 The Madman and the Pirate by R. M. Ballantine, Chapter 7. Strange to say, the anger of the Raterans was not assuaged by the rebuff which they received at that time. They took counsel again and resolved to wait till the suspicions of the Mountain Men had been allayed, and then attacked them when off their guard. Meanwhile, Zepa, who did not at all concern himself with these matters, took it into his head one day that he would teach his little favorite, Lippi, to sing. Being a religious man, he naturally selected hymns as the foundation of the teaching. At first he found it rather uphill work, for Lippi happened to be gifted with a strong sense of the ludicrous, so that when he took her on his knee, the day on which the idea occurred to him, opened his mouth, and gave forth the first note to the hymn in a fine sonorous-based voice, the child gazed at him for a few moments in open-eyed wonder, and then burst into an uncontrollable fit of open-mouth laughter. Poor Zepa, till that day, since his mental breakdown, the idea of singing had never once occurred to him, and this reception of his first attempt to teach disconcerted him. He stopped abruptly and gazed at the child with a perplexed expression. This gaze was evidently regarded by Lippi as an additional touch of humor, for she went off into renewed explosions of delight, and the lesson had to be given up for that time. Zepa was gifted, however, with patient perseverance and remarkable degree. He renewed his efforts but changed his plan. From that time forward he took to humming hymns in a low, sweet voice, as if for his own amusement. In a short time he had the satisfaction of hearing Lippi attempt of her own accord to sing one of the hymns that had taken her fancy. She went wrong in one or two notes, however, which gave Zepa the opportunity of putting her right. He took her on his knee and told her in her own tongue to try it again. Listen, this is the way, he said, opening his mouth to give an example, but the first note had scarcely begun to sound when Lippi thrust her brown fist into his mouth and told him to stop. She would sing it herself. Accordingly, she began in a sweet, tiny little voice, and her teacher gazed at her with intense pleasure depicted on his handsome face until she reached the note where she had formerly gone wrong. No, not so. Sing thus, he said, giving the right notes. The pupil took it up at once, and thus the singing lessons were fairly begun. But the matter did not rest here, for Lippi, proud of her new acquirement, soon began to exhibit her powers to her little companions, and ere long a few of the smallest of these ventured to creep into Zepa's hut while the daily lesson was going on. Gradually they grew bolder and joined in the exercise. Zepa took pleasure in helping them, and at last permitted as many as could crowd into his hut to do so. Those who could not get inside sat on the ground outside, and, as the hut was open in front, the gathering soon increased. Thus, insensibly, without a well-defined intention or effort on the part of anyone, the praise of God and sweet name of Jesus ascended to heaven from that heathen village. The assembling of these children for their lesson brought powerfully to Zepa's mind one day the meetings of the Rattinga people for worship and the appropriateness of beginning with prayer occurred to him. Accordingly that morning, just as he was about to commence with hymns, he clasped his hands, raised his eyes, and briefly asked God's blessing on the work. Profound astonishment kept the little ones quiet, and before they had time to recover, the prayer was over. Zepa's mode of terminating the assembly was characteristic. He did not like to order the children away, much less to put them out of his hut, and the little creatures being fond of the teacher were prone to remain too long. When, therefore, he thought at time to close, he simply rose up and took himself off, leaving his congregation to disperse when and how it fleeced. Sometimes, on these occasions, he would remain away for perhaps two or three days, having totally forgotten the singing class, to the great disappointment of the children. One night, while he was thus absent, the men of Rathorette delivered the attack which they had long meditated. It was an unusually dark and still night. Such a night as tends almost irresistibly to quiet and subdued wayward spirits, and induces a man to think of his creator. Such a night as is apt to fill the guilty conscience with unrelenting fears, as though it felt the near approach of that avenging sword which sooner or later it must meet. Nevertheless, unmoved by its influences, except insofar as it suited their dark designs, the Rathorans chose it for the fell purpose of invading their neighbor's lands, and exterminating their ancient foes. For, driven to desperation by the taunts and scorns of the mountain men, they felt that nothing short of extermination would suffice, and they were right. Extermination of the sinners, or the sins, was indeed their only chance of peace. Not knowing the gospel method of blotting out the latter, their one resource lay in obliterating the former. In the dead of night, that darkest hour when deeds of villainy and violence are usually done, the Rathoran chief went more assembled his men from all quarters of the rolling plains and dismal swamps until the entire force of the tribe was under his command. Leaving the aged men and boys to protect the women and children, those dark-skinned warriors marched away to battle, not with the flaunting banners and martial music of civilized men, but with the profound silence and the stealthy tread of the savage. Though the work in hand was the same, the means to the end were different. We will therefore describe them. Had it been a daylight battle to which they went forth, their women and boys would have followed with reserve ammunition in the shape of baskets full of stones and spare javelins. But, being a night attack, the fighting men went alone, each armed with a heavy club, a light spear, and a stone knife or hatchet. Armed at the pass where they had met was a singular repulse on a former occasion, the main body was halted, and scouts were sent out in advance to see that all was clear. Then the plan of attack was formed. One detachment was to approach the enemy's village on the right, another was to go around to the left, while the main body was to advance in front. There is a proverb relating to the plans of men as well as mice, which receives verification of every land at that time. Its truth received corroboration at this time on Sugarloaf Island. On that same night, a chance that the chief Ongeloo was unable to sleep. He sent for his prime ministerial jester and one of his chiefs to whom he proposed a ramble. The chief and jester professed themselves charmed with the proposal, although each had been roused from a pleasant slumber. In the course of the ramble they came unexpectedly on one of the Ratteran scouts, whom they temporarily extinguished with a club. Ongeloo became at once alive to the situation and took instant action. Waputa, he said in an excited whisper, run to the rear of the foe, go swiftly like a seabird, when you get there yell, shriek, like you know how, as you did last time. Change your ground as each yell, so they will think you a host. Fear not to be captured, your death is nothing, away. A kick facilitated Waputa's flight and the two chiefs returned at speed to rouse the sleeping camp. Waputa performed his part nobly and without being captured, for he did not agree with Ongeloo as to the unimportance of his own death. At the unexpected outcry in the rear, the Ratterans halted and held a hasty council of war. Let us go back and fight them, said one. No use, they are evil spirits, not men, said another. Some agreed with the former, some the latter. While we waste time here, said the leading chief, the mountain dogs will get ready for us. Come forward! The chief was right. Ongeloo's ruse caused delay so that when the Ratterans reached the village, they found armed men ready to receive them. These they attacked with great courage and waved a somewhat scrambling fight until daylight enabled each party to concentrate its forces. Meanwhile, at the first alarm, the women and children of the village have been sent off to the mountains for safety. Among the fugitives were Lippie and her mother. These happened to meet with the enemy's detachment, which had been sent to assault the village on the left. The women scattered and fled. The savage warriors pursued, and several were taken, among them Lippie and her mother, who were promptly dispatched to the rear. Those of the broken band that escaped continued their flight to the hills. They had not gone far when they met Zepa returning from one of the rambles. His surprise on hearing that the village had been attacked was great and his anxiety considerable. Although he had refused to go out to war with his entertainers, he felt no disposition to stand idly by when they were attacked. Disordered though his mind was, he could make a clear distinction between aggressive war and self-defense. And where is Lippie, he asked, glancing round on the terrified faces. She is caught and carried away with her mother. What! exclaimed Zepa, with a flash of his bright eyes that told of natural rage mingling with the fires of insanity. The women did not wait for more. They ran away from him in terror. But Zepa had heard enough. Turning his face toward the village, he sped over the ground at a pace that soon brought him inside of the combatants, who seemed to be swaying to and fro, now here, now there, as the tide of battle flowed and victory leaned sometimes one side, sometimes to the other. Zepa was unarmed. As he drew near, he was observed by both parties to stop abruptly in his career and wrench out of the ground a stake that had been meant for the corner post of a newly begun hut. It resembled the great club of Hercules rather than a weapon of modern man. Whirling it like a feather round his head, the maniac rushed on. He was thoroughly roused, a feeling of desperate anxiety coupled with a sense of horrible injustice had set its spirit in a blaze. His great size, which became more apparent as he advanced, his flashing eyes, compressed zips, and the wild flowing of the uncut hair and beard gave him altogether an aspect so terrible that his foes trembled while his friends rejoiced. And when at last he uttered a roar like a mad bull and launched himself from the thicket of the fight, the ratterents could not stand it, but turned and fled in a body under the impression that he was more than human. He was too fleet for them, however. Overtaking the flying knot, he brought the corner post down on the mass and three warriors were leveled with the ground. Then, hurling the mighty club away as if it were a mere hindrance to him, he ran straight at the leader of the ratterents, who, being head and shoulders above his fellows, seemed a suitable foe to single out. Before reaching him, however, his attention was arrested by a cry from someone in the midst of the enemy in front. It was the voice of Waputa, who was trying to break his way through the flying foe to his own people. Fortunately, Zepa recognized the voice and darted toward his friend, who was hard-pressed at the time by a crowd of opponents. One roar from the maniac sent these flying-like chaff before the wind. It must be added, however, for the credit of the men of Ratera that Angalu and his warriors had backed up their new leader gallantly. When Waputa saw his deliverer, he ran to him, panting, and said, Come with me, this way, Lippi is here. That was sufficient. Zepa became submissive like a child, while the gesture, taking him in hand, ran with him at racing speed in the direction of the Rateran villages, toward which the child and his mother were being led by the party which had captured them. This was briefly explained to Zepa by Waputa, who had chance to encounter the party when returning from his yelling mission, if we may so express it. The race was a long one, but neither the madman nor his friend flagged until they overtook the party. It consisted of about 30 warriors, and if it had been 30 hundred, it would have made no difference in the effect of Zepa's roar and aspect, as he rushed upon them with obviously awful intentions, though without arms. In fact, the latter circumstance tended rather to increase the fears of the superstitious natives. They fled as one man at the first sight of the maniac, and Lippi was recovered. Instantly, Zepa's ferocity vanished, and the tenderest of smiles rippled over his face as he took the child in his arms and kissed her. But Waputa did not feel quite so easy, for in their mad race they had outstripped the flying enemy, bands of whom were constantly passing them in their flight before the mountain men. His anxieties, however, were groundless, for no sooner did any of the Raterans set eyes on Zepa than, with howls of consternation, they diverged a tangent, like hunted hairs, and coursed away homeward on the wings of terror. As on former occasions of conquest, the mountain men pursued the flying host into their swamps, and they did not, as in former times, return to slay the aged and carry the women and children into captivity. To the surprise of all his followers, in the anger of not a few, Angalu commanded his men to return to their village and leave the Raterans alone. One of his chiefs, who showed a disposition to resist his authority, he promptly knocked down, whereupon the rest became obedient and went quietly home. On reaching the village, Zepa went straight to his hut with Lippi on his shoulder. Apparently he had forgotten all about the recent fight, for, without even waiting to take food or rest, he sat down and began to give his little friend a singing lesson. With the air of little princess, who felt that she was only receiving her due, the child accepted the attention. Her young companions, attracted by the sweet sounds, soon flocked to the old place of Rendezvous, and when the last of the struggling warriors returned from the field of battle, they found the singing class going full swing as if nothing had happened. But when the wounded and dead were brought in, other sounds began to arise. Sounds of wailing and woe, which soon drowned the hymns of praise. As soon as Zepa became fully alive to this fact, he ceased singing and went about trying to comfort those who wept, but from his perplexed air and the frequency from which he paused in his wanderings to and fro and passed his hand across his brow as if to clear away some misty clouds that rested there, it was evident that his shattered intellect had taken in a very imperfect impression of what had occurred. As if to get rid of this beclouded state, he started off that evening at a quick walk toward his favored haunts among the hills. No one ever followed him on these occasions. The natives regarded his person as in some measure sacred and would have deemed it not only dangerous but insolent to go up among the rocky heights when the madman was known to be there. Once indeed, Waputa, with that presumptuous temerity, which is a characteristic of fools in general, ventured on the strength of old acquaintance to follow him, and even went toward the well-known cave where he had found refuge and protection in the day of his distress. But Zepa had either forgotten his former intercourse with the Jester or intended to repudiate the connection, for he did not receive him kindly. On the way up, Waputa, who felt somewhat timorous about the visit, had made up his mind as to the best mode of address with which to approach his friend. He had decided that, although he was not particularly youthful, the language and manner of a respectful son to a revered father would best befit the occasion. Accordingly, when he reached the cave and saw Zepa busy beside his fire with a coconut, he assumed a stooping attitude of profound respect and drew near. Zepa looked up with a frown, as if annoyed at the intrusion. Your unworthy son, began Waputa, comes to, but he got no further. He could not well have hit upon a more unfortunate phrase. My unworthy son! shouted Zepa, leaping up while unearthly fire seemed to shoot from his distended eyes. My son! Son! Ha! Ha! The horrified intruder heard the terminal yell and saw the maniac bound over the fire toward him, but he saw and heard no more, for his limbs became suddenly endued with something like electric vitality. He turned and shot over a small precipice, as it flung from an ancient catapult. What he alighted on, he did not know, still left to decay. It was sufficiently soft to prevent death. Another awful cry echoed and re-echoed, from the heights above, and intensified the electric battery within him. He went down the slopes, regardless of gradient, at a pace that might have left even Zepa behind, if he had followed, but Zepa did not follow. When Waputa went over the precipice and disappeared, Zepa halted and stood erect, gazing with a questioning aspect at the sky, and drawing his hand slowly across his brows with that wearied and puzzled aspect which had become characteristic. Returning after a few minutes to his cave, he receded himself quietly beside his fire, and with his usual placid expression, devoted himself earnestly to his coconut. That was the first and last occasion on which the poor madman experienced intrusion from the natives in his mountain retreat. End of Chapter 7 CHAPTER 8 OF THE MADMAN AND THE PIRATE This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. THE MADMAN AND THE PIRATE by R. M. Ballantine, CHAPTER 8 Let us return now to our miserable and half-hearted pirate, far out upon the raging sea. It must not be supposed that the Pacific Ocean is always peaceful. No, there are days and nights when its winds howl and its billows roar and heave and fume with all the violence and fury of any other terrestrial sea. One such night the pirate's bark was tossed like a cork on the Pacific's heaving bosom while shrieking winds played, as it were, feintishly with the fluttering shreds of sails which they had previously blown to ribbons. Richard Roscoe stood beside the weather-bowl-works holding on to one of the mizzen backstays. His mate Redford assisted the man at the wheel. Upwards of three years of Roscoe's rule had subdued Redford to the condition of a hypocritical and sly but by no means a submissive savage. One or two spurts at the commencement of their career had satisfied the mate, as well as the man, that the only way to overcome Roscoe was to take his life. And as Redford had not sufficient courage and the men no desire to do that they pursued their evil courses in comparative harmony. Nevertheless the pirate captain knew well that the savage Redford was more acceptable to the pirates than himself. So he determined to carry out intentions which had been simmering in his brain for some time and rid the pirate crew of his presence. We will sight the island tomorrow afternoon, sir, if this holds, said the mate. I know it, answered Roscoe. There is no good anchorage around it, continued the mate. So you have told me before, returned the captain, but it matters not. We shall not anchor. Not anchor? repeated Redford in surprise. I understand that we were to land there to ship Sandalwood. The crew thought so too, and I am quite sure. Well, go on, what are you sure of? Oh, nothing, only sure that Captain Roscoe understands his own intentions best. Roscoe made no reply, and nothing further passed between the inharmonious pair at the time. Next day the gale abated and as Redford had predicted Sugarloaf Island was sighted in the afternoon. Running close in, under the shelter of the mountain, the bark was hove too, and a boat lowered. The crew will take the arms with them, I suppose, sir? asked the mate. Of course, though there will not be occasion for them, as there are no natives at this part of the island, I merely wish to ascend the hill to reconnoiter. You will go with me. Put your pistols in your belt and fetch my rifle. We may get some fresh meat among the hills. Breach-loading rifles had just come into fashion at that time, and the pirate captain had possessed himself of a double-barreled one with which he became wonderfully expert. This weapon was put into the boat with a large pouch full of cartridges. No comments were made in regard to this. The pirates having been accustomed to see their commander land in various places for a day's shooting, the result of which was usually an acceptable addition of fresh food to their larder. Remained by the boat-lads till we return, said Roscoe, leaping out when the keel graded on the shore, come with me, Redford. The mate obeyed, following his commander towards the same ravine where, about four years before, they had seen poor Zepa disappear among the recess of the mountain. Redford felt a little surprise and more than a little discomfort at the peculiar conduct of his captain. But he comforted himself with the thought that if he should attempt any violence there was a brace of pistols in his belt and a cutlass at his side. He even for a moment meditated using the pistols when he looked at Roscoe's broad back, but he knew that some of the men in the boat had a sort of sneaking fondness for their captain, and refrained, at least till he should get out of sight of the boat, and into the shelter of the woods where his actions could not be seen, and any account of the affair might be coloured to suit his convenience. Richard Roscoe divined pretty well what was passing in his mate's mind. He also knew that as long as they were inside of the boat his enemy would not dare injure him. He therefore threw his rifle carelessly over his shoulder and walked with the most easy air of nonchalance over the strip of level land that lay between the sea and the forest that fringe the mountain base. On the instant of entering the mouth of the ravine, however, he wheeled suddenly round and said, Now, Redford, you will lead the way, and I will direct you. The mate was startled and his right hand moved as if by involuntary impulse towards the handle of a pistol. Instantly the muzzle of the captain's rifle was pointed at his breast. Drop your hand, he said sternly. Another such threat, and I will shoot you with as much indifference as I would a sneaking dog. Now go on and do as I bid you. Redford gave in at once. He was at Roscoe's mercy. Without a word he passed on in advance and ascended the ravine with a quick steady step. To say the truth he knew well that while his commander, on the one hand, would not threaten what he did not mean to perform, on the other hand he would not shed human blood needlessly. He therefore felt less troubled than might have been expected. They soon reached a small eminence, or rocky plateau, from which was obtained a splendid view of the sea, with the bark floating like a large albatross on its surface. From that point the boat could also be clearly seen, and every step of the path by which they had reached the eminence. Now, Redford, said Roscoe, throwing his rifle into the hollow of his left arm, so as to bring the muzzle full on the mate's chest. While, with the forefinger of his right hand, he lightly touched the triggers. Draw your pistols from your belt and be very careful how you do it. Very careful. For if, even by chance, you touch your hammer or trigger, you are a dead man. There was something of banter in Roscoe's manner, yet this was associated with an air and tone of such calm decision that the mate felt curiously uncomfortable. He obeyed orders, however, promptly and stood with a pistol in each hand. It must have been a tantalizing position. For, had they been cocked, he could have blown out Roscoe's brains in a moment. Indeed he was sorely tempted to break the half-cock catch on the chance of one or both going off, but his commander's eye and muzzle forbade it. Drop them! said Roscoe, suddenly. If they had been red-hot irons, the mate could scarcely have let them go more quickly. It almost seemed as if his guilty desire had passed into the weapons and intensified the laws of gravitation. He came to the rock with such a clatter. That will do. Now two paces step back, march, splendid. Why, Redford, I had no idea you was so well up in your drill. Said Roscoe, stepping to the spot beside the pistols, which the mate had just vacated. You are fit to act fuglman to the British army. Now clasp your hands behind your back and don't unclasp them till I give you leave. It is a new piece of drill, but not difficult to learn. The cowed pirate was too much alarmed to be amused by this last sally. He stood, sulkily, it is true, but anxiously awaiting further orders. Look here, Redford. Continued the pirate captain. I want to prove to you that the distance from this spot to the boat is about five hundred yards. You see that gull on the water? It is about the same distance off as the boat, well. He sighted his rifle for five hundred yards, took a rapid aim, fired, and the gull, leaping its own height out of the water, fell back dead. Oh, don't start, my fine fellow, you forgot the other barrel. The reminder was in time to check an unwise impulse on the mate's part. Now, continued Roscoe, assuming a more serious tone, I have brought you here for a last conversation. You have long desired to command that vessel, and I have long desired to resign the command. We shall both have our desires gratified this day. I intend to take up my abode here. You are free to go where you please, but not to come here again. Lay my words to heart now, and let me advise you to impress them on your crew. If you ever venture to come to this island again, I promise you to shoot every man that puts his foot upon the shore, and to shoot all that follow, as long as my ammunition lasts, and you see I have brought a pretty large bag of it on shore, which I do not mean to waste on gulls or anything else. I mean to keep it entirely for your benefit, my worthy friend. So, after this warning, you will please yourself and take your own course. Now go down to the boat, row straight back to your ship, tell your crew whatever you choose as to our interview, and go where you please, but bear in mind that my rifle will cover you during every step that you take from this spot down to the beach. I, and after you have left the beach too, until you are safe on board. Remember also that the rifle is sighted for one thousand yards, and that the bark is not much further off than that. Go. The last word was uttered in such a tone that Redford instantly turned, and without even a word of reply, retraced his steps to the shore. Then he promptly embarked, and the men promptly shoved off while Roscoe sat on the rocky eminence, quietly watching them. No words did Redford speak to his wandering men, except such as were needed to direct the boat. On gaining the vessel he sprang up the side, ordered all sail to be set, and the guns to be loaded. When the vessel had increased her distance a few hundred yards from the shore, he brought her broadside to bear on the land, and then, having carefully laid the guns, gave the word to fire. The hull of the pirate vessel was instantly enveloped in a snowy curtain of smoke, and next moment the echoes of the hills were rudely startled by a thunderous crash, while a dozen or more iron balls burst like bombshells on the cliffs immediately above the spot where Roscoe sat, sending showers of rocks in all directions, and driving the sea-muse in shrieking terror from their nests. A mere waste of ammunition murmured Roscoe with a contemptuous curl of his lips, as he rose. But the next may be better aimed, so I'll bid you good-bye, Redford. Descending into the ravine he was soon safe from the iron messengers of death, of which the enraged Redford sent another group ashore before finally bidding the island farewell. Now it so happened that Zepa was ascending the Sugarloaf Mountain on its other side when all this cannonading was going on. He was naturally surprised at such an unwanted sounds and remembering that cannon implied ships and that ships were necessary to deliverance from his enforced exile. He naturally hastened his steps and experienced an unusual degree of excitement. When he reached his favorite outlook a ledge of flat land on the southern face of the hill, partially covered with bushes, he saw the pirate vessel sailing away from the island and the smoke of her two broad sides rising like two snowy cloudlets into the blue sky. At first an expression of disappointment flitted across Zepa's countenance, but it quickly passed, leaving the usual air of childlike submission behind. He sat down on a ledge of rock and gazed long and wistfully at the retreating vessel. Then, casting his eyes upwards to the blue vault, he gave way to an impulse which had been growing upon him for some time. He began to pray aloud. It was while he was engaged in this act of devotion that Richard Roscoe came upon the scene. At the first sound of the madman's deep voice the pirate stopped and listened with a feeling of superstitious dread which seemed to check the very action of his heart. For at the moment a few bushes concealed his old enemies from his sight. Stepping cautiously forward he could see through the interlacing boughs without himself being seen. And then the blood forsook his visage and his limbs trembled as if he had been a paralyzed old man. Could the man before him entatter garments with the dishevelled mass of flowing, curly iron-gray hair with the long heavy beard and moustache, the hollow cheeks and the wonderfully solemn eyes could that be Zepa? It seemed impossible. Yet there was no mistaking the well-known and still handsome features or the massive sinewy frame. Still less was it possible to doubt the deep, sonorous voice. But then Zepa had been seen on Ratinga Island and the description given of him by those who had seen him had been so exact that Roscoe had never doubted his return home and his recovery of reason. Whatever he thought or felt, however, the pirate's whole being was soon absorbed in the madman's prayer. It was simple like himself. He asked for permission to return home and made a humble confession of sin. From the tenor of it there could be no doubt that poor Zepa had come to regard his exile as a direct punishment from God. Then the prayer changed the blessings on his wife and son and the deep voice became deeper and full of tenderness. The pirate experienced a shock of surprise. Was the son then still alive? And if so, how came Zepa to know? He could not know it. The man before him must either be the creature of his own disordered fancy or a real visitant from the world of spirits. As these thoughts forced like lightning through the pirate's brain he was suddenly startled by the sound of his own name. And Roscoe said, the madman, still looking steadily up into the sky while a dark frown slowly gathered on his brow, oh, God, curse, no, no, forgive me, Lord, and forgive him and save him from his sins. He stopped abruptly there and looked confused. The mention of the pirate and his sins seemed to remind the poor father that his son had been murdered and yet somehow he had fancied him alive and had been praying for him. He could not understand it at all. The old look of mingled perplexity and patient submission was beginning again to steal over his face and his hand was in the familiar act of passing over the troubled brow when Zepa's eyes alighted on Roscoe's countenance. It would be difficult to say which, at that moment, most resembled a maniac. The sight of his enemy did more perhaps to restore Zepa to a spurious kind of sanity than anything that had occurred since the fatal day of his bereavement and called up an expression of fierce indignation to his countenance. All memory of his previous prayer vanished and he glared for a moment at the pirate with intense fury. At the same time Roscoe stood with blanched cheeks intense horror in his eyes. His lower jaw dropped and his whole frame as it were transfixed. The inaction of both was, however, but momentary. The madman sprang up, clutched the heavy staff he was want to use in climbing the hills and rushed impetuously but without word or cry at his foe. The pirate, brave though he undoubtedly was, lost all self-control and fled in abject terror. Fortunately the first part of the descent from the spot was unobstructed. For, in the then condition of their feelings both men would probably have flung themselves over any precipice that had lain in their way. A few moments, however, suffice to restore enough of self-possession to the pirate to enable him to direct his course with some intelligence. He naturally followed the path by which he had ascended and soon gained the beach closely followed by Zepa. In speed the two men were at the time well matched for any advantage that Zepa had in point of size and strength was counterbalanced by the youth and superstitious terror of Roscoe. At first indeed the madman gained on his foe but as the impetuosity of his first dash abated the pirate's courage returned and, warming to the race, he held his ground. Like hare and greyhound they coursed along the level patch of ground that lay on that side of the island until they came in sight of the swampy land covered with low but dense wood which bounded the lands of Rutterans. Dismay overwhelmed the pirate at the first sight of it. Then Hope rebounded into his soul and he put on a spurt which carried him considerably ahead of his pursuer. He reached the edge of the swamp land and dashed into its dark recesses. He had barely entered it a few yards when he plunged into the water up to the neck. The heavy root of a tree chanced to hang over him drawing himself close beneath it he remained quite still. It was his best indeed his only chance. Next moment Zepa plunged headlong into another part of the same half hidden pool. A rising like some shaggy monster of the swamp with weeds and slimy plants trailing from his locks he paused a moment before resuming the chase. At that moment he was completely in the power of the pirate. For his broad back was not more than a few feet from the screen of roots and tendrils by which Roscoe was partially hidden. The temptation was strong. The pirate drew the keen knife that always hung at his girdle but a feeling of pity induced him to hesitate. The delay sufficed to save Zepa's life. At that moment he seized an overhanging branch, drew himself out of the swamp and sped on his way but having lost sight of his enemy he soon paused and looked round with indecision. It must have been a dream he muttered and began to retrace his steps with an air of humiliation as if half ashamed of having given way to such excitement. From his hiding place the pirate was in the light. Then clambering quickly out of the stagnant pool he pushed deeper and deeper into the recesses of the morass, regardless of every danger, except that of falling into the madman's hands. End of chapter 8 Chapter 9 of The Madman and the Pirate This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. Here please visit LibriVox.org Read and recorded by Betsy Bush in Marquette, Michigan, August 2007. The Madman and the Pirate by R. M. Ballantine Chapter 9 Who shall tell or who shall understand the thoughts of Richard Roscoe the ex-pirate as he wandered lost yet regardless in this dismal swamp? The human spirit is essentially it jumps like a grasshopper bounds like a kangaroo. The greatest of men can only restrain it in a slight degree. The small men either have exasperating trouble with it or make no attempt to curb it at all. It is a rebellious spirit the best of books tells us that greater is he that rule with it than he that takeeth a city. Think of that youngster whoever you are who did this. Think of the conquerors of the world. Think of the great Alexander whose might was so tremendous that he subjugated kingdoms and spent his life in doing little else. Think of Napoleon the great whose armies ravaged Europe from the Atlantic to Asia who even began, though he failed to finish, the conquest of Africa who made kings as you might make paste-bored men build the civilized world with fear as well as with blood and graves all for his own glorification. Think of these and other great men and reflect that it is written he who rules his own spirit is greater than they. Yes, the human spirit is difficult to deal with and uncomfortably explosive at least so Richard Roscoe found it when towards the close today on which his enemy chased him into the dismal swamp he sat down on a gnarled root and began to reflect. His spirit jumped almost out of him with contempt when he thought that for the first time in his life he had fled in abject terror from the face of man. He could not conceal that from himself, despite the excuse suggested by pride that he had half believed Zappa to be an apparition. Even if that were true had he not boastfully said more than once that he would defy the foul fiend himself if he should attempt to thwart him then his spirit bounded into a region of disappointed rage when he thought of the lost opportunity of stabbing his enemy to the heart. After that unbidden and in spite of him it dropped into an abyss of something like fierce despair when he recalled the past and made the present and forecast the future. Truly if hell ever does begin to men on earth it began that day to the pirate as he sat in the twilight on the gnarled root with one of his feet dangling in the slimy water. His hands clasped so tight that the knuckles stood out white and his eyes gazing upwards with an expression that seemed the very embodiment of woe. And he began to crawl in memory on the shores of other days. He thought of the days when comparatively innocent he rambled on the sunny hills of old England played and did mischief with comrades formed friendships and fought battles and knew what it was to experience good impulses understood the joy of giving way to these as well as the depression consequent on resisting them and his mother as the supreme judge in every case of difficulty the only comforter in every time of sorrow. At this point his spirit groveled like a crushed worm in the stagnant pool of his despair for he had no hope. He had sinned every opportunity away he had defied God and man and nothing was left to him apparently save a fearful looking for of judgment. As he bent over the pool he saw his own distorted visage dimly reflected therein and the thought occurred why not end it all at once five minutes at the utmost and all will be over. The pirate was a physically brave man beyond his fellows he had courage to carry the idea into effect but after death the judgment where had he heard those words they were strange to him but they were not new those who are trained in the knowledge of God's word are not as a general rule moved in an extraordinary degree by quotations from it it is often otherwise with those who have had little of it instilled into them in youth and none in later years that which may seem to be a Christian but a familiar part of the old old story sometimes becomes to hundreds and thousands of human beings a startling revelation it was so to the pirate on this occasion the idea of judgment took such a hold of him that he shrank from death with far more fear than he ever had with courage faced it in days gone by trembling terrified abject he sat there incapable of consecutive thought or intelligent action at last the gloom which had been slowly deepening over the swamp sank into absolute blackness and the chills of night which were particularly sharp in such places began to tell upon him but he did not dare to move lest he should fall into the swamp slowly he extended himself on the route wound his arms and fingers convulsively among leaves and branches and held on like a drowning man an agufit seemed to have seized him for he trembled violently in every limb and as his exhausted spirit was about to lose itself in sleep or as it seemed him in death he gave vent to a subdued cry God be merciful to me a sinner rest such as it was refreshed the pirate and when the gray dawn struggling through the dense foliage awoke him he rose up with a feeling of submissiveness which seemed somehow to restore his energy he was without purpose however he had a feeling of his surroundings and of course could form no idea of what was best to be done in these circumstances he rose with a strange sensation of helplessness and wandered straight before him and oh how beautiful were the scenes presented to his vision everything in this world is relative that which is hideous at one time is lovely at another in the night the evening or at the gray dawn there was no need dismal in the extreme but when the morning advanced towards noon all that was changed as if magically by the action of the sun black repulsive waters reflected patches of the bright blue sky and every leaf and spray and parasite and tendril that grew in the world above was faithfully mirrored in the world below Vistas of gnarled roots and graceful stems and drooping bows were seen right and left before and behind extending as if into infinite space while innumerable insects engaged in the business of their brief existence were filling the region with miniature melodies but Richard Roscoe saw it not at least it made no sensible impression on him his mental retina was capable of receiving only two pictures the concentrated accumulation of past sin terrible anticipation of future retribution between these two present danger and suffering were well nigh forgotten towards noon however the sense of hunger began to oppress him he elayed it with a few wild berries then fatigue began to tell for walking from root to root sometimes on short stretches of solid land sometimes over soft mud often knee deep in water was very exhausting at last he came to what appeared to be the end of the swamp and here he discovered a small patch of cultivated ground the discovery awoke him to the necessity of caution but he was awakened too late for already had one of the retuion natives observed him advancing out of the swamp instantly he gave the alarm that a white face was approaching of course the appearance of one suggested a scout the approach of a host horrified to see a supposed enemy come from a region which they had hitherto deemed their sure refuge the few natives who dwelt there flew to arms and ran to meet the advancing foe the pirate was not just then in a mood to resist he had no weapon and no spirit left he therefore suffered himself to be taken prisoner without a struggle satisfied apparently to know that the madman was not one of those into whose hands he had fallen great was the rejoicing among the retruens when the prisoner was brought in for they were still smarting under the humiliation of their defeat and knew well that their discomforture had been largely owing to the influence of white faces true they did not fall into the mistake of supposing that Roscoe was the awful giant who had chased and belabored them so unmercifully with a long stake they had once concluded that he was a comrade of Zepa perhaps one of a band who had joined their foes besides whether he was a comrade or not was a matter of small moment sufficient for them that his face was white that he belonged to a race which in the person of Zepa had wrought them evil and that he was now in their power of course the retruens had not during all these years remained in ignorance of the existence of Zepa they had heard of his dwelling in the mountain soon after he had visited the village of their enemies and had also become aware of the fact that the white man was a madman and a giant but more than this they did not know because of their feud preventing interchange of visits or of news between the tribes their imaginations therefore having full swing had clothed Zepa God these attributes however the same imaginations quickly exchanged for those of a demi-devil when at last they saw Zepa in the flesh and were put to flight by him his size indeed had rather fallen short of their expectation for sixty feet had been the average estimate but his fury and aspect had come quite up to the mark and the fact that not a man of the tribe had dared to stand before him was sufficient to convince a set of superstitious savages that he was a real devil in human guise to have secured one of his minor comrades therefore was a splendid and un-looked-for piece of good fortune which they resolved to make the most of by burning the pirate alive little did the wretched man think when they conducted him to a hut in the middle of their village and supplied him with meat and drink that this was a preliminary ceremony that they proposed to make of him it is true he did not feel easy in his mind for despite this touch of hospitality his captors regarded him with looks of undisguised hatred there was something of the feline spirit in these retruin savages as the cat plays with the mouse before killing it so did they amuse themselves with the pirate before putting him to the final torture which was to terminate his life and well was it for Roscoe for the delay thus caused was the means of saving his life though he did not come out of the dread ordeal skateless they began with a dance a war dance it is to be presumed at all events it involved the flourishing of clubs and spears the formation of hideous faces and the perpetuation of frightful grimaces with bounds and yells enough to warrant the conclusion that the dance was not one of peace Richard Roscoe formed the center of that dance the sun as it were of the system round which the dusky host revolved but he did not join in the celebration for he was bound firmly to a stake set up in the ground and could not move hand or foot at first the warriors of the tribe moved around the pirate in a circle stamping time slowly with their feet while the women and children stood in a larger circle making time with hands and voices presently the dance grew more furious and ultimately attained to a pitch of wild violence which is quite indescribable at the height of the paroxysm a warrior would ever and anon dart out from the circle with whirling club and bring it down as if on the prisoner's skull but would turn it aside so deftly that it just grazed his ear and fell with a dull thud on the ground other warriors made at him with their spears which they thrust with lightning speed at his naked breast but checked them just as they touched the skin two or three of these last were so inexpert that they pierced to the skin slightly and blood began to trickle down but these clumsy warriors were instantly kicked from the circle of dancers and compelled to take their place among the women and children when they had exhausted themselves with the dance the warriors sat down to feast upon the ends which had in the meanwhile been preparing for them and while they feasted they taunted their prisoner with cowardice and told him in graphic language of the horrors that yet awaited him fortunately for the miserable man who was left bound to the stake during the feast he did not understand a word of what was said he had been stripped of all his clothing save a pair of short breeches reaching a little below the knee and his naked feet rested on a curious piece of basket work this last would have been too slight to bear his weight if he had not been almost suspended by the cords that bound him to the stake Roscoe was very pale he felt that his doom was fixed but his native courage did not forsake him he braced himself to meet his fate like a man and resolved to shut his eyes when next they began to dance round him so that he should not shrink from the blow or thrust which he felt sure would air long and his ill-spent life but the time seemed to him terribly long and while he hung there his mind began to recall the gloomy past perhaps it was a refinement of cruelty on the part of the savages that they gave him time to think so that his courage might be reduced or overcome if so they were mistaken in their plan the pirate showed no unusual sign of fear once he attempted to pray but he found that almost impossible where he did length with waiting the savages arose and began to put faggots and their combustibles under the wicker basket on which the pirate stood then indeed was Roscoe's courage tried nearly to the uttermost and when he saw the fire actually applied he uttered a cry of help, help! so loud and terrible this fell back for a moment as if appalled and help came from a quarter that Roscoe little expected but to explain this we must return to Zepa we have said that he gave up the chase of the pirate under the impression that the whole affair was a dream but on returning to his cave he found that he could not rest old associations and memories had been too violently aroused and after spending a sleepless night he rose up determined to resume the chase which he had abandoned he returned to the spot where he had lost sight of his enemy in the swamp and after a brief examination of the place advanced in as straight a line as he could through the tangled and interlacing boughs naturally he followed the trail of the pirate for the difficulties or peculiar formations of the ground which had influenced the latter in his course also affected Zepa much in the same way thus it came to pass that when the Retruans were about to burn their prisoner alive the madman was close to their village but Zepa did not think of the Retruans he had never seen or heard of them except on the occasion of their attack on the mountain men his sole desire was to be revenged on the slayer of his boy and even in this matter the poor maniac was still greatly perplexed for his Christian principles and his naturally gentle spirit forbade revenge on the one hand while on the other a sense of justice told him that murder should not go unpunished or the murderer remain at large so that it required the absolute sight of Roscoe before his eyes to rouse him to the pitch of fury necessary to hold him to the execution of his purpose it was while he was advancing slowly and puzzling his brain over these considerations that Roscoe's cry for help rang out Zepa recognized the voice and a dark frown settled on his countenance he stopped to listen then an appalling yell filled his ears it was repeated again and again as the kindling flames licked round the pirate's naked feet causing him to writhe in mortal agony instantly Zepa was stirred to action he replied with a tremendous shout well did the Retruans know that shout with caught breath and blanched faces they turned towards the direction whence it came they saw the madman bounding toward them with streaming locks and glaring eyes a single look sufficed the entire population of the village turned and fled next moment Zepa rushed up to the stake and kicked the firebrands from beneath the poor victim who was by that time almost insensible from agony and smoke drawing his knife Zepa cut the cords and lifting the pirate in his arms laid him on the ground the madman was terribly excited he had been drenched from frequent immersions in the swamp besides being much exhausted by his long and difficult walk a rather scramble after a sleepless night and this sudden meeting with his worst enemy in such awful circumstances seemed to have produced an access of insanity so that the pirate felt uncertain whether he had not been delivered from a horrible fate to fall into one perhaps not less terrible as he lay there on his back scorched tormented with thirst and helpless he watched with fearful anxiety each motion of the madman for some moments Zepa seemed undecided he stood with heaving chest expanding nostrils and flaring eyes gazing after the flying crew of natives then he turned sharply on the unhappy man who lay at his feet get up he said fiercely and follow me I cannot get up Zepa replied the pirate in a faint voice don't you see my feet are burnt God help me he ended with a deep groan and the ferocity at once left Zepa's countenance but the wild light did not leave his eyes nor did he become less excited in his actions come I will carry you he said stooping down quickly he raised the pirate in his arms as if he had been a child and bore him away avoiding the swamp he proceeded in the direction of the mountain by another route a route which ran so near to Angolo's village that the retruens never ventured to use it he passed the village without having been observed and began to toil slowly up the steep ascent panting as he went for his mighty strength had been overtaxed and his helpless burden was heavy lay me down and rest yourself said Roscoe with a groan that he could not suppress for his scorched lower limbs caused him unutterable anguish and beads of perspiration stood upon his brow while a deadly pallor overspread his face Zepa spoke no word in reply he did indeed look at the speaker once uneasily but took no notice of his request thus clasping his enemy to his breast he ascended the steep hill struggling and stumbling upwards as if with some fixed and stern purpose and view until at last he gained the shelter of his mountain cave End of Chapter 9 Chapter 10 of The Madman and the Pirate This is LibriVox Recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Read and recorded by Betsy Bush in Marquette, MI August 2007 The Madman and the Pirate by R. M. Ballantine Chapter 10 We change the scene once more and transport our readers over the ocean waves to a noble ship which is breasting those waves right gallantly It is H. M. S. Furious In a retired part of the ship's cabin there are two savage nobles who do not take things quite as gallantly as the ship herself These are our friends Tomeo and Bucci of Ratinga Each is seated on the cabin floor with his back against the bulkhead an expression of woe-begone desolation on his visage his black legs apart and a ship's bucket between them It would bad taste to be too particular as to details here Unquitting Ratinga, Tomeo and his brother-chief had said that nothing would rejoice their hearts so much as to go to sea Their wish was gratified and not long afterwards they said that nothing could rejoice their hearts so much as to get back to land Such is the contradictoryness of human nature There was a stiffish breeze blowing as one of the Man of War's men expressed it and a nasty sea on He did not say on what There must have been something nasty also on Tomeo's stomach from the violent way in which he sought to get rid of it at times without success Oh, Bucci, my brother, said Tomeo of course in his native tongue Many years have passed over my head a few white streaks begin to to he paused abruptly and eyed the bucket as if it were an intention to appear he continued with a short sigh Also, I have seen many wars and suffered much from many wounds as you you, ha ha you know Bucci, my brother but of all the he became silent again suddenly Why does my brother pause? asked Bucci in a meek voice as of one who had suffered severely in life's pilgrimage There was no occasion for Tomeo to offer a verbal reply After a time Bucci raised his head and wiped his eyes in which were many tears but not of sorrow Tomeo said he was it worth our while to forsake wives and children and church and hymns and tarot fields and home for this? We did not leave for this replied Tomeo with acerbidity for he experienced a temporary sensation of feeling better at the moment we left all for the sake of assisting our friends in there it comes it he said no more and both chiefs relapsed into silence gazing the while at the buckets with undue interest they were interrupted by the sudden entrance of ebony Come you yeller cheeked chiefs use dye if you know make a heffert come on deck breathe defesh air get up a habitat your salt-pork plumb duff and lops grouse and you'll get well before you can say Jack Rubinson Tomeo and Bucci looked up at the jovial negro and smiled imbecile smiles they were we cannot move said Tomeo and Bucci together because we we together they ceased giving the reason it was not necessary oh dear said ebony opening his great eyes to their widest you know can live long at that rate better die on deck if you must die more easy for you to breathe up there and more comfortable to throw you overboard when you's got it over with this cheering remark the worthy negro seizing the chiefs each by a hand half constrained, half assisted to rise and helped them to stagger to the quarter-deck where they were greeted by Orlando Captain Fitzgerald, Waronga, and the missionary come that's right cried the captain shaking the two melancholy chiefs by the hand glad to see you plucking up courage tell them Mr. Zappa that we shall probably be at Sugarloaf Island tomorrow or next day the two unfortunates were visibly cheered by the assurance to do them justice they were not quite given way to see sickness until then for the weather had been moderately calm but the nasty sea and stiff breeze had proved too much for them are you sure we shall find the island so soon? asked Orlando of the captain in a low earnest tone for the poor youth's excitement and anxiety deepened as they drew near to the place where his father might possibly be found at the same time a strange shrinking dread of what they might find made him almost wish for delay I'm not sure of course returned the captain but if my information is correct there is every probability that we shall find it tomorrow I hopes we shall remarked Waronga it would be a grand blessing if the Lord will give us the island and your father in same day most too good to be true observed Ebony who was a privileged individual on board owing very much to his good humored eccentricity but surely you not specks deniggers we tumble down at you's feet all at once Massa Waronga oh no not at once the day of miracle have pass returned the missionary we must use the means and then has we not the promise that our work shall not be in vain next day about noon the sugarloaf mountain rose out of the sea like a great pillar of hope to Orlando as well as to the missionary captain Fitzgerald sailed close in sweeping the mountainside with his telescope as he advanced until close under the cliffs when he lay to and held a consultation with his passengers I see no habitations of any kind he said nor any sign of the presence of man but I have heard that the native villages lie at the lower side of the island now the question is whether would it suit your purposes best to land an armed party here and cross over to the villages or to sail round the island drop anchor in the most convenient bay and land a party there Orlando to whom this was more directly addressed turned to the missionary what think you Waronga you know native thought and feeling best I would not land armed a party at all answered Waronga but captain Fitzgerald knows his own business most what he thinks my business and yours are so mingled returned the captain I look to you for advice my chief duty is to obtain information as to the whereabouts of the pirate vessel and I expect that such information will be got more readily through you Waronga than anyone else for besides being able to speak the native language you can probably approach the savages more easily than I can they are not savages returned Waronga quietly they are God's ignorant children I have seen worse men than South Sea Islanders with white faces in soft clothing who had not the excuse of ignorance name I good sir said the captain we will not quarrel about terms whatever else these ignorant children may be I know that they are brave and warlike and I shall gladly listen to your advice as to landing if you wish to go to them in peace do not go to them with arms said Waronga surely you would not advise me to send an unarmed party among armed sav children returned the captain with a look of surprise while Orlando regarded his friend with mingled amusement and curiosity no you best send no party at all just go round the island put down anchor and leave the rest to me but what do you propose to do asked the captain swum to shore with Bible Orlando laughed for he now understood the missionary's plan and in a few words described the method by which Waronga had subdued the natives of Ratinga you see by this plan he continued nothing is presented to the natives which they will be tempted to steal and if they are very warlike or fierce Waronga's refusal to fight reduces them to a state of quiet readiness to hear which is all that we want Waronga's tongue does the rest with God's Holy Spirit and the word interposed the missionary true that is understood said Orlando that is not always understood returned Waronga the plan does not seem to me a very good one said captain Fitzgerald thoughtfully I can have no doubt that it has succeeded in time past and may probably succeed again but you cannot expect that the natives even if disposed to be peaceful will accept your message at once it may take weeks perhaps months before you get them to believe the gospel so as to permit of my men going ashore unarmed and in the meantime while you are engaged in this effort what am I to be doing wait God's time answered Waronga simply but time presses the pirate vessel wherever it may be is escaping me said the captain unable to repress a smile however I will at all events let you make the trial and await the result reminding you however that you will run considerable risk and that you must be prepared to accept the consequences of your rather reckless proceedings I hope Waronga said Orlando when the captain left them to give orders as to the course of the ship that you will let me share this risk with you it will be easier not you are a strong man sometimes fierce to behold they will want to fight you then up go your blood and you will want to fight them no indeed I won't said Orlando earnestly I will promise to go in the spirit of a missionary you know how anxious I am to get news of my dear father how could you expect me to remain idle on board this vessel when my soul is so troubled you may depend on me Waronga I will do exactly as you bid me love peaceably in the power of natives leaving the result as you advise to God the young man's tone was so earnest and withled so humble that Waronga could not help acceding to his request well well said Captain Fitzgerald when he heard of it you seem both to be bent on making martyrs of yourselves but I will offer no opposition all I can say is that I shall have my guns in readiness and if I see anything like foul play I'll bombard the place in land and armed force to do what I can for you soon the frigate came in sight of Angalu's village ran close in brought up in a sheltered bay and lowered a boat while the natives crowded the beach in vast numbers uttering fierce cries brandishing clubs and spears and making other war-like demonstrations for these poor people had been more than once visited by so-called merchant ships crews of which had carried off some of them by force we will not let a living man touch our shore said Angalu to Waputa who chanced to be near his leader when he marshaled his men oh yes we will chief replied the brown humorist we will let some of them touch it and then we will take them up carefully and have them baked a long pig supper will do us good the rest of them we will drive back to their big canoe by the term long pig Waputa referred to the resemblance that a naked white man when prepared for roasting bears to an ordinary pig a grim smile lit up Angalu's swarthy visage as he replied yes we will permit a few fat ones to land the rest shall die for white men our thieves they deceived us last time they shall never deceive us again as this remark might have been meant by the covert reference to his own thievish tendencies Waputa restrained his somewhat ghastly humor while the chief continued his arguments for repelling the invaders meanwhile these invaders were getting into the boat what you're not going without me exclaimed ebony as one of the sailors thrust him aside from the gangway I fear we are said Orlando as he was about to descend the vessel's side it was as much as I could do to get Waranga to agree to let me go with him but this young nigger can die in a good cause as well as you Masa said ebony in a tone of entreaty so earnest that the men standing near could not help laughing now then make haste sang out the officer in charge of the boat Orlando descended in the negro turning away with a deeply injured expression walked majestically to the stern to watch the boat Waranga had prepared himself for the enterprise by stripping off every article of clothing save a linen cloth round his loins and he carried nothing whatever with him except a small copy of God's word printed in the language of the islanders this as the boat drew near to shore he fessened on his head among the bushy curls of his crisp black hair as in a nest Orlando had clothed himself in a pair of patched old canvas trousers and a much worn unattractive cotton shirt stop now said the missionary when the boat was about five or six hundred yards from the beach are you ready ready said Orlando then come he dropped quietly over the side and swam towards the shore Orlando following his example was alongside of him in a few seconds both men were expert and rapid swimmers the natives watched them in absolute silence and open mouthed surprise a few minutes sufficed to carry the swimmers to the beach have your rifles handy lads said the officer in charge of the boat to his men stand by said the captain of the furious to the men at the guns but these precautions were unnecessary for when the swimmers landed and walked up the beach they were seen by the men of wars men to shake hands with the chief of the savages and after that appeared to be a brief palaver with his noses with him then the entire host turned and led the visitors toward the village with a heart almost bursting with the combined efforts of disappointment humiliation and grief poor ebony stood at the stern of the man of war with arms crossed upon his brawny chest and his great eyes swimming in irrepressible tears a monstrous bead of which would every now and then overflow its banks and roll down his sable cheeks suddenly the heart stricken negro clasped his hands together bowed his head and dropped into the sea the captain who had seen him take the plunge leaped to the stern and saw him rise from the water blow like a grandpa's and strike out for land with the steady vigor of a gigantic frog pick him up shouted the captain to the boat which was by that time returning to the ship aye aye sir was the prompt reply made straight for the negro and he for it neither diverged from the straight course two of you in the bow there get ready to haul him in said the officer two sturdy soldiers drew in their oars got up and leaned over the bow without stretched arms ebony looked at them bestowed on them a tremendous grin and went down with the oily ease of a northern seal when next seen he was full a hundred yards a stern of the boat still heading steadily for the shore let him go shouted the captain aye aye sir replied the obedient officer and ebony went meanwhile our missionary having told the wandering savages that he brought them good news was conducted with his companion to Angolu's hut but it was plain that the good news referred to and even Waranga himself had not nearly so great an effect on them in the sight of Orlando at whom they gazed with an expression half of fear and half of awe which surprised him exceedingly your story is not new to us said Angulu addressing the missionary but gazing at Orlando it comes to us like an old song how so exclaimed Waranga has anyone been here before with the grand and sweet story of Jesus and his love the reply of the savage chief was strangely anticipated by the fact at that moment by a burst of childish voices singing one of the beautiful hymns with which the inhabitants of Ratinga had long been familiar as the voices swelled in a chorus which distance softened into fairy-like strains the missionary and his companions sat entranced and bewildered while the natives looked pleased and appeased to enjoy their perplexity our little ones said Angulu after a few minutes pause are amusing themselves with singing they often do that as he spoke the party were startled and surprised by the sudden appearance of Ebony who quietly stalked into the circle and seated himself beside the missionary with the guilty yet defiant air of a man who knows that he has done wrong but is resolved at all hazards to have his way considering the turn that affairs had taken neither Orlando nor Waranga were sorry to see him this is a friend of mine but tell me chief where impatient to forward to know where learned you that song from one who is mad replied the chief still gazing earnestly at Orlando mad starting up and trembling with excitement how know you that who where is he ask him Waranga the explanation that followed left no doubt on Orlando's mind that his father was bereft of reason and wandering in the neighboring mountain if there had been any doubt it would have been swept away by the chief who quietly said the mad man is your father how does he know that Waranga I know because there is no difference between you except years and he did not finish the sentence but touched his forehead solemnly with his finger does he dwell alone in the mountains asked Orlando yes alone he lets no one approach him answered on gulu now Waranga said Orlando our prayers have been heard and at least partly answered but we must proceed with caution you must return on board until captain fits Gerald that I go to search for my father alone would to help obdist your nigger interposed ebony tell him on no account to send men in search of me continued Orlando attention to the interruption and in the meantime you know how to explain my purpose to the natives I do rising quickly he left the assembly and followed modestly but closely by the unconquerable negro set off with rapid strides towards the mountains end of chapter 10 chapter 11 of the mad man and the pirate this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org the mad man and the pirate by R.M. Ballantine chapter 11 when Zepa as related in a previous chapter staggered up the mountainside with Richard Roscoe in his arms his great strength was all but exhausted and it was with the utmost difficulty that he succeeded at last before nightfall in laying his burden on the couch in his cave then for the first time he seemed to have difficulty in deciding what to do now at last the pirate was in his power he could do to him what he pleased as he thought thus he turned a look of fierce indignation upon him but even as he gazed the look faded and was replaced by one of pity for he could not help seeing that the wretched man was suffering intolerable anguish though no murmur escaped from his tightly compressed lips slay me in God's name kill me at once Zepa he gasped and put me out of my torment poor man poor Roscoe returned the mad man in a gentle voice I thought to have punished thee but God wills it otherwise he said no more but rose hastily and went into the bush returning in a few moments with a bundle of herbs he gathered some sticks and kindled the fire a large earthenware pot stood close to the side of the cave's entrance a clumsy thing made by himself of some sort of clay this he filled with water put the herbs in and set it on the fire soon he had a poultice spread on a broad leaf which when it was cold he applied to one of the pirates dreadfully burnt feet then he spread another poultice with which he treated the other foot what the remedy was that Zepa made use of on this occasion is best known to himself we can throw no light on the subject neither can we say whether the application was or was not in accordance with the practice of the faculty but certain it is that Roscoe's sufferings were immediately assuaged and he soon fell into a tranquil sleep not so the mad man who watched by his couch poor Zepa's physical sufferings and exertion had proved too much for him the strain on his shattered nerves had been too severe and a burning fever was now raging within him so that the delirium consequent on disease began to mingle, so to speak with his insanity he felt that something unusual was going on within him he tried to restrain himself and chained down his wandering surging thoughts but the more he sought to hold himself down the more did a demon who seemed to have been specially appointed for the purpose cast his mental fastenings adrift at last he took it into his head that the slumbering pirate had bewitched him as this idea gained ground and the internal fires increased the old ideas of revenge returned and he drew the knife which hung at his belt at the sleeper as he did so but the better nature within the man maintained a fierce conflict with the worse he murdered my son my darling Orly murmured the mad man as he felt the keen edge and point of his knife and crept towards the sleeper while a fitful flicker of the dying fire betrayed the awful light that seemed to blaze in his eyes he carried me from my home to die in hopeless grief ha ha ha oh God keep me back back from this the noise awoke Roscoe who sat up and gazed at Zepa in horror for he saw at a glance that a fit of his madness must have seized him Zepa he exclaimed raising himself with difficulty on both hands and gazing sternly in the mad man's face ha exclaimed the latter suddenly throwing his knife on the ground within Roscoe's reach see I scorn to take advantage of your unarmed condition take that and defend yourself I will content myself with this he caught up the heavy staff with which he was in the habit of carrying with him in his mountain rambles at the same instant Roscoe seized the knife and flung it far into the bush see I am still unarmed he said true but you are not the less guilty Roscoe and you must die it is my duty to kill you he advanced with the staff appraised stay let us consider before you strike are you not a self-appointed executioner the question was well put the mad man lowered the staff to consider instantly the pirate made a plunge at it and caught it Zepa strove to wrench it from his grasp but the pirate felt that his life might depend on his retaining hold and in his extremity was endued with almost supernatural strength in the fierce struggles that ensued the embers of the fire were scattered and the spot reduced to almost total darkness during the unequal conflict the pirate who could only get upon his knees was swept and hurled from side to side but still he grasped the staff with vice-like power to his breast at that fearful moment the idea which had already occurred to him of humoring his antagonist gained force he suddenly loosed his hold Zepa staggered backwards recovered himself sprang forward and aimed a fearful blow at his adversary who suddenly fell flat down the staff passed harmly over him and was shattered to pieces on the side of the cave ha ha left the pirate lightly sat up again you see Zepa, that providence is against you how else could I, a helpless cripple have held my own against you and see the very weapon you meant to use is broken to pieces come now delay this execution for a little and let us talk together about this death which you think is due there is much to be said about death you know and I should like to get to understand it better before I experience it there is reason in that Roscoe said Zepa sitting down on the ground by the side of the pirate and leaning his back against the rock you have much need to consider death for after death comes the judgment and none of us can escape that true Zepa and I should not like to face that just now for I am not fit to die although as you truly say I deserve death I have no hesitation in admitting that return the pirate with some bitterness I deserve to die body and soul and after all I don't see why I should seek so earnestly to delay the righteous doom right Roscoe right you talk sense now the doom is well deserved why then try to prevent me any longer from inflicting it when you know it is my duty to do so because continued the pirate even with words was too much for his exhausted strength because I have heard that God is merciful merciful of course he is have you not heard that his mercy is so great that he has provided a way of escape for sinners through faith in his own dear son it does not however seem to be a way of escape for me said the pirate letting himself sink back with a weary sigh yes it is yes it is exclaimed Zepa earnestly as he got upon the familiar theme the offer is to the chief of sinners who so ever will turn ye, turn ye for why will ye die tell me about it said Roscoe faintly as the other paused Zepa had delayed a moment in order to think for his disordered mind had been turned into a much loved channel that of preaching the gospel to inquiring sinners for many years he had been training himself in the knowledge of the scriptures and being possessed of a good memory he had got large portions of it by heart gathering together the embers of the scattered fire he sat down again and gazing thoughtfully at the flickering flames began to point out the way of salvation to the pirate sleep irresistible sleep gradually overcame the latter still the former went on repeating long passages of God's word at last he put a question and not receiving an answer looked earnestly into the face of his enemy ah poor man he sleeps God cannot wish me to slay him until I have made him understand the gospel I will delay till to-morrow before the moral came Zepa had wandered forth among the cliffs and gorges of his wild home with the ever increasing fires of fever raging in his veins sometimes his madness took the form of wildest fury and grasping some bush or sapling that might chance to be near he would struggle with it as with a fiend until utter exhaustion caused him to fall prostrate on the ground where he would lie until partial rest and internal fire gave him strength again to rise at other times he would run up and down the hills like a grey hound bounding from rock to rock and across chasms where one fault step would have sent him headlong to destruction frequently he ran down to the beach and plunged into the sea where he would swim about aimlessly until exhaustion sent him to the shore where he would fall down as at other times and rest if such repose could be so styled thus he continued fighting for his life for several days during that time Richard Roscoe lay in the cave almost starving at first he had found several coconuts the hard shells of which had been broken by Zepa and appeased his hunger with these but when they were consumed he sought about the cave for food in vain fortunately he found a large earthenware pot evidently a homemade one nearly full of water so that he was spared the agony of thirst as well as hunger when he had scraped the shells of the coconuts perfectly clean the pirate tried to crawl forth on hands and knees to search for food his feet being in such a state that it was not possible for him to stand much less to walk but Zepa had long ago cleared away all the wild fruits that grew in the neighbourhood of his cave so that he found nothing save a few wild berries still in his condition even these were of the utmost value they helped to keep him alive another night passed and the day came he crept forth once more but was so weakened by suffering and want that he could not extend his exploration so far as before and was compelled to return without having tasted a mouthful taking a long draft of water he lay down, as he firmly believed to die and as he lay there his life rose up before him as an avenging angel and the image of his dead mother returned with reproachful yet an appealing look in her eyes he tried to banish the one and to turn his thoughts from the other but failed and at last in an agony of remorse shouted the single word guilty it seemed as if the cry had called Zepa from his world of spirits to which Roscoe believed he had fled for a few minutes afterwards the madman approached his mountain home with the blood still boiling in his veins apparently he had forgotten all about the pirate for he was startled on beholding him what? still here? I thought I had killed you I wish you had Zepa it would have been more merciful than leaving me to die of hunger here are you prepared to die now? yes but for God's sake give me something to eat first after that I care not what you do to me miserable man death is sufficient for you I have neither command nor desire to torture you shall have food immediately so saying Zepa re-entered the bush in less than half an hour he returned with several coconuts and other fruits of which Roscoe partook that told its own tale now said Zepa rising when Roscoe had finished have you had enough? no, said the pirate quickly not half enough go like a good fellow and fetch me more Zepa rose at once and went away while he was gone the fear of being murdered again took possession of Roscoe he felt that his last hour was approaching and in order to avoid his doom crawled away among the bushes and tried to hide himself he was terribly weak however and had not got fifty yards away when he fell down utterly exhausted he heard Zepa return to the cave and listened with beating heart hello where are you cried the madman then receiving no answer he burst into a long, loud fit of laughter which seemed to freeze the meryl in the pirate's bones ha ha he shouted again and again I knew you were a dream I felt sure of it ha ha and now this proves it and I am glad you were a dream for I did not want to kill you Roscoe though I thought it my duty to do so it was a dream thank God it was all a dream Zepa did not end again with wild laughter but he took himself to earnest importunate prayer during which Roscoe crept by slow degrees further and further away until he could no longer hear the sound of his enemy's voice now it was while this latter scene had been enacting that Orlando and the faithful Negro set out on their search into the mountain at first they did not speak and Ebony not feeling sure how his young master relished his company kept discreetly a pacer to and rare after they had crossed the plane however and begun to scale the steep sides of the hills his tendency towards conversation could not be restrained does you think Massa Orly that hymns be your father I think so Ebony indeed I feel almost sure of it thus encouraged the Negro ran up alongside and does you think hymns mod I hope not I pray not but I fear that he hymns got little out of sorts said the sympathetic Ebony suggesting a milder state of things as Orlando did not appear to derive much consolation from the suggestion Ebony held his tongue for a few minutes presently his attention was attracted to a sound in the underwood near them Miss Massa Orly I hear something so do I Ebony said the youth pausing for a moment to listen it must be some sort of bird for there can be no wild animals left by the natives in so small an island as he spoke something like a low moon was heard the Negro's mouth opened and the whites of his great eyes seemed to dilate if it am a bird Massa hymns got mouse awful voice must have caught a dreffel cold the groan was repeated as he spoke and immediately after they observed a large sluggish looking animal advancing through the underwood what a pity we's not got a gun whispered Ebony if we's only had a spear or a pitchfork it's better than nothing lucky that you have nothing of the sort else you'd commit murder said Orlando advancing don't you see it is a man this opposed animal started as the youth spoke and rose on his knees with a terribly haggard and anxious look Richard Roscoe exclaimed Orly who recognized the pirate at the first glance but Roscoe did not reply he too had recognized Orly despite the change in his size and appearance and believed him to be a visitant from the other world an idea which was fostered by the further supposition that Ebony was the devil keeping him company Orlando soon relieved him however the aspect of the pirate so haggard and worn out as he crawled on his hands and knees was so dreadful that a flood of pity rushed into his bosom my poor fellow he said going forward and laying his hand gently on his shoulder this is indeed a most unexpected most amazing sight how came you here then you were not drowned gasped the pirate instead of answering the question no thank God I was not drowned said Orly with a sad smile but again I ask how came you here never mind me Roscoe Hurdley but go to your father my father do you know then where he is cried Orlando with sudden excitement yes he is up there not far off I have just escaped from him he is bent on taking my life he saved me from the savages he is mad with fever and stands terribly in need of help bewildered beyond expression by these contradictory statements Orlando made no attempt to understand but exclaimed can you guide us to him you see return the pirate sadly I cannot even rise to my feet the savages were burning me alive when your father came to my rescue the flesh is dropping from the bones I cannot help you can you get on my back asked Ebony use a good lift but I is awful strong I will try returned Roscoe but you will have to protect me from Zepa if he sees me for he is bent on taking my life he thinks you were drowned as indeed so did I the time you were thrown overboard without my knowledge mind that without my knowledge and your father in his madness thinks he is commissioned by God to avenge your death perhaps when he sees your life he may change his mind but there is no depending on one who is delirious with fever he will probably still be in the cave when we reach it we will protect you get up quickly and show us the way to the cave in a moment the stout Negro had the pirate on his broad shoulders and under his guidance mounted the slightly marked path that led to Zepa's retreat no words were spoken by the way Orlanto was too full of anxious anticipation to speak the Negro was too heavily weighted to care about conversation just then and Roscoe suffered so severely from the rough motions of his black steed that he was feigned to purse his lips tightly to prevent a cry of pain on reaching the neighborhood of the cave the pirate whispered to Ebony to set him down you will come inside of the place the moment you turn round yonder cliff it is better that I should remain here till the meeting is over I hear no sound but doubtless Zepa is lying down by this time the Negro set his burden on the ground and Roscoe crept slowly into the bush to hide while the others hurried forward in the direction pointed out to them End of Chapter 11