10. Gimlet Takes a Job by Captain W E Johns

Author:Captain W E Johns
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-02-06T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 9

A VISITOR BY NIGHT

It seemed to Cub that there was now plenty to do and plenty to talk about. Things were, he thought, going well, but the general project, which was the setting up of a proper administration on the island, instead of being simplified had become more complicated. It was true that Shambo, whom he felt was their chief antagonist, was under lock and key; but they could not keep him in gaol without bringing a charge against him. Christian and Pedro were at large, and while they were keeping out of sight for the moment it was not to be supposed that they would accept their dismissal without further protest. Behind these men there were others. The radio in Shambo’s hut bore witness to that. He would not be likely to install such equipment even if he could afford it, which seemed highly improbable, merely for amusement. It was there for a purpose. What that purpose was remained to be discovered. The murder of Colonel Baker and his staff had to be investigated. That could not be ignored. Aside from these things the confidence of the population had to be gained; and lastly, but by no means least, the island would have to be explored for its agricultural possibilities, in order to ascertain if it could be made self-supporting. How all these things were to be done in the face of Shambo’s hostility, and without the co-operation of the people, Cub could not imagine. It seemed to him that Gimlet would need twenty assistants, not three (he didn’t count Gates) to tackle the job. When Trapper came in from the kitchen with a big pot of tea he made a remark to this effect.

Gimlet, who was standing in the doorway, turned. “Nobody ever has enough help to do all the things he would like to do,” he said quietly. “We shall have to do the best we can with what we’ve got. As things are, one of us at least is always tied to the house. It would be asking for trouble to leave it unguarded. The first thing, then, is to enrol some troops. We’ll start with Joe. I shall make him N.C.O. in charge of the local levies by raising him to lance-corporal right away.”

“Crikey!” exclaimed Copper. “That’s what you call accelerated promotion, and not ’arf. It took me three years to get my first stripe,”

“Get him fixed up in some sort of uniform right away,” ordered Gimlet. “I must make out a report on conditions here for the Colonial Office in case the aircraft comes with stores.”

“What about Joe’s pay, sir?” asked Copper.

“A shilling a day.”

“What about his quarters?”

“Fix him up in the stable that joins the house. It’s in pretty good order—only needs cleaning up. Joe can do that himself. Rupert can help him. We’ll make further plans when I come back.” Gimlet went into his office.

Joe, who had been waiting outside, was called in and asked if he would like to be the first member of the new guard force.

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