按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
master flying back head over heels amongst the sugar bales and potatoes。
Without waiting to see how he fared I ran down the steps； jumped on
board； loosened the rope； and pushed out into the river。 But my heart
was angry and sore； for I knew； as turned out to be the case； that our secret
was one no more； in a short time we should have the savage king in
pursuit； and now there was nothing for it but headlong flight with only a
small chance of getting away to distant Seth。
Luckily the harbour master lay insensible until he was found at dawn；
so that we had a good start； and the moment the canoe passed from the
arcade…like approach to the town the current swung her head automatically
seaward； and away we went down stream at a pace once more filling me
with hope。
167
… Page 168…
GULLIVER OF MARS
CHAPTER XIX
All went well and we fled down the bitter stream of the Martian gulf at
a pace leaving me little to do but guide our course just clear of snags and
promontories on the port shore。 Just before dawn； however； with a thin
mist on the water and flocks of a flamingo…like bird croaking as they flew
southward overhead； we were nearly captured again。
Drifting silently down on a rocky island； I was having a drink at the
water…pitcher at the moment； while Heru； her hair beaded with prismatic
moisture and looking more ethereal than ever； sat in the bows timorously
inhaling the breath of freedom； when all on a sudden voices invisible in
the mist； came round a corner。 It was one of Ar…hap's war…canoes toiling
up…stream。 Heru and I ducked down into the haze like dab…chicks and
held our breath。
Straight on towards us came the toiling ship； the dip of oars resonant in
the hollow fog and a ripple babbling on her cutwater plainly discernible。
〃Oh； oh！
Hoo； hoo！
How high； how high！〃
sounded the sleepy song of the rowers till they were loom… ing right
abreast and we could smell their damp hides in the morning air。 Then
they stopped suddenly and some one asked；
〃Is there not something like a boat away on the right？〃
〃It is nothing；〃 said another； 〃but the lees of last night's beer curdling
in your stupid brain。〃
〃But I saw it move。〃
〃That must have been in dreams。〃
〃What is all that talking about？〃 growled a sleepy voice of authority
from the stern。
〃Bow man； sir； says he can see a boat。〃
〃And what does it matter if he can？ Are we to delay every time that
lazy ruffian spying a shadow makes it an excuse to stop to yawn and
scratch？ Go on； you plankful of lubbers； or I'll give you something worth
thinking about！〃 And joyfully； oh； so joyfully； we heard the sullen dip of
168
… Page 169…
GULLIVER OF MARS
oars commence again。
Nothing more happened after that till the sun at length shone on the
little harbour town at the estuary mouth； making the masts of fishing craft
clustering there like a golden reed… bed against the cool； clean blue of the
sea beyond。
Right glad we were to see it； and keeping now in shadow of the banks；
made all haste while light was faint and mist hung about to reach the town；
finally pushing through the boats and gaining a safe hiding…place without
hostile notice before it was clear daylight。
Covering Heru up and knowing well all our chances of escape lay in
expedition； I went at once； in pursuance of a plan made during the night；
to the good dame at what； for lack of a better name； must still continue to
be called the fish…shop； and finding her alone； frankly told her the salient
points of my story。 When she learned I had 〃robbed the lion of his prey〃
and taken his new wife singlehanded from the dreaded Ar…hap her
astonishment was unbounded。 Nothing would do but she must look upon
the princess； so back we went to the hiding…place； and when Heru knew
that on this woman depended our lives she stepped ashore； taking the
rugged Martian hand in her dainty fingers and begging her help so sweetly
that my own heart was moved； and； thrusting hands in pocket； I went aside；
leaving those two to settle it in their own female way。
And when I looked back in five minutes； royal Seth had her arms
round the woman's neck； kissing the homely cheeks with more than
imperial fervour； so I knew all was well thus far； and stopped
expectorating at the little fishes in the water below and went over to them。
It was time！ We had hardly spoken together a minute when a couple of
war…canoes filled with men appeared round the nearest promontory；
coming down the swift water with arrow…like rapidity。
〃Quick！〃 said the fishwife； 〃or we are all lost。 Into your canoe and
paddle up this creek。 It runs out to the sea behind the town； and at the
bar is my man's fishing…boat amongst many others。 Lie hidden there till
he comes if you value your lives。〃 So in we got； and while that good
Samaritan went back to her house we cautiously paddled through a
deserted backwater to where it presently turned through low sandbanks to
169
… Page 170…
GULLIVER OF MARS
the gulf。 There were the boats； and we hid the canoe and lay down
amongst them till； soon after； a man； easily recognised as the husband of
our friend； came sauntering down from the village。
At first he was sullen； not unreasonably alarmed at the danger into
which his good woman was running him。 But when he set eyes on Heru
he softened immediately。 Prob… ably that thick…bodied fellow had never
seen so much female loveliness in so small a bulk in all his life； and； being
a man； he surrendered at discretion。
〃In with you； then；〃 he growled； 〃since I must needs risk my neck for a
pair of runaways who better deserve to be hung than I do。 In with you
both into this fishing…cobble of mine； and I will cover you with nets while
I go for a mast and sail； and mind you lie as still as logs。 The town is
already full of soldiers looking for you； and it will be short shrift for us all
if you are seen。〃
Well aware of the fact and now in the hands of destiny； the princess
and I lay down as bidden in the prow； and the man covered us lightly over
with one of those fine meshed seines used by these people to catch the
little fish I had breakfasted on more than once。
Materially I could have enjoyed the half…hour which fol… lowed； since
such rest after exertion was welcome； the sun warm； the lapping of sea on
shingle infinitely soothing； and； above all； Heru was in my arms！ How
sweet and childlike she was！ I could feel her little heart beating through
her scanty clothing； while every now and then she turned her gazelle eyes
to mine with a trust and admiration infinitely alluring。 Yes！ as far as that
went I could have lain there with that slip of maiden royalty for ever； but
the fascination of the moment was marred by the thought of our danger。
What was to prevent these new friends giving us away？ They knew we
had no money to recompense them for the risk they were running。 They
were poor； and a splendid reward； wealth itself to them； would doubtless
be theirs if they betrayed us even by a look。 Yet somehow I trusted them
as I have trusted the poor before with the happiest results； and telling
myself this and comforting Heru； I lis… tened and waited。
Minute by minute went by。 It seemed an age since the fisherman had
gone； but presently the sound of voices inter… rupted the sea's murmur。
170
… Page 171…
GULLIVER OF MARS
Cautiously stealing a glance through a chink imagine my feelings on
perceiving half a dozen of Ar…hap's soldiers coming down the beach
straight towards us！ Then my heart was bitter within me； and I tasted of
defeat； even with