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Nobody likes to be saved in spite of themselves." It was a long speech for Mellony. A large moon had risen, and from the low horizon sent golden shafts of light almost into the room; it was as if the placidity of the night were suddenly penetrated by something more glowing. Mellony stood looking down at her mother, like a judge. Mrs. Pember gazed at her steadily.
Mrs. Maddack opened the door with a tragic gesture. "Bladen," she called in a loud voice to the driver of the waggonette, who was standing on the pavement. "Yes'm." "It was Pember drove Miss Sophia yesterday, wasn't it?" "Yes'm." She hesitated. A clumsy question might enlighten a member of the class which ought never to be enlightened about one's private affairs.
"Mis' Pember is likely enough lookin' woman herself," observed Captain Smart; "it's kind of cur'ous she should be so set agen marryin, just as marryin'." "'Tis so," assented Captain Phippeny, thoughtfully, looking after the two women.
Whether they understood us or not I cannot say, but without more ado, three of them attaching themselves to Pember, and a like number to each of the other men one black fellow, however, only taking charge of Dicky and another of me they dragged us off into the interior. In vain Pember struggled and expostulated.
If it was not for that they would cut our throats." These remarks made Dicky Esse and me feel very uncomfortable, till Pember observed that perhaps they had carried us off in the hopes of obtaining a ransom. This idea kept up our spirits a little; but as they continued to drag us on further and further into the country, our hope on that score greatly decreased.
I asked Pember what he would advise, as he, being the highest in rank among us, would have to take the command; but his drinking habits had unnerved him, and he answered, incoherently, "We must swim, I suppose, if we cannot get the wreck under way." Esse and I then turned to Mr Noalles. He had occasionally uttered a deep groan, as if in pain.
Norden sat motionless and Taylor could not tell whether he was asleep or awake. Pember removed his pack and used it for a pillow. Masters snored peacefully on the grass. Only Taylor remained awake. A sphere floated overhead. Taylor, watching, saw the leaves of the tree stir restlessly as the invisible feelers probed toward the earth. It was a reddish-orange orb, like the setting sun.
But Taylor had expected such a move. Even as Norden swung around, the officer sprang, knocking the spy off his feet and spoiling his aim. A warning whistle came from the sphere heating the cauldron. "Back! Out of the doorway!" Taylor shouted, grappling with Norden. "I'll take care of him!" Pember obeyed orders. He jumped back, dragging Masters with him.
On this, Pat, not waiting for the rest, went up and insisted on shaking the old chief cordially by the hand; the rest of us, with the exception of Pember, did the same. I need scarcely say that it was with no little amount of satisfaction that we began our march under the guidance of the Rajah's envoy.
"I must go to help him," said I to Esse, "for he will be drifted away, even if he manages to cling to whatever he has got hold of." "But surely he is drifting towards us," observed Esse. "He has got nearer since he began to speak." Such indeed was the case, and even before Kiddle and Mr Noalles returned with Pember, not only Pat, but two or three other men had been drifted up to us.
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