Part 10 (2/2)
said Gascoyne, ”I may perhaps shew what ought to be done in this emergency.”
”I can co-operate with any one who proves himself worthy of confidence,”
retorted Montague, sharply.
”Well, then,” continued the other, ”it is in vain to think of doing any good by a disorderly chase into mountains like these. I would advise that our forces be divided into three. One band under Mr Thorwald should go round by the Goat's Pa.s.s, to which I will guide him, and cut off the retreat of the savages there. Another party under my friend Henry Stuart should give chase in the direction in which little Alice seems to have been taken, and a third party, consisting of his Majesty's vessel the _Talisman_, and crew, should proceed round to the north side of the island and bombard the native village.”
”The Goat's Pa.s.s,” growled Thorwald, ”sounds unpleasantly rugged and steep in the ears of a man of my weight and years, Mister Gascoyne. But if there's no easier style of work to be done, I fancy I must be content with what falls to my lot?”
”And, truly,” added Montague, ”methinks you might have a.s.signed me a more useful, as well as more congenial occupation than the bombardment of a mud village full of women and children--for I doubt not that every able-bodied man has left it, to go on this expedition.”
”You will not find the Goat's Pa.s.s so bad as you think, good Thorwald,”
returned Gascoyne, ”for I propose that the _Talisman_ or her boats should convey you and your men to the foot of it, after which your course will be indeed rugged, but it will be short;--merely to scale the face of a precipice that would frighten a goat to think of and then a plain descent into the valley where, I doubt not, these villains will be found in force; and where, certainly, they will not look for the appearance of a stout generalissimo of half savage troops. As for the bombarding of a mud village, Mr Montague, I should have expected a well-trained British officer ready to do his duty whether that duty were agreeable or otherwise.”
”My _duty_, certainly,” interrupted the young captain, hotly, ”but I have yet to learn that _your_ orders const.i.tute _my_ duty.”
The bland smile with which Gascoyne listened to this tended rather to irritate than to soothe Montague's feelings; but he curbed the pa.s.sion which stirred his breast, while the other went on--
”No doubt the bombarding of a defenceless village is not pleasant work, but the result will be important, for it will cause the whole army of savages to rush to the protection of their women and children; thereby disconcerting their plans--supposing them to have any--and enabling us to attack them while a.s.sembled in force. It is the nature of savages to scatter, and so to puzzle trained forces,--and no doubt those of his Majesty are well trained. But `one touch of nature makes the whole world kin,' says a great authority; and it is wonderful how useful a knowledge of the various touches of nature is in the art of war. It may not have occurred to Mr Montague that savages have a tendency to love and protect their wives and children as well as civilised men, and that--”
”Pray, cease your irrelevant remarks; they are ill-timed,” said Montague, impatiently. ”Let us hear the remainder of your suggestions.
I shall judge of their value and act accordingly. You have not yet told us what part you yourself intend to play in this game.”
”I mean to accompany Captain Montague, if he will permit me.”
”How! go with me in the _Talisman_,” said Montague, surprised at the man's coolness, and puzzled by his impudence.
”Even so,” said Gascoyne.
”Well, I have no objection, of course; but it seems to me that you would be more useful at the head of a party of your own men.”
”Perhaps I might,” replied Gascoyne; ”but the coral reefs are dangerous on the north side of the island, and it is important that one well acquainted with them should guide your vessel. Besides, I have a trusty mate, and if you will permit me to send my old s.h.i.+pmate, John b.u.mpus, across the hills, he will convey all needful instructions to the _Foam_.”
This was said in so quiet and straightforward a tone that Montague's wrath vanished. He felt ashamed of having shewn so much petulance at a time when affairs of so great importance ought to have been calmly discussed, so he at once agreed to allow b.u.mpus to go. Meanwhile Henry Stuart, who had been fretting with impatience at this conversation, suddenly exclaimed--
”It seems to me, sirs, that you are wasting precious time just now. I, at least, am quite satisfied with the duty a.s.signed to me, so I'm off-- ho! who will join me?”
”I'm your man,” cried Corrie, starting up and flouris.h.i.+ng the broken sabre above his head. At the same moment about a hundred natives ranged themselves round the youth, thus indicating that they, too, were his men.
”Well, lad, away you go,” said Gascoyne, smiling, ”but Master Corrie must remain with me.”
”I'll do nothing of the sort,” said Corrie, stoutly.
”Oh! yes, you will, my boy. I want you to guide my man b.u.mpus over the mountains. You know the pa.s.ses, and he don't. It's all for the good of the cause, you know,--the saving of little Alice.”
Corrie wavered. The idea of being appointed, as it were, to a separate command, and of going with his new friend, was a strong temptation, and the a.s.surance that he would in some way or other be advancing the business in hand settled the matter. He consented to become obedient.
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