第43章

The sudden and mysterious apparition of this man produced on Hurlstone an effect that the most violent opposition could not have created.Without a thought of the terrible purpose it had interrupted, and obeying some stronger instinct that had seized him, he dashed down into the ditch and up to the crest again after Captain Bunker.But he had completely disappeared.A little lagoon, making in from the bay, on which a small fishing-boat was riding, and a solitary fisherman mending his nets on the muddy shore a few feet from it, were all that was to be seen.

He was turning back, when he saw the object of his search creeping from some reeds, on all fours, with a stealthy, panther-like movement towards the unconscious fisherman.Before Hurlstone could utter a cry, Bunker had sprung upon the unfortunate man, thrown him to the earth, rapidly rolled him over and over, enwrapping him hand and foot in his own net, and involving him hopelessly in its meshes.Tossing the helpless victim--who was apparently too stupefied to call out--to one side, he was rushing towards the boat when, with a single bound, Hurlstone reached his side and laid his hand upon his shoulder.

"Captain Bunker, for God's sake! what are you doing?"Captain Bunker turned slowly and without apparent concern towards his captor.Hurlstone fell back before the vacant, lack-lustre eyes that were fixed upon him.

"Captain Bunker's my name," said the madman, in a whisper."Lemuel Bunker, of Nantucket! Hush! don't waken him," pointing to the prostrate fisherman; "I've put him to sleep.I'm Captain Bunker--old drunken Bunker--who stole one ship from her owners, and disgraced himself, and now is going to steal another--ha, ha! Let me go.""Captain Bunker," said Hurlstone, recovering himself in time to prevent the maniac from dashing into the water."Look at me.

Don't you know me?"

"Yes, yes; you're one of old Bunker's dogs kicked overboard by Perkins.I'm one of Perkins' dogs gone mad, and locked up by Perkins! Ha, ha! But I got out! Hush! SHE let me out.SHEthought I was going to see the boys at San Antonio.But I'm going off to see the old barque out there in the fog.I'm going to chuck Perkins overboard and the two mates.Let me go."He struggled violently.Hurlstone, fearful of quitting his hold to release the fisherman, whom Captain Bunker no longer noticed, and not daring to increase the Captain's fury by openly calling to him, beckoned the pinioned man to make an effort.But, paralyzed by fear, the wretched captive remained immovable, staring at the struggling men.With the strength of desperation Hurlstone at last forced the Captain down upon his knees.

"Listen, Captain! We'll go together--you understand.I'll help you--but we must get a larger boat first--you know.""But they won't give it," said Captain Bunker mysteriously.

"Didn't you hear the Council--the owners--the underwriters say: 'He lost his ship, he's ruined and disgraced, for rum, all for rum!'

And we want rum, you know, and it's all over there, in the Excelsior's locker!""Yes, yes," said Hurlstone soothingly; "but there's more in the bigger boat.Come with me.We'll let the man loose, and we'll make him show us his bigger boat."It was an unfortunate suggestion; for the Captain, who had listened with an insane chuckle, and allowed himself to be taken lightly by the hand, again caught sight of the prostrate fisherman.A yell broke from him--his former frenzy returned.With a cry of "Treachery! all hands on deck!" he threw off Hurlstone and rushed into the water.

"Help!" cried the young man, springing after him, "It is madness.

He will kill himself!"

The water was shallow, they were both wading, they both reached the boat at the same time; but the Captain had scrambled into the stern-sheets, and cast loose the painter, as Hurlstone once more threw his arms about him.