michael, brother of jerry-第8章

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〃The　most　playful…minded　dog；　without　being　silly；　I　ever　saw；〃　was　Dag　Daughtry's　verdict　to　the　Shortlands　planter；　to　whom　he　had　just　sold　one　of　his　turtle…shell　combs。　　〃You　see；　some　dogs　never　get　over　the　play…idea；　an'　they're　never　good　for　anything　else。　　But　not　Killeny　Boy。　　He　can　come　down　to　seriousness　in　a　second。　　I'll　show　you；　and　I'll　show　you　he's　got　a　brain　that　counts　to　five　an'　knows　wireless　telegraphy。　　You　just　watch。〃

At　the　moment　the　steward　made　his　faint　lip…noiseso　faint　that　he　could　not　hear　it　himself　and　was　almost　for　wondering　whether　or　not　he　had　made　it；　so　faint　that　the　Shortlands　planter　did　not　dream　that　he　was　making　it。　　At　that　moment　Michael　was　lying　squirming　on　his　back　a　dozen　feet　away；　his　legs　straight　up　in　the　air；　both　fox…terriers　worrying　with　well…stimulated　ferociousness。　　With　a　quick　out…thrust　of　his　four　legs；　he　rolled　over　on　his　side　and　with　questioning　eyes　and　pricked　ears　looked　and　listened。　　Again　Daughtry　made　the　lip…noise；　again　the　Shortlands　planter　did　not　hear　nor　guess；　and　Michael　bounded　to　his　feet　and　to　his　lord's　side。

〃Some　dog；　eh？〃　the　steward　boasted。

〃But　how　did　he　know　you　wanted　him？〃　the　planter　queried。　　〃You　never　called　him。〃

〃Mental　telepathy；　the　affinity　of　souls　pitched　in　the　same　whatever…you…call…it　harmony；〃　the　steward　mystified。　　〃You　see；　Killeny　an'　me　are　made　of　the　same　kind　of　stuff；　only　run　into　different　moulds。　　He　might　a…been　my　full　brother；　or　me　his；　only　for　some　mistake　in　the　creation　factory　somewhere。　　Now　I'll　show　you　he　knows　his　bit　of　arithmetic。〃

And；　drawing　the　paper　balls　from　his　pocket；　Dag　Daughtry　demonstrated　to　the　amazement　and　satisfaction　of　the　ring　of　passengers　Michael's　ability　to　count　to　five。

〃Why；　sir；〃　Daughtry　concluded　the　performance；　〃if　I　was　to　order　four　glasses　of　beer　in　a　public…house　ashore；　an'　if　I　was　absent…minded　an'　didn't　notice　the　waiter　'd　only　brought　three；　Killeny　Boy　there　'd　raise　a　row　instanter。〃

Kwaque　was　no　longer　compelled　to　enjoy　his　jews'　harp　on　the　gratings　over　the　fire…room；　now　that　Michael's　presence　on　the　Makambo　was　known；　and；　in　the　stateroom；　on　stolen　occasions；　he　made　experiments　of　his　own　with　Michael。　　Once　the　jews'　harp　began　emitting　its　barbaric　rhythms；　Michael　was　helpless。　　He　needs　must　open　his　mouth　and　pour　forth　an　unwilling；　gushing　howl。　　But；　as　with　Jerry；　it　was　not　mere　howl。　　It　was　more　akin　to　a　mellow　singing；　and　it　was　not　long　before　Kwaque　could　lead　his　voice　up　and　down；　in　rough　time　and　tune；　within　a　definite　register。

Michael　never　liked　these　lessons；　for；　looking　down　upon　Kwaque；　he　hated　in　any　way　to　be　under　the　black's　compulsion。　　But　all　this　was　changed　when　Dag　Daughtry　surprised　them　at　a　singing　lesson。　　He　resurrected　the　harmonica　with　which　it　was　his　wont；　ashore　in　public…houses；　to　while　away　the　time　between　bottles。　The　quickest　way　to　start　Michael　singing；　he　discovered；　was　with　minors；　and；　once　started；　he　would　sing　on　and　on　for　as　long　as　the　music　played。　　Also；　in　the　absence　of　an　instrument；　Michael　would　sing　to　the　prompting　and　accompaniment　of　Steward's　voice；　who　would　begin　by　wailing　〃kow…kow〃　long　and　sadly；　and　then　branch　out　on　some　old　song　or　ballad。　　Michael　had　hated　to　sing　with　Kwaque；　but　he　loved　to　do　it　with　Steward；　even　when　Steward　brought　him　on　deck　to　perform　before　the　laughter…shrieking　passengers。

Two　serious　conversations　were　held　by　the　steward　toward　the　close　of　the　voyage：　　one　with　Captain　Duncan　and　one　with　Michael。

〃It's　this　way；　Killeny；〃　Daughtry　began；　one　evening；　Michael's　head　resting　on　his　lord's　knees　as　he　gazed　adoringly　up　into　his　lord's　face；　understanding　no　whit　of　what　was　spoken　but　loving　the　intimacy　the　sounds　betokened。　　〃I　stole　you　for　beer　money；　an'　when　I　saw　you　there　on　the　beach　that　night　I　knew　you'd　bring　ten　quid　anywheres。　　Ten　quid's　a　horrible　lot　of　money。　Fifty　dollars　in　the　way　the　Yankees　reckon　it；　an'　a　hundred　Mex　in　China　fashion。

〃Now；　fifty　dollars　gold　'd　buy　beer　to　beat　the　bandenough　to　drown　me　if　I　fell　in　head　first。　　Yet　I　want　to　ask　you　one　question。　　Can　you　see　me　takin'　ten　quid　for　you？　。　。　。　Go　on。　Speak　up。　　Can　you？〃

And　Michael；　with　thumps　of　tail　to　the　floor　and　a　high　sharp　bark；　showed　that　he　was　in　entire　agreement　with　whatever　had　been　propounded。

〃Or　say　twenty　quid；　now。　　That's　a　fair　offer。　　Would　I？　　Eh！　Would　I？　　Not　on　your　life。　　What　d'ye　say　to　fifty　quid？　　That　might　begin　to　interest　me；　but　a　hundred　quid　would　interest　me　more。　　Why；　a　hundred　quid　all　in　beer　'd　come　pretty　close　to　floatin'　this　old　hooker。　　But　who　in　Sam　Hill'd　offer　a　hundred　quid？　　I'd　like　to　clap　eyes　on　him　once；　that's　all；　just　once。　D'ye　want　to　know　what　for？　　All　right。　　I'll　whisper　it。　　So　as　I　could　tell　him　to　go　to　hell。　　Sure；　Killeny　Boy；　just　like　that　oh；　most　polite；　of　course；　just　a　kindly　directin'　of　his　steps　where　he'd　never　suffer　from　frigid　extremities。〃

Michael's　love　for　Steward　was　so　profound　as　almost　to　he　a　mad　but　enduring　infatuation。　　What　the　steward's　regard　for　Michael　was　coming　to　be　was　best　evidenced　by　his　conversation　with　Captain　Duncan。

〃Sure；　sir；　he　must　've　followed　me　on　board；〃　Daughtry　finished　his　unveracious　recital。　　〃An'　I　never　knew　it。　　Last　I　seen　of　'm　was　on　the　beach。　　Next　I　seen　of　'm　there；　he　was　fast　asleep　in　my　bunk。　　Now　how'd　he　get　there；　sir？　　How'd　he　pick　out　my　room？　I　leave　it　to　you；　sir。　　I　call　it　marvellous；　just　plain　marvellous。〃

〃With　a　quartermaster　at　the　head　of　the　gangway！〃　Captain　Duncan　snorted。　　〃As　if　I　didn't　know　your　tricks；　Steward。　　There's　nothing　marvellous　about　it。　　Just　a　plain　case　of　steal。　Followed　you　on　board？　　That　dog　never　came　over　the　side。　　He　came　through　a　port…hole；　and　he　never　came　through　by　himself。　That　nigger　of　yours；　I'll　wager；　had　a　hand　in　the　helping。　　But　let's　have　done　with　beating　about　the　bush。　　Give　me　the　dog；　and　I'll　say　no　more　about　the　cat。〃

〃Seein'　you　believe　what　you　believe；　then　you'd　be　for　compoundin'　the　felony；〃　Daughtry　retorted；　the　habitual　obstinate　tightening　of　his　brows　showing　which　way　his　will　set。　　〃Me；　sir；　I'm　only　a　ship's　steward；　an'　it　wouldn't　mean　nothin'　at　all　bein'　arrested　for　dog…stealin'；　but　you；　sir；　a　captain　of　a　fine　steamer；　how'd　it　sound　for　you；　sir？　　No；　sir；　it'd　be　much　wiser　for　me　to　keep　the　dog　that　followed　me　aboard。〃

〃I'll　give　ten　pounds　in　the　bargain；〃　the　captain　proffered。

〃No；　it　wouldn't　do；　it　wouldn't　do　at　all；　sir；　an'　you　a　captain；〃　the　steward　continued　to　reiterate；　rolling　his　head　sombrely。　　〃Besides；　I　know　where's　a　peach　of　an　Angora　in　Sydney。　　The　owner　is　gone　to　the　country　an'　has　no　further　use　of　it；　an'　it'd　be　a　kindness　to　the　cat；　air　to　give　it　a　good　regular　home　like　the　Makambo。〃



CHAPTER　VIIII



Another　trick　Dag　Daughtry　succeeded　in　teaching　Michael　so　enhanced　him　in　Captain　Duncan's　eyes　as　to　impel　him　to　offer　fifty　pounds；　〃and　never　mind　the　cat。〃　　At　first；　Daughtry　practised　the　trick　in　private　with　the　chief　engineer　and　the　Shortlands　planter。　　Not　until　thoroughly　satisfied　did　he　make　a　public　performance　of　it。

〃Now　just　suppose　you're　policemen；　or　detectives；〃　Daughtry　told　the　first　and　third　officers；　〃an'　suppose　I'm　guilty　of　some　horrible　crime。　　An'　suppose　Killeny　is　the　only　clue；　an'　you've　got　Killeny。　　When　he　recognizes　his　masterme；　of　courseyou've　got　your　man。　　You　go　down　the　deck　with　him；　leadin'　by　the　rope。　Then　you　come　back　this　way　with　him；　makin'　believe　this　is　the　street；　an'　when　he　recognizes　me　you　arrest　me。　　But　if　he　don't　realize　me；　you　can't　arrest　me。　　See？〃

The　two　officers　led　Michael　away；　and　after　several　minutes　returned　along　the　deck；　Michael　stretched　out　ahead　on　the　taut　rope　seeking　Steward。

〃What'll　you　take　for　the　dog？〃　Daughtry　demanded；　as　they　drew　nearthis　the　cue　he　had　trained　Michael　to　know。

And　Michael；　straining　at　the　rope；　went　by；　without　so　much　as　a　wag　of　tail　to　Steward　or　a　glance　of　eye。　　The　officers　stopped　before　Daughtry　and　drew　Michael　back　into　the　group。

〃He's　a　lost　dog；〃　said　the　first　officer。

〃We're　trying　to　find　his　owner；〃　supplemented　the　third。

〃Some　dog　thatwhat'll　you　take　for　'm？〃　Daughtry　asked；　studying　Michael　with　critical　eyes　of　interest。　　〃What　kind　of　a　temper's　he　got？〃

〃Try　him；〃　was　the　answer。

The　steward　put　out　his　hand　to　pat　him　on　the　head；　but　withdrew　it　hastily　as　Michael；　with　bristle　and　growl；　viciously　bared　his　teeth。

〃Go　on；　go　on；　he　won't　hurt　you；〃　the　delighted　passengers　urged。

This　time　the　steward's　hand　was　barely　missed　by　a　snap；　and　he　leaped　back　as　Michael　ferociously　sprang　the　length　of　the　rope　at　him。

〃Take　'm　away！〃　Dag　Daughtry　roared　angrily。　　〃The　treacherous　beast！　　I　wouldn't　take　'm　for　gift！〃

And　as　they　obeyed；　Michael　strained　backward　in　a　paroxysm　of　rage；　making　fierce　short　jumps　to　the　end　of　the　tether　as　he　snarled　and　growled　with　utmost　fierceness　at　the　steward。

〃Eh？　　Who'd　say　he　ever　seen　me　in　his　life？〃　Daughtry　demanded　triumphantly。　　〃It's　a　trick　I　never　seen　played　myself；　but　I've　heard　tell　about　it。　　The　old…time　poachers　in　England　used　to　do　it　with　their　lurcher　dogs。　　If　they　did　get　the　dog　of　a　strange　poacher；　no　gamekeeper　or　constable　could　identify　'm　by　the　dog　mum　was　the　word。〃

〃Tell　you　what；　he　knows　things；　that　Killeny。　　He　knows　English。　Right　now；　in　my　room；　with　the　door　open；　an'　so　as　he　can　find　'm；　is　shoes；　slippers；　cap；　towel；　hair…brush；　an'　tobacco　pouch。　What'll　it　be？　　Name　it　an'　he'll　fetch　it。〃

So　immediately　and　variously　did　the　passengers　respond　that　every　article　was　called　for。

〃Just　one　of　you　choose；〃　the　steward　advised。　　〃The　rest　of　you　pick　'm　out。〃

〃Slipper；〃　said　Captain　Duncan；　selected　by　acclamation。

〃One　or　both？〃　Daughtry　asked。

〃Both。〃

〃Come　here；　Killeny；〃　Daughtry　began；　bending　toward　him　but　leaping　back　from　the　snap　of　jaws　that　clipped　together　close　to　his　nose

〃My　mistake；〃　he　apologized。　　〃I　ain't　told　him　the　other　game　was　over。　　Now　just　listen　an；　watch。　'n'　see　if　you　can　catch　on　to　the　tip　I'm　goin'　to　give　'm。〃

No　one　saw　anything；　heard　anything；　yet　Michael；　with　a　whine　of　eagerness　and　joy；　with　laughing　mouth　and　wriggling　body；　was　upon　the　steward；　licking　his　hands　madly；　squirming　and　twisting　in　the　embrace　of　the　loved　hands　he　had　so　recently　threatened；　making　attempts　at　short　upward　leaps　as　he　flashed　his　tongue　upward　toward　his　lord's　face。　　For　hard　it　was　on　Michael；　a　nerve　and　mental　strain　of　the　severest　for　him　so　to　control　himself　as　to　play…act　anger　and　threat　of　hurt　to　his　beloved　Steward。

〃Takes　him　a　little　time　to　get　over　a　thing　like　that；〃　Daughtry　explained；　as　he　soothed　Michael　down。

〃Now；　Killeny！　　Go　fetch　'm　slipper！　　Wait！　　Fetch　'm　ONE　slipper。　Fetch　'm　TWO　slipper。〃

Michael　looked　up　with　pricked　ears；　and　with　eyes　filled　with　query　as　all　his　intelligent　consciousness　suffused　them。

〃TWO　slipper！　　Fetch　'm　quick！〃

He　was　off　and　away　in　a　scurry　of　speed　that　seemed　to　flatten　him　close　to