Chapter 21 - Discovered!
More than two thousand boats had lined up, sinking their anchors to a depth of nine meters.
Since fishing had to stop at noon, everyone hurried to prepare the nets and stones so as not to waste time. The divers, for the most part Indians, threw themselves into the water, holding on to the ropes and the fishing began amid the shouts of the sailors who remained on board to receive the oysters.
«The British government withholds two parts of the fishery, is that right?» Blake asked.
«Yes.» Kaj replied.
The mandah put the bow towards the islet and continued to push the ship as if he wanted to head towards the Indian coast.
When night fell, the boat, with the lights off, returned to the rock that was no longer visible. About ten o'clock the mandah ordered the lifeboat to be lowered, having food and three carbines put into it.
«In twenty minutes you will be safe» he said.
The moon was giving off enough light and they found themselves in a tunnel. There were steps, which the sea had corroded and made slippery to make the climb extremely difficult.
The mandah, who was holding the lantern, climbed about twenty steps, then emerged onto a platform which was sheltered by a wall on the sea side. He had placed his feet on the first step of the second staircase, when a curse came from his lips.
«What happen?» Kaj asked.
«See that bright spot sliding down there, to the east?»
«The light of some boat?»
«What if it was instead of the steamboat?»
«I think so too.» Blake said with a frown. «If it belonged to a sailing ship or a steamer it would be much higher».
«Do you think they saw us landing on this islet?»
«It's impossible in this darkness.»
«Put out the lantern, they might see it.» Blake asked.
Ten minutes later they reached the top of the huge rock, the platform of which was very wide and cluttered with the rubble of broken walls.
«Nobody will come to bother you and you will stay here waiting for my return. Tomorrow night, at this time, I will be here with a sailboat, so that Mr. Blake you can go to Colombo. If you don't find a diving suit, you won't be able to look for the red pearl».
«I'll find a couple and also the air supply machine.»
The three companions soon saw the lifeboat break away from the islet and head towards the boat.
«Here's a mystery that is beginning to disturb me.» Blake muttered. I don't know how to explain, yet it is impossible that anyone could have known that we have come here».
The mandah, as soon as he got back on board his boat, turned on the lights and ordered to sail to the City of Pearls.
The mandah, with one hand on the tiller, smoked a large pipe adorned with pearls. However, he watched carefully. The luminous point returned to the north and above it you could see sparks spinning which immediately went out.
It seemed impossible that the steamship had followed him, with the sole purpose of preventing him from fishing for pearls during the hours prohibited by regulations.
The cannon thundered, giving the signal to go fishing.
The City of Pearls was an ephemeral city that lasts as long as there are fishermen.
For the most part, the foreigners were pearl merchants, who argued for the most beautiful.
The unbearable stench sent by those millions of oysters left to spoil did not bother all those buyers.
The mandah had the oysters unloaded, collected the day before in his enclosure. He entered, beckoning one of those captains to follow him, saying:
«Did you understand me? One hundred rupees to earn and tonight you are on the islet where the man who has to go to Colombo awaits you».
«And the amount I have to give to your friends?»
«You will withdraw it from El Sadak, the banker of the association. Be discreet».
He was about to return to his boat when he was approached by a large European with red hair and mustache, wearing a light white flannel suit and a hat.
«Excuse me, captain,» he said, planting himself in front of him «You are a pearl fisher, aren't you?».
«Yes.» replied the other, after having carefully examined him.
«I would like information from you on pearl fishing. I'm a newspaper correspondent. I pay you and I will not waste your time».
«I'm very busy right now.»
The Englishman frowned, then said in an almost threatening voice:
«I am a European under the protection of the government and I believe that an Indian cannot refuse a hundred rupees for a few words.»
«That's another talk» said the mandah. «No pearl fisherman would refuse such a sum».
The Englishman waited for an answer, whipping his trousers with a whip he held in his hand.
«I accept, as long as it is a short time. My men are waiting for me.»
«They will have ten rupees to drink arak.» the Englishman answered.
«Such fortunes are not found every day! It is better to take advantage of it, since I lose my fishing for this object.»
The Englishman glanced around as if looking for somewhere to sit down, then said, «Wouldn't you mind following me to my hotel? I'll offer you breakfast.»
«Come on.» replied the mandah.
«Follow me.» The Englishman stood next to the Indian and made his way through the crowd, using the whip.
He stopped in front of a booth and entered it as in his own house.
An Indian immediately ran and asked him what he wanted.
«Two steaks and bottles of the best liquor, but above all that nobody bother us. Tell the owner or I'll leave».
It was not five minutes before the Indian returned with the food and the two ribs and the glasses.
«Eat first of all, captain.» the Englishman said «There will be more bottles to empty when these are dry».
The mandah did not have the invitation repeated twice and drank happily. Meanwhile the Englishman questioned him about pearl fishing and took notes, looking at the clock from time to time. After the ribs he had curry, then some fish and finally a bottle of wine, telling him:
«Worth five rupees: it must be excellent. Taste, captain.»
«Devils! What did they mix with this liqueur? It's as bitter as if they've put poison in it».
«It will be a bad taste in your mouth» the Englishman replied calmly, looking at him ironically.
«It's not my mouth, sir! My head is spinning as if I've had a pint of gin.»
The mandah suddenly stiffened as his eyes went glassy. He seemed to have been electrocuted by an electric shock.
«Imbecile!» murmured the Englishman, laughing. You fell into a trap like a mouse on its first raids».
He banged his fist on the table and a man of massive form, without one eye, entered.
«It's done?» churches.
«He doesn't move anymore, my dear One-eye.»
«Are you sure, sir, that this is the very mandah who received them on the boat?»
«I always followed him after he landed. Throw away the contents of the bottle and move the wagon forward. Did you pay the hotel owner?»
«Yes and he won't speak.»
«You're a clever man, One-eye.» said the Englishman, or rather the Irishman, because he was Foster, the warden of the prison.
«I want to take him back to the penitentiary, that dog Kaj, and for me to be free, as promised by the commander.»
One-eye went out quickly, then went back in saying:
«Take this imbecile by the legs, while I hold him by the arms.»
They picked up the poor mandah who was no longer showing any sign of life and carried him out.
The Irishman and One-eyed laid the mandah on the chariot and the oxen set off at a small trot, heading for the edge of the City of Pearls.
The ride lasted twenty minutes, then the wagon stopped near an isolated hut. The Irishman and One-eye removed the mandah and carried it to the hut, while the boy with the wagon went away.
The Irishman and One-eye placed the mandah on the mat.
«Can you make him come to his senses?» asked the overseer.
«It's a very easy thing, Mr. Foster.»
He rummaged in the band and pulled out a small vial containing a reddish liquor, then took off the knife and put the tip between the mandah's teeth.
«Don't spoil it.» the Irishman said.
With an effort the one-eyed parted the fisherman's teeth and poured five drops of that mysterious filter into his mouth.
It seemed that an electric shock had hit the mandah. He widened his eyes and suddenly sat up.
«I burn!» he exclaimed.
«Come by now» replied One-eyed smiling. «How are you, old man? You know me? Many months have passed. Look at me carefully».
The mandah had remained motionless, eyes wide, fixed on him.
«It's impossible that you don't remember me anymore, you've seen me several times in old Chital's hut».
The mandah kept looking at him.
«Do you want a glass of water to loosen your tongue and clear your memory?»
«Yes, I've seen you before, you were then a fisherman, and what are you today?» They told me they took you to the penitentiary. How are you here now?».
«These are things that don't concern you.» said One-eye.
«Did they pardon you or did you run away?»
«If I had fled I certainly wouldn't have come here, in this city. Ah! Old age incretes some men too soon».
«Why did you have me brought here and why did this Englishman give me a narcotic to drink?»
«Slowly, old fisherman, leave this gentleman alone for now and answer my questions instead. Who were those three people you took aboard your boat last night, as you were heading towards the counter?»
The other started and stared at him then replied immediately:
«I took on board two good divers and a skilled sailor that I needed.»
«Where did they come from?»
«From Martaban, where I had them enlisted in Burma.»
«Are you quite sure?»
«What do you mean, One-eye?» he asked in an angry voice.
«That you try to deceive me.»
«For what purpose?» «You'll know later. One of those men is an Englishman, isn't he?»
«Yes, a good pilot.»
One-eye burst into laughter.
«Old fool! Do you think I'm a boy? Since you don't know who I am, I'll tell you that the Englishman is called Blake, the other Jody and the young is Kaj. They fled the penitentiary».
They had been discovered, and now! The mandah was worried.