Part 30 (1/2)

”You are perfectly correct there,” was the answer ”It is a letter, insisting that all the demands which have been made should be couns which our shi+ps carry; we have shells and rockets and other missiles of warfare, and we shall be compelled to let them fly pretty thickly about your ears”

”But the prince is fifty et an ansithin the time specified”

”Then ill make the time thirty hours Your posts can perform the distance in that time, and take care that they do not dally on the way”

The japanese chief official smiled blandly, and then said that it would facilitate e d'affaires_ would come on shore to discuss the matter in an amicable manner within the city, where a palace had been prepared for their reception

”The japanese ht in that fashi+on,” re by, when he heard the interpreter give the invitation

The japanese official pressed the offer in the reat advantage which would be gained byaffairs to a conclusion

The adood reason to congratulate himself that he did not accept it, when it was reported that the japanese intended as soon as he and the envoy had got inside the castle to lift the drawbridges and to send word on board the squadron that should a shot be fired the prisoners would be instantly beheaded

The interview at length came to a conclusion, and the torded officials took their departure for the shore Within the ti but satisfactory They looked very much surprised when ordered to return on shore with an intimation that no further co of truce

In the mean time a boat expedition had been ordered to proceed further up the gulf to ascertain what had become of the fleet of vessels which the prince was said to possess To in one of the boats, their hopes being raised that some ould be cut out for thenificent, while the weather continued fine No shi+ps were, however, seen until they had got about seven e stea on board

It was hoped that these would be at once captured and held in pledge until the demands of the British were co been directed simply to make a reconnaissance, ordered the boats to be put about, and they returned to the squadron They found that the japanese officials had been going backwards and forwards, evidently with the intention, for so out the time That the japanese intended hostilities was e bodies of uns, nuhty, upon the squadron Shortly after this, five large junks arped out of the inner harbour, and anchored out of the line of fire Later in the day, a number of japanese boats came out of the harbour, and as they approached the squadron, they were seen to be filled with soldiers, although, at the sas, apparently intended to represent the provisions hich the japanese had proside, however, they merely pulled round the squadron, evidently for the purpose of counting the nuht be satisfied how far superior a force they themselves possessed

The best scene of all, however, was a visit frouard of forty -shi+p with his guard, and, perhaps greatly to his surprise, this was granted, but he looked very much astonished when he saw a body of marines drawn up on the opposite side of the deck, who in a few seconds would have sent hi into the water had they shown any hostile intentions

Of this the torded official was evidently very well aware, judging by the nervous expression on his countenance As soon as he could find an excuse for doing so--glad enough to get out of the shi+p--he hurried away Before he was half-way down the conal to the squadron to get up steah anchor at aso was evident, for it was seen that the japanese had been training their guns to bear directly on the squadron, under the belief that they were going to remain where they were, to be shot at

The ad five of the sulf and take possession of the three steamers which had been discovered by the boats

”We shall have some fun now, at all events,” exclaimed Tom to Desmond, ith hiun-boats short of hands ”If they do not fight they will run, and we shall have the a chase It will be better fun than battering away at the walls, which, invery little satisfaction to any one”

The ulf

They steaht of the three japanese steaht or run away This was somewhat of a disappointment No sooner did the s and taht to, just out of range of the guns of the fort, their crews and other persons found on board being taken out of the to us, sir,” said Desnal ers quickly turned over the leaves of the signal book

”Engage north battery, until signal to forave the order to slip the cable, and steaot up, the shi+p moved away towards the spot she was directed to occupy, opening her fire without loss of time on the battery, which replied in earnest, ell-directed shots Several struck her hull, while others, flying between herThis only reater zeal, in the hopes of soon silencing the battery That, however, was not easily done, for the japanese were evidently handling their guns well, and were not to be driven frolass directed towards the flag-shi+p, to report any signals which uns

Billy Blueblazes was standing near Desmond, ready to convey the captain's orders A shot passed unpleasantly near his head

”A ood as arather pale

”I hope no other will co hih

Just then a shot struck the end of Des the instru Billy on the cheek and drawing blood, but not inflicting any serious wound The same shot took off the head of aaft, at the other side of the deck

”Now, that's not fair!” exclaiet lass, and afterwards ask the doctor to stick a plaster on your cheek,” said Desmond ”You'll be out of har reported wounded, which will be pleasanter than being in the other list, though it ladly hurried off, holding his handkerchief to his face and speedily returned with the telescope, hich Desmond, as coolly as before, continued to watch the -shi+p It ork, for already twoBilly, who, however, appeared on deck with a large black patch on his cheek and a handkerchief tied round his head, not certainly iet any teeth knocked out?” asked Tom, as Billy passed hiet the doctor to stick therow, depend on that”