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Charlik was to command one of the boat parties, Cayse the other, and should any canoes with fugitives attempt to gain the open sea, they were to be sunk by the Lucy May's guns, for she was to anchor in such a position that an escaping canoe would have to pass within fifty yards of her.
The master of the smaller vessel was a tall, broad-shouldered man, armed with a pair of pistols and a cutlass. Striding over the sand he held out his hand to the American. "Good day. My name's Ross, barque Lucy May, of Sydney, from the New Hebrides to Hong Kong with sandalwood." "Glad to meet ye. My name is Cayse, ship Iroquois, bound on a sperm whalin' cruise."
I shipped for a whaling voyage, and not to help savages to fight. Take my advice and give it up. Money got in this way will do you no good." Cayse shifted his feet uneasily. "I can't afford to sling away the chance of earnin' two or three thousan' dollars so easy. An' you'll hev to do your duty to me. Naow, look here " North raised his hand. "That will do.
Ross meanwhile had gone on board the barque for some firearms which he was giving the king in exchange for several boatloads of provisions. When he returned, with two of his crew carrying six muskets, a keg of powder, and a bag of bullets, Cayse met him on the threshold of the king's house. "Come inside, mister. The king wants to talk to you on a matter of business.
I came here to get wood, water, and provisions." "Good. You can get all you want. Have you muskets and bullets to sell?" "I can spare you some." "Ah, that is good. I want plenty, plenty. Now come to my house and eat and drink; then we can talk." It was well on towards sunset before Charlik and Cayse had finished their talk.
Further speech was denied them, for suddenly the thronging and excited natives around them drew aside right and left as Charlik, with a face beaming with smiles, came up to Cayse with outstretched hand, and greeted him warmly in English. Then he turned quickly to the Englishman and shook hands with him also, and asked him from whence he came. "From Sydney.
For this service the king had given Cayse half a ton of turtle-shell, and the services of ten young men as seamen for as long a time as the Iroquois cruised in the Pacific on that voyage.
When Ledyard comes back in his cutter he will walk into a trap, and be killed as soon as he steps ashore." North struck his hand upon the ground. "And to think that I have sailed with such a villain as Cayse, who " "That's not all. Ledyard has two children. Charlik has given orders for them to be killed, as he says he only wants the woman!
North nodded in silence, and was just moving on to the main deck, when Cayse stopped him. "You don't seem too ragin' pleased this mornin', Mr. North, over this business. Naow, as I told you yesterday, I admire your feelin's on the subject, but I can't afford " The mate's eyes blazed with anger. "And I tell you again that I won't have anything to do with it. I know my duty, and mean to stick to it.
Followed by the sailors carrying the muskets, the two captains walked over the soft, springy floor of mats, and seated themselves facing the young man. His eye lit up at the sight of the arms, and then he desired Ross to tell his men to withdraw. Then as the sound of their footsteps died away, he looked at Cayse and said briefly "Go on, capèn. You talk." Cayse went into the subject at once.
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