The Boy Fortune Hunters in the South Seas

Meantime a semblance of order had been restored to the ship. From being in the depths of despair our passengers were now elated with hope. They paid little heed to the fact that water was pouring into our hold as fast as the engines could pump it out, for having escaped the more tangible dangers of Faytan they believed our luck had changed and all would now be well with us.

Our men realized the situation and wore grave looks. But Lucia pounded the piano and sang her Spanish songs; Señor de Jiminez resumed his writing of the speech to be delivered before the Colombian Congress, and Madam de Alcantara dressed herself in her most gorgeous robes and declared she had enjoyed her recent adventure except for a sad attack of “nerves.”

Joe and I made a list of the pearls we had secured at Faytan, including those rifled from the dead bodies of our enemies. They made so large a collection and were of such extraordinary size and color that we knew they would sell for an immense sum in America. All of our men were to participate in the “prize money,” for all had helped to earn it.

Joe, however, was richer in pearls than all the rest of us. When left by Lucia at the Pearl City he had easily made his way unobserved to the temple and crept through the window into our old room. Here he remained quietly secreted for a time, but the silence throughout the great building was so profound that he ventured to explore some of the passages that were unknown to him. One of them led him to the inner shrine of the temple, where an ugly image of the Pearl God was installed. At the feet of this deity had been placed the most splendid pearls found by the Faytans for many generations past, and Joe calmly filled the folds of his loin cloth as full as they would hold of the choicest gems.

At that moment he was discovered by an attendant, who raised a hue and cry just as the king was returning from the bay at the head of his people, all heartily disgusted by my escape. Joe managed to leap from the window and speed away before the Faytans fully recovered from their astonishment, and then began the race which I had ended by taking Joe aboard the airship.

Next to Joe’s splendid pearls, the value of which would make any man rich, however greedy he might be, my own string of gems, presented me by Attero, was of prime importance. Tiffany has since valued them at forty thousand dollars, but I will not part with them. I liked Attero and have always regretted that Joe had to kill him.

CHAPTER XX
KING BRYONIA

When we sighted Tuamotu it occurred to us that the most important person in our company was now our cook Bryonia—or rather Louiki, as he was called by his people. We had to depend upon the hospitality of these natives for some time to come; or until we had fully repaired the leaks in the Seagull for the long voyage still before us. Therefore we held a consultation and decided to appoint Bry to the temporary office of High Admiral, and to defer to him most respectfully while we lay at the island. For if his people found their chief occupying a menial position they might lose respect for him, and cause us a lot of trouble, whereas if he arrived clothed with grandeur and power his prestige would be increased. Nux also must be an important personage, for he was the chief’s cousin and close comrade. It was all explained to our passengers and crew, and so popular were the two faithful blacks that every one entered into the spirit of the deception with glee, expecting much amusement as the result.

Tuamotu we found a beautiful island, finely wooded, with a range of mountains in the center, and altogether somewhat larger than was Faytan. As Bry had declared, there was a fine harbor, with a shelving beach upon which we proposed to run the Seagull at high tide, so as to get at her leaks most conveniently.

As we entered this harbor on a bright, sunny morning we found the shore thickly clustered with natives, all as black as the ace of spades. They were not, as a class, so intelligent looking as the Faytans; neither were they so big and powerful of frame; but comparing them with other South Sea Islanders I must admit they were vastly superior to the general run. There was little ferocity about them, although I know they can fight and are brave and sturdy warriors. Just now they were merely curious and excited, for ours was the first ship but one to anchor in their bay. We had made a brave display of bunting and flags, and when we dropped anchor and furled our sails we fired a single shot from the bow by way of salute.

After many conferences with Bry we had decided upon our course of action, so at once the gig was lowered and manned by a chosen crew, while Bry and Nux, arrayed in their best gray and gold uniforms, gravely descended the ladder and took their seats in the stern. I most admit they moved with admirable dignity, and their great size lent them an impressive appearance. No one but us could know that the uniforms were those of servants.

They were received in silence when first they landed, but then we saw Bry stand before his people and begin a speech, and presently a shout arose so prolonged and loud that it was fairly deafening. Those nearest Bry fell on their knees and tried to kiss his feet, while those on the outskirts leaped about, performing antics of joy. Then a tall native advanced and folded Bry in a cordial embrace, afterward embracing Nux in like manner.

We knew then that our men had been recognized and loyally welcomed home. A procession was formed to the village on the hill, and Bry and Nux marched ahead of it while the shouts and gambols continued unabated. The ship seemed no longer the center of interest to the natives, although scattered bands of them soon began to saunter back to the shore to gaze upon the unusual spectacle.

Much entertained by the reception and satisfied that our black friends were having a good time, we patiently awaited their return, listening the while to the monotonous “chug-chug” of the pumps as they drove out the water that persistently rushed into the hold.

After a couple of hours the procession reappeared, Bry and Nux again at the head. They marched down to the shore and while the chief and his cousin reëntered the gig, accompanied by two other blacks, three canoe loads of favored individuals clung to their wake and followed them to the ship as invited guests. At a respectful distance a swarm of other canoes came toward us, but they kept their distance from the ship and had no disposition to intrude.

We received the visitors with great ceremony. Nux told us that the tall black—he who had first embraced them—was his own brother. When the old chief, Bry’s father, had passed away, this man became the successor to the rule of the island, as all thought that the legitimate heir, Louiki, had perished in the battle with the Faytans. So Nux’s brother had been chief until Bry’s return when, being a good fellow at heart, he welcomed the long lost one and gladly resigned the royal office in his favor.

In this party were the principal men and officials of the island, and Bry showed them all over “his” ship, afterward giving them a plentiful feast in the main cabin. Joe and I waited upon them, and it was fun to see Bry at one end of the table and Nux at the other, posing as the ruling spirits of the Seagull. My father and Uncle Naboth kept out of sight, as did all our passengers, although Alfonso and Lucia hid on deck and looked through the cabin windows at the savage feasters. The natives of Tuamotu were duly impressed by the magnificent surroundings of their chief, and when, he told them his ship needed repairs and tinkering they gladly volunteered to render him every assistance in their power.

So his Majesty dismissed them and sent them back to land, and when they were gone he put on his apron and cooked our dinner.

At five o’clock it was high tide, so we ran the Seagull as far upon the sandy beach as she would go, using the engines to propel her, and then the natives swarmed into the water and braced her sides securely with long poles. As the tide receded it left us high and dry, and by daybreak our men were able to begin work. They found several planks badly sprung and one gaping hole torn in the bottom by the sharp rocks as we slid into the sea during the earthquake at Faytan. It would take several days to repair the damage, because we could only work part of the time, while the tide was out.

Meantime, we were entertained by Bry in the chief’s house. It was the best in the village, or on the island, but made of logs with a palm thatched roof and far inferior in all ways to the houses of Faytan. Bry gave us a native repast, consisting mainly of roast goat and cheese, with a variety of delicious fruits. There was constant feasting and a succession of dances and ceremonies in honor of the chief’s return, and I was curious to know how all this would affect Bry, and whether he would leave us to rule over his native island, or not.

But when the repairs were completed Bry announced his intention of sailing with us.

“Allola, who is the brother of Nux, will make my people a good chief,” he said, “and my life with you has spoiled me to be now an ignorant islander. I could not be contented here any more; so I will go with you, and stay with you always.”

There had never been any question about Nux. He had always said he preferred the life on our ship to being a big man in Tuamotu.

All being ready, hundreds of natives waded into the water at high tide and by sheer force of numbers pushed the Seagull off the sands till she floated. This operation was assisted by our propeller, but we could not have moved the heavy ship without the aid of Bry’s subjects.

The chief held a final farewell celebration, and distributed among his people many beads and trinkets, a stock of which we always carried with us. Then, amid the shouts of the multitude, who were all really sorry to see us go, we started our engines, whistled three times and fired a gun, and steamed out of the hospitable harbor.

The voyage to Colombia was without important event. We soon got upon our course again and encountered no more bad weather.

But at our destination Señor de Jiminez received some startling news. The revolution had, by a clever coup, overthrown the unpopular government and won without bloodshed. As De Jiminez did not happen to be present, another patriot was elected to the presidency, and was doing his duty ably when we arrived.

So the feelings of young Alfonso and his father were a combination of both joy and sadness; but the joy predominated when they were greeted enthusiastically by their political friends and De Jiminez was publicly thanked for his services to his party.

We were able to unload the guns and ammunition without danger, after which we settled our accounts in a satisfactory manner with the revolutionists, who recognized all of De Jiminez’ obligations. Then, being once more the legal owners of the Seagull, we bade good-bye to our passengers, who had shared with us the dangerous adventure at Faytan, and steamed northward toward San Francisco.

I noticed that Joe and Lucia exchanged rings, and overheard him promise to see her again. I wonder if he ever will?

Good Books for Boys
The Boy Fortune Hunters Series

By FLOYD AKERS

The Boy Fortune Hunters in Alaska

The Boy Fortune Hunters in Panama

The Boy Fortune Hunters in Egypt

The Boy Fortune Hunters in China

The Boy Fortune Hunters in Yucatan

The Boy Fortune Hunters in the South Seas

Mr. Akers, in these new books, has at a single bound taken front rank as a writer for boys. The stories are full of adventure, yet clean, bright and up-to-date. The first volume tells of the exciting scenes in the early days of the Alaskan gold fields. The next book takes “The Boy Fortune Hunters” to the “Canal Zone,” and the third story is filled with stirring incidents in a trip through Egypt. The fourth book relates exciting adventures in the Flowery Kingdom, and the fifth and sixth stories detail further adventures in Yucatan and among the South Sea Islands.

Illustrated 12mos. Uniform cloth binding, stamped in three colors. Stunning colored wrapper.

Price 60 cents each

The Aeroplane Boys Series
By ASHTON LAMAR

I IN THE CLOUDS FOR UNCLE SAM

Or, Mersy Marshall of the Signal Corps.

II THE STOLEN AEROPLANE

Or, How Bud Wilson Made Good.

III THE AEROPLANE EXPRESS

Or, The Boy Aeronauts’s Grit.

IV THE BOY AERONAUTS’ CLUB

Or, Flying For Fun.

V A CRUISE IN THE SKY

Or, The Legend of the Great Pink Pearl.

VI BATTLING THE BIG HORN

Or, The Aeroplane in the Rockies.

OTHER TITLES TO FOLLOW

These stories are the newest and most up-to-date. All aeroplane details are correct. Fully illustrated. Colored frontispiece. Cloth, 12mos. Price, 60 cents each.

The Airship Boys Series
By H. L. SAYLER

I THE AIRSHIP BOYS

Or, The Quest of the Aztec Treasure.

II THE AIRSHIP BOYS ADRIFT

Or, Saved by an Aeroplane.

III THE AIRSHIP BOYS DUE NORTH

Or, By Balloon to the Pole.

IV THE AIRSHIP BOYS IN THE BARREN LANDS

Or, The Secret of the White Eskimos.

V THE AIRSHIP BOYS IN FINANCE

Or, The Flight of the Flying Cow.

VI THE AIRSHIP BOYS’ OCEAN FLYER

Or, New York to London in Twelve Hours.

These thrilling stories deal with the wonderful new science aerial navigation. Every boy will be interested and instructed by reading them. Illustrated. Cloth binding. Price, $1.00 each.

The above books are sold everywhere or will be sent
postpaid on receipt of price by the

Publishers The Reilly & Britton Co. Chicago
Complete catalog sent, postpaid on request

Every Boy Wants
School-Fellow Days

Designed by
Clara Powers Wilson

A record book suitable for boys of the upper grammar grades, through high school, preparatory school and military academy. Striking illustrations, printed in two colors on specially made, tinted paper with good writing surface.

No. 9. Buckram Edition

Bound in fancy buckram with clever and appropriate cover design, in three colors and gold. Large 8vo. 192 pages. Handsomely boxed. Price $1.25

No. 10. Schoolmates Edition

Swiss Velvet Ooze. Silk marker. Striking box. Price $2.00

MY GOLDEN SCHOOL DAYS. For school boys of all ages—with places and departments for every important item of interest—and containing appropriate verses and poems. Printed in three delicate colors on specially made gray paper. Symbolical cover in two colors and gold. Small 8vo. 100 pages—each decorated. Attractively boxed. List Price, $0.60

Sold Wherever Books Are Sold
Complete catalog, postpaid, on request

Transcriber’s Notes

• Copyright notice provided as in the original—this e-text is public domain in the country of publication.
• Silently corrected palpable typos; left non-standard spellings and dialect unchanged.
• In the text versions, delimited italics text in _underscores_ (the HTML version reproduces the font form of the printed book.)