CHAPTER IX
ODA YORIMOTO
ONLY four men of the Halfmoon's crew were lost in the
wreck of the vessel. All had been crowded in the bow when
the ship broke in two, and being far-flung by the forward part
of the brigantine as it lunged toward the cove on the wave
following the one which had dropped the craft upon the reef,
with the exception of the four who had perished beneath the
wreckage they had been able to swim safely to the beach.
Larry Divine, who had sat weeping upon the deck of the
doomed ship during the time that hope had been at its lowest,
had recovered his poise. Skipper Simms, subdued for the
moment, soon commenced to regain his bluster. He took
Theriere to task for the loss of the Halfmoon.
"An' ever we make a civilized port," he shouted, "I'll prefer
charges ag'in' you, you swab you; a-losin' of the finest bark
as ever weathered a storm. Ef it hadn't o' been fer you a-mutinyin'
agin' me I'd a-brought her through in safety an'
never lost a bloomin' soul."
'Stow it!" admonished Theriere at last; "your foolish bluster
can't hide the bald fact that you deserted your post in time
of danger. We're ashore now, remember, and there is no more
ship for you to command, so were I you I'd be mighty careful
how I talked to my betters."
"What's that!" screamed the skipper. "My betters! You
frog-eatin' greaser you, I'll teach you. Here, some of you, clap
this swab into irons. I'll learn him that I'm still captain of this
here bunch."
Theriere laughed in the man's face; but Ward and a couple
of hands who had been shown favoritism by the skipper and
first mate closed menacingly toward the second officer.
The Frenchman took in the situation at a glance. They
were ashore now, where they didn't think that they needed
him further and the process of elimination had commenced.
Well, it might as well come to a showdown now as later.
"Just a moment," said Theriere, raising his hand. "You're
not going to take me alive, and I have no idea that you
want to anyhow, and if you start anything in the killing line
some of you are going to Davy Jones' locker along with me.
The best thing for all concerned is to divide up this party now
once and for all."
As he finished speaking he turned toward Billy Byrne.
"Are you and the others with me, or against me?" he
asked.
"I'm ag'in' Simms," replied the mucker non-committally.
Bony Sawyer, Red Sanders, Blanco, Wison, and two others
drew in behind Billy Byrne.
"We all's wid Billy," announced Blanco.
Divine and Barbara Harding stood a little apart. Both were
alarmed at the sudden, hostile turn events had taken. Simms,
Ward, and Theriere were the only members of the party
armed. Each wore a revolver strapped about his hips. All were
still dripping from their recent plunge in the ocean.
Five men stood behind Skipper Simms and Ward, but there
were two revolvers upon that side of the argument. Suddenly
Ward turned toward Divine.
"Are you armed, Mr. Divine?" he asked.
Divine nodded affirmatively.
"Then you'd better come over with us--it looks like we
might need you to help put down this mutiny," said Ward.
Divine hesitated. He did not know which side was more
likely to be victorious, and he wanted to be sure to be on the
winning side. Suddenly an inspiration came to him.
"This is purely a matter to be settled by the ship's officers,"
he said. "I am only a prisoner, call me a passenger if you
like--I have no interest whatever in the matter, and shall
not take sides."
"Yes you will," said Mr. Ward, in a low, but menacing
tone. "You're in too deep to try to ditch us now. If you don't
stand by us we'll treat you as one of the mutineers when we're
through with them, and you can come pretty near a-guessin'
what they'll get."
Divine was about to reply, and the nature of his answer
was suggested by the fact that he had already taken a few
steps in the direction of Simms' faction, when he was stopped
by the low voice of the girl behind him.
"Larry," she said, "I know all--your entire connection with
this plot. If you have a spark of honor or manhood left you
will do what little you can to retrieve the terrible wrong you
have done me, and my father. You can never marry me. I
give you my word of honor that I shall take my own life if
that is the only way to thwart your plans in that direction,
and so as the fortune can never be yours it seems to me that
the next best thing would be to try and save me from the
terrible predicament in which your cupidity has placed me.
You can make the start now, Larry, by walking over and
placing yourself at Mr. Theriere's disposal. He has promised to
help and protect me."
A deep flush mounted to the man's neck and face. He did
not turn about to face the girl he had so grievously
wronged--for the life of him he could not have met her
eyes. Slowly he turned, and with gaze bent upon the ground
walked quickly toward Theriere.
Ward was quick to recognize the turn events had taken,
and to see that it gave Theriere the balance of power, with
two guns and nine men in his party against their two guns
and seven men. It also was evident to him that to the other
party the girl would naturally gravitate since Divine, an old
acquaintance, had cast his lot with it; nor had the growing
intimacy between Miss Harding and Theriere been lost upon
him.
Ward knew that Simms was an arrant coward, nor was he
himself overly keen for an upstanding, man-to-man encounter
such as must quickly follow any attempt upon his part to
uphold the authority of Simms, or their claim upon the
custody of the girl.
Intrigue and trickery were more to Mr. Ward's liking, and
so he was quick to alter his plan of campaign the instant that
it became evident that Divine had elected to join forces with
the opposing faction.
"I reckon," he said, directing his remarks toward no one in
particular, "that we've all been rather hasty in this matter,
being het up as we were with the strain of what we been
through an' so it seems to me, takin' into consideration that
Mr. Theriere really done his best to save the ship, an' that as
a matter of fact we was all mighty lucky to come out of it
alive, that we'd better let bygones be bygones, for the time
bein' at least, an' all of us pitch in to save what we can from
the wreckage, hunt water, rig up a camp, an' get things sort o'
shipshape here instid o' squabblin' amongst ourselves."
"Suit yourself," said Theriere, "it's all the same to us," and
his use of the objective pronoun seemed definitely to establish
the existence of his faction as a separate and distinct party.
Simms, from years of experience with his astute mate, was
wont to acquiesce in anything that Ward proposed, though he
had not the brains always to appreciate the purposes that
prompted Ward's suggestions. Now, therefore, he nodded his
approval of Squint Eye's proposal, feeling that whatever was
in Ward's mind would be more likely to work out to Skipper
Simms' interests than some unadvised act of Skipper Simms
himself.
"Supposin'," continued Ward, "that we let two o' your men
an' two o' ourn under Mr. Divine, shin up them cliffs back o'
the cove an' search fer water an' a site fer camp--the rest o'
us'll have our hands full with the salvage."
"Good," agreed Theriere. "Miller, you and Swenson will
accompany Mr. Divine."
Ward detailed two of his men, and the party of five began
the difficult ascent of the cliffs, while far above them a little
brown man with beady, black eyes set in narrow fleshy slits
watched them from behind a clump of bushes. Strange, medieval
armor and two wicked-looking swords gave him a most
warlike appearance. His temples were shaved, and a broad
strip on the top of his head to just beyond the crown. His
remaining hair was drawn into an unbraided queue, tied
tightly at the back, and the queue then brought forward to
the top of the forehead. His helmet lay in the grass at his feet.
At the nearer approach of the party to the cliff top the
watcher turned and melted into the forest at his back. He was
Oda Yorimoto, descendant of a powerful daimio of the Ashikaga
Dynasty of shoguns who had fled Japan with his faithful
samurai nearly three hundred and fifty years before upon the
overthrow of the Ashikaga Dynasty.
Upon this unfrequented and distant Japanese isle the exiles
had retained all of their medieval military savagery, to which
had been added the aboriginal ferocity of the head-hunting
natives they had found there and with whom they had intermarried.
The little colony, far from making any advances in
arts or letters had, on the contrary, relapsed into primeval
ignorance as deep as that of the natives with whom they had
cast their lot--only in their arms and armor, their military
training and discipline did they show any of the influence of
their civilized progenitors. They were cruel, crafty, resourceful
wild men trapped in the habiliments of a dead past, and
armed with the keen weapons of their forbears. They had not
even the crude religion of the Malaysians they had absorbed
unless a highly exaggerated propensity for head-hunting might
be dignified by the name of religion. To the tender mercies of
such as these were the castaways of the Halfmoon likely to be
consigned, for what might sixteen men with but four revolvers
among them accomplish against near a thousand savage
samurai?
Theriere, Ward, Simms, and the remaining sailors at the
beach busied themselves with the task of retrieving such of the
wreckage and the salvage of the Halfmoon as the waves had
deposited in the shallows of the beach. There were casks of
fresh water, kegs of biscuit, clothing, tinned meats, and a
similar heterogeneous mass of flotsam. This arduous labor
consumed the best part of the afternoon, and it was not until it
had been completed that Divine and his party returned to the
beach.
They reported that they had discovered a spring of fresh
water some three miles east of the cove and about half a mile
inland, but it was decided that no attempt be made to transport
the salvage of the party to the new camp site until the
following morning.
Theriere and Divine erected a rude shelter for Barbara
Harding close under the foot of the cliff, as far from the water
as possible, while above them Oda Yorimoto watched their
proceedings with beady, glittering eyes. This time a half-dozen
of his fierce samurai crouched at his side. Besides their two
swords these latter bore the primitive spears of their mothers'
savage tribe.
Oda Yorimoto watched the white men upon the beach.
Also, he watched the white girl--even more, possibly, than he
watched the men. He saw the shelter that was being built, and
when it was complete he saw the girl enter it, and he knew
that it was for her alone. Oda Yorimoto sucked in his lips
and his eyes narrowed even more than nature had intended
that they should.
A fire burned before the rude domicile that Barbara Harding
was to occupy, and another, larger fire roared a hundred
yards to the west where the men were congregated about
Blanco, who was attempting to evolve a meal from the miscellany
of his larder that had been cast up by the sea. There
seemed now but little to indicate that the party was divided
into two bitter factions, but when the meal was over Theriere
called his men to a point midway between Barbara's shelter
and the main camp fire. Here he directed them to dispose
themselves for the night as best they could, building a fire of
their own if they chose, for with the coming of darkness the
chill of the tropical night would render a fire more than
acceptable.
All were thoroughly tired and exhausted, so that darkness
had scarce fallen ere the entire camp seemed wrapped in
slumber. And still Oda Yorimoto sat with his samurai upon
the cliff's summit, beady eyes fixed upon his intended prey.
For an hour he sat thus in silence, until, assured that all
were asleep before him, he arose and with a few whispered
instructions commenced the descent of the cliff toward the
cove below. Scarce had he started, however, with his men
stringing in single file behind him, than he came to a sudden
halt, for below him in the camp that lay between the girl's
shelter and the westerly camp a figure had arisen stealthily
from among his fellows.
It was Theriere. Cautiously he moved to a sleeper nearby
whom he shook gently until he had awakened him.
"Hush, Byrne," cautioned the Frenchman. "It is I, Theriere.
Help me awaken the others--see that there is no noise."
"Wot's doin'?" queried the mucker.
"We are going to break camp, and occupy the new location
before that bunch of pirates can beat us to it," whispered
Theriere in reply; "and," he added, "we're going to take the
salvage and the girl with us."
The mucker grinned.
"Gee!" he said. "Won't dey be a sore bunch in de mornin'?"
The work of awakening the balance of the party required
but a few minutes and when the plan was explained to them,
all seemed delighted with the prospect of discomfiting Skipper
Simms and Squint Eye. It was decided that only the eatables
be carried away on the first trip, and that if a second trip was
possible before dawn the clothing, canvas, and cordage that
had been taken from the water might then be purloined.
Miller and Swenson were detailed to bring up the rear with
Miss Harding, assisting her up the steep side of the cliff.
Divine was to act as guide to the new camp, lending a hand
wherever necessary in the scaling of the heights with the loot.
Cautiously the party, with the exception of Divine, Miller,
and Swenson, crept toward the little pile of supplies that were
heaped fifty or sixty feet from the sleeping members of Simms'
faction. The three left behind walked in silence to Barbara
Harding's shelter. Here Divine scratched at the piece of sail
cloth which served as a door until he had succeeded in
awakening the sleeper within. And from above Oda Yorimoto
watched the activity in the little cove with intent and unwavering eyes.
The girl, roused from a fitful slumber, came to the doorway
of her primitive abode, alarmed by this nocturnal summons.
"It is I, Larry," whispered the man. "Are you dressed?"
"Yes," replied the girl, stepping out into the moonlight.
"What do you want? What has happened?"
"We are going to take you away from Simms--Theriere
and I," replied the man, "and establish a safe camp of our
own where they cannot molest you. Theriere and the others
have gone for the supplies now and as soon as they return we
further preparations to make, Barbara, please make haste, as
we must get away from here as quickly as possible. Should
any of Simms' people awaken there is sure to be a fight."
The girl turned back into the shelter to gather together a
handful of wraps that had been saved from the wreck.
Down by the salvage Theriere, Byrne, Bony Sawyer, Red
Sanders, Blanco, and Wison were selecting the goods that they
wished to carry with them. It was found that two trips would
be necessary to carry off the bulk of the rations, so Theriere
sent the mucker to summon Miller and Swenson.
"We'll carry all that eight of us can to the top of the cliffs,"
he said "hide it there and then come back for the balance.
We may be able to get it later if we are unable to make two
trips to the camp tonight."
While they were waiting for Byrne to return with the two
recruits one of the sleepers in Simms' camp stirred. Instantly
the five marauders dropped stealthily to the ground behind the
boxes and casks. Only Theriere kept his eyes above the level
of the top of their shelter that he might watch the movements
of the enemy.
The figure sat up and looked about. It was Ward. Slowly
be arose and approached the pile of salvage. Theriere drew
his revolver, holding it in readiness for an emergency. Should
the first mate look in the direction of Barbara Harding's
shelter he must certainly see the four figures waiting there in
the moonlight. Theriere turned his own head in the direction
of the shelter that he might see how plainly the men there
were visible. To his delight he saw that no one was in sight.
Either they had seen Ward, or for the sake of greater safety
from detection had moved to the opposite side of the shelter.
Ward was quite close to the boxes upon the other side of
which crouched the night raiders. Theriere's finger found the
trigger of his revolver. He was convinced that the mate had
been disturbed by the movement in camp and was investigating.
The Frenchman knew that the search would not end
upon the opposite side of the salvage--in a moment Ward
would be upon them. He was sorry--not for Ward, but because
he had planned to carry the work out quietly and he
hated to have to muss things up with a killing, especially on
Barbara's account.
Ward stopped at one of the water casks. He tipped it up,
filling a tin cup with water, took a long drink, set the cup
back on top of the cask, and, turning, retraced his steps to
his blanket. Theriere could have hugged himself. The man had
suspected nothing. He merely had been thirsty and come over
for a drink--in another moment he would be fast asleep
once more. Sure enough, before Byrne returned with Miller
and Swenson, Theriere could bear the snores of the first mate.
On the first trip to the cliff top eight men carried heavy
burdens, Divine alone remaining to guard Barbara Harding.
The second trip was made with equal dispatch and safety. No
sound or movement came from the camp of the enemy, other
than that of sleeping men. On the second trip Divine and
Theriere each carried a burden up the cliffs, Miller and Swenson
following with Barbara Harding, and as they came Oda
Yorimoto and his samurai slunk back into the shadows that
their prey might pass unobserving.
Theriere had the bulk of the loot hidden in a rocky crevice
just beyond the cliff's summit. Brush torn from the mass of
luxuriant tropical vegetation that covered the ground was
strewn over the cache. All had been accomplished in safety
and without detection. The camp beneath them still lay
wrapped in silence.
The march toward the new camp, under the guidance of
Divine, was immediately undertaken. On the return trip after
the search for water Divine had discovered a well-marked trail
along the edge of the cliffs to a point opposite the spring, and
another leading from the main trail directly to the water. In
his ignorance he had thought these the runways of animals,
whereas they were the age-old highways of the head-hunters.
Now they presented a comparatively quick and easy approach
to the destination of the mutineers, but so narrow a
one as soon to convince Theriere that it was not feasible for
him to move back and forth along the flank of his column.
He had tried it once, but it so greatly inconvenienced and
retarded the heavily laden men that he abandoned the effort,
remaining near the center of the cavalcade until the new camp
was reached.
Here he found a fair-sized space about a clear and plentiful
spring of cold water. Only a few low bushes dotted the grassy
clearing which was almost completely surrounded by dense
and impenetrable jungle. The men had deposited their burdens,
and still Theriere stood waiting for the balance of his
party--Miller and Swenson with Barbara Harding.
But they did not come, and when, in alarm, the entire party
started back in search of them they retraced their steps to the
very brink of the declivity leading to the cove before they
could believe the testimony of their own perceptions--Barbara
Harding and the two sailors had disappeared.
