Spanish doubloons

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Title:SpanishDoubloons
Author:CamillaKenyon
ReleaseDate:June17,2004[EBook#12639]Lastupdated:April22,2012
Language:English
***STARTOFTHISPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKSPANISH
DOUBLOONS***

ProducedbyAlHaines


SPANISHDOUBLOONS
BYCAMILLAKENYON


WITHFRONTISPIECEBY
LOUISROGERS

1919

ToL.T.
Inrecognitionofherfaithinme.


CONTENTS
IANAUNTERRANTIIAPOLLOANDSOMEOTHERSIIIIENGAGETHEENEMYIVTHE
ISLEOFFORTUNEVTHECAPTAIN'SLEGACYVITHECAVEWITHTWOMOUTHSVIIA

RABBIT'SFOOTVIIIANEXCURSIONANDANALARMIX"LASSIE,LASSIE..."XWHAT
CRUSOEANDIFOUNDXIMISSBROWNEHASAVISIONXIITHEISLANDQUEEN'S
FREIGHTXIIIIBRINGTOLIGHTACLUEXIVMR.TUBBSINTERRUPTSXVSOME
SECRETDIPLOMACYXVILIKEACHAPTERFROMTHEPASTXVIIFROMDEADHANDS
XVIIIOFWHICHCOOKIEISTHEHEROXIXTHEYOUNGPERSONSCORESXX'TWIXT
CUPANDLIPXXITHEBISHOP'SCHEST

SpanishDoubloons
I
ANAUNTERRANT

NeverhadlifeseemedmorefairandsmilingthanatthemomentwhenAunt
Jane'sletterdescendeduponmelikeaboltfromtheblue.Thefactis,Iwas
takingavacationfromAuntJane.Beinganorphan,Iwassupposedtobeunder
AuntJane'swing,butthiswasthemerestpolitefiction,andIamsurethatnohen
withonechickenworriesaboutitmorethanIdidaboutAuntJane.Ihadspent
thelastthreeyears,sinceAuntSusandiedandleftAuntJanewithallthatmoney
andnoonetolookafterherbutme,insnatchingherfromthebrinkofdisaster.
Hermostrecentandnarrowescapewasfromavelvet-tonguedpersonofhalfher
yearswhoturnedouttobeaconvictonparole.Shehadherhand-bagpackedfor
theelopementwhenIconfrontedherwiththisunpleasantfact.Whenshecame
toshewasbitterinsteadofgrateful,andwentaboutforweekspresentinga
spectacleofblightedaffectionswhichwastoomuchforthemostself-approving
conscience.SoitendedwithmypackingherofftoNewYork,whereIwroteto
herfrequentlyandkindly,urginghernottomindmebuttostayaslongasshe


liked.
MeanwhileIcameuptotheranchforalongholidaywithBessandthebaby,a
holidaywhichhadalreadystretcheditselfouttoThanksgiving,andthreatenedto

lastuntilChristmas.Peoplewrotealluringlyfromtown,butwhathadtownto
offercomparedwithasaddle-horsetoyourself,andalitterofcolliepupstoplay
with,andababyjustlearningtowalk?Ievenbegantoconsiderranchingasa
career,andtopicturemyselfstridingovermybroadacresintop-bootsand
corduroys.
AstoAuntJane,mystateofmindwasfatuouslycalm.Shewasstayingwith
cousins,wholiveinasuburbandarefrightfullyrespectable.Iwassurethey
numberednoconvictsamongtheiracquaintance,orindeedanyonefromwhom
AuntJanewaslikelytorequirerescuing.AndifitcametoaretiredmissionaryI
wasperfectlywilling.
Butthecousinsandtheirrespectabilityareofthepassiveorder,whereasto
manageAuntJanedemandsaggressiveandcontinuousaction.Hencethebolt
fromtheblueabovealludedto.
Iwasswingingtranquillyinthehammock,Iremember,whenBessbroughtmy
lettersandthenhurriedawaybecausethebabyhadfallendown-stairs.Unwarned
bytheslightestpremonitorythrill,IkeptAuntJane'slettertillthelastand
skimmedthroughalltheothers.Ishouldbethankful,Isuppose,thatthepeace
soontobesorudelyshatteredwasprolongedforthosefewmoments.Irecalled
afterward,butdimly,asthoughagulfofagesyawnedbetween,thatIhadbeen
quiteinterestedinsixpagesofprattleaboutthePattersondance.
AtlastIcametoAuntJane.Irippedopentheenvelopeanddrewouttheletter—
afatone,butthenAuntJane'slettersarealwaysfat.Shesaysherselfthatsheis
ofthosewhosesoulsflowfreelyforthininkbutarefrozenbythecoldeyeofan
unsympatheticlistener.Nevertheless,asIspreadouttheclose-filledpagesIfelt
amildwonder.Writingsolarge,soblack,sostaggering,somadlyunderlined,
mustindicatesomethingabove,evenAuntJane'susualemotionallevel.Perhaps
insobertruththerewasamissionary-experimentto"FindCapitalafter,or;"
TwentyminuteslaterIstaggeredintoBess'sroom.
"Hush!"shesaid."Don'twakethebaby!"
"Babyornobaby,"Iwhisperedsavagely,"I'vegottohaveatime-table.Ileave

forthecitytonighttocatchthefirststeamerforPanama!"
Later,whilethebabyslumberedandIpackedexperimentto"FindPeriodin
middle"explained.Thiswasdifficult;notthatBessisasageneralthingobtuse,
butbecausethepictureofAuntJaneembarkingforsomewild,loneisleofthe
Pacificastheheadofatreasure-seekingexpeditionwasenoughtoshakethe
strongestintellect.Andyet,amidthewelterofinkandeloquencewhichfilled
thosefatefulpages,therewasthecoldhardfactconfrontingyou.AuntJanewas
goingtolookforburiedtreasure,incompanywithoneVioletHigglesbyBrowne,whomshesprungonyouwithouttheslightestexplanation,asthough
alludingtotheQueenofShebaortheSiamesetwins.Bybeginningattheend
andreadingbackward—AuntJane'slettersareusuallymostintelligiblethatway
—youmanagedtopiecetogethersomeexplanationofthisMissHigglesbyBrowneandherplaceintheschemeofthings.ItwasthroughMissBrowne,
whomshehadmetatalectureuponSoul-Development,thatAuntJanehad
cometorealizeherclaimsasanIndividualupontheCosmos,alsotodiscover
thatshewasbynatureawomanofaffairswithatalentfordirectinglarge
enterprises,althoughadverseinfluenceshadhithertokeptherfromrecognizing
herpowers.Therewasadarksignificanceintheseitalics,thoughwhetherthey
meantmeorthefamilylawyerIwasnotsure.
MissHigglesby-Browne,however,hadassistedAuntJanetofindherself,andas
aconsequenceAuntJane,forthecomparativelytriflingoutlayneedfultofinance
theHarding-Browneexpedition,wouldshortlybethericherbyone-fourthofa
vasttreasureofSpanishdoubloons.TheknowledgeofthishoardwasMiss
Higglesby-Browne'salone.Ithadbeenrevealedtoherbyadyingsailorina
Londonhospital,whithershehadgoneonamissionofkindness—yougathered
thatMissBrownewaspreciselythesorttotakeadvantagewhenpeoplewere
helplessandunabletoflyfromher.WhythedyingsailorchosetomakeMiss
Brownetherepositoryofhissecret,Idon'tknow—thisstillremainsformethe
unsolvedmystery.Butwhenthesailorclosedhiseyesthesecretandthemap—
ofcoursetherewasamap—hadbecomeMissHigglesby-Browne's.

MissBrownenowhadclearbeforehertheroadtofortune,butunfortunatelyit
ledacrosstheseaandquiteoutoftherouteofsteamertravel.Capitalinexcess
ofMissBrowne'sresourceswasrequired.Londonprovingcoldbeforeitsgreat
opportunity,MissBrownehadshakenoffitsdustandcometoNewYork,where
amysteriouslypotentinfluencehadguidedhertoAuntJane.ThroughMiss
Browne'sgreatorganizingabilities,nottospeakofthosenewlybroughttolight


inAuntJane,apartyofstaunchcomradeshadbeenassembled,asteamer
engagedtomeetthematPanama,anditwasho,fortheislandinthebluePacific
main!
WiththislyricaloutburstAuntJaneconcludedthebodyofherletter.Asmall
crampedpost-scriptinformedmethatitwasagainstMissH.-B.'swishesthatshe
revealedtheirplanstoanyone,butthatshedidwanttohearfrommebefore
theysailedfromPanama,wherealettermightreachherifIwasprompt.
However,ifitdidnotshewouldtrynottoworry,forMissBrownewasvery
psychic,andshefeltsurethatanystrongvibrationfrommewouldreachhervia
MissB.,andshewasmyalwayslovingJaneHarding.
"Andofcourse,"IexplainedtoBessasIhurledthingsintomybags,"ifaletter
canreachhersocanI.AtleastImusttakethechanceofit.Whatthosepeople
areuptoIdon'tknow—probablytheymeantoholdherforransomandmurder
heroutrightifitisnotforthcoming.Orperhapssomeofthemwillmarryherand
sharethespoilswithMissHigglesby-Browne.Anyway,ImustgettoPanamain
timetosaveher."
"Oryoumightgoalongtotheisland,"suggestedBess.
Ipausedtoglareather.
"Bess!Andletthemmurdermetoo?"
"Ormarryyou—"cooedBess.
OnemonthlaterIwasclimbingoutofalumberinghackbeforetheTivolihotel,
whichrisessquareandwhiteandimposingonthelowgreenheightabovethe

oldSpanishcityofPanama.Inspiteofthemeltingtropicalheattherewasachill
fearatmyheart,thefearthatAuntJaneandherbandoftreasure-seekershad
alreadydepartedontheirquest.InthatcaseIforesawthatwhatevernarrow
marginoffaithmyfellow-voyagersontheCityofQuitohadhadinmewould
shrinktonothingness.Ihadbeenobligedtobesoqueerandclam-likeaboutthe
wholeextraordinaryrendezvous—forhowcouldIexposeAuntJane'smadness
tothemultitude?—thatIfeltitwouldtaketheactualbodilypresenceofmyaunt
toconvincethemthatshewasnotamyth,oratleastofthewrongsexforaunts.
TohavetraveledsofarinthedesperatehopeofheadingoffAuntJane,onlyto
befrustratedandtolosemycharacterbesides!Itwouldbeastroketoomuch
fromfate,Itoldmyselfrebelliously,asIcrossedthebroadgalleryandplunged


intothecooldimnessofthelobbyinthewakeofthebellboyswho,discerninga
helplessprey,hadswoopedenmasseuponmybags.
"MissJaneHarding?"repeatedtheclerk,andatthecoolnegationofhistonemy
heartgaveasickeningdownwardswoop."MissJaneHardingandpartyhaveleft
thehotel!"
"For—fortheisland?"Igasped.
Heraisedhiseyebrows."Can'tsay,I'msure."Hegavemeanappraisingstare.
Perhapsthewoeinmyfacetouchedhim,forhedescendedfromtheeminenceof
thehotelclerkwherehedweltapartsufficientlytoadd,"Isitimportantthatyou
shouldseeher?"
"Iamherniece.IhavecomeallthewayfromSanFranciscoexpectingtojoin
herhere."
Theclerkmeditated,hisshrewdeyespiercingtheverysecretsofmysoul.
"Sheknewnothingaboutit,"Ihastenedtoadd."Iintendeditforasurprise."
Thiscandorhelpedmycause."Well,"hesaid,"thatexplainshernotleavingany
word.Asyouareherniece,IsupposeitwilldonoharmtotellyouthatMiss
HardingandherpartyembarkedthismorningonthefreighterRufusSmith,andI

thinkitverylikelythatthesteamerhasnotleftport.IfyoulikeIwillsendaman
tothewater-frontwithyouandyoumaybeabletogoonboardandhaveatalk
withyouraunt."
DidIthankhim?IhaveoftenwonderedwhenIwakedupinthenight.Ihavea
visionofmyselfdashingoutofthehotel,andthenthehackthatbroughtmeis
bearingmeaway.Bellboyshurledmybagsinafterme,andIthrewthemlargess
recklessly.Somearch-bellboyorotherpotentatehadmountedtotheseatbeside
thedriver.Madlyweclatteredovercobbledways.Outonthesmoothwatersof
theroadsteadlayshipsgreatandsmall,shipswithstrippedmastsandsmokeless
funnels,otherswithfaintgrayspiralswreathingupwardfromtheirstacks.Was
oneofthesetheRufusSmith,andwouldIreachher—orhim—beforethethin
grayfeatherbecameathickblackplume?Ithoughtofmyauntatthemercyof
theseunknownadventurerswithwhomshehadsetforth,helplessasalittlefat
pigeonamonghawks,andIfelt,desperately,thatImustreachher,mustsaveher
fromthemandbringhersafebacktoshore.HowIwastodothisattheeleventh


hourplusaboutfifty-sevenminutesasatpresentIhadn'tconsidered.But
experiencehadtaughtmethatonceinmyclutchesAuntJanewouldofferabout
asmuchresistanceasaslightlymeltedwaxdoll.Shegetssosoftthatyouare
almostafraidtotouchherforfearofleavingdents.
Sotogetthere,getthere,getthere,wastheoneprayerofmysoul.
Igotthere,inaboathastilycommandeeredbythehotelclerk'sdeputy.Isuppose
hethoughtmeabelatedpassengerfortheRufusSmith,formybaggagefollowed
meintotheboat."Pronto!"heshoutedtothenativeboatmanasweputoff.
"Pronto!"Iurgedatintervals,myeyesuponthefunnelsoftheRufusSmith,
wheretheoutpouringsmokewasthickeningalarmingly.Webroughtupunder
thesideofthelittlesteamer,andthewidesurprisedfaceofaSwedishdeckhand
stareddownatus.
"Letmeaboard!Imustcomeaboard!"Icried.

Otherfacesappeared,thenarope-ladder.SomehowIwasmountingit—adizzy
feattowhichonlythetumultofmyemotionsmademeindifferent.Barebrawny
armsofsailorsclutchedatmeanddrewmetothedeck.ThereatonceIwasthe
centerofacircleofspeechlessandastonishedpersons,allmenbutone.
"Well?"demandedalargebreezyvoice."What'sthismean?Whatdoyouwant
aboardmyship?"
Ilookedupatared-facedmaninalargestrawhat.
"Iwantmyaunt,"Iexplained.
"Youraunt?"heroared."WhythedevilshouldyouthinkI'vegotyouraunt?"
"Youhavegother,"Irepliedwithfirmness."Idon'tseeher,butshe'shere
somewhere."
ThecaptainoftheRufusSmithshooktwolargeredfistsabovehishead.
"Anotherlunatic!"heshouted."I'dassoonhaveawhitehorseandaminister
aboardastogotoseainafloatingbedlam!"
Asthecaptain'sangrythunderdiedawaycamethesmallanxiousvoiceofAunt


Jane.
"What'sthematter?Oh,pleasetellmewhat'sthematter!"shewassayingasshe
edgedherwayintothegroup.Inherseverelycutkhakisuitshelookedlikea
plumplittledumplingthathadgotintoasausagewrappingbymistake.Hereyes,
round,pale,blinkingalittleinthetropicalglare,rovedoverthecircleuntilthey
litonme.RightwhereshestoodAuntJanepetrified.Sheendeavoredtoshriek,
butachievedinsteadonlyastrangledwheeze.Herpoorlittlechindroppeduntil
itdisappearedaltogetherinthefoldsofherplumpneck,andsheremained
speechless,stricken,immobileasawaxfigureinanexhibition.
"AuntJane,"Isaid,"youmustcomerightbacktoshorewithme."Ispoke
calmly,forunlessyouareperfectlycalmwithAuntJaneyouflusterher.
Sherepliedonlybyaslightgobblinginherthroat,buttheotherwomanspokein
aloudvoice,addressednottomebuttotheuniverseingeneral.

"TheYoungPersonismad!"ItwasanunmistakablyBritishintonation.
ThisthenwasMissVioletHigglesby-Browne,Isawagrim,bony,stockyshape,
inacompanioncostumetomyaunt's.Aroundtheedgesofhercorkhelmether
shortiron-grayhairvisiblybristled.Shehadamassivehead,andaseamedand
ruggedcountenancewhichdiditsbesttolivedownthehumiliationofa
ridiculouslittlenosewithnobridge.Bywhatpropheticironyshehadbeen
namedVioletisthesecretofthosepowerswhichseemtolovealaughat
mankind'sexpense.
Butwhatrivetedmyeyeswasthedeadlyglarewithwhichherswereturnedon
me.Isawthatnotonlywassheascertainofmyidentityasthoughshehad
guidedmefrommyfirsttotteringsteps,butthatinaflashshehadgraspedmy
motives,aimsandpurposes,andmeantonceforalltoface,out-generaland
defeatmewithgreatslaughter.
Sosheannouncedtothecompanywithdeliberation,"TheYoung
Personismad!"
Itnettledmeextremely.
"Mad!"Iflungbackather."BecauseIwishtosavemypoorauntfromsucha
situationasthis?Itwouldbecharitabletoinfermadnessinthosewhohaveled


herintoit!"WhenIreviewedthisspeechafterwardIrealizedthatitwasnot,
underthecircumstances,thebestcalculatedtowinmefriends.
"Jane!"saidMissHigglesby-Browneindeepandawfultones,"thetimehas
cometoproveyourstrength!"
AuntJaneproveditbyutteringashrillyelp,andclutchingherhairwitha
recklessdisregardofitshavingoriginallybeenthatofatotalstranger.Sosevere
werehershrieksandstrugglesthatitwaswithdifficultythatshewasborne
belowinthearmsoftwostrongmen.
IhadseenAuntJaneinhystericsbefore—shehadthemthattimeaboutthe
convict.Iwasnotfrightened,butIhurriedafterher—neckandneckwithMiss

Browne.ItwasfifteenminutesbeforeAuntJanecameto,andthenshewould
onlymoan.Ibathedherhead,andheldherhand,anddidalltheregulation
things,underthebalefuleyeofMissBrowne,whosteadfastlyrefusedtogo
away,butsatglaringlikeagorgonwhoseesherpreyabouttobesnatchedfrom
her.
InthemidstofmyministrationsIawokesuddenlytoarhythmicheaveandthrob
whichpervadedtheship.DroppingAuntJane'shandIrushedondeck.Therelay
thevariouspiecesofmybaggage,andinthedistancetheboatwiththetwo
brownrowerswasskippingshorewardovertheripples.
AsfortheRufusSmith,shewasunderweigh,andheadingoutoftheroadstead
fortheopensea.
Idashedafttothecaptain,whostoodissuingordersinthevoiceofanaggrieved
fog-horn.
"Captain!"Icried,"wait;turnaround!Youmustputmyauntandmeashore!"
Hewhirledonme,showingacrimsonangryface."Turnaround,isit,turn
around?"heshouted."DoyousupposeIcanloafabouttheharborherea-waitin'
onyouraunt'sfits?Youcomeaboardwithoutmeaskin'.Nowyoucangoalong
withtherest.ThishereshiphasgothercoursesetforFrisco,pickin'upLeeward
Islandontheway,andanybodythatain'tgoin'inthatdirectioniswelcometo
jumpoverboard."
ThatishowIhappenedtogotoLeewardIsland.


II
APOLLOANDSOMEOTHERS

TheRufusSmith,trampfreighter,hadbeencharteredtoconveytheHardingBrowneexpeditiontoLeewardIsland,whichliesaboutthreehundredmileswest
ofPanama,andcouldbepickedupbythefreighterinhercourse.Shewasalittle
dingyboatwithsuchsmallaccommodationthatIcannotimaginewherethe
majorityofherpassengersstowedthemselvesaway.MyauntandMissBrowne

hadastateroombetweenthemthesizeofapacking-box,andsomebodyturned
outandresignedanothertome.Iretiredtheretodressfordinnerafterseveral
dismalhoursspentinattendanceonAuntJane,whohadpassedfromgreat
imaginarysufferingintothequitegenuineanguishofseasickness.Inthehasteof
mydeparturefromSanFranciscoIhadnotbroughtatrunk,sothebestIwas
abletoproduceinthewayofacrusherforMissHigglesby-Browneandher
fellow-passengerswasacoollittlewhitegown,whichwouldshineatleastby
contrastwithMissBrowne'sseverelyutilitariancostume.Whiteisbecomingto
myhair,whichnarrow-mindedpersonstermred,butwhichhasbeenknownto
causethemorediscriminatingtodrawheavilyonthedictionaryforadjectives.
Myfaceissmallandheart-shaped,withfeaturesstrictlyforuseandnotfor
ornament,butfortunatelyinconspicuous.Asformyeyes,Ithinktawnyquitethe
nicestword,thoughAuntJanecallsthemhazelandIhaveevenheardwhispers
ofgreen.
FiveminutesafterthegongsoundedIwalkedintothecabin.MissBrowne,
CaptainWatkinsofthefreighter,andhalfadozenmenwerealreadyatthetable.
Islidunobtrusivelyintotheonevacantplace,fortunatelyremotefromthe
captain,whoglaredatmesavagely,asthoughstillembitteredbytherecollection
ofmyaunt'sfits.
"Gentlemen,"saidMissBrowneinicytones,"MissVirginiaHarding."
Twoofthemenrose,theothersstaredandducked.ExceptforMissBrowneand


thecaptain,Ihadreceivedoncomingaboardonlythemostblurredimpression
ofmyfellow-voyagers.Irememberedthemmerelyasacompositeofkhakiand
corkhelmetsandastoundedstaringfaces.ButIfeltthatastheabettersofMiss
Browneahostileandsinisteratmosphereenvelopedthemall.
Beingthusinthecampoftheenemy,Isatdowninsilenceanddevotedmyselfto
mysoup.Themajorityofmycompanionsdidlikewise—audibly.ButpresentlyI
heardavoiceatmyleft:

"Isay,whatajollygoodsailoryouseemtobe—pityyouraunt'snot!"
IlookedupandsawApollosittingbesideme.Orrather,shallIsayayoungman
whomighthavewalkedstraightoutofanadvertisementforaready-made
clothinghouse,soidealandimpossiblewashisbeauty.Hewasverytall—Ihad
totiltmychinquitepainfullytolookupathim—andfromtheloosecollarofhis
silkshirthisthroatroselikeacolumn.Hisskinwasabeautifulclearpinkand
whitejusttingedwithtan—likeameringuethathasbeenintheovenfortwo
minutesexactly.Hehadastraight,chiseledprofileandhishairwasthickand
chestnutandwavyandhehadclearsea-grayeyes.Togivehimatoncehisfull
nameandtitles,hewastheHonorableCuthbertPatrickRuthmoreVane,ofHigh
StauntonManor,Kent,England.ButasIwasignorantofthis,Icantruthfully
saythathislooksstunnedmepurelyontheirownmerits.
Outwardlycalm,Ireplied,"Yes,itstoobad,butthenwhoeverdreamedthat
AuntJanewouldgoadventuringathertimeoflife?Ithoughtnobodyoverthe
ageofthirteen,andthenboys,everwenttreasure-hunting."
"Ah,butladsofthirteencouldn'twellcomesuchadistanceontheirown,you
know,"returnedApollo,withthekindestairofmakingallowanceforthefemale
intellect.
Ihurriedlyturnedthesubject.
"Ireallycan'timagineAuntJaneonadesertisland.Youshouldseeherbehave
onthemeresuspicionofamouse!Whatwillshedoifshemeetsacannibaland
hetriestoeather?"
"Oh,really,now,"arguedtheparagonearnestly,"I'mquitesurethere'snodanger
ofthat,don'tyouknow?Ibelievetherearenonativesatallontheisland,orelse
quitetameones,Iforgetwhich,andherearefourofuschaps,withnoendof


revolversandthings—shooting-irons,asyoucalltheminAmerica.Mr.Shaw—
sittingoppositeMissBrowne,youknow—isratherrunningthings,soifyoufeel
nervousyoushouldtalktohim.WaswiththeSouthPolarExpeditionandallthat

—knowsnoendaboutthissortofthing—wouldn'tforamomentthinkofletting
ladiesruntheriskofbeingeaten.ReallyIhopeyouaren'tinafunkaboutthe
cannibals—especiallyaswithsomanymissionaryJohnniesabouttheyaremost
likelyallconverted."
"It'ssocomfortingtothinkofitinthatlight!"Isaidfervently.AtthesametimeI
peepedaroundApolloforaglimpseoftheexperiencedMr.Shaw.Isawa
strong-featured,weather-beatenprofile,thefaceofamansomewhereinhis
thirties,andlooking,fromthissideviewatleast,notonlysternbutgrim.Hewas
talkingquietlytothecaptain,whosemannertowardhimwasalmostcivil.
Imadeupmymindatoncethatthebackboneoftheparty,andinevitablythe
leaderinitsprojectedvillainies,whatevertheymightbe,wasthisruggedlookingMr.Shaw.Youcouldn'tfancyhimasthemisledfollowerofanybody,
eventheterrificViolet.
AsitseemedanunpropitiousmomentfortakingcounselwithMr.Shawabout
cannibals,Itriedanothertackwiththebeautifulyouthatmyside.
"HowdidyoulikePanama?Ifancytheoldtownisverypicturesque."
"Oh,rather!"assentedMr.Vane."Atleast,thatiswhatthosepainterchapscallit
—metacoupleof'ematthehotel.Beastlylittlenarrowstreetsandhousesina
shockingstateandallthat.Iliketoseepropertykeptup,myself."
"Iamafraid,"Isaidseverely,"thatyouareaphilistine!"
Heblinkedalittle."Ah—quiteso!"hemurmured,recoveringhimselfgallantly.
"OneofthosechapsthatbackedGoliathagainstDavid,what?"
Fromthisconversationalimpassewewererescuedbytheinterpositionofthe
gentlemanopposite,whosesmalltwinklingeyeshadbeentakingmeinwith
intentness.
"Ididsomeflittin'aboutthatlittleoldburgonmyownhook,"heinformedus,
"andwhatIgottosayis,itneedswakin'up.Yes,sir,abunchofliveonesfrom
theU.S.A.wouldshakeupthatlittleoldgraveyardsoyouwouldn'tknowit.I


mighthavetookahandinitmyself,ifIhadn'thavemetupwithMissBrowne

andyoura'nt.Yes,sir,Ihadaslicklittlepropositionortwoupmysleeve.
BackedbysomeofthebiggestcapitalintheU.S.A.—infact,there'sabunchof
fellersupthereinGod'scountrythat'sprettysoreonoldH.H.forpassin'things
upthisway.Kep'thewireshummin'fortwo-threedays,tilltheyseenIwasn'tto
beswitched,andthentheOldManhimself—nousementionin'names,butI
guessyouknowwhoImean—WallStreetwould,quickenough,anyway—the
OldManhimselfthreatenedtoputhisyachtincommissionandcomedownto
findoutwhatsortoflittlegameH.H.wasplayin'onhim.ButIdonelikeBr'er
Rabbit—jeslaylow.HamiltonH.Tubbsknowsagoodthingwhenheseesit
aboutasquickasthenextone—andheknowsenoughtokeepmumaboutit
too!"
"Nonecanappreciatemoreprofoundlythanmyselfyourabilitytomaintainthat
reservesonecessarytothesuccessofthisexpedition,"remarkedMissBrowne
weightilyfromthefarendofthetable."Itistobewishedthatothermembersof
ourparty,thoughtenderlyesteemed,andnevermorethannowwhenweakness
ofbodytemporarilyoverpowersstrengthofsoul,hadsharedyourpowersof
secrecy!"
Thisshaftwasaimedquiteobviouslyatme,andasatthemomentIcouldthink
ofnothinginreplyshortofhurlingaplateIsankintoasilencewhichseemedto
becontagious,foritspreadthroughoutthetable.Threeorfourrough-looking
men,ofwhomone,acertainCaptainMagnus,belongedtoourpartyandtherest
totheship,continuedvigorouslytohacktheirwaythroughthemealwith
clatteringknivesandforks.Ofothersoundstherewasnone.Suchgloom
weighedheavilyonthegenialspiritofMr.Tubbs,andhelighteneditbyrisingto
proposeatoast.
"Ladiesandgentlemen,tohernowunfortunatelylaidlowbythepangsofmalde
mer—ourfriendandbonydear,MissHarding!"
Thiswasbewildering,forneitherbyfriendnorfoecouldAuntJanebecalled
bony.Later,inthelightofMr.Tubbs'spassionforclassicalallusion,Idecidedto
translateitbonadea,andconsiderthefamilycomplimented.AtthemomentIsat

stunned,butMissBrowne,withgreaterself-possession,majesticallyinclinedher
headandsaid:
"Inthenameofourabsentfriend,Ithankyou."Inspiteofwistfullooksfromthe


beautifulyouthaswerosefromthetable,andtheallurementofatropicmoon,I
remainedconstanttodutyandAuntJane,andimmuredmyselfinherstateroom,
whereIpassedanenliveningeveninglisteningtohermoans.Sheshowedafaint
returningsparkoflifewhenImentionedCuthbertVane,andraisedherheadto
murmurthathewasHonorableandsheunderstoodthoughnottheheirstill
likelytoinheritandperhapsafterallProvidence—
TheunspokenendofAuntJane'ssentencepursuedmeintodreamsinwhichan
unknowngentlemanobliginglybrokehisneckridingtohoundsandleftApollo
heirtothetitleandestates.


III
IENGAGETHEENEMY

ItwasfortunatethatIsleptwellinmynarrowberthonboardtheRufusSmith,
forthenextdaywasoneoftrial.AuntJanehadrecoveredwhatMr.Tubbs,with
deprecatingcoughsbehindhishand,alludedtoashersea-legs,andstaggered
forthwanly,leaningonthearmofMissHigglesby-Browne.Yes,ofMiss
Browne,whileI,AuntJane'sownniece,trottedmeeklyintherearwitha
cushion.AlreadyIhadbeguntorealizehowfatallyIhadunderratedtheladyof
thehyphen,inimaginingIhadonlytocomeandseeandconquerAuntJane.The
grimandbonyonehadmadehaywhilethesunshone—whileIwasidlingin
California,andthosecriminallysupinecousinswereallowingAuntJanetorun
aboutNewYorkatherownwildwill.MissHigglesby-Brownehadherown
collarandtagonAuntJanenow,whileshe,socompletewasherperversion,

fairlyhuggedherslaveryandcalleditfreedom.Yes,shetalkedabouther
EmancipationandherSoul-forceandherIndividuality,prattlingawaylikea
childthathaslearneditslessonwell.
"Mercy,aunty,whatlongwords!"Icriedgaily,sittingdownbesideherand
pattingherhand.UsuallyIcandoanythingwithherwhenIpetherupabit.But
theeyeofMissHigglesby-Brownewasonher—andAuntJaneactuallydrewa
littleaway.
"Really,Virginia,"shesaid,feeblyendeavoringtorisetotheoccasionasshe
knewMissBrownewouldhaveherrise,"really,whileit'sverynicetoseeyou
andallthat,stillIhopeyourealizethatIhavehada—adeepSoul-experience,
andthatIamnolongertobe—trifledwithand—andtreatedasifIwere—
amusing.Iamreallyatalosstoimaginewhyyoucame.IwroteyouthatIwas
inthecompanyoftrustedfriends."
"Friends?"Iechoedaggrievedly."Friendsareallverywell,ofcourse,butwhen
youandIhavejusteachother,aunty,Ithinkitisunkindofyoutoexpectmeto


staythousandsofmilesawayfromyouallbymyself."
"ButitwasyouwhosentmetoNewYork,andinsistedonmystayingthere!"
shecried.Evidentlyshehadbeenlivingoverherwrongs.
"Yes—buthowdifferent!"Iinterruptedhastily."Therewerethecousins—of
courseIhavetospareyousometimestotherestofthefamily!"AuntJaneis
strongonfamilyfeeling,andfrequentlyreproachesmewithmylackofit.
ButinexpectingAuntJanetosoftenatthisIreckonedwithoutMissHigglesbyBrowne.Adartfromthecoldgrayeyesgalvanizedmyauntintoasuddenrigid
erectness.
"MydearVirginia,"shesaidwithquaveringseverity,"letmeremindyouthat
therearetiesevendearerthanthoseofblood—soul-affinities,youknow,and—
and,inshort,inmydearfriendMissHigglesby-BrowneIhavemetforthefirst
timeinmylifewitha—aSympatheticIntelligencethatunderstandsMe!"
SothatwasViolet'sline!IsurveyedtheSympatheticIntelligencewithasmiling

interest.
"Really,hownice!Andofcourseyoufeelquitesurethatonyoursideyou
thoroughlyunderstand—MissHigglesby-Browne?"
MissBrowne'shairwasratherlikeaclothesbrushinhermildestmoods.Inher
risingwrathitseemedtoquiverlikealion'smane.
"MissHarding,"shesaid,inthechest-tonesshereservedforcriticalmoments,
"hasanatureimpossibletodeceive,becauseitselfincapableofdeception.Miss
HardingandIfirstmet—onthispresentplane—inanatmosphereunusually
favorabletosoul-revelation.Iknewatoncethatherewastheappointed
comrade,whileinMissHardingtherewastheimmediaterecognitionofa
complementaryspiritualforce."
"It'sperfectlytrue,Virginia,"exclaimedAuntJane,beginningtocry."Youand
SusanandeverybodyhavealwaystreatedmeasifIwereachildanddidn'tknow
whatIwanted,whenthefactisIalwayshaveknownperfectlywell!"Thelast
wordsissuedinawailfromthedepthsofherhandkerchief.
"Youmean,Isuppose,"Iexploded,"thatwhatyouhavealwayswantedwasto


gooffonthisperfectlycrazychaseafterimaginarytreasure!"There,nowIhad
goneanddoneit.Ofcourseitwasmyredhair.
"Jane,"utteredMissHigglesby-Browneindeepandawfultones,"do
youordoyounotrealizehowstrangelypropheticwerethewarnings
Igaveyoufromthefirst—thatifyourevealedourplansmalignant
Influenceswouldbebroughttobear?Bestrong,Jane—clingtothe
DynamicThought!"
"I'mclinging!"sniffedAuntJane,dabbingawayhertears.Ineversawanyone
getsopinkabouttheeyesandnoseatthesmallestsignofweeping,andyetshe
isalwaysdoingit."Really,Virginia,"shebrokeoutinawhimper,"itisnotkind
tosay,Isuppose,butIwouldjustassoonyouhadn'tcome!JustwhenIwas
learningtoexpandmyindividuality—andthenyoucomeandsomehowmakeit

seemsomuchmoredifficult!"
Irose."Verywell,AuntJane,"Isaidcoldly."Expandallyoulike.Whenyouget
totheburstingpointI'lldomybesttosavethepieces.ForthepresentIsupposeI
hadbetterleaveyoutocompanysomuchmorefavorabletoyoursoul
development!"AndIwalkedawaywithmyheadintheair.
Itwassomuchintheair,andthedeckoftheRufusSmithwassounstable,thatI
felloveracoilofropeandfetchedupinthearmsoftheHonorableCuthbert
Vane.Fortunatelythisoccurredaroundthecornerofthedeck-house,outofsight
ofmyauntandMissBrowne,sothelatterwasunabletoshedtheluridlighton
theepisodewhichshedoubtlesswouldifshehadseenit.Mr.Vanestoodthe
shockwellandpromptlysetmeonmyfeet.
"Isay!"heexclaimedsympathetically,"nothurt,areyou?Beastlynuisance,you
know,theseropeslyingabout—regularman-traps,Icall'em."
"Thanks,I'mquiteallright,"Isaid,andasIspoketwolargegenuinetears
welledupintomyeyes.Ihadn'trealizedtillIfeltthemsmartingonmyeyelids
howdeeplyhurtIwasattheunnaturalbehaviorofAuntJane.
"Ah—I'mafraidyouarereallynotquiteallright!"returnedtheHonorable
Cuthbertwithprofoundconcern."Tellmewhat'sthematter—pleasedo!"
Ishookmyhead."It'snothing—youcouldn'thelpme.It'sjust—AuntJane."


"Youraunt?Hasshebeenkicking-upabit?Ithoughtshelookedratheramild
sort."
"Oh—mild!That'sjustit—somildthatshehasletthisawful
Higglesby-Brownepersongetpossessionofherbodyandsoul."
"Oh,Isay,aren'tyouabitroughonMissBrowne?Thoughtshewasarather
remarkableoldparty—goesinstrongforintellectandallthat,youknow."
"That'sjustwhatfooledAuntJaneso—but,Ithoughtamanwouldknowbetter."
Myfeatherswereruffledagain.
"Well,factis,I'mnotsomuchupinthatsortofthingmyself,"headmitted

modestly."Rathertookherwordforitandallthat,youknow.There'sShaw,
though—cleverestchapgoing,Iassureyou.IratherfancyMissBrownecouldn't
pullthewooloverhiseyesmuch."
"Sheevidentlydid,though,"Isaidsnappishly,"sincehe'sletherropehiminfor
suchawildgoosechaseasthis!"InmyheartIfeltconvincedthatthecleverMr.
ShawwasmerelyMissBrowne'spartnerinimposture.
"Oh,really,now.MissHarding,youdon'tthinkit'sthat—thatthething'sall
moonshine?"Hestaredatmeingrievedsurprise.
"Why,whatelsecanitbe?"Idemanded,drivenbymywrongstothecrueltyof
shatteringhisillusions."Whoeverheardofapirate'streasurethatwasn't
moonshine?ThemomentIhadreadAuntJane'slettertellingoftheperfectly
absurdbusinessshewassettingoutonIrusheddownbythefirstboat.Ofcourse
Imeanttotakeherbackwithme,toputastoptoallthismadness;butIwastoo
late—andyou'regladofit,Idaresay!"
"Ican'thelpbeingglad,youknow,"hereplied,thecolorrisingtohisingenuous
cheeks."It'ssofrightfullyjollyhavingyoualong.OnlyI'msorryyoucame
againstyourwill.Ratherfancyyouhaditinyourheadthatwewereabandof
cutthroats,eh?Well,thefactisIdon'tknowmuchaboutthetwochapsMiss
Brownepickedup,thoughIsuspecttheyareaverydecentsort.Thatoddfish,
CaptainMagnus,now—hewasquiteMissBrowne'sownfind,Iassureyou.And
astooldH.H.—Tubbs,youknow—MissBrownemetupwithhimontheboat
comingdown.Therumoldchapgotonhersoftsidesomehow,andfirstthing
shehadappointedhimsecretaryandtreasurer—asthoughwewereameetingof


something.Shawwasquiteabitupsetaboutit.HeandIwereaweeklaterin
arriving—camestraightonfromEnglandwiththesupplies,whileMissBrowne
fixedthingsupwiththelittleblack-and-tancountrythatownstheisland.Isay,
MissHarding,you'reboundtolikeShawnoendwhenyouknowhim—he'ssuch
awonderfullycleverchap!"

IhadnowishtoblighthisfaithinthesuperlativeMr.Shaw,andsaidnothing.
Thisevidentlypainedhim,andaswestoodleaningontherailintheshadowof
thedeck-house,watchingthebluewaterslideby,hecontinuedtosoundthe
praisesofhisidol.ItseemedthatassoonasMissBrownehadbeguiledAunt
Janeintofinancingherscheme—afeatequivalenttorobbinganinfant-class
scholarofhisSunday-schoolnickel—shehadcastaboutforaworthyleaderfor
theforthcomingHarding-Browneexpedition.Allthewindsoffamewere
bearingabroadjustthenthenameofacertainyoungexplorerwhohadlately
addedanothercontinentortwototheBritishEmpire.Linkedwithhiswereother
names,thoseofhisfellowadventurers,whichshoneonlylessbrightlythanthat
oftheirchief.OneDugaldShawhadbeenamongthegreatman'smosttrusted
lieutenants,butnow,ontheorganizingofthesecondexpedition,hewasleft
behindinLondon,onlyhalfrecoveredofawoundreceivedintheAntarctic.The
hookofablockandtacklehadcaughthim,rippedhisforeheadopenfromcheek
totemple,andforatimethreatenedthesightoftheeye.Slowly,underthecare
oftheLondonsurgeons,hehadrecovered,andtheeyewassaved.Meanwhile
hisoldcompanionshadtakenagainthepathofglory,andwerefarontheirway
backtotheice-fieldsoftheSouthPole.OnlyDugaldShawwasleftbehind.
"Andso,"theevenvoiceflowedon,"whenIranontohiminLondonhewas
feelingfearfullylow,Idoassureyou.Achapofhissortnaturallyhatestothink
he'sontheshelf.IhadknownhimsinceIwasalittle'un,whenweusedtogoto
Scotlandforourholidays,andhewouldbehomefromseaandstayingwithhis
cousinatthemanse.He'dmakeusboatsandspinallsortsofyarns,andwe
thoughthimabiggermanthantheadmiralofthefleet.
"Well,oldShawwasfancyingtherewasnothingforitbuttogobacktohisplace
withtheP.&O.,whichseemedabitflatafterwhathe'dbeenhaving,andmeant
hewouldnevergetbeyondbeingthecaptainofaliner,andnotthatforagood
manyyearstocome,whenacablecamefromthisMissHigglesby-Brown
offeringhimcommandofthisexpedition.Asneitherofushadeverheardof
MissHigglesby-Browne,wewerebothabitflooredforatime.ButShaw

smokedapipeonit,andthenhesaid,'Oldchap,ifthey'llgivememyfigure,I'm


theirman.'AndIsaid,'Quiteso,oldchap,andI'llgoalong,too.'
"Ihadtoarguequiteabit,butintheendthedearoldboyletmecome—after
wiringthepaterandwhatnot.AndIdoassureyou,MissHarding,itstrikesme
asnoendofalark—besidesexpectingittoputoldShawonhisfeetandgiveus
hatfulsofmoneyallround."
Well,itwasaplausiblestory,andIhadnodoubt,sofarastheHonorable
Cuthbertwasconcerned,anabsolutelytruthfulone.Thebeautifulyouthwas
manifestlyasguilelessasasmallboyplayingpiratewithawoodensword.But
astoMr.Shaw,whocouldtellthatithadn'tafterallbeenatrumped-upaffair
betweenMissBrowneandhim—thathissurpriseatthemessagewasnot
assumedtothrowdustintheeyesofhisyoungandtrustingfriend?Areeventhe
mostvaliantadventurersinvariablyhonest?Leftbehindbyhiscompanions
becauseofhisinjury,hischanceofanenduringfamecutoff,withnoprospects
butthoseofanofficeronanoceanliner,mighthenotlendareadyeartoa
schemeforpluckingafatandwillingpigeon?SogreatwasmyfaithinAunt
Jane'sgullibility,sodarkmydistrustofMissBrowne,thatallconnectedwiththe
enterpriselayunderthecloudofmysuspicion.TheHonorableMr.VaneIhad
alreadysofarexculpatedastowonderifhewerenotinsomewaybeing
victimizedtoo;butMr.Shaw,afterevenacasualglimpseofhim,onecouldn't
pictureasavictim.Ifeltthathemusthavegoneintotheenterprisewithhiseyes
opentoitsabsurdity,andfullyawarethattheonlygoldtobewonbyanybody
mustcomeoutofthepocketofAuntJane.
AsthesereflectionspassedthroughmymindIlookedupandsawthesubjectof
themapproaching.Heliftedhishelmet,butmetmyeyesunsmilingly,withasort
ofsoberscrutiny.Hehadthetannedskinofasailor,andbrownhaircropped
closeandshowingatraceofgray.Thisandacertaindourgrimlookhehadmade
meatfirstconsiderhimquitemiddle-aged,thoughIknewlaterthathewasnot

yetthirty-five.Astothegrimness,perhaps,Iunwillinglyconceded,partofit
wasduetothescarwhichseamedtherighttempletotheeyebrow,inastraight
lividline.Butitwasagrimfaceanyway,strong-jawed,withpiercingsteel-blue
eyes.
HewaswelcomedbyMr.Vanewithajoyousthumpontheshoulder-blade."I
say,oldman,MissHardinghasturnedouttobethemostfearfuldoubting
Thomas—thinksthewholeschemequitemadandallthatsortofthing.I'mfar
toogreataduffertoconverther,butperhapsyoumight,don'tyouknow?"


Mr.Shawlookedatmesteadily.Hiseyeswerethekindthatseemtoseealland
revealnothing.Ifeltahotsparkofdefiancerisinginmyown.
"Andindeeditistoobad,"hesaidcoolly,"thatthetripshouldnotbemoreto
MissHarding'sliking."TheroughedgesofhisScotchburrhadbeensmoothed
downbymuchwandering,butyouknewatonceonwhichsideoftheSolwayhe
hadseenthelight.
"Itisnotaquestionofmyliking,"Iretorted,tryingtopreserveanunmovedand
loftydemeanor,thoughmyheartwasbeatingratherquicklyatfindingmyself
actuallycrossingswordswiththeredoubtableadventurer,thismanwhohad
oftenfaceddeath,Icouldnotrefusetobelieve,assteadilyashewasfacingme
now.
"Itisnotatallaquestionofmylikingornotlikingthetrip,butofthetripitself
being—quitethewildestthingeverheardofoutofastory-book."Harsherterms
hadsprungfirsttomylips,buthadsomehowfailedtogetbeyondthem.
"Ah—yettheworldwouldbethepoorerifcertainwildtripshadnotbeentaken.
IseemtorememberoneChristopherColumbus,forinstance."
Byavividlightning-flashofwrathIfeltthatthisadventurerwaslaughingatme
alittleunderhissoberexterior—evenstirringmeupasonedoesanangrykitten.
"Yes,"Iflaredout,"butColumbusdidnotinveigleaconfidingoldladytogo
alongwithhim!"OfcourseAuntJaneisnot,properlyspeaking,anoldlady,but

itwasmuchmoreeffectivetoposeherasoneforthemoment.
Itwascertainlyeffective,tojudgebythesuddenfirmsettingofhismouth.
"Lad,"hesaidquietly,"lendahandbelow,willyou?Theyareoverhaulingsome
ofourstuff'tweendecks."
HewaiteduntiltheHonorableCuthbert,lookingratherdazed,hadretired.We
stoodfacingeachother,mybreathcomingratherhurriedly.Therewasakindof
stillforceaboutthismasteredangerofthedourScot,likethebroodingofblack
cloudsthatatanymomentmaysendforththeirdevastatingfire.YetImyself
wasnotendowedwithredhairfornothing.
"MissHarding,"hesaidslowly,"thatwasabitterwordyousaid."


Myheadwentup.
"Bitter,perhaps,"Iflungback,"butisitnottrue?Itisforyoutoanswer."
"No,itisnotformetoanswer,becauseitisnotforyoutoask.Butsinceyou
talkofinveigling,letmegivethehistoryofmyconnectionwiththeexpedition.
YouwillunderstandthenthatIhadnothingtodowithorganizingit,butwas
merelyengagedtodomybesttocarryitthroughtosuccess."
"IhavealreadyheardaversionofthematterfromMr.Vane."
"Andyouthinkheisintheconspiracytoo?""Certainlynot,"Irepliedhastily."I
mean—ofcourse,Iknowhetoldmeexactlywhathebelieveshimself."
"Yes,youwouldtakethelad'sword,ofcourse."Thiswithaslightbutsignificant
emphasisofwhichhewasperhapsunconscious."ThenIsupposeyouconsider
thathewasinveigledtoo?"
"IamnotrequiredtoconsiderMr.Vane'sstatusatall,"Irepliedwithdignity."It
ismyauntwhomIwishtoprotect."Andsuddenlytomydismaymyvoicegrew
husky.Ihadtoturnmyheadasideandblinkhardatthesea.Iseemedtobe
encounteringfearfulandunexpectedoddsinmyendeavortorescueAuntJane.
Hestoodlookingdownatme—hewasabigman,thoughoflesserheightthan
thesuperbCuthbert—inawayIcouldn'tquiteunderstand.AndwhatIdon't

understandalwaysmakesmeuncomfortable.
"Verywell,"hesaidafterapause."Maybeyouropportunitywillcome.Itwould
beapityindeedifMissHardingweretorequirenoprotectingandayounglady
herewithsuchagoodwilltoit.Butifyouwilltakethesuggestionofamanof
ratherbroaderexperiencethanyourown,youwillwaituntiltheoccasionarises.
Itisbadgeneralship,really,towasteyourammunitionlikethis."
"IdaresayIamnotamasterofstrategy,"Icried,furiousatmyselfformy
momentofweaknessandathimforthesofteningtonewhichhadcreptintohis
voice."Iammerely—honest.AndwhenIseeAuntJanehypnotized—bythis
Violetperson—"
"AndindeedIhaveseennoreasontothinkthatMissHigglesby-Browneisnota
mostexcellentlady,"interruptedMr.Shawstiffly."Andletmesaythis,Miss


Harding:herewearealltogether,whetherwewishtobeorno,andforsixweeks
ormoreontheislandweshallseenofacesbutourown.Arewetobedivided
fromthebeginningbyquarrels?Aremaybeeventhemenofustobesetbythe
earsthroughthebickeringofwomen?"
LikethenickofawhipcamethecertaintythathewasthinkingoftheHonorable
Cuthbert,andthatIwastherockonwhichtheirDavid-and-Jonathanfriendship
mightsplit.OtherwiseIsupposeMissHigglesby-BrowneandImighthave
clawedeachotherforeverwithoutinterferencefromhim.
"Really,"Isaidwith—Ihope—well-simulatedscorn,"sinceIamquitealone
againsthalfadozenofyou,Ishouldthinkyoucouldcountonputtingdownany
rebelliononmypartveryeasily.Irepeat,Ihadnootherobjectincomingalong
—thoughIwasreallykidnapedalong—thantolookaftermyaunt.Theaffairsof
thepartyotherwise—oritspersonnel—-donotinterestmeatall.Astothe
treasure,ofcourseIknowperfectlywellthatthereisn'tany."
AndIturnedmybackandlookedsteadilyouttosea.AfteramomentortwoI
heardhimturnonhisheelandgoaway.Itwasnonetoosoon,forIhadalready

beguntofeelunostentatiouslyformyhandkerchief.Anyway,Ihadhadthelast
word—
Therestofmydaywaslonely,forthebeautifulyouth,probablybymalevolent
design,waskeptbusybetweendecks.Mr.TubbsdancedattendanceonAunt
JaneandMissBrowne,soassiduouslythatIalreadybegantoseesomeofmy
worstfearsrealized.Therewasnothingformetodobuttoretiretomyberthand
peruseatatteredcopyofHuckleberryFinnwhichIfoundinthecabin.
Atdinner,havingtheHonorableCuthbertatmyelbow,itwaseasierthannotto
ignoreeveryoneelse.ThesmallkeeneyesofMr.Tubbs,underhisloftyand
polisheddomeofthought,watchedusknowingly.Yousawthathewasgetting
readytoassumeabless-you-my-childrenattitudeandeventotakecredit
somehowasmatch-maker.Herelatedanecdotes,inwhich,asanemissaryof
Cupid,heplayedabenevolentandleadingrole.Onedetected,too,agrin,ugly
andunmirthful,ontheunprepossessingcountenanceofCaptainMagnus.Iwas
indifferent.Themanmygaietywasintendedforsatatthefarendofthetable.I
hadtowipeoutthememoryofmyweteyesthatafternoon.
Directlydinnerwasatanend,remorselesslyheledtheHonorableCuthbert