the monster men(魔鬼一样的人)-第3节
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had its source in a cold spring in the higher land at the island's center。
Here it was that the Ithaca came to anchor in a little harbor； while her crew
under von Horn； and the Malay first mate； Bududreen； accompanied
Professor Maxon in search of a suitable location for a permanent camp。
The cook； a harmless old Chinaman； and Virginia were left in sole
possession of the Ithaca。
Two hours after the departure of the men into the jungle Virginia heard
the fall of axes on timber and knew that the site of her future home had
been chosen and the work of clearing begun。 She sat musing on the
strange freak which had prompted her father to bury them in this savage
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corner of the globe； and as she pondered there came a wistful expression
to her eyes； and an unwonted sadness drooped the corners of her mouth。
Of a sudden she realized how wide had become the gulf between them
now。 So imperceptibly had it grown since those three horrid days in
Ithaca just prior to their departure for what was to have been but a few
months' cruise that she had not until now comprehended that the old
relations of open； good…fellowship had gone； possibly forever。
Had she needed proof of the truth of her sad discovery it had been
enough to point to the single fact that her father had brought her here to
this little island without making the slightest attempt to explain the nature
of his expedition。 She had gleaned enough from von Horn to understand
that some important scientific experiments were to be undertaken； but
what their nature she could not imagine； for she had not the slightest
conception of the success that had crowned her father's last experiment at
Ithaca； although she had for years known of his keen interest in the
subject。
The girl became aware also of other subtle changes in her father。 He
had long since ceased to be the jovial； carefree companion who had shared
with her her every girlish joy and sorrow and in whom she had confided
both the trivial and momentous secrets of her childhood。 He had become
not exactly morose； but rather moody and absorbed； so that she had of late
never found an opportunity for the cozy chats that had formerly meant so
much to them both。 There had been too； recently； a strange lack of
consideration for herself that had wounded her more than she had
imagined。 Today there had been a glaring example of it in his having left
her alone upon the boat without a single European companionsomething
that he would never have thought of doing a few months before。
As she sat speculating on the strange change which had come over her
father her eyes had wandered aimlessly along the harbor's entrance； the
low reef that protected it from the sea； and the point of land to the south；
that projected far out into the strait like a gigantic index finger pointing
toward the mainland； the foliage covered heights of which were just
visible above the western horizon。
Presently her attention was arrested by a tossing speck far out upon the
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THE MONSTER MEN
rolling bosom of the strait。 For some time the girl watched the object
until at length it resolved itself into a boat moving head on toward the
island。 Later she saw that it was long and low； propelled by a single sail
and many oars； and that it carried quite a company。
Thinking it but a native trading boat； so many of which ply the
southern seas； Virginia viewed its approach with but idle curiosity。 When
it had come to within half a mile of the anchorage of the Ithaca； and was
about to enter the mouth of the harbor Sing Lee's eyes chanced to fall
upon it。 On the instant the old Chinaman was electrified into sudden and
astounding action。
〃Klick！ Klick！〃 he cried； running toward Virginia。 〃Go b'low； klick。〃
〃Why should I go below； Sing？〃 queried the girl； amazed by the
demeanor of the cook。
〃Klick！ Klick！〃 he urged grasping her by the armhalf leading； half
dragging her toward the companion…way。 〃Plilates！ Mlalay plilates
Dyak plilates。〃
〃Pirates！〃 gasped Virginia。 〃Oh Sing； what can we do？〃
〃You go b'low。 Mebbyso Sing flighten 'em。 Shoot cannon。 Bling
help。 Maxon come klick。 Bling men。 Chase'm 'way；〃 explained the
Chinaman。 〃But plilates see 'em pletty white girl；〃 he shrugged his
shoulders and shook his head dubiously； 〃then old Sing no can flighten 'em
'way。〃
The girl shuddered； and crouching close behind Sing hurried below。
A moment later she heard the boom of the old brass six pounder which for
many years had graced the Ithaca's stern。 In the bow Professor Maxon
had mounted a modern machine gun； but this was quite beyond Sing's
simple gunnery。 The Chinaman had not taken the time to sight the
ancient weapon carefully； but a gleeful smile lit his wrinkled； yellow face
as he saw the splash of the ball where it struck the water almost at the side
of the prahu。
Sing realized that the boat might contain friendly natives； but he had
cruised these waters too many years to take chances。 Better kill a hundred
friends； he thought； than be captured by a single pirate。
At the shot the prahu slowed up； and a volley of musketry from her
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crew satisfied Sing that he had made no mistake in classifying her。 Her
fire fell short as did the ball from the small cannon mounted in her bow。
Virginia was watching the prahu from one of the cabin ports。 She
saw the momentary hesitation and confusion which followed Sing's first
shot； and then to her dismay she saw the rowers bend to their oars again
and the prahu move swiftly in the direction of the Ithaca。
It was apparent that the pirates had perceived the almost defenseless
condition of the schooner。 In a few minutes they would be swarming the
deck； for poor old Sing would be entirely helpless to repel them。 If Dr。
von Horn were only there； thought the distracted girl。 With the machine
gun alone he might keep them off。
At the thought of the machine gun a sudden resolve gripped her。
Why not man it herself？ Von Horn had explained its mechanism to her in
detail； and on one occasion had allowed her to operate it on the voyage
from Singapore。 With the thought came action。 Running to the
magazine she snatched up a feed…belt； and in another moment was on deck
beside the astonished Sing。
The pirates were skimming rapidly across the smooth waters of the
harbor； answering Sing's harmless shots with yells of derision and wild；
savage war cries。 There were； perhaps； fifty Dyaks and Malaysfierce；
barbaric men； mostly naked to the waist； or with war… coats of brilliant
colors。 The savage headdress of the Dyaks； the long； narrow； decorated
shields； the flashing blades of parang and kris sent a shudder through the
girl； so close they seemed beneath the schooner's side。
〃What do？ What do？〃 cried Sing in consternation。 〃Go b'low。
Klick！〃 But before he had finished his exhortation Virginia was racing
toward the bow where the machine gun was mounted。 Tearing the cover
from it she swung the muzzle toward the pirate prahu； which by now was
nearly within range above the vessel's side a moment more and she
would be too close to use the weapon upon the pirates。
Virginia was quick to perceive the necessity for haste； while the pirates
at the same instant realized the menace of the new danger which
confronted them。 A score of muskets belched forth their missiles at
