Part 17 (2/2)

He did not look back again. Like the slaver, he wanted to shut out the sea for the present. It was a raging, cruel element, and he felt better with it unseen. But he became conscious, instead, of the rain which was driving hard. He suddenly realized that he was cold, and he s.h.i.+vered so violently that the slaver noticed it.

”Never mind, Peter,” he said. ”We're going to a palace, or at least 'twill seem a palace by power of contrast. There you'll be snug and warm.”

”And you can bind up your wound again and get back your strength.”

”Aye, we can bind it up again, but it's not so sure about my getting back my strength. I tell you again, lad, that the grape bit deep. It hurts me all the time to think I was lured under those guns by a silly old fiddler and a couple of silly sailors dancing to his silly tune.

You're a good lad, Peter, I give you credit for it, and since, beside myself, only one on board the schooner was saved, I'm glad it was you and not a member of the crew.”

”We don't know that others were not saved. We haven't had time yet to see.”

”I know they weren't. It's only a miracle that we two came through the reefs. Miracles may happen, Peter, but they don't happen often. n.o.body else will appear on the island. Keep steering for the hill. I'll be glad when we get there, because, between you and me, Peter, it will be just about as far as I can go and I'll need a long, long rest.”

He bore so heavily upon Robert now that their progress was very slow, and the lad himself began to grow weak. It was impossible for any one, no matter how hardy of body and soul, to endure long, after going through what he had suffered. He too staggered.

”I'm leaning hard on you, Peter,” said the slaver. ”I know it, but I can't help it. What a difference a whiff of grapeshot makes!”

Robert steadied himself, made a mighty effort, and they went on. The wind s.h.i.+fted now and the rain drove directly in his face. It was cold to him, but it seemed to whip a little increase of vigor and strength into his blood, and he was able to go somewhat faster. As he pulled along with his burden he looked curiously at the region through which he was traveling. The ground was rough, often with layers of coral, and he saw on all sides of him dense groves of bushes, among which he recognized the banana by the fruit. It gave him a thrill of relief. At all events here was food of a kind, and they would not starve to death. It was the first time he had thought of food. Hitherto he had been occupied wholly with the struggle for immediate life.

A belt of tall trees shut out the hill toward which he had been steering, and he was uncertain. But the man gave him guidance.

”More to the right, Peter,” he said. ”I won't let you go astray, and it's full lucky for us both that I know this island.”

A half hour of painful struggle and Robert saw the dark shape of a small house in the lee of a hill.

”It's the hut, Peter,” said the slaver, ”and you've done well to bring us here. You're not only a good lad, but you're strong and brave, too.

You needn't knock at the door. No one will answer. Push it open and enter. It really belongs to me.”

Robert obeyed while the man steadied himself sufficiently to stand alone. He thrust his hand against the door, which swung inward, revealing a dark interior. A musty odor entered his nostrils, but the hut, whatever its character, was dry. That was evident, and so it was welcome. He went in, helping the wounded man along with him, and standing there a moment or two everything became clear.

It was more than a hut. He was in a room of some size, containing articles of furniture, obviously brought across the sea, and clothing hanging from the wall on hooks. A couch was beside one wall, and two doors seemed to lead to larger chambers or to small closets. The captain staggered across the room and lay down on the couch.

”Well, how do you like it, Peter?” he asked. ”'Twill serve in a storm, will it not?”

”It will serve grandly,” replied Robert. ”How does it come to be here?”

”I had it built. The islands all the way from the Bahamas to South America and the waters around them are the great hunting ground for people in my trade, and naturally we need places of refuge, secluded little harbors, so to speak, where we can commune with ourselves and refresh our minds and bodies. Even rovers must have periods of relaxation, and you'll find a lot of such places scattered about the islands, or, rather, you won't find 'em because they're too well hidden.

I had this built myself, but I never dreamed that I should come back to it in the way I have.”

”It's a palace just now,” said Robert, ”yes, it's more than a palace, it's a home. I see clothing here on the wall, and, by your leave, I'll change you and then myself into some of those dry garments.”

”You're lord of the manor, Peter, by right of strength. I'm in no condition to resist you, even had I the wish, which I haven't.”

a.s.sisted by the man himself, he removed the captain's garments and put him in dry clothing, first looking at the wound in his shoulder, which his experience told him was very serious. The piece of grapeshot had gone entirely through, but the loss of blood had been large, and there was inflammation.

”I must bathe that with fresh water a little later and devise some kind of dressing,” said Robert. ”I've had much experience in the wilderness with wounds.”

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