Part 34 (1/2)

Carmela struck an att.i.tude.

”Wot, d'ye know 'im?” asked Watts.

”No, it is something--rather important. I must go back to my father.

Ah, I ought to explain. I am the Senhora De Sylva, Dom Corria's daughter.”

”Are you really, mum,--miss?” exclaimed Watts, highly interested. ”'Ow in the world did ye manage to come up from the coast? Accordin' to all accounts----”

”Yes, what were you going to say?” for the man hesitated.

”Well, some of our chaps will 'ave it that we're runnin' close-hauled on a lee sh.o.r.e.”

Carmela knit her brows. The Watts idioms were not those of her governess.

”We had no great difficulty in pa.s.sing through Dom Barraca's lines, if that is what you mean,” she said. ”Mr. Verity and Mr. Bulmer had obtained special permits, but in my case----”

”Mr. 'oo, did you say, miss?” demanded Watts, whose lower jaw actually dropped from sheer amazement.

”Mr. Verity, the owner of the _Andromeda_. You are one of the crew, I suppose?”

”I'm the chief officer. Watts is my name, miss. But d'you mean to tell me that ole David Verity 'as come 'ere--to Brazil--to this rotten . . . Sorry, miss, but you gev' me a turn, you did. An' d.i.c.key Bulmer--is _'e_ 'ere too?”

”Yes, or he soon will be here. I rode on in advance of the others.”

”Well--there--if that don't beat c.o.c.k-fightin'!” cried Watts. ”Wot'll c.o.ke say? W'y, 'e'll 'ave a fit. An' Miss Iris! She's to marry ole d.i.c.key. Fancy 'im turnin' up! There'll be the deuce an' all to pay, now, wot between 'im an' Hozier an' the das.h.i.+n' colonel.”

The horse, trying to nibble some gra.s.s at Carmela's feet, suddenly threw his head up, for the cruel South American bit had tightened under a jerk of the reins.

”Who is Mr. Hozier?” asked the girl calmly.

”He is, or was, our second mate, but since the colonel an' 'e got to loggerheads 'e took an' raised a corps of scouts. Some of our fellows joined, but not me. Killin' other folks don't agree with me a little bit. I don't mind a s.h.i.+ne in a snug or a friendly sc.r.a.p over an extry drink, but w'en it comes to them long knives----”

”And the colonel--what is _his_ name?” broke in Carmela, turning to loosen the surcingle. She could control her voice but not her eyes, and she did not wish to startle this open-mouthed gossip.

”San Benavides, miss. Captain 'e was on Fernando Noronha; 'e took a mighty quick jump after we kem ash.o.r.e. But I ax your pardon for ramblin' on in this silly way. Won't you go inside? There's a useful ole party there, name of Maria----”

”Ah, Maria--dear, good Maria--she at least will not have forgotten me,”

sobbed Carmela in her own tongue, and Watts afterwards informed c.o.ke that although the inhabitants of China were noted for their peculiar ways, when it came to a show-down in that qualification, the average woman could beat any c.h.i.n.ky ever born. Had he but known more, Watts was also in a position to state that he had squared accounts with the scornful President.

For the Senhora De Sylva might have been seized with mortal illness if judged solely by the manner in which she staggered into her father's house, threw her arms around the neck of an elderly woman whom she petrified by her appearance, and almost fainted--not quite, but on the verge, much nearer than such a strong-minded young lady would have thought possible an hour earlier.

Maria screamed loudly. Tongue-tied at first, she was badly scared when Carmela collapsed on her ample bosom. Restoratives and endearments followed. Carmela asked to be taken to a room where she might wash and shake the dust from her hair and clothes. Maria considered ways and means. Every room in the big house was crowded.

”Who is in my own apartment?” demanded Carmela.

Even before the answer was forthcoming she guessed the truth. The Senhora Ingleza, of course. Those fine eyes of hers flashed dangerously.

”What, then? Does this woman come here and take all?” she cried.

”Ah, _pequinina_, do not be angry,” said Maria. ”Who save the good G.o.d could tell that you would come from Paris to-day? And the Senhora Ingleza will be glad to give place to you. She is so kind, so unselfish. All the men adore her.”