The Land of the Hibiscus Blossom

---

James Hume Nisbet (1888)
Country of origin: Australia
Available texts by the same author here

XXVII. The "Thunder" to the Rescue.

   WATER is a second native element to the Papuan, men, women, and infants are all brought up to it, amongst the coast tribes, and such a danger as drowning would never enter into the imagination of any fond mother there.
   Also, although at parts where the openings are wide enough and the water is deep enough, the ocean inside the reefs literally swarms with sharks, yet they seem to have a profound respect for these bold divers and swimmers, as I have never heard any of the natives speak of death or injury done to their friends that way.
   We will leave Ila with his conch-blowing flock of sirens to watch the progress of the battle, while Kupatele, with her own charming disregard of prudery, sets the bold example of diving after the recreant Toto. After they had caught him, they handled him with the delicacy peculiar to their sex when they have a victim whom they properly despise entirely at their mercy.
   Kupatele and Hankowa must not be judged by the ordinary standard of civilized ladies, or considered heartless because they could laugh and make fun while their husbands were ashore risking their lives. In New Guinea life is too slight a possession to create much anxiety when it is risked as it is almost daily. When it is lost the grief is wild and deep enough. People who have been born on the crust of a volcano do not tremble because the earth chances to shake. Besides, Toto had cured the ladies of Hula of much of the rigid notions and finer feelings which still hedged round the women of the other tribes, not yet blessed with Totos.
   We will hurry on board the Thunder once more, for this was the Beretana puffpuff-boat whose propeller had been heard by the canoes on the waters of Hula, during this momentous night.
   The Thunder, after leaving Yule Island, had gone without loss of time to Port Moresby, where they delivered their cargo and letters to the Mission House on the hill, to the Governor in his bungalow, and to the solitary Store-House belonging to that enterprising firm of Burns, Philip, and Co., who seem determined to plant their standard wherever the foot of white man dare venture. They delivered letters also to the survey party who were at the time planning out a Colonial draughtboard-shaped city in this home of the untamed savage.
   Here they picked up the bold Flagcroucher, and out of consideration for the feelings of the genial old Governor (who had enjoyed the distinguished warrior's company for a couple of months), they offered him a free passage castward, which he promptly accepted; they had also as passenger on the same terms, one of those highly refined explorers who are sometimes to be met further abroad than the geographical chambers, and in general are much loved by rough and honest traders.
   The Governor at Port Moresby having heard concerning the exploits of Toto, and the Christianizing influence which he was extending amongst his own people, so much desired to meet him that he had expressly commissioned Bowman to go for him, and on no account to leave him behind at Hula. So that the lucky Toto had unconsciously been on the way to meet the very people who were sent after him, when Kupatele frightened the poor fellow so much.
   To Hula from Basilisk Bay the passage is pretty plainly denoted on the charts, and, what is better, the places jotted down as safe are actually comparatively free from shoals, so that they were going along pretty easily on the night in question.
   In the cabin they had partaken of a plentiful feast, for the last sheep left aboard had been slaughtered that day and the Chinese cook was pretty good at dressing it.
   They were now assembled in the saloon discussing the merits of a stone jar of Scotch whisky with "Tappit Hen" marked upon it. They had their pipes--those at least who smoked. The scientific explorer was too delicate to indulge in anything short of Château Lafite in the drinking, or Egyptian cigarettes in the smoking way, which exploration necessities the Singalese steward had inconsiderately overlooked in his stock taking before he left port.
   The General held the chair; he had voted himself into it, and in spite of all protest constituted himself the single speaker; it was a Flagcroucher solo, with futile interruptions from the others, promptly checked off by the trumpet-tones of the military hero.
   The scientific explorer had vainly tried to assert his superiority by a few of those drawing-room airs and funny sneers, or milky sarcasms which are effective sometimes when swallow-tails are in the majority; but what are headless fun-darts when directed against such a hide? Besides, they were too irresolutely delivered, and the General had a ferocious bloodshot glaring eye, and a moustache of noble proportions which intimidated the explorer, so that while displaying his disgust as often as he could he did it so sneakingly and so evidently with the intention of hiding it from the object, while making it plain to the rest of the audience, that he lost the sympathy which he might otherwise have obtained had he smoked and drank fairly and given his opinion in a less refined and subtle style and more like a man.
   Sailors are in general a most tolerant race, and will excuse a man who declines to join the social glass or pipe if it is principle which makes him object, but they abhor the namby-pamby gentleman who sits amongst them because he has nowhere else to sit, and gives as his reasons for abstaining that their fare is not of the quality to which he has been accustomed: they will endure a man even if he be a bully and braggadocio much longer than a sneering poltroon, therefore on the present occasion they, without objection, yielded to the iron dominion of the General, and sent the scientific gentleman into Coventry.
   "When I was under the Brazilian Government, gentlemen," began the self-constituted chairman.
   "You told us that one at Moresby, General," observed the undaunted Danby, puffing out some tobacco-smoke from the bau-bau he had learnt the use of within the last few days; "tell us about some other government."
   "Sir! do you know that you are insulting a gentleman who has fought under every flag which has a nation left on the face of the globe--powerful enough to own such a thing as an insignia?"
   "The black flag also, I suppose," irreverently put in Danby.
   "No, sir, not the black flag, I make an exception of that and also the German ensign; you are but a boy, sir, and it does not become a gentleman of my rank and fame to quarrel with a mere boy--pooh; yet, sir, had it been a man, ah, had it only been a man!"
   The General poured himself out a large glass of whisky, looking at the same time unutterable things in the way of ferociousness.
   "I suppose he would have been as largely multiplied by this time as the flags you have served under?" replied Danby calmly.
   "He would, sir; I am glad that you know my nature so well; but, speaking of the Germans, no man of spirit could serve under that flag. I remember once when Prince Bismarck wrote offering me a commission, I replied--"
   "Have you not got the letter about with you? I'd like to see the old man's autograph?"
   "My solicitor has it along with the others which I received from the European heads of government."
   "A great pity isn't it, General?"
   "No, boy, General Flagcroucher requires no introduction to recommend him when he goes amongst strangers, his sword is enough."
   "Warranted not to damage, I suppose," retorted Danby. "But what did you say to Bismarck?"
   "It was just before the gates of Paris were closed that he asked me to lend my aid, finishing his epistle something after these words:--'The fame of your marvellous faculty of preserving your valuable life and looking so successfully after your bodily safety, through dangers which would extinguish most men, has reached me. Serving as you have done with such singular success under the different powers of Europe and abroad, have you never thought of placing Germany under a similar obligation? If the idea has not occurred to you, pray let me place it under your notice, with the addition that there is at present a vacancy near to ourselves in the army for the wielder of such a sword as yours.'"
   "Very characteristic of the Prince," murmured the scientific explorer from his corner.
   "Ah, I see you know the old man's style, brief and to the point, always to the point. I replied, with dignity, in a short note which I think was not unworthy of a military man as well as a gentleman: 'Sir, I have served under many flags, it is true, and I think with acknowledged success, but the causes in which I have distinguished were freedom and honour, not tyranny and usurpation.' "
   "A very gentlemanly reply, I must say," answered the explorer.
   "I think so, sir, without being an egotist."
   "And after that, I suppose you defended the walls of Paris?"
   "I did, sir. You have not, I dare say, before this had the honour of a real general drinking amongst you, but I like to be affable, it is always the mark of true greatness."
   "Doubtless, General; but that is my glass you are taking up, your own is the one nearest to you, and empty," replied Danby, gently.
   "The more honour I was about to confer upon you, my lad."
   "I rather prefer the liquor, thank you, General."
   Captain MacAndrews and Bowman were on deck, except when they paid a flying visit down to consult the charts: at this instant they both appeared for another observation.
   "Where are we now, Captain?" inquired the General.
   "Close to Round Head, I should say, General," replied the Captain. "Are you not thinking of turning in? it is late, and we are about to anchor if we can find a place."
   "I'll have a breath of air first," responded the General, getting up and stretching his lank, six feet of consequence preparatory to moving.
   "I'll join you in that proposal," said Danby, as he laid down his bau-bau and followed the General, while the explorer, glad to get to bed, complained of a splitting headache and sat where he was.
   On deck, the air felt grateful after the lamp-heated and smoke-stuffed saloon, so they relighted their pipes and leaned against the taffrail enjoying that final smoke before bed.
   "Are you not afraid of an attack here, Bowman," inquired Danby.
   "Attack? certainly not, the natives are well used to white people about these parts," replied Bowman.
   "Attack?" echoed the General, "who would care about a few savages when I am with you--Ha! by heavens, we are surrounded." And with these words the General made for the saloon steps with rather more speed than seemed warranted under the occasion.
   "Hold on, General," said Danby, "don't leave us at this time, we look to you as our protector."
   "Let me go, sir, I tell you, we must get under cover, these savages have poisoned spears," and with these words he wrenched his coat sleeves from Danby's grasp, and promptly darted below.
   "Shut the doors at once, steward, the savages are out in force," they heard him cry from below, as they turned to where the canoes were coming.
   It was Kupatele and her attendant, who, having recovered the recreant Toto, were now approaching in their canoes. Bowman, seeing only two small canoes coming, replaced his revolver in his belt and hailed them.
   "Hallo! there!"
   "Beretana!" replied the clear voice of the merry Kupatele, as she drew alongside.
   "Women," said Bowman. "It strikes me our hero of a hundred battles isn't much to be depended upon in an emergency."
   "A tarnation coward," growled the skipper.
   Meantime a rope was lowered, up which the women clambered, with the dripping wet Toto after them, and now stood on deck.
   "What do you want?" asked Bowman, singling out Toto from his dress, as the most likely one to understand English.
   "Tell him, Toto, that we require his help ashore," rapidly said Kupatele in the native tongue.
   Toto saw his chance, and took advantage of it instantly: here was the excuse for his coming out in the canoe alone.
   "The mountain tribes are down fighting the men of Hula, and they have sent me to ask your protection."
   "How far are we off?"
   "A little way past that point, in another moment you will see the fires."
   "Can you pilot us to Hula?" asked Bowman.
   "Yes!" said Toto.
   "Then let us on at once; return and say we are coming."
   Toto interpreted to Kupatele, and added, "I knew they were coming, and that was why you saw me before you."
   "I know, Toto," replied Kupatele. "Bring them quickly, and I'll not tell how frightened you were when we caught you, oh! cunning fish that you are."
   With these words they once more scrambled over the side of the vessel, and darted away in front.
   The General, hearing no signs of battle, now once more appeared with his historical sword girt to his waist-belt, and a brace of revolvers in his hand.
   "Tactics of war, gentlemen," he observed, as he came towards them. "I went down to prepare myself--have you beaten off the enemy?"
   "Yes!" replied Bowman. "So I suppose you are now prepared?"
   "Thoroughly!"
   "That is well, for we shall have some sharp fighting before long, I expect."
   "What do you mean?"
   "They are fighting ashore at Hula, and we are going to help them," replied Bowman. "So you will have a good chance of distinguishing yourself."
   "By God! I'll do nothing of the sort, sir, I have not come this length to sacrifice my life for a set of dirty savages."
   "As you like; then you can stay on board and defend the ship."
   "In the cabin, of course?" put in Danby.
   "No, sir, we shall not go near the fight, you have no right, captain, to risk this steamer or endanger the lives of your passengers, and I forbid you to budge from where we are," replied the General, with great energy.
   "When you are skipper here, you may do as you like, but at present I command on board the Thunder," retorted the old captain hotly, "and go we will, whether you like to fight or shut yourself in, and if you don't like these terms, by the Holy Moses, I'll lend you the dingey, and you can pull yourself back to Moresby."
   "I refuse to go in such an unsafe boat as the dingey, let me have four of your men and the use of the whale boat, and I'll go at once."
   "Go to the devil as you are," said MacAndrews, angrily turning away.
   "You shall answer for this, sir, when we get ashore."
   "When you like, and with what you like."
   The skipper walked to the wheel, and the General to his former position of defence in the saloon, while the German engineer, with his usual snarl, put on the steam full speed.
   All was now commotion on board, the Malay seamen got out their guns and cutlasses, Bowman and Danby went below to get out more cartridges, and prepare the explorer.
   "Will you join us, or keep the General company?" Bowman asked him shortly.
   "If my headache is gone, I'll join you."
   "All right," and the two friends went once more on deck.
   On, at the furious rate of about eight knots an hour, the "little hummer's" very fastest pace, the steamer ploughed and turned up the white forth behind her, filled with electric sparkles, while the female--propelled canoes flew in front, and very soon disappeared into the darkness. The captain was at the wheel, working under the guidance of Toto, who now felt quite reassured amongst the white fellow, and no longer doubtful about his return. So he stood calmly waving in the direction he wished them to take, and where he knew there was a deep passage between the shoals.
   Round Head Point looked up dimly as they skirted it, and then the village fires became visible. They were lower than when Toto saw them last, and objects in the distance were not so distinct. The houses with their piles looked softer and blended more into the general ruddy effect; from the canoes on the waters between them and the shore, the faint sounds of conch-shells, and beating of drums were wafted.
   Nearer, and the figures in the canoes could be discerned, while the din became louder, preventing them from hearing anything from the shore.
   Shrieks and wild cries of welcome from the women as the canoes darted right and left to permit the Thunder to pass, while that one which held Hena kept up with them, while a rope was thrown for him to catch, by which they were towed alongside while he got on board.
   On shore the clamour could now be heard distinctly, and a wild tossing of dark figures could be seen in front of the fires, while yells and shrieks uprose above the shrill tones of the women who had laid down their drums and conch-shells to keep up with the steamer.
   "Heave to and anchor here," said Toto, "you must row the rest of the way."
   "Out with the long-boat!" and as the anchor touched ground, Bowman, Danby, the two engineers, and four of the sailors had leaped in and taken up the oars. As they were about to cast off, the explorer came on deck with his revolvers.
   "Are you coming?" cried Bowman.
   "Of course," replied the explorer, getting in.
   "Where is the General?"
   "Sulking or skulking in the cabin."
   "Umph!"
   "Hold hard a moment," bawled out the captain, scrambling over the side and heavily dropping down upon Danby, nearly squashing that fragile young gentleman.
   "You hold hard, old hippopotamus," gasped the youth, struggling from beneath him.
   "Saved my old bones a second time," grunted the captain, settling himself on the stern.
   Hena had gone over into his canoe before the anchor dropped, and was now yards in advance.
   "Pull away, lads, and a cheer for old England," shouted the captain, and with a ringing British cheer they went at it with their backs to the fray, as their oars drove the yielding waters tuggingly aside.
   A sudden blackness falls over the scene, they have replenished the fires on shore, and the wood has not yet caught fire.
   The women are coming on with a wild clamour of shrieks, so that the yells on shore are drowned to the cars of the excited sailors.
   Light again burst out like brilliant sunshine, as the boat is run aground.
   "We can now see what we are about," cried the old skipper, as with an axe in his clenched fist, he plunged into the shallow waters. "No fighting in the dark for me, as at Yule Island."
   They were all floundering up to the knees by this time, with their faces to the fight, rushing as fast as they could to the dry land.
   The battle was evidently over as they touched dry land, whoever had conquered, for a handful of men were flying towards them with empty hands, with the conquerors behind them, braining them as they caught them up.
   "Fire in the air," cried Bowman, and a volley belched out, which brought both pursued and pursuers to a sudden halt.
   Then the unarmed handful of about a dozen came on, and with the abjectness of despair, flung themselves on the sands, face downwards, at the feet of the Thunder party, and lay waiting their doom.
   It was the last remnant of the marauding hill-tribe.