance upon 
 him. 
 
 What would be easier than for Ah Sing to declare that 
 he was a burglarious thief? 
 
 The indignant crowd wou23 foil upon and half kill him. 
 
 He knew very well how c?v.cl the Chinese were to all 
 criminals, whether of their ow>> rncc or another. 
 
 They thought nothing of ta&ng ihc law into their own 
 hands, and administering condign ^unibhment to an 
 offender. 
 
 Taking up the old saw, he advanced to the door and 
 tried to prise it open. 
 
 For a long time he could make no impression on the 
 lock. 
 
 At length he got the saw well under it, gave a jerk, and 
 it fell on the floor. 
 
 A gentle gust of wind blew the door open. 
 
 Monday, holding himself proudly erect, walked out. 
 
 Stepping up to the entrance of the Pagoda house, he 
 saw a Chinaman sweeping the dust off the steps. 
 
 Monday had his knife concealed in his clothes ; that had 
 not been taken from him. 
 
 He intended, if he got the chance, to be revenged on 
 Ah Sing for the scurvy trick he had played him. 
 
 It would be dangerous, however, to attack him in the 
 midst of his people. 
 
 They would do anything for Ah Sing. 
 
 Re was quite a small autocrat in his way, for he had the
 
 262 JA CK HARK A WAY'S AD VENTURES 
 
 power at the opium-works of engaging or dismissing any 
 
 workman. 
 
 Monday had to watch his opportunity. 
 
 " What your name ? " asked Monday. 
 
 "Loo Choo," was the reply of the highly industrious 
 order of goodee workers. 
 
 " Do um know a gentleman called Ah Sing? " 
 
 "The strictly honourable and highly respectable is my 
 master." 
 
 "Where is um respectable? " continued Monday. 
 
 " Him gone fishee in the lake," answered Loo Choo. 
 
 " Anybody go with him ? " 
 
 "Two white gentlemans from Singapore. They go 
 fishee also, with the strictly honourable Ah Sing. " 
 
 Monday's heart gave a big throb. 
 
 He was on the track at last. 
 
 His primary duty was to find his master, and save him 
 from the machinations of the enemy. 
 
 But, in aiding Harkaway, he might be able to settle 
 accounts with Ah Sing also. 
 
 " I have very important business with the strictly right 
 honourable, his excellency Ah Sing," continued Monday. 
 
 " Is it of the most pressing ? " asked Loo Choo. 
 
 " Won't admit of a moment's delay." 
 
 "Then you'd better walkee through poppy-fields to the 
 lake. Lookee ! it is over there." 
 
 He held up his hand, pointing to the lake, which could 
 be seen among the trees like a sheet of crystal. 
 
 "Itiscallee the Lake of Pleasure, "continued Loo Choo. 
 " In the middlee is the Islan d of Delight Flaps findee Ah 
 Sing there." 
 
 Monday nodded his head. 
 
 He did not stop to hear any more. 
 
 At his best pace, he struck through the poppy-fields, 
 hoping that he might yet be in time to save his master 
 from the unknown danger which threatened him. 
 
 When he reached the lake, he saw Ah Sing on the island, 
 but discovered no trr.ce of Harkaway or Mole. 
 
 This was because they were lying down, and were 
 hidden by the grass and flowers vhich grew around them. 
 
 Ah Sing's back was turned towards the shore. 
 
 Jumping into a boat, Monday seized a scull, and stand 
 ing in the stern paddled it Indian fashion.
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 263 
 
 He was careful to make no noise. 
 
 When within a few yards of the island, he saw Ah Sing 
 draw a knife and bend over Jack, who was now visible. 
 
 Straining every nerve, Monday forced the boat to the 
 land. 
 
 He sprang like a tiger on Ah Sing. 
 
 It was the crisis of Jack's fate. 
 
 Monday was just in time to seize Ah Sing by the pig- 
 tail, and jerk him on to his back. 
 
 The knife fell from his hand. It was unstained by 
 blood. 
 
 Jack was saved from mutilation. 
 
 A moment later, and he would have lost his ears. 
 
 Monday held on to ihe Chinaman's pig-tail with the 
 power of a vise. 
 
 He dragged him this way and pulled him that ; he lifted 
 him up and let him drop. 
 
 " Ho, ho ! " he laughed ; " um too clever, after all, foi 
 um Chinee. Ho, ho ! Now we settle um. Mast' Jack, 
 you wake up and see the fun. Mist' Mole, get up, sar. ' 
 
 There was no movement on the part of cither of them. 
 
 Monday saw the opium pipes. 
 
 ' ' Ah, " he added, ' ' give um opium joint. Artful dodge. 
 Well, no matter. Not poison. Wake up soon." 
 
 He danced up and down in the exuberance of his glee. 
 'Lettee go ; me do no harmee," said Ah Sing. 
 'Confess. What were you going to do with that 
 knfe kill?" 
 'Nokillee." 
 ' What then?" 
 
 ' Mister Davis order me to cut off both ears of the 
 mandarin, Harkaway." 
 
 " Gorramighty ! " exclaimed Monday, "that am um 
 large order. Ho, ho ! Me show you." 
 
 Picking up Ah Sing's knife, he made a sudden slash at 
 his pig-tail. 
 
 It was severed at a blow. 
 
 He held it up in triumph. 
 
 Ah Sing sank on his knees with a look of abject misery 
 and despair on his face. 
 
 According to Chinese ideas, he was disgraced forever. 
 
 It was the honoured growth of many, many years, anc 
 at his age he could never hope to recover its loss.
 
 264 J* CK HARKA WA VS AD V&NTUR&3 
 
 CHAPTER XLIV. 
 
 BESIEGED OJ THE ISLAND. 
 
 Ax first, the abject misery of Ah Sing was pitiabia to 
 witness. 
 
 He would much rather have lost his ears than his 
 beloved pig-tail. 
 
 To lose this was to lose caste among his compatriots. 
 
 The Chinaman's pig-tail is his pride and delight. 
 
 Without it he is nothing. 
 
 He feels, wnen it is gone, as a woman would if her 
 hair was cropped short to her head. 
 
 Grovelling on the ground, he uttered dismal moans 
 and groans. 
 
 Then his mood changed. 
 
 He gnashed his teeth with rage and foamed at the 
 mouth. 
 
 Monday laughed at his distress, and feeling in his 
 clothes to satisfy himself that he had no concealed weap- 
 ons, turned his attention to his young master. 
 
 He shook Jack and also Mr. Mole, but he could not 
 succeed in rousing them. 
 
 Both were deeply steeped in the opium trance. 
 
 "Very funny thing they sleep so hard," he said to 
 himself. "If Mist' Mole drink, that not the case with 
 Massa Jack. He always keep um head level. No mis- 
 take 'bout that." 
 
 He cast his eyes on the grass, and saw the basket with 
 the bottles in it. 
 
 "Good ! " he exclaimed "jus' what this child wants ; 
 him dry as an oven. Have um fine drink now." 
 
 He opened a bottle of champagne and greedily drank 
 half the contents out of the bottle. 
 
 "Save um life," he went on ; " lovely ! Jus' like vel- 
 vet going down 'um throat." 
 
 Suddenly the idea occurred to him that the wine might 
 be poisoned. 
 
 Yes, that would account for the prostrate condition of 
 Jack and the professor.
 
 AFLOAT AND ASHORE. 265 
 
 He would be similarly attacked before long. 
 
 His dusky countenance lengthened, and he began to 
 feel imaginary pains in the region of his stomach. 
 
 All this time he had forgotten the presence of Ah Sing. 
 
 A splashing noise attracted his attention. 
 
 Looking around he saw that the crafty Chinese had got 
 into one of the boats, and tied the others to it, and was 
 sculling towards the land as fast as he could. 
 
 Escape from the island was effectually cut off, except 
 by swimming. 
 
 Monday did not know how to act in this emergency, 
 for he and his friends were virtually prisoners. 
 
 He had not intended to let Ah Sing escape, because he 
 was afraid he would create mischief. 
 
 The fellow, however, had been too sharp for him, and 
 had, as the saying is, stolen a march. 
 
 "Never mind," said Monday. "We all three know 
 how to swim, and when Mast' Jack and Mist' Mole open 
 their eyes, we very soon get on the land, and so to urn 
 home." 
 
 He looked at the shore as he spoke, and saw Ah Sing 
 putting dry grass under the boats, which he had piled 
 together. 
 
 To this he set a light. 
 
 In ten minutes there was a rare conflagration, the 
 flames and smoke ascending to a great height. 
 
 They could be seen for some distance through the 
 opening among the palm trees. 
 
 "What the debble him up to now ?" mused Monday. 
 "Poor kind of spite to burn um boat." 
 
 He waved his hand to Ah Sing. 
 
 " Hi ! " he shouted, "you Chinee nigger, hi ! " 
 
 His voice was easily audible. 
 
 "I givee you hi! hi! presently," was the reply in a 
 vengeful tone. 
 
 "None of your cheek, or I'll swim over and tan your 
 hide another colour ! " 
 
 " Tryee !" sneered Ah Sing. "When you come near 
 enough, me breakee headee with oar. Crackee skullee 
 so ! " 
 
 Ah Sing took up an oar, and made as if he was hitting 
 an imaginary body in the water. 
 
 He meant that he would not allow anybody to land.
 
 266 JA CK HARKA WA Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 Nor was this an idle threat. 
 
 The Chinaman was thoroughly master of the situation. 
 
 From his position on the bank, the Chinaman could 
 have readily kept the three of them off for any length of 
 time. 
 
 Or, if they persisted in an attempt to land, he could 
 stun and drown them. 
 
 Monday shook his head. 
 
 "Him artful nig','' he muttered "Don't like um 
 game at all. There's more behind, I'm thinking." 
 
 In this conjecture Monday was quite right. 
 
 There was a good deal more to come than he had any 
 idea of. 
 
 Ah Sing was determined to have his revenge for the 
 loss of his pig-tail, and, at the same time, he hoped to be 
 able to carry out Frank Davis's instructions regarding 
 Harkaway. 
 
 Many members of his family resided in Chinatown, 
 and he knew that they would rally round him. 
 
 In fact, all the Chinese in the place were at his beck 
 and call. 
 
 To cut off a Chinaman's pig-tail is quite enough to raise 
 a riot anywhere. 
 
 If a disturbance took place, and Jack, Monday, and 
 Mole got injured, it would be difficult to fix the blame on 
 anyone in particular. 
 
 Ah Sing was burning the boats as a signal. 
 
 His fellow-countrymen would see the smoke and 
 flames. 
 
 They would hurry from home and factory to his side, 
 and help him to besiege the island. 
 
 It would soon be surrounded by two or three score of 
 howling, fanatical Chinese. 
 
 Most, if not all of them, would have guns and knives. 
 
 To fire from the shore would be practicable ; to swim 
 over with a knife, quite easy. 
 
 It threatened to be a terrible night for Jack and his 
 friends. 
 
 Monday was alarmed, he scarcely knew why. 
 
 "What you going to do next ? " he asked. 
 
 Ah Sing produced a pistol from a pocket inside his 
 blouse. 
 
 Cocking it he presented it at Monday and fired.
 
 AFLOAT AND ASHORE. 267 
 
 The bullet fell into the water, a few yards from the 
 Malay. 
 
 "Um getting hot," Monday muttered. "Pistol not 
 come near enough. Gun do um trick though. Getting 
 what Mast' Jack call 'rather sultry.' Perhaps be gory 
 later on. How to get out of this fix, I'm sure I don't 
 know." 
 
 He shook his fist at Ah Sing. 
 
 " You coward beast of a Chinee. Your father is being 
 burnt now, and your grandfather, and all um ancestors. 
 Their bones are cursed ! " Monday continued. 
 
 "A wisee man keepee a silent tongue," replied Ah 
 Sing. 
 
 ' ' Where's your pig-tail, ha ! ha ! " 
 
 " Laughee now, cryee soon." 
 
 " That's your opinion, perhaps it isn't mine. Let me 
 see how far my little pop-gun will carry um ball." 
 
 Monday produced his pLccl, and fired at Ah Sing. 
 
 It was a superior weapon, manufactured by an English 
 firm, which Jack had bought, and of which he had made 
 him a present. 
 
 Ah Sing smiled in his jaundiced, sickly manner, and 
 stretched out hie rir ; -ht hand in token of derision. 
 
 Because his pistol had not carried across the lake, he 
 fancied the Malay's would not. 
 
 In this belief he found himself highly mistaken. 
 
 The bullet found him, and, strangely enough, it struck 
 the hand he was holding up. 
 
 In a second the third finger was entirely smashed, and 
 hanging on by a piece of skin down the palm. 
 
 The pain was acute, and his dismay great. 
 
 With a howl like a wounded wolf, Ah Sing retreated 
 behind the burning boats. 
 
 He was, so far, getting the worst of it. 
 
 "How um like that?" asked Monday. "Pretty good 
 shot, I think. Chinee skunk take a back seat now." 
 
 Suddenly he was startled at hearing the beating of 
 several gongs. 
 
 The Chinese always beat gongs when they are excited, 
 pleased or surprised. 
 
 It was evident that Ah Sing, by his big beacon fire, had 
 roused the attention of his friends. 
 
 The alarm was spreading right and left, and they were
 
 268 JACK HA RKA WAY'S AD VENTURES 
 
 leaving their work and occupations to come and render 
 him such assistance as lay in their power. 
 
 It was about four o'clock in the afternoon ; the sun was 
 declining, and a thin haze was rising over the lake. 
 
 Monday went up to Jack, and taking a thorn from a 
 mimosa bush, ran it into his flesh. 
 
 "Wake up, Mast' Jack ! For heaven's sake, stir your- 
 self ! " he said. 
 
 Jack yawned and stretched himself, opened his eyes, 
 and saw his faithful servant. 
 
 "You here!" he remarked. "By Jove, ho\v did you 
 find me out ? Oh, how bad I feel ! Nice dreams, but 
 such an awakening ! My head feels about half as big 
 again as it ought to feel. I am so low-spirited, too. I 
 shouldn't mind drowning myself in the lake." 
 
 It was the usual depression consequent on smoking 
 opium. 
 
 Mr. Mole sprang up. 
 
 "No more should I, Jack ; it really drives me to drink. 
 Where is the eau-de-vie ? Give me some of the three-star 
 brandy. Oh, dear, what anacreontic follies I have seen 
 in mysleep ! Glad you have come, Monday. I like to have 
 a nigger about me, it saves such a lot of trouble," said he. 
 
 Monday, who had roused him in the same way he had 
 Jack, regarded him indignantly. 
 
 " Be um own nigger," he replied. 
 
 " Don't get vexed, my good fellow." 
 
 "Get 'em brandy best way um can. Want my serv- 
 ices in another way soon." 
 
 "How's that? " asked Mr. Mole. "We will go home 
 now and all will be serene." 
 
 " Ha ! don't know all. Got to reach home first" 
 
 "What's to stop us ? " 
 
 " The Chinese people heap big plot against you,** said 
 Monday. "I only come here jus' in time to save Mast' 
 Jack's life." 
 
 Jack looked at the black with astonishment. 
 
 ' ' Is that true ? " he asked. 
 
 "Jus' as true as I'm standing up alive here. Me tell 
 um all. Listen, sare." 
 
 Monday related all that had happened since he left Sing- 
 apore to make inquiries about Ah Sing, and find out what 
 was likely to happen in Chinatown.
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE, 2 69 
 
 Jack's face assumed an earnest look. He had come out 
 for a day's fishing, and he found that he was in for what 
 seemed like a night's fighting. 
 
 His placid contentment passed away. 
 
 He became anxious and worried, and his eagle eyes 
 sparkled with excitement ; but at the same time he pre- 
 served his self-control. 
 
 At every crisis, Jack was invariably calm and confident. 
 
 Never did he lose his head. 
 
 "This is a plot of Da vis's," he said, " and I have been 
 fool enough to tumble into the pit." 
 
 " We are in a nice boat," observed the professor. "It 
 is just like my luck when I come out with you." 
 
 "Who would have thought it, sir?" 
 
 "You should have stayed at home don't be so venture- 
 some. We owe our lives to this poor, faithful, uneducated 
 savage, who has outwitted the Chinaman." 
 
 " Me better man than him," replied Monday, grinning. 
 
 The sound of the gongs came nearer, and yet more 
 near. 
 
 "Do you hear that, sir? " cried Jack. "We are in the 
 power of the Chinese wretches. There are no white men 
 near here. They will besiege us on this island." 
 
 " Bah ! the boats are burnt." 
 
 "But they have firearms which will carry as far as we 
 are. They can swim like fishes, and possess knives." 
 
 " It jolly bad bit of business," Monday remarked. 
 
 "Our lives do not seem worth an hour's purchase," 
 rejoined Harkaway. 
 
 " Let us plunge into the water, swim across, and make 
 a dash for it. I'm game if you are," Mole suggested. 
 
 "That would be to throw ourselves into their hands. 
 Practically, we are even now all surrounded. The Chi- 
 nese are coming from every side." 
 
 "What shall we do, then ? " 
 
 " Hold the fort that is to say, the island. We have 
 the advantage of trees here. See ! five are growing to- 
 gether ; their trunks will make a shield for us. You and 
 I have pistols." 
 
 "Shall we fire at them ?" 
 
 "Only if they attempt to swim over and land," Jack 
 answered. "Keep all your cartridges." 
 
 "Me got um bag full," said Monday.
 
 270 JACK HARK A WA Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 "Excellent ! We shall need them all before morning, 
 it strikes me. My great hope is in Harvey. He i? bad 
 with the ague, but I told him this morning before we 
 started where we were going, and ordered dinner for seven 
 o'clock. If we don't turn up, he r.nd Emily will guess 
 there is something wrong." 
 
 "Good old Hr.rvey bless him I" exclaimed Mr. Mole. 
 "Your idea of the tree fort is a splendic! one. I will retire 
 at once and seek shelter ; yes, scch ifc hincily protection, 
 as I am rather nervous after that confounded opium, and 
 I will, for safety, take the basket and what liquor is left 
 with me." 
 
 Carrying the basket with him, the professor went into 
 the natural fort which Jack's quick sight had discovered. 
 
 It was admirably adapted for its purpose. 
 
 Five trees, with large trunks, grew close together in a 
 semicircle. 
 
 No bullet could penetrate through this admirable de- 
 fence. 
 
 To reconnoitre the movements of the enemy it was only 
 necessary to cautiously peep round either corner. 
 
 The one danger wnc, that they might be taken in the 
 rear. 
 
 In that case they would have to fight for their lives, 
 and they were all three equally resolved to battle to tho 
 death. 
 
 Presently, numbers of pig-tailed Chinamen began to 
 assemble in the vicinity of the bonfire. 
 
 This was gradually dying out. 
 
 Ah Sing could be seen speaking to them in an excited 
 manner, pointing to his head, and evidently explaining 
 the way in which he had lost his much-cherished hair. 
 
 Great indignation was expressed by his friends. 
 
 Half-a-dozen of the Chinese brandished knives in the air 
 and then plunging into the water, began to swim across 
 the lake. 
 
 Twenty more ran round its sides, stopping one by one 
 at intervals, making a cordon. 
 
 These were posted as sentinels to prevent the prisoners 
 on the island from escaping. 
 
 Others went back to Chinatown to procure guns. 
 
 "They are coming, Mast' Jack," said Monday; "we 
 are in for it now. no mistake. "
 
 AFLOA T AND ASHORE. 27 1 
 
 " Chinamen are not a very hard crowd to fckle," replied 
 Jack, "they are soon cowed." 
 
 "What you do, sare ? " 
 
 "Pepper them with my revolver. They know they are 
 acting illegally ; the judge at Singapore would soon let 
 them find out that. " 
 
 "No good think of that ; all urn folks are Chinee. No 
 white man to prove anything." 
 
 " That is true ; we have got to defend ourselves." 
 
 "Davis at the bottom of this," Monday continued; 
 " wonder he am not here." 
 
 "I don't suppose he knows of the turn affairs have 
 taken; if he did, he would not dare to show his face," 
 Jack replied. 
 
 The six swimmers had narrowed the distance between 
 them and the island. 
 
 "What do you want over here?" asked Jack, loudly. 
 
 Ah Sing, who was standing on the bank, took upon 
 himself to respond. 
 
 "They comee to fishee," he said. 
 
 " They be hanged ! " replied Jack. " Do you think I am 
 such a fool as to believe such a yarn ? " 
 
 " It is the trufee, I swearee." 
 
 "Call your men back, or I will fire ! Do you hear me ? 
 I don't want to injure anybody, but I must protect 
 myself. " 
 
 ' ' What you shootee poor Chinaman ee for ? Island not 
 yours. I am one of the strictly honourables. " 
 
 " Yes, you are, over the left. I would not trust one of 
 your puppy-dog, rat-eating race, farther than I could see 
 him." 
 
 "Listen to the most highly respectable," exclaimed 
 Ah Sing. 
 
 " I'll not hear a word," shouted Jack. " Call off your 
 sharks ; call your blood-hounds back. I know what is 
 meant." 
 
 ' ' No harmee ; want to make friends, shakee hands. " 
 
 "Cut throats rather, you yellow-faced humbug." 
 
 "No callee/'said Ah Sing, doggedly. " Those men 
 my brudders ; they go fishee. " 
 
 ' ' Your brothers, eh ? If you have any regard for them, 
 yu will tell them to return." 
 
 Ah Sing shook his head.
 
 272 JACK HARKA WA Y 'S AD VENTURES 
 
 He knew that he was running no great risk, because 
 the resident magistrate in his district was no other than 
 Josiah Davis. 
 
 Frank's father would hush up the affair, and protect 
 him if a tragedy took place. 
 
 He felt himself at liberty to kill Jack, Mole, and Mon- 
 day, the pretext for the crime being the cutting off of his 
 pig-tail. 
 
 Jack hesitated no longer. 
 
 He fired at the foremost swimmer. 
 
 The unfortunate man received the ball in the shoulder. 
 
 He uttered a wild shriek of pain. 
 
 The other five rallied round him, and preventing him 
 from sinking, turned round. 
 
 The attack \/as over for the present. 
 
 They were frightened, and seemed bent only on saving 
 his life, for they turned tail and swam back, supporting 
 their wounded friend as best they could. 
 
 " Hurrah ! " cried Jack, " first blood to our side." 
 
 "That was good shot, sarc," replied Monday. 
 
 "Look out at the rear, I will watch this side. Not a 
 mother's son of them shall land here, you bet." 
 
 Monday facx,? about 
 
 There \\v.- a:, open space between the clump of trees 
 and the ne: t lot, which r.ny one attacking them would 
 have to crosc. 
 
 Mr. Mole looked round the corner, with a bottle of 
 brandy in one har.d, and a pistol in the other. 
 
 " If you want assistance, Harkaway, call me," he said. 
 "You know you can always rely on yours truly, Isaac 
 Mole." 
 
 " The enemy have suffered a repulse, sir, " answered Jack. 
 
 "Shall we be able to hold the fort against these 
 barbarians ? " 
 
 "I hope so, or it will be all up with us." 
 
 " It is lucky I am with you, " exclaimed Mole. ' ' Some- 
 how my presence always seems to awe savages. I sup- 
 pose it is owing to my long intercourse with schoolboys, 
 who are little else." ' 
 
 "What do you call yourself?" asked Jack. 
 
 ' ' A man amongst men. Certainly a head and shoulders 
 taller, morally, than others," Mole replied, complacently. 
 
 All at once, a peculiar sound was heard.
 
 AFLOAT AND ASHORE. 273 
 
 It was the crack of a rifle, and the "ping " of a bullet. 
 
 This leaden messenger of death whizzed between the 
 professor and Jack, embedding itself deeply in one of the 
 trees. 
 
 A Chinaman had brought down a rifle, and fired from 
 the edge of the lake. 
 
 It was a narrow escape. 
 
 " Close shave that, sir," said Jack, coolly. 
 
 Mr. Mole had vanished. 
 
 A sepulchral voice coming from behind the trees, 
 replied 
 
 "Shelter is the thing. No use in locking the stable 
 door when the horse is stolen. Come here. The mis- 
 creants will get the range directly, and there will be a 
 dead Harkaway lying about somewhere." 
 
 "I thought you were morally superior to the rest of us," 
 Jack replied, laughing. 
 
 " So lam. It is nothing to laugh at. I have learnt 
 prudence." 
 
 Jack discharged his pistol in defiance. 
 
 He did not think it would carry so far, but one of the 
 Chinese fell to the earth. 
 
 "By Jove, there's another dog down!" he exclaimed. 
 " Hear the cur yelp." 
 
 "So would you, if you had an ounce of lead in you." 
 
 "Not I. It isn't my disposition to make a song about 
 trifles. " 
 
 ' ' Don't brag. Come here, " said Mole. 
 
 Jack did so. 
 
 Kis last shot had alarmed the Chinamen, and the 
 " johnnies," as they were called, retreated. 
 
 The swimmers reached the land ; their wounded com- 
 panion was dragged out of the water and carried away. 
 
 Two litters of bamboo were hastily made, and the two 
 injuied ones removed to their homes. 
 
 Those who remained crowded together, talking and 
 gesticulating, as if holding a council of war. 
 
 Monday was nowhere to be seen. 
 
 The enemy made no further forward movement. In- 
 deed, some of them left the scene, and proceeded to their 
 homes. 
 
 Jack lighted a cigar and contented himself with watch- 
 ing Ah Sing and his friends. 
 18
 
 HARKA WA Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 " Are they tired of the job ? " asked Mole. 
 
 ' ' No, sir," replied Jack ; ' ' the artful beggars are waiting 
 for night to come. " ' 
 
 "Do you think so ? " 
 
 "I'm sure of it. When darkness falls, they will make 
 things lively, take my word for it." 
 
 Some shots were heard on the other side of the island. 
 
 "A pound to a postage-stamp that is Monday," said 
 J^ck. 
 
 "I thought he had gone to hide," observed Mole. 
 
 "To scout, you mean. You might hide in holes and 
 corners, but my black would not." 
 
 "That's right, stick up for your coloured friend," Mole 
 said, sarcastically. 
 
 "Why not ? He is my friend as much as you are, and 
 has proved himself so on more than one occasion," Jack 
 retorted. 
 
 Presently Monday came running up. 
 
 He was rather excited, and out of breath. 
 
 "I caught two of um Chinee," he exclaimed. "They 
 swim over other side, to sneak up this way." 
 
 " What did you do with them ? " asked Jack. 
 
 "Jus' say, what price you? how much the pair of you ? 
 and drop them with my pistol, dead as mutton, sare. 
 Got to keep um eyes open, time like this." 
 
 " Sit down and have a drop of brandy." 
 
 " That jus' touch the spot," Monday answered. " I'm 
 pretty near beat after las' night, sare." 
 
 A drink seemed to revive him wonderfully, and no 
 wonder, as he was thoroughly exhausted through what he 
 had undergone. 
 
 "Now lie down and go to sleep," said Jack, kindly. 
 "I'll keep watch while you have a much needed forty 
 winks, and will wake you if there is any more over there." 
 
 "I'm one of the toughs, Mast' Jack, but I'll have to 
 give in," replied Monday. 
 
 " You are not made of iron." 
 
 Monday threw himself down, but before he had time to 
 go to, sleep, Jack noticed a commotion among the Chinese. 
 
 They began to run helter-skelter in all directions. 
 
 The strictly reliable and highly respectable Ah Sing was 
 about the first to go. 
 
 Soon the place was cleared of them.
 
 A FLO A T AND ASHOKE. 
 
 27$ 
 
 "Get up, Monday," cried Jack. 
 
 The black was on his feet in a moment 
 
 "Anyone coming, sare?" he asked. 
 
 " I don't know, the heathen are bolting like raad." 
 
 "That am good news. Glad to see back of urn rub- 
 bish like that. " 
 
 They waited expectantly for a few minutes. 
 
 Then they beheld a half-dozen of Singapore policemen, 
 with a gentleman at their head, come to the lake. 
 
 " By heaven !" exclaimed Jack, "it is Harvey with 
 some constables. Bravo, Dick ! I thought he would not 
 rest." 
 
 He left the shelter of the trees, and showed himself, 
 followed by Mole and Monday. 
 Harkaway ! " shouted Ha'rvey. 
 Here I am, all right up to date," was the reply. 
 Hurrah ! Have you been in danger ? " 
 Rather ! " 
 
 I thought so. During the day I grew uneasy about 
 you, and going to the head of the police, got a squad, 
 and came on here. At Chinatown, we heard that Ah Sing 
 was after some white men at the lake, who had been 
 insulting and assaulting him." 
 
 " It is false ; he was the aggressor ! You are just in 
 time, and I can never thank you enough for your timely 
 succour," replied Jack. " I will explain all presently." 
 
 " Frank Davis, I suppose." 
 
 " No doubt of it. Another trap ! I won't give him a 
 chance again, though." 
 
 " That fellow ought to be born again," said Harvey. 
 " But I say, old chappie, how are you going to get over ? " 
 
 " Swim it," Jack answered. 
 
 He set the example by plunging into the water. Mon- 
 day followed, and Mr. Mole nervously brought up the rear. 
 
 Speedily Jack was shaking hands with Harvey. 
 
 The Chinamen, afraid of the Singapore police, whose 
 assistance Dick had invoked on behalf of his friend, 
 dispersed. 
 
 They did not attempt any further acts of violence. 
 
 Their return to the city was accomplished in peace. 
 
 During the remainder of their stay at Singapore, which 
 was very brief, they neither saw nor heard anything more 
 of Frank Davis.
 
 276 JACK HARKA WA Y'S ADVENTURES 
 
 When word was brought them that the steamer was 
 ready to sail for Europe, they were all delighted, espe- 
 cially Emily and Mr. Mole. 
 
 While he was residing in Singapore, Jack had made a 
 wonderful collection of guns, bows, spears, and all sort 
 of things he thought would be interesting to the good 
 folks at home. 
 
 Six boxes, or rather packing-cases, were filled with curi- 
 osities of savage and tropical life. 
 
 He had enough to start a museum. 
 
 And with all this he had a supply of live stock, includ- 
 ing monkeys, parrots, and even a snake or two. 
 
 When he wrote home, he spoke in the most affectionate 
 and loving terms of Emily. 
 
 He wanted to make sure of a welcome for the poor 
 orphan whom he loved so fondly. 
 
 She had no one but him to look to now. 
 
 He was her only, her sole friend. 
 
 CHAPTER XLV. 
 
 HOME AGAIN. 
 
 LUGGAGE was not a consideration to our travellers. 
 
 All they possessed they had bought at Singapore. 
 
 Monday had attired himself in canvas shirt, trousers, 
 and jacket, with a straw hat. 
 
 Harvey said he looked a very intelligent and decent 
 nigger indeed. 
 
 They went on board the steamer, and made a rapid 
 passage to London, without encountering any accident. 
 
 This was a wonder, Jack remarked, considering he 
 was on board. 
 
 Harvey went to his father's house in the suburbs. 
 
 Mr. Mole took up his abode at an hotel. 
 
 Jack and Emily, with Monday, went by train to Mr. 
 Bedington's house. 
 
 They were not unexpected, because the boys had 
 telegraphed from Singapore, informing them of their 
 safety, and their probable speedy arrival.
 
 AFLQA T AND ASHORE. 277 
 
 It was a lovely evening in autumn, as the fly drove up 
 to the house. 
 
 Emily's heart beat quicker than Jack's. 
 
 " If your friends should not be kind to me," she said, 
 " I shall die." 
 
 Jack pressed her hand. 
 
 " Do not fear on that account," he said softly. 
 
 In a few minutes he was shaking his father by the 
 hand, and being kissed by his mother. 
 
 "My boy, my darling!" exclaimed Mrs. Bedington, 
 " we never expected to see you again. What perils you 
 must have gone through ! " 
 
 "A few, mother," replied Jack. "I shall astonish 
 you when I tell you some stories." 
 
 " So you have had enough of the sea, John ? " observed 
 his father. 
 
 " Enough and to spare," answered Jack. 
 
 Emily remained timidly in the background. 
 
 " But," replied Mrs. Bedington, " where is little Emily 
 of whom you spoke in your letter which came overland 
 from Aden ? " 
 
 ' ' Emmy, where are you ? " cried Jack. 
 
 Emily stepped forward. 
 
 " My dear child," continued Mrs. Bedington, " in 
 future you are to be my daughter. We are not strangers, 
 you know, for we have met before." 
 
 Emily sobbed on her shoulder. 
 
 " Bless me ! what's this? " exclaimed Mr. Bedington. 
 
 He saw something black, with white, gleaming teeth, 
 in the passage. 
 
 " That's my tame nigger," said Jack. 
 
 " Your what ? " said his mother. 
 
 " Only Monday. It's the cheese, where I've been, to 
 start a private nigger." 
 
 " Step forward, Monday, and let's have a look at you," 
 said Mr. Bedington. 
 
 Monday came forward, bowing profoundly. 
 
 " He saved my life, mother, more than once," remarked 
 Jack. 
 
 ' ' That is enough, dear, to secure him a home beneath 
 this roof." 
 
 " Monday, mum, do um work for Mast' Jack, but he no 
 wait 'pon otherpeoples, " said the black, drawing himself up.
 
 278 JA CK HARKA WA Y'S AD VENTURES 
 
 " He's a king in his own country, and gave up a throne 
 to stick to me," said Jack. 
 
 " What a wonderful instance of fidelity ! " replied Mrs. 
 Bedington. 
 
 " It's true, mother. I'm not cramming you." 
 
 " I didn't say you were, John. Have you anything 
 else ? " 
 
 " Yes ; lots of things." 
 
 " Any monkeys, parrots, vegetable productions all the 
 fauna and flora of the distant lands you have visited ? " 
 
 " I think you will find I have a very neat collection 
 indeed, mother," replied Jack. 
 
 Monday was sent to the servants' hall, and was as much 
 an object of amusement to the inmates as they were to 
 him. 
 
 Mrs. Bedington and Emily retired upstairs to talk at 
 their ease, while Mr. Bedington and Jack took a turn 
 arm in arm in the garden. 
 
 It may be readily imagined that some wonderful stories 
 were related that night. 
 
 Jack and Emily were the lion and lioness of the even- 
 ing. 
 
 In a few days, friends came from all parts to see them. 
 
 Mr. Crawcour and his masters were among the visitors. 
 
 Everyone listened breathlessly to tales of Limbians 
 and Pisangs, of desert islands and volcanoes, of pirates 
 and dungeons. 
 
 All concurred in detestation of Hunston. 
 
 It was hoped that he had perished in the pirate city. 
 Jack had his doubts. 
 
 When questioned upon the subject he would say 
 
 " The beggar has nine lives. I daresay he'll turn up 
 again some day." 
 
 For a fortnight the time passed very pleasantly. 
 
 He rode his father's best horse, and drove Emily out 
 in his mother's pony carriage. 
 
 Monday accompanied them on all occasions, as groom 
 or personal attendant. 
 
 After a while Mr. Bedington called Jack into his study. 
 
 " Have you had enough of sea," he asked, "or do 
 you still want to follow it as a profession ? " 
 
 ' No," replied Jack ; "I don't." 
 
 " Now, the question is, what would you like to be? "
 
 AFL OAT AND ASHORE. 279 
 
 " A soldier," replied Jack. "Buy me a commission in 
 the aimy." 
 
 " I have no objection to that, but don't you think you 
 would be all the better for a year or two at a university ? " 
 replied Mr. Bedington. 
 
 " Just what I should like." 
 
 ' ' We wish to study your happiness, " answered Mr. 
 Bedington. " Now which university would you like to 
 o to ? " 
 
 "Oxford; it is more swell than Cambridge," replied 
 lack. 
 
 Mr. Bedington smiled. 
 
 ' ' Very well, to Oxford you shall go. " 
 
 "Thank you very much," replied Jack. " May I ask 
 you another favour? " 
 
 "Certainly." 
 
 " You are well off ?" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 "My friend Harvey's parents are poor. He was my 
 LViend during my troubles with the savages, and he has 
 often told me it would make a man of him if he could go 
 10 Oxford. " 
 
 "Well ?" replied Mr. Bedington. 
 
 " Will you pay for him too ? I would so like to have 
 him up at Oxford with me." 
 
 4 ' Yes, " replied Mr. Bedington. 
 
 Jack was overjoyed at this concession. 
 
 It was settled that he and Harvey should go to Oxford. 
 
 Emily went away to Paris to finish her education. 
 
 Jack and Harvey had a private tutor at Mr. Bedington's, 
 who in a short time prepared them for their examination. 
 
 This they passed with flying colours. 
 
 At the commencement of term they were to take up 
 ^heir residence at college. 
 
 We shall now introduce to our readers the career of 
 Jack Harkaway at Oxford. 
 
 We trust they will follow him with as much interest, 
 and may we hope, pleasure, as they have hitherto been 
 kind enough to do. 
 
 Life at Oxford presents temptations and trials, advent- 
 ures and triumphs, of all of which it will be found that 
 our old friend Jack Harkaway had his full share, and bore 
 himself bravely through everything.
 
 Works of 
 
 Charles Carleton Coffin 
 
 AUTHOR OF 
 
 Boys of '76 Boys of '61 
 
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 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES 
 
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