CHAPTER TWENTY.
FLOATING BLACKS.
"Is that Mr Bartlett firing one of the yacht's guns for a recall?" saidSir John.
"No, sir; they could not make a noise like that."
"It could not be thunder," said Jack.
"Oh yes, it could," said the captain. "I've heard short sharp crackslike that often out here, but I don't think that was thunder."
"Must have been," cried the doctor. "Why, I saw the flash. There!Look!"
A bright light suddenly appeared from somewhere inland, followed at afew seconds' interval by a heavy detonation, exactly like the firing ofa great gun.
"Now what do you say, Captain Bradleigh?" cried Sir John.
"That it is what I thought at first, sir. The mountain yonder is firinga shot or two. If we had been out at sea, I dare say we should haveseen a great red-hot stone flying up and falling back."
"Then there is going to be an eruption," cried Jack in excited tones.
"That does not follow at all. Some of these volcanoes do no moreperhaps than make a rumbling, and send up a few red-hot stones now andthen. Forward now, gentlemen. Close up, my lads, and follow two andtwo."
The mountain, if the captain was right, made no farther sign, and nowbegan the most interesting part of the journey. With the exception ofhaving to be careful not to stumble over the blocks of coral limestonewhich lay here and there in their road, it was easy walking in spite ofthe darkness, while this latter was modified by the brilliant starsoverhead, the dazzling scintillations of the fireflies, which flitteredout whenever any of the bushes which fringed the sands were approached--and the soft, luminous, oil-like appearance at the edge of the lake.
But the sand was soft, and it seemed to Jack as if they would neverreach the boat.
In the darkness Edward edged up close to his young master, andwhispered--
"Tired, Mr Jack?"
"Dreadfully."
"Makes one's legs feel as if they were made of cast lead."
"Or stones," said Jack.
"Well, p'r'aps you're right, sir. Stone is more like it. Let me carryyour gun, sir. Seems to get heavier every step, don't it?"
"Yes; and the cartridges too. Thank you, Ned. I should be glad to getrid of them. No, you've got your own to carry, and--I say, how do youfeel now? I mean, after your fall."
"Oh, bit stiff, sir. There's nothing broken; but I don't go quite sowell as usual. Shan't be sorry to get back to the yacht. Better giveme your gun, sir."
"Better give me yours to carry, Ned."
"What, sir? Well, 'pon my word, Mr Jack, you do talk. I do wonder atyou."
Just then Jack started, for a hand was laid on his gun.
"Who's that?" he cried.
"Only me, sir--Lenny," said a dark figure behind him. "Let me carryyour gun, and pouch too. I heerd what you said. Take hold of t'other'sweapon, mate," continued the man to the sailor by him, and Jack and hisman tramped the rest of the way relieved of their loads, heartily gladto hear at last a hail from somewhere away in the darkness.
It came from the boat; and directly after a bright light flashed outover the calm lagoon, like a star just rising to shine across the sea,and the men gave a cheer.
"Is that the _Silver Star_, Captain Bradleigh?" said Jack eagerly.
"Yes, my lad. That's better than a figure-head, eh?"
It was extremely beautiful just then, and looked very attractive andsuggestive of rest and a good meal, beside being a guide to them alongthe lagoon, the men as they bent to their oars having the straight pathof light to follow right up to the yacht's bows, and soon after theefforts of the cook and the cheery aspect of everything made Jack forgethis weariness.
"Well, gentlemen," said the captain after their late dinner, "I thinkthat there ought to be another exploration to the east to-morrow."
"Certainly," said Sir John; "I want to feel that we can go about insafety."
"I suppose you'll be too tired to go, Jack?" said the doctor.
"Too tired? Didn't I keep up well to-day?" said the lad quickly.
"Capitally; but you look done up."
"I shall be ready in the morning," said Jack shortly.
"Don't attempt too much at first, Jack," said his father.
"Oh no, I will not do that. But I can't be left behind."
There was no need for any question about the matter, for the captain nowjoined in the conversation again.
"I propose, Sir John," he said, "that we should have the first cutterand the gig to-morrow morning, and let the men row gently along thelagoon, close in shore. It will be a change; we can get along faster,and land as often as you wish. I could have the awning rigged up."
"Yes, capital!" cried the doctor. "If you decide on that, Sir John, Ishould advise a start at daybreak, and a halt for breakfast when the sunbegins to get hot. But, of course, we should have some coffee andbiscuit before we start."
The captain's plan was agreed upon, and in what seemed to be the middleof the night, Jack was awakened from a dream of watching a cup-headedmountain playing at throwing up and catching a huge red-hot ball, by avoice at his berth-side saying--
"Coffee's about ready, Mr Jack--t'other gents has begun to dress."
For some moments Jack stared at him stupidly. "What time is it?" hestammered at last. "Some bells or another, sir--I dunno; but the menhave got the boats out, and the things in for breakfast and lunch. Theywere at it before I woke."
"I won't be long," said Jack, yawning, and wishing the expedition at thebottom of the sea, for he felt dreadfully sleepy, and as if he wouldhave given anything for another hour or two's rest. It seemed absurd tobe getting up in the dark when there was all the day before them, andaltogether he was in that disposition of mind which people say is causedby getting out of bed the wrong way first.
The doctor noticed it as the lad left his cabin to find a comfortablemeal spread by the light of the cabin lamp, and the odour of coffeecoming fragrantly from a steaming urn.
"Here, look at him," cried the doctor. "Mind, or he'll bite."
"Why, Jack, my boy," cried Sir John merrily; "don't look so fierce asthat."
"I didn't know I looked fierce," said the lad in an ill-used tone. "Ican't help feeling tired and sleepy."
"Of course he can't," said Doctor Instow. "He had a very hard dayyesterday. Here, I'll set him right. You go back to bed, Jack, and liethere till we come back. You'll be as fresh as can be then."
"What, let you go without me?" cried the boy, with a sudden display ofanimation. "Of course. It is too much for you."
"Give me some coffee, Ned," said the boy irritably. "Is there no newbread?"
"No, sir. Too soon. Dry toast, sir?"
"Bother the dry toast! you know I don't like dry toast."
"Yes, and it isn't well-made, Jack. You go to bed."
The lad gave the doctor an angry glance, spread some marmalade upon thedry toast, and began to eat and sip from his coffee as fast as the heatthereof would allow.
"Well, are you going to take my advice?" said the doctor, who was prettybusy over his own early breakfast.
Jack made no reply, but went on sipping his coffee, and feeling muchbetter.
Sir John looked up, and raised his eyebrows a little.
"Doctor Instow spoke to you, my boy," he said gently, and, to thespeaker's surprise, his son said coolly--
"Yes, father, I heard him."
"Then why do you not answer?"
"Because he doesn't expect me, father. He knows what I should say."
"Knows?"
"Yes, father; he's only making fun of me. He only said that to make mespeak out."
"Then why do you not speak out? If you are so tired, it is excellentadvice for you to go and take a good long rest."
"And be fidgeting in that hot berth, thinking about the adventures youare having? It would do me harm instead of good. Bring, me some moretoast, Edward."
The doctor threw himself back in his revolv
ing seat at the table, andclapped his hands on his knees.
"Well done, Jack!" he cried. "Bravo, lad! You've got the stuff in youthat good strong men are made of, after all. You're quite right. I didwant to stir you up and make you speak. Stop in bed all day! Not you."
The captain came in.
"How are you getting on, gentlemen?" he said in his bluff way.
"Nearly ready," said Sir John. "Then you will not go with us to-day?"
"No, sir. Let Bartlett have a turn, and I'll take care of the yacht.One word though. I don't for a moment think you will come acrosssavages, but if you do I should like you to take the lead. You don'twant to fight, only to get back safely to the yacht, so make the bestretreat you can."
"Of course," said Sir John, and Jack looked from one to the other in anexcited way, "I expect the doctor here would like a fight," said thecaptain with a grim smile.
"I! Why?" cried Doctor Instow, with a surprised look.
"So as to be getting a specimen or two to take home. I know what younaturalists are."
"Oh, pooh! nonsense! absurd!" cried the doctor, taking a good deepdraught of the coffee Sir John's man knew so well how to provide."Doctors want to save life, not to destroy it--clever doctors do; andI'm not such a very bad one, am I, Jack?"
"I can't talk properly with my mouth full," was the reply.
"But this is not breakfast, my boy," said Sir John, smiling.
"He's quite right, sir," said the captain. "Always make your hay whilethe sun shines, especially when you're travelling."
There was no sign of any light when they went on deck, to find the menin the boats, and the mate waiting with Edward who had slipped up by hisside.
"Hullo!" cried the doctor. "You're not going, Ned?"
"Yes, he is, doctor," said Jack quickly. "I want him."
Sir John said nothing, but stepped down into the large boat.
"I'll go in the other," said the doctor.
"You'll come with us?" said the mate to Jack.
"No; I'll go in the little boat," replied the lad; and he followed thedoctor, Edward, whose face by the gleam of one of the lanterns waspuckered up by a broad smile of satisfaction, entering the gig afterhim.
"You'll be able to go a bit farther to-day, sir," said the captain atparting. "I'd halt at the best place you can find at mid-day, and havea good meal, rest for a couple of hours, and then make the best of yourway back."
Sir John nodded.
"Save the men all you can, Bartlett. You have the sails."
"Yes, sir," cried the mate. Then the oars dropped into the dark waterand they rowed away, the lesser boat about a length behind.
They seemed to Jack to have started too early, for it was very dark, andthe lanterns they carried in the bows shed a strange light across thesmooth water. There was the black forest on their left, and theghostly-looking reef with its billows on their right, with the dullthunderous roar sounding strangely awe-inspiring, and the boy could nothelp feeling a sensation of nervousness as he thought of what theconsequences would be if they rowed on in the dark to a part of thelagoon where the protecting coral bank came to an end.
"You're very quiet," said the doctor suddenly, from his seat in thestern sheets. "What are you thinking about?"
The boy told him.
"Shouldn't have much chance then, my lad," said the doctor. "But nofear, we should have ample warning long before we came to such a spot.The water of the lagoon would not be like this. Perhaps, though, thereis not another opening, for though the waves are always breaking on theoutside, the little coral insects are always building on the in. Butonly think; we must be passing over the most wonderful specimens here,and we can't see a thing. How long is it going to be before the lightcomes?"
"It's coming now," said Jack, pointing up to his left at a bright goldenspeck that seemed almost over their heads, and once more they witnessedall the glories of a tropic sunrise, the change from darkness to lightbeing wonderfully quick, and soon after their eyes were aching with thebeauties of coast and lagoon.
"Oh, this is tiresome," cried the doctor; "fancy wasting our timehunting for danger when there are such chances for collecting. Look atthose birds flying into that grove."
"Yes, and this glorious garden under us. It's so clear that the bottomseems close enough to touch with the hand."
"Look at those fish too. Did you ever see such colours in thesunshine?" cried the doctor.
"There goes a snake," said Jack, "quite a big one; and what's that longshadowy-looking creature?"
"Small shark," said the doctor. "Take notice. Water's tempting forbathing, but it won't do here. There's a shell! Why, Jack, that greatoyster must weigh a couple of hundred-weight!"
"What's that?" cried Jack. "Father's pointing to the shore. I see: alizard. No, it's too big; it must be a crocodile."
"Couldn't be in a bit of an island like this. It is, though. Ah, Isee, there's a little river runs up into the land. Look, it's one ofthe valleys. I wonder the water's so clear. Comes over rocks, Isuppose."
"There he goes," cried Jack, for just then the great heavy saurian,which had crawled out at daybreak to have a nap in the warm sun, divineddanger, shut its jaws with a loud snap, and rushed clumsily into thewater, giving its tail a flourish as it disappeared in a heavy swirl.
"I should have liked his head," said the doctor, "but he may keep it forthe present. We'll remember this place and come and look him up anothertime."
"Is it true that their horny skulls can't be penetrated by a bullet?"asked Jack.
"I should be sorry to trust to it if a man was taking aim at me with arifle, Jack. Oh no: I dare say if you shot at one and it hit the beastat a very sharp angle it might glance off, but a fair straight shotwould go right through one of them. Look at that butterfly--or moth."
"There's something drinking--two somethings--four or five. What arethey?"
"Legs and loins of pork, all alive oh!" said the doctor merrily. "Dearme! and we must not fire at them. What a pity! Look at that littlefellow. He's just the size for the larder."
"You mustn't speak so loud, doctor," cried Jack, laughing; "the pigshear what you are plotting against them."
"Seems like it. My word, how they can run!"
"And swim," cried Jack. "I did not see that fellow in the water."
For one had suddenly appeared from behind a rock about a dozen yardsfrom the sandy shore. It was swimming as easily as a dog, in spite ofwhat old proverbs say about pigs and the water, and it was evidentlymaking eager efforts to reach the sands and rush after its companions,which had probably been making a breakfast off shell-fish, and were nowdisappearing among the trees.
"Ah! look at that," cried the doctor.
For suddenly the pig threw up its head, screaming dismally, and pawingat the air.
"Stupid thing! it could have reached the sands in another half-minute."
"It won't now," said the doctor, reaching back to pick up his doublegun.
"Let's row and try and save it from drowning," cried Jack eagerly.
"It isn't drowning," said the doctor quietly. "Look! there it goes."
Still squealing horribly, the unfortunate little animal suddenly seemedto make a dart backward several yards farther from the shore, but withits head getting lower, till the water rose above its ears, and as itstill glided farther, less and less was visible, till only itswail-producing snout was above the surface.
"Poor wretch! it must be in a terrible current," cried Jack. "Row, row,row."
The men pulled hard, but the doctor shook his head and laid down hisgun, for the pig's snout disappeared with a horrible last gurgling wail.
"Yes, it's in a terrible current," said the doctor, "going downsomething's throat."
"What!" cried Jack, upon whom the truth now flashed.
"Yes, crocodile or shark has got him, my lad. Another warning not totry and bathe."
"Yes, and to try and kill all the crocodiles and sharks we can."
"Which comes natural to all men," said the doctor.
"See that, Jack?" came from the other boat.
"Yes, father. Horrible."
A soft wind began to fan them as they rounded a well-wooded point, andthe men stepped small masts and ran up a couple of lug-sails whichcarried the boats swiftly gliding along over the hardly rippled water.But the lovely garden below was now blurred and almost invisible, so theattention of all was taken up by the shore along which they coasted, andfor hours now they went on past cocoa-nut groves, park-like flat, lovelyravines running upward, and down which tiny rills of water camecascading; past three huge black buttresses of lava, the ends that hadcooled in the water of as many streams of fluent stone; and above all,grey, strange, dotted with masses of rock, seamed, scored, and wrinkled,rose from out of the dense forest, which rail up its flanks, the greattruncated cone, above whose summit floated a faint grey cloud of smokeor steam--which they could not tell.
But when mid-day arrived they had seen neither hut nor canoe, and inaccordance with the captain's instructions they rowed into the mouth ofa little river and landed in a lovely shady ravine, whose waters at acouple of hundred yards from the lagoon were completely shaded by theboughs of ancient trees.
Their halting-place was a pool, at whose head the advance of such salttide as ran up was checked by a huge wall of volcanic rock, down whichtrickled the bright clear waters of one stream, while another took aclear plunge only a few yards away right into the pool.
"What a place for a lunch!" said Sir John, as the occupants of the twoboats now met on shore, and Mr Bartlett placed one of the two keepersfrom each boat in good places for observation of sea and land, so as toguard against surprise.
Edward was now in his element, and while men went with buckets to getwater from the springs by climbing up the side of the huge lava wall, hespread a cloth for the gentlemen's lunch and emptied a flat basket.
The sailors soon selected their spot a dozen yards away, and theirpreparations were very simple.
"Hold hard a minute," cried Edward to the men as they returned with thebuckets filled. "I want one of those. Let's see which is the coldest.Here, Mr Jack, sir, just you come and try this," he cried the nextminute, and on the boy approaching eager enough, the man plunged a glassinto the first bucket and dipped it full of the most brilliantly clearwater possible, and handed it very seriously to his young master.
"Oh, this won't do, Ned," cried the boy; "it isn't cold--why it's hot."
"Hot it is, sir, but just you taste it. I did."
Jack took a pretty good sip and ejected it directly.
"Ugh!" he cried with a wry face. "It's horrible; hot, salt, bitter,filthy, like rotten eggs; and yet it's as clear as crystal."
"Yes, sir, it's about the worst swindle I ever had."
"Here, father--Doctor Instow," cried the boy; and they came up and triedthe water in turn, and looked at each other.
"Regular volcanic water," said the doctor. "Why that would be a fortunein England; people would take it and bathe in it, and believe it wouldcure them of every ill under the sun, from a broken leg up to biliousfever. There's no doubt where that comes from. Look how full it is ofgas."
He pointed to a stream of tiny bubbles rising from the bottom of theglass.
"Sea-water ain't it, sir?" said Edward respectfully; "but how did it getup there?"
"Sea-water? no, my man. Beautifully clear, but strongly charged withsulphur, magnesia, soda, and iron. Which spring did it come from?"
"That one which shoots out into the pool, sir," said one of the men.
"And is the other the same?" cried Jack.
"No, sir; cold as ice and quite fresh."
Jack and the doctor climbed up to see the sources of the two springs,finding the hot not many yards from the edge of the rocky wall, where itwas bubbling up from a little basin fringed with soft pinky-white stone,while the bottom of the pellucid source, which was too hot for the handto be plunged in, was ornamented with beautiful crystals of the purestsulphur.
The source of the cold stream of fresh water they did not find, for itcame dancing down the dark ravine, which was choked with tree-ferns,creepers, and interlacing boughs laden with the loveliest orchids, andtheir progress was completely stopped when they had advanced somehundred yards or so.
"The beginning of the curious features of the place," said Sir John asthey sat down to their pleasant meal, gazing through an arch of greeneryat the sapphire lagoon and the silver foam of the billows on the creamyreef half-a-mile away.
Never did lunch taste more delicious to the rapidly invigorating boy,never was water fresher, sweeter, and cooler than that of which hepartook. Then a good long hour's rest was taken as they all lay aboutlistening to the hum of insects, the whistle, twitter, and shrieking ofbirds; and beneath it all, as it seemed, came the softened bass from thereef.
"What do you say to a start back, Mr Bartlett?" said Sir John at last,as he glanced at his son, who had just risen and gone knife in hand todislodge a cluster of lovely waxen, creamy orchids from a treeoverhanging the pool.
"I think we ought to be going soon, sir," said the mate.
"Here, Jack, my lad, what's the matter?" cried the doctor, springing up,as he saw the lad holding the flowers he had cut at arm's length. "Ah!stand still! Don't move whatever you do."
"Help, help!" shouted Edward. "Snakes! snakes!"
"Down flat, my lads, quick!" cried the mate; and as the men obeyed hepointed out across the lagoon to where a great matting sail came glidinginto sight, looking misty and strange as seen through the veil of foamhanging iridescent about the reef, and twice over rising up sufficientlyfor the long low hull of a great sea-going canoe crowded with men tocome into sight.