CHAPTER XIV.
A CHASE TO THE YACHT.
Possibly Jerome Wellington had made a study of the tactics employed sosuccessfully by the great and famous general whose name he bore with solittle lustre.
At any rate he believed in a quick and masterly attack, whereby theenemy might be demoralized, providing said enemy chanced to be inferiorto him in power or endurance.
Roderic did not deceive himself with any false hope that the game wasnot worth the candle, nor that his opponent intended only a giganticbluff. He had prepared for business, and meant to be in the game fromstart to finish.
Besides, deep down in his heart he realized that the handsome Adonishad been playing his cards with the idea of centering the affections ofthe charming Georgia upon himself, and this alone was a positive crimein the eyes of the man who lived only to win her for his own.
That rampant spark of jealousy has much to account for in thisworld--kingdoms have fallen, principalities been sacked, and countlesshomes been broken up because of it; while on the other hand it hasurged men to great and noble deeds in order to win in the game ofhearts.
Roderic, therefore, rather enjoyed the prospect of a little bout withthis dashing cavalier whom he had once called his friend--he believedit would do him a world of good to embrace Jerome--he had more thanonce suspected that the modern Beau Brummel was guilty of the awfulcrime--in a gentleman--of wearing stays inside his coat, so that hemight appear more military in his figure; and the opportunity was athand to ascertain the truth.
Thus he stretched out his arms and took the man who leaped forward, tohis heart.
Such an embrace as he gave the Adonis--Georgia thought she heard hisribs crack under the anaconda-like strain, and his tongue certainly didprotrude from between his teeth.
Again Captain Beven's accommodating sneeze sounded like a trumpetthrough the vessel.
It was the last call--the little party was in the act of leaving thecabin--he had exhausted all his resources in the endeavor to hold themback a while longer.
Roderic was hardly in a condition to carry out his part of theprogramme, nor did he care very much, now that his secret had beenjuggled with, and the truth must be made known to all.
First Jerome should be attended to.
His ardor had really run away with his usual discretion--it must becooled off, and Roderic for one knew a means of accomplishing the same.
Time was a factor in his calculations also, since at any moment GeneralPorfidio and the others were apt to appear on the scene.
The little De Brabant had ceased uttering confused prayers to theVirgin for her lover's safety, since he had thus speedily reduced theblustering hero to a state of "innocuous desuetude"--she was now moredeeply concerned in the manner whereby the said Senor Roderic was tofree himself from the incubus that held on with such a tenacious grip.
"Drop him over the rail, _amigo_--a bath, give the handsome Adonisa bath--it will surely be good for his complexion. The rail SenorRoderic--it is close at your hand and _so_ convenient. Besides, bettersuch a soft fall than broken bones on the lower deck!"
Thus she cried in her excitement, modulating her voice until it washardly more than a tense whisper.
And Owen knew it was not so much resentment against Jerome for hispersistent attentions as the eager desire to serve the man she adored,that actuated her course.
The voices of the gentlemen could be plainly heard as they emerged fromthe chart room and sauntered toward the side of the steamer where Bevenhad left his yawl--no doubt the visitor was still cracking some ofhis old chestnut jokes, for the laughter of Don Porfidio bubbled overalmost continually--besides; that champagne had been very extra dry.
At any rate the suggestion advanced by Georgia coincided with Roderic'sown views on the subject.
Perhaps Jerome, had he been given a voice in the matter, as the partymost interested, might have strenuously objected--baths he liked,indeed, was very partial to, in their proper season, but to be thusunceremoniously tumbled from the deck of a steamer into the briny deep,with his most elaborate evening garments on his person was really toomuch of a good thing, and he must have protested earnestly could he buthave found wind with which to clothe his argument.
That luxury was in a great measure denied him, and the best he could dowas to make a feeble kick against the decision of the fair court beingcarried into execution.
It counted for nought.
The American having started could hardly be restrained--once the matchis applied to a train of powder it is difficult to prevent the firefrom running its entire length.
So Jerome was dragged ignobly over the deck to the rail, past thebeauty who had ordered his ducking--he endeavored to so wind himselfabout the affections and also the limbs of his intended executionerthat the latter would have to change his desperate plans or else takethe plunge in his delectable company; but Roderic knew a trick or twothat might be used with profit under such conditions, and he readilybroke the hold of the desperate and vanquished beau.
Then came the finish.
Wellington took a tumble.
He exhausted what breath he chanced to have in his lungs with one awfulwhoop as he went plunging down, arms and legs outspread after themanner of a gigantic frog.
Perhaps he found some satisfaction in the fact that he made thegreatest splash ever known in that lovely harbor, a splash that wouldgo down in the annals of the Azores as beyond all precedent, and whichsuddenly quelled the merry laughter, together with sounds of music thathad floated across the bay.
It is worth considerable to excel in _something_, even if it is only aducking.
Roderic had crossed the Rubicon.
He knew his summary treatment of the Adonis would create tremendousexcitement on board the blockade runner.
There were English sailors in charge and these men could not betreated with the same measure of scorn that he might have bestowed hadthey one and all been Spaniards.
Nevertheless Roderic was far from being panic-stricken in any sense.
He had no sooner dropped Jerome over the rail than he turned toGeorgia, and as the noise of the splash still sounded, said grimly:
"He has been disposed of as you suggested, sweetheart. Let us hope thetemperature of the water will be sufficient to cool his ardor."
"But you must fly--_sanctissima!_ they will harm, perhaps murder you,and I should never forgive myself for having been the cause. Go, SenorRoderic, go with all haste!" she exclaimed, her hands on his arm, herlustrous midnight orbs glowing as they filled with intense excitement.
The man either had a contempt for the peril that threatened or elsehardly grasped its serious nature--at least he showed a recklessnessin dealing with the situation that might possibly have been expectedwhen the fact of his having Irish blood in his veins was taken intoconsideration, for seldom have Ireland's sons been in battle withoutleading some forlorn hope in the van.
"Not until you tell me again that you love me," he declared, eagerly.
Some men would have called him a fool, but evidently they could neverhave adored a woman--to the man who loves, all else gives way beforehis passion.
So nature has constituted him.
"You already know it," she said, quickly, endeavoring to push himtowards the ladder, and even her eagerness to insure his safety was asource of deep satisfaction to the lover.
"But I must hear you say it--consider, weeks may elapse before I seeyou again and I shall be exposed to all manner of danger. Tell me," heinsisted with a determination nothing could move but acquiescence.
Perhaps there was one particular danger in her mind that would hoverover him constantly, and against which she in her innocent, lovingheart prayed that he might be delivered--Cleo.
However, she realized that he would accept no half way compromise.
The sailors on board were shouting and running to the rail to ascertainwhat species of porpoise or shark kicked up such a fiendish racketalongside their vessel, for the wretched Jerome, unable t
o shout, andactually half strangled, was threshing the water like a young steamengine in the endeavor to keep himself afloat and frighten away thevoracious monsters of the deep.
"_Carramba!_ foolish man to risk so much for a woman's word. Know thenthat I do love you with all my heart and soul--the good Father abovepreserve you, for me!"
It was all he asked.
He snatched one burning kiss and then with a hasty "adieu, beloved,"sprang to the ladder.
It was time.
The ship was heaving with commotion.
Had the startling cry of "fire," always dreaded above all else at sea,been sounded aboard the blockade runner, loaded as she was with muchammunition, it could hardly have created greater excitement than nowreigned.
Roderic remained quite cool, which was an advantage to the success ofhis venture.
Garbed as he was as a sailor any one might have taken him for one ofthe crew hastening to his station, since the boatswain's shrill whistlehad called the sailormen to man one of the boats.
It was easy enough work dropping down the ladder, but as some onechanced to be ascending it at the same time an unavoidable collisionensued.
Consequently Roderic and the unknown came to the lower deck in a bunch,and being above, the American found a comfortable lodging place on thebody of his confrere.
He did not linger.
One ejaculatory Spanish swear word from the ascending figure as heswooped down upon him gave Roderic a pretty good idea as to hisidentity.
Wretched Roblado, fated to again endure all the flings of outrageousfortune at the hands of the man from over the sea!
Roderic halted not neither to assist the damaged Spaniard to arise norto offer apologies for such unceremonious conduct.
At such times men cannot be particular as to their _modus operandi_ inconducting their retreat--the end justifies the means.
Happily he had not been at all injured by the fall.
He heard an anxious exclamation skyward and had a glimpse of Georgialooking over the edge of the upper deck.
It was just like the man to wave his hand and even kiss his fingersto the girl ere resuming his course toward the spot where in allprobability Captain Beven anxiously awaited his coming.
A splash announced the launching of a boat.
It was fortunately on the other side of the steamer, since Jerome hadgone over to port.
Even such a small matter might count in the end, should pursuit beinaugurated when Wellington was rescued and managed to regain enoughbreath to splutter out the facts.
At any rate Roderic made a note of this point which was all the moresingular because he had other fish to fry just then.
Fortunately no one attempted to stay his flight--fortunately for themperhaps, as well as his own success, for Roderic was just in the humorto handle any interference roughly.
What he had just passed through had the effect of arousing the lionthat lay beneath the surface in his nature, and he was in a conditionto do more than his share of battle.
Passing the groups of sailors hurrying to the rail, he crossed the deckto where he believed Beven awaited him, for a glimpse of one or morefigures in this quarter announced that it was not deserted.
To his surprise he saw two men.
Captain Beven had company, and Roderic at first glance guessed theidentity of that tall figure.
It was Don Porfidio.
He had walked with the captain to where his yawl awaited, instead ofproceeding to the quarter deck; and now he was also able to resist thetemptation to rush across to the other rail in order to gratify hisnatural curiosity.
It meant something.
Don Porfidio had somehow guessed the truth, or been let in on theground floor by Beven.
Was it war, or peace?
Roderic should have disliked the job exceedingly had he been compelledto administer any sort of drubbing to his excellency the good and gruffdon, but nevertheless had the fates demanded it he must have obeyed thecall to duty.
On the whole, therefore, he was well pleased when the big Porto Ricansoldier suddenly thrust out his hand, saying:
"_Por Dios!_ I honor a brave man who risks much to see one he loves.Senor Owen, success to you!"
Roderic took the hand that was offered--he had much respect for thispatriot and veteran.
"Thank you, senor," he replied.
"All is well?"
"Delightfully so."
"_Cospita!_ good. And pray, what is the cause of all that wonderfulsplashing yonder?" asked the don, as if suspecting that the Yankee knew.
Roderic, already in the act of following Captain Beven down the ropeladder that stretched to the yawl below paused long enough to look upat the general, and laughing say:
"Ask Jerome!"
"Aha! it is as I thought--ask Jerome--undoubtedly Senor Wellington hasmet his Waterloo."
But Owen had already dropped down the side of the blockade runner andinto the boat.
Hardly had he gained the yawl than Beven, who was in the stern sheetssaid huskily:
"Push off, and away. Pull like tigers, my hearties, for unless allsigns fail we may have a chase before we reach the yacht."
The men needed no urging.
Once clear of the steamer and they began to ply their ashen blades withan energy that sent the little boat flying through the water.
It was a period of suspense.
Roderic kept his eyes fastened upon the stern of the steamer, for inthis quarter would the pursuit be inaugurated, should one follow.
The shouts had ceased.
An ominous silence seemed to rest upon the scene.
All depended upon whether the wretched Jerome, upon being rescued fromthe bay, was in a state to disclose what he knew, and the readinessthat bold Captain Shackelford would show in following up the clue thusgiven.
And as he looked, too soon he saw the boat shoot into view propelled bysturdy arms.
"Faster!" cried Beven at the same moment.
There were six pair of English arms against two, but the little yawlwas light and trimly built, so the chances seemed pretty evenly divided.
Roderic surveyed the chase as calmly and critically as though it werea college regatta, with an ordinary loving cup as the stake instead ofhis own liberty, perhaps his life.
"Captain, we shall make it," he said, quietly.
"Undoubtedly," replied laconic Beven, whose practiced eye had alsomeasured the distance yet to be traversed, and the slow if steady gainmade by their pursuers.
"Steady, boys, do your level best," he added, and the sturdy tarsgrunted as they strained at the oars until the veins stood out likewhip cords on their brows.
Meanwhile from the pursuing craft came a variety of oaths andexclamations characteristic of the bold adventurer Shackelford, and bymeans of which he doubtless expected to secure better work from histoiling men; while Jerome, having recovered his tongue, and boilingover with rage, joined his shrill voice to that of the captain,promising fabulous rewards--which he would doubtless pay in notesif called upon--should they overhaul the will-o'-the-wisp boat thattauntingly kept just so far ahead.
It was quite exciting while it lasted.
This romantic harbor in the peaceful Azores had seldom known a moreremarkable scene.
Pity it was the darkness robbed those who might have enjoyed thespectacle, of such a rare sight.
The steam yacht was now close at hand and while those who pursued stillkept up their mad pace it must have been painfully evident to them thatthe chase was hopeless.
Perhaps the daring spirit who led them on had desperate designs ofboarding the yacht and dragging away the object of their vindictivespleen.
Captain Beven was holding the tiller ropes and under his skillfulguidance the yawl turned the yacht's stern, coming up alongside.
Instantly a hand clutched the painter.
"Aboard with you!" called the skipper.
Roderic was the first to spring on deck, but the others were at hisheels.
To sight the oncoming boat was now their design, and accordingly theyleaped across the deck, believing Shackelford would head direct forthat nearer quarter.
Nor were they mistaken in this surmise, for as they reached therail the boat from the blockade runner shot under them and hauled upalongside.