Adrift in Pacific and Other Great Adventures – 17 Titles in One Volume (Illustrated Edition). Jules Verne
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and his companions, but also for the rest. Four boys more, and those not the weakest of the party, was a reinforcement not to be despised. And there was not an hour to lose if they were all to be back at French Den within twenty-four hours.
Until evening came the boys remained in the hall, where Kate heard the story of their adventures. She no longer thought of herself, but of those around her.
If they were to remain on Charman Island she would be their devoted servant,—she would take care of them like a mother. And already to the little ones, Dole and Costar, she had given the endearing name of " papooses," applied to babies in the western states of America.
Service, in the spirit of his favourite romances, had already proposed to call her Mrs. Friday, for it was on a Friday that Kate had arrived at French Den. And he had added, when he made the suggestion,—
" These scoundrels are like Crusoe's savages. There is always a time when the savages arrive, just as the time comes when they are beaten."
At eight o'clock the preparations for departure were complete. Moko, whom no danger could frighten, was delighted at having to accompany Briant. The two embarked, taking with them a few provisions and a revolver and cutlass each. After bidding farewell to their comrades, who did not see them depart without a feeling of sorrow, they were soon off out of sight in the shadow on Family Lake. When the sun set a gentle breeze had sprung up from the north, which, if it lasted, would suit the yawl both outwards and homewards.
The night was dark—a fortunate thing for Briant, who did not wish to be seen. Setting their course by the compass, they could reach the opposite shore, and then work up it or down it until they came to the mouth of the river.
Briant and Moko kept a good look-out ahead when they feared they should see some fire which would proclaim the presence of Walston and his companions, for Donagan was almost sure to be camped on the seashore.
In two hours the six miles had been sailed. The breeze had freshened, but the yawl was none the worse for it. She made the landfall close to where she had done so the first time, and about half a mile from where the stream ran out This half-mile took some time to accomplish, for the wind was dead ahead, and the oars had to be used. Everything seemed quiet under the trees; not a yelp or a growl was heard in the forest, and not the sign of a fire was seen under the black masses of foliage.
About half-past ten Briant, who was in the stern of the boat, touched Moko's arm. A few hundred feet away from East River a half-extinguished fire shed its expiring light through the darkness. Who was camped there ? Walston or Donagan ? It was necessary to know before entering the stream.
" Put me ashore," said Briant,
" Shall I not come with you ? " asked the negro in a whisper.
" No! It is better I should go alone, there is less chance of my being seen."
The yawl ran alongside the bank, and Briant jumped ashore, after telling Moko to wait for him. He had his cutlass in his hand, and in his belt was the revolver, which he had resolved not to use except in the last extremity. He climbed the bank and glided under the trees.
Suddenly he stopped. About twenty yards away, in the half-light of the fire, he saw a shadow crouching in the grass. Immediately a formidable grunt was heard, and a dark mass leapt in front of him.
It was a jaguar of large size. Immediately there was a shout of—
"Help! Help!"
Briant recognized Donagan's voice. It was Donagan, in fact, and his companions were asleep in camp near the river.
Knocked over by the jaguar, Donagan was struggling, unable to use his gun.
Wilcox, awakened by the shout, jumped up, and brought his gun to the shoulder, ready to fire.
" Don't fire ! Don't fire ! " cried Briant. And before Wilcox could see him, he had sprung at the wild beast, which turned against him and left Donagan free to get up. Luckily, Briant was able to step aside, and give it a thrust with his cutlass. The jaguar was mortally wounded and rolled on to the ground, as Webb and Cross rushed to Donagan's assistance.
But the victory might have cost Briant dear, for his shoulder was ripped by the animal's claws, and began to bleed profusely.
" How did you come here ? " exclaimed Wilcox.
" That you will know soon! " said Briant. " But come with me! Come! "
" Not till I have thanked you, Briant! " said Donagan. " You have saved my life! "
" I only did what you would have done in my place," replied Briant; " but don't say any more about that. Come with me!"
Briant's wound, however, was noticed. Although it was not a serious one, it had to be bound up tightly with a handkerchief, and while Wilcox was doing this Donagan was told what had taken place.
And so these men who had come by the boat were alive! They were wandering about the island ! They were scoundrels stained with murder! A woman had been wrecked with them in the boat; and this woman was now at French Den ! There was now no safety on Charman Island! That was why Briant had told Wilcox not to fire at the jaguar for fear the report would be heard, and that was why Briant had trusted only to the cutlass!
" Ah, Briant, you are a better fellow than I am !" said Donagan with deep emotion.
" No, Donagan," said Briant; " but now I hold your hand. I will not let it go till you have promised to come back with me."
" Yes, I must come," said Donagan. " You can trust me. Henceforth I shall be the first to obey orders. To-morrow—at daybreak we will be off."
" No," said Briant, " we must start at once, without the risk of being seen."
" And how ? " asked Cross
" Moko is here in the yawl. We were going down the river when I saw the light of your fire."
" And you came just in time to save me," said Donagan.
" And to bring you back to French Den ! "
A few minutes afterwards Briant and his companions had taken their places in the yawl, and as she was rather small for six, she had to be carefully managed.
But the wind was favourable, and Moko handled her so well that the voyage was accomplished without accident.
Great was the joy of Gordon and the rest when they landed about four o'clock in the morning. Although danger threatened, the boys were all united at French Den to meet it.
CHAPTER XIV.
All Together
The colony was again complete, and peace reigned at French Den—peace that was to be untroubled for the future. The separation of two or three days had borne its fruit. More than once already Donagan, without saying anything to his comrades, had been led to think how stupid had been his obstinacy; and Wilcox, Cross, and Webb, had had similar thoughts. After what Briant had done, Donagan's better nature had triumphed, and the change was to be lasting.
But French Den was in serious danger. It was exposed to the attack of seven well-armed scoundrels ; obviously, Walston's best course was to leave the island as soon as he could; but if he came to suspect the existence of a little colony well provided with all that he wanted, he would not refrain from an attack in which he had almost every chance of success. The boys would be obliged to be most careful not to go far from Zealand River or the lake so long as he was in the island.
Donagan was asked if he had seen any trace of the sailors on his journey back.
" No," said he. " But when we went back we did not go the same way as at first."
" But we are sure that Walston went off to the eastward," said Gordon.
" Agreed," answered Donagan, " but he went along the shore, while we came through Beech Forest. If you look