Part 27 (1/2)
”Had I a reason for proceeding in any definite direction I would sail to-morrow,” observed the co up and down the coast, expending coals and wearing out the shi+p”
”I am sometimes tempted to wish that steam power had never been introduced on board men-of-hen I think of our early days on the _Racer_ in the Mediterranean, and the life we led on the coast of Africa and out here,” said Jack ”After all, youngsters have the best of it”
”They certainly have few cares and responsibilities, and enjoy sounder sleep than those in command can do when at sea,” observed Murray
While they were speaking, Archie Gordon, cap in hand, entered the cabin, and addressing the commodore said, ”A Chinaman has just come on board, sir, and as far as we can understand, desires to see you to report that his junk has soo been attacked and carried off by pirates”
”I will see him at once; let him come below,” answered the commodore
”Request Mr Chin-ho, the interpreter, to coone on shore, sir,” replied the midshi+p in a stout-built Chinalish eyes, in a very unnautical costue people
”What have you got to say, my friend?” asked Murray, after the visitor had made the usual salutation and been requested to sit down, for Murray properly made it a rule to treat all the Chinese with due courtesy
The stranger introduced hi junk _Round Moon_ As the curious jargon in which he made his stateive it in ordinary English
”The _Round Moon_ was lying in S roads, in co asleep in my cabin, akened by a loud noise on deck, of shrieks and cries, clashi+ng of swords, scuffling and thu out to see as the matter, as my horror to discover that the deck was in the possession of strangers, and thatMybravely, not far frolishman, Jull by name, whom I knew to be a fearful scoundrel, a sword covered with blood in his hand, and about to attack the et my arms, Jull had killed thethat I should share the sah the cabin port into the water, intending to swim to a junk astern, when Jull, who had followedthat I was overboard, fired at ht that I should escape, but presently another shot struck me in the back; still I swaot on board, the first thing I saasout of the harbour I wanted the captain of the junk who had picked ot toomore I had fainted When I caht I have not seen her since, but wishi+ng to recover her, I have not ceased inquiring about Jull at every place at which I have touched A few days ago, as I was sailing froe fleet of junks, had attacked and plundered a nuhbourhood, and that he was even then at anchor with all his fleet in a channel between the island of Latea and that of Chusan If you go at once northith your steamers, you may arrive in time to catch hi heavy guns and gingalls, and 500 or 600 et up the creek to attack him, and he is very likely toYou e force, and be very careful how you approach, and as he fights with a rope round his neck, he will struggle to the last”
This narrative took a long tilish fluently, had to search about for words to express hiers had to cross-question hiain what he had said before they could co The above, however, as has been said, was the substance of his statelish Murray inquired whether Mr Po-ho, or rather Captain Po-ho, was ready to go as pilot
He juive him more satisfaction than to see Jull's head cut off
”We will both go,” said Murray ”Return on board, Jack; hoist the blue Peter, fire your guns to bring off any of your officers or men who may be on shore I will do the sa
Are you ready, Captain Po-ho?” The Chinaman's little eyes twinkled with satisfaction ”He would,” he said, ”send his boat back to let his friends know that he had found soe his loss, and expressed a hope that should his own junk be recovered, she would be restored to hiht the two shi+ps, with most of their officers on board--with the exception of two or three, who, having gone to the other side of the island, were left on shore--were steahted Chusan, a vessel under all sail was seen standing fronal of the _Orion_, and that she had despatches for the commodore The _Bellona's_ as therefore stopped, the _E for her In a short time Captain Adair came on board He had come from japan with the request that soht be sent there at once to protect British interests, subjects, and property, which were in constant danger from the Damios The coent as to prohibit his first looking after the pirate and his fleet, and resolved to carry out his object, taking the _Orion_ with him At Chusan, off which he called to obtain further inforun-boat, the _Gnat_, which, from her small size, would be able to play an important part in the expedition
From the information furnished by Captain Po-ho, Murray learned that the pirate's stronghold was in the able channels between the up to it, and that to prevent the escape of the villains it would be necessary to watch the whole of the battery on shore, its guns co a deep bay, in which the junks were at anchor Thus the boats in the expedition would be exposed to a hot fire, and should the junks be captured, they ht iuns of the fort, which was described as being very strong originally, and since it had been occupied by the pirates they had been e to the defences It was said also that within was stored a large a several cruises One thing appeared certain, that the piratical fleet was still at anchor off the fort The co obtained all the necessary information, stood with his squadron late in the day towards the islands, so that he ht not arrive off them until darkness would conceal his moveuarded, each by one of the shi+ps, and that the gun-boat and boats should proceed up the other to attack the pirates This suggestion was adopted Murray ordered three boats fro body of blue-jackets, to rendezvous alongside the _Gnat_, which also carried the larger nuers, accompanied by Po-ho as pilot and interpreter, went on board the _Gnat_ and took coe of a boat, as had our old friend Jos Green, while the others were under command of lieutenants or mates Tom was acco the fleet of boats in tow, steered towards the entrance of the chief channel, up which the expedition was to proceed As they neared it just before dawn, a rocket was seen to rise, for brilliantly as they fell It was fired apparently from the centre of the island, where the fort was supposed to be situated, as a signal to soht have been at anchor near the entrance of one of the channels As Captain Po-ho could not give a very exact account of the position of the fort, Captain Rogers thought it prudent to wait until daybreak before co the attack Of the character of the enemy, however, he had no doubt, fro band of pirates, who had long been the terror of traders
The _Gnat_, having a long line of boats astern, ht look-out was kept, lest any of the junks ht attempt to steal out and escape; but none appeared The rocket, however, was an evidence that some of the pirate fleet, at all events, were still inside The entrance was at length gained The shore on either side was so close that, had the eneht greatly have annoyed the flotilla without the risk ofbroke the _Gnat_ was approaching a long, low, rocky point, over which the masts of a considerable fleet of junks could be perceived The steamer must at the same time have been discovered by the pirates, for the junks' sails were hoisted, and the wind favouring them, they stood away towards a channel in the opposite direction
”The villains will soon find they have et off that way,” observed To-pan into the fire The shots from our shi+ps will send every one of therounded on a sand-bank, and the boats had to take to their oars while she ed, the junks were seen returning to their anchorage, sweeping along at a good speed
”The rascals have discovered that they are caught in a trap, and, like rats driven into a corner, will fight desperately,” said Tom ”We shall have some real work to do, Billy”
”I don't mind et back to breakfast,” answered the other ry already”
This delay enabled the greater part of the pirate fleet to get back to their anchorage, but the wind blowing stronger as the sun rose, three of theainst it, turned down another channel, expecting probably to escape in that direction, being thus unable to render any assistance to their coers ordered three of the boats, of which Toitives and capture theht be taken, to ascertain the strength of the fort, so that heit The second lieutenant of the _E the third
Away they pulled as hard as they could go The pirates, seeing theuns, and at the saalls; but their shot generally flew over the boats, which, although the junks sailed well, were rapidly co up with them
”I will take the head out the lieutenant, addressing Tom and Desmond