CHAPTER IX
A PASSENGER FOR PENANG
From the information given him by Captain Bunce, Smith hoped to pickup the lights of Penang without much difficulty. While on the ship'sdeck he had noticed that the easterly breeze was very light, so thateven with the slight additional weight he carried, his speed would notbe greatly diminished. With good luck three or four hours would seehim safe in port.
Rodier pulled out his watch soon after they started, and comparing itwith the schedule of the journey, shouted in Smith's ear--
"We are four hours late, mister."
"I know we are," cried Smith. "Confound you, Roddy, you're alwaystelling me I'm late. If you say anything like that again I'll throwyou out."
Rodier grinned.
"Mademoiselle wouldn't like that," he shouted. "Tout va bien,mademoiselle?" he said, turning to the lady. "Vous n'avez pas peur?"
"It is terribly fast," said the girl breathlessly, and Rodier came tothe conclusion that Captain Bunce's opinion of his daughter'slinguistic ability was exaggerated.
The moon had set, and the flight was continued in almost totaldarkness. At length, shortly before four o'clock in the morning, Smithcaught sight of lights ahead. He had touched at Penang some yearsbefore, when his first ship was on her way out to the Australianstation, and he knew that the most suitable place for alighting was alarge open space, clear of vegetation and buildings, about a mile fromthe port. In a few minutes the aeroplane was flying over the sleepingtown. He slackened speed, and circled around for some time, seekingthe spot with the aid of his searchlight. He discovered it with moreease than he had dared to hope, and bidding Rodier look out forobstacles, descended to the ground.
"Here we are, Miss Bunce," he said cheerfully, as he stepped out. "Ihope you feel none the worse for your ride."
"It is wonderful," said the girl. "I shall never forget it."
"The question is, what are we to do now? Your father mentioned afriend of his, but as I have little time to spare I think you hadbetter come with me to my friend Mr. Daventry. He is in theadministration here, and I am sure Mrs. Daventry will be glad to doanything she can for you. You see, I can find my way there in thedark, I think, whereas we should have to wait until daylight to findyour father's friend, and that would be a nuisance in every way."
"I will do whatever you think best."
Leaving Rodier with the aeroplane, the other two set off towards thetown.
"You will try to send help to Father?" said the girl.
"As soon as it's light. This is Sunday morning, by the way. _You_'reall right, but I'm afraid I look far from Sundayish. Still, no one cansee me, and I shall be off before the people go to church."
"So soon as that? Aren't you very tired?"
"Not so tired as I've been in the manoeuvres. We get a nap in turn,you know."
"How _can_ you sleep when you're in such terrible danger?"
"Well, you see I'm used to it. We don't think of the danger. Perhapsit's because I've never had a bad accident. The want of a decent mealis the worst of it. We haven't had one since Thursday night, but Idaresay we can keep going on light fare for another three or fourdays."
"You know I've often wanted to go up in an aeroplane, though Isuspect I should have backed out if I had really had the chance. I'mvery glad Father insisted on my coming, but I wish it had beendaylight; I could only hold on and try not to be afraid."
"I'm sorry we can't take you with us--no, I don't quite mean that,Miss Bunce; of course you couldn't come careering about; what I meanis that I shall be very glad to take you a daylight trip one of thesedays if you care to come--when we get back home, of course. CaptainBunce was kind enough to give me an invitation; he said you would giveme a cup of tea--"
"And sing to you! I know exactly what he said; but you mustn't pay toomuch attention to Father. He's a dear old man, but quite absurd overmy little accomplishments."
"But I may have a cup of tea?"
"With or without sugar--if you really mean it."
"Of course I mean it. One of these days you will find my aeroplane atyour door--"
"Good gracious! it will be in pieces, then, for our street isn't wideenough to give it room."
"Well, you'll find _me_ at the door then; and after I have had my cupof tea, with three lumps of sugar, and you have sung a littlesong--just to please your father, of course--we will walk to where myman is waiting with the aeroplane, two or three streets off, and we'lltake a jaunt to Greenwich Park, or Richmond, or wherever you like."
"That will be very nice," said Miss Bunce, and Smith wished it werenot too dark to see her face, for the tone expressed utter disbelief.He wanted to assure her that he meant what he said, but, reflectingthat he had better not seem to suggest that she doubted it, he said--
"That's settled, then. I suppose it will be three or four monthsbefore you get home, and I shan't have another leave for I don't knowhow long, so we won't fix a date. Now Mr. Daventry's bungalow is inthis direction; I hope I shall be able to find it."
They walked about for some minutes before Smith was able to satisfyhimself that he had discovered the bungalow. They passed through thecompound, looked with a smile at the native servant sleeping on a matat the door, and laughed to see him jump when awakened by Smith'svigorous rapping. At a word from Smith the man went into the dwelling,but a moment afterwards a window above the entrance was thrown open,and a loud voice demanded what was the matter.
"That you, Daventry?" Smith called.
"Yes. Who are you? What's the matter?"
"It's Charley Smith. Sorry to disturb you at this unearthly hour, oldchap."
"What in the name of--! All right. I'll come down."
They saw a light struck; in a minute they saw framed in the doorway atall man in pyjamas, holding a candle.
"Come in, Smith," he cried. "Why, what the--! Here, I say, I won't bea minute."
Setting down the candle on the doorstep, he hurriedly fled. Smithglanced at the girl. She was quite unembarrassed, and when she caughthis eye she frankly smiled. "She's the right sort," he said tohimself. Presently Mr. Daventry returned in trousers and a smokingjacket.
"Excuse my leaving you. I went to--to waken Mary," he said. "She'll bedown in a minute; come in. Didn't know you were married, old boy," hewhispered, taking Smith by the arm.
"Hush!" said Smith anxiously, hoping that Margaret Bunce had notcaught the words.
Mr. Daventry led them into his dining-room, turned on the lights, andlooked inquiringly at his visitors. The girl was already unpinning herlow cloth hat.
"Why, what on earth--!" exclaimed Mr. Daventry; "what have you beendoing to yourself, Smith?"
"I _am_ a bit of a sweep, no doubt, but you can give me a bath. Thefact is--well, it's plaguey difficult to tell it shortly--but the factis I picked up this lady--no, hang it all! Miss Bunce, please help meout."
"Mr. Smith picked me up, as he says, from a burning ship in mid-ocean,and was kind enough to bring me here in his aeroplane."
"Sounds simple, don't it?" said Smith, as Mr. Daventry looked from oneto the other in amazement.
"But--I don't understand--mid-ocean--an aeroplane? Mary," he added toa lady in a dressing-gown who had just entered, "come and listen tothis. You know Charley Smith? Miss--Miss--"
"Margaret Bunce," said the girl, rising.
"My wife. Now, let us all sit down and see if we can make this out. IfI understand aright Miss Bunce was in a burning ship in mid-ocean--"
"Oh, poor thing!" said Mrs. Daventry sympathetically, going toMargaret and taking her hand.
"And--correct me if I'm wrong--Smith descended out of the clouds,caught up Miss Bunce, and flew with her to the house of his nearestfriend. Is your aeroplane outside, old man?"
"It's a mile away, in charge of my chauffeur. I think I had bettertell the whole story from the beginning."
"I think so, too; it's rather cloudy at present. Have a cigar--if theladies don't mind."
"Well, two days ago I learnt that my father
was shipwrecked alongwith the company of his survey vessel on one of the Solomons,practically unarmed, the report says. As the news was taken toBrisbane by some of the crew in an open boat, they must have been atthe mercy of the savages for a week or more, and probably hard pushed.Of course a gunboat was to be sent to relieve them, but as every hourwas important I decided to try to get to them in my aeroplane and takethem some ammunition. Last night, coming somewhere south of theAndamans, we saw a ship on fire; she was adrift, lost her masts andall boats but one. The captain asked me to send help as soon as I gothere, and Miss Bunce was good enough to accept our escort, and here weare."
"Good heavens!" exclaimed Mr. Daventry. "But--I don't understand yet.How did you come to be by the Andamans? Where did you come from?"
"Left London early Friday morning: came by Constantinople andKarachi."
"Upon my word, Smith, if I didn't know you I should be inclined to askif you are sober. You have come all the way from London since Fridaymorning?"
"Exactly. But I know you'll excuse me: I haven't time to tell you anymore. We are already four hours late, and every hour means nearly twohundred miles. There are two things I want to do. First to arrangewith the port officer to send help to Captain Bunce; then to get thepetrol and lubricating oil ordered for me here. Van Kloof's the man.You know him, of course."
"Yes, but it's Sunday."
"The better the day, the better the deed. I must have the petrol; Imust start in two hours or less. And I should like a good bath and abreakfast first."
"You shall have both, but surely you can wait till daylight."
"I'm afraid I can't. It is very awkward, I admit, and I fear I shallgive you and several others a lot of trouble; but needs must when thedevil drives, as they say, and the devil in this case is Father Time.You see, I've not only got to take some rifles and ammunition to theshipwrecked party, but I must rejoin my ship by Friday morning, orthere'll be ructions. I've got a name for overstepping the limit, andmy captain warned me that I'd better rejoin promptly this time."
"We mustn't hinder him, Jack," said Mrs. Daventry.
"But, hang it all, Mary, do you understand what it means? He'll killhimself, rushing round the world like this."
"Not at all; I'm pretty tough," said Smith. "Now, old fellow, what isthe best you can do for me?"
"Go and get your things on, Jack," said Mrs. Daventry practically."You can take Mr. Smith down to the harbour and get what he wants.I'll see about the bath and the breakfast, and I am sure Miss Buncewill help; I won't disturb the servants. Really, it is quiteexciting."
"Thank you, Mrs. Daventry. It is very good of you. But I'm sure MissBunce ought to go to sleep."
"I am not a bit sleepy," said the girl, "and I shall certainly helpMrs. Daventry."
"Come along then, my dear," said the hostess. "We will go and see tothings at once."
In five minutes Mr. Daventry was down. He and Smith left the house andmade their way rapidly to the harbour. The port officer complained athaving his beauty sleep disturbed, and when he learnt that hisassistance was wanted for a burning ship near the Andamans he declaredthat he wished wireless had never been invented.
"People know too much nowadays," he grumbled. "They'll know what wethink before we think it next."
"Don't undeceive him," whispered Smith to Daventry, anxious to escapethe necessity of lengthy explanations. The port officer agreed to senda steamer in search of the _Elizabeth_ as soon as it was light. Then,without losing a minute, Daventry led Smith to the house of Mr. VanKloof, of whom the petrol had been ordered.
"He's a bit of a slow-coach," said Daventry, "and will want to knowall about it, so I advise you to tell him everything; or better still,leave it to me."
"Very well. Anything to save time."
Mr. Van Kloof was hard to awaken. When he was at last aroused by hisservants, he put his head out of his bedroom window, and demandedgruffly what was the matter.
"Come down, Van Kloof, and I'll explain. It's a matter of life ordeath," said Daventry.
"Vat is it? An earthquake?"
"Worse than that. Slip into your breeches, man."
The merchant presently appeared at his door in shirt and breeches, andcarrying a revolver.
"You got a cable from London ordering eighty gallons of petrol to beheld ready for Lieutenant Smith?" said Daventry.
"So. Dat is quite true."
"Well, here is Lieutenant Smith, and he wants the petrol at once."
Mr. Daventry explained where the petrol was to be sent.
"No, it cannot be done, Mr. Daventry. It is Sunday morning. My storeis closed, and I do not understand the hurry."
"Lieutenant Smith is off to the Solomon Islands to save his fatherfrom being eaten by cannibals. There isn't a moment to lose."
"Dat is strange. For vy should I take oil for a motor-boat up country?You are playing games vid me?"
"Of course not. He's not going by motor-boat, but by aeroplane."
"Oho! Tell dat to the marines."
"Hang it, Van Kloof, listen without interrupting. Mr. Smith has comeby aeroplane from London, and is going on at once. Give me the key ofyour store, and we'll go and get the stuff ourselves."
"Veil, of all the--pardon me, gentlemen, but you vill allow me to beshocked to hear such news at five o'clock on a Sunday morning. I villcome vid you. I must vake up some coolies to carry the cans. But itshall be done; I vill myself see to it. I must look vell at disaeroplane."
"You're sure we can rely on you?"
"I vill bring all before an hour, you may trust me for dat."
"Then we'll hurry back, Smith, and see about your breakfast. Whatabout your man, by the way?"
"He's cleaning the engine by searchlight, and eating sardines andbiscuits, or something of the sort."
"Couldn't we fetch him?"
"I'm afraid there isn't time, and besides, he can hardly leave theaeroplane unattended. It's hard lines, but I'll make it up to him whenwe get back."
They returned to the bungalow. A steaming bath was ready. When Smithhad bathed, he found hot coffee and eggs awaiting him. He ate anddrank ravenously, and in a quarter of an hour declared that he mustget back to the aeroplane.
"Nonsense," said Daventry. "The petrol won't be there for half-an-houryet. You'll just lie down and rest, and have a comfortable smoke. I'llgo up the hill and take some food to your man."
"You're a good fellow," said Smith, dropping into a capaciousarm-chair. Mrs. Daventry arranged a cushion behind his head, MissBunce placed a stool for him to stretch his legs on, and inhalf-a-minute he was fast asleep.
"Don't wake him for an hour," said Mr. Daventry, as he left the house;"I'll see that all is ready for him."
The sun was rising when Mrs. Daventry, now dressed for outdoors,wakened the sleeper by lifting his hand. He sprang up with a start.
"Now, don't be agitated," said Mrs. Daventry. "It's just six o'clock.Jack has gone to see that all is ready for you, and Miss Bunce and Iare coming to see you start. Really, I quite envy her, though I'm sureI should never have the courage to go up in the air."
"You'll think nothing of it some day. You've been very kind, and I'mimmensely obliged to you. By the way, will you ask Daventry, in case Iforget it, to send a cable to my sister to say that I'm all right?"
"I won't forget. Now shall we go?"
They found that a small crowd had collected round the aeroplane. Mr.Daventry and Mr. Van Kloof were there, with several other Englishmen,and a number of Chinese coolies and nondescript natives stood at alittle distance, gazing in wondering silence. Rodier had his watch inhis hand, and looked reproachfully at his employer. Smith pressedthrough the crowd, shaking hands with the Englishmen one afteranother, but declaring that he had no time for talking. He shook handswith the Daventrys and Miss Bunce last of all, thanking them veryheartily for their assistance; then, calling for a clear space, hefollowed Rodier to his seat. Almost before the onlookers could realizewhat was happening, the aeroplane was in action, and while they weres
till discussing the extraordinary nature of this means of locomotion,it had soared into the air, flown humming away from them, and becomea mere speck in the eastern sky.
They were scarcely clear of the ground before Rodier, raising hisvoice to a bellow, shouted--
"Mister!"
"Yes. What?" replied Smith, fearing that something was wrong.
"Mister! We are four hours ten minutes late!"