Beadle _--_ Adams

“ After a hurried sluice in the chartroom basin by way of toilet Vi mounted the bridge to relieve her uncle.
“No news, uncle?”
“None, dear. We must be well out of the ordinary lane by now. Anyway I'll take the sun at noon.”
Save for the pageant of the dawn before the sun burned the colors out of the sky the sea was just the same foam-flecked mass as ever. Soon from beneath her she heard the steady snore of the captain, who was enjoying the first sleep he really had had since the Hesperus catastrophe. The monsoon weather is always warm and sticky. ”

“ A romance of adventure and mystery in borderland. New York: Beadle & Adams, 1883. 22 p. illus. fo. (no. 235.)
Companion story to his The kid glove miner.
Monstery, Thomas Hoyer. Champion Sam; or, The monarchs of the show. A romance of the circus and prize-rings. New York: Beadle & Adams, 1883. 29 p. illus. 5. ed. fo. (no. 236.)
Manning, William H. Long-haired Max; or, The black league of the coast. A California mystery. By Captain Mark Wilton [pseud.] .... New York: Beadle & Adams, 1883. 30 p. illus. fo. (no. 237.)
Morris, Anthony P. Hank Hound, the Crescent City detective ”

“ As suddenly as if indeed a magic wand had been waved above them, the drums ceased—the screeches died away. Five leaping warriors turned in amazement and stared. A yell was turned into a gasping sob.
Astonished the doctor stood up. Every savage except the six holy maidens was lolling about in the grass, holding his sides and gasping with laughter. The chief beside his son was kicking his fat legs like a baby hippopotamus. Into the moonlight stepped the ivory figure of the bridegroom. Several figures ceased to struggle. They lay quietly in the grass. ”

“ So it was that when the captain came on the bridge at what should have been eight bells in the afternoon he found his woman officer calmly breaking all the rules of any ship by smoking on duty.
“Nothing to report, uncle. Had a good sleep?”
“Yes; very good nap,” replied the Old Man mendaciously. “But I'm very worried about Selwyn.”
“Yes; seems very queer,” Vi admitted, rather conscious of a sense of relief that he was not there to annoy her. “Perhaps he's shut himself up in some cabin with the champagne. You know what he is.” ”

“ Smiling she plucked his beard. This time the professor felt better-tempered.
"All right, my dear," said he, "you can get the reaction this time as it's up to me to make you my friend if ever I'm to get out of this—and if you like I'll take you too. Would you like to?"
She laughed in delight and danced about.
"You're a base flatterer, you know!" he continued humoring her. "I never guessed that I had such a charming voice before. As a matter of fact, it's the music of your own kind that pleases you. I wonder who the devil your people were? How old are you? ”

“ He sat up abruptly at her "no good—oh damns." The moon was full and high. Around in the tree the little folk were clicking away as softly as a Spring shower upon a roof. Then his ear caught a peculiar sound—a distinct drumming as of native tom-toms.
A village must be near, he thought joyfully. But the girl kept whispering:
"No good, oh damn! No good, oh damn!"
She pushed a cartridge into his hand as she tugged at his shirt sleeve. He crawled to the edge of the nest platform noticing that her eyes registered extreme terror as she pointed downward. ”

“ Captain Kelvett pouted his lips.
“Well, we'll try and turn these fellows into stokers.”
“One of them is the donkeyman, sir.”
“Good. He ought to know enough to get steam on her anyway. Oh, and Mr. Carnell!”
“Yes, sir?”
“Better get those bodies removed as soon as possible.”
“Aye, aye, sir; I'll attend to that.”
“But I want to see them again,” exclaimed Vi.
“But, Vi, dear——”
“Don't be idiotic, uncle,” retorted Vi. “We haven't even examined them to see what they really have died of. You can't hold a post mortem by looking at them. I'll go now.” ”

“ Warren-Dukely wheeled upon him swiftly and, pointing his cigar at him, cried:
"But you —— fool. I've told you you're trapped for the next husband."
"Husband!" repeated the little doctor bewilderedly.
"Yes, yes."
"But what—what happens to you?"
"Me? I'm sacrificed to this confounded ju-ju. Are you blind? The night of the marriage orgy they carve me up, wipe out your camp and stick you here to make magic for twelve moons."
"My God!" ejaculated the little doctor, half rising to his feet. ”

“ And, bending, he caught her arms and almost lifted her on to her feet.
“Oh, you are clumsy!” she complained. “You've nearly crushed what blood I've left out of my arms.”
“Come on!” he laughed. “I'll carry you all the way there if you like.” ”

“ Sticking the cigar in his mouth, he began to pace up and down before the fire, staring at the ground. The doctor did not disturb him. Presently he began with a jerk:
"I'VE got it, by Jove. I know. I began yarning about that first expedition, didn't I? Well, after that Africa seemed to get in my blood. I broke off the engagement with Sybil. Had to, only decent thing to do. Can't expect a woman to wait—like a sergeant's wife? An' one can't drag her around here, eh? 'Sides, I'm not a marrying man. ”

“ As he continued to scribble the girl swung from a bough into the communal nest. Squatting on her haunches she smiled at him. He smiled. She chattered, and stretching out her hand, pulled at his beard.
"Good morning then," said he, "as evidently that's what you want, eh?"
She laughed, a loud peal of delight.
"Imitative," continued the professor. "Probably you've never laughed aloud in your life until you heard me. Savages never do. However, you seem to enjoy it thoroughly. Satisfying a repressed instinct. ”

“ She had no means except her hands to protect herself. She was absolutely in this man's power. If only Alan ... Her soul cried to him for aid.
"Ana Americana!" she said desperately, watching him keenly.
He started and peered at her closely.
"Ash?"
"Ana—Americana," she repeated louder.
Her heart beat faster with wild hope. He spoke quickly, lowered the lantern and examined her. He seemed perturbed and puzzled. Miriam took heart.
"Look!" she cried in English standing up. "I—am—American," tapping her bosom. "American—I—go—Mogador—Sueira—American consul. Fahamshi? (understand) ." ”

“ Warren-Dukely dragged his chair a foot, lumped into it and caught his hand to his eyes.
"Sorry, old man; I'll be good. Fire ahead with that drink though." Then in a dreary voice as the doctor pulled out the flask, "You know you haven't an idea as to what this means to me. One gets used to anything in life. But—well, I did want to speak to a white man once more. ”

“ He would not ask what such men deserved (a voice, ‘Nothing a-day, and find themselves!’) . He would not say, that one burst of general indignation should drive them from the parish they polluted with their presence (‘Give it him!’) . He would not allude to the unfortunate man who had been proposed—he would not say, as the vestry’s tool, but as Beadle. He would not advert to that individual’s family; he would not say, that nine children, twins, and a wife, were very bad examples for pauper imitation (loud cheers) . He would not advert in detail to the qualifications of Bung. ”

“ I circled Tchad and went off to the Dinka country. Told you all that though, didn't I? Well, never mind. I tacked back here an' barged into old Basayaguru as you did, eh? An' the —— old cutthroat made me King of the Wood!"
He stopped to raise his head and emit that throaty chuckle. The doctor, watching him keenly, began to revise his opinion of his sanity. He wheeled round, one hand stuck under the tails of his coat and the other holding the cigar.
"Bally idiot, ain't I?" he demanded. "You wait, ol' boy! Your inning's next for King of the Wood." He barked rather than laughed this time. ”

“ The heat certainly was trying. Although the captain refused Vi laughingly consented to have some. Selwyn became more than usually jubilant.
But the Old Man was right. In such a heat wine, particularly sparkling wine, does have an abnormal effect. The grizzled mate, as soon as he had finished his food, apologized and departed to the bridge to release the second. As he entered the saloon Vi was raising her glass to her lips.
“Oh, Mr. Carnell,” she cried, her eyes sparkling, taken by a mischievous idea, “have a glass of wine. It will do you good.” ”

“ A quick step on the iron deck brought them round to face Selwyn, who stood with his fists clenched, staring through the darkness to identify his assailant.
“Oh, it's the second mate is it, you ——!” he said. “And who in —— asked you to interfere?”
“I did!” said Vi sharply.
“If you weren't a blooming mate I'd give you the thrashing you deserve, you hound,” he continued, ignoring Vi.
“I'm at your. service,” replied Carnell in a low voice, advancing a step.
“One does not fight with a common sailor,” sneered Selwyn. ”

“ Without a word he turned and walked to the other end of the bridge and, leaning over the dodger, fell to gazing at the sea with his eyes averted.
“Oh, Heavens!” grumbled Vi to herself. “Why on earth are men so incorrigibly sentimental? I suppose next thing is that awful Selwyn creature will turn up and begin to bore me again! ... Well, it's about eleven-thirty, so I suppose I'd better call uncle if he wants to take the sun.”
“Mr. Carnell!” she called. “Would you mind taking the wheel a moment while I call uncle? He wants to take the sun.” ”

“ Nod your head with the utmost carelessness, Doctor. Perfectly admirable, sir. He intimates that he will be pleased to receive you in audience upon the morrow before the sun is yet high. Nod again if you please, and I will dismiss these savages."
Ali made the set reply, whereupon the young chief, apparently impressed, responded and rose. But, when the bearers of the tusks had departed in his wake, there remained an old man whose head-dress was not so high as those of the young men and was like a bunch of greasy white wool. ”

“ Captain Kelvett took her by the arm and shouted in her ear:
“She's going, Vi. Don't get excited. You haven't got time to get anything. Follow me.”
“Oh, right, uncle,” returned Vi calmly. “I'm coming.”
On the deck beneath, which was tilted heavily, she followed her uncle to the port side. A boat surrounded by a crowd of jabbering men was hanging outboard. Carnell appeared at her elbow.
“Here, Miss Kelvett, let me lift you!”
“No, no,” shouted Vi; and, catching hold of the falls, she slid into the boat, in which there were already several men. Almost on top of her came Selwyn. ”

“ Of course, you're a doctor an' used to carvin'—but, God, it would have made you sick." Again he moved restlessly in his chair. "They cut him alive—screeches—poor devil—then they—they put it up there." He actually pointed to the exact spot. "Up there in the fork of that bough. See? I vomited."
The hum of the insectile anthem continued remorselessly to the beat of the invisible baton. A cricket sang a shrill solo and ceased. Far away was the effect of sorrow in a hyena. Only one cigar glowed like the fierce eye of a dragon. From the doctor came an inarticulate noise. ”

“ Um," muttered the little doctor. "Hi!" he shouted in broken Kiswahili, pointing his cane. "Make those men clear up this ground before you pitch the tent. Fahamshi? Tell 'em, Ali. This ground is nothing but a bug-preserve."
He took out a cigar and lighted it. "What's the particular pet superstition here, Ali? Same as below or a new pope or something, eh?"
"Allah is——"
"I asked you what you think?" snapped the doctor.
"I do not think, sir," returned Ali imperturbably. "The savage think many things that they dream." ”

“ But just as he managed to grapple with her she succeeded in getting an arm lock. His next effort brought an oath of pain and he subsided quickly. As she caught sight of the mad professor with the wispy beard, and of two of the deserting crew running back across the deck he cried out:
“All right! All right! I'll give in!” ”

“ Carnell glanced gravely at Vi. Selwyn moved restlessly and scowled. Some of the men began to mutter among themselves, but beyond grumbling and anxious looks at the horizon they made no protest. After Chips had calked the seams of the leaking water-keg with some oakum, which fortunately he had in his pocket, the captain apportioned a ration of food and water to each man while the Second steered. ”

“ This reflection is irresistible in considering such a subject as that of ‘Beadles,’ a class of individuals who once filled a unique and peculiar place in the humbler walks of the social life of their time; for, as a class, they certainly cannot be said to form a feature in the social life of the present day. Of course, even yet the number of persons fulfilling the orthodox functions appertaining to the beadle is as large as ever—in all probability, larger. No minister surely, in Scotland at least, but enjoys his appurtenance in the person of his ‘man’ or officer. ”

“ Cool and quiet, she remained on the bridge suppressing a desire to ask her uncle what the matter was. A white form appeared beside her.
“For God's sake, what's the matter?” yelled Selwyn above the noise. “A mine?”
“Yes, I think so,” shouted Vi calmly.
AGAINST the violet darkness of the white-smudged sea she could make out that the forecastle of the ship was at a sharp angle and much nearer the water.
“Its blown the bows off her,” she thought, “and she's sinking fast.”
Figures of men seemed running aimlessly beneath her. She saw one boat hanging out in the davits. ”