CHAPTER X

IN A PIRATE'S STRONGHOLD

On reaching the barque the Malay promptly sprang up the rope ladder which Mr. Sennit had ordered to be lowered, but on reaching the gangway he drew back quickly, as if fearing treachery.

'What's the matter?' the captain inquired.

'You men no shoot?' the other nervously exclaimed.

'Shoot? certainly not. Go ahead, man; there is nothing to fear.'

The Malay thus assured stepped on deck, and peered inquiringly at the mate.

On reaching them Captain Thorne immediately perceived the cause of alarm, and with difficulty repressed his satisfaction of Mr. Sennit's measures to prevent attack, and impress his dusky-hued visitor.

The whole crew, with the Germans working their passage to Singapore, were ranged across the deck. All the men were armed with muskets, old cutlasses, and several long spears, captured on the island in Torres Strait. In close order they stood at the 'ready,' each man awaiting the order to fire on the canoes approaching, and keenly watching their movements.

Such a spectacle visibly affected the Malay, especially as he also perceived that a formidable-looking brass-mounted eight-pounder gun stood at each side of the cabin, which could sweep the deck of every opponent. They were, however, only put there for show, since being very old they dared not be discharged. 'Ho, ho!' the visitor exclaimed, and grinned till his red-stained teeth appeared. 'You plenty men an' gun, cappee. Me likee go Singapore 'long of you.'

'All right,' the skipper laughingly returned; but he had no idea that his guest meant what was said.

The sharp eyes of the Malay seemed to take in everything at a glance. He made no attempt to break through the 'guard of honour' ranged across the deck, and followed the captain to the saloon. He remained to tea, and became greatly interested in his host.

The latter laughed and chatted in the most friendly manner, as though nothing unusual was passing, and of the scores of natives already on the deck he took not the slightest notice.

'S'pose you come 'shore to-mollow morning,' the visitor said at parting; 'me show big chief. Him likee Engleeshman.'

The captain agreed to do so, and with all his men the Malay returned home.

'We must be obliging, Sennit,' the skipper observed. 'Should a breeze come, we'll clear out. If not, I'll show we are not afraid.'

'Better remain on board,' the mate advised. 'You may go just a step too far in trusting them, and the result might be fatal.'

'That fellow seemed friendly enough,' the old man replied. 'At anyrate, while this calm lasts we're more or less at their mercy, and that is what I do not wish them to know.'

A double watch was set, and the night passed quietly, save for the unceasing noise of bull-frogs and countless insects ashore.

Bright and early next morning the captain came on deck, and as the calm still hung over the island he made preparations for visiting it.

'Clewlin,' he exclaimed, 'after breakfast, put on all your best gear, and come ashore with me. Never before did I see the use of a brass-bound suit, but I now believe that with you in one, the rascals will think the barque a man-o'-war.'

The boat was soon ready, but cleared of everything likely to be stolen, and even the brass rowlocks were replaced by 'grummits,' or rings of rope spliced through the holes on the gunwales.

Before starting, the skipper put a loaded revolver in an inner pocket, gave another to Mr. Statten, and borrowing the mate's put it in the hands of Readyman, the coxswain.

'Take particular care that they are only used in self-defence, and not even shown as a threat to anyone,' he advised. 'Our last night visitor came here entirely unarmed, and I shall not be outdone by any nigger in that way. Be firm, but friendly, my lads,' he added, 'and mind that all show a bold front to any hostile demonstration. In that way we shall probably overawe them. Should any of you prefer to remain on the barque, now's your chance.'

'We ain't agoing to desert you, sir,' Readyman replied.

'No fear,' the others added.

So the boat pushed off, and soon reached the screening trees that hid the larger stretch of water beyond. The place was as deserted as though no one lived within miles of it. Immediately after passing through, a flagstaff with British ensign was set up in the bow, and with the grand old red emblem flying gaily overhead the boat was steered toward the village.

On seeing it, scores of almost nude men rushed into the water, and seizing the gunwales, despite the strong dissent of the captain, would have dragged them all up the beach, had not the headman fortunately appeared, and by the liberal use of a short-handled whip speedily restored order.

'You no likee boat pull up?' he inquired.

'She would be better afloat,' the captain said, since, of course, he saw that with her in their possession all hope of retreat would be cut off, should anything unpleasant arise.

With Readyman in charge she was anchored about six fathoms from the beach, the flag still waving over her, while the gallant captain, with Jack Clewlin stationed between him and Mr. Statten, set out with the Malay to visit the chief of the island.

'My name all same Kalli Lal,' the guide explained.

He and the skipper exchanged cigars, while in Indian file the little party soon entered a narrow and tortuous path cut through the adjacent bush, till quite unexpectedly they came to a large clearance and immediately opposite a dwelling of considerable size, erected on upright posts six feet above the ground.

A flight of somewhat rickety-looking steps led to the front door. At their head a swarthy-hued, fierce-eyed, yet intelligent man of about thirty years, was seated in an arm-chair of undoubted European manufacture, and he smoked a long native cheroot. Of medium height and active figure, the stranger watched the approach of the visitors, but, unlike Kalli Lal, he was attired in ordinary English style and wore a small black moustache.

'Him all same big chief,' the guide whispered.

Captain Thorne stepped forward and raised his hat. The compliment was immediately returned, while removing his cigar, and in very fair English the head of the island welcomed the visitors. Never for one moment, however, did his penetrating, hawk-like glance wander from those who had so boldly entered the ever-dangerous presence of the piratical chief. Yet, in spite of all his apparent desire to strike terror into the hearts of the white men, the haughty glance was as fiercely returned, since well they knew that the slightest sign of nervousness might cost all their lives.

On reaching the foot of the stairs two objects of interest immediately attracted attention, and went far to prove, if, indeed, proof were needed, the manner of life followed by these people. On the right hand stood the full length figure of a woman carved in wood, the loosely flowing garments seeming to be stirred by the wind, while one arm was outstretched, the whole still showing faint traces of white paint; and beneath the bared right foot was plainly discernible the words 'Olive Branch,' also in carved letters.

The figure on the left hand represented a male-clad warrior of olden times; a sunken cross, two inches wide, being cut on the breast, and below the word 'Crusader' appeared. Where were the vessels from which those mute figure-heads had been removed, or what fate had overtaken their crews?

Perhaps in the dead of night, and while helplessly becalmed near this very island, the unsuspecting and ill-fated men had been surprised and slaughtered, and the ships and their cargoes might be hidden away in some creek adjacent to the chief's 'palace.'

Captain Thorne failed to recall any missing vessels of recent times named as those here represented had been, while from the weather-beaten, and in some places rotting, appearance of the figures he concluded that they must have been placed in position many years previously, and that this fierce-eyed and somewhat treacherous-looking chief had had no hand in the murders.

Accompanied by Kalli Lal the visitors ascended the stairs, and on entering the 'palace' suddenly faced a double line of immovable figures, apparently acting as a 'guard of honour,' the smooth velvet-like brown bodies being nude to the waist. Each wore in a bright-coloured sash several dangerous-looking long knives, and also gripped between his teeth a similar weapon with twisted blade.

Such a formidable array was calculated to impress and probably test the nerves of the spectators; yet, so far as Captain Thorne was concerned, the design signally failed. Without hesitation he followed the chief down the lines, and in passing saluted them in the most correct and dignified manner.

For one moment Jack Clewlin caught the searching glance of Kalli Lal fixed on his protectors, and he thought that an approving smile crossed the Malay's lips; but the next moment a bamboo screen of native make was drawn aside, and the party entered a chamber of considerable dimensions, and almost wholly furnished after the European manner.

Several oil paintings, chiefly seascapes, hung on the walls, a couple of Oriental couches appeared in the centre of the room, but the remainder of the settees, chairs, and even a handsome round walnut table, were of undoubted British manufacture.

With considerable grace the chief waved his guests to their respective seats, and, motioning toward a dusky-hued servant, quantities of bananas, mangoes, pineapples, and other kinds of fruit were immediately placed on the table.

All hands partook of the fruit, excellent coffee was served in cups and saucers of English design and work, after which a quantity of cheroots were distributed all round, and Captain Thorne excused his young 'midshipman' from participation in the soothing weed.

'You see,' he explained to the chief, 'we do not wish our young gentlemen to indulge in tobacco before they are fully grown, and my boy has never smoked a cigar.'

The chief nodded assent, and seemed satisfied.

'By the way,' the old man added, 'do not let me forget to thank you for the honour accorded just now. It was quite unexpected, but meant, I suppose, as a return for the compliment offered by my first lieutenant.'

'We are always pleased to see Englishmen and their vessels here,' the chief replied.

'I am certain of that,' the other significantly returned. 'You speak excellent English.'

'Well,' the Malay replied, 'I have always endeavoured to do so. When only eight years old I was sent to Singapore to be educated, and there received what knowledge I possess. I like the English, but hate all Dutchmen, since they not alone shoot down our men, but the women and children too. You seem to have been somewhat interested in those figure-heads outside. Well, of the ships to which they belonged I know nothing, and my father, who was but twenty-four years old when killed while tiger-hunting on the main coast, knew little of their history. I think it was my grandfather who seized them, in mistake for Dutch vessels, and the figures have been there ever since I can remember anything.'

Captain Thorne made no further inquiries on that point, but for some minutes conversation seemed to flag. To avert such an awkward contingency, and at the same time display entire ease amidst the peculiar surroundings, he promptly related some highly amusing incidents experienced during his seafaring career, and aroused such hilarity amongst both white and coloured companions that all reserve was abandoned, and a most pleasant time ensued.

Indeed, it was not long before his rapidly moving mind devised another means of diversion, since suddenly wheeling on his chair he faced the youngest member of the party.

'Clewlin,' he exclaimed, 'Sennit told me that he heard you singing very nicely that night you turned him out twenty minutes before his time. Now then, stand up and give us a good song, and a still better chorus.'

Jack's face flushed crimson, and he looked somewhat abashed.

'Steady, my lad,' the old man thoughtfully observed. 'You remember what I told you this morning. Be not afraid. These gentlemen say they like Englishmen, and will also like a good British song. Is not that so, chief?'

'Yes,' came the prompt reply; 'I would wish to hear him sing.'

Whereupon Jack pulled himself together for the strange effort, and there, in the very midst of a piratical stronghold, gave in clear, rising tones the immortal 'Death of Nelson.'

At first the natives expressed no particular emotion, but when the words—

'Along the lines the signal ran,
England expects that every man
This day will do his duty,'

were taken up handsomely in the deep bass of the skipper and the really fine baritone of Mr. Statten, it seemed as though the roof of the apartment would be carried away, while the astounded Malays sat open-mouthed from sheer surprise and pleasure.

Thus gallantly supported Jack rose to the occasion, never before had he put such strength and desire to please into any vocal rendering, and line after line was given with such accuracy and fire that the chorus attracted hundreds of silent listeners to the spot. When the song at length died away Captain Thorne sprang from his chair, seized Jack's hand, and gave utterance to the most vociferous, 'Hip, hip, hurrah!' ever heard on that densely-timbered island.

It was indeed a sufficiently memorable incident, and certainly greatly impressed the audience, since, surely, visitors such as these must be strongly backed up by much powder and guns thus to act in face of contemplated attack!

After more coffee was served the entire party proceeded to inspect the 'fields,' where women and girls were busily employed attending to different crops, and all hailed the chief with respect.

About five o'clock that afternoon the captain expressed a desire to return to his vessel; and, accompanied by the chief, the three visitors found the boat quite unmolested. The entire community had assembled on shore to discuss the meaning of the wonderful outburst of singing lately enjoyed.

As the old man took his seat in the stern-sheets, Kalli Lal reminded him of the offer made to give him a passage to Singapore.

'S'pose you want good pilot, cappee,' he said. 'Me takee you quick Singapore.'

'Are you ready?' the skipper inquired; for, although he did not want to be burdened with more hands, he knew that by passing through a certain narrow channel the voyage might be materially shortened.

Kalli Lal hastened to complete his arrangements, and it was decided that while the boat returned to the barque the chief should follow in his own vessel.

The 'Alert' was soon reached, and some twenty minutes later a beautiful spectacle was witnessed.

'Well,' Readyman exclaimed, in unfeigned delight, 'I never saw her equal. Ain't she a beauty, Master Jack?'

'Indeed she is,' Jack replied.

'Look at the handsome lines and the sheer,' the quarter-master added. 'There isn't a yacht afloat could come near her in the matter of sailing.'

'We saw nothing of her while ashore,' Jack replied.

The cause of their outspoken admiration was a long, low freeboard vessel of about thirty tons measurement, the polished sides gleaming in the level rays of the setting sun, while curling foam spread wide from the sharp cut-water.

Along each side about twenty brown-skinned men propelled her rapidly toward the barque; their diamond-shaped paddles glittered like silver as they rose and fell to the beat of tom-tom and a monotonous drone of voices.

In the centre the chief and Kalli Lal sat beneath a silken canopy, and were duly received by the 'guard of honour' drawn up for their reception across the quarter-deck of the 'Alert.'

As the chief stepped on board he turned towards his host.

'Are your men good shots?' he inquired.

'Walker,' the old man exclaimed, 'face for'a'd, and hit the shark's fin nailed on the jib-boom end.'

The man thus addressed, the best marksman on board, immediately obeyed, and sent the fin flying from its place.

'They're all mostly like that,' Captain Thorne observed to his companion. 'I'd back them to beat five times their number.'

While the guests were being entertained in the cabin, quantities of fruit, yams, sweet potatoes, a small bag of coffee, and a few other gifts were passed from the 'State-Barge' to the 'Alert.' In return, two bags of ship biscuit, several pots of jam, some tins of preserved vegetables and milk were given by the skipper, three old muskets and some powder were also presented to the chief.

As by that time the sun had set, and a nice evening breeze set in, Kalli Lal took leave of his master, and with all his retainers the latter returned ashore.

All plain sail was promptly set on the barque. The hands mustered at the windlass, and to the chanty chorus:

'Blow, boys, blow, for California row,
There's plenty of gold in the land, I'm told,
On the banks of Sacramento,'

the anchor was cat-headed and 'fished.'

To a good five-knot wind the barque presently swung away from the densely-wooded island whereon Captain Thorne and his companions had experienced such stirring and strange adventures. The 'Alert' soon cleared its western end, and in the swiftly-deepening night gloom presently lost all trace of it.

Kalli Lal made himself perfectly comfortable on board, and also proved an excellent pilot, since with accurate knowledge of every adjacent island he took the vessel safely through a channel in which no other British ship had, perhaps, ever floated, and after a splendid run brought her to anchor near Singapore.

CHAPTER XI

THROUGH THE CHINA SEA

Jack Clewlin now found himself in one of the busiest ports of the world, where the ships from the Far East and the Far West met in commercial rivalry, and he was delighted to perceive British colours flying above the Government buildings ashore. Yet the sight of the flag immediately aroused an intense longing, such as hitherto had not been experienced, to return to Stonewell, if only for a few hours, and the desire proved almost overwhelming, for he knew that the barque had now reached a British possession, from which England might be reached within a few weeks. The eight or nine thousand miles seemed insignificant when compared with the countless leagues of ocean traversed by the 'Silver Crown' and the 'Alert.'

'Ay,' he mused, 'and if I put the clock back by a few hours I can tell exactly what dear dad and my old school chums are doing. They seem very close now.'

During such reflections, however, he suddenly became aware that 'a floating chemist's shop,' as he put it, was close aboard, and on passing forward he met Readyman.

'Regular surgery smell, Master Jack,' the quarter-master said.

'It's camphor,' Jack replied; 'where does it come from?'

'That big Chinese junk, just anchored ahead of us,' Readyman replied. 'It's almost enough to knock you down, but very good for the head and lungs, I'm told.'

'Perhaps that is why all Chinamen are such keen bargainers,' Jack returned. 'She must be fairly loaded with it.'

'I should say so,' the quarter-master said. 'But look at the monstrous great stern. That's enough to send her scooting at ten knots, with the wind dead aft. They'll never build better craft.'

'At anyrate,' Jack added, 'she is like the ships in which Sir Francis Drake and Captain Hawkins captured many a good Spanish plate ship, long ago. I have read of their adventures, and seen pictures of the vessels.'

The unwieldy-looking junk was indeed vastly different from anything Jack had hitherto seen afloat. The huge wall-like stern, pierced with many windows, rose high above the forecastle-head of the barque, with the big rudder, looking like a semi-submerged dock gate, abaft of all.

Yet many such craft, larger and smaller, lay among British, American, French, Dutch, and Spanish ships in the harbour, since Singapore, which is situated on an island near the end of the Malay Peninsula, and at the western entrance of Malacca Strait, is the great port of call for vessels bound to the Far East, and its exports of coffee, spices, indiarubber, tin, and many other articles of commerce are considerable.

During the afternoon following the arrival of the 'Alert' at Singapore, a small outward-bound Dutch steamer passed so close that everyone on board was distinctly visible. Among those assembled on the quarter-deck Jack Clewlin recognised Kalli Lal.

'He must be going to Batavia,' the captain said. 'The rascal does not seem to recognise us. Wave your hand, Clewlin.'

The Malay, however, suddenly disappeared down the cabin stairs without acknowledging the greeting.

'You may be sure that he's up to some trick or other,' the old man observed, 'and does not wish to be known.'

The steamer headed away for the distant islands across the strait, and the incident was soon forgotten.

A few days later, however, it was recalled with startling vividness, and in a manner little expected.

Having received orders to proceed to Hong Kong, and filled her tanks and boats with fresh water and fruit, the barque set all her canvas; but while the hands—the Germans being sent ashore—were heaving at the windlass, a boat manned by British bluejackets was seen to be rapidly approaching. In the stern an officer waved the quarantine flag, as if to attract attention.

'I believe they are coming here,' the captain, who seemed much annoyed by the incident, observed. 'What can they mean? My vessel is perfectly clean.'

'Perhaps they mistake us for some other craft,' the mate said.

'"Alert," ahoy!' the lieutenant sang out. 'Pawl your windlass. I am coming alongside. Have a line ready.'

Captain Thorne expressed considerable annoyance at the interference; but when the stranger reached the deck the situation immediately assumed sufficiently serious proportions.

'Veer away on your cable again,' the officer ordered. 'Clew up and furl all the canvas. Should you disobey my commands, you will be followed and brought back.'

'By what authority do you issue them?' the skipper shortly inquired.

'By Her Britannic Majesty's Warrant of Detention,' was the curt reply, and producing it the lieutenant proceeded to secure it to the mainmast.

'What is the charge?' Captain Thorne inquired.

'Harbouring and assisting Malay pirates, headed by one Kalli Lal,' the other replied.

'Kalli Lal!' the skipper exclaimed; 'he acted as my pilot. We sheltered under what was believed to be an uninhabited island in Billiton Passage, but found we had sailed into the very midst of a hornets' nest. To escape with whole skins, I took the fellow on board. Of his followers I know nothing. What have they been doing, sir?'

'Seized and almost destroyed everyone on board a small Dutch steamer which left here a few days since,' the lieutenant explained; 'and but for the opportune arrival of a Dutch gunboat all hands would have been massacred. The skipper says he saw signals pass between you and Kalli Lal when he passed.'

'I will go with you,' Captain Thorne replied, 'and will take my second officer and the apprentice. They can corroborate my statements.'

The barque was re-anchored, all her canvas was stowed, and, leaving Mr. Sennit in charge, the 'prisoners' were conveyed to the British wardship then in port. The Dutch consul had also arrived.

After explanations and some discussion the court adjudged the 'prisoners' free of blame, but at the same time expressed a hope that greater care in mixing with the natives should be observed.

'What more could I have done?' Captain Thorne sharply observed. 'We were at the mercy of those scoundrels, and thanked our stars when clear of them.'

It appeared that Kalli Lal and his followers had boarded the steamer, which was known to contain considerable specie for Batavia, and when surprised they made desperate resistance, till all were slain.

After this the Dutchmen turned their attention to the island community and its chief. The latter stoutly denied all knowledge of the affair, and being unable to bring any further charges of piracy against him the Dutchmen spared his life, but kept him close prisoner at Batavia.

Thus ended the strange adventure of Jack Clewlin among Malay pirates; yet he was not to quit that part of the world without another, but wholly different, experience of life in Eastern waters.

The moment Captain Thorne returned to his vessel orders to sail were issued. With a fresh but contrary wind the 'Alert' got under way, and throughout the remainder of that day beat up through the Malacca Strait for Hong Kong. Toward sundown the wind failed, and within an hour she was scarcely moving, while a small island loomed darkly five miles off the port bow.

From the forecastle-head Mr. Sennit reported the stealthy approach of what looked like two large canoes filled with men. Captain Thorne peered at them through his glasses, and believed that under cover of night the natives intended to attack the vessel, or, at anyrate, to steal whatever they could handle.

'They don't seem in much of a hurry, sir,' the mate said.

'Of course not,' the old man replied. 'They'll lie off on their paddles till midnight. They can always keep us in sight, and yet remain invisible. Anyhow, we are well-armed, Sennit, and should be able to hold our own.'

All the firearms were loaded with ball cartridges and served out; the old navy cutlasses and the dozen long spears were laid ready for service on the main hatch, while every light, save one small one in the compass binnacle, was put out. Lengths of hose were attached to the head pump, so that in case of assault the foe should be thoroughly drenched, and thus, perhaps, escape worse treatment.

'I think, sir,' Mr. Sennit observed, 'that we might also take the precaution of having the outer chain-plates well greased. Although the barque is high out of the water, those rascals are exceedingly active, and once they get a grip don't soon let go.'

'A capital idea,' the old man replied. 'There could be no harm in trying the effect, and it may prove advantageous.'

So the men set to work in the dark, smearing the outer iron-work, to prevent the pirates from boarding. All the while the vessel was becoming more and more hopelessly becalmed, and the vigilance was, if possible, redoubled.

The glasses of both captain and officers were in constant use. At every point of observation sentries were set, to announce the first approach of the enemy, and no one thought of going below, much less indulging in a smoke. The hours dragged heavily away, but there was no sign of attack.

'I expect a silent rush about midnight, Sennit,' the old man said. 'They know we are alone, and probably think that a sudden swoop will catch us napping.'

'And discover the mistake when too late,' the mate added.

Hour after hour the men, musket on shoulder, paced the deck, a keen lookout to port and starboard being maintained; but nothing of the canoes or their occupants could be perceived.

At last dawn began to show eastward. The adjacent island loomed weirdly above the thick morning mist, lying low on the water. As the light strengthened into good promise of another cloudless day, the lookout on the forecastle-head suddenly reported the two canoes within musket range, slightly off the port bow.

'Keep out of sight, men,' the captain whispered, as with Mr. Sennit he hastened forward, and flat on the deck peered through his glasses at the silent enemy.

'Let us give them a volley,' the mate whispered.

'No, no,' the old man replied. 'They must be the——'

The remainder of the sentence was never finished. With peculiar deliberation the captain closed his glasses, and sitting bolt upright looked fixedly at his companion.

'Why, they're nothing but the trunks of two dead trees!' he said.

'With the stump branches looking like men in the gloom last night, sir,' Mr. Sennit added. 'I'm sure they might have deceived anyone, and we were much closer than I supposed.'

'Let the port watch go below,' the skipper said. 'You all did your best, and we were ready for anyone. Can't be too particular hereabouts, anyhow.'

Whereupon all the weapons were returned to their stands in the fore cabin, brooms and hose were brought into use for the usual scrub down; but when the fellows got into the chains to clear away the grease, and beyond earshot of the captain, their remarks respecting that night adventure among Malay 'pirates' proved sufficiently amusing.

At anyrate, it was not long before a light breeze stiffened so quickly that the 'Alert' sped along in good style, and speedily left Malacca Strait and its numerous islands far astern.

'Now we're getting into the seas I have such good cause to remember, Master Jack,' the quarter-master observed. 'But for your dad I should certainly have left my bones in them long ago.'

'I do not want such a terrible experience as that, Readyman,' Jack replied. 'Are those typhoons frequent?'

'Well, sonny,' the old sailor returned, 'so far as my experience went they seem to come along several times a year. To be sure, all are not of the same violence. I think the worst are met during July or August; but we may not fall in with them at all. Anyhow, lad, you can never tell when they will come.'

'But the barometer would show that,' Jack said.

'Possibly; but they drive down without much warning.'

A few days later an amusing incident occurred. Early one morning the 'Alert' fell in with another barque, named the 'Speedwell,' bound for Hong Kong with rice, and presently overhauled her.

During an exchange of signals Mr. Statten noticed a large number of pigeons flying about the stranger, and as Captain Thorne had also purchased a few pairs of similar birds when at Singapore, he directed Jack Clewlin to let them out for a fly, without the least suspicion that such action would entail any unpleasant dispute between himself and his brother skipper.

The birds promptly rose on the wing in splendid manner, and on perceiving their friends to leeward went down there. The laughing stranger expressed his entire satisfaction and full determination to enjoy a first-class pigeon-pie for dinner that day.

'With pleasure,' Captain Thorne replied; 'we shall settle the account at Hong Kong.'

'Join me at one, sharp,' the other returned; 'regret not being able to supply a boat.'

'Pray don't mention it,' was the polite rejoinder; 'I expect to be in port about that time. We will tell them you're coming. I am afraid we have lost the birds, Statten,' he added.

Yet the remark was scarcely uttered, when up from the 'Speedwell' rose all her birds, led by the visitors, and having enjoyed a glorious flight through the sun-filled atmosphere, quietly alighted on board the 'Alert.'

Captain Thorne made no sign. Indeed, throughout the incident he had been 'luffing up' all he could to exchange compliments, but on suddenly discovering how the birds had themselves declined to become 'pie,' and that they had no intention of returning, he eased his helm, and with respectful dip of ensign left his dismayed brother mariner far astern.

'He's signalling, sir,' Mr. Statten exclaimed.

'Not another invitation?' the old man inquired.

The second mate hastily turned over the leaves of the signal-book, and, reading the numbers of the fluttering flags, explained their meaning.

'I shall have the law of you at Hong Kong.'

Captain Thorne laughed merrily. 'Invite him to dinner, Statten,' he said; 'turn about's fair play anyhow.'

And thus for the time the incident ended. When the 'Speedwell' arrived at her destination, and anchored near her late consort, the irate skipper immediately ran alongside, only, however, to be met by such a formidable array of long spears, old cutlasses, and worn-out brass signal guns, that he determined to defer the visit to a more opportune occasion, and proceeding ashore took out a summons against the delinquent captain for the return of his property.

Meanwhile Jack Clewlin had secured all the new birds, which were speedily returned to their ship, the result being that when called on for his defence Captain Thorne could truthfully affirm that he did not possess a single pigeon other than that purchased in open market.

'Not got them, sir!' the angry skipper shouted; 'I wonder how you can say such words. What has become of them?'

'Went back to your vessel this morning,' was the quiet reply. The court roared with laughter.

'Come and dine with me,' Captain Thorne observed, as his late accuser passed out of court; and down the street both men proceeded arm-in-arm, each chatting as merrily as though nothing had arisen to occasion temporary misunderstanding.

CHAPTER XII

ON THE COAST OF CHINA

The island of Hong Kong, which was captured by the British in the year 1839, and ceded to them by the Chinese two years later, is separated from the mainland by a narrow channel; and although it is of no great extent it is lofty, with a lookout station on the summit. The town of Victoria, named after Her Majesty the late Queen, lies along the fore-shore, and is, of course, chiefly inhabited by Chinese. Even in Jack Clewlin's time it was a port of considerable importance, a British governor and regiment being located there; and its import and export trade was large.

The most interesting fact was the large floating population, itself forming a second town, which managed to find a living on the water, entire families of young and old people residing together in small vessels, styled sampans, and many of them rarely enjoyed a holiday ashore.

How they existed was a mystery. The Chinaman is famous for his thrifty habits, and can always find means of securing a living where most other folk would certainly starve.

Among those people a curious custom prevailed. Each evening at sunset gongs were beaten and crackers exploded, to scare away the malignant spirits of the night, and the din thus raised was great.

A few days after the arrival of the 'Alert' in the harbour, a rumour that she had been chartered to convey Chinese emigrants to San Francisco spread fore and aft, and aroused much comment.

'It's likely to be true enough,' Readyman observed; 'but in my opinion, Master Jack, the less we have to do with them the better it will be for all hands.'

'They would be cleaner than coal, and could walk ashore instead of being winched into barges,' Jack replied.

'Well, of course, that's true,' the quarter-master returned. 'But I've seen more of them than, perhaps, anyone on board, and I know that with half a chance they will steal the eyes from your head, and you'd never know till you missed them. We've seen something of the Malay pirates——'

'Which do you mean, Readyman?' Jack naively inquired.

'Oh, that last lot didn't count,' the quarter-master laughingly replied. 'Jokes aside, my son, the Malay lot put together wouldn't match one gang out of Canton River. I've seen seven of them strung up together for the seizure of a brig and the murder of her entire crew. You couldn't guess what they did. No, lad, not in a month of Sundays—they lashed the poor fellows to the chain cable, and then let it all run out, so that no one should discover what had been done. Anyhow, our people found it out and choked the rascals.'

'Where is the Canton River, Readyman?'

'Why, quite close to us, sonny. Do you see that white-painted Yankee-built steamboat moored alongside the wharf yonder? she makes the return trip a couple of times a week. Every man of the white crew is always armed. They know what to expect, yet some of them get killed.

'If the rascally cut-throats would come out fair and square in the daylight it wouldn't so much matter. A lot of them often ship as passengers, with the leader doing the swell as a first cabin fare, and before anyone can cry "Jack Robinson!" the ship has been seized and her crew killed.'

'But all Chinamen are not pirates, Readyman.'

'Oh no, my son. All the same, I wouldn't trust one of them with a chew of tobacco.'

One morning, shortly after that conversation, several English and Chinese gentlemen came on board, and accompanied by Captain Thorne they made a close examination of the barque.

Such a procedure proved the accuracy of the rumour already rife. Several carpenters soon arrived, and speedily began to knock up tiers of bunks along both sides of the 'tween deck. There was no longer any room for doubt respecting the conveyance of emigrants.

One afternoon several other Chinese workmen brought on board a quantity of iron-work, and within a week it was firmly set up abreast of the mainmast, right across the main deck, and even extended some feet beyond the bulwarks. It was twelve feet high, with sharp-pointed spikes on top, with a small gate on each side, through which the crew might pass at will.

'But what is it for?' Jack inquired.

'Why, to keep the Chinamen from getting aft, should they start any trouble,' Readyman replied. 'Every vessel in this trade is obliged to carry a stockade. Mind you, I'm not saying that this crowd is going to show fight; many ships make successful trips, but others have mysteriously disappeared, and were never again seen or heard of.'

'How could they be navigated, or, if captured, what could be done with such large craft?' Jack exclaimed, since this talk naturally aroused considerable interest in the subsequent career of the 'Alert,' and he had no mind to 'lose the number of his mess,' as sailors say it. Yet, from what he had seen of the Chinese, he could scarcely think them capable of such behaviour.

'That's more than I could tell,' the quarter-master returned. 'Perhaps they know enough to run them ashore at some quiet spot on their own coast, or somewhere in Japan. But I don't believe those folk would have anything to do with them. See here, what did that rascally Malay's grandfather do with the "Olive Branch" and the "Crusader"? At anyrate, all we've got to do is to keep a sharp lookout, and trust in God.'

'Will our men still live in the forecastle?'

'I suppose so; but directly there's any sign of a row they must scoot behind the stockade, and bar the gates.'

Next day a considerable quantity of rice and other food-stuffs was shipped as also extra tanks for holding fresh water. A secret supply of ammunition, with many rifles to replace the old muzzle-loading muskets till then in use, was taken on board.

That work being completed, the first batch of Chinese emigrants, eighty able-bodied men of quiet demeanour, arrived alongside, and with their scanty belongings they were immediately sent to their quarters in the 'tween deck. Some of them carried small brass-bound boxes, but the majority possessed only bundles wrapped in handkerchiefs, and scarcely a bed could be mustered by the crowd.

A double anchor-watch was kept that night, but nothing occurred to arouse anxiety or suspicion.

Early next morning, however, Jack Clewlin was suddenly turned out, and was told that a typhoon was threatening to sweep the harbour.

'Get your oilskins on at once,' Mr. Statten said. 'Mind that you put a strong belt round all outside, or if the wind gets inside your gear you'll be blown away. We're in for a regular "howler," I'm afraid.'

By the time Jack got into the open both mates were forward, singing out to the hands to send down all the upper masts and yards. In spite of the utmost alacrity, however, only the royal yards reached the deck, since the wind increased so rapidly that no one could remain aloft.

The alarmed emigrants were next battened down in the 'tween deck. Then the second anchor was 'cock-billed' and let go. Both cables were 'paid out' almost to their last links, and they were secured to the foremast. The wind attained hurricane force, and screamed through the rigging like a thousand furies.

Despite her sheltered position under the high mainland the vessel strained fearfully at her anchors, and owing to her height above the water she was frequently blown nearly on her beam-ends. The cries of the Chinamen down below could sometimes be faintly heard, but as they were dry and comparatively comfortable no notice was taken.

Amidst blinding rain and whirling spume all trace of the adjacent town and island disappeared. By noon scarcely any daylight remained. The clouds seemed to almost touch the masts. Volumes of water, swept up by the terrible wind, poured over the deck, and by two o'clock that afternoon the anchors began to drag. Nothing could be done to prevent such peril.

Many of the hands believed that the vessel would capsize. With tremendous strain at the cables, however, she always managed to swing head to wind, and the expected catastrophe was averted.

The Chinamen continued to shout, and became so panic-stricken that Captain Thorne warned their headman, a burly, stubborn-looking fellow, that any further disturbance would be severely dealt with.

About five o'clock that afternoon the typhoon was at its height, and the fearful scream of the wind and the blinding smother of rain and flying spray were truly appalling.

A sudden lull of the tempest was followed by a partial lifting of the obscurity. Then it became evident that the 'Alert' had been blown right away from her innermost anchorage, past the town, and was quite one mile to leeward.

The wind again increased, but not so strongly as before. Mr. Statten presently reported a sensible rise of the barometer.

'Then the typhoon is passing away,' Captain Thorne sang out. 'We won't drag any farther. The sea is beginning to catch us out here.'

'It will soon go down, sir,' Readyman exclaimed, 'She's safe now. The shelter of the land broke the "heft" of the blow.'

By that time it had become intensely dark. The wind, however, was certainly not so strong, but the troublesome sea did not tend toward an improvement of the situation. In spite of all her struggles the barque did not emerge from that ordeal unscathed.

A violent shock was followed by the alarming cry, 'She's ashore!' The next instant screams came aft from the bow, and were followed by similar cries. The heavy bumping of some weighty object along the starboard side was also distinctly felt. Many of the hands immediately hastened that way.

Through the darkness loomed the huge form of a Chinese junk, apparently unmanageable, driving aft before the wind, and doing much injury in the process. As she drifted abreast of the mainmast all the outer iron-work of the stockade was instantly torn away. Three or four Chinamen leaped from their vessel on board the 'Alert,' and in their fall were somewhat severely injured.

Most fortunately the junk had already been dismasted, or she would certainly have brought down some of the barque's spars. Just as she drove clear of the stern a piercing female scream rose from her deck. Then she disappeared. Nothing could be done to save the unfortunate woman, as no boat would have floated for five minutes in the heavy sea. By ten o'clock that night the trouble had almost passed. The vessel was holding her own. The captain ordered the galley fire to be relighted, and a hot supper was served fore and aft. The Chinamen down below also became more amenable, and they enjoyed a meal of boiled rice.

By sun-up next morning the typhoon had completely passed away, and the sea near the land was quite smooth.

To the surprise of all hands, Mr. Statten suddenly reported that he could see the drifting junk of the previous night's adventure still afloat three miles to leeward.

A boat was promptly lowered, in hope of saving anyone on her, and setting some canvas a volunteer crew got alongside. The woman was discovered calmly cooking food for her four young children, and evinced no anxiety for her safety. She would not leave her floating home; but the crew of the boat espied a steamer bearing down toward them, and the junk was finally towed back to Victoria.

The injured Chinamen were sent to hospital. The damage to the 'Alert' was speedily repaired, and thus ended Jack Clewlin's experience of a typhoon on the coast of China.

The destruction among the numberless 'sampans' huddled together along the fore-shore of the island had been great, and many people lost their lives. Not much injury was sustained among the shipping in the harbour, which was entirely owing to the off-shore direction of the wind.

When the barque had been again placed on the active list, everything capable of holding fresh water was filled, the sails were 'bent,' and the remainder of the emigrants, sixty-five able-bodied men, were received. The 'Alert' was ready to start on her voyage across the Pacific.

Only a few hours before leaving Hong Kong young Jack received his third letter from home, together with several 'Stonewell news-letters,' giving him the latest information of how matters thereabout were progressing. In one of the papers he suddenly saw the startling announcement, 'The loss of the "Silver Crown".' In breathless excitement he hurried to the forecastle, and told Readyman the sad news.

It appeared that on her arrival at Point de Galle, in Ceylon, for orders, the clipper had been sent to Calcutta, and was there sunk in the Hoogly during a cyclone.

'I hope the crew were saved, Master Jack,' the quarter-master exclaimed. 'We did well in making the exchange.'

'But seem to be going farther away from home all the time,' Jack added.

'Oh, the more days the more dollars, lad,' Readyman replied. 'Perhaps we may be chartered to bring back here a hold full of dead Chinamen's bones! You needn't look so scared, my son; it's often done. I've never been in the trade myself, but I know that every wandering pigtail makes it a point of honour to have his bones sent home for interment.'

'What a pity that they don't remain where they were born!' Jack exclaimed. 'They can live on a handful of rice for a month, and grow fat on it, too.'

'That's true, sonny,' the quarter-master said. 'I hope this lot won't give us any trouble.'

'Mr. Statten told me that we are to carry a wealthy heathen, partly as a saloon fare, and partly as an interpreter,' Jack explained. 'Perhaps he may be able to keep them quiet.'

'I hope so, lad. At anyrate, we've plenty of "fire-sticks" and ammunition. They work wonders at a pinch.'

CHAPTER XIII

FROM HONG KONG TO SAN FRANCISCO

With a fine, fair wind, a smooth sea, a clear outlook, and every opportunity for making a good offing before nightfall, the 'Alert' left her anchorage near Victoria. And thus began the most remarkable voyage of her career, and one which was soon to become the most adventurous experienced by any member of her crew.

By those on shore no apparent notice of the departure was taken. Some of the emigrants, however, burned a few 'joss-sticks,' and ignited several 'crackers,' to propitiate the malignant spirits of the deep.

Out in the open sea a strong breeze was sweeping across a wide expanse of sparkling water, the late typhoon having cleared the atmosphere in splendid manner. The sun shone brilliantly, the coast-line of China soon disappeared, and as quickly as the studding-sail gear could be rove and rigged out the canvas was set.

Captain Thorne and all hands were in high spirits at having obtained so favourable a start for the venture. Indeed, everyone capable of forming an accurate estimate of the run to California believed that a record passage would be almost certain to follow, and that the Chinamen would be landed without the slightest mishap to anyone.

Still keeping the same fair wind the 'Alert' sped across the China Sea, and passed safely through the Bashee Channel, that lies between the large island of Formosa and the Philippine Islands. She had now cleared all dangers of the land, and swept into the blue depths of the North Pacific.

The weather continued beautifully fine. All that while not a yard or boom brace was touched, and the wind-curved sails never stirred. The barque seemed to revel in the glorious sunlight, and 'reeled off' daily runs that astonished Captain Thorne.

'It's grand, Master Jack,' Readyman exclaimed. 'I thought she did a tidy bit of scooting through Torres Strait. This bout fairly knocks the bottom out of that. I hope she'll keep on as she's going, right up to the Golden Gates.'

'You mean the entrance to San Francisco Bay?'

'Ay, ay, my son. The pigtails keep very quiet, and the interpreter chap seems a decent sort—for a heathen.'

'He can speak tolerable English,' Jack said; 'but no one can learn what he really is.'

'Just their way, lad. You can never find out anything about them. They'll smile and flourish their flippers, and in the end swindle you with some trick kept up their sleeves. All the same, sonny, I suppose we mustn't condemn this lot before getting good cause. Keep your weather eye lifting all the time, lad, and directly anything seems to go amiss with those chaps, tell the skipper.'

Day after day, the barque still sped away on a true course, and as she got well out into deep blue water the sunrises and sunsets became of such indescribable magnificence that even the stolid Chinamen were compelled to notice them.

In the early mornings, long before sunrise, small cloud-balls of the purest white ranged themselves all along the western horizon, each apparently separated by a few inches of the loveliest blue, the azure zenith remaining unsullied by the slightest trace of gathering vapour, and in dazzling splendour the huge golden disc suddenly leaped over the eastern sea-rim.

The sunsets, however, were always the most attractive spectacles. Through a haze of gauze-like evaporation, gorgeous combinations of pale blues, delicate emeralds, pinks, vermilions, and ruddy golds, ocean and firmament became indistinguishable. The entire world seemed enveloped in such a flood of tinted light as neither brush nor pen could hope to portray. The barque and its canvas seemed aflame, while the surging foam beneath the bow decorated itself in tiny rainbows.

Never, surely, had men enjoyed such wonderful sailing, and still the 'Alert' raced along in grand style, until, after a fine run of sixteen days, she had almost reached mid-ocean. The wind gradually died away, and with canvas chafing badly against masts and rigging, she lay wholly becalmed on a sea unruffled by the faintest cat's-paw.

Of course, everyone believed that such a delay to an otherwise splendid run would only be of short duration, and at first no notice was taken of the incident.

'We'll get a fine breeze directly,' Readyman observed. 'Should it not come, I'm afraid our chance of record-breaking is gone. Anyhow, the Chinamen have been very quiet, and that is the chief thing this voyage.'

'We had nearly three weeks of it coming out,' Jack replied. 'I thought I should never get rid of the prickly heat.'

Two weeks of windless inactivity, with the barque sullenly turning her head toward every point of the horizon, were followed by another of similar experience, and limbs ached under the constant bracing of yards to catch the slightest breath of elusive airs. Still there was no relief, nor the least prospect of immediate alteration of the trying weather. As food and water had only been shipped for a stated period, and such delay was not contemplated at that season of the year, some talk of a reduction of rations was mooted fore and aft.

Against such a procedure the hands, of course, made no complaint, but when the matter had been explained to the interpreter, and by him to the Chinamen down below, they expressed strong opposition, and much impatience at the length of the voyage.

Captain Thorne promptly took the matter in hand, collected all his men abaft the stockade, and then directing the interpreter to call some of the emigrants on deck he demanded a full explanation of their grievances.

'You no gib mensh allee same food plomised at Hong Kong,' the burly spokesman replied. 'We no get 'nough rice. You allee same cheatee Chinaman. We no takee less rice, an' wanshee cook it dun b'low.'

'You will be no worse off than my own men,' the skipper said. 'Should this calm run into a month or six weeks, you'll run a fair chance of having nothing at all. I only wish to be on the safe side. Savvee?'

'You cookee no boil rice allee same China. We wanshee do it allee same plopper.'

'There is not room for you in the galley,' the old man explained. 'You cannot cook in the 'tween deck. When a breeze comes, you shall have plenty of rice.'

To that the spokesman made no reply, and what with the persuasion of the interpreter and the friendly demeanour of the captain the murmurers returned below, and the incident closed.

'They told me,' the interpreter said, 'that on coming here they did not expect to be longer than one week at sea, and had no idea that San Francisco was much farther than Shanghai.'

'I would take the precaution of securing the large gratings on all the hatches,' Mr. Sennit said. 'With them on, we could keep better watch against sudden surprise, and only allow a few men on deck at one time.'

'Well, I've been thinking of something of that sort myself,' the skipper replied; 'but just at present I think we had better let matters stand as they are. The fellows might make some disturbance about them. At the same time, Sennit, don't send any of our men aloft. They must remain handy for a call, and let them see that all the rifles in the forecastle are ready.'

Throughout that day the distressing calm continued, the barometer standing so high and steady that no immediate change could be anticipated, and on the following morning orders to reduce all rations fore and aft were issued.

The cook was also enjoined to be particularly careful of the way in which the rice for the emigrants was served, since from certain samples of that article shown by the interpreter, it was evident that the man had not been as careful in that direction as could have been desired.

However, the Chinamen made no disturbance, and, so far as outward appearance went, they seemed disposed to fall in with the new arrangements. All hands went about deck softly whistling for a breeze to end their troubles. But the outlook still remained of the same hopeless appearance. The sea, like a silvered mirror, flung back in dazzling brilliancy the powerful rays of an unclouded sun, and with endless groan of seams and timbers; the barque rolled on the windless waste of waters. The situation was fast becoming more and more serious. The 'Alert' had been caught in a tropical entanglement from which she could neither advance nor retire.

Then suddenly the long spell of anxiety was brought to a close, but in such an unexpected and startling manner as to almost overwhelm both vessel and crew.

At four o'clock one afternoon, Mr. Statten and his men took over control of the deck. About half an hour later, one of the hands directed attention toward a peculiar appearance just gathering far away on the port beam.

'There might be some wind in it, sir,' he said.

Immediately afterwards everyone perceived that it was a pillar-like cloud, apparently revolving at terrific speed on its own axis, and also moving down on the barque at incredible velocity. That it would assuredly strike her no one doubted, and intense excitement immediately prevailed.

Mr. Statten sang out to let fly all studding-sail, royal, and topgallant halyards. Even the topsails were lowered, and everything likely to ease the strain on the masts was done.

Captain Thorne, alarmed by the sudden commotion, rushed on deck, and, seizing the wheel, helped to place it hard up. But without wind the barque would not answer her helm.

A moment later there was a sensible movement of the atmosphere. It seemed as though the vessel were being sucked toward the hideous black pillar, then not more than a cable's length away. There was an awful roar of wind, and the impenetrable darkness became appalling.

The 'Alert' was caught by the terrible whirlwind, and she seemed to be lifted several feet from the water. A wild jumble of sea and foam rose up over and swept the decks fore and aft. She lay down almost on her starboard beam-ends. Everyone hung fast to belaying-pins or other means of safety, and in that deafening uproar no voice, or the least sound of what was taking place, could be heard.

Then, as swiftly as it had come, the dreadful cloud swept away eastward, and the partially dismantled vessel lay rocking on a momentarily agitated sea. From start to finish the whole incident did not occupy above two minutes, yet in that brief period the 'Alert' had become almost a wreck. The foremast, with the jib-boom and all attached, was gone. Every shroud and particle of running gear about that part of the vessel had been cut as if with an axe, and quarter of a mile off the wreckage lay on the water.

'Are all our men safe, Statten?' were the first words uttered by the skipper.

'I think so, sir,' the mate replied.

But from the adjacent wreckage three men, who had been carried away on it, sang out lustily for assistance. They were soon on board again, little the worse of their extraordinary adventure.

A careful examination of the vessel followed. She was not making any water, and beyond the loss of the mast, which had been screwed clean off level with the deck, and the jib-boom, no other damage was observed.

The more the affair was considered, the more mysterious did it appear, since not even a rope-yarn about the mainmast or farther aft had been carried away.

'It struck her obliquely, and so saved the after sticks,' Captain Thorne said. 'A water-spout would have sunk her.'

'Before I could grip anything,' one of the rescued men exclaimed, 'I was lifted off my feet. On looking upward, the yards and canvas, the latter mostly in rags, were whizzing round and round at forty knots an hour. I thought I would have smothered. Anyhow, the whirligig suddenly dropped me with the gear. There was a tremendous splash. Then I saw my two mates. The next moment I thought I'd drown, but Billy Holland dragged me on top of the lower mast. 'Twas the closest shave I ever had.'

That was how the first of a coming breeze caught the vessel. She immediately sheered alongside the floating spars, and with right goodwill all hands set to work getting them on board. Tackles were rove off and a derrick rigged.

'Bear a hand, now, Sennit,' the old man sang out 'The glass is dropping for wind, and we may have plenty of it soon.'

Assisted by the interpreter, he got some of the emigrants to help. Others, however, were not so disposed, and the hands jeered them. Before nightfall all the wreckage had been secured on deck, and the barque proceeded on her voyage.

The light wind of the evening steadily strengthened throughout the night, and the crew never ceased their labour of repairing damages. One of the chief causes of delay lay in the fact that the 'cap' of the bowsprit, or the piece of wood through which the jib-boom should pass, had been broken off; but by the ingenuity of the carpenter that mishap was speedily rectified. The lower mast had also been badly snapped off, but that, too, was set straight by a tongue and 'step' which were made on it, the stump still remaining in its place.

In the refitting Jack Clewlin had his share, and gained such experience of that duty that Readyman himself could not hope to impart by mere verbal tuition.

All the lower and other rigging had to be shortened and then set up taut. The upper masts, however, had received no injury, and with their yards were soon sent aloft. The damaged sails were replaced by others, and within a week scarcely a trace of the late accident remained.

All hands were once more in high spirits, and as the breeze still held strong and fair, great hopes of soon reaching San Francisco cheered every mind. A full daily ration of food was served out fore and aft. But the brightest anticipations of a speedy termination of the voyage were doomed to bitter disappointment. Within a few days the wind again failed. The Chinamen, believing that the food supply would be reduced, immediately hastened on deck, and loudly upbraiding the captain for bringing them all into such a position, stubbornly expressed their determination to return to Hong Kong.

Captain Thorne, who was accompanied by the interpreter, faced them manfully, and endeavoured to point out how he himself, and all his crew, were greatly distressed by the unexpected delays. At the same time he gave orders for the watch on deck to assemble behind the stockade.

'Tell them,' he observed to the interpreter, 'that we cannot return to China. There is no cause for anxiety.'

'You no allee same one face,' the leader of the emigrants sang out. 'One day you talkee ploper, nex' day you cheatee Chinaman, we allee same starve. Cookee man him no good. We cookee chop-chop allee same China dom b'low. Savvee?'

'And set my ship on fire, eh?' the old man sharply replied.

'No, no, me no fool. S'pose you go Hong Kong we likee plenty.'

At that point of the argument the interpreter endeavoured to make matters still clearer to his countrymen; but, in spite of all explanation and good temper, the men could not be induced to return below.

Then suddenly the real meaning of the disturbance was made plain. A horrible screaming, and piteous cries for assistance, came aft from the forecastle, where some of the mutineers were evidently murdering the watch below.

Mr. Sennit shouted on his men to come aft, but to that order there was no reply. He then attempted to open one of the stockade gates, and with assistance rescue the surprised hands, but Captain Thorne peremptorily refused to allow such a step to be taken.

That action probably saved the lives of those behind the barrier. The Chinamen made a rush at the galley, where the cook had already secured himself, and with loaded revolver sold his life as dearly as he could. The gallant interpreter, ignoring all danger, begged the captain to pass him through one of the gates, and that being done he strove to pacify the infuriated mob.

The appeal failed. The galley was surrounded and torn down, the brave cook was killed, but not before six assailants had been shot down, and his body was thrown overboard. The affair passed so rapidly that there was scarcely time for consideration. The moment the cook had disappeared the Chinamen suddenly turned on their interpreter, and served him in similar manner.

Those abaft the stockade felt assured that their unfortunate comrades in the forecastle had all been killed, and that opinion was strengthened by the fact that no more cries were heard. The fore part of the 'Alert' was, therefore, in possession of the mutineers.

Just as the mob made their first attack on the stockade one of the watch below was suddenly seen to climb hand over hand up the fore stay, and on reaching the top he swung himself to the main topmast head, from whence he speedily joined his companions.

'All the others in the fo'c's'le are dead, sir!' he gasped. 'I was asleep overhead, and hid in the bow till the cut-throats cleared out.'

'How did they get to the fo'c's'le?' the skipper inquired.

'Knocked out the fore hatch grating, sir,' the man replied. 'They've seized all the rifles and ammunition pouches hanging on the bunk sides.'

As fast as Mr. Statten, Jack Clewlin, and the steward could pass on deck rifles, old muskets, revolvers, and ammunition, their friends armed themselves, and, under the direction of Captain Thorne, took up positions to repel attack.

Several of the Chinamen were now seen brandishing the weapons stolen from the forecastle, and not a few also carried revolvers, which must have been concealed in the small boxes brought on board at Hong Kong.

The mutineers, apparently confident of success, flung themselves on the stockade, and with terrible yells endeavoured to tear it down. The barrier, however, was so strongly constructed that no impression was made on it, and that seemed to inflame the mob to further effort.

Meanwhile, the captain used every means to quell the disturbance without bloodshed, and with upraised arms endeavoured to address the leader of the Chinamen. The effort proved partly successful. Some of the emigrants seemed inclined to hear him, and for a few minutes both sides stood looking at each other, one hundred and thirty desperadoes menacing a small group of white men, consisting of Captain Thorne and his two officers, the carpenter, the steward, with five hands, including Readyman and Jack Clewlin.