Brave and Bold
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Horatio Alger, Jr. >> Brave and Bold
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"Perhaps he hasn't a watch," suggested one of the sailors.
"I will wait ten minutes for him," said Haley, taking out his watch. "If
he is not back in that time, I must go without him."
The sailors did not reply, but looked anxiously inland, hoping to catch
sight of Robert returning. But, bound as he was, we can understand why
they looked in vain.
"Shall I go and look for him?" asked one.
"No," said Haley, decidedly; "I cannot spare you."
The ten minutes were soon up.
"Into the boat with you," commanded the captain. "I shall wait no
longer."
Slowly and reluctantly, the sailors took their places, for Robert was a
favorite with them.
"Now, men, give way," said Haley. "If the boy is lost, it is his own
fault."
They reached the vessel in due time. There was a murmur among the crew,
when it was found that Robert had been left behind; but, knowing the
captain's disposition, no one except Bates dared to expostulate.
"Captain Haley," said he, approaching and touching his hat, "will you
give me leave to go on shore for the young gentleman that was left?"
"No," said the captain. "He had fair warning to be back in time, and
chose to disregard it. My duty to the owners will not permit me to delay
the ship on his account."
"He was a relation of the owner," suggested Bates.
"No, he was not; and, if he said so, he lied. Go about your duty, and
take care I have no more fault to find with you, or you go back in
irons!"
Bates ventured upon no further expostulation. He saw through the
captain's subterfuge, and felt persuaded that it had been his deliberate
intention from the first to abandon Robert to his fate. He began to
think busily, and finally resolved to go to the island and search for
him. For this purpose, a boat would be needful, since the distance,
nearly a league, was too far to swim. Now, to appropriate one of the
ship's boats when the captain was on deck would be impossible, but
Haley, within five minutes, went below. Bates now proceeded to carry out
his plan.
"What are you going to do?" demanded one of the sailors.
"I'm going after the boy."
"You'll be left along with him."
"I'll take the risk. He shan't say he didn't have one friend."
By the connivance of his fellow-sailors, Bates got safely off with the
boat, and began to pull toward shore. He was already a mile distant from
the vessel when Captain Haley came on deck.
"Who is that in the boat?" he demanded, abruptly.
"I don't know, sir."
He pointed the glass toward the boat, and, though he could not fairly
distinguish the stout sailor who was pulling the boat through the water,
he suspected that it was Bates.
"Where is Bates?" he asked.
No one had seen him.
"The fool has gone to destruction," said Captain Haley. "I shall not go
after him. He is welcome to live on the island if he chooses."
His reason for not pursuing the fugitive may be readily understood. He
feared that Robert would be found bound to the tree, and the story the
boy would tell would go heavily against him. He hurried preparation for
the vessel's departure, and in a short time it was speeding away from
the island with two less on board.
I must now go back to Robert, whom we left bound to a tree.
After the captain left him, he struggled hard to unloose the cords which
bound him. The love of life was strong within him, and the thought of
dying under such circumstances was appalling. He struggled manfully,
but, though he was strong for a boy, the cord was strong, also, and the
captain knew how to tie a knot.
Robert ceased at last, tired with his efforts. A feeling of despair came
over him, and the tears started, unbidden, to his eyes, as he thought
how his mother would watch and wait for him in vain--how lonely she
would feel, with husband and son both taken from her. Could it be that
he was to die, when life had only just commenced, thousands of miles
away from home, in utter solitude? Had he come so far for this? Then,
again, he feared that his mother would suffer want and privation when
the money which he had left behind was exhausted. In his pocket there
were nearly two hundred dollars, not likely to be of any service to him.
He wished that they were in her possession.
"If only he had left me free and unbound," thought Robert, "I might pick
up a living on the island, and perhaps some day attract the attention of
some vessel."
With this thought, and the hope it brought, he made renewed efforts to
release himself, striving to untie the cord which fastened his wrists
with his teeth. He made some progress, and felt encouraged, but it was
hard work, and he was compelled to stop, from time to time, to rest. It
was in one of these intervals that he heard his name called. Feeling
sure that there was no one on the island but himself, he thought he was
deceived. But the sound came nearer, and he distinctly heard "Robert!"
"Here I am!" he shouted, in return, his heart filled with sudden
thanksgiving.
"Captain Haley only meant to frighten me," he thought. "He has sent some
men back for me."
In his gratitude, he thanked Heaven fervently for so changing the heart
of his enemy, and once more life looked bright.
"Robert!" he heard again.
"Here!" he shouted, with all the strength of his lungs.
This time the sound reached Bates, who, running up his boat on shore,
and securing it, was exploring the island in search of our hero. Looking
around him, he at length, from the edge of the valley, descried Robert.
"Is that you, lad?" he asked.
"Yes, Bates; come and untie me!"
Bates saw his situation with surprise and indignation.
"That's some of the captain's work!" he at once decided. "He must be a
cursed scoundrel to leave that poor lad there to die!"
He quickened his steps, and was soon at the side of our hero.
"Who tied you to the tree, lad?" he asked.
"Did Captain Haley send you for me?" asked Robert first, for he had made
up his mind in that case not to expose him.
"No; I stole one of the ship's boats, and came for you without leave."
"The captain didn't know of your coming?"
"No; I asked his leave, and he wouldn't give it."
"It was Captain Haley that tied me here," said Robert, his scruples
removed.
"What did he do that for, lad?"
"It's a long story, Bates. It's because he hates me, and wishes me
harm. Untie these cords, and I'll tell you all about it."
"That I'll do in a jiffy, my lad. I'm an old sailor and I can untie
knots as well as tie them."
In five minutes Robert was free. He stretched his limbs, with a feeling
of great relief, and then turned to Bates, whose hand he grasped.
"I owe my life to you, Bates!" he said.
"Maybe not, lad. We're in a tight place yet."
"Has the ship gone?"
"Most likely. The captain won't send back for either of us in a hurry."
"And you have made yourself a prisoner here for my sake?" asked Robert,
moved by the noble conduct of the rough sailor.
"I couldn't abide to leave you alone. There's more chance for two than
for one."
"Heaven bless you, Bates! I won't soon forget what you have done for me.
Do you think there is any chance for us?"
"Of course there is, lad. We've got a boat, and we can live here till
some vessel comes within sight."
"Let us go down to the shore, and see if we can see anything of the
ship."
The two bent their steps to the shore, and looked out to sea. They could
still see the ship, but it was already becoming a speck in the distant
waters.
"They have left us," said Robert, turning to his companion.
"Ay, lad, the false-hearted villain has done his worst!"
"I didn't think any man would be so inhuman."
"You're young, lad, and you don't know what a sight of villainy there is
in the world. We've got to live here a while, likely. Have you seen
anything in the line of grub here-abouts?"
"There is fruit on some of the trees."
"That's something. Maybe we shall find some roots, besides. We'll draw
the boat farther upon shore, and go on an exploring expedition."
The boat was drawn completely up, and placed, bottom upward, at a safe
distance from the sea. Then Robert and his companion started to explore
the island which had so unexpectedly become their home.
CHAPTER XXXI.
THE ISLAND REALM.
But for the knowledge that he was a prisoner, Robert would have enjoyed
his present situation. The island, though small, was covered with a
luxuriant vegetation, and was swept by cooling breezes, which tempered
the ardor of the sun's rays. And, of this island realm, he and his
companion were the undisputed sovereigns. There was no one to dispute
their sway. All that it yielded was at their absolute disposal.
"I wonder what is the name of this island?" said Robert.
"Perhaps it has no name. Mayhap we are the first that ever visited it."
"I have a great mind to declare myself the king," said our young hero,
smiling, "unless you want the office."
"You shall be captain, and I will be mate," said Bates, to whom the
distinctions of sea life were more familiar than those of courts.
"How long do you think we shall have to stay here?" asked Robert,
anxiously.
"There's no telling, lad. We'll have to stick up a pole on the
seashore, and run up a flag when any vessel comes near,"
"We have no flag."
"Have you a handkerchief?"
"Only one," said Robert.
"That's one more than I have. We'll rig that up when it's wanted."
"Where shall we sleep?"
"That's what I have been thinking. We must build a house."
"A brownstone front?" said Robert. "The governor ought to live in a good
house."
"So he shall," said Bates. "He shall have the first on the island."
"I wonder if it rains often?"
"Not much at this season. In the winter a good deal of rain falls, but I
hope we won't be here then."
"Where shall we build our house?"
"It would be pleasanter inland, but we must be near the shore, so as to
be in sight of ships,"
"That's true, Bates. That is the most important consideration."
They set to work at once, and built a hut, something like an Indian's
wigwam, about a hundred yards from the shore. It was composed, for the
most part, of branches of trees and inclosed an inner space of about
fifteen feet in diameter. They gathered large quantities of leaves,
which were spread upon the ground for beds.
"That's softer than our bunks aboard ship," said Bates.
"Yes," said Robert. "I wouldn't wish any better bed. It is easy to build
and furnish a house of your own here."
"The next thing is dinner," said his companion.
"Shall we go to market?" asked Robert, with a smile.
"We'll find a market just outside."
"You mean the trees?"
"Yes; we'll find our dinner already cooked on them."
The fruit of which they partook freely was quite sweet and palatable.
Still, one kind of food cloys after a time, and so our new settlers
found it. Besides, it was not very substantial, and failed to keep up
their wonted strength. This set them to looking up some other article
which might impart variety to their fare. At last they succeeded in
finding an esculent root, which they partook of at first with some
caution, fearing that it might be unwholesome. Finding, however, that
eating it produced no unpleasant effects, they continued the use of it.
Even this, however, failed to afford them as much variety as they
wished.
"I feel as if I should like some fish for breakfast," said Robert one
morning, on waking up.
"So should I, lad," returned Bates. "Why shouldn't we have some?"
"You mean that we shall go fishing?"
"Yes; we've got a boat, and I have some cord. We'll rig up fishing
lines, and go out on a fishing cruise."
Robert adopted the idea with alacrity. It promised variety and
excitement.
"I wonder we hadn't thought of it before. I used to be a fisherman,
Bates."
"Did you?"
"Yes; I supplied the market at home for a short time, till Captain Haley
smashed my boat."
"The mean lubber! I wish we had him here."
"I don't; I prefer his room to his company."
"I'd try how he'd like being tied to a tree."
"I don't think you'd untie him again in a hurry."
"You may bet high on that, lad."
They rigged their fishing lines--cutting poles from the trees--and armed
them with hooks, of which, by good luck, Bates happened to have a supply
with him. Then they launched the ship's boat, in which Bates had come to
the island, and put out to sea.
Robert enjoyed the row in the early morning, and wondered they had not
thought of taking out the boat before. At last they came to the
business which brought them out, and in about half an hour had succeeded
in catching four fishes, weighing perhaps fifteen pounds altogether.
"That'll be enough for us, unless you are very hungry," said Robert.
"Now, suppose we land and cook them."
"Ay, ay, lad!"
Of course, their cooking arrangements were very primitive. In the first
place, they were compelled to make a fire by the method in use among the
savages, of rubbing two sticks smartly together, and catching the flame
in a little prepared tinder. The fish were baked over the fire thus
kindled. Though the outside was smoked, the inside was sweet and
palatable, and neither was disposed to be fastidious. The preparation of
the meal took considerable time, but they had abundance of that, and
occupation prevented their brooding over their solitary situation.
"I wish I had 'Robinson Crusoe' here," said Robert--"we might get some
hints from his adventures. I didn't imagine, when I used to read them,
that I should ever be in a similar position."
"I've heard about him," said Bates; "but I never was much of a reader,
and I never read his yarn. You might maybe tell me something of it."
"I will tell you all I can remember, but that isn't very much," said
Robert.
He rehearsed to the attentive sailor such portions as he could call to
mind of the wonderful story which for centuries to come is destined to
enchain the attention of adventurous boys.
"That's a pretty good yarn," said Bates, approvingly. "Did he ever get
off the island?"
"Yes, he got off, and became quite rich before he died."
"Maybe it'll be so with us, lad."
"I hope so. I don't know what I should do if I were alone as he was.
It's selfish in me, Bates, to be glad that you are shut up here with me,
but I cannot help it."
"You needn't try, lad. It would be mighty dull being alone here,
'specially if you was tied to a tree."
"But suppose we should never get off!"
"We won't suppose that, lad. We are sure to get off some time."
This confident assurance always cheered up Robert, and for the time
inspired him with equal confidence. But when day after day passed away
and the promised ship did not come in sight, he used to ponder
thoughtfully over his situation, and the possibility that he might have
to spend years at least on this lonely island. What in the meantime
would become of his mother? She might die, and if he ever returned it
would be to realize the loss he had sustained. The island, pleasant as
it was, began to lose its charm. If his sailor companion ever shared his
feelings, he never manifested them, unwilling to let the boy see that he
was becoming discouraged.
At length--about six weeks after their arrival upon the island--they
were returning from an excursion to the other side of the island, when,
on arriving in sight of the shore, an unexpected sight greeted their
eyes.
A pole had been planted in the sand, and from it waved the familiar
flag, dear to the heart of every American--the star-spangled banner.
They no sooner caught sight of it, than, in joyful excitement, they ran
to the shore with all the speed they could muster.
CHAPTER XXXII.
A SUCCESSFUL MISSION.
There was no one in sight, but it was evident that a party from an
American ship had visited the island. Had they departed? That was a
momentous question. Instinctively the eyes of both sought the sea. They
saw an American ship riding at anchor a mile or more from shore.
"Give me your handkerchief, Robert," said Bates; "I'll signal them."
"It isn't very clean," said our hero.
"It'll do. See, they are looking at us."
"Your eyes must be good."
"I'm used to looking out to sea, lad."
He waved the handkerchief aloft, and felt sure that he had attracted the
attention of those on board. But there was no motion to put off a boat.
"Do they see it?" asked Robert, eagerly.
"I think so."
"Do you think they will come for us? If not, we can put off in our
boat."
"I think the party that planted that flagstaff hasn't got back. It is
exploring the island, and will be back soon."
"Of course it is," said Robert, suddenly. "Don't you see their boat?"
"Ay, ay, lad; it's all right. All we've got to do is to stay here till
they come."
They had not long to wait. A party of sailors, headed by an officer,
came out of the woods, and headed for the shore. They stopped short in
surprise at the sight of Robert and Bates.
"Who are you?" asked the leader, approaching.
Bates touched his hat, for he judged this was the captain of the vessel
he had seen.
"I am a sailor from the ship _Argonaut_, bound from New York to
Calcutta, and this young gentleman is Robert Rushton, passenger aboard
the same ship."
"Where is your ship?"
"I don't know, captain."
"How came you here?"
"We were left here. The vessel went without us."
"How long have you been here?"
"Six weeks."
"There is something about this which I do not understand. Are you here
of your own accord?"
"We are anxious to get away, captain," said Robert. "Will you take us?"
"To be sure I will. There's room enough on my ship for both of you. But
I can't understand how you were left here."
"It's a long yarn, captain," said Bates. "If you haven't time to hear it
now, I will tell you aboard ship."
"You look like a good seaman," said the captain, addressing Bates. "I'm
short-handed just now. If you will engage with me, I will enroll you
among my crew."
"That I'll do," said Bates, with satisfaction. "I wasn't made for a
passenger."
"My ship is the _Superior_, bound from Boston to Calcutta; so your
destination will be the same. My name is Smith. Do you know the name of
this island?"
"I never heard of it before."
"I have taken possession of it in the name of the United States,
supposing myself the first discoverer."
"That's all right. To my mind, the Star-Spangled Banner is the best that
can wave over it."
"We might offer the captain our boat," suggested Robert.
The offer was made and accepted; and, while the captain and his party
returned in one boat, Robert and Bates rowed to the ship in their own,
and were soon on the deck of the _Superior_ to their unbounded
satisfaction.
"This is something like," said Bates. "The island is well enough, but
there's nothing like the deck of a good ship."
"I don't think I wholly agree with you," said Robert, smiling; "but just
at present I do. I am glad enough to be here. We may meet Captain Haley
at Calcutta," he added, after a pause.
"Likely he'll have got away before we get there."
"I hope not. I should like to meet him face to face, and charge him with
his treachery. I don't think he'll be over glad to see me."
"That's so, lad. He don't expect ever to set eyes on you again."
Robert soon felt at home on the new vessel. Captain Smith he found to be
a very different man from Captain Haley. When he heard the story told
him by our hero, he said:
"I like your pluck, Robert. You've had contrary winds so far, but you've
borne up against them. The wind's changed now, and you are likely to
have a prosperous voyage. This Captain Haley is a disgrace to the
service. He'll be overhauled some time."
"When I get back to New York I shall tell Mr. Morgan how he treated me."
"That will put a spoke in his wheel."
"There's one thing I want to speak to you about, Captain Smith. How
much will my passage be?"
"Nothing at all."
"But I have some money with me. I am willing to pay."
"Keep your money, my lad You will need it all before you get through. I
was once a poor boy myself, obliged to struggle for my living. I haven't
forgotten that time, and it makes me willing to lend a helping hand to
others in the same position."
"You are very kind, Captain Smith," said Robert, gratefully.
"I ought to be. How long do you want to stay in Calcutta?"
"Only long enough to look about for my father."
"Then you can return to New York in my ship. It shall cost you nothing."
This offer was gratefully accepted--the more so that our hero had begun
to realize that two hundred dollars was a small sum to carry on a
journey of such length.
At last they reached Calcutta. Robert surveyed with much interest the
great city of India, so different in its external appearance from New
York, the only great city besides that he knew anything about.
"Well, Robert," said Captain Smith, on their arrival, "what are your
plans? Will you make your home on board the ship, or board in the city,
during our stay in port?"
"I think," said Robert, "I should prefer to live in the city, if you
would recommend me to a good boarding place."
"That I can do. I am in the habit of boarding at a quiet house kept by a
widow. Her terms are reasonable, and you can do no better than go there
with me."
"Thank you, Captain Smith. I shall be glad to follow your advice."
So it happened that Captain Smith and Robert engaged board at the house
of Mrs. Start, where, it will be remembered, that Captain Rushton was
also a boarder, passing still under the name of Smith. Physically he had
considerably improved, but mentally he was not yet recovered. His mind
had received a shock, which, as it proved, a shock equally great was
needed to bring it back to its proper balance.
"By the way," said Mrs. Start to Captain Smith, "we have another
gentleman of your name here."
"Indeed?"
"You will see him at dinner. Poor gentleman, his mind is affected, and
we only gave him this name because we didn't know his real name."
Robert little dreamed who it was of whom Mrs. Start was speaking, nor
did he look forward with any particular curiosity to seeing the other
Mr. Smith.
When dinner was announced, Robert and the captain were early in their
seats, and were introduced to the other boarders as they came in.
Finally Captain Rushton entered, and moved forward to a seat beside the
landlady. Robert chanced to look up as he entered, and his heart made a
mighty bound when in the new Mr. Smith he recognized his father.
"Father!" he exclaimed, eagerly, springing from his seat, and
overturning his chair in his haste.
Captain Rushton looked at him for a moment in bewilderment. Then all at
once the mists that had obscured his faculties were dispelled, and he
cried, "Robert! my dear son, how came you here?"
"I came in search of you, father. Thank Heaven I have found you alive
and well."
"I think I have been in a dream, Robert They call me Smith. That surely
is not my name."
"Rushton, father! You have not forgotten?"
"Yes, that is it. Often it has been on the tip of my tongue, and then it
slipped away from me. But, tell me, how came you here?"
"I am indebted to the kindness of this gentleman--Captain Smith,
father--who rescued me from great peril."
This scene, of course, excited great astonishment among the boarders,
and the worthy landlady who had been uniformly kind to Captain Rushton,
was rejoiced at his sudden recovery. Feeling that mutual explanations in
public would be unpleasant, she proposed to send dinner for both to
Captain Rushton's room, and this offer was gladly accepted.
"And how did you leave your mother, Robert?" asked the captain.
"She was well, father, but mourning for your loss."
"I wish I could fly to her."
"You shall go back with me in Captain Smith's vessel. I am sure he will
take us as passengers,"
"So we will. You are sure your mother is well provided for? But Mr.
Davis has, no doubt, supplied her with money?"
"Not a cent, father."
"Not a cent! I deposited five thousand dollars with him for her benefit,
just before sailing!"
"So you wrote in the letter which you sent in the bottle."
"Was that letter received?"
"Yes; it was that which led me to come in search of you."
"And did you go to Mr. Davis?"
"He denied the deposit, and demanded to see the receipt."
"The villain! He thought I was at the bottom of the sea, and the receipt
with me. He shall find his mistake!"
"Then you have the receipt still, father?"
"To be sure I have," and Captain Rushton drew it from the pocket where
it had laid concealed for two years and more.
Robert regarded it with satisfaction.
"He won't dare to deny it after this. I wish we were going back at
once."
"Now, Robert, tell me all that has happened in my absence, and how you
raised money enough to come out here."
So father and son exchanged narrations. Captain Rushton was astonished
to find that the same man, Ben Haley, who had been the cause of his
misfortunes, had also come so near compassing the destruction of his
son.
"Thanks to a kind Providence," he said, "his wicked machinations have
failed, and we are alive to defeat his evil schemes."
CHAPTER XXXIII.
DEFEATED.
In due time the _Superior_ cleared for New York, and among the
passengers were Robert and his father. Since the meeting with his son
Captain Rushton's mental malady had completely disappeared, and his
mental recovery affected his physical health favorably. His step became
firm and elastic, his eye was bright, and Robert thought he had never
looked better. Leaving the two to pursue their voyage home, we return to
Captain Haley.
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