In Quest of Sheba's Treasure, etc

Front matter

IN OUEST OF SHEBA'S TREASURE [Seepage 168. THE TWO MEN HODE AT EAOH OTHER WITH LEVELLED SPEARS. PrmUispiece.] IN QUEST OF SHEBA'S TREASURE & perilous atibenture fig ILani ant. Sea BY S. WALKEY ~7\ WITH ORIGINAL ILLUSTRATIONS BY GEORGE HUTCHINSON LONDON FREDERICK WARNE & CO. AND NEW YORK {All Rights Reserved] CONTENTS CHAP. PAOE I. THE WKEOK ...... 11 II. THE GREAT TREASURE ..... 21 III. THINGS BEGIN TO HUM . . 27 IV. BEATING UP A CREW ..... 35 V. A MERRY START ...... 44 VI. THE SEA-FIGHT ...... 51 VII. A GLIMPSE OF NELSON ..... 60 VIII. RAS-AL-OMER ... 67 IX. DANGERS OF THE DESERT .... 78 X. THE OASIS — A ROBBER BAND . . . .86 XI. BRISK SWORD-PLAY ..... 95 XII. THE CAPTURE OF PARSON HAWKER . . 104 XIII. A DARK DEED ...... Ill XIV. CAUGHT ! . . . . . . . 118 XV. THE LAND OF SHEBA ..... 128 XVI.

LAHOKKA ....... 138 XVII. THE QUEEN ZALOVA ..... 146 XVIII. THE ARENA ...... 155 XIX. THF, VALOUR OF THE PARSON .... CONTENTS PA OB CHAP. A RARE DUEL — THE TEMPLE OF THE MOON 172 XX 179 XXI THE CHAIR OF SACRIFICE . 189 XXII, STIRRING TIMES 196 XXIII, THE BATTLE 205 XXIV. THE DEFENCE OF THE PASS 214 XXV. ZEM-ZEM XXVI, AT LAST ! 224 XXVII. STRATEGY 232 240 XXVIII, A CAVERN FULL OF SCOUNDRELS . 249 XXIX. A MARVELLOUS ESCAPE 259 XXX. A STRANGE SIGHT 268 XXXI. THE TREASURE — FLIGHT OF ALDEGO XXXII. THE ADVENTURES OF JERRY YEOMAN 275 XXXIII THE DESERT MARCH 285 XXXIV. TWO ROGUES WELL TRAPPED — THE PIRATE 293 303 XXXV. THE CHASE . 311 XXXVI. HOME LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS PAGE THE TWO MEN RODE AT EACH OTHER WITH LEVELLED spears ...... Frontispiece HE DROVE A FURIOUS THRUST AT FEATHERSTONE . . 16 I KNOCKED THE WEAPON UP, AND SMOTE HIM ACROSS THE MOUTH ....... 37 THE ENEMY WERE BOARDING IN FORCE . . . .56 HE DREW UP HIS STEED SO SUDDENLY THAT THE BEAST WAS THROWN UPON HIS HAUNCHES . . . .69 WITH LASHING TAIL THE LION SPRANG TOWARDS ME .82 SILAS WAS USING HIS BLADE TO ADVANTAGE AGAINST THE DOZEN ARABS ...... 102 A THICK GIRDLE WAS TIED ABOUT MY EYES . . .126 THE RIDER SHOT UPWARD FROM THE SADDLE . . .131 THE PARSON DREW BACK IN HORROR .... 149 THE SOUND OF A PISTOL-SHOT RANG OUT .... 183 HE HAD PUT AN ARROW THROUGH HIS THROAT . . . 201 HE SPRANG UP WITH A SHRIEK . . . . .216 HE CLUBBED HIS MUSKET AND RUSHED FORWARD . . 247 I STRUCK OUT RECKLESSLY WITH MY FIST . . . 255 I WHIPPED OUT MY SWORD AND WAITED .... 283 "STOW THAT!" CRIED THE CAPTAIN .... 297 JERRY . . . FALLING ON HIS KNEES, GRIPPED THE STRANGER'S LEGS ........

Chapter I The Wreck

The logs blazed and crackled on the hearth. The wind howled and raged around the grim old mansion called Hartland Hall. 'Twas a wild night ! Parson Hawker, lounging upon the broad oaken settle, glanced up now and then with a chirp of satisfaction when a stronger blast than usual swept roaring through the avenue of beeches. The great clock in the corridor struck twelve. " This is rarely snug, Trefusis ! " said the Vicar. " I don't think we'll quit the Hall to-night ! Lucky you've no patients to visit. There's been no such storm for three years ! " He grasped a heavy tankard at his elbow, and took a long drain. Our host, Jack Featherstone, lord of the manor, roused himself from a huge chair and a reverie. " Why so moody, Jack ? " quoth Hawker. Featherstone arose with a laugh. The firelight played upon his handsome face and tall, straight form.

I saw that his merriment was forced. The Parson looked at him anxiously. " What's the matter with the boy, Paul Trefusis ? " he demanded, turning sharp on me. " You're physician to all North Devon and should know ! " " Something on his mind ! " I replied. " You're right ! " cried Jack, with a doleful coun tenance. " Come, then, out with it ! " " Well, I'll tell you ! The truth is this : I'm leaving Hartland in a week's time ! These estates are mort gaged to the hilt. This sweet old place" — he waved his hand — "is almost all I can call my own. I must have money, or even the Hall itself will pass into the clutches of those greedy Jews. You know as well as I that their grip choked my father. 'Twould have broken any man's heart to see them sucking away land that has been ours for centuries ! " We knew too, better than Jack, that his father had been a reckless spendthrift.

His lavish manner of living crippled himself and left his boy well-nigh penniless. "So I'm off to Plymouth," continued Featherstone, to seek my fortune as a gentleman adventurer. These are stirring days ! " "Precious little gold to be gathered in that line," growled the Parson, springing from the settle to his feet with marvellous agility. Hawker possessed a fair round person, running sadly to fat as he neared forty years of age. We were at Oxford together, and afterwards, when he accepted the living of Hartland, I joined him, and became at once the enemy of all the old women who had doctored the country-folk prior to my advent into this county of cream and rustic beauty. Yet, strange to say, we both remained bachelors. I shared Hawker's vicarage and read the lessons in his church on Sundays.

The Parson clapped his firm brown hand on Jack's shoulder. " Nought has grieved me these twenty years so keenly as the thought that we must lose you, lad," he muttered, his voice all of a shake. " Ever since you came to me for your first lesson, I have loved you ! And now you're going away. I shall never more sit in this old corner. Paul ! we must henceforth stay at home. And the hounds, merry beauties ! must be given up, the grey mare and Black Cracker sold, and Jerry Yeoman, the huntsman, have nought left him but the pick and shovel. Oh, Jack ! Jack ! 'tis a piteous resolve of thine ! Hullo ! Hark ! D'ye hear the gun ? There's a ship on the rocks ! " We listened. The roar of the waves, dashing against the iron cliff's, could be plainly heard above the screeching of the wind. Once more the boom of the gun rang out, sonorous and clear, through the black night.

We seized our cloaks and ran to the beach. The great, snow-crested billows were madly sweeping over what had been a noble ship. Even as we gazed into the darkness, we could see her dimly, for a moment, give three convulsive heaves, and then suddenly she broke into a thousand fragments. Shrieks and cries mingled with the howling of the tempest ; and there we stood upon the beach, powerless to aid or succour those poor souls. More than once Jack Featherstone rushed into the surf, and returned with a burden, but in each case life had flown. We stayed there an hour or so : then turned, and made our way back across the pebble-ridge. Of a sudden Hawker caught my arm, and pointed towards a great boulder. A dark figure was stealing along beneath its shadow. A moonbeam burst through a rift in the sombre heavens.

The man was crouching stealthily, and some thing bright gleamed and glittered in his uplifted hand. A second form appeared just in front of the rascal with the knife ; the latter gave one tiger-like spring, and buried his blade betwixt the other's shoulders. A long, low moan of pain echoed through the night. Jack Featherstone, with a shout of rage, ran at full speed across the beach. The assassin was kneeling by his victim and rifling him. Hawker and I, following as best we could, saw Jack catch the villain such a buffet that he rolled over and over upon the loose sand and stones. With a savage snarl he gathered himself together and snatched at a leather case lying by the side of the stabbed man, missed it, and drove a furious thrust at Featherstone. Jack was a lithe and powerful youth, hard as steel and full of fight.

Careless of the knife, which slipped clean through his left arm, he grappled manfully with the rogue, and they swung to and fro in a desperate embrace. All at once the rascal caught sight of me. Like an eel he wriggled free of Jack's grip, and with a vicious curse, made off swiftly across the sands. 'Twas useless striving to catch him. HE DROVE A FURIOUS THRUST AT FEATHERSTONE. Hawker bound up Featherstone's hurt, which was slight, while I turned to the man lying at our feet. Striking a flint, I lit a small lantern and examined the wound. 'Twas a broad, deep gash, made by a large two-edged dagger. He had lost much blood. " Carry him to the Hall," said Jack. " Here, Parson, lay hold of his shoulders. He's a light weight." With some trouble we got him to the house, and placed him on the settle.

" An old man ! " said Hawker, " and looks like a foreigner." " He's not long for this world," I answered. " Hemor rhage will finish him within two hours. Jack, where's the case you picked up ? " " Here," said Featherstone, turning it over for our inspection. " The thing appears to be made of rough hide. There's a stout brass lock. 'Tis securely fastened." We were all three terribly interested in the case, when a slight noise arrested our attention. The stranger was watching us closely, his black eyes glistening with a kind of grim humour. This was con fusing. I gave him the leather bag with a muttered apology for our rudeness. " Natural curiosity, friend, nought more ! " he replied in a deep, monotonous voice. " Now I guess you're a physician. Some villain has taken my life. Tell me, I pray you, how long I am likely to burden this world with my presence ?

Six hours ? Three ? " He contracted his shaggy brows. His deep-set, piercing eyes seemed to read my heart. I could see he was fearless of death, therefore I made answer without hesitation. " You may be dead in two hours — perhaps sooner ! " " Ah ! " he said, drawing in his breath. Then he was silent for a while. When he spoke again his voice was weaker. I had done all I could to staunch the flow of blood. " I thank you," he said ; " but waste no further time on me. I have lived my life. 'Tis drawing to a close, and I care not to say whether I'm glad or sorry. 'Tis a rare old world ; yet the next, they say, is best ! Well, I shall soon prove the truth of it ! " His eyes fell upon Jack Featherstone. " Come hither, young sir," he commanded. " So ! take my hand. I love to greet valour, and you're a right brave boy !

I owe you much for trying to avenge me this night. But the assassin was a warier man than you. I know who the dog was. Greater scoundrel never breathed ! I wish you had captured him ; but what matter ? He lost the prize ! You have cheated him of the precious thing he craved ! Therefore I am well content ! " The old man strove to chuckle, but made a sad job of it. " Come nearer, all three of you ; I am growing weak. Listen ! Here in your presence, Doctor, and in yours, my friend " (he glanced at Parson Hawker), " I give unto this youth the leather bag for which many fools would gladly barter their souls' welfare." He put the case into Featherstone's hand. Jack looked at him with wonder. The stranger smiled a little. " Within that covering of hide," he continued, " is the rough map of a route leading to a strange country.

Should you ever want adventure, there shall you find plenty. When I am dead, open the case with a key which hangs around my neck. On the parchment you will see, marked in white, a lake, and in the midst of the lake, a mountain. I have been to that mountain, and 'tis the strangest place in the whole world. For in it were great temples, deserted shrines. One of these was closed by a massive door of rock, so that no one might enter. For weeks I searched for another inlet, but found none. I thirsted to reach the countless riches which the temple held in its fast keeping." Parson Hawker's eyes flew open in amazement. " How did you know it contained wealth ? " he asked. " Because I found a large diamond underneath the rocky door, also a golden flagon richly chased, of antique and wondrous workmanship.

I was not alone in my quest. A Bedouin accompanied me throughout my wanderings. We met a strange creature prowling about the mountain, a man grown so old that he resembled a mummy. He chattered a kind of Arabic, therefore my companion was enabled to converse with him, though the task was difficult. He led us to the door of stone and pointed, crying shrilty in his own wild, weird tongue, ' The treasure of Sheba ! the treasure of Sheba ! the accursed treasure ! ' Ras - al - Omer, the Bedouin, questioned him still more closely, upon which he vanished for a moment, and then returned with a handful of precious stones. From his gestures we gathered that he discovered them in exactly the same place where I found the diamond. " Ah, I am assured that there is marvellous wealth stored in the temple.

But the loneliness of the island was fearful. I could stay there no longer, and after many weeks of fruitless toil and hopeless search we returned to the coast." The old man paused. He shuddered, and his voice sank to a whisper.

Chapter II The Great Treasure

We leaned eagerly forward, and greedily devoured every word that fell from his lips. " If you covet riches, there in the treasure-mountain you shall find them," he gasped. " The Bedouin — a good man, true as steel — is at Tyre. He will guide thee to the sacred lake. Give him this ring. He is under a vow to me, and without my signet nought would drag him to. the place again. But beware of the hound who stabbed me. He was my interpreter, for since I discovered the mountain I have travelled far and wide. Many times I noticed him cast covetous eyes upon the case. I have a suspicion that he saw me one night playing with the diamond, which I also give to thee." Jack Featherstone bent his head in silence. Our strange guest fell heavily backward into my arms. " Beware of the knife," he muttered. " Find the key to that temple, and the treasure is yours.

What is your name, boy ? Quick, my time is come ! " Jack put his lips close to the old man's ear. " What ! " he gasped. " Featherstone ! Featherstone ! Is this home ? " and immediately expired. I laid him gently on the broad settle and covered him with a cloak. After Parson Hawker had said a short prayer we carried the body to an upstairs room, and then returned to the hall. For a little while we stood looking at one another. The leather case lay on the floor. Hawker picked it up and laughed. His levity displeased me. " This is no time for mirth," I said. " How can you be merry under the gloom of such a tragedy ? " " ' 'Tis an ill wind that blows no man good tidings ! ' ' quoth he. " Don't be a serious fool, Paul ! This hide packet is something to chuckle over, seeing it contains a great diamond.

Jack can sell it, and may still keep the hounds, even though he won't be here to hunt them. Come, let's open it. Where's the key ? " " Here," said Featherstone. When the case unrolled we found a yellow parchment stuck underneath the lining, and in the corner of a small pocket could feel a hard lump. Hawker shut his eyes, and, slipping two fat fingers into the bag, drew forth a magnificent cut jewel. We THE GREAT TREASURE 23 held our breath as we gazed upon its beauty. It shot out dazzling rays of light as the Parson turned it over and over in an ecstasy of delight. At last he handed it, with a sigh, to Jack. " Now," said he, " for the old mouldy parchment. That's worth little to anyone ! " I spread it upon the table, and we bent over the map. " Where is the place ? " continued Hawker. " In Africa ?

" " No," said I, studying it attentively. " The stranger told us we should find the Arab at Tyre, in Palestine. Ras-al-Omer, if I recollect rightly, is his name." " I have it ! " cried Jack. " See, this portion is marked ' Great Desert.' The treasure-mountain is in Arabia ! " " I believe you've hit the proper nail," said the Parson. " We'll drink thy health presently. Eh, Paul ? " I nodded. Featherstone gazed at the diamond in a sort of reverie. Of a sudden his eyes glistened. He clapped us both across the back. " Ay, you can drink to my success ! " he cried. " There are many more jewels where this came from. What if I go in search of them, and what if you two accompany me ? Ha ! ha ! I've startled your wits ! " We stared at him amazed. He laughed to himself in a quiet way. Jack was always a cool fellow.

Nothing ever threw him off his balance. " Why not ? " he continued. " Your practice, Doctor, won't hurt much. As for Parson Hawker's congregation — well, they must go to Morwinstowe for their Sunday sermon. Don't hesitate ! Make up your minds at once. The diamond will aid us to fit out a ship. Think ! We may be home again in a year or two laden with riches. I shall pay off the mortgages on these estates, and restore the Hall to its ancient splendour. Parson ! we'll have the finest pack of hounds in England, and your old church shall be thoroughly overhauled. A thousand pounds shall be spent upon it. Come, Trefusis, back me up ! Whether you go or not, my mind is set upon finding that treasure ! " " But what if you fail ? " groaned I. " Don't talk about failure ! Let's undertake the ad venture.

Now give me your word, Doctor," he urged. " I want you badly. You'll be useful in many ways. You won't let me set forth alone ? Will you come ? " The lad was talking like an old man, though not yet out of his teens. My heart warmed to him. Ay," I replied recklessly. " I'll go with you, Jack ! " " What ! " roared Hawker, glaring at me in conster nation. " Will you leave me, Trefusis, to go off on a THE GREAT TREASURE 25 harum-scarum search for gold with a crack-brained boy ? All these years to have shared my house and then to run away on a fool's chase like this is more than I, Tom Hawker, can stand ! You shan't go ! " " He shall," cried Jack ; " and you too, Parson." " I won't ! " shouted the Vicar, stamping, and waving his hands. " How can I leave my flock ? Hullo, John Ham, what d'ye want ?

" The old sexton had entered the hall unannounced, " Please yer reverence," said he, " the top of the church be a-blowed all away, and the lightning hath a-tor'd a girt hole in the tower. Us shan't be able to hear 'ee preach there no more ! " " Seems like Providence," said Hawker, turning round with a complacent smile. " John, go to Morwinstowe for your sermons ! Tell all our folk I'm gone away to get money to put that roof on again," cried he. " Jack ! Trefusis ! I'm with you. I'll write to the Bishop to morrow. You shan't leave me behind. I don't care if we never more come back, so long as we are together. Neither of us three have kith nor kin nor wife to hinder our departure. 'Tis a blessing we are tied to no woman's apron-strings." " I've got an uncle somewhere in the world," said Jack.

" Yes — Bevil Featherstone, thy father's brother. But everybody thinks him dead." He may be ; I've never seen him." " We'd best bury the old man upstairs in a day or two," said I. "Right," replied Hawker. "I'll find him a quiet corner in my churchyard. He came with the roar of the sea, and his soul shall be lulled by its constant moaning. Well, he has brought us luck." " The question is this," said Jack, flinging more logs on the fire : " how much is the diamond worth ? " " Two thousand pounds," replied the Parson, hazarding a rash guess. " And what about a ship ? We must have an armed vessel. Nelson is playing Old Harry with the French in the Mediterranean; but we're safe to run foul of one of their frigates. And the shores of Morocco shelter thousands of pirates." " When we speak of ships, I am reminded we shall want a captain," said I. " How about the Lieutenant ?

" "What! Silas Clewer?" cried Jack. "Glorious! I never thought of him. The staunchest, ugliest, bravest, most unscrupulous old dare-devil who ever trod the quarter-deck ! I'll send for him at once." He ran to the kitchen and gave an order to a groom. Half an hour later a voice like thunder sounded through the corridor. There came a loud banging at the door. We sprang up with a shout of welcome. In walked the Lieutenant '

Chapter III Things Begin To Hum

Silas Clewer in those days was a tall, lanky individual. He had seen service under Rodney, was in the fight off Guadaloupe in 1782, and had crossed swords with the French more frequently, and with far greater honour, than many who wore admirals' hats. Yet he still remained a humble lieutenant. Perhaps, if he had ti-uckled to his superiors, things might have been different, but Silas was too ruggedly independent to climb the ladder of fame in any other way than by hard knocks. So a grateful country bestowed a dozen medals upon him for high services rendered, but placed him on the retired list just at the season when he could have served England best. Silas Clewer was but fifty. He had lived in Hartland town four years, become churchwarden, and was gazed upon with awe by every one around. He stooped slightly as he walked.

A great scar crossed his forehead, and three fingers were missing from his left hand. One eye was half-closed ; a musket butt, while boarding a French ship, had spoilt its expression completely. His hooked nose was coloured by weather and strong waters to a rich purple hue, and the shaggy brows overhanging his glittering orbs (for the half - closed eye glinted handsomely underneath its broken lid) gave him a most ferocious appearance. " Well, mates," he growled as he approached the hearth, " why, in Heaven's name, did you send for me at this hour? The clock has just struck three." " Would you like to command a ship, Lieutenant, with the chance of having a brush with the French once more ? " quoth the Parson. " If so, the berth is open." Silas Clewer looked sharply at Hawker, as though trying to guess whether he were in jest or earnest.

" Play no tricks with me," he grumbled in his deep, gruff voice, "lest I trounce thee black and blue at single-stick. Remember, you are not in church now." The Parson, whose shoulders still tingled from the effect of the Lieutenant's blows (for they dearly loved a bout at sword-play), became less flippant, and replied that he meant no joke. Hereupon Jack struck in and explained matters, j THINGS BEGIN TO HUM 29 It was good to see Silas tramp about the hall in his excitement. But we knew he needed skilful tackling ; therefore I flattered him a little. " The truth is," said I, " none of us know much about ships, Lieutenant. We want you to take us in hand, and advise us upon well-nigh everything connected with this enterprise. Now, we are at a loss where to look for a suitable vessel. She must be fast, well-armed, and able to hold her own against a ship twice her tonnage if needful.

There's grand fighting to be got down the Mediterranean. D'ye know of a craft that might suit us ? " ■ The Lieutenant stroked his well-shaven chin, and smiled grimly. The ship you want is lying at Bideford," said he " She was fitted out by Sir George Chichester for privateering, but he was killed a week ago in the hunting-field. So there she is, for sale. Six thousand pounds will buy the Fearnought. The craft is a brig, carrying nearly twenty guns of various calibre. Ten of them are very pretty playthings, and capable of spitting iron to some purpose, with good gunners behind. Had I the chance of treading that brig's planks I might be tempted, against my common sense, to take command of her. I know every rope and spar. I have been aboard her ten times within this last month. I think I may truly say I should like another fling at the French before I break up."

" And so you shall," cried Jack. " I'll raise the money, and the ship shall be purchased at once. Consider yourself in command, Lieutenant. We will start for the East as soon as the crew can be collected. Will you take a horse and ride to Bideford this morning ? We must not lose the chance of securing the Fearnought. When d'ye think she'll be ready for sea, providing we can man her ? " <—\ " In seven days' time," returned Silas. " Gentlemen, with your permission I will go on my errand at once, without delay." Off went the old fellow. We could hear him burst ing into song as he stamped along the corridor on his way to the stables. "Hey, boys! for the jolly, jolly whizz Of the round-shot flying through the sails ! Ho, lads ! for the merry, merry fizz Of the powder on the Frenchmen's tails ! " " Hurrah !

" cried Jack Featherstone. " Trefusis ! Hawker ! Fill your tankards ! Here's to the Quest of Sheba's Treasure ! " " Steady, steady ! " said Hawker. " There's much to be done yet." " Silas says the ship can be bought for six thousand THINGS BEGIN TO HUM 31 pounds, Jack," said I. "That's dirt cheap, but it's money; more than you've got, lad. Therefore let me take a share in the adventure." "Put me down for a third," cried the Parson, who had a tidy little private income. Featherstone grasped his hand. " You are the very best of friends," he replied, with tears in his eyes. " I should have sold Uppacott, which was my mother's farm, to raise the necessary funds. You have taken a weight from my soul." We stayed talking about the enterprise until grey dawn glimmered through the mullioned windows, and the dogs from their kennels chanted a morning hymn.

Jerry Yeoman, the huntsman, came into the hall. Jerry was a short, fat man, stouter even than Parson Hawker. His cheeks were ruddy, and his eyes had a comical twinkle. " Jerry," said Featherstone, " we're going away for a few months, and the hounds won't be used until our return. Perhaps we may never come back at all." At this the huntsman burst forth blubbering, and swore he would kill himself with the blunderbuss. " Take me, Squire Jack," he implored. " Peter can look arter the hounds. I'm dashed if thee shall go wi'out old Jerry ! " " Let him have his way," I suggested. " He's a handy man." " Very well," said Jack. Jerry ran off, cracking his whip for joy, and in the outer regions blew his horn so valiantly that the maids went and soused him with soapy water, lest he should die for loss of breath.

We hung about the manor-house all day, making calculations and putting articles together which we considered necessary for our comfort in a foreign land. Afterwards, to pass the time, Hawker and I spent an hour with the single-sticks. I wore (against all custom) a yellow beard and moustaches. It was the Parson's delight to get in a gentle thrust at my throat, which he often did, being very quick on his feet, and possessing a clever wrist for a smart turn of the stick. Jack was a rare hand at sword-play, and could beat either of us, but Silas Clewer, his master in this pretty pastime, never gave him a chance, though the boy strove hard to rival the Lieutenant, and pleased him mightily with his powerful fencing. Featherstone, though but nineteen, was nearly as tall as myself, and had arms of extraordinary length.