Tears of the Moon - Di Morrissey [64]
Olivia shrieked as she hit the water, rushed to the gunwale and peered over the side. The girl’s head bobbed to the surface. Tyndall immediately plunged into the lagoon and struck out for the girl who was smoothly kicking her way to the other side. When he grabbed her she beat him with her fists, her flailing arms and legs sending them both below the surface. Finally with an arm locked across her chest and pinning her from behind, he slowly sidestroked back towards Ahmed, who rowed quickly to help. Together they dragged the spluttering naked girl into the boat. Tyndall swam to retrieve his shirt from the water and Ahmed shouted at the girl in Malay, ‘We’re helping you! We are your friends.’
‘Kawan?’ She echoed the word and looked confused.
Back on board the lugger, Olivia looked at the bedraggled girl. ‘Ahmed, ask her what her name is.’
He spoke to her quickly. ‘Her name is Niah.’
‘Niah,’ repeated Tyndall reflectively. ‘Well, Niah, at least we know you can swim! Might make a diver of you yet!’
‘What!’ Olivia exploded. ‘I thought you were going to let her go.’
‘Well, not here anyways. Gunther would snatch her back in a minute. Besides, I paid a high price for her.’ He grinned at Olivia’s furious face. Turning to the girl, he said, ‘So Niah, what are we going to do with you?’
He spoke to her in Malay and she answered, giving him a smile that made Olivia look from the girl to Tyndall then to Ahmed. ‘What did he say, Ahmed?’
Ahmed was grinning and turned away. ‘Nothing, mem.’
Tyndall lifted an eyebrow and explained. ‘She made me an offer some men might find hard to refuse. Would you be so kind as to give her something to wear?’
Olivia glared at the three of them and stomped below to pull a long white shift from her bag.
With the island now behind them, Olivia sat on the deck and hugged her knees watching Niah, who was sitting comfortably cross–legged in the simple cotton shift, calmly braiding her long dark hair. Olivia noticed she wore a striking flat, carved shell pendant around her neck. Looking close, she reacted with surprise—it had the same pattern on it as the gift the women had given her. Ahmed and the Koepangers busied themselves opening shell and Tyndall stood at the wheel whistling, steering the Bulan towards Broome.
CHAPTER NINE
Captain Tyndall’s return to Broome with a nubile young black woman did not go unnoticed in the town. Nor indeed, did the fact that Mrs Hennessy had accompanied him on the voyage.
The two women, followed by Ahmed with the luggage, walked solemnly along the jetty after the Bulan moored. Niah was a step behind Olivia, who was now demurely dressed in her formal day clothes. But sharp eyes watching the small procession quickly identified Niah’s white ‘dress’ as a woman’s petticoat, probably Olivia’s.
Tyndall brought up the rear, cheerfully whistling and carrying his battered leather Gladstone bag containing documents, money, pearls and the inevitable bottle of whisky.
As they reached the end of the jetty Conrad came hurrying to greet them. He embraced Olivia and over her shoulder he glanced at Niah, giving Tyndall a quizzical glance and raised eyebrows. Tyndall responded with a grin and a wink.
‘My dear, I saw you sail in. It was such a relief to see you home safe and sound. I heard there was a bad blow down the coast.’ Conrad released her and put his hands on her shoulders. ‘Did you enjoy yourself?’ One glance at her sparkling eyes, flushed cheeks and eager smile answered his question.
‘Oh, she has quite a story to tell,’ commented Tyndall.
‘Was it successful?’ asked Conrad.
‘Indeed it was—despite a small loss along the way,’ answered Tyndall. ‘Your wife coped admirably, all things considered. I don’t know many women who would have done so well under such trying conditions.’
‘She didn’t get seasick or get in the way?’ Conrad asked teasingly.
‘No, Conrad, I didn’t. I even took the helm once,’ interjected Olivia sharply.
‘You’ll hear all about it, but pour yourself a rum first,’ advised Tyndall. ‘Nice having you on