Middy and Ensign Part 56

HOW ALI BROUGHT NEWS, AND WAS NOT BELIEVED.

There was plenty of excitement on board the steamer, as the falls were hooked on and the light gig was run up to the davits, the boat then being swung on board; and as lights were brought, the body of the man they had tried to save was laid upon the deck.

"Why, it's a n.i.g.g.e.r!" exclaimed Bob Roberts; and then, with a cry of horror, "Oh, Mr Johnson, it's old Ali! Here, quick! help, brandy! Oh, he's dead! he's dead!"

"No, he aren't, sir," said d.i.c.k gruffly; "leastwise, I don't think so."

"Carry him into the cabin," said Lieutenant Johnson sharply; and this being done, the poor fellow was stripped, briskly rubbed, and the customary plans adopted to restore respiration, Bob Roberts eagerly taking his turn, till, to his delight, as he watched Ali's arms being worked up and down, so as to empty and fill his chest, there was a faint flutter, a sigh, and the doubts as to the young Malay's life being spared were at an end.

"Hooray!" cried Bob, who was only in his s.h.i.+rt and trousers, his collar open, and his sleeves rolled right up to his shoulders. "Hooray!" he cried; and forgetting all his dignity as second officer in command of Her Majesty's s.h.i.+p, he indulged in a kind of triumphal dance, which ended with a flop, caused by his bringing one foot down flat on the cabin floor.

"I think that will do, Mr Roberts," said the lieutenant quietly; and Bob coloured up and looked confused.

"I felt so delighted, sir, to see the poor old chap better," he stammered.

"So I see," said the lieutenant. "There, put on your jacket, and give the men a gla.s.s of grog apiece for what they have done towards saving our friend here. d.i.c.k, there, has pretty well rubbed his skin off."

"Well, sir," said d.i.c.k in an ill-used tone, "I rubbed as hard as ever I could."

"That you did, d.i.c.k," said the middy.

"And he is coming to, sir," continued d.i.c.k.

"Yes," said the lieutenant, "a good sleep will set him right, I think.

It is a pity the doctor has gone on the expedition; but we must do the best we can."

"Expedition!" said Bob sharply, "of course; but I thought Ali here had gone. He was going. Oh, I know; he has stopped behind because Tom Long and I were not going."

"Very likely," said the lieutenant drily; "but had you not better see about the men's refreshment?"

"Oh! yes, sir; of course," said Bob, hurrying on his light jacket; and d.i.c.k and a couple of men, who had been helping, followed him out of the cabin, smiling and wiping their lips in antic.i.p.ation of the promised drink.

They had hardly left the cabin when Ali opened his eyes, and lay gazing up at the ceiling, then, in a curious, puzzled way, at the light, his mind struggling to recover itself and master his confusion.

A sigh and a few muttered words took the lieutenant to his side; and on seeing him Ali started, and said something to him in the Malay tongue.

"Are you better?" said the lieutenant kindly.

"Better?" he said, "better? Where am I? what place is this?"

"You are on board the steamer. We found you drowning in the river."

Ali clasped his forehead with his hands for a few moments, and then all seemed to come back like a flood.

"Yes," he said hoa.r.s.ely, "I know now. I was swimming to the island."

"I see; and you were swept away," said the lieutenant kindly. "I think you had better lie down, and have a good sleep," he continued, as the young man struggled up.

"No, no!" cried Ali excitedly. "I recollect all now. Quick! call your men; there is great danger!"

"Come, come," said the lieutenant gently, "calm yourself. Try and sleep."

He laid his hand firmly on the young man's arm, but Ali caught his wrist.

"What, do you think," he cried, "that I am speaking no sense?"

"Well," said the lieutenant, smiling, "I think you are excited and ill."

"No, no," cried Ali. "Give me clothes; I will fight for you. There is danger!"

"Nonsense!" said the lieutenant. "There, lie down; and Roberts, your friend, you know, shall come and sit with you."

"Oh, listen to me!" cried Ali piteously. "I am not as you think. I swam off to warn you. Hamet has got half your men away by treachery. I am sure they are going to attack you. Quick! get ready; there is great, great danger! Give me clothes, and I'll fight for you!"

As he spoke excitedly, Bob Roberts entered the cabin, and stood listening.

"Come and speak to him, Roberts," said the lieutenant quietly. "Poor fellow! he is overdone, and it has flown to his head."

"Ah! You here?" cried Ali joyfully. "He will not believe me, Bob.

Listen; there is going to be an attack made upon you--at the island, and here. They have got your men and officers away to lead them into a trap. I escaped to tell you."

"Oh! come, old chap, don't talk like that," cried Bob, taking his hand.

"Don't talk such wild nonsense and bosh. Lie down and have a good sleep. I say, Mr Johnson, I wish old Bolter was here."

"You do not believe me!" cried Ali pa.s.sionately. "What am I, that you treat me so? Is it that I always lie?"

"Lie? No, old boy," said Bob kindly; "but it isn't you talking. Your head's all in a muddle."

"Head? muddle? Not I!" cried Ali excitedly. "There! Hark! I told you so!"

As he spoke there was the sharp crack of a rifle, then another, and another, and a rattling scattered volley.

"Something wrong at the island, sir," reported one of the watch.

"By Jove! he's right!" cried the lieutenant, rus.h.i.+ng out of the cabin.

"Quick, Roberts!"

"Yes--clothes--my kris!" cried Ali joyfully. "I'll fight with you."

For answer Bob ran to his own berth, hastily threw the young Malay one of his spare suits; and then, quickly buckling on his sword, ran on deck, where the lieutenant was striding up and down, giving his orders.

"That's right, Roberts," he cried. "They're hard at work at the island."

The next moment Bob was running here and there, seeing that his superior's orders were executed. The drums had already beat to quarters, and with the wondrous business-like rapidity with which matters are done on board a man-of-war every man was at his place, the ports flew open, the magazine was unfastened, and while the moorings were cast off astern, and those ahead ready to be dropped at a moment's notice, the furnaces were roaring furiously, and every effort being made by the firemen to get up steam.

It was like the turning of a handle. There was no confusion; the whole machine was ready for action; guns loaded, and marines and sailors armed ready for any contingency that might befall the steamer.

Directly after, Ali came hurrying from the cabin, and made his way to where the middy was eagerly looking for his next order.