 Chapter 1 of Bunyup Land This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. This reading by Lucy Burgoyne. Bunyup Land by George Manuel Fenn. Chapter 1 How I made my plans and they were endorsed. Now, Master Joseph, do what done, now do. I'm sure your poor dear eyes will go for your 40 and think of that. Bother, what say, my dear? Don't bother. You're always running your finger over that map thing, my dear. I can't bear to see it. Nurse Brown looked over the top of her spectacles at me and shook her head. While I bent lower over the map, then the old lady sighed and went on making cottage windows all over my worsted stockings, giving vent to comments all the time. The old lady had been servant to my grandmother and had followed her young mistress when she married, nursing me when I was born and treating me as a baby ever since. In fact, she had grown into an institution at home, moving when we moved and doing pretty well as she liked in what she called our house. Bang! Bless the boy. Don't bang the table like that. She cried. How you made me jump? It's of no use talking, Nurse. I cried. I mean to go. Go, she said. Go where? Go and find my poor dear father. I cried. Why, Nurse, am I to sit down quietly at home here when perhaps my poor father is waiting for me to come to his help? Oh, hush, my dearie. Don't talk like that. I'm afraid he's dead and gone. He isn't, Nurse. I cried fiercely. He's a prisoner somewhere among those New Guinea savages. And I mean to find him and bring him back. Nurse Brown thrust her needle into the big round ball of worsted and held it up as if for me to see. Then she took off her glasses with the left hand in her stocking and shaking her head she exclaimed, Oh, you bad boy. Wasn't it enough for your father to go mad after his botanical surgery and want to go collecting foreign butter cups and daisies to break your mother's heart that you must catch his complaint and want to go to? My father isn't mad, I said. Your father was mad, retorted Nurse Brown, and I was surprised at him. What did he ever get by going wandering about collecting his dry orchids and rubbish and sending him off to England? Fame, I cried, and honour. Fame and honour never bought potatoes, said Nurse. Why, four different plants were named after him. Oh, stuff and rubbish boy. What's the good of that when a man gets lost and starves to death in the furrowing wilds? My father was too clever a man to get lost or to starve in the wilds, I said proudly. The savages have made him a prisoner and I'm going to find him and bring him back. I, you've gone wandering about with that dirty black to you've quite gone into his ways. Jimmy isn't dirty, I said, and he can't help being black any more than you can being white. I wonder at a well brought up young gent like you, be meaning yourself to associate with such a low creature, Master Joseph. Jimmy's a native gentleman, Nurse, I said. Gentleman indeed, cried the old lady, as goes about without a bit of decent clothes to his back. So did Adam, Nurseie, I said, laughing. Master Joseph, I won't sit here and listen to you if you talk like that, cried the old lady, and comparing that black savage to Adam. You ought to be ashamed of yourself. It all comes of living in this horrible place. I wish we were back at Putney. Hang Putney, I cried. Putney, indeed, where you couldn't go half a yard off a road without trespassing. Oh, Nurse, you can't understand it. I cried enthusiastically. If you were to get up in the dark one morning and go with Jimmy, me go with Jimmy, cried the old lady with a snort, and get right out towards the mountain and see the sunrise and the parrots in flocks and the fish glancing like arrows down the Silver River. There's just how your poor dear Pa used to talk and nearly broke your poor Ma's heart. No, he didn't. He was too fond of her, I said. Only he felt it, his duty to continue his researches. The same that brought him out here, and oh, I shall find him and bring him back. Don't, don't, don't. There's a good boy. Don't talk to me like that. You're sixteen now, and you ought to know better. I don't want to know any better than that, Nurse. I know it's my duty to go, and I shall go. You'll kill your poor Ma, sir. No, I shan't, I said. She won't like my going at first, because it will seem lonely for her out here, but she'll be as pleased as can be afterwards. Look here, my mother. Say Ma, Master Joe, dear. Doe, please. It's so much more gentile. Stop. It's Frenchy. Mother's old English. Mother don't believe Father's dead. Does she? Well, no, my dear. She's as obstinate as you are about that. And she's right. Why? He's only been away four years, and that isn't so very long in a country where you have to cut every step of the way. Cooee, cooee, woo, woo, woo, woo. Why up? Cooee, cooee, I echoed back, and Nurse held her hands to her ears. Now, don't you go to him, Master Joseph. Now, please don't, said the old lady. Ma's Joe. Hi, Ma's Joe. Jimmy Fine Wallaby. Tick thus in big hole, big tree. Just then, my first lieutenant and Nurse Brown's great object of dislike. Jimmy thrust his shiny black face and curly head in at the door. Go away, sir, cried Nurse. Head first, come catch this. Million-thousand all up a creek. Jimmy go away. He stilled grinning and nodding with his hands in the pocket holes of his only garment. A pair of trousers with legs cut off to about mid-thigh. If you don't take that nasty black fellow away, Master Joseph, I shall be obliged to complain to your poor Ma, said Nurse. Get out, I said. Jimmy won't hurt you, and though it don't show, he's as clean as a new pin. He isn't clean. He can't be, dear. How can anyone be clean who don't wear clothes, Master Joseph, and look at his toes? Nurse Brown always fell foul of Jimmy's toes. They fidgeted her, for they were never still. In fact, Jimmy's toes, which had never probed the recess of a pair of boots, were more like fingers and thumbs and had a way of twiddling about when he was supposed to be standing still. Stand perfectly still, he never did, and these toes belonged to feet that in climbing he could use like hands. More than once, I've seen him pick stones off the ground, just like a monkey. Nurse said, or stand talking to anyone, and keep his attention while he helped himself to something he wanted with his feet. There be off, Jimmy, I said, for I wanted to stop indoors. Come, catch this. No, not today. Hi, wop, wop, wop. Jimmy threw himself into an attitude, snatching a small hatchet from the waistband of his trousers, and made believe to climb a tree, chop a hole larger, and draw out an animal, which he seemed to be swinging round by its tail. No, not today, Jimmy. I cried. Sleep, sleep, said Jimmy, imitating a kangaroo by giving a couple of hops into the veranda, where he chose a sunny place, well-haunted by flies, cooled up, and went to sleep. Good morning, cried a hearty voice, and ran out to welcome our neighbour, the doctor, whose horse's hoofs had not been heard, and who was now fastening the rain to the hook in one of the veranda posts. Well, Joe, he said, as I shook hands, and looked up admiringly in his bold, well-bearded face. Well, doctor, I'm so glad you've come. Walk in. Yes, he cried. How well you look. Yes, yes, but I am glad you'll come, she said. I want you to look at Master Joseph. I did look at him. Isn't he feverish or something, sir? He's that restless as never was. So when he's growing, cried the doctor. How's Mama? Oh, she's pretty well, I said. Gone to lie down. That's right, said the doctor. I had to come and look at Bowman's broken arm, so I came on here to beg a bit of dinner. I'm so glad, I said. For Jimmy, the half-wild black, was my only companion. There being no boys within miles of our run, stop a week and have some fishing. And what's to become of my patience? You haven't got any, I said. You told me so last time. True, O King Joseph, I've come to the wrong place. You don't want many doctors in Australia? Why, nurse, how this fellow grows? I wish he'd grow good, cried the old lady. He's always doing something to worry away his poor mass and my life. Why, what's the matter now, nurse? Matter, sir, why? He's took it into his head to go looking for his poor dear data gone par. Do, do please tell him he mustn't think of such things. Why, Joe, cried the doctor, turning sharply round to me and ceasing to beat his high boots with his long thong whip. I don't care what anybody says. I cried, stamping my foot. I've made up my mind and mean to go to New Guinea to find my father. There, doctor, did you ever hear anyone so wickedly obstinate before, cried nurse? Isn't it shocking, and his ma, that delicate and worried living all alone, like here, out in these strange parts, and have him as ought to be a comfort to her doing nothing but hanker after running away to find him as he's dead and gone? He's not dead, nurse. He's only gone. I cried, and I mean to find him, as sure as I live. There, that I will. There, doctor, did you ever hear such a boy, cried nurse? Never, said the doctor. Why, Joe, my boy, he cried as I stood shrinking from him, ready to depend myself from his remonstrances. Your ideas, do you credit? I didn't think you had it in you. Then you don't think it is wrong with me, doctor? I said, catching his hand. No, my boy, I do not. He said gravely, but it is a task for strong and earnest men. But I am strong, I said, and if I'm not a man, I'm in real earnest. I can see that, my lad, said the doctor, with his brown forehead filling with thoughtful wrinkles. But have you counted the cost? Cost, I said? No. I should get a passage in a coaster and walk all the rest of the way. I mean cost of energy, the risks, the arduous labours. Oh, yes, I said. And I shan't mind. Father would have done the same if I was lost. Of course he would, my lad. But would you go alone? Oh, no, I replied. I should take a guide. Ah, yes, a good guide and companion. There, Master Joseph, you hear, said Nurse, Doctor Grant means that sarcastical. No, I do not, Nurse, said the doctor quietly, for I think it a very brave and noble resolve on the part of our young friend. Doctor, it has troubled me this year past that no effort has been made to find the professor who, I have no doubt, is somewhere in the interior of the island, and I have been for some time to go after him myself. Nurse Brown's jaw dropped and she stared in speechless amazement. Hooray, Doctor! I cried. And I say, Hooray too, Joe! He cried. I'll go with you, my lad, and we'll bring him back with God's help, safe and sound. The shout I gave woke Jimmy. He sprung to his feet, dragged a boomerang from his waistband and dashed to the door to throw it at somebody, and then stopped. You'll break his mother's heart, Doctor, sob, Nurse. Oh, if she was to hear what you've said, I did hear every word, said my mother, entering from the next room and looking very white. There, there, cried Nurse, you wicked boy, have you done? Mother, I cried as I ran to her and caught her, poor, little, light, delicate thing that she was in my arms. My boy, she whispered back, as she clung to me. I must go. I will find him. I'm sure he is not dead. And so am I, she cried, with her eyes lighting up and a couple of red spots appearing in her cheeks. I could not feel as I do if he were dead. Here she broke down and began to sob, while I, with old Nurse's eyes glaring at me, began to feel as if I had done some horribly wicked act, and that nothing was left for me to do, but try to soothe her, whose heart I seemed to have broken. Oh, mother, dear mother, I whispered with my lips close to her little pinkie. I don't want to give you pain, but I feel as if I must. I must go. To my utter astonishment she laid her hands upon my temples, thrust me from her, and gazed impassionately in my great sun-brown face. She bent forward, kissed me, and said, Yes, yes, you've grown a great fellow now. Go. Yes, you must go. God will help you and bring you both safely back. Oh, ah, oh, ah, oh, ah, came from the brander, three hideous yells indicative of the fact that Jimmy, the half-wild blank, who had attached himself to me ever since the day I had met him speararm, and bearing that, as his only garment over the shoulder, and I shared with him the bread and mutton I had taken for my expedition, was in a state of the utmost grief. In fact, he had thrown himself down on the sand and was wellowing and twisting himself about, beating up the dust with his boomerang, and generally exciting poor old nurses discussed. Mother, I cried and, making an effort, she stood up erect and proud. Mr. Grant, she exclaimed, do you mean what you say? Most decidedly, my dear madam, said the doctor, I should be unworthy at the professor's friendship and the charge he gave me to watch over you in his absence if I did not go. That's your practice. What is that trifling as it is to going to the help of him who gave me his when I came out to the colony, a poor and friendless man? Thank you, doctor, she said, laying her hand in his. And I go the more willingly, he said smiling, because I know it will be the best prescription for your case. It will bring you back your health. But doctor, don't say another word, he cried. Why, my dear Mrs. Castes, it is five years since I have had anything even approaching a holiday. This will be a splendid opportunity and I can take care of Joe here and he can take care of me. That I will if I can. I cried. I know you will, Joe, he said and will bring back the professor with all his collection of new plants for that London firm on condition that something fresh with a big red and yellow blossom is named after me. Lay the scarlet grantee or the yellow unlucky in honour of my non-success. You're never going to let him start Miss Eleanor, cried nurse. Would you have me stand between my son and his duty, nurse? Cried my mother, flushing. Dearly me, no, sighed the old lady. Only it do seem such a wild goose chase. There'll be no one to take care of us and that dreadful black Jimmy. Nurse always said his name with a sort of disrelish. We'll be hanging about here all the time. Isaac, that's him. Jimmy, Jimmy. Here, Jimmy, go. Hi, Woppa Woppa. Jimmy, go too. Nonsense, Jimmy, I said. I'm going to New Guinea to seek my father. Is High Woppa Woppa Jimmy going to look for his father? Why, you said he was dead, I cried. Isaac, Jimmy, father dead. Little Jimmy, go look for him. Find him there. Be quiet, I said. For the black was indulging in a kind of war dance. You don't understand. I'm going across the sea to find my father. Dad him. Jimmy, want to go across the sea. Find him father bad. High won't go there long time. Why, you never heard of the place before, I said. Get him for. Want to go long time. Jimmy, go too. Why, what for, I said. Hunt well of you. Catch fish. Kill black fellow. Take care of us, Joe. Find him father. High Woppa Woppa. He would be very useful to us, Joe, said the doctor. And I should like to take him. I said eagerly. I, Jimmy, go. Cried the black, who contrived in spite of his bad management of our language to understand nearly everything that was said and who was keenly watching us all in turn. He would be just the fellow to take, said the doctor. High Wop Wop. Jimmy just a fellow to take. Then he shall go, I said. And the black bounded nearly to the ceiling, making nurse utter a shriek. Whereupon he thrust his boomerang into his waistband and dragged a waddy from the back, where it had hung down like a stumpy tail and showing his white teeth in a savage grin. He began to caper about as if preparing to attack the old lady till I caught him by the arm and he crouched at my feet like a dog. Come long, he said, walking out at the sun. Walk five, six hour, all black dark, go sleep a morning. All in good time, Jimmy, I said. Go out and wait. The black ran out and crouched down upon his heels in the veranda. Evidently under the impression that we were about to start at once. But Europeans bound on an expedition once something besides a waddy, boomerang and spear. And with nurse shaking her head mournfully the while my mother, the doctor and I held a council of war, which after a time was interrupted by a curious noise between a grunt and a groan which proved to be from Jimmy's throat that he was preparing himself for his journey by having a nap. End of Chapter 1 Chapter 2 of Bunyup Land This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org This reading by Lucy Burgoyne Bunyup Land by George Manville Fenn Chapter 2 How we prepared to start and started You will have gathered from all this that my father had been missing for pretty well three years, and that he a well-known botanist had accepted a commission from a well-known florist in the neighbourhood of London to collect new plants for him and in his quest he had made his last unfortunate trip which had followed one to Carpentaria to New Guinea. We had heard from him twice each time with a package of seeds and plants which we had forwarded to London. Then there was an utter cessation of news one year had become two then three and it would soon be four. Quite a little fellow when he started with disappointment at being left behind now I had grown into a big fellow for my age I had dreamed incessantly of making the attempt to find my father and now at last the time had come. I believe I was quite as excited over the proposed journey as Jimmy, but I did not go about throwing a spear at gum trees to find the tallest eucalyptus to try if I could see New Guinea from the top most branches. Moreover I did not show my delight on coming down certain of having seen this promised land by picking out a low horizontal branch and hanging from it by my toes. All of these antics Jimmy did do and many more to bring me every half hour with. Come long, time ago find him father. Of course now I know that it would have been impossible for me to have carried out my plans without the doctor who was indefatigable bringing to bear as he did the right experience of a man who had been all over the will pretty well to make a practice and every day I had from him some useful hint he was quite as eager as I, but he met all my impatient words with let's do everything necessary first Joe recollect we are going to a far more savage land than this and where we can renew nothing but our store of food don't let's fail through being too hasty all in good time but the time did seem so long for there was a great deal to do. Jimmy who by the way really bore some peculiar native name that sounded like Walla Gara was pitted out with the service of all sailors suit of which he was very proud and never prouder than when he could see it to its best this was in the wall barn where upon every opportunity the black used to retreat to relieve himself of the unwanted garb and hang it up against the single wall then he would show his teeth to the gums and squat down embrace his knees and gaze at the clothes when satisfied with the front he would rise deliberately go to the wall turn every article and have a good look at the other side when we ran some risks at this time for our henchman was given his first lessons in the use of a rifle and for a long time no matter how the doctor tried it seemed as if it was impossible for the black to hold the piece in any other direction than pointed straight at one of his friends by slow degrees though he got over it and wanted lessons in loading and firing more often than his master was prepared to give them Jimmy had heard the report have begun hundreds of times but his experience had never gone so far as holding the piece when it was fired and when after being carefully shown how to take aim he was treated to a blank charge and pulled the trigger the result was that I threw myself on the ground and shrieked with laughter while the doctor seated himself upon a stump and held his sides with the tears rolling down his cheeks heard the flash and report Jimmy uttered a yell dropped the rifle and turned and ran never once looking behind him a couple of minutes were however sufficient to let his fear evaporate and he came back waddy in fist half shamed face half angry and rubbing his right shoulder the while don't do that he cried fiercely don't do that play trick Masjo play trick Jimmy I didn't I cried laughing here see me I took the rifle put in a charge and fired there I said reloading now try again Jimmy had on only his curtail trousers into whose waistband he cautiously stuck the waddy the knob at the end stopping it from falling through and gingerly breaking the rifle once more to show that he was not afraid he held it loosely against his shoulder and fired again the gun kicked more than ever for it was growing foul and uttering a yell Jimmy dashed it down snatched the waddy from his waistband and began blabbering the butt of the piece before we could stop him after which he stood solefully rubbing his right shoulder and scowling at the enimate enemy that had given him a couple of blows one or two more experiments with the piece, however taught the black its merits and demerits to such an extent that he was never so happy as when he was allowed to shoulder the formidable weapon with which he would have liked to fight some native tribe and his constant demand to me was for me to put in an extra charge so that he might have what he called a big bang the doctor took care that we should both be well furnished with every necessary in arms ammunition and camp equipments such as were light and would go into a small space he got down from Sydney too a quantity of showy electro-bilt jewellery and fancy beads with common knives pistols, guns and hatchets for presents saying to me that a showy present would work our way better with a savage chief than a great deal of fighting and he proved to be quite right in all he said taken all together we had an excellent outfit for the journey my mother eagerly placing funds at the doctor's disposal and then came the question of how we were to get to the great northern island for as a real facilities for touching there were not very great but somehow this proved to be no difficulty all that we undertook being easily mastered the obstacle melting away at the first attack in fact the journey to New Guinea was like a walk into a trap wonderfully easy the difficulty was how to get out again perhaps had I known of the dangers we were to encounter I might have shrunk from the task, I say might but I hope I should not it was better that I was in ignorance when with the doctor I set about making inquiries at the harbour and soon found a captain who was inhabitor trading to the island for shells and tree paint which he afterwards took on to Hong Kong for a fairly liberal consideration he expressed himself willing to go out of his way and learned us where we liked that he shook his head all the same you cut out your work youngster he said and I doubt whether you're going to sew it together so as to make a job I'm going to try captain I said that's your style he said heartily as he gave me a slap on the shoulder that's the word that moves everything my boy word try my brains and butter what a lot try has done and will always keep going though it's enough to make a man wish he was lost and his son coming to look after him then you have a son captain I said looking at him wistfully me not a bit of it my wife never had no little ones for we always guys the boats they aren't young ships I married my schooner my lad she's my wife but there I'm talking away with a tongue like an old woman send your traps aboard whenever you like and there I like you you're a good lad and I'll help you as much as ever I can shake hands and he quite hurt me when he did shake hands even the doctor saying it was like putting your fist in a screw wrench then we parted the doctor and I to complete our preparations the various things we meant to take were placed onboard and now at last the time had come when we must say goodbye for the first time in my life I think very seriously of money matters up to this money had not been an object of much desire with me a few shillings to send into Sydney for some special object now and then was all I had required but now I had to think about my mother during my absence and what she would do and for the first time I learned that there was no need for anxiety on that score that my father's private income was ample to place us beyond thought for the future I found too that our nearest neighbour had undertaken to watch over my mother's safety not that there was much occasion for watchfulness the days gliding by at our place in the most perfect peace but it was satisfactory to feel that there were friends near at hand I was saying goodbye at the little farm but my mother insisted upon accompanying us to Sydney where I noticed that in spite of her weakness and delicate looks she was full of energy and excitement talking to me of my journey begging me to be prudent and careful and on no account expose myself to danger and tell your father how anxiously I am looking forward to his return she said to me on the last evening together words that seemed to give me confidence for they showed me how thoroughly satisfied she was that we would bring my father back we were too busy making preparations to the very last for there to be much time for sadness till the hour when the old skipper came and was shown up to our room he came stamping and blundering up in a pair of heavy sea boots and began to salute me with a rough shout when he caught sight of my pale delicate looking mother and his whole manner changed Lord I didn't know as there was a lady here he said in a husky whisper and snatching off his battered Panama hat sticking out the leg behind and making a bow like a school boy I beg your pardon for intruding like mum but I only come to say that the schooners warped out and that youngster here and Mr. Grant must come aboard first thing in the morning he sat down after a good deal of persuasion and Pa took of refreshment liquid and composiously but when on leaving my mother followed him to the door and I saw her try to make him a present he shook his head sturdily no no he growled I asked my price for the trip and the doctor there paid me like a man don't you be a feared for young chap there while he's aboard my craft while he's with me I'll look after him as if he was gold I don't like boys as a real for they're a warret and want so much kicking before you can make him work but I've kind of took too youngster there and I'll see him through good night the captain went clumping down the stairs and we could hear him clearing his throat and he was rattling down the street then the doctor with great delicacy rose and left us alone and I tried to look cheerful as I sat for an hour with my mother before going to bed did any of you who tried to look cheerful when you were going to leave home for the first time ever succeed especially with those wistful longing eyes watching you honestly all the time I'm not ashamed to say that I did not and that I almost repented of my decision seeing as I did what pain I was causing but I knew directly after that it was pain mingled with pleasure and that I was about to do my duty as a son twice over as I lay half sleeping that's what I did I saw or really did see somebody gliding away from my bedside and then all at once I found that it was morning and I got up had a miserable breakfast which seemed to choke me and soon after how I don't know for it all seemed very dreamlike found myself on the wolf with my mother taking us through travellers to the ship Jimmy was there looking rather uncomfortable in his sailor suit which was not constructed for the use of a man who always sat down upon his heels the doctor was there too quiet and cheerful as could be and I made an effort to swallow something that troubled me and which I thought with my breakfast but it would not go down and I could do nothing but gaze hard as through a mist at the little delicate woman who was holding so tightly to my hands there was a dimness and an unreality about everything things seemed to be going on in a way I did not understand and I quite started at last what seemed to say goodbye and I found myself in the little boat and on the way to the schooner then all in the same dim misty way I found myself aboard watching the wolf where my mother was standing with a lady friend both waving their handkerchiefs then the wolf seemed to be slowly gliding away and mixed up with it all came the sound of a bluff captain's voice shouting orders to the men who were hurrying about the deck suddenly I started for the doctor had laid his hand upon my shoulder whereof Joe he said heartily the campaign has begun now then how do you feel for your work his words electrified me and I exclaimed excitedly ready doctor ready we'll find him and bring him back end of chapter 2 she how I made my first charge with a lance we had not been a day at sea before our black follower was in trouble as a matter of course the men began joking and teasing him about the awkward manner in which he wore his sailor's suit asking him if it wouldn't be better to have a coat of white paint over him instead as being cooler and less trouble and the like all this Jimmy took with the greatest of equanimity grasping the men's meaning very well and very often throwing himself flat on the deck and squirming about which was his way of showing his delight but it was absolutely necessary that all this banter should come from the Englishmen if one of the melee sailors attempted such a familiarity Jimmy was furious hi whoop whoop he exclaimed to me after one of these bouts dirty fellow brown fellow no good not white fellow not black fellow bad for nothing the doctor and I were sitting forward watching the beautiful heaving waves and talking over the plans we intended to follow when we landed and we had agreed that a small party was far more likely to succeed than a large one being more suitable for passing unnoticed through the country we had just arrived at the point of determining that we would engage six natives at a friendly shore village to carry our baggage and act as guides when the noise of some trouble aft arose we could see a melee sailor lying upon the deck and Jimmy showing his teeth fiercely waddy in hand after having given the man what he afterward called a topper on deheadums we ran up fearing more mischief for Jimmy could fight fiercely when roused and we were just in time for as the doctor reached the melee the man had scrambled up drawn his knife and rushed at the black but before he could strike the doctor showed me what wonderful strength of arm he used by seizing the melee by the waistband and arm and literally swinging him over the low bulwark into the sea that will cool his passion said the doctor smiling I'm sorry I did it though captain he said the next minute these men are very revengeful too late to say that cried the captain roughly here hi man overboard nevermind the boat he swims like a fish this was plain enough for the melee was making his way swiftly and the captain ran aft with a coil of rope to throw to him from the stern I ran too and could see that as the man struck the water in a peculiar fashion he held his knife open in his hand and was thinking whether he would use it when the captain threw the rope the light rings uncoiling as they flew through the air and splashed the water here look out cried the captain but the man did not heed but began to beat the water furiously uttering a strange gasping cry look doctor I cried pointing and leaning forward a low hiss escaped his lips as he too so a dull indistinct something rising through the transparent sea yah hi bunnip devil fists shouted Jimmy excitedly bite sailor brown fellow who bite the black gave a snap and a shake of the head and then taking the long sharp knife the doctor had given him from his belt he tore off his shirt and it seemed to me jumped out of his trousers then the sun seemed to flash from his shiny black skin for an instant and he plunged into the sea the exciting incidents of that scene are as plain before me now I write as if they had taken place yesterday I saw the body of the black strike up a foam of white water and then glide down in a curve in the sunlit sea plainly crossing the course of the great fish which had altered its course on becoming aware of the second splash the melee knew what he was doing for ignoring the help of the rope he allowed himself to drift a stern seeing as he did that the shark's attention had been drawn to the black he knows what he's about said the captain if he laid hold of that there rope and we tried to draw him aboard that snipper jack would take him like a perch does a worm in the old ponds at home here lower away that boat let's all go and get the whale lance away went the skipper while the men lowered the boat and I was so intent upon the movements of the great fish that I started as the boat kissed the water with a splash the shark was about ten feet long and unusually thick and as it kept just below the surface the doctor and I could watch its every movement guided by the strange but slow wave of the long curiously lobed tail now you brown fellow you come on knife knife as Jimmy shouted out these words he raised himself in the water and curved over like a porpoise diving right down and at the same moment the shark gave a sweep with its tail the combined disturbance making so great and eddy that it was impossible to see what took place beneath the surface then all at once there was a horrible discoloration in the sea and I drew back holding on by the bulwarks with both hands to keep myself from falling four as the water grew discolored so did the air seem to glow before my eyes I was sick and dizzy the deck seemed to rise in waves and a curious kind of singing noise in my ears made everything sound distant and strange there was a strange despairing feeling too in my heart and my breath came thick and short till I was brought partly to myself by hearing a voice shouting for a rope and then the mist gradually cleared away and I became aware of the fact that the boat was moving before me and that the round shiny black face of Jimmy was close at hand a few minutes later both Jimmy and the Mele were aboard the former throwing himself flat on his back to rest for he was panting heavily after his exertions big bunyip devil mass Joe he sputtered swim more stronger Jimmy but no got knife tick black fellow knife in a lot of time ticket in frontums tick it in backums tight and make him dive down and take Jimmy much long ways why didn't you leave go of the knife my man asked the doctor leave go that big new knife cried Jimmy sharply let bunyip fish have that new knife Jimmy did not finish but took his head from side to side so that first one black ear went into the puddle of water on the deck then the other while his lips parted in a tremendously long grin which seemed to say black fellow knows better than to do such a stupid thing as that then as if made of India rubber Jimmy drew his heels in gave a spring and leap to his feet running to the side and then throwing up his arms with delight dear I'm is mass Joe turn up him under frontums like fish on hook and line for there was the monster making an effort to keep in its normal position as it swam slowly round and round but always rolling back and rising helplessly every time it tried to dive Jimmy sorry for you cried the black plenty good to eat like much muttons go down boat bring him board well I don't know about good meat blackie but we may as well have his head to boil out his jaws said the captain who was standing looking on whale lance in hand go down and put him out of his misery captain I said and take me too oh all right my lad he said laughing you may do the job if you like may I to be sure he said and I jumped down into the boat after he had lowered himself bare fashion onto one of the thwarts here send out one of the sailors said the doctor I'll go to one of the men returned to the deck looking rather glum and the doctor took his place while I sympathized with that sailor and wished that the doctor had not spoken for I felt sure that he had come down into the boat to take care of me and it made me feel young and childish but I did not show my annoyance I'm glad to say and a minute later the men gave way and the boat glided slowly toward where the shark had drifted I all the while standing up in the boughs lance in hand full of the desire to make use of it and feeling a cruel half savage sensation that it would be exceedingly pleasant to drive that man's right home now my water st. George the second cried the doctor banteringly mind you slay the sea dragon mind what you're after youngster said the captain give it him close below the gills a good dig and then draw back sharp all right I cried back to the captain for I was offended by the doctor's chaff it made me feel small before the men then recalling what I had read that a harpooner would do under such circumstances I shouted give way boys I'd have given something to have been back on board the schooner just then for a roar of laughter greeted my command and I felt that I was very young and had made myself rather ridiculous while to add to my discomforture the men obeyed my order with such energy that the boat gave a jerk and I was nearly sent back in a sitting position on the foremost man there was another laugh at this the doctor said dryly no no my lad the lance is for the shark not for us I recovered my balance without a word and planting my feet firmly wide apart remained silent and looking very red while I held my weapon ready it was an old rusty affair with a stiff pole about eight feet long and was used by the captain for killing those curious creatures which no doubt gave rise to the idea of there being such things as tritons or mermen I mean the manatees or dugongs that in those days used to swarm in the warmer waters of the eastern Australian coast keep it up my lads pole said the captain who had an oar over the stern to steer we must get back soon I thought this was because the shark which had ceased to swim round and round was now laboriously making its way with the current at the rate of pretty well two miles an hour but as the captain spoke I could see that he was scanning the horizon and I heard the doctor ask if anything was wrong looks dirty he growled and I remember wondering half laughingly whether a good shower would not wash it clean when the skipper went on gets one of them storms now and then about here now my lads with a will the water surged and rattled beneath my feet and I was forgetting my annoyance and beginning to enjoy the excitement of my ride and all the more that the shark once more stopped in its steady flight and was showing its white underparts some fifty yards away ready my lad cried the captain I'll steer you close in give it him deep and draw back sharp I nodded and held the lance ready poised as we drew nearer and nearer and I was ready with set teeth and every nerve tingling to deliver the thrust when wish splash the brute gave its tail a tremendous slash and darted away along with its back fin plowing the water and apparently as strong as ever only his flurry my lad pull away boys we'll soon have him now the men rode hard and the boat danced over the swell rising up one slope gliding down another or so it seemed to me he'll turn up the white directly cried the captain take it coolly and you'll have him I'll put you close alongside and don't you miss not I sir I shouted without turning my head for it seemed such a very easy task and away we went once more getting nearer and nearer till the back fin went out of sight came up again went out of sight the other way and then there was the shining white skin glistening in the sun there was another swirl and the shark made a fresh effort but this time it was weaker and the boat gained upon it fast now boys pull hard and when I say in oars stop and we'll run close up without scaring the beggar pull pull pull pull now in oars the men ceased rowing and the boat glided on from the impetus previously given and I was just about to deliver a thrust when the wounded creature saw its enemy and as if its strength had been renewed went off again with a dart look at that cried the captain never mind he's not going to get away we'll have him yet we seem to be getting a long way from the schooner say and I turned round upon him quite angrily oh I cried don't stop we nearly had him that time well you shall have another try my boy said the captain pull away we were going pretty fast all the time and again and again we drew near but always to be disappointed and I stamped my foot with anger as every time the brute darted off leaving us easily behind better let me have the lance Joe the doctor smiling no no I cried I must have a try now let him be growled the captain nobody couldn't have lanced him if he tried now look out lad steady boys in oars let's go up more softly that's the style we shall have him this time now you have him lad give it him deep all these words came in a low tone of voice as the boat glided nearer and nearer to where the shark was swimming slowly and waveringly to and fro and in my excitement I drew back raising the lance high and just as the monster was about to dash off in a fresh direction I threw myself forward driving the point of the lance right into the soft flesh forgetful of my instructions about a sharp thrust and return for the keen lance point must have gone right through and before I realized what was the matter I was snatched out of the boat there was a splash wondering a strangling sensation in my nostrils and throat and I was being carried down with a fierce rush into the depths of the sea end of chapter three chapter four of Banyup Land this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Katie Gibbany Banyup Land George Manville Fenn chapter four how I was not drowned and how we chased that schooner I don't remember much about that dive except that the water made a great deal of noise in my ears for the next thing that occurred seemed to be that I was lying on my back with the back of my neck aching while the doctor was pumping my arms up and down in a remarkably curious manner what's the matter I said quickly and then again in a sharp angry voice be quiet will you don't are you better youngen said the captain who seemed to be swollen and clumsy looking better? here I cried as a flash of recollection came back where's the shark floating alongside said the doctor wiping the great drops of perspiration from his forehead I pulled myself up and looked over the side where the great fish was floating quite dead with one of the sailors making fast a line in the middle of the part of the tail why I know I cried he dragged me down it was all plain enough now the captain had fitted a lanyard to the shaft of the lance so that it should not be lost and I had got this twisted round one of my wrists in such a way that I was literally snatched out of the boat when it tightened and I felt a strange kind of shutter run through me as the doctor went on to say softly I had begun to give you up Joe my boy my lad that stroke of yours finished him and he come up just in time for us to get you into the boat and pump the wind into you again least wise the doctor did the best way to restore respiration captain when you've tried my plan first my lad replied the captain what is it drowns folks a why water too much water a well my plan is to hold up head downwards and feet in the air till all the salt water has run out the surest way to kill a half-drowned person captain said the doctor authoritatively maybe it is maybe it isn't said the captain surly all I know is that I've brought lots back to life that way and rolling them on barrels I shuttered and shivered and the men laughed at my drenched aspect a breach of good manners that the captain immediately resented there make fast that shark to the ring bolt and lay hold of your oars again pull away there's a hurricane coming before long as he spoke he looked long at a dull yellow haze that seemed to be creeping toward the sun had we not better let the fish go said the doctor anxiously no I went the oil said the captain we've had trouble enough to get him and I don't mean to throw him away now my lads pull the men tugged steadily at their oars but the dead fish hung behind like a log and our progress was very slow every now and then it gave a slight quiver but that soon ceased and it hung quite passively from the cord I was leaning over the stem feeling rather dizzy and head-achey when all at once the captain shouted to me to cut shark adrift we're making too little way that schooner's too far off for my liking I drew my knife and after hauling the fish as closely as I could to the side I divided the thin line and as I did so the boat seemed to dart away from its burden it was none too soon for the yellow haze seemed to be increasing rapidly and the wind which at one minute was oppressively calm came the next in ominous hot puffs why the schooner sailing away from us cried the captain suddenly hang me if I don't believe that scoundrel of a melee has got to the helm and is taking her right away out of spite don't begin prophesying evil like that captain cried the doctor sharply here man I can pull let's take an aura piece and help I wasn't croaking growled the captain but whether or no that's good advice no no youngster you're not strong enough to pull I can row I said quickly and the captain making no farther objection we three pulled for the next half hour giving the men a good rest when they took their turn and we could see that while the haze seemed nearer the schooner was quite as far off as ever there was a curious coppery look too about the sun that made everything now look weird and unnatural even to the doctor's face which in addition looked serious to a degree I had never seen before there'll be somebody pitched overboard once I get back on deck and no boat ready to pick him up here what does he mean he stood up in the boat waving his hat to those on board the little vessel but no heed was paid and the captain ground his teeth with rage I'll let him have something for this captain there pull away men what are you stopping for the men tugged at their oars once more after glancing uneasily at each other and then at the sky if I don't give him let's get on board first captain said the doctor firmly I so we will he growled the brown skinned scoundrel that's land isn't it captain I said pointing to a low line on our left I worse luck he said worse luck captain why if we did not overtake the schooner get ashore who wants to get ashore boy that's where my schooner will be he'll run her on the reefs as sure as I'm longing for two foot of ropes end and a brown back for me I crown a piece for you my lads as soon as you get us aboard cried the doctor who had been looking uneasily at the men his words acted like magic and the oars bent while the water rattled and pattered under our bows that's the sort of fire to get up steam doctor said the captain but we shall never overtake my vessel unless something happens I'd no business to leave her and bring away my men I'm sorry captain I said deprecatingly it seems as if it were my fault not it he said kindly it was my fault lad mine all this while the mist was steadily moving down upon us and the captain was watching it with gloomy looks when his eyes were not fixed upon the schooner which kept on gliding away the doctor's face too wore a very serious look which impressed me more perhaps than the threatenings of the storm for though I knew how terrible the hurricanes were at times my experience had always been of them a shore and I was profoundly ignorant of what a typhoon might be at sea there cried the captain at last after a weary chase it's of no use my lads easy it is I shall make for the land and try to get inside one of the reefs before the storm bursts the schooner is not sailing away now I said eagerly not sailing boy why she's slipping away from us like no no you're right lad she's pull my lads pull let's get aboard that melee scoundrel has run her on the reef end of chapter 4 chapter 5 of Bunya planned this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Bunya planned by George Manville Finn chapter 5 how we found Jack Penny the captain's ideas were not quite correct certainly the little trading vessel had been run upon one of the many reefs that spread in all directions along the dangerous coast but it was not the melee who was the guilty party as far as I was concerned it seemed to me a good job for it brought the schooner to a standstill so that we could overtake it no thought occurred to me that the rocks might have knocked a hole in her bottom and that if a storm came on she would most likely go to pieces very little was said now for everyone's attention was taken up by the threatened hurricane and our efforts to reach the schooner before it should come on it was a long severe race in which we all took a turn at the oars literally rowing as it seemed to me for our lives at times it was as if we must be overtaken by the fierce black clouds in the distance beneath which there was a long misty white line seabirds kept dashing by us uttering wild cries and there was overhead an intense silence while in the distance we could hear a dull low murmuring roar that told of the coming mischief every now and then it seemed to me that we must be overtaken by the long surging line that it was now plain to see was pursuing us and I wondered whether we should be able to swim and save our lives when it came upon us with a hiss and a roar such as I had often heard when on the beach we shall never do it said one of the men who half jumped from his seat the next moment as the captain leaned forward from where he was rowing and gave him a sound box on the ears pulled you cowardly humbug he cried I knew it a set of foreigners wouldn't do it but we're Englishmen and we're going to do it if we don't it won't be our fault pull this trifling incident had its effect for the men pulled harder than ever exhausted though they were it was a struggle for life now and I knew it but somehow I did not feel frightened in the least and at the same time interested as I saw the great line of haze and foam coming on then I was listening to the dull roar which was rapidly increasing in what seemed a harsh yell louder than thunder pull my lads shouted the captain with his voice sounding strange and harsh in the awful silence around us for loud as was the roar of the storm it seemed still a far off the men pulled and then we relieved them again with the great drops gathering on our faces in the intense heat and my breath came thick and short till I felt as it were a sense of burning in my chest then I grew half blind with my eyes staring back at the wall of haze then as I felt I should die if I strained much longer at that oar I heard the captain shout in oars and I found that we were alongside the schooner and close under her lee there was just time to get on board and we were in the act of hauling up the boat when with an awful whistle and shriek the storm was upon us and we were all clinging to that which was nearest at hand now I dare say you would like me to give you a faithful account of my impressions of that storm and those of one who went through it from the time that the hurricane struck us till it passed over leaving the sky clear the sun shining and the sea heaving slowly and without a single crest I feel that I can do justice to the theme so here is my faithful description of that storm a horrid wet stifling flogging row that's all I can recollect that's all I'm sure that the doctor could recollect or the captain or anyone else we were just about drowned and stunned and when we came to ourselves it was because the storm had passed over what cheer oh shouted the captain and we poor flogged and drenched objects set up and looked about us to find that the waves had lifted the schooner off the rocks and driven her a long way out of her course that the sails that had been set were blown to ribbons and finally that the schooner with the last exception was very little the worse for the adventure she ain't made no water much said the captain after going below and here I say where's that malice scoundrel down in the cabin locked in said an ill-used voice and I rubbed the salt water out of my eyes and stared at the tall thin figure before me leaning up against the bulwark as if his long thin legs were too weak to support his long body though his head was so small that it could not have added very much weight why hello who the blue jingle or you roared the skipper the tall thin boy wrinkled up his forehead and did not answer here I say where did you spring from roared the captain the tall thin boy took one hand out of his trousers pocket with some difficulty for it was so wet that it clung and pointed down below the skipper scratched his head furiously and stared again here can't you speak you long-legged thing he cried who are you why it's jack penny I exclaimed jack who cried the captain jack penny sir his father is a squatter about ten miles from our place well but how come he I mean that tall thin chap not his father to be squatting aboard my schooner why jack I said when did you come aboard come aboard he said slowly as if it took him some time to understand what I said oh the night before you did but where have you been all the time oh down below there said jack slowly but what did you come for wanted to he said coolly if I had said so they wouldn't you wouldn't have let me come but why did you come jack I said cause I wanted he replied surely who are you that you're to have all the fun and me get none fun I said yes fun ain't you going to find your father of course I am but that got to do with fun never you mind I've come and that's all about it he said slowly and thrusting his hands back into his trousers pockets as fast as the wet clinging stuff would let him he began to whistle but it aren't all about it cried the captain and so you'll find you aren't paid no passage and I aren't going to have no liberties took within my ship at Malay chap I told you where he was didn't I snarl jackpenny are you deaf in the cabin locked in what's he doing locked in my cabin roared the captain I say are you skipper here or am I what's he doing in my cabin locked in Robin is sore head I suppose drawl jackpenny I hit him as hard as I could with one of them fence rails worked astounded at the big thin boys coolness then glanced in the direction he pointed beneath the bulwarks fence rails what do you mean one of them cap stand bars I don't know what you call him said jack I give him a regular runner on the head what for you dog here don't call me a dog or there'll be a row cried jack rising erect and standing rather shakily about five foot eleven looking like a big boy stretched to the bursting point and then made fast he was gonna kill the black fella with his knife after knocking him down I wasn't gonna stand by and see him do that was I well I suppose not said the captain who looked puzzled where is the black fella here where's jimmy down that square hole there that wouldn't well place said jack pointing to the four castle hatch he slipped down there when the yellow chap hit him look here said the captain as I made for the hatch to look after jimmy but stop a minute let's have the black up two of the men went below and dragged up poor jimmy who was quite stunned and bleeding freely from a wound on the head well that's some proof that's what you say my fine fella continued the captain as the doctor knelt down to examine poor jimmy's head and I fetched some water to bathe his face what did you do next next let me see drawl jack penny what did I do next oh I know that chap was running away with the ship and I took hold of that wheel thing and turned around just to come back to you when you kept waving your cap ah yes well what then oh the thing wanted oiling or greasing it wouldn't go properly it got stuck fast and the ship wouldn't move and then the storm came I wish you wouldn't bother so well I am blessed cried the captain staring I should have been proud to have been your father young hopeful upon my soul I should you are a cool one you are you go and run the prettiest little schooner there is along the coast upon the rocks then you have the confounded impudence to look me in the face and tell me the rudder wants greasing and it's stuck so it did cry jack penny indignantly think I don't know I heard it squeak you weren't on board the ship wouldn't move afterwards here I say which are you cried the captain a rogue or a fool I don't know said jack cooly father used to say I was a fool sometimes perhaps I am I say though if I were you I'd go tie down that yaller Malay chap in the cabin he's as vicious as an old man kangaroo in a waterhole your father's wrong my fine fella said the captain with a grim smile you aren't a fool for a fool couldn't give such good advice as that here doctor perhaps you'll lend me one of your shooting things you can get into your cabin I can't get into mine the doctor nodded and in the excitement of a time we forgot all about our drenched clothes as he went down and returned directly with his revolver and another for the captain's shoes thank you doctor said the captain grimly cocking the piece I don't want to use it and I dare say the side of it will cool our yaller friend but it's just as well to be prepared what are you coming to thought your trade was to mend holes and not make them my trade is to save life captain said the doctor quietly perhaps I shall be helpful to save life by coming down with you perhaps you will doctor here we don't want you two boys we only want to come and see I said in an ill used tone and before the doctor could speak the captain laughingly said come on and we follow them down below the men bringing up the rear armed with bars and hatchets the captain did not hesitate for a moment but went straight down to the cabin door turned the key and threw it open though all the while he knew that there was a man inside fiercer than some savage beast but had he been a little more cautious it would have saved trouble for the Malay had evidently been waiting as he heard steps and as the door was opened he made a spring dashed the doctor and captain aside over set me and as the men I reached the deck where he ran right forward then close up to the formast stood with his long knife or criss in his hand rolling his opal eyeballs and evidently prepared to strike at the first who approached that dog he's been at the spirits growled the captain fiercely confound him I could shoot him where he stands as easy as could be but I aren't like you doctor I don't like killing a man never did yet and don't want to try don't fire at him said the doctor excitedly a bullet might be fatal let us all rush at him and beat him down that's all very fine doctor said the captain but if we do someone sure to get an ugly digger too from that skewer two or three of us perhaps you want to get a few surgery jobs but I'd rather you didn't all this while the Malay stood brandishing his criss and showing his teeth at us in a mocking smile as if we were a set of the greatest cowards under the sun look here Harriet cried the captain you'd better give in we're six to one and must win give in and you shall have fair play cowards come on cowards shouted the Malay fiercely and he made a short rush from the mast and two of the hatchet were treated but the Malay only laughed fiercely and shrank back to get in shelter by the mast we shall have to rush him or shoot him said the captain rubbing his nose with pistol barrel now then you dog surrender he roared and lowering the pistol he fired at the Malay's feet the bullet splintering up the deck but the fellow only laughed mockingly we shall have to rush him growled the captain you can give him a dose of stuff doctor to keep him quiet oh yes I can give him a dose that'll keep him quiet for a couple of hours or so but who's to making take it when we treed the big old man kangaroo who ripped up Pompey Caesar and Crassus drawl Jack Penny who was looking on with his hands in his pockets I got up the tree and dropped a rope with it over his head seems to me that's what you ought to do now looky here cried the captain don't you let your father call you a fool again youngster because it's letting perhaps a respectable old man tell lies tell you what if you'll shin up the shrouds and drop a bit of a noose over his head while we keep him in play I won't say another word about your coming on board without leave oh all right I don't mind to oblige you but you must mind he don't cut it if I do you leave that to me cried the captain I'll see to that there take that thin coil there hanging on a blayin' pin the tall thin fella walked straight to the coil of thin rope shook it out and made a running noose at the end and then with an activity that surprised me who began to feel jealous that this thin weak looking fella should have proved himself more clever and thoughtful than I was he sprang into the shrouds the Malay hardly noticing evidently believing that the boy was going aloft to be safe he looked up at him once as Jack Penny settled himself at the mast head but turned his attention fiercely toward us as the captain arranged his men as if for a rush forming them into a semicircle when I say ready cried the captain all at him together the Malay heard all this and his eyes flashed and his teeth glistened as he threw himself into an attitude ready to receive his foes his body bent forward his right and left arms close to his sides and his whole frame well balanced on his legs ready cried the captain already was the reply and I was so intent on the fierce live savage that I forgot all about Jack Penny till I heard the men answer there was a whizzing noise of a rope thrown swiftly and in an instant a ring had passed over the Malay's body which was snatched tight pinioning his arms to his side and Jack Penny came down with a rush on the other side of the four yard drawing the savage a few feet from the deck where he swung helplessly and before he could recover himself he had been seized, disarmed and was lying bound upon the deck I didn't mean to come down so fast as that and draw Jack rubbing his back I've hurt myself a bit then we'll rub you cried the captain joyously by George my boy you're a regular two yards of Trump the excitement of the encounter with the Malay being over there was time to see to poor Jimmy who was found to be suffering from a very severe cut on the head one of so serious a nature that for some time the poor fellow lay insensible but the effect of bathing and bandaging his wound was to make him open his eyes at last and stare round for some moments before he seemed to understand where he was then recollection came back and he grinned at me and the doctor the next moment a grim look of rage came over his countenance and springing up he rushed to where the Malay was lying upon the deck under the bulwarks and gave him a furious kick bad brown fellow he shouted good for nothing every utterance of the word yep was accompanied by a kick and the result was that the Malay snatched his criss from where he had been thrown on the head of a cask and striking left and right made his way aft master of the deck once more well that's nice growled the captain I thought them knots wouldn't hold drawl jackpenny he's been wriggling and twisting his arms and legs about ever since he lay there I thought he'd get away then why didn't you say so great long jointed two foot rule roared the captain here now then all together I'm skipper here rushing my lads never mind his skewer the captain's words seem to electrify his little crew and I venture to say his passengers as well everyone seized some weapon and headed by the skipper we charged down upon the savage as he stood brandishing his weapon to it fast watchful as a tiger for some moments and then made a dash at our extreme left where jackpenny and I were standing and I had no doubt that he would have cut his way through to our cost but for a quick motion of the captain who struck out with his left hand hitting the Malay full on the cheek the man made a convulsive spring and fell back on the edge of the bulwarks where he seemed to give and then before a hand could reach him there was a loud splash and he had disappeared in the sea we all rushed to the side but the water was thick from the effects of the storm and we could not for a few moments make out anything then all at once the swarthy convulsed face of the man appeared above the wave and he began to swim towards the side yelling for help I said the skipper smiling that's about to put him out nothing like cold water for squinching fire I yep, I yep shouted jimmy who forgot his wound and danced up and down holding on by the bulwarks his shining black face looking exceedingly comic with a broad bandage of white linen across his brow I yep, I yep he shouted fun yet double sharp coming bite him legs help shriek the Malay piteous tones as he swam on clutching at the slippery sides of the schooner help growl the captain what for? here you, let me have that there Chris hitch it on that cord as he spoke the captain through the thin line with which the Malay had been bound the poor rich snatching at it frantically but as he did so it was pulled away from his despairing clutch I could noose him drawl jack penny, cooling you often caught father's rams like that yes, but your father's rams hadn't got knives said the captain grimly no, but they got horned said jack quietly ain't gonna drown him are ya not I boy he'll drown himself if we leave him alone I don't like to see fellas drown said jack and he left the bulwarks and sat down on the hatch way edge tell a fellow when it's all over Joe Carr Stairs help help came horsely from the poor rich and my hands grew wet inside and a horrible sensation seemed to be attacking my chest as I watched the struggles of the drowning man with starting eyes for though he swam like a fish the horror of his situation seemed to have unnerved him and while he kept on swimming it was with quick wearying effort and he was sinking by minute lower in the water for heaven's sake throw the poor wretch a rope captain said the doctor what to come aboard and knife some of us growled the captain better let him drown plenty of better ones than him to be had for a pound a month oh captain I cried indignantly for my feelings were too much for me and I seized the rope just as the Malay went down to the shriek let that rope alone boys said the skipper with a grim smile there he's come up again catch hold he cried and he threw his line so the Malay could seize it which he did winding it round and round one arm while the slowly sailing schooner dragged him along through the sea I'm only giving him a regular good squintcher doctor I don't want him aboard with the spark left in him to break out again we've had enough of that haul him aboard lads and shove him in the chain locker to get dry we'll set him ashore first chance the Malay was hauled aboard with no very gentle hands by the white sailors and as soon as he reached the deck he began crawling to the captain's feet to which he clung with gesture after gesture full of humility as he talked excitedly in a jargon of broken English and Malay that's what I don't like and these fellas said Jack Penny quietly they're either all bubble or else all squeak yes he's about squinched now squire said the captain here shove him under hatches and it's lucky for you I'm not in a hanging humor today you better behave yourself or you may be brought up again someday when I am as the captain spoke to the he made a noose in the rope he held manipulating it as if he were really going to hang the abject creature in whom the fire of rage had quite become extinct then the sailors took hold of him and he uttered a despairing shriek but he cooled down as he found that he was only to be made a prisoner and was thrust below with Jimmy dancing a war dance round him as he went the said dance consisting of bounds from the deck and wavings of his wadi above his head as the Malay was secured Jack Penny rose from his seat and walked to the side of the vessel to spit into the water with every sign of disgust upon his face yeah he said I wouldn't squeak like that not if they hung me well let's see cried the captain catching him by the collar hanging as a punishment for stowaways my fine fella Jack giving himself a sort of squirm and shaking himself free you ain't going to scare me besides you know what you said I say though when are we going to have something to eat the captain stared at Jack's serious face for a few moments and then he joined with the doctor and me in a hearty laugh I don't well understand you yet my fine fellow he said perhaps I shall though a four I've done here come down you do look as if a little wholesome vitals would do you good are you hungry then hungry said Jack without a draw and he gave his teeth a nash why I ain't had nothing but some damper and a bottle of water since I came on board end of chapter 5 how we found Jack Penny Chapter 6 of Bunyip Land this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Bunyip Land by George Manville-Finn Chapter 6 how Jimmy was frightened by the Bunyip oh I don't know that I've got any more to say about it said Jack Penny to me as we sat next day in the vows of the schooner with our legs dangling over the side I heard all about your going and there was nothing to do at home now so I said to myself that I'd go and here I am yes you are I said but you don't mean to tell me that you intended to go up the country with us yes I do he said nonsense Jack it is impossible I said warmly I say well New Guinea don't belong to you does it why of course not oh I thought perhaps you'd bought it don't talk nonsense Jack since then and don't you be so crusty if I like to land in New Guinea and take a walk through the country it's as free for me as it is for you isn't it of course it is then just you hold your tongue Mr. Joe car stairs and if you don't like to walk along with me you can walk by yourself and what provisions have you made for the journey I said oh I'm all right my lad he drawled father lent me his revolver and I've got my double gun and a lot of shot anything else oh I've got my knife and a bit of string and two fishing lines and a lot of hooks and I brought my pipe and my juice harp and I think that's all I'm glad you brought your juice harp I said ironically so am I he said dryly yeah I know you're grinning at me but a juice harp ain't a bad thing when you're lonely like all by yourself keeping sheep and nobody to speak to for a week together but Jim I say Joe I brought Jim he added with a smile that made his face look quite pleasant what your dog I cried yes he's all snug down below and he hasn't made a sound he don't like it but if I tell him to do a thing he knows he's obliged to do it I say I wonder what the captain will say if he knows you've got a dog on board I shan't tell him and if he don't find it out I shall pay him for Jim's passage just the same as I shall pay him for mine he's got lots of money and I hit on board to save trouble I ain't a cheat no I never thought you were Jack I said for I had known him some years and once or twice I had been fishing with him though we were never companions but it's all nonsense about your going with us the doctor said this morning that the notion was absurd let him mind his salt since Senate and Jollips had Jack sharply who's he I should like to know I knowed your father as much as he did he's given me many sixpence for birds eggs and beetles and snakes I've got for him soon as I heard you were going to find him I says to father I'm going to and what did your father say said I was a fool ah of course I exclaimed no it ain't ah of course Mr. Clever he cried father always says that to me whatever I do but he's very fond of me all the same just then the captain came forward with his glass under his arm and his hands down in his pockets he walked with his legs very wide apart and stopped short before us his straw hat tilted right over his nose and seesawing himself backwards and forwards on his toes and heels you're a nice young man aren't you now he said to Jack no I'm only a boy yet said Jack quietly well you're a tall enough to be a man anyhow what's your height five foot eleven said Jack and how old are you next November said Jack huh said the captain there how much is it said Jack thrusting his hand in his pocket I'll pay now and have done with it pay what? my passage money oh said the captain quietly I see well I think we better settle that by and by when you bring in claim for salvage the captain pronounced it savage and Jack stared what savage he said do you mean Joe Carstairs' black fellow do I mean Joe Carstairs' grandmother boy I didn't say savage I said salvage saving of the ship from pirates oh I see what you mean replied Jack I shan't bring any claim I knew that Malay chap wasn't doing right and I stopped him that's all well we won't say any more about stowing away then said the captain had plenty to eat this morning oh yes I'm better now draw Jack I was real bad yesterday and never felt so hollow before the captain nodded and went back while Jack turned to me and nodding his head said slowly I like the captain now let's go and see how your black fellow's head is Jimmy was lying under a bit of awning rigged up with a scrap of the storm torn sail and as soon as he saw us his white teeth flashed out in the light well Jimmy how are you I said as Jack Penny stood bending down over him and swaying gently to and fro as if he had hinges in his back Jimmy better much better got big fly in him head big bunyup fly all buzz buzz round round buzz in him head fetch doctor take him out here doctor I shouted and he came up Jimmy has got a fly in his head a bee in his bonnet you mean bending down and laying his hands on the black's temples take him out said Jimmy excitedly buzz buzz bunyup fly yes I'll take it out Jimmy slightly but not today when take him out cried the black eagerly buzz buzz keep buzz tomorrow or next day here lies still and I'll get your head ready for the operation the preparation consisted in applying a thick cloth soaked in spirits and water to the feverish head the evaporation in the hot climate producing a delicious sense of coolness which made Jimmy say softly fly gone sleep now and he closed his eyes dreaming to be asleep till the doctor had gone back to his seat on the deck where he was studying a chart of the great island we were running for but as soon as he was out of hearing Jimmy opened first one eye and then another and then in a whisper he gently took up his wadi no tell doctor no tell captain fellow Jimmy go knock brown fellow head flap tonight what I cried he no good brown fellow knock head off overboard what does he say he's going to knock that Malay chups head off drawl jack yes Jimmy knock him head flap you dare to touch him Jimmy I said and I'll send you back home Jimmy not knock him head flap he said staring no you're not to touch him Maz Joe gone mad brown fellow kill all a man Jimmy kill him you are not to touch him I said and now go to sleep Jimmy lifted up his head and looked at me then he banged it down upon his pillow which was one of those gooseberry shaped rope nets stuffed full of oakum and called a fender while we went forward once more to talk to the doctor about his chart for Jack Penny was comporting himself exactly as if he had become one of the party though I had made up my mind that he was to go back with the captain when we were set ashore all the same at Jack Penny's urgent request I joined him in the act of keeping the presence of the other passenger a secret I mean Jip the dog to whom I was stealthily introduced by Jack down in a very evil smelling part of the hold and for whom I saved scraps of meat and bits of fish from my dinner every day the introduction was as follows on the part of Jack Jip old man this is Joe Carstairs give him your paw it was very dark but I was just able to make out a pair of fiery eyes and an exceedingly shaggy curly head I found afterwards that Jip's papa had been an Irish water spaniel and his mama some large kind of hound and Jack informed me that Jip was a much bigger dog than his mama then a rough scratchy paw was dabbed on my hand and directly after my fingers were wiped by a hot moist tongue at the same time there was a whimpering noise and though I did not know it then I had made one of the ugliest ones I ever had the days glided by and we progressed very slowly for the weather fell calm after the typhoon and often for 24 hours together we did nothing but drift about with the current the weather being so hot that we were glad to sit under the shade of a sail the doctor quite took to Jack Penny saying that he was an oddity but not a bad fellow I began to like him better myself though he did nothing to try and win my liking being very quiet and distant with us both and watching us suspiciously as if he thought we were always making plots to get rid of him and thwart his plans Jip had remained undiscovered the poor brute lying as quiet as a mouse except when Jack Penny and I went down to feed him when he expressed his emotion by wrapping the planks hard with his tail at last the captain who had been taking observations tapped me on the shoulder one hot midday and said there squire we shall see most tomorrow before this time and I hope the first thing you set eyes on will be your father waving his old hat to us to take him off just then Jimmy who's wound had healed rapidly and who had forgotten all about the big bunyup fly buzzing in his head suddenly popped his face above the hatchway with his eyes starting his hair looking more shaggy than usual and his teeth chattering with horror he leaped up on the deck and began striking it with a great knob of his wadi shouting after every blow devil devil big bunyup devil Jimmy see big bunyup down slow here youngster fetch my revolver shouted the captain to me here doctor get out your gun that Malay chaps loose again I know I know I know yelled Jimmy banging at the deck big bunyup no brown fellow big black bunyup devil devil get out you black idiot it's the Malay I know I know black bunyup gunny black fellow down slow to my astonishment long quiet Jack penny went up to Jimmy and gave him a tremendous kick to which the black would have responded by a blow with his war club had I not interposed what did you kick him for Jack I cried a great scuffle headed black fool he'll let it out now about jib make him be quiet it was too late now for the captain and the doctor were at the hatchway descending in spite of Jimmy's shouts and cries that the big bunyup the great typical demon of the Australian Aborigine would eat them shoot him shoot him bing bang what went Jimmy's wadi on the deck and in dread laced they should fire at the unfortunate dog in the dark I went up and told the captain the result being that jib was called up on deck and the great beast nearly went mad with delight racing about and fawning on his master in me and ending by crouching down at my feet with his tongue lulling out panting and blinking his eyes unaccustomed to the glare of daylight you're in this game then a master car stairs said the captain well yes sir Penny here took me into his confidence about having brought the dog and of course I could not say a word huh nice game to have with me upon my word you're a pretty penny you are young man he added turning to Jack I ought to toss you overboard I wish you wouldn't make such a fuss the captain muttered something about double-jointed yard measures and went forward without another word while jib selected a nice warm place on the deck and lay down to bask on his side but not until he had followed Jimmy up the port side and back along the starboard sniffing his black legs while that worthy backed from him holding his wadi ready to strike coming to me afterwards with a look upon his noble savage brow and with an extra twist to his broad nose to say Jimmy know all time only a big ugly dog not bunny up tall End of Chapter 6