Alger Horatio Jr.
In Search of Treasure
CHAPTER XXVI
A BRUTAL CAPTAIN
No one on board liked Captain Richmond. He was a surly, disagreeable man, who liked better to sneer than to smile.
He was a great contrast to Captain Grover, with his pleasant, hearty manners. Guy tolerated him, and treated him respectfully, but Abner Titcomb and Luke Clark repaid his rudeness with coldness.
They had the self-respect of independent American citizens, and would not overlook the uncalled for and studied impoliteness of the captain.
Captain Richmond had one redeeming feature. He was a good seaman. He seemed well qualified for the command of a merchant vessel.
He was strict in his discipline, but that is always required. Captain Grover was strict, and his crew liked him. On the other hand, there was not a sailor who did not dislike Captain Richmond.
Among the seamen was a young fellow of nineteen, from Castine, Maine. He was known to Abner Titcomb, who, while on a visit to that town, had become acquainted with James Low and his family.
As Titcomb had not seen Low since he was a boy of fifteen, he did not immediately recognize him till James called him by name. The boy seemed very much pleased to find on board one with whom he had had a previous acquaintance.
Titcomb was speaking to the young sailor one day when Captain Richmond came up.
“Mr. Titcomb,” he said, “what can you have to say to one of my crew?”
The tone was insolent, and Abner Titcomb resented it.
“It happens, Captain Richmond,” he replied, “that this young fellow and I are old acquaintances. I know him and his family.”
“That may be, sir,” returned the captain, with an incredulous sneer.
“What do you mean by that, Captain Richmond? Do you mean to doubt my word?”
“I would have you understand, Mr. Titcomb, that I am the captain of this ship, and I will not tolerate insolence from you or any other man!”
“There has been no insolence except on your part. I am a passenger on this vessel, and I claim to be treated with civility.”
He looked the captain straight in the face, and there was a look of determination in his eyes that made Captain Richmond, who was a bully, but not brave, think he had gone far enough.
“I prefer that you should not speak to any member of my crew,” he rejoined, as he turned abruptly away.
“James,” said Titcomb, “as I don’t wish to get you into any trouble, I will hereafter seek opportunities to speak to you when the captain is not on deck.”
“I wish Captain Grover were in command,” replied the boy. “He was a gentleman.”
From this time Captain Richmond seemed to transfer to James Low some of the dislike he felt for Titcomb. The latter was not in his power, but as James Low was only a sailor, it was a simple matter to make things uncomfortable for him.
One morning Low appeared on deck looking pale and ill. He had malaria in his system, and when he shipped he was not in good physical condition.
“What is the matter, James?” asked Abner Titcomb, who was struck by the young fellow’s appearance.
“I don’t know. My head aches terribly, and I can hardly stand.”
“Why don’t you report yourself sick to the captain, and ask leave to go to your bunk?”
“He wouldn’t believe it.”
“He would be a brute if he didn’t grant your request.”
“Hush! Here he comes!”
Captain Richmond strode on deck, and looked about him in his masterful way.
He noticed James Low’s slow motions.
“Be lively there!” he cried. “You lazy loafer! You’re skulking!”
“Captain Richmond,” said the poor fellow, “I feel very sick. My head is swimming.”
“Sick, are you? Sick of work, most likely,” sneered the captain.
“Indeed, sir, I am very ill. If you would kindly let me lie down for an hour or two–”
“Why, you lazy scoundrel!” roared the captain, in a rage, “I never heard such barefaced insolence! Up to the masthead with you, and stay there till you are ready to do your duty!”
James Low turned a look of anguish upon the captain.
“Indeed, sir, I am very sick,” he said.
As the poor fellow spoke, his face became of a greenish hue, and he sank to the deck, where he lay without sense or motion.
By this time Captain Richmond was intensely irritated, and in his fury he drew back his foot and kicked the prostrate boy brutally.
The poor fellow quivered a little, but he was too far gone in unconsciousness to make any other demonstration.
“Shame! Shame!” was heard from at least two persons who witnessed the captain’s cruelty.
He looked sharply around, and roared out: “Who said that?”
“I did, for one,” responded Guy, pale, but his eyes flashing with indignation.
“Don’t you dare to say it again!” cried the captain, with a volley of oaths.
“I did, for another,” said Abner Titcomb, coming forward, his face stern and threatening.
“You did, eh? You’ll find yourself in irons if you are not careful. I’m not going to have any landlubber interfering with my discipline. D’ye hear that?”
“Captain Richmond,” said Titcomb, “you are the greatest brute I ever came across!”
“Don’t you dare to say that again!” cried the captain, almost foaming at the mouth.
“No one but a brute would kick a sick boy!”
“Sick? He’s shamming!”
“He is not shamming, and you know that as well as I do.”
“I’ll put you in irons, sir! By heavens, you are inciting mutiny!”
“If you put me in irons, you’ll have something to put me in irons for.”
“What d’ye mean by that?”
“I mean that if you are captain of this vessel, I am a man, and I won’t allow you to treat a poor sick sailor as you have treated James Low.”
“You won’t allow me!” yelled the captain. “You’ll see! I’ll do it again for your gratification!” And he drew back his foot as if to kick the prostrate figure once more.
Quick and stern came these words from Abner Titcomb:
“If you kick that boy again, Captain Richmond, by the heavens above me I’ll fell you to the deck and kick you!”
There was something so resolute in Titcomb’s words and manner that Captain Richmond, furious as he was, was impressed in spite of himself.
“Mr. Titcomb,” he said, “I can have you arrested and imprisoned for what you have said.”
“If you don’t desist at once I will report your brutality to the American consul at the first port at which we stop, and demand your trial!”
As has already been said, Captain Richmond, though a bully, was a coward, and he did not dare to follow up his brutal treatment, much as he desired to do so.
“You may find that someone else will report to the consul,” he said, sullenly. “You will find, sir, that it is a serious thing to interfere with discipline on board ship.”
James Low moved slightly, opened his eyes, and seemed coming out of his stupor.
Captain Richmond bent over, seized him by the shoulder, and raised him to his feet.
“Now go below,” he said. “You will be kept on bread and water for the next twenty-four hours.”
James Low was glad enough to creep below, and the threat did not disturb him in the least.
Anything was better than going about his work when he was scarcely able to stand erect.
Captain Richmond, with as much dignity as he could command, went to his own cabin, and left the field to Titcomb and Guy.
“What do you think of such a man as that?” said Titcomb, turning to Guy.
“I never felt so indignant in my life! He is not a man, but a brute! You saved the poor fellow, Mr. Titcomb.”
“Yes; and I mean to shield him from the captain’s malice hereafter, for he will undoubtedly try to do him a mischief.”
“What would you have done had the captain kicked him again?”
“What would I have done? Don’t ask me. I would have treated Captain Richmond worse than he treated James, regardless of consequences.”
CHAPTER XXVII
GUY AND THE CAPTAIN
A strong, resolute man makes himself respected. Abner Titcomb had asserted his manhood and faced the captain fearlessly.
Autocrat as he aspired to be, Captain Richmond did not dare to go to the lengths he intended.
He made a show of maintaining his authority by ordering James Low below, and restricting him to bread and water. This was not, on the whole, a hardship, as it gave the poor fellow what he needed—complete rest.
Feverish as he was, also, the scanty diet was not, on the whole, undesirable. At the end of twenty-four hours he felt better, and returned to his work.
The captain did not molest him further, though he was seen at times to look at him with a contracted brow, as if he hated him. For the present, at least, however, he desisted from any further persecution, and as Low did his duty faithfully he gave his captain no excuse for ill treatment.
The weather was, on the whole, favorable, and in due time they reached the Indian Ocean.
As they drew nearer the group of islands, one of which, as Guy believed, contained the mysterious treasure of which he was in search, Guy became restless and excited. He held conferences with his two assistants, and managed to excite their interest, though he found that they were not so sanguine as himself.
“I have heard such stories before,” said Abner Titcomb, “and though it may all be true, you must not be too much disappointed if you don’t find what you expect.”
“I shall certainly be disappointed, Mr. Titcomb. My uncle’s letter was so direct and circumstantial that it carried conviction of its truth to my mind.”
“No doubt he believed it himself, but the sailor from whom he got his information may have been spinning a yarn.”
“You must remember, Mr. Titcomb, that he was on his deathbed. That is hardly a time to spin yarns.”
“True; and I hope his story was correct.”
“It was certainly natural. Granted that there are pirates, they would be likely to have a place of concealment for their booty.”
“I don’t say anything against that, Guy.”
The two men, though in Guy’s employ, were in the habit of calling him by his first name.
“At any rate, Luke and I are ready to co-operate with you and help you in every way to secure this treasure.”
“I don’t doubt that, Mr. Titcomb. I feel sure of your fidelity.”
The time came when it would be necessary to deviate from the usual course and make for the islands.
Not a word had been exchanged between Guy and the captain on this subject since the first day of the voyage, and he thought it well to bring the matter once more to the attention of the Osprey’s commander.
“Captain Richmond,” he said, one day, as that officer was about to leave the deck, “I should be glad to have a few words with you.”
The captain regarded Guy with an unpleasant frown, and said, sneeringly: “Perhaps you have some advice to give me as to the management of the vessel.”
“You are mistaken, sir,” said Guy, with dignity. “I wish to speak to you about the business which has brought me on board.”
“Very well. I will listen to what you have to say.”
They were now in the cabin. Guy took a seat opposite the captain, and began:
“I believe you know, in a general way, the object of my expedition.”
“I know very little about it,” said the captain, indifferently.
“It is desirable that you should know definitely. You understand that I wish to visit one of the Agalegas Islands?”
“Which one?”
“I can’t tell yet.”
“Then it looks as if we were bound on a fool’s errand.”
“No. I have a description of the particular island I want to visit, explicit enough for me to identify it when I see it.”
“What do you know about these islands? Are they inhabited?”
“I don’t know.”
“What do you know about them?” asked the captain, rudely.
“Very little. It is not necessary that I should know much. The main point is this: I have reason to believe that on the island I seek there is concealed somewhere a large treasure, stored there years since by a band of pirates.”
Captain Richmond laughed incredulously.
“That is an old woman’s tale,” he said. “And it is to find this treasure that you want me to turn aside from my course and waste perhaps a couple of months?”
Guy was provoked at the other’s words and manner.
“I don’t think, Captain Richmond,” he said, “there is any reason to complain of this. You, or rather your owners, will be well compensated for any prolongation of the voyage.”
“I suppose we are to be paid out of this fabulous treasure,” sneered the captain.
“No, sir. My principal, Mr. Saunders, of Bombay, is abundantly able to pay what he has contracted to do, even if the treasure proves fabulous, as you suggest.”
“So you talked him into a belief in its existence?”
“As to that, he thinks there is sufficient chance of its existence to warrant the outlay he has made.”
“Then I don’t think much of his good judgment.”
“It does not seem to me, Captain Richmond, that this concerns anyone except himself. It is merely a business venture.”
“How long do you expect me to cruise round among these islands?” asked the captain, evidently in bad humor.
“I can’t say yet. Of course, I shall want to make a thorough search.”
“And in the meantime the Osprey is to lie at anchor, and all on board are to fold their hands?”
“As to that I have no control. It may be interesting to you to explore the islands. At any rate, you will be paid for your time.”
“I shouldn’t like this thing to get out. I should become a laughing-stock.”
“I don’t see why. You will simply be carrying out the instructions of your owners.”
“What more have you to say to me, Mr. Fenwick?”
As the captain pronounced Guy’s name his inflection was sarcastic, but Guy did not expect courtesy from this quarter and he chose to take no notice of the slur.
“Were you ever in the neighborhood of the Agalegas Islands, Captain Richmond?”
“No; and I presume very few skippers have had occasion to go anywhere near them, except, of course, your friends the pirates.”
“I suppose it will soon be necessary to change your course, so as to steer for them?”
“I think you can safely leave that to me, Mr. Fenwick. Did you seek this interview in order to give me advice?”
“No, captain; only to have an understanding. Though you don’t seem to have a favorable opinion of my chances of success, I am sure you will help me so far as lies in your power.”
“Humph!” returned the captain. “I don’t know that I am called on to do anything except to sail among the islands, and give you a chance to pick out the one you are in search of.”
“If you will allow me, I will read you a short description of the island.”
“Go on.”
“It is well wooded to within a mile of the shore; toward the center there is a hill, or slight eminence, perhaps a hundred and fifty feet in altitude. The extent of it is probably five miles by eight.”
“The island seems to be quite large. Do you expect to dig it all over before giving up your search?”
“That will not be necessary. I have some directions as to the place where the treasure is hidden.”
“This seems very much like a fairy tale, Mr. Fenwick. Would you like my opinion of this man who has sent you on such a wildgoose chase?”
“You can express it to me, if you like, Captain Richmond,” said Guy, with dignity.
“Then I think he’s a blooming idiot, neither more nor less.”
This was said in a very offensive tone.
“I don’t think, Captain Richmond, that you will find many persons in Bombay who will agree with you in your estimate of Mr. Saunders’ character. Blooming idiots don’t, as a general thing, succeed in business as he has done.”
Captain Richmond listened to these words with an ironical smile, and Guy left his presence satisfied that he could expect no help from him beyond what he felt obliged to give.
CHAPTER XXVIII
THE ISLAND AT LAST
Guy was not without fears that Captain Richmond would, on some pretext, decline to carry out his contract, and refuse to visit the Agalegas Islands.
A captain at sea is such an autocrat that he often takes indefensible liberties, and transcends his rightful authority. He can make things exceedingly uncomfortable for anyone for whom he feels a dislike or cherishes a grudge.
It soon became evident, however, that whatever opinion he might have of Guy’s enterprise, he didn’t intend to interpose any obstacle to his visit to the islands.
Abner Titcomb, though for the last ten years a blacksmith, was from the age of twenty to thirty years a seaman, and had risen to be a first mate. He could, in an emergency, have taken the place of captain and commanded a vessel.
He assured Guy, from his own observations, that Captain Richmond had changed his course, and was steering in the direction of the islands.
“That relieves me very much,” said Guy. “I didn’t know what the captain’s obstinacy might have led him to do.”
“He may still be able to thwart you, even after reaching the island,” returned Titcomb.
“I won’t borrow trouble in advance,” said Guy. “The first step is to reach the island. After that I will manage to carry out the rest of the program.”
The crew consisted of Irish and Americans, with one exception. This was Guido Leporelli, a swarthy Italian, who was, upon the whole, a good sailor.
He was short, and of light weight, but strong and muscular. He held little intercourse with the rest of the crew, partly perhaps because he was not a good English scholar, and could not speak the language fluently, though he understood sea terms.
Guido was, as a rule, quiet and well behaved, and had not incurred any rebukes from the officers. One morning, however, as Guy made his appearance on deck, he beheld the captain, in a furious rage, confronting the Italian, who in stature was greatly his inferior.
What the trouble was about, Guy did not learn, but it ended in the captain felling the Italian to the deck by a powerful blow.
Guido rose slowly. His swarthy face was pale, and his eyes gleamed with a fierce and baleful light; but he said nothing.
“Now go to your work, you dog!” cried the captain.
Only Guy noticed the terrible rage visible in the Italian’s face.
He spoke of it to Abner Titcomb.
“Captain Richmond has made a dangerous enemy,” he said.
“Who is it?”
“The Italian sailor.”
Then Guy related what he had seen.
“What can he have done?”
Inquiry showed that there had been no cause for the captain’s violent outbreak. He was in one of his fits of periodical irritation, and Guido, unfortunately for him, chanced to be in his way, and received the benefit of it.
“I shouldn’t like to have an Italian for an enemy,” said Titcomb, thoughtfully. “But it is Captain Richmond’s lookout. He may some day repent his violence.”
There were others who shared Mr. Titcomb’s views, but gradually the affair faded out of remembrance.
Guido Leporelli seemed himself to have forgotten his ill treatment. He went about his duties in the same quiet way he had always done.
As for Captain Richmond, he never troubled himself to think of the Italian. If anyone had suggested that he stood in danger he would have laughed at the idea.
He was a tall, strong man, weighing not far from two hundred pounds, while Leporelli would scarcely have tipped the scales at one hundred and twenty.
The weather was delightful; the temperature was warm and balmy, with no signs of a storm, and day after day the Osprey glided along under smiling skies.
“How are you enjoying the voyage, Guy?” asked Abner Titcomb.
“So much that I should like to see it prolonged but for one thing.”
“What is that?”
“I am anxious to reach the island so as to settle the question about the treasure.”
“You are anxious to become rich, then, Guy?”
“It isn’t so much that, but Mr. Saunders, at my suggestion, has invested a good deal of money in this expedition. I don’t want him to be a loser.”
“He would not blame you.”
“Perhaps not; but I should blame myself. Besides, you know how the captain has derided the scheme?”
“Yes.”
“I want to prove to him that he is in the wrong. He calls Mr. Saunders ‘a blooming idiot,’ and I have no doubt he applies that name to me, also.”
“Well, Guy, I hope you will succeed. I am not over and above sanguine myself, as you know. I have heard and read of too many enterprises like yours, and that makes me incredulous.”
“Still, you won’t call me ‘a blooming idiot’ even if I do fail,” said Guy, smiling.
“No, Guy, I think you are very far from an idiot. I should be more likely to apply that name to the captain.”
“Why?”
“On account of his treatment of the Italian sailor.”
“Leporelli doesn’t seem to bear any grudge, so far as we can judge from his conduct.”
“Don’t judge too hastily. An Italian and an Indian have long memories for injuries.”
Since the conversation already reported between Guy and the captain, nothing further had been said. Guy would have been glad to speak, but he saw that Captain Richmond was quite incredulous, and it would be like having cold water dashed in his face to talk it over with him again.
Had Captain Grover been in command, Guy would have had daily conferences with him, but the two men were altogether different.
Though he did not know the ship’s reckoning, Guy was of opinion that they must be very near the Agalegas Islands. He longed to ask the captain, but did not venture to do so.
It was Captain Richmond himself who broached the subject.
He was pacing the deck one afternoon when he met Guy.
“Come here, Fenwick,” he said. “I want to speak to you.”
Guy joined him in his walk. His heart beat quickly, for he felt that the captain was about to speak to him on the subject nearest to his heart.
“We are close to the Agalegas Islands,” said the captain, abruptly. “To-morrow we shall probably sight some of them.”
“I am glad to hear it, captain,” responded Guy, joyfully.
“I don’t know how many of them there are, but I judge there may be a considerable number. Do you expect me to visit them all?”
“No, Captain Richmond. If you remember, I read you a description of the one in which I feel an interest. That description is so minute that I don’t think we are likely to mistake it.”
“You don’t know the relative position of the island, whether it is the nearest to us, or the furthermost?”
“No, sir.”
“Humph! That is not very encouraging.”
“If you will excuse my suggesting it, I think it is likely to be the nearest.”
“And why?”
“The pirates would probably consider one island as good for their purpose as another, and would select the first that presented itself.”
“That’s all conjecture.”
“That is all I claim for it.”
“At any rate, I hope your conjecture is a correct one. I haven’t much faith in your enterprise, and I am anxious to be detained as short a time as possible.”
Captain Richmond left Guy and went to his cabin. Guy understood that he did not care to speak further on the subject.
Early the next morning, as Guy lay in his bunk, there was a loud knock at the door of his stateroom.
“What’s the matter?” he called out, drowsily.
“Matter enough!” cried Abner Titcomb, for it was he. “We are in sight of land!”
Guy sprang from his berth and ran up on deck.
There, at the distance of half a mile, lay a beautiful island, a delightful sight after the thousands of miles of ocean they had traversed.
But, best of all, Guy noted with wildly beating heart that it was well wooded to within a mile of the shore; and toward the center there was a hill, or slight eminence, perhaps a hundred and fifty feet in altitude!
It was evidently the island of which he was in search.
