Blow The Man Down: A Romance Of The Coast Page 11

  XI ~ A VOICE FROM HUE AND CRY

  But when the money's all gone and spent, And there's none to be borrowed and none to be lent, In comes old Grouchy with a frown, Saying, "Get up, Jack, let John sit down." For it's now we're outward bound, Hur-rah, we're outward bound! --Song of the Dog and Bell.

  Captain Mayo, when he woke, had it promptly conveyed to him thathospitality on board the _Reuben and Esther_ had watchful eyes. While hewas rubbing feeling back into his stiffened limbs, sitting there in thelee alley, the cook came lugging a pot of hot coffee and a plate heapedwith food.

  "Thought you'd rather have it here than in the cuddy. The miss is asleepin the house," whispered the cook.

  Captain Candage came to Mayo while the latter was eating and sat down onthe deck. Gloom had settled on the schooner's master. "I don't want tobother you with my troubles, seeing that you've got aplenty of your own,sir. But I'm needing a little advice. I have lost a schooner that hasbeen my home ever since I was big enough to heave a dunnage-bag overthe rail, and not a cent of insurance. Insurance would have et up all myprofits. What do you think of my chances to make a dollar over and aboveproviding I hire a tugboat and try to salvage?"

  "According to my notion your chances would be poor, sir. Claims in suchcases usually eat up all a craft is worth. Besides, you may find thoseyachtsmen on your back for damages, providing you get her in where shecan be libeled."

  "I shouldn't wonder a mite," admitted Captain Can-dage. "The more somefolks have the more they keep trying to git."

  "I was looking her bottom over while we sat there, and it must be ownedup that her years have told on her."

  "I hate to let her go."

  "That's natural, sir. But I have an idea that she will be reported asa menace to navigation, and that a coastguard cutter will blow her upbefore you can get around to make your salvage arrangements."

  "When a man is down they all jump on him."

  "I can agree with you there," affirmed Captain Mayo, mournfully.

  "She showed grit--that girl," ventured Candage, giving the other mankeen survey from under his grizzled brows.

  "I must ask you to furl sail on that subject, sir," snapped Mayo, withsailor bluntness.

  "I only said it complimentary. Lots of times girls have more grit thanthey are given credit for. You think they're just girls, and then youfind out that they are hero-ines! I thought I had some grit, but my ownPolly has shamed me. I was just down watching her--she's asleep in Cap'nSinnett's bunk. Made the tears come up into my eyes, sir, to ponderon what she has been through on account of my cussed foolishness. Ofcourse, you haven't been told. But confession is good for a man, and I'mgoing to own up. I took her with me to get her away from a fellow who iscourting her."

  Mayo did not offer comment. He wanted to advise the skipper to keepstill on that subject, too.

  "I don't say he ain't good enough for her. Maybe he is. But I 'ain'tbeen realizing that she has growed up. When I found she was beingcourted it was like hitting a rock in a fairway. You are young, and youare around consid'able and know the actions of young folks. What's youradvice?"

  "I don't know anything about the circumstances, sir."

  "But speaking generally," insisted Captain Candage. "I want to do what'sright. There ain't many I can bring myself to ask. I'm a poor old fool,I'm afraid. Won't you kind of grab in on this, Captain Mayo? I do need alittle advice." His rough hands trembled on his knees.

  "If the young man is worthy--is the right sort," returned Mayo, ingentler tones, "I think you are making a great mistake by interfering."

  "I'll go look that young fellow over--re-survey him, as ye might say,"stated the skipper, after a moment's meditation.

  "I don't know your daughter very well, sir, but I have much faith in herjudgment. If I were you I'd allow her to pick her own husband."

  "Thanks for that advice. I know it comes from a man who has shown thathe knows exactly what to do in emergencies. I have changed my mind abouther being courted, sir."

  "Honest love isn't a question of money, Captain Candage. Many good girlsare ruined by--" He was speaking bitterly and he checked himself. "Whereis Captain Sinnett going to set us ashore?"

  "Maquoit. He is going to take his fish to the big market. But he said hewould set us ashore anywhere, and so I said Maquoit. I might as well bethere as anywhere till I know what I'm going to do."

  "Same thing holds good for me, I suppose. I don't feel like going to thecity just yet."

  Captain Sinnett came rolling into the alley, and when Mayo started tothank him for the trouble he was taking he raised in genial protest ahand which resembled in spread a split codfish.

  "Trouble! It ain't trouble. Was going to call into Maquoit to ice up,anyway. I know my manners even if them yachting fellows didn't."

  Captain Candage preserved the demeanor of innocence under Mayo'sscrutiny.

  "I've missed you off the fishing-grounds--didn't know you had gone on toa yacht, sir," pursued Captain Sinnett. "Hope to see you back into thefishing business again; that is, providing you don't go on one ofthem beam trawlers that are hooking up the bottom of the Atlantic andsp'iling the thing entire for us all."

  "I agree with you about the trawler; that's why I quit. And as toyachting, I think I'll go after a real man's job, sir!"

  "So do! You'll be contenteder," replied the other, significance in histones.

  Mayo knew that his secret had been exposed, but he had no relish for anargument with Captain Candage on the subject of garrulity. He finishedhis coffee and went forward where the fishermen were coiling thegang-lines into the tubs.

  The fisherman made port at Maquoit late in the afternoon, and was warpedto her berth at the ice-house wharf.

  The castaways went ashore.

  Maquoit was a straggling hamlet at the head of a cove which nicked thecoast-line.

  Captain Candage, an Apple-treer, who knew every hole alongshore whererefuge from stress of weather was afforded, led his party through thevillage with confidence.

  "There's a widder here who will put us up for what time we want tostay--and be glad of the money. I knowed her husband in the coastingtrade. I like to get into a place like this that 'ain't been sp'iledby them cussed rusticators and the prices they are willing to pay,"he confided to Mayo. He slyly exhibited a wallet that was stuffed withpaper money. "I ain't busted, but there's no sense in paying more 'nfive dollars a week anywhere for vittles and bed. She will make plentyoff'n us at that rate. You just let me do the dickering."

  The widow proved to be a kindly soul who, in the first excitement ofher sympathetic nature, resolutely refused to consider the matter of anypayment whatever.

  "You are shipwrecked, and my poor husband's body wouldn't rest quietwherever it is in the Atlantic Ocean if I grabbed money from shipwreckedfolks."

  However, in the end, Captain Candage worked her up from three dollarsto five per week, and she took Polly Candage into her heart and into thebest chamber.

  Captain Mayo came back to supper after a moody stroll about the village.Skipper Candage was patrolling the widow's front yard and was exhibitingmore cheerfulness.

  "It's God's Proverdunce and your grit that has saved us, sir. I havecome out of my numb condition and sense it all. What's your plans?"

  "I don't seem to be able to make any just yet."

  "I'm going to stay right here for a spell, and shall keep Dolph and Otiewith me. We shall be here on the coast where we can hear of somethingto grab in on. As soon as Polly gets straightened around I'll let her gohome to her aunt. But, of course, hanging around here doesn't offer youany attractions, sir. You're looking for bigger game than we are."

  "I have about made up my mind to leave in the morning on the stage. I'llgo somewhere."

  The widow tapped her knuckles on the glass of a near-by window."Supper!" she announced. "Hurry in whilst it's hot!"

  "I always do my best pondering on a full stomach," said Captain Candage."And I s
mell cream-o'-tartar biskits and I saw her hulling fieldstrorb'ries. Better look on the bright side of things along with me,Captain Mayo."

  Captain Mayo failed to find any bright side as he turned his affairsover in his mind. He had only a meager stock of money. He had used hismodest earnings in settling the debts of the family estate. The outlookfor employment was vague--he could not estimate to what extent thehostility of Julius Marston might block his efforts, provided themagnate troubled himself to descend to meddle with the affairs of suchan inconspicuous person. His poor little romance with Alma Marston hadbeen left in a shocking condition. He did not talk at the supper-table,and the widow's wholesome food was like ashes in his mouth. He went outand sat on the porch of the widow's cottage and looked into the sunsetand saw nothing in its rosy hues to give him encouragement for his ownfuture.

  Polly Candage came timidly and sat down beside him. "Father says youthink of leaving in the morning!"

  "There's nothing for me here."

  "Probably not."

  A long silence followed.

  "I suppose you don't care to have me talk to you, Captain Mayo?"

  "I'll listen to you gratefully, any time."

  "I'm only a country girl. I don't know how to say it--how to tell youI'm so sorry for you!"

  "That one little pat on my hand to-day, it was better than words."

  "It's all I can think about--your unhappiness."

  "That touches me because I know that you have enough sorrow of yourown."

  "Sorrow!" She opened her eyes wide.

  "Perhaps I have no business speaking of it," he returned, withconsiderable embarrassment.

  "And yet I have been so bold as to speak to you!"

  There was a touch of reproach in her voice, and therefore he ventured:"Your father told me--I tried to stop him, but he went on andsaid--Well, I understand! But I have some consolation for you and I'mgoing to speak out. He says he is going to allow you to marry your youngman."

  "Did he dare to talk such matters over with you?"

  "He insisted on doing it--on asking my advice. So I advised in a way tohelp you. I am glad, for your sake, that he is coming to his senses."

  "I thank you for your help," she said, stiffly.

  "Of course it's none of my business. I'm sorry he told me. But I wishyou all happiness."

  She rose as if to go away. Then she stamped her foot and sat down. "Myfather ought to be muzzled!"

  She realized that he might misinterpret her indignation, for he said:"I'm ashamed because I meddled in your affairs. But from what you sawto-day in my case, I felt that I ought to help others who are in thesame trouble."

  "But my father has mistaken my--" She broke off in much confusion, notunderstanding the queer look he gave her. "I--I am glad my father iscoming to his senses and will allow me to--to--marry the young man," shestammered. "And now I think I may be allowed to say that I hope you mayhave the girl you love, some day. Would you like to have me talk to youabout her--how dear and pretty I think she is?"

  "No, it hurts! But I do want you to know, Miss Can-dage, that I'm notout fortune-hunting. I love her for herself--just herself--nothingmore!"

  "I know it must be so."

  "And I know that a young man you would choose is worthy of you. I toldyour father--"

  "No matter. _That_ hurts, too! We both understand. We'll leave itthere!"

  After the declaration of that truce they were frankly at ease and beganto chat with friendly freedom. The dusk came shading into the west, theevening star dripped silver light.

  "It's a peaceful spot here," she suggested. "Everybody seems to becontented."

  "Contentment--in a rut--that may be the best way of passing this life,after all."

  "But if you were in the rut, Captain Mayo, you might find thatcontentment would not agree to come and live with you."

  "Probably it wouldn't! I'd have to be born to the life here like thischap who is coming up the hill. You can see that he isn't worrying abouthimself or the world outside."

  The man was clumping slowly along in his rubber boots; an old cap wasslewed awry on his head, its peak drawn down over one ear. He cocked upthe other ear at sound of voices on the porch and loafed up and sat downon the edge of the boarding. Captain Mayo and the girl, accustomed tobland indifference to formality in rural neighborhoods, accepted thisinterruption without surprise or protest.

  "'Tain't a bad night as nights go," stated the caller.

  "It's a beautiful night," said Polly Candage.

  "I reckon it seems so to you, after what you went through. I've beenharking to your father telling the yarn down to the store."

  They did not reply, having their own ideas as to Captain Candage'sloquacity.

  The caller hauled a plug of tobacco from his pocket, gnawed off a chew,and began slow wagging of his jaws. "This world is full of trouble," heobserved,

  "It seems to be," agreed Captain Mayo.

  "Them what's down get kicked further down."

  "Also true, in many cases."

  "Take your case! It's bad. But our'n is worse!" The caller pointed tothe dim bulk of a small island which the cove held between the bold jawsof its headland. "The old sir who named that Hue and Cry Island musthave smelt into the future so as to know what was going to happen theresome day--and this is the day!" He chewed on, and his silence becameirritating.

  "Well, what has happened?" demanded the captain.

  "It hasn't happened just yet--it's going to."

  Further silence.

  "Tell us what's going to happen, can't you?"

  "Of course I can, now that you have asked me. I ain't no hand to buttin. I ain't no hand to do things unless I'm asked. There's seventeenfam'lies of us on Hue and Cry and they've told us to get off."

  "Who told you?"

  "The state! Some big bugs come along and said the Governor sent 'em, andthey showed papers and we've got to go."

  "But I know about Hue and Cry!" protested Mayo. "You people have livedthere for years!"

  "Sure have! My grandfather was one of the first settlers. Most all of uswho live there had grandfathers who settled the place. But according towhat is told us, some heirs have found papers what say that they ownthe island. The state bought out the heirs. Now the state says get off.We're only squatters, state says."

  "But, good Caesar, man, you have squatter rights after all these years.Hire a lawyer. Fight the case!"

  "We ain't fighters. 'Ain't got no money--'ain't got no friends. Mighthave fit plain heirs, but you can't fight the state--leastways, poorcusses like us can't."

  "Where are you going?"

  "Well, there's the problem! That's what made me say that this world isfull of trouble. You see, we have taken town help in years past--had todo it or starve winters. And we have had state aid, too. They say thatmakes paupers of us. Every town round about has served notice that wecan't settle there and gain pauper residence. Hue and Cry 'ain't everbeen admitted to any town. Towns say, seeing that the state has orderedus off, now let the state take care of us."

  "And men have been here, representing the state?"

  "You bet they have."

  "What do they say?"

  "Say get off! But they won't let us settle on the main. Looks like theywanted us to go up in balloons. But we hain't got no balloons. Got tomove, though."

  "I never heard of such a thing!"

  "Nor I, neither," admitted this man, with a sort of calm numbness ofdiscouragement. "But that ain't anyways surprising. We don't hear muchabout anything on Hue and Cry till they come and tell us. Speaking formyself, I ain't so awful much fussed up. I've got a house-bo't totake my wife and young ones on, and we'll keep on digging clams fortrawlers--sixty cents a bucket, shucked, and we can dig and shuck abucket a day, all hands turning to. We won't starve. But I pity the poorcritters that 'ain't got a house-bo't. Looks like they'd need wings. Iain't worrying a mite, I say. I had the best house on the island, andthe state has allowed a hundred and fifty dollars for it. I consider I'mwell
fixed."

  The plutocrat of the unhappy tribe of Hue and Cry rose and stretchedwith a comfortable grunt.

  "If it ain't one thing it's another," he said, as he started off. "We'vegot to have about so much trouble, anyway, and it might just as well bethis as anything else." %

  "Why, that's an awful thing to happen to those people!" declared thegirl. "I must say, he takes it calmly."

  "He is a fair sample of some of the human jellyfish I have found hiddenaway in odd corners on this coast," stated Captain Mayo. "Not enoughmind or spirit left to fight for his own protection. But this thing isalmost unbelievable. It can't be possible that the state is gunning anaffair like this! I'll find somebody who knows more about it than thatclam-digging machine!"

  A little later a man strolled past, hands behind his back. He wasplacidly smoking a cigar, and, though the dusk had deepened, Mayo couldperceive that he was attired with some pretensions to city smartness.

  "I beg your pardon, sir," called the young man. "But do you knowanything about the inwardness of this business on Hue and Cry Island?"

  "I can tell you _all_ about it," stated the person who had been hailed.He sauntered up and sat down on the edge of the porch. He showed the airof a man who was killing time. "I'm in charge of it."

  "Not of putting those people off the island?"

  "Sure! That's what I'm here for. I'm state agent on pauper affairs,acting for the Governor and Council."

  "You say the state is back of this?" demanded Mayo, incredulously.

  "Certainly! It's a matter that the state was obliged to take up. Statehas bought that island from the real heirs, has ordered off thosesquatters, and we shall burn down their shacks and clear the land up.Of course, we allow heads of families some cash for their houses, ifyou can call 'em houses. That's under the law regulating squatterimprovements. But improvements is a polite word for the buildings onthat island. It is going to cost us good money to clear up for that NewYork party who has made an offer to the state--he's going to use theisland for a summer estate."

  He flicked the ashes from his cigar and broke in on Mayo's indignantretort.

  "It had to be done, sir. They have intermarried till a good many of thechildren are fools. The men are breaking into summer cottages, after theowners leave in the fall. They steal everything on the main that isn'tnailed down. They have set false beacons in the winter, and have wreckedcoasters. Every little while some city newspaper has written them up aswild men, and it has given the state a bad name. We're going to break upthe nest."

  "But where will they go?"

  "Fools to the state school for the feeble-minded, cripples to thepoorhouse. The able-bodied will have to get out and go to work atsomething honest."

  "But, look here, my dear sir! Those poor devils are starting out withtoo much of a handicap. After three generations on that island theydon't know how to get a living on the main."

  "That's their own lookout, not the state's! State doesn't guarantee togive shiftless folks a living."

  "How about using a little common sense in the case of such people?"

  "You are not making this affair your business, are you?" asked thecommissioner, with acerbity.

  "No."

  "Better not; and you'd better not say too much to _me!_" He rose anddusted off his trousers. "I have investigated for the Governor andCouncil and they are acting on my recommendations. You might just aswell advise nursing and coddling a nest of brown-tail moths--and we arespending good money to kill off moths. We don't propose to encourage thebreeding of thieves. We are not keeping show places of this sort alongthe coast for city folks to talk about and run down the state after theygo back home. It hurts state business!" He marched away.

  Captain Mayo strode up and down the porch and muttered some emphaticopinions in regard to the intellects and doings of rulers.

  "You see, I know the sort of people who live on that island, MissCandage. I have seen other cases alongshore. They are blamed for whatthey don't know--and what they are led into. Amateur missionaries willload them down in a spasm of summer generosity with a lot of truckand make them think that the world owes them a living. The poordevils haven't wit enough to look ahead. When it comes winter they arestarving--and when children are hungry and cold a man will tackle aproposition that is more dangerous than a summer cottage locked up forthe winter. Next comes along some chap like that state agent, who prideshimself on being straight business and no favors! He puts the screws to'em! There's nobody to help those folks in the real and the right way. Ipity them!"

  "I live in the country and I know how unfeeling the boards of selectmenare in many of the pauper cases. When it's a matter of saving money forthe voters and making a good town record, they don't care much how poorfolks get along."

  Mayo continued to patrol the porch. "I'm in a rather rebellious state ofmind just now, I reckon," he admitted. "Seems to me that a lot offolks, including myself, are getting kicked. I'm smarting! I havea fellow-feeling for the oppressed." He laughed, but there was nomerriment in his tones. "It's the little children who will suffer mostin this, Miss Candage," he went on. "They are not to blame--they don'tunderstand."

  "And of course nothing can be done."

  "Nothing sensible, I'm afraid." He walked to and fro for many minutes."You see, it's none of my business," he commented, when he came and satdown beside her.

  "I suppose there's not one man in the world to step forward and say agood word for them," said the girl, softly, uttering her thoughts.

  "Words wouldn't amount to anything--with the machinery of the stategrinding away so merrily as it is. But this matter is stirring mycuriosity a little, Miss Candage. That's because I am one of theoppressed myself, I reckon." Again his mirthless chuckle. "I intended totake the stage out of here in the morning, but I have an idea that I'llstay over and see what happens when that gentleman who represents ourgrand old state proceeds to scatter those folks to the four winds."

  "I was hoping you would stay over, Captain Mayo." She declared that withfrank delight.

  "But you don't expect me to do anything, of course!"

  "It's not that. You see, I'd like to go down to the island and--andfather is so odd he might not be willing to escort me," she explained,trying to be matter-of-fact, her air showing that she regretted heroutburst.

  "I volunteer, here and now."

  She rose and put out her hand to him. "I have not thanked you for savingmy life--saving us all, Captain Mayo. It is too holy a matter to beprofaned by any words. But here is my hand--like a friend--like asister--no"--she held herself straight and looked him full in the facethrough the gloom and tightened her hold on his fingers--"like a man!"

  He returned her earnest finger-clasp and released her hand when herpressure slackened. That sudden spirit, the suggestion that she desiredto assume the attitude of man to man with him, seemed to vanish from herwith the release of her fingers.

  She quavered her "Good night!" There was even a hint of a sob. Then sheran into the house.

  Mayo stared after her, wrinkling his forehead for a moment, as if he haddiscovered some new vagary in femininity to puzzle him. Then he resumedhis patrol with the slow stride of the master mariner. Hue and Cryraised dim bulk in the harbor jaws, showing no glimmer of light. It wasbarren, treeless, a lump of land which towns had thrust from them andwhich county boundaries had not taken in. He admitted that the state hadgood reasons for desiring to change conditions on Hue and Cry, but thiscallous, brutal uprooting of helpless folks who had been attached tothat soil through three generations was so senselessly radical thathis resentment was stirred. It was swinging from the extreme ofill-considered indulgence to that of utter cruelty, and the poor devilscould not in the least understand!

  "There seem to be other things than a spiked martingale which can picka man up and keep him away from his own business," he mused. "Whatfool notion possesses me to go out there to-morrow I cannot understand.However, I can go and look on without butting into stuff that's noaffair of mine."


  Two men were shuffling past in the road. In the utter silence of thatsummer night their conversation carried far.

  "Yes, sir, as I was saying, there he lays dead! When I was with him onthe _Luther Briggs_ he fell from the main crosstrees, broke both legsand one arm, and made a dent in the deck, and he got well. And a weekago, come to-morrow, he got a sliver under his thumb, and there he laysdead."

  "It's the way it often is in life. Whilst a man is looking up into thesky so as to see the big things and dodge 'em, he goes to work and stubshis toe over a knitting-needle."

  "That's right," Captain Mayo informed himself; "but I can't seem to helpmyself, somehow!"