Chapter IX

I fight a Duel--Paul appeals to me to let him go in the Ship--The
Secret of the Gold--A Tour of Investigation.

Our stroll up the valley occupied more than an hour, for I had much to say and the commander much to ask of me. Zolca accompanied us, he having whispered to me before leaving that Paul had been found and confined to his house, which was watched by sentries.

As we approached the palace on our return I was astonished by hearing a startled scream. Running forward, what were my feelings to see Arendsoon with his arms round the struggling form of Azolta, attempting to kiss her. In an instant I had torn the fellow away, and dashed him violently on the ground. He sprang up again and drew his sword, but Captain Hoogstraaten stepped between and sternly ordered him to stand. He did not look a pretty picture, for he had gone down in the dust very hard, and one side of his face was white with it. I drew my sword and begged that the matter might be settled there and then.

“You have a right to demand it,” said the commander.

“I will not fight with a mutineer and a savage,” said Arendsoon, offering to return his weapon to its sheath.

“Nay, sir, but you will!” returned Hoogstraaten in a voice of thunder. “You have grossly outraged this gentleman’s” (and he put a stress on the word) “hospitality, and you shall give him satisfaction or go back to Batavia in irons!”

“Come on, then,” he said sullenly; but Zolca, calling to me to wait, ran into the house and brought out the French sword, which was more of a match for the hanger worn by my adversary, than the rude weapon I carried.

We had scarcely crossed blades before I knew that I was his master, and I saw by the coward look in his eyes that he knew it as well. I played with him for a bit, and when I had driven him round until his breath came in short gasps and he was evidently at my mercy, I gave him a slight wound in the shoulder, enough to afford him an excuse for leaving off. A great shout of triumph went up from the assembled natives when they saw the blood trickling down his breast.

Captain Hoogstraaten asked me if I were satisfied, and I replied that I was, otherwise, as I had his life in my hands all along, I would have run him through the body. Namoa got some bandages, and the wounded man’s shoulder was bound up. A messenger had been despatched for two of the boats’ crew. When they appeared, Arendsoon was ready to accompany them, but before he left, the captain demanded his sword, which he unbelted and gave to him.

Hoogstraaten now asked me about the entrance to the bay, and I undertook to show him the channel so that he could bring his ship in and anchor her safely for the night. So favourably had this man’s conduct impressed me that I felt greatly moved to take him into my confidence with regard to the gold; but I refrained, and perhaps by doing so some gallant lives were sacrificed.

Zolca and I accompanied the boat in a canoe, and piloted the vessel into the bay. When she was anchored I went on board, Zolca returning on shore to see that an ample supply of fresh provisions, cocoa-nuts, &c., was sent off for the crew.

Meantime I followed the captain into his cabin, where, his curiosity still being insatiable, he questioned me about the history of the Quadrucos, and speculated as to their origin, being evidently a man devoted to such scientific questions.

We were interrupted by the arrival of the canoes with the provisions, and with them came a note from Zolca written in the signs I had taught him. It read:

“_Come ashore at once!_”

Hastily bidding adieu to the good captain, and telling him that my presence was needed at the town, I went on deck. The sailors were all crowded to the side, looking down with curiosity on the natives who were passing up the provisions. Arendsoon was also on the deck with his arm in a sling. As I passed him he gave a scowl. Then he beckoned to me.

“See here, Herr Mutineer!” he said; “I know the secret of your little valley. Your friend in the bilboes was more communicative than you.”

I turned cold at heart, but would not let the villain see it, and passed on with a look of unconcern.

I told Namoa, who was in charge, that, if the captain permitted, the natives could go on board in small parties and examine the vessel, but in case of misunderstanding they must go unarmed. Then I took a canoe and paddled to the beach.

It was true what the scoundrel had said. He had been in communication with Paul. The sentinels were not to be blamed, for their orders were that Paul was not to be allowed to escape. They were too simple to suspect anything. Paul had seen Arendsoon from one of the narrow windows of the house, had called to him, and they had then held a long conversation in their own language. This happened when we were away up the valley. We alone were to blame for affording the opportunity.

I had not had a chance to speak to Azolta before. She told me that after the officer held the conversation with Paul he had commenced to pester her with his attentions trying to express his admiration by looks and gestures. She, in her innocence, did not repulse him as strongly as she should, which gave the ruffian confidence.

It was in no sweet temper that Zolca and I now proceeded to Paul’s place of imprisonment. On opening the door I was astonished at the change in the man. The sight of the vessel and the sound of his native tongue had brought back all his worst traits, and obliterated what good had shown on the surface. Instead of the cheery, willing fellow I had known so long there was the ruffling mutineer of the _Batavia_.

“Hullo, bullies!” he cried, in coarse defiant tones. “Come to square accounts with me! Ah! but you’ll have to be careful. We are under the guns of a tight ship and they won’t let a good citizen of Holland be maltreated by savages!”

This was in our own language, but Zolca guessed the import from the fellow’s swaggering air, and his eyes gleamed with rage.

“Silence, you fool!” I replied. “Your friend on board that ship is a swordless coward, at present under arrest. As for you, traitor! ship or no ship, guns or no guns, I’d hang you on one of the arms of that Cross you dishonoured if I saw fit. And you know it!”

Paul’s crest fell. “You crow loud, friend Diedrich, but what do you intend? That I signalled the ship ’tis true; but, if you had let me, I would but have gone off as a shipwrecked sailor, and left you and your valley in peace.”

“Then,” said I, in answer to this palpable lie, “why did you hail that red-faced sot and tell him about the gold?”

“Why? Because I was mad at being bundled in here and locked up like a thief!”

“And locked up like a thief you will be, until the _Selwaert_ sails,” I replied; “then, as you say, we will square accounts. Are you better than a thief to try to put men on to steal their country from these poor people, who have done you nothing but kindness.”

“Diedrich!” cried Paul in an altered tone, “let me go in this ship. I will swear by all I hold sacred, by my mother’s grave, that no word of the gold shall pass my lips. Diedrich! I speak the truth. By all the dangers we passed through together, by the many times we have faced death believe me! I am dying slowly here, I must get back to my kind and my country. Do not deny me this chance!”

I was deeply affected by this appeal. Coming from the rude, untutored sailor its eloquence proved its truth. Because I did not feel this great o’ermastering yearning was it not possible for others to feel it?

Paul saw that his words had touched me and coming closer seized my hand.

“Diedrich! once when I was down you stood over me and drove back the Indians who would have killed me. Once when you fell, choking with thirst, I gave you all my share of what water we had, and staggered on until I found some more and brought it back to you. Diedrich! Let your old comrade go!”

“Paul!” I answered, “remember, I am not alone in this. Zolca, whose kindness you have abused, is your judge; it is against him and his people you have sinned.”

“But you can persuade him, Diedrich!”

“I will try. Promise me you will remain here quietly and not attempt to communicate with the ship.”

“I do, I will!”

I took Zolca’s arm and we left the house. I told him what Paul had vowed and promised.

“But,” said he, reminding me of what I had clean forgotten, “what is the good of these promises? Is not the mischief done? Did not that fellow whom you fought tell you that Paul had told him all?”

Of course he had. I had remembered this at first, and then, under the sway of memories evoked by Paul’s words, forgotten it again. I turned back and re-entered the house.

“Paul, what was the good of those promises,” I asked, “when you have already told that officer?”

“I gave him but a hint; I will soon make him believe that I lied to get away from here. If not, rather than that he should bring you harm I will cant him overboard some dark night.”

I left Paul in a most undecided frame of mind. When I reached my house I found the evening meal ready, but neither Zolca nor I had much appetite.

“Deedrick,” said Azolta suddenly, “why did you not kill that man to-day?”

“Yes, why?” added Zolca. “You could have done it at any time.”

I gazed at them for a moment in surprise. Then I remembered their training.

“It was better not,” I answered. “We must keep friends with the captain.”

I passed a restless night, and early in the morning went down to the beach. The ship swung at her anchor, and I could not help feasting my eyes on her familiar outline, and ceased to wonder at the infatuation of poor Paul. I began to feel something of it myself.

Zolca joined me, and fell to talking about the vessel, and I told him about the sails and their management. Then we took a canoe, and went on board to ask the captain to breakfast. He readily agreed, and after being introduced to the first officer, Herr Vanstrooken, we left for the shore.

During breakfast the captain explained that he was anxious to see the country outside of the valley; not that he doubted my word as to its undesirability, but in his report to the Company he was desirous of saying that he had examined this place himself. We agreed to make the excursion, taking an armed party with us, and men to carry what provisions and baggage we wanted, as we intended to be out one night or more.

We left about ten o’clock, Zolca staying behind in case of any trouble arising. The captain took two sailors with him with firearms, so that we were a strong party. We went by the Rock with the head carved on it, of which Hoogstraaten made a sketch. We then took a sweep round the head of the valley, and camped that night at a small spring.

The secret of the gold having been betrayed to Arendsoon, I had made up my mind to take counsel with the commander of the vessel, although I felt that he would insist upon its being his duty to communicate the information to the Company. However, we were in for it, and must make the best terms we could. It would be better to tell this man voluntarily, than allow him to find it out by accident. It would retain his friendship and assistance.

He was not much surprised, and told me that there had long been a floating rumour of the existence of gold in Terra Australis. He agreed with me that the mines had in all probability been worked by the Mongols in the past.

We then fell to talking of the evil that would accrue to the Quadrucos if the existence of the gold became known, and he, being a man of large experience in the ways of the world, was able to see the matter more clearly than I. He told me that the taking of the country by force and establishing a Factory would only be one of the things to be dreaded. The settlement of the Europeans after a friendly fashion would as inevitably lead to the deterioration and final extinction of the race. The use of liquor--now unknown--would be introduced, and quarrels would arise between the two races.

He told me that much of his life had been spent in the service of the Company, and that in his time he had seen the blighting influence of European contact with the native population. He said he would think the matter over, and see where his duty lay. He would, however, try and put Arendsoon off the scent. Fate, however, took that matter out of our hands.

I slept but badly, for gloomy thoughts of the future were before me, and at daylight I was up.