At the Fall of Port Arthur; Or, A Young American in the Japanese Navy
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Title: At the Fall of Port Arthur; Or, A Young American in the Japanese Navy
Author: Edward Stratemeyer
Illustrator: A. B. Shute
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Soldiers of Fortune Series
AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
Or
A Young American in the Japanese Navy
by
EDWARD STRATEMEYER
Author of "Under the Mikado's Flag," "On to Pekin," "Two Young
Lumbermen," "Old Glory Series," "Colonial Series,"
"Pan-American Series," etc.
Illustrated by A. B. Shute
[Illustration: "It is coming this way!" yelled Larry.----_Page 84._]
[Illustration: Printer's logo]
Boston:
Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Co.
1930
Copyright, 1905, by Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Company
All rights reserved
AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
Printed in U.S.A.
PREFACE
"AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR" is a complete tale in itself, but forms the
third volume in a line issued under the general title of "Soldiers of
Fortune Series."
The story relates primarily the adventures of Larry Russell and his
old-time sea chum, Luke Striker, already well known to the readers of my
"Old Glory Series." Larry and Luke are aboard of their old ship, the
_Columbia_, bound from Manila to Nagasaki, with a cargo designed for the
Japanese Government. This is during the war between Russia and Japan,
and when close to the Japanese coast the schooner is sighted by a
Russian warship and made a prize of war.
As prisoners both Larry and Luke see something of life in the Russian
navy. When close to Vladivostok, the Russian warship falls in with
several ships of the Japanese fleet, and after a thrilling sea-fight
surrenders with her prize. This brings Larry and Luke before Admiral
Togo, and as Larry's brother Ben, with their mutual friend, Gilbert
Pennington, is already in the Japanese army, Larry enters the Japanese
navy and Luke follows suit. The siege and bombardment of Port Arthur are
at their height; and the particulars are given of many battles both on
the sea and on land, leading up to the ultimate surrender of that brave
Russian commander, General Stoessel, and the fall of the city. By this
surrender the Japanese obtained many thousands of prisoners of war,
hundreds of cannon, with large quantities of ammunition, and several
scores of vessels, useful for either fighting purposes or as transports.
Moreover, this victory placed the entire southern portion of Manchuria
under Japanese control, giving the army untrammeled use of the railroad
running from Port Arthur to Liao-Yang, a city on the road to Mukden,
captured some time before, as already related in another volume of this
series, entitled "Under the Mikado's Flag."
As I have mentioned in a previous work, it is as yet impossible to state
what the outcome of this terrific conflict will be. So far victory has
perched largely upon the standard of Japan. The Russian navy has been
practically shattered and its army fought to a standstill. The cost of
the war has been tremendous to both countries. Countless thousands of
lives have already been sacrificed. Would that peace were soon at hand!
Again I thank my young friends for their appreciation of my former
stories. May the present tale fulfill every reasonable expectation.
EDWARD STRATEMEYER.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
I. LARRY AND HIS FRIENDS 1
II. A STORM ON THE PACIFIC 10
III. LARRY LEARNS SOMETHING 20
IV. THE RUSSIAN SAILOR'S PLOT 29
V. SIGNS OF A MUTINY 38
VI. THE FIGHT FOR THE SHIP 47
VII. THE MUTINEERS IN POSSESSION 56
VIII. TURNING THE TABLES 66
IX. CLOSE TO A WATERSPOUT 76
X. SOMETHING ABOUT WAR AND FIGHTING SHIPS 86
XI. AN ORDER TO LAY-TO 95
XII. TAKEN AS A PRIZE OF WAR 103
XIII. PRISONERS ON THE _Pocastra_ 113
XIV. PROGRESS OF THE WAR 122
XV. A SHARP NAVAL BATTLE 132
XVI. ABOARD A JAPANESE WARSHIP 140
XVII. THE RETAKING OF THE _Columbia_ 148
XVIII. A CLEVER RUSE 156
XIX. THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE ENEMY 164
XX. LARRY BEFORE ADMIRAL TOGO 171
XXI. LETTERS OF INTEREST 180
XXII. A MEETING AND A PLOT 189
XXIII. THE ATTACK IN THE DARK 198
XXIV. THE DEFENSE OF THE POWDER TRAIN 206
XXV. BOMBARDING A PORT ARTHUR FORT 215
XXVI. BEN MEETS CAPTAIN BARUSKY 223
XXVII. A FIERCE BATTLE AT SEA 232
XXVIII. THE SIEGE OF PORT ARTHUR 240
XXIX. FROM ONE DIFFICULTY TO ANOTHER 248
XXX. A SURPRISE FOR LARRY 258
XXXI. A CALL TO REPEL BOARDERS 266
XXXII. FALL OF PORT ARTHUR--CONCLUSION 274
AT THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR
AT THE FALL OF PORT
ARTHUR
CHAPTER I
LARRY AND HIS FRIENDS
"Unless I miss my guess, Luke, we are going to have a storm."
"Jest what I was thinking, Larry. And when it comes I allow as how it
will be putty heavy," replied Luke Striker, casting an eye to the
westward, where a small dark cloud was beginning to show above the
horizon.
"Well, we can't expect fine weather all the time," went on Larry
Russell, inspecting the cloud with equal interest. "We want some wind
anyway," he added. "We are not making this return trip to Nagasaki
nearly as fast as we made the trip to Manila."
Luke Striker, a bronzed and weather-beaten Yankee sailor, rubbed his
chin reflectively. "I was jest thinking o' the day I spied the old
_Columbia_ in Manila harbor," he said, meditatively. "Tell ye, Larry,
the sight 'most struck me dumb. 'The _Columbia_,' sez I to myself. An'
then I thought I must be a-dreamin'. I wanted to find this ship ag'in in
the worst way."
"The ship certainly seems like a home to me, Luke--and I reckon she
always will seem that way. I've traveled a good many miles in her, since
I first struck her at Honolulu in the Hawaiian Islands," responded Larry
Russell.
"Yes--both of us have. But we never took no trip like this
afore--carryin' a cargo for the Japanese Government, with that
government at war with Russia." Luke Striker lowered his voice. "What's
the outlook? Does the old man reckon to fall in with a Russian warship
afore we can reach Nagasaki?"
"Hush, Luke; you mustn't mention our cargo," came from Larry Russell,
hastily.
"I ain't mentionin' it to anybody but you."
"Captain Ponsberry is in hopes that we shall not meet any Russian
warships."
"But what if we do?"
"Then we shall have to show our heels as best we can."
"A sailing vessel can't show much o' a pair o' heels to a man-o'-war."
"That is true."
"I suppose, if the _Columbia_ was overhauled by a Russian warship,
they'd consider us a prize of war; wouldn't they?" continued the old
Yankee sailor.
"They would, unless Captain Ponsberry could get out of it in some way."
"How do you think he might get out of it?"
"Well, you must remember that our cargo doesn't belong to the Japanese
Government yet. We are carrying it from Manila to Nagasaki for the
Richmond Importing Company. The Russians would have to prove their case
against us before they could claim the schooner as a legitimate prize of
war."
"I see. Well, I reckon as how them Russians would do 'most anything to
square accounts with the Japs. So far, accordin' to my notions, they
have been losin' ground right along in this war."
"Yes, and they'll lose more before the Japs are through with 'em, Luke.
But that storm is coming up fast," went on Larry Russell, with another
examination of the black cloud. "I'll have to tell the captain. If we
don't shorten sail it may do us some damage."
With the last-mentioned remark Larry Russell walked aft, toward the
companionway of the _Columbia_, a staunch three-masted schooner that
hailed from Gloucester. He was second mate of the craft and as such it
was now his duty to inform Captain Nat Ponsberry that a storm was
approaching.
To those of my young friends who have read "Under Dewey at Manila" and
other volumes of the "Old Glory Series" Larry Russell needs no
introduction. He was one of three brothers, who, left in the charge of a
miserly step-uncle, had thought it best to go away from home and seek
fortune in various parts of the globe. Larry had drifted to San
Francisco and then to Honolulu, where he had fallen in with Captain Nat
Ponsberry and the _Columbia_, as already mentioned. He, with his sailor
friend, Luke Striker, had been cast away, and while adrift on the
Pacific had been picked up by the Asiatic Squadron under Commodore
(afterward Admiral) Dewey, to serve with honor during the memorable
battle of Manila Bay.
Since those days a great many things had occurred to the Russell boys.
Ben, the oldest of the three, had served as a young volunteer in Cuba
during the advance on Santiago, and as an officer with the army in the
Philippines, and Walter, the third brother, had served in the navy in
Cuban waters and elsewhere. In the meantime the miserly step-uncle had
reformed, and now thought "his three boys," as he called them, "the best
young fellers in all America, barrin' none!"
Larry Russell was a natural sailor, and when his term in the navy came
to an end he could not bear to think of giving up the sea. He heard that
his old ship was bound for a trip to Japan and other ports, and at once
communicated with Captain Ponsberry, with the result that he became
second mate of the schooner, the first mate being, as of old, Tom
Grandon, a personal friend of Captain Ponsberry.
At this time Walter Russell had gone into business, and was doing
remarkably well. But Ben was doing nothing, and Larry persuaded his
oldest brother to come aboard the ship at Manila, for the trip to
Nagasaki and Port Arthur. This was just at the outbreak of the war
between Russia and Japan, but the brothers at that time knew nothing
about the tremendous conflict so close at hand.
The _Columbia_ was carrying a cargo for the Richmond Importing Company,
represented in Japan and China by Gilbert Pennington, who had served
with Ben Russell in our army in Cuba and the Philippines. From Manila
Gilbert had gone to China, to fight the Boxers, as already described in
"On to Pekin," the first volume of this "Soldiers of Fortune Series."
With the end of the Boxer conflict, Lieutenant Pennington, as he had
then become, turned from war to business, and soon made a number of
business transactions which were highly gratifying to the company that
he represented.
When the _Columbia_ arrived at Nagasaki, Captain Ponsberry learned that
the war had begun and that to get to Port Arthur--a Russian stronghold
in Manchuria--was out of the question. While he was awaiting orders
Gilbert Pennington appeared on the scene. Gilbert had had great
difficulties in getting away from Port Arthur, having been suspected by
the Russian officials of being a spy. He wished to know at once if the
ship's cargo was safe.
"As safe as when we left home," had been Captain Ponsberry's reply.
"Good!" answered the young agent, and then he wished to know if anything
had been done about selling the goods. Captain Ponsberry replied that he
had been ordered to do nothing until he received word from Gilbert. This
suited the young representative; and the upshot of the matter was that
the cargo, instead of going to a Russian port, was sold to the Japanese
Government at a price considerably above the ordinary market value.
Gilbert Pennington was enthusiastic about joining the Japanese army for
a campaign in Manchuria and he imparted a large share of this enthusiasm
to Ben Russell. As a result both enlisted and became captains in a
special command, under a Major Okopa, who could speak very good English.
The part of the army to which they were assigned landed at Chinampo, in
Korea, and in the second volume of this series, called "Under the
Mikado's Flag," I related the particulars of the crossing of the Yalu
River and of the many skirmishes and battles leading up to the terrific
ten-days' contest before Liao Yang. During these fights Ben and Gilbert
did their full duty as officers, and when the Russians retreated to the
North both were well content to take a much-needed rest. But additional
struggles were still in store for them, as will be learned in the pages
which follow.
At first Larry Russell had been inclined to follow his brother and his
friend Gilbert into the Japanese army. But Captain Ponsberry did not
wish to lose his services as a second mate, and when it was decided that
the _Columbia_ should make a quick run to Manila and back, for another
cargo for the Japanese Government, he made up his mind to stick to the
ship.
The run to Manila from Nagasaki was made without special incident, and,
once at the main seaport of the Philippines, Captain Ponsberry lost no
time in getting on board the cargo the Richmond Importing Company had
ready for him. The cargo was a valuable one and it was calculated that
if rightly sold it would yield the company a profit of five or six
thousand dollars.
"You have got to take care and not run into any Russian warship," said
the agent of the company at Manila. "If you do you may have a whole lot
of trouble in explaining matters to the Russian commander's
satisfaction. I see by the reports that the Russians have already held
up several English and South American ships."
"I shall keep a sharp lookout for 'em," was Captain Ponsberry's reply.
"And another thing, Captain," went on the agent, in a lower tone; "you
want to watch your crew."
"What do you mean?"
"I don't like the looks of two or three of them. For all you know they
may be more than willing to expose you--if you fall in with the
Russians. Can you trust your first and second mates?"
"I can! They are as honest as myself."
"Then caution them to keep an eye on the hands. One of those fellows
looks like a Russian to me--the chap with the heavy black beard."
"You mean Semmel. He says he is a Pole and that he hates the Russians."
"Humph! Well, I saw him talking to a lot of Russians night before last.
And when they passed a Jap the whole crowd jeered at the little brown
man."
"Semmel, too?"
"Yes."
"Then I shall watch him," answered Captain Ponsberry, decidedly.
"Do, but don't let him know it. Some of these foreign sailors are ugly
when they find out they are being suspected."
"Trust me to manage him," returned the commander of the _Columbia_; and
there the talk on the subject came to an end.
CHAPTER II
A STORM ON THE PACIFIC
Larry found Captain Ponsberry working over a chart on the cabin table,
laying out the course of the ship. The commander of the _Columbia_ was a
bluff, hearty individual and he and the young second mate thought a
great deal of each other.
"Well, what is it?" asked the captain, looking up quickly.
"I came to report that a storm is coming up from the west," answered
Larry.
"Humph! I was afraid we'd catch it sooner or later. Is it close up yet?"
"It's coming up pretty fast."
Captain Ponsberry said no more, but threw down his parallel rulers and
his pencil. Catching up his cap, he mounted to the deck, and the young
second mate followed at his heels. The captain gave a long look to the
westward and then a gaze around the remainder of the horizon.
"Tell Cal Vincent to call all hands to shorten sail!" he called out to
Larry. "Tell 'em to tumble up quick, too--thet storm ain't none too far
off for comfort!"
Larry passed the word to Cal Vincent, who was the boatswain of the
_Columbia_, and soon the whistle piped up shrilly, and those who were
below or in the forecastle, came on deck in a hurry. Already the wind
was freshening, ruffling up the whitecaps in all directions. The sky,
that had been so blue a short while before, became leaden, and the
depths of the ocean took on a somber hue. The barometer indicated a
great and immediate change.
"Lay aloft there, men!" cried Captain Ponsberry. "Our sails are mostly
new and we don't want them ripped up if we can help it. Skip along
there, Peterson!" The latter words to a big sailor who was moving across
the deck at a snail's pace.
The sailor addressed, scowled. It was not his watch on deck and he hated
to have his midday nap disturbed.
"Got a nail in ma boot," he said.
"Well, haul it out--after the sails are trimmed," returned the captain,
and then turned to another hand: "Semmel, what's the matter with you?"
This to the suspicious-looking sailor with the heavy black beard.
"Nodding," grumbled Semmel, and turned away sulkily.
"Then get a move on, or we may lose a stick as well as a sail," and
there followed a perfect volley of orders in a tone that none of the
sailors misunderstood. Up to the yards they crawled like so many
monkeys, and soon the creaking of halyard blocks was heard, as the
topsails came down. The jib and flying jib were also taken in, and a
little later the main-course and the mizzen-course.
"Reckon we can stand the fore-course for a little while longer," said
Captain Ponsberry to Tom Grandon. "What do you think?"
"We can, unless it comes quicker nor it is coming now," returned the
first mate.
"Well, keep an eye on the wind and reef her as soon as it begins to look
nasty," said Captain Ponsberry, and returned to the cabin, to finish his
nautical calculations.
The _Columbia_ had left the last of the Philippines behind and was
headed north through the China Sea toward the lower extremity of
Formosa. She was not as new a ship as when Larry had first boarded her
at Honolulu, for since that time she had seen half a dozen years of hard
service. But Captain Ponsberry was a careful man and believed in making
repairs as soon as they were needed, so there was small danger of her
opening her seams or going to pieces even in the stiffest of blows. She
leaked a little--the best of ships do that--but a short pumping every
morning kept the water at the bottom of the well.
As second mate, it was Larry's duty to see that everything on the deck
was "ship-shape," and this was especially necessary when a storm was
coming up. He made a tour of the ship, his keen eyes taking in every
detail.
As it happened, an hour before he had set the sailor Semmel to work
stowing away some odds and ends of rope. He had supposed that this task
was long since finished, but now he found the ropes scattered about as
before.
"See here, Semmel," he called out, "why didn't you stow away those ropes
as I told you?"
"Stow dem avay in a leetle vile," answered the sailor with the heavy
beard.
"You'll stow them away now," returned Larry, sharply. He did not at all
fancy the manner of the hand he was addressing. "I told you to do it an
hour ago. We don't want anything loose on deck when this storm hits us."
"Vincent kicked de ropes out dare," growled Semmel. "I had nodding to do
mit 'em."
"That isn't here or there. I told you to stow them away, and I want you
to do it. If you don't, I'll have to report you to the captain."
"Oh, I do him!" grumbled Semmel, but he glared at Larry as if he wished
to chew the young second mate up. "You put all dare vork on me, hey?" he
added, after a pause.
"You've got to do your share of it."
"Humph!" Semmel seemed on the point of saying more, but shut his teeth
and began to arrange the ropes in proper order. Larry watched him for a
moment and then walked away. As soon as his back was turned the sailor
shook his fist at the young second mate.
"You vait!" he muttered. "Chust vait, you Jankee rat!"
The sky kept growing darker, and soon came a puff of wind much heavier
than any that had gone before. The _Columbia_ had been moving over the
waves on an even keel, but now she gave a sudden lurch to starboard.
"Reckon it's time to take them reefs in the fore-course," said Grandon to
Larry, and soon the sailors were at work on the sheets, leaving just
sufficient canvas up to make the schooner mind her helm. It was hard
work, for the sudden gusts made the sail snap and crack like a whip.
So far it had not rained a drop, but now came a sudden downpour, the
drops "as big as hen's eggs," to use Luke Striker's manner of describing
them. Then came a flash of lightning out of the western sky, followed by
a rumble of thunder.
"This is going to be an old-time storm," was Larry's comment, as he met
Luke Striker near the forecastle. "I'll have to get my oilskin out."
Luke already had his raincoat on and soon the young mate was similarly
provided. Wind and rain were increasing, and presently there came a
flash of lightning and a clap of thunder that made everybody jump. The
thunder brought Captain Ponsberry to the deck in a hurry.
"Did that hit us?" he questioned, looking around anxiously.
"No, sir, but it was pretty close," replied Grandon.
"Is everything secure?" went on the commander, to Larry.
"Yes, sir."
It was difficult to converse further, for the wind was now whistling
through the rigging, driving the rain in sheets across the deck. All had
to hold fast for fear of being swept overboard. On every side the sea
was lashing itself into a foam and the waves were growing higher and
higher. At one instant the _Columbia_ would seem to be riding on top of
a mountain, the next she would sink down and down into the trough of the
sea.
"Well, Larry, how do you like this?" questioned Captain Ponsberry, as he
took a position beside the second mate.
"Oh, I don't mind it at all," was the cheery answer. "I used to mind the
storms, but I've got used to them."
"This isn't a plaything we are getting."
"Oh, I know that--you can see it by the way the wind is driving us. But
we are not near any land, are we?"
"No."
"Then we'll be sure to outride it. I feel I can bank on the old
_Columbia_ for almost anything."
At this Captain Ponsberry laid an affectionate hand on his second mate's
shoulder.
"Reckon you love the old craft about as well as I do," he said.
"I don't know about that--you've been on board so many more years than
myself. But to me she is a second home."
"I see. Well, let us hope we get through with this trip in safety."
"Don't you imagine we'll do it?" questioned Larry, quickly.
"Certainly. But you must remember that we may have trouble if we fall in
with any Russian warship." Captain Ponsberry lowered his voice. "Did you
have trouble with Semmel?"
"A little. I ordered him to coil up some ropes and he didn't obey me
right away. But he stowed them away afterwards."
Captain Ponsberry drew a long breath. "The more I see of that chap the
less I like him."
"I never liked him from the start," answered Larry, frankly. "But you'll
have to give him credit for being a good all-round sailor."
"There is no doubt but what he is that, Larry. But he has a bad eye."
"What do you think he could do to harm us?"
"Nothing--unless we fell in with a Russian warship. In that case, if he
was a Russian sympathizer, he might expose the fact that while we are
carrying a cargo for the Richmond Importing Company the goods are really
meant for the Japanese Government."
"Does he know that?"
"I'm not sure, one way or the other. What I am afraid of is, that he may
know a good bit more nor we suspect."
"I see." The young second mate mused for a moment. "I'll tell you what
I'd do, if I thought he was going to play me foul--and we fell in with a
Russian warship. I'd clap him below decks, out of sight until the
warship went on her way again."
"That's easily said; but I can't make him a prisoner unless I can prove
something against him."
"You can lock him up if he is sulky and won't obey orders."
"Yes, that is true. Still----Phew!"
The captain broke off short, for a vivid streak of lightning flared all
over the upper masts of the ship. The thunder-clap was as sharp as it
was deafening, and for the moment all on board thought the _Columbia_
had surely been struck. Then came a downpour which made even the boldest
of the sailors seek shelter.
"That was closer than I like," was Larry's comment, after it was
ascertained that the ship was unharmed.
"'Most knocked me overboard," came from Luke Striker. "Gosh! reckon my
hair's singed," and he put up his hand and ran his fingers through his
grayish locks. "Don't want another like thet nohow!"
A few minutes later came another flash of lightning, but this was to the
eastward, showing that the center of the storm had passed them. The wind
was apparently going down, but the sea was as angry as ever and would be
for hours to come.
Luke had retired to the forecastle with several other sailors. Larry's
watch on deck was also at an end, and he was just on the point of going
below, when from the west came a curious humming sound which made the
young second mate pause. The humming increased, and then of a sudden the
_Columbia_ was caught in a hurricane blast that threw her far over on
her side.
"Help!" Larry heard, in the voice of Captain Ponsberry. "Somebody help
me, quick, or I'll go overboard!"
CHAPTER III
LARRY LEARNS SOMETHING
The accident which had happened to Captain Nat Ponsberry was certainly a
curious one, although similar to that which once cost the life of a
young officer in our navy.
When the hurricane blast reached the _Columbia_, the captain was in the
act of slipping on a lined raincoat,--a big affair, with long sleeves
and an extra high collar. One arm was in the coat and the other was
going down the sleeve when it caught in the lining. At that instant the
shock threw the captain across the deck and almost over the railing. He
caught at the railing with his free hand, but his other hand remained a
prisoner in the coat sleeve, while the garment itself stuck in a bunch
across his shoulders.
"Help!" he roared again. He tried to pull himself up, and to free the
hand in the sleeve, but found both impossible.
Larry did not wait for a second cry for assistance. He knew the captain
so well that he felt the officer would only call when in dire peril. He
ran out on the slippery deck in double-quick order.
"Hullo, where are you?" he yelled.
"Here! Help!"
The young second mate caught sight of the captain not a moment too soon.
Another lurch of the _Columbia_ had thrown him completely over the rail,
and there he clung with one hand, while the spray was flying all over
him.
Not waiting to count the possible cost, Larry slid rather than ran to
the rail. Years before he had learned a trick which now stood him in
good stead. He wound his legs around the under rail, catching the upper
one with his left hand. Then he clutched Captain Ponsberry by the
tangled-up arm.
"On deck there!" he yelled. "Throw a rope this way, and hurry up about
it!"
"What's the trouble?" came from Tom Grandon, who had been in another
part of the ship and had not heard the captain's cry.
"The captain is almost overboard. Throw us a rope."
Tom Grandon was quick to act. The rope came whizzing toward Larry, and
in a twinkling he had it around his body and also around the captain.
"Haul in!" he called, and Grandon and two sailors did so. Over the rail
came Captain Ponsberry, still fighting to release the tangled-up arm. In
a moment more all danger was past.
"Well, how in the world did this happen?" questioned Grandon.
"Tell ye--soon as I can git free o' this consarned coat!" spluttered
Captain Ponsberry, and he gave the garment a jerk that ripped one of the
sleeves completely in half. "Did ye ever see sech foolishness?" he
added. And then he told how the lurch of the ship had carried him over
the rail just when he could use but one hand. "After this I reckon I'll
put on my coat afore I go on deck," he concluded.
"It was a lucky thing that Larry heard you cry out," said the first
mate. "I was at the wheel, helping Groot."
"That's right, Tom." The captain turned to the youth. "Larry, you're a
brave one, and always was. I ain't going to forget this!"
"Oh, don't say anything about it," came from the young second mate,
modestly. "I know you'd do as much for me, if I needed it."
"Well, I would, an' there's my hand on it," cried Captain Ponsberry,
heartily, and gave Larry a grip that made him wince.
The storm kept up for the remainder of the day. But its worst fury was
spent, and during the night the wind went down to nothing more than a
stiff breeze, which was just what was wanted. All of the sails were
again set; and the schooner resumed her course as before.
Before leaving Manila Larry had purchased a number of newspapers printed
in that city in English. So far he had had no chance to look the sheets
over, but now came two days in which there was little to do, and he
spent several hours in devouring the news, while he also let his friend
Luke do some reading.
"Tell ye what, this 'ere war between Russia and Japan is goin' to be a
big thing," said Luke, after reading an account of the first fights on
land and on sea. "It ain't goin' to be no such short affair as our
little rumpus in Cuby."
"You are right, Luke; this war is going to be a long and bitter one."
"Who is goin' to win, do you think?"
"I'm sure I don't know. Russia is a vast country, with millions of
people and with an immense army and navy. I suppose she can put five
times as many men in the field as Japan can."
"But them Japs know how to fight."
"Indeed they do--they have proved that already. And what is to their
advantage, they are closer to Korea and Manchuria than Russia is. They
can get on the fighting ground quicker,--which counts for a good deal."
"How those Russians must have been astonished when the Japanese warships
sailed into 'em at Port Arthur last February. I don't believe they were
expecting an attack."
"Hardly, for war had just been declared. But you wouldn't have caught
Uncle Sam napping like that, Luke."
"Right ye are, lad; it ain't his style. An' then to see how them Japs
have been a-blowin' up the Russian warships ever since. They must have a
fine navy."
"Yes, and good gunners, too. I was told in Nagasaki that quite a few
American gunners were on their ships--fellows who served under Dewey at
Manila and under Sampson and Schley off Cuba."
"I believe you, lad. When a feller gits it in his bones to fight on a
warship there ain't no life on a merchantman goin' to satisfy him. Some
jackies would rather fight nor eat--you know thet as well as I do."
"Well, I shouldn't mind doing some fighting myself. You know I was on a
stand about going with Ben and Gilbert Pennington."
"Where do you reckon they are now?"
"In Manchuria, I suppose, fighting as hard as they can. I thought I
would get a letter from them before we left Manila, but nothing came."
"I suppose the mails are all upset, on account of the war," put in Cal
Vincent, who sat nearby, sewing a button on his shirt. "If you'll
remember, Nagasaki was in a big state of excitement while we were there
last."
"Did they say anything about any Russian warships bein' in these parts?"
questioned Luke.
"No."
"It would be strange if we did fall in with them."
"Which puts me in mind," came from the boatswain, and then he gazed
around to see if any other persons were near. "Semmel says he ain't no
Russian, but it's dollars to doughnuts he is," he continued, in a
lowered tone.
"Have you discovered anything new?" demanded Larry.
"Yes and no. Last night I overheard him and Peterson talking in a
suspicious kind of a way. I didn't catch much, for they talked partly in
English and partly in a foreign language. But I am sure they are
favoring Russia, and Semmel said something about doing something to harm
Japan."
"I don't see how they could do anything on board of this ship," came
from Luke.
"You didn't hear anything definite?"
"Can't say that I did," answered the boatswain.
"We had better watch them closer than ever."
"All right; I'll do my share," responded Vincent, and Luke Striker said
the same.
That very afternoon Larry had another quarrel with the sailor with the
long beard. Semmel had a bucket of dirty water which he was carrying to
the ship's side. As Larry passed he pretended to stub his toe and
allowed some of the dirty water to flow over the young second mate's
foot.
"Semmel, what did you do that for?" cried Larry, indignantly.
"Canno help dat," said the sailor. "I slip."
"You did it on purpose!"
"Oh, no!" And the sailor grinned wickedly.
"I say you did. If you try anything like that again, I'll make it warm
for you. Get a swab and clean the deck up at once!"
As Semmel sauntered off, and while Larry was stamping the water from his
shoe, Captain Ponsberry came up. He had seen the trick played from a
distance.
"What did you tell Semmel?" he questioned, sharply.
"Told him to swab the deck up. I think he slopped the dirty water over
me on purpose."
"Just my idea of it. I'll tell him what I think of it." And striding
after the bearded sailor Captain Ponsberry gave him a lecture not to be
readily forgotten.
"I won't have any of your dirty underhanded work aboard of my ship," he
concluded. "Either you'll behave yourself, or I'll put you in irons."
"In irons!" ejaculated Semmel, scowling viciously.
"That is what I said and that is what I mean. Ever since you came on
board you have been acting in this same dirty fashion and I want it
stopped. Now swab up that deck, and see that you make a first-class job
of it. For two pins I'd make you black Russell's shoes."
"No black nobody's shoes," growled Semmel, but in such a low tone that
Captain Ponsberry could not hear him. He cleaned the deck in his own
ugly, independent manner, muttering imprecations against both Larry and
the captain in the meantime.
As a matter of fact, even though he had denied it to Captain Ponsberry
and others, Ostag Semmel was really a Russian by birth, having been born
and raised in the seaport of Kolaska. He had been drafted into the army,
but not wishing to serve under a military rule which is unusually
severe, he had run away to sea and become a sailor.
Life on the ocean suited Semmel very well and he would have remained
away from Russia had it not been for the fact that a rich uncle had died
leaving him a property valued at two thousand dollars--a small fortune
in the eyes of a man of this Russian's standing. He wished to go back to
claim his inheritance, but feared to do so, for he knew that once on
Russian soil he would be arrested for desertion, and might be sent to a
military prison for a great number of years.
From a friend in Manila he had heard of something which interested him
greatly. This was the news that another deserter from the Russian army
had been pardoned for his offense because he had taken home with him
important news concerning the movements of a certain Japanese warship.
"If I could only do as well," he told himself, over and over again, and
then, when he signed articles for the _Columbia's_ trip, he listened
eagerly to some talk he overheard about the ship's cargo. When he began
to suspect the truth--that the cargo was meant for the Japanese
Government--his eyes glistened cunningly.
"If I can only let Russia know of this!" he reasoned. "All will go well
with me. If I can only let Russia know!"
CHAPTER IV
THE RUSSIAN SAILOR'S PLOT
Captain Ponsberry's stern manner made Ostag Semmel wild with hatred, and
when he went back to the forecastle after swabbing up the deck he was in
a fit mental condition for almost any dark deed.
For a good half-hour he lay in his bunk in a corner, brooding over his
ill-luck and wondering what he could do to revenge himself upon both the
master of the schooner and Larry. Larry he especially disliked--the very
open-heartedness of the young second mate made him long to do the lad
harm.
At the end of the half-hour another sailor came in. It was Carl
Peterson, his close friend. Peterson was a burly tar who had visited
nearly every quarter of the globe. He loved to drink and carouse, and
was ever ready to lend a hand in any excitement that offered. There was
a rumor that he had once led a mutiny on a Danish merchant vessel, but
this he denied, laying the blame entirely on others.
"Is that you, Peterson?" demanded Semmel, in his native tongue, for he
knew that the other could speak Russian fluently.
"Yes," came in a rough voice from Peterson. He gave a coarse laugh. "A
fine job you made of it, to pour dirty water over Russell and then have
to swab up the deck for it."
"Who told you of that?"
"Didn't I see it with my own eyes--and heard what the captain said,
too."
"Bah! It makes me sick!" growled Semmel. "I am sick of the ship--the
crew--everything!"
Peterson gave a short toss of his head, which was covered with a shock
of fiery red hair. "What are you going to do about it? Even if the
captain treats you like a dog, what shall you do, Ostag Semmel? He
thinks we are all curs--door mats to wipe feet on!"
"He shall find out that I am neither a dog nor a door mat!" muttered the
bearded Russian. "By my right hand I promise you that!"
"Talk is cheap--it takes wind to make the mill go," answered Peterson.
To an outsider it would have been plain to see that he was leading
Semmel on, in an endeavor to find out what was in his companion's mind.
"It will not end in talk."
"Bah! I have heard that before."
"I have been thinking," went on Ostag Semmel, slowly. "Can I trust you?"
"You know you can."
"You do not love the captain--do not love that Russell?"
"Do I act as if I did?"
"Good! Now, how many on board of this ship?"
"Fourteen men, counting in ourselves."
"You count fairly. Fourteen, how many are our friends?"
"Postnak and Conroy, at least."
"Then we are four, so far. Now, what of Groot and Shamhaven and Jack
Wilbur?"
"Groot is a good fellow and a man who wishes to make money."
"And Shamhaven will do almost anything for money--he once told me so. He
took a sailor suit from a store in Manila without paying for it."
"I know that too. The tailor was rich and didn't need the money," and
Peterson gave another coarse laugh.
"Then we are six--to stand up for our rights. And Jack Wilbur will make
seven--just half the number on the ship."
"How can we count that Wilbur in? He is a Yankee."
"He is a weakling and we can manage him,--and I think we can manage some
others, too--when we get that far."
"How far do you mean?" demanded Peterson, although he knew about what
was coming.
"Is anybody else near here?"
"No," and Peterson took a careful look around.
"Supposing we seize the ship--in the name of the Russian Government?
They have a Japanese cargo on board, the captain cannot deny it. We can
take the ship, sail her to some Russian port, and win both prize money
and glory. Is it not a grand scheme?"
"Ha, that is fine!" Carl Peterson's eyes glowed voraciously. "Ostag, you
are a man after my own heart! We might become rich!"
"Then you like the plan?"
"Yes--providing we can make it work. But it is a big undertaking. If we
were caught we might swing from a yardarm for it."
"We can make it work--I have another plan for that. I have thought it
out completely. We can--but more later," and Ostag Semmel broke off
abruptly, as several sailors entered the forecastle. A little later he
began to complain in broken English to a sailor named Jack Wilbur that
he was suffering from a severe stomach ache.
"Sorry to hear on it," said Wilbur, who was a very mild foremast hand.
"Anything I can do for you?"
"I dink not," answered Semmel. "I dink de poor grub ve git mak me feel
pad."
"Didn't notice that the grub was poor," answered Wilbur.
"Very poor--not so goot as py my las' ship," answered Semmel. "Some grub
here not fit to eat."
It was soon noised around that Semmel was not feeling well and that he
had complained that the food dealt out at noontime had made him sick. As
soon as Captain Ponsberry heard of this he went to interview Jeff, the
colored cook, who, as of old, was singing gayly to himself among the
pots and pans of the ship's galley.
"Wasn't nuffin de mattah wid dat grub, Cap'n Ponsberry," exclaimed Jeff,
after hearing what the commander of the ship had to say. "It was jess as
good as we always has."
"Was it thoroughly cooked?"
"Yes, sah--I don't 'low nuffin to go from dis yere galley 'less it am
well cooked."
"Are your pots and kettles clean?"
"Yes, sah--yo' can see fo' yourself, sah."
The captain did see, and moreover he knew that Jeff was usually a
careful and conscientious culinary artist who always gave the men the
best his stock afforded.
"Well, be careful of what you cook and how you cook it after this," said
Captain Ponsberry.
"Would yo' mind tellin' me, sah, who is kicking, sah?" asked Jeff,
respectfully.
"Semmel says he was made sick by what he ate."
"Huh, dat scab!" grunted Jeff. "He ain't no 'count at all, he ain't!"
And the cook turned away in disgust.
"It looks to me as if Semmel was trying to make trouble all around,"
said Tom Grandon, when he and the captain and Larry talked the matter
over.
"I never liked that man from the first time I clapped eyes on him," came
from Larry. "He's a sneak--and worse."
"I shall watch him pretty closely after this," said Captain Ponsberry.
"One discontented fellow like him can upset the whole ship if he sets
out to do it."
"They can't complain of the grub," went on the first mate. "It's as good
as on any merchantman, and better than the law requires."
"I guess it was the deck-swabbing that gave him the stomach ache," said
Larry, and this made the captain and Grandon smile.
The next day when the sailors sat down to their dinner two or three of
them sniffed suspiciously at the food they were eating.
"This don't taste just right to me," said Shamhaven. "The meat tastes
decayed."
"And the vegetables ain't much better," put in Conroy,--a sturdy
Irish-American, who was one of the best seamen on the schooner.
"Dat dinner am fust-class," cried Jeff. "I ain't gwine to stand yere an'
see you growlin' at it."
"It certainly tastes a bit off, Jeff," put in Jack Wilbur. "Taste it
yourself."
The cook did so, and his face looked doubtful for a moment.
"Guess dat needs a little salt an' pepper," he said, slowly. It did not
taste nearly as good as he had anticipated.
As there was nothing else to do, and they were hungry, the men ate the
meal, grumbling to themselves as they did so. Luke said but little and
ate sparingly, and his example was followed by Cal Vincent.
The captain, Grandon, and Larry ate in the cabin and the dinner served
to them was first-class in every particular.
"Guess Jeff is spreading himself, just to show what he can do," remarked
Larry to the first mate, after he had finished his repast.
"It's very good, Larry," answered Tom Grandon.
By the middle of the afternoon three of the men were complaining of
feeling sick and all attributed their ailments to what they had eaten
for dinner.
"Ha! vat I tole you?" cried Semmel. "Didn't I say de grub vos pad? Not
maybe you belief me, hey?"
"I shan't stand for any more poor grub," came from Shamhaven. "If I
can't get good stuff I'm going to the captain about it."
The sickness of the hands worried Captain Ponsberry greatly and he
opened up his medicine chest and gave them such remedies as he thought
were best.
At supper time Jeff was extra cautious in selecting and preparing the
food. Nevertheless, the men who ate of it were suspicious and more than
half the meal went to waste. The captain was very thoughtful, but said
little or nothing.
On the following day the wind died down utterly and it was exceedingly
warm. With nothing to do, the majority of the hands gathered at the bow
to talk of matters in general, and the food in particular. Semmel and
Peterson were of the number, and both did all in their power to magnify
the outrage, as they termed it.
"Der captain don't haf any right to gif us such grub," said Semmel. "It
vos against der law."
"On some ships there would be a mutiny over this," added Peterson.
Larry overheard a part of the conversation and it set him thinking. Luke
Striker also grew suspicious.
"Unless I am mistaken, this is some of Semmel's work," said Larry to the
old tar. "He is doing his level best to make trouble on the ship."
"Well, he better mind his business," grumbled Luke. "I don't reckon the
captain will stand fer any underhanded work."
Without appearing to do so, Larry continued to keep his eyes on Semmel,
and about an hour before dinner he saw the bearded sailor approach the
cook's galley and look inside. Jeff was below, getting a case of canned
goods. With a swift movement, Semmel stepped into the galley, raised the
lid of a big pot full of stew that was on the stove, and sprinkled
something over the food. Then he hurried out and sneaked forward once
more.
"The rascal!" murmured Larry. "So this is his game. I wonder what he put
into that pot?"
For the moment the young second mate thought to confront Semmel and
demand an explanation. Then he changed his mind and hurried for the
cabin, to tell the news to Captain Ponsberry.
CHAPTER V
SIGNS OF A MUTINY
"I've found out something important, Captain Ponsberry," said Larry, as
he entered the cabin. "I now know what's the matter with the grub." To
all salt-water sailors food is grub and nothing else.
"Well, what is the matter with it?" questioned the master of the
_Columbia_, quickly.
"It's being doctored, that's what's the matter."
"Doctored?"
"Yes, sir,--doctored by Semmel, too."
"Will you explain what you mean, Larry?" demanded the captain, intensely
interested.
"I just saw that rascal go into the cook's galley. Jeff wasn't there,
and Semmel took the lid off of a big pot on the stove and sprinkled
something inside."
"What!" Captain Ponsberry leaped to his feet "Are you certain of this?"
he demanded.
"I am--for I saw it with my own eyes."
"What was that stuff he put into the pot?"
"I don't know."
"Did he touch anything else?"
"No. He was in a tremendous hurry and wasn't in the galley more than a
minute at the most."
"The scoundrel!" Captain Ponsberry clenched his fists. "Larry, you are
positive you are making no mistake?"
"I saw the thing done just as I told you. The stuff was in a bit of
white paper. When he went forward he threw the paper overboard."
"Did anybody else see this?"
"I don't think so. But----"
At that moment came a knock on the cabin door and Luke Striker appeared.
"Excuse me, sir," he said, touching his cap. "But I've got something
important to report."
"What is it, Striker?"
"I jess see that air Semmel go in and out o' the cook's galley."
"That is just what I am reporting!" cried Larry. "Did you see what he
did, Luke?"
"No. He wasn't in there only a minit. It looked suspicious to me,
though--with all hands gittin' sick from the grub."
"This is all the evidence I want," said Captain Ponsberry. "We'll soon
make an end of this. Larry, send Semmel to me."
The young second mate left the cabin with Luke and both hurried toward
the bow, where Semmel and Peterson were conversing in low tones.
"The captain wants to see you at once," said Larry to the bearded
sailor.
His tone was so sharp it made Semmel start.
"Vat he vants?" he queried.
"Go and find out for yourself."
"Maybe you git me in droubles, hey?" and the bearded sailor scowled.
"I reckon as how you're gittin' yourself into trouble," drawled Luke,
dryly.
"You keep your mouf shut!" cried Semmel. "I no talk to you, no!"
"The captain wants you to report; are you going to do so or not?"
demanded Larry.
"Sure I go," answered Semmel, with a toss of his head, and he slouched
toward the stern. His manner was so aggressive that Larry picked up a
belaying pin before following him.
Captain Ponsberry had just appeared on deck. He had armed himself with a
short club,--a sure sign to those who knew him that something unusual
was in the wind. His face was stern and forbidding, and all hands
gathered around to see what was the trouble.
"Semmel, I want to have a talk with you," he said, in a loud voice, as
the bearded sailor came up.
To this the sailor nodded but did not answer.
"I want to know what you were doing in the cook's galley a short while
ago."
"De cook's galley?" The sailor acted as if he was puzzled. "I no go by
de galley, captain."
"You were in the galley and you put something into the stew-pot. What
was it?" thundered Captain Ponsberry. "Tell me the truth, or I may take
it into my head to break every bone in your body!" And he shook his club
in the sailor's face.
"I put noddings in de pot," cried Semmel. "I no go in de galley--I no
been in de galley two, tree days. It is a lie!"
"I saw you go in," came from Luke.
"And so did I," added Larry. "And I saw you sprinkle something into the
pot."
"What, did dat good-fo'-nuffin furiner put somet'ing in ma eatin'?"
shrieked Jeff, who had come up. "Oh,--yo'--yo'----"
"Never mind, Jeff, I'll attend to this," interrupted the captain.
"Yes, sah, but dat monkey-faced----"
"Never mind now--fall back there," added the captain, and the cook fell
back, but shook his fist at Semmel.
"I not in de galley," reiterated the bearded sailor. "Russell an'
Striker no tell de truth."
"It is true," cried Larry.
"Thet's so, an' you can't squirm out o' it," broke in Luke. "I saw ye as
plain as day."
"I want to know what you put into that stew-pot?" continued Captain
Ponsberry.
"I no go near de galley. I----"
"I know you went into the galley and I know you put something into the
stew. For the last time I ask you, what was it?"
For reply Ostag Semmel simply shrugged his shoulders.
"Are you going to tell me the truth?"
"I reckon the truth ain't in him," grumbled Luke, under his breath.
"I say noddings more," came sourly from the bearded sailor.
"Put that man in irons," commanded Captain Ponsberry, turning quickly to
Larry and Grandon. "If he won't talk now, perhaps he'll talk after he
has spent a day in the brig."
"Vat! you put me in irons!" shrieked Semmel. "You no got right to do
dat, no!"
"Haven't I?" answered Captain Ponsberry, in a voice that cut like a
whip. "I'd like to see anybody dispute over it. Larry, Tom, do as I
command."
"Yes, sir," answered Larry, and ran off to get a pair of handcuffs while
Tom Grandon stationed himself beside Ostag Semmel, belaying pin in hand.
"You no mak me a prisoner!" fumed the bearded sailor. "You got no
right!"
He continued to rave, saying that it was a plot against him, because he
had been the first to complain about the vile food served to the hands;
that he had not been near the galley and that the captain, Grandon, and
Larry knew it. He even appealed to the other sailors to stand by him,
and several came forward to argue with Captain Ponsberry. But the master
of the schooner was obstinate and would not listen.
"I know what I am doing, men," he said, quickly but firmly. "He is a
scoundrel and a spell in the brig will do him good. After this I reckon
you'll find the grub all right."
"I no like--" began Peterson, once more.
"You shut up, Peterson, or I'll put you in the brig with Semmel," cut in
the captain, and Peterson fell back with the rest, but with a brow that
was dark and distrustful.
By this time Larry had returned with the handcuffs and despite the
resistance he offered, Ostag Semmel was made a prisoner. Then the first
and the second mates led him to the schooner's brig,--a narrow, V-shaped
room in the bow of the boat, usually used for storing lanterns and oil.
The smell in the closet--for it was nothing else--was far from pleasant,
and a day in the brig usually made a prisoner repent and promise to do
better.
"I mak trouble for dis!" growled Semmel, as the door was closed and
bolted on him. "I mak trouble, yes! You got no right to do dis, no!"
"And you haven't any right to doctor the grub," answered Larry, and then
he and Grandon walked away.
"That fellow is a first-class villain, to my way of reasoning," was the
first mate's comment. "I believe he'd do almost anything to get square
for this."
After Ostag Semmel had been placed in the brig Captain Ponsberry called
all hands to him once more and related what Luke and Larry had seen. The
stew was inspected, but nothing suspicious could be seen about it.
"If any of you want to try that stew you may do so," said the captain.
"Of course, if Semmel didn't touch it there can be nothing in it that
can hurt you." But all, even to Peterson, declined to even taste the
food. It was one thing to think Semmel innocent but quite another to run
the risk of being made sick or poisoned. In the end the stew was dumped
overboard and Jeff prepared an entirely new dinner for all hands.
"You must keep close watch on all of the men," said the captain to Larry
and Grandon, when quietness had been restored. "Semmel was the worst of
the lot, but I do not like the way Peterson and one or two others are
acting."
"I don't see what they can do," answered Larry.
"They might start a mutiny," came from the first mate.
"Would they dare go as far as that?"
"Sometimes sailors get strange notions, and the old Harry himself can't
stop them," said Captain Ponsberry. "A thing that in itself doesn't
amount to much will start them off, and they'll imagine that everything
is going wrong. When I was a lad, on board the _Mary Eliza_, Captain
Snapper, we had a mutiny just because the coffee wasn't right."
"Yes, and I can remember that they had a mutiny on the old brig
_Chesterfield_ because Captain Roe's wife brought a cross-eyed yellow
cat on board," added Grandon. "Not a man would hoist a sail until that
feline was put ashore. And when, two months later, the brig lost her
foremast in a gale, the sailors said it was on account of that same cat,
she having scratched the mast before she was taken away!"
"Well, I hope we don't have a mutiny," said Larry. "I'd like to suggest
something, Captain Ponsberry," he went on, to the master of the
_Columbia_.
"Fire ahead, Larry."
"You know we can trust Luke Striker. Why not have him report just what
the other hands are doing?"
"That's an idea, and I will act on it. Yes, I'd trust Striker as quick
as I'd trust you. If there is to be trouble we certainly want to know of
it as soon as possible," concluded the captain.
CHAPTER VI
THE FIGHT FOR THE SHIP
The day to follow was Sunday, and contrary to expectations, it passed
quietly. As there was hardly any wind, the old _Columbia_ made slow
progress, and the sailors had little or nothing to do. As was his usual
habit, Larry read his Bible, and Captain Ponsberry held a short church
service, which less than half the crew attended.
"It's plain to see that the men are sulky," said Tom Grandon, towards
evening. "We are certain to hear something from them shortly."
Luke had been told to report anything unusual, but it was not until
after dark that he sought out Captain Ponsberry.
"I ain't got much to say," said the old tar. "But to my mind Peterson,
Groot, and Shamhaven are doin' a powerful lot of confabbin'. More'n
that, I saw Peterson cleaning up a pistol he's got."
"Are any of the other hands armed?"
"I ain't seen no other shootin'-irons," answered Luke.
The captain had expected to interview Semmel once more, but found the
fellow so surly he gave up the attempt. As the brig was so hot and
uncomfortable, the master of the schooner had the door fixed so it could
be left open several inches, with a chain at the bolt to keep it from
going further.
At four o'clock Monday morning Peterson came on duty, followed by
Shamhaven and some others. All made their way to the bow and began to
talk in a low but earnest fashion. Then Peterson went below, to where
Semmel was still confined in the brig.
"We are ready to move now," said he, in Russian. "What do you think?"
"Let me out and I will show you what I think," growled Ostag Semmel.
"The captain is a dog--and Grandon and Russell are dogs, too!"
Peterson was prepared to unlock the chain which held the brig door and
did so. Then he handed a pistol to the Russian.
"The captain and Russell are in their staterooms," said Peterson. "Only
Grandon is on deck, with Vincent and with the men we can trust to help
us."
"We can't trust Vincent."
"I know that."
"Where is Striker?"
"Asleep in his berth."
But on this score Carl Peterson was mistaken. Luke had pretended to go
to sleep, but he was now in a corner on deck, watching with keen eyes
all that was occurring. Presently he saw Semmel in company with Peterson
hurry towards the bow, and he felt that the time for action had arrived.
"Hi, Mr. Grandon!" he called out, running up to the first mate.
"What is it, Striker?"
"They've released Semmel and they are arming themselves."
"You don't say!" Tom Grandon was stunned for the instant. "Tell the
captain and Russell of this at once!"
"Aye, aye, sir!"
Rushing down the companionway, Luke entered the cabin and knocked on the
door of Captain Ponsberry's stateroom.
"Wake up, captain!" he called, loudly. "Wake up! There is going to be
trouble putty quick, to my way o' thinkin'!"
"What has gone wrong now?" demanded the master of the _Columbia_, as he
hurried into his clothes and armed himself. "Where is Grandon?"
"On deck; he sent me to tell you. They have set Semmel free and some of
'em are arming themselves."
"A mutiny!" roared Captain Ponsberry. "Striker, you'll stand by me, of
course?"
"That I will, sir--to the end."
"Good. I know Vincent will do the same. Do you know anything about the
others?"
"I think you can count on Jeff the cook."
"What of Wilbur?"
"He's so weak-kneed I don't know what he'll do," answered Striker.
By this time Larry was out of his stateroom. With his door ajar he had
heard all that had been said.
"Oh, Luke, do you think they'll try to seize the ship?" he gasped.
"Don't know what they'll do. They're a plumb crazy lot," growled the old
tar. "It was a mistake to take such fellers as Semmel and Peterson and
Shamhaven aboard."
"That is true, but when Devine and Larson got sick and went to the
hospital at Manila I had to get somebody," answered Captain Ponsberry.
He brought out several pistols. "Here, Larry, take one of these, and a
cutlass, too, and you, Striker, can arm yourself likewise."
There was no time to answer, for the master of the schooner was already
striding through the cabin in the direction of the companionway. An
instant later came a yell from the deck, followed by heavy footsteps and
then the report of a pistol.
"Drive dem to de cabin!" came in the voice of Semmel. "Drive dem along,
kvick!" And then followed another yell and the sounds of half a dozen
blows.
"Below there!" came in Tom Grandon's voice. "Help! help!"
"I'm coming!" called up Captain Ponsberry.
"Don't you dare to step on deck, captain!" yelled down the voice of
Shamhaven. "Don't you dare to do it!" And the sailor appeared, pistol in
hand, at the top of the companionway.
"Shamhaven, what does this mean?" demanded the master of the _Columbia_.
"It means that we have taken possession of the ship, that's what it
means," came from Groot.
"Of you come up here, you maybe git killed," put in Ostag Semmel. "You
stay down dare, you hear?" And then, as the captain started to mount the
stairs, he threw down a belaying pin. In the semi-darkness the captain
did not see the object, and it struck him on the top of the head,
rendering him partly unconscious.
Larry and Luke were close behind their leader and both were alarmed to
see him go down, uttering a deep groan as he did so.
"Is he killed?" questioned the young second mate.
"I don't know," was the old tar's response. "Shall we go up?"
"Keep back there!" was the call from above. "Put a step on those stairs
and it will be the worse for you!"
At that moment came a cry from Cal Vincent. The boatswain had been
attacked from behind and was given no chance to defend himself. Then
came a roar from Jeff, who came rushing toward the companionway as if
all the demons of the deep were behind him.
"Sabe me! sabe me!" he screamed. "Da is gwine to pirate de ship! Sabe
me!" And then he came plunging down headlong, directly on top of Larry,
Luke, and the prostrate captain.
This unexpected coming of Jeff sent the young second mate and the old
tar flat on Captain Ponsberry, and for the moment there was a struggle
all around. In the meantime some sailors on the deck began to drag a
heavy hatch toward the stairs. Soon this was placed in position, and
then those below were virtually prisoners.
"Oh my, sabe me!" groaned Jeff once more, as he managed to get on his
feet in the cabin, followed by Larry and Luke. "Don't you let dem swing
me from de yardarm!"
"Jeff, where are Grandon and Vincent?" demanded Larry.
"I dunno, sah--dead, I guess," answered the cook. "Oh, dis am de
awfulest t'ing wot I eber heard tell ob!" he added, woefully, and wrung
his hands.
The lantern in the cabin was turned up and Larry gave his attention once
more to Captain Ponsberry, who was now opening his eyes.
"Oh, my head!" came with a shiver. "My head!"
"I'm glad they didn't kill you," said Larry, kindly. "Luke, help me
carry him into the cabin. We'll put him on the couch."
This was done, and they did what they could to make the master of the
schooner comfortable. But it was a good half-hour before Captain
Ponsberry could sit up and do any rational thinking.
On deck all had become suddenly quiet. Occasionally those below could
hear a footstep near the companionway, showing that one or more of the
mutineers were on guard. The hatch shut off the view on deck, and the
windows in the ceiling of the cabin were also boarded over from the
outside.
"They have us like rats in a trap," said Larry, bitterly.
"And for all we know Vincent and Grandon are both dead," returned Luke
Striker, soberly. "I must say, lad, we seem to be in a bad way and no
mistake."
"Dey'll throw us overboard, I know dey will!" groaned Jeff, who was
almost white with terror. "I neber see sech goin's-on in all ma life!"
To fight the mutineers further was, just then, out of the question, and
Larry turned his attention again to Captain Ponsberry. At last the
captain seemed fully to comprehend what had occurred. He once more moved
toward the companionway, pistol in hand.
"You can't get out that way, sir," said Larry. "They have placed the
fore hatch over the stairs."
"And they are armed, too," put in Luke. "Be careful, sir, or they'll
shoot you down."
"And this on my own ship!" came bitterly from the master of the
_Columbia_. "That is what I get for treating the dogs better than they
deserve. Where are Grandon and Vincent?"
"Either shot down or taken prisoners. They called for help, and that was
the last we heard of them."
"And are all the others in this dastardly plot?"
"I reckon they are," answered Luke. "Them foreigners, Semmel an'
Peterson, must have stirred 'em up powerfully."
Still weak from the blow received, Captain Ponsberry sank down once more
on the cabin couch. There was a lump as big as a walnut on the top of
his head, and he had Jeff bathe it with water and then with witch-hazel,
which made it a trifle more comfortable.
A short while later came a sudden wild song from the deck of the
schooner, followed by a clinking of glasses.
"They are treating themselves to grog," said Luke. "I suppose, now they
have the run of things, they'll drink all they want of the stuff."
"More than likely," returned the captain. "Well, it is their turn just
now--perhaps before long it will be my turn!" And he smiled
significantly.
CHAPTER VII
THE MUTINEERS IN POSSESSION
As my old readers know, both Captain Ponsberry and Luke Striker were
Yankees to the backbone, and it galled them exceedingly to see the
schooner in the hands of a number of mutineers, and especially
foreigners.
"We've got to git the ship back, no two ways on it," growled the old
tar. "Captain, I'm willin' to fight to the end, if ye give the word."
"And I'll fight, too," said Larry, promptly.
"Don't you go fo' to fight dem rascallions!" whined Jeff. "Yo' will all
be killed suah!"
"I would like to know what has become of Grandon and Vincent," came from
Captain Ponsberry. "As we stand now, we are but four to seven or eight.
If we could get Grandon and Vincent to aid us we would be six against
them."
"Perhaps all the hands are not in the mutiny," suggested Larry. "Why not
try to sound them?"
"I was thinking of doing that."
A little later Captain Ponsberry called up the companionway. At first
nobody paid any attention to him, but presently the hatch was shoved
aside a few inches and Ostag Semmel looked down. Behind him was
Shamhaven.
"Semmel, what does this mean?" asked the captain, as calmly as he could.
"It means dat ve haf de ship," replied the Russian, with a grin.
"You are carrying matters with a very high hand. Where are Grandon and
Vincent?"
"I not tell you dat."
"We had a right to mutiny," said Shamhaven. "The grub wasn't fit to eat
and was getting worse every day."
"That's a tale gotten up for the occasion, Shamhaven, and you know it.
Semmel doctored the food to make you dissatisfied."
"Well, we don't think so," grumbled the sailor. "I don't think so, and
Groot and the others don't either."
"Has Jack Wilbur joined you?"
"Certainly he has," was Shamhaven's ready reply, but his look belied his
words.
"Ve are all pount to stick togedder," said Semmel. "You might as vell
gif up--der sooner der petter for you!"
"I don't propose to give up, you rascal."
"Ton't you call me a rascals, no!" shouted Ostag Semmel. "I vos now der
captains, yes, do you hear? Captain Semmel!"
"Bosh!" put in Luke Striker, in disgust. "Why ye ain't fit to be the
skipper 'f a canal-boat!"
"If you try to navigate the ship you'll sink her on the rocks," put in
Larry.
"You had better consider what you are doing, Shamhaven," went on the
master of the _Columbia_. "Remember, if I regain possession of the
schooner I can make it go hard with you."
"You no get dare schooner again, not much!" came from Peterson, who had
just come up, followed by Jack Wilbur.
"Wilbur, are you in this?" demanded the captain. "If you are, I must
confess I didn't think it of you."
"I ain't goin' to eat poor grub," answered Wilbur, lamely.
"The grub is all right and you know it. It was doctored up by Semmel,
and I----"
"You stop dat talk!" roared Semmel, and then he added: "Maybe you gif in
after you are goot an' hungry, hey?"
"What, do you want to starve us out?" cried Larry.
"You see--chust vait!" answered the Russian, and with this the hatch was
again put in place and the conference came to an end.
Captain Ponsberry was fairly boiling with wrath, but even so he realized
that prudence is often the better part of valor.
"There is no use of trying a rush to the deck," he said. "Those rascals
would surely shoot us down. Just now some of them are in the humor for
anything."
"Perhaps we can do something to-night," suggested Larry.
"They talk about starving us out," said Luke. "Ain't there nothin' to
eat here?"
An inspection was made of the cabin pantry, which brought to light some
preserves, some pickles, a pot of cheese, and a tin of fancy crackers.
"About enough for one meal," said Captain Ponsberry, grimly.
"And a pretty slim one at that," added Larry. "But I say, captain," he
added, suddenly, "isn't there a door leading from the back of the pantry
down into the hold?"
"There was once--but I had it nailed up years ago, for we never used
it."
"If we can open that, we might get something from the hold."
"Going to eat machinery?" demanded Luke.
"No--canned goods, Luke; I know Jeff had some placed there, for he
didn't have room in his store-room."
"Dat am a fac'," put in the cook. "I'se got lots ob t'ings in dat dar
hold."
"Then that settles the starving question," said Captain Ponsberry. "I've
got a small saw and a hammer down here somewhere. We can use them on the
door."
"And that gives me another idea," went on Larry. "The hatch covering
over the companionway belongs to the fore hatch. If we can reach that
opening from here, why can't we steal on deck when we get the chance and
try to make the mutineers prisoners?"
"Eureka!" shouted Luke. "That's the talk, Larry. Fer your years you've
got a wonderfully long head on ye. We'll make 'em prisoners or chuck 'em
overboard!"
"The idea is worth considering," said the captain. "But we must be
careful."
A search was made and the hammer, small saw, and also a chisel were
found. Then they cleaned out the pantry, took down several shelves, and
thus uncovered the small door which had been nailed up.
"Don't make any noise, or they'll suspect that we are up to something,"
said Captain Ponsberry.
"Let Jeff rattle some dishes," said Larry, and while he and Luke worked
on the door, the cook began to handle the dishes in such a rough manner
that several were broken. He also tried to sing a couple of verses of
his favorite song, "My Gal Susannah!" but his voice was so shaky that
the effort was, artistically, a failure, although it added to the noise,
which was all that was desired.
"They're pretty happy down there," said Wilbur to Shamhaven, as he
listened to the sounds.
"Oh, they're putting on a front," growled Shamhaven. "They'll sing a
different tune when their stomachs are empty."
"I don't know about this mutiny," went on the weak-kneed sailor,
nervously.
"Oh, it's all right and you needn't to worry, Wilbur. If we stick
together we'll make a couple of thousand apiece out of this game."
"But what shall we do if we fall in with a Russian warship?"
"Semmel has that all fixed. He'll expose the captain and state that the
_Columbia_ is carrying a cargo for the Japanese Government, and that he
took possession in the name of the Czar. With this war on they won't ask
too many questions so long as they can give the Japs a black eye."
"I see. But supposing we fall in with a Japanese warship?"
"Then Semmel is going to turn the command over to me and I'll tell them
that the cargo was really meant for the Japanese Government but that
Captain Ponsberry, just before we left Manila, sold out to the Russian
agents and was going to Vladivostok. I'll add that we refused to go to
the Russian port after signing for Nagasaki, and all of the men can back
me up. That will put the captain and his friends in limbo and give us
some prize money. Oh, we'll come out ahead, don't you worry," concluded
Shamhaven, confidently.
The day passed slowly and the mutineers held several meetings, to settle
upon just what they were going to do. But all had been drinking more
than was good for them and the conferences ended in nothing but talk.
Semmel was the accepted leader, but it was plain to see that Shamhaven
objected strongly to playing a secondary part, and Peterson also wanted
a large "finger in the pie."
As they worked with care, it was a good hour and a half before Larry and
Luke managed to take down the door leading into the hold. Even when this
was done they found on the other side several heavy cases of machinery
almost impossible to budge.
"We can pry those out of the way," said the captain.
"A foot or so will do it," returned Larry. "Then I think I can crawl
over the top."
They continued the work, and a little later the young second mate was
able to squeeze his way to the top of the cargo in that vicinity.
"Be careful, Larry," warned the captain. "If a case should shift with
the ship you might get a crushed leg. You had better take a candle
along."
"I will, sir."
Luke was as anxious to get into the hold as the young second mate, and
he too squeezed his tall, lank form through the opening. Guided by the
faint light of the candle, they crawled over a number of cases of
machinery and war goods until they drew close to the middle of the ship.
"Here we are!" cried Larry, in a low voice, and pointed to some cases of
canned goods. "Beans, corn, tomatoes, salt pork, condensed milk--we
won't starve just yet, Luke."
"An' here are some barrels o' flour," added the old tar. "No, they can't
starve us nohow now."
They had brought the chisel and hammer along, and with extra caution
opened some of the cases. Taking with them all the goods they could
carry, they returned to the cabin.
"This is splendid!" cried Captain Ponsberry. "With this stuff on hand we
can hold the cabin indefinitely."
"How is I gwine to cook?" questioned Jeff.
"Over the two lanterns, Jeff. It will be slow work, but our time is our
own. Luckily there are pots and tins in the pantry."
"All right, sah."
"Of course, I am hoping that we shall not have to stay here long," went
on the captain. "But it is best to be prepared."
That those on deck might not see the cooking going on, one of the
staterooms was cleaned out and Jeff went to work in this. In the
meantime Semmel called down the companionway once more.
"Are you gettin' hungry?" he asked.
"Tell him yes," whispered Larry.
"Why?" questioned the captain, in an equally low tone.
"Then he'll think we are getting ready to come to terms and he won't
watch us so closely."
"I see." Captain Ponsberry raised his voice. "Yes, we are hungry," he
called up. "What are you going to send us, something good?"
"Ve send noddings. Maybe you talk business soon, hey?" continued the
rascally Russian.
"Perhaps."
"How soon?"
"Well, perhaps to-morrow morning."
"Not before dot, hey?"
"No."
"All right den; you can go on an' starve so long!" growled Ostag Semmel,
and went away. A moment later he met Shamhaven.
"What did he say?" asked the latter, anxiously.
"He comes to terms to-morrow!" answered the Russian, triumphantly.
CHAPTER VIII
TURNING THE TABLES
The meal which Jeff prepared put all in the cabin in better humor, and
as soon as it was over a council of war was held.
It was decided to wait until darkness had set in, and then try to gain
the deck of the ship by way of the fore hatch. In the meantime the door
to the companionway was to be locked and barred, so that the mutineers
could not attack them very well from that direction, should a running
fight ensue.
As Jeff would be of no use in a struggle he was delegated to remain in
the cabin, to make as much noise as possible, singing and talking to
himself, so that the mutineers might not suspect what was taking place.
Each member of the party armed himself both with a pistol and a cutlass,
and Larry led the way as before, candle in hand. It was easy for Luke to
follow him, but rather difficult for the captain, who was more portly.
"Reckon as how ye shouldn't have eaten so much, captain," chuckled the
old tar, as he helped Captain Ponsberry through a particularly narrow
place.
"True, Striker," was the answer. "But you be careful that you don't slip
into some slit between the cases and go out of sight."
They soon gained the spot where the canned goods had been found. They
had now to climb over some machinery that reached nearly to the top of
the hold, and then over a varied collection of boxes and barrels and
bags. On the bags lay some of the old sails of the ship and several
coils of discarded rope.
They were just approaching the open fore hatch when they saw a rope
ladder let down. Instantly Larry uttered a warning and put out the
light.
"Somebody is coming down," he whispered.
It was the sailor Wilbur, who had been sent to get some canned goods for
cooking purposes. He came down the rope ladder with a lantern slung over
one arm.
"We'll make him a prisoner!" cried Captain Ponsberry. "And let us do it
as quietly as we can, so as not to disturb those on deck."
The others understood and crouched back in the darkness. Then, as Wilbur
passed them, the captain caught him from the back and Larry clapped a
hand over the fellow's mouth.
"Oh!" spluttered Wilbur, but that was as far as he got.
"Not a word! Not a sound, Wilbur!" said Captain Ponsberry, earnestly.
The sailor understood, and being a craven at heart he almost collapsed.
It was an easy matter to take one of the old ropes and tie his hands
behind him. Then Captain Ponsberry confronted the mutineer, making a
liberal exhibition of his pistol as he did so.
"Wilbur, answer me truthfully," said the master of the _Columbia_. "Are
you all in this mutiny or not? Don't speak above a whisper."
"I ain't in it!" whined Wilbur. "They dragged me in, they did. I ain't
kicking about grub, or nothing!"
"Are all the others in it?"
"Kind of, yes. Groot didn't care much to go in. Guess he wish he was out
of it now."
"What has become of Grandon and Vincent?"
"Both of 'em are prisoners in the brig."
"Are they wounded?"
"Not much. Grandon had his thumb cut and Vincent got a kick in the back
that lamed him."
"Is anybody guarding them?"
"I guess not. All of 'em have got to drinking again. Say, captain, let
me out of this fix and I'll never go against you again, never,"
continued Wilbur, earnestly.
"We'll see about that later," was the grim reply.
"Captain Ponsberry, I have a scheme," put in Larry, and he drew the
master of the ship to one side. "Wilbur is about the same build as
myself. Let me take his coat and cap and go on deck and down to the
brig. If I can release Grandon and Vincent we'll be sure to knock out
the mutiny in no time."
"It's a dangerous game, Larry."
"Oh, please let me do it!" pleaded the young second mate. The hazard was
one which appealed to him strongly.
The matter was talked over for a few minutes and it was decided to let
Larry have his way. Wilbur was soon stripped of his coat and the young
second mate donned the garment. Then he took the mutineer's cap and
pulled it as far over his brow as possible and turned up the coat
collar.
"I'll leave the lantern here," he said, and a second later was mounting
the rope ladder slowly and cautiously.
With his head on a level with the deck Larry paused to reconnoiter the
situation. He knew exactly how dangerous his mission was and that he was
running the risk of being shot. But his life in our navy had made him
bold, and seeing nobody in sight, he leaped out on deck, and hurried
with all speed to the ladder leading to the brig. Soon he was in front
of the barred door.
"Grandon! Vincent!" he called, softly.
"Hullo, who's that?" came in the voice of the first mate.
"It is I, Larry. Is Vincent there?"
"Yes. Where did you come from?"
"The cabin." Larry unbarred the door. "Are you hurt?"
"Not much. How are you?"
"I am all right, and so are the captain and Luke Striker. They are in
the hold, ready to come on deck. We have made Wilbur a prisoner."
"Good enough," came from the boatswain. "The rascals! They ought all to
walk the plank!" he added, vehemently.
The two men had their hands tied behind them, but it was an easy matter
for Larry to liberate them. Then each provided himself with a belaying
pin, and all three of the party stole to the deck.
From the forecastle and the cook's galley came loud talking, showing
that the mutineers were making themselves at home. One man was trying to
do some cooking.
"What's keeping Wilbur so long?" he demanded of the others.
Nobody knew, and one of the crowd, the sailor named Groot, volunteered
to look the missing one up.
"Let us follow him to the hatch," whispered Larry. "Perhaps we can make
him a prisoner."
"Right you are," answered Tom Grandon.
With caution they came up behind the man, and just as Groot leaned over
the open hatchway, they caught him tightly.
"Keep silent, Groot!" said Grandon. "Keep silent, or we'll throw you
overboard."
"Stop!" roared the mutineer. "Help! hel----"
He got no further, for raising his belaying pin, Vincent brought it down
on the mutineer's head. Groot had been the one to lame the boatswain's
back and the latter had not forgotten it. Over went the fellow and sank
down as if dead.
"Drop him into the hold," ordered Grandon, and this was done just as
Captain Ponsberry and Luke Striker appeared at the foot of the rope
ladder.
"Another, eh?" said the master of the _Columbia_. "Good enough! How are
you, Tom? How are you, Vincent?"
"We're ready to fight 'em," answered the first mate. "Come on! They've
got so much liquor aboard they can't do much to us!"
"Be careful, I don't want anybody shot if it can be avoided," responded
Captain Ponsberry.
"I think it would be a good plan to dump them all into the hold," said
Larry. "Then we could nail up that pantry door, put the hatch into
place, and keep them at our mercy."
"If the plan will work, it's a good one," answered the captain.
One after another they came out on deck, leaving Wilbur and Groot in the
hold. They found the mutineers equally divided between the galley and
the forecastle. The only man in charge of the schooner was Conroy, who
was at the wheel.
As they advanced upon the forecastle they saw Semmel come out,
accompanied by Peterson.
"There are the ringleaders!" cried Captain Ponsberry, and rushing up to
them he exclaimed: "Surrender, you rascals!" And he aimed his pistol,
while the others also raised their weapons.
The Russian and his companion were taken completely by surprise, and
before they could draw any weapons of their own it was too late. Grandon
tripped one up and fell upon him, and then Vincent and Larry tripped up
the other. There was a brief scuffle, the exchange of several blows
which did little damage, and in a trice Semmel and Peterson were thrown
down into the hold bodily, and the ladder was hauled up out of their
reach.
"Put that hatch over the opening," cried Captain Ponsberry to Larry.
"And then go into the cabin pantry and nail up that door. Be quick about
it, or they may get out!"
"Aye, aye, sir!" cried the young second mate, and ran off with all
speed. The hatch was large and heavy, but the excitement lent him
strength and he dragged it forward and threw it over the hatchway.
"Stop dat!" roared Semmel, in a drunken voice, but Larry paid no
attention. His next movement was toward the cabin.
"Don't yo' tech me!" roared Jeff, in alarm. "Oh, it am yo'!" he added,
as he recognized Larry. "How am de battle gwine?"
"We've got 'em on the run--four are prisoners in the hold," was Larry's
reply. "Get me that box of nails, Jeff--I must put that door back as it
was!"
"Yes, sah; yes, sah!" answered the cook, eagerly, and brought forth the
nails in question. Then he helped to put the door into place, and held
it while Larry nailed the barrier. The job was just completed when the
young second mate heard voices from the hold.
"Hi, dare, you let us out," came from Peterson. "Ve vill mak it right,
yes!"
"You keep quiet," ordered Larry, and would say no more. Against the door
he and Jeff placed several trunks and boxes taken from the staterooms
opening off of the cabin.
During this time the party led by Captain Ponsberry had attacked the
balance of the mutineers. There was a brief fight and Shamhaven got a
cutlass cut on the knee. But then the men surrendered, and one after
another was made to drop down into the hold, and the hatch was shut and
battened down.
The only man who was not thus made a prisoner was Conroy, who begged at
once to be forgiven.
"They got me to drink, captain," he pleaded. "I didn't know what I was
doing. Forgive it, and I'll be the best man you ever had on board."
"Can I depend upon you, Conroy?" asked Captain Ponsberry, sternly.
"You can, sir--I give you my word on it."
"You won't try to help the mutineers?"
"No, sir; no, sir!"
"Very well then, I'll try you. But, remember, if you try any dirty work
it will go hard with you. Now tell me, was Wilbur in favor of this
mutiny?"
"No, sir, he was not. Semmel forced him into it."
"What of the others. Who were the ringleaders?"
"Semmel and Peterson and Shamhaven. The others didn't want to do
anything but complain about the grub," answered Conroy, and then told
the particulars of the mutiny from beginning to end.
CHAPTER IX
CLOSE TO A WATERSPOUT
It was decided to leave the mutineers in the hold undisturbed until
morning. This done, those who had been hurt in the scrimmage had their
wounds attended to, and then Jeff was set to work to prepare a good meal
for all the loyal party. The galley was in a state of disorder, but this
counted for nothing, and Jeff soon had matters straightened out.
After so much excitement nobody thought of retiring. Luke was stationed
over the fore hatch, to give warning of any attempt on the part of the
mutineers to regain their liberty. He was armed and he threatened to
"blow the hull head off" of anybody who dared to show himself or make a
noise. As a consequence the mutineers did nothing. Two made their way to
the nailed-up door, but finding they could not open it, gave up the
attempt as a bad job.
As a punishment for his misdeeds Conroy was kept at the wheel during the
whole of the night. He was willing enough to do the extra work if only
the captain would forgive him for his actions. The master of the ship
questioned him closely, and in the end reached the conclusion that only
Semmel, Peterson, and Shamhaven were the leaders in the attempt to seize
the ship and that the others had followed after them like so many sheep.
"I am glad to hear this," he said to Grandon and Larry. "I think after I
read them a strong lecture they'll behave themselves."
"But we shall have to watch 'em closely," said the first mate.
"What will you do with Semmel, Peterson, and Shamhaven?" asked Larry.
"Put them in irons and keep them there until the end of the trip. When
we reach Nagasaki they can take their choice of leaving or of being
kicked off the ship. If they raise a row I'll hand them over to the
authorities."
"You ought to have them locked up."
"True, lad; but with this war on hand the courts won't want to bother
with such a case."
It was not until nine o'clock in the morning that Captain Ponsberry had
the forward hatch raised once more. Those below were almost dying for
fresh air and water.
"I want Wilbur to come up," he said.
"Can't we have some water?" demanded Shamhaven.
"Yes, if you'll behave yourselves," was the short answer.
There was a babble of voices, but the master of the ship paid no
attention. Each man who had been thrown below was unarmed, so there was
no danger of any shooting. Presently Wilbur came up the rope ladder
thrown to him, looking sheepish enough.
"What have you to say for yourself?" demanded the captain, when Wilbur
threw himself on his knees.
"Don't count it against me, cap'!" he groaned. "I didn't want to go into
it, I tell you! I didn't want to go in!"
"If I forgive you, will you give me your word to behave yourself?"
"Yes, sir!"
"You won't do any more underhanded work?"
"You can shoot me if I do, captain."
"Very well; I'll remember that. Now go forward and help put the ship in
good order. Larry, set him to work, and see that he does just what you
tell him." And Wilbur went off, with the young second mate following,
thanking his stars that he had not been swung to the yardarm, for mutiny
on the high seas is a capital offense.
One by one the mutineers were allowed to come on deck, until only
Semmel, Peterson, and Shamhaven remained below. Those to come up pleaded
to be forgiven and promised to obey orders in the future and let the
captain run the ship to suit himself.
During the night, Groot had had a bitter quarrel with Semmel, and the
Russian appeared presently with a black eye and two of his front teeth
loose. He was promptly put in irons, and the handcuffing of Peterson and
Shamhaven followed.
"I have allowed the other men their liberty because you three led them
into this affair," said Captain Ponsberry to the trio of rascals. "I
intend to keep you in irons until the end of the trip."
At this there was a loud complaint, and the three made all manner of
protestations, but the master of the _Columbia_ was obdurate, and at
last threatened to throw them into the hold again. This quieted them for
the time being, and after being given a square meal and a drink of
water, they were marched off to the brig, which was cleaned of
everything else for their accommodation.
Fortunately for the _Columbia_ the weather remained fair, so that the
loss of the prisoners was not felt when it came to handling the
schooner. Those who had mutinied were only too glad to get back into
Captain Ponsberry's good graces and they did whatever was required with
an alacrity which was as astonishing as it was gratifying. They ate
whatever was set before them, and soon reached the conclusion that the
food was really better than they deserved.
"We were fools to follow Semmel," said Wilbur; and Conroy and some
others fully agreed with him.
But though it now looked as if the men could be trusted, Captain
Ponsberry determined to keep his eyes on them. Vincent was placed at the
head of one watch and Luke at the head of the other, so that, with one
or the other of the mates, the deck was always guarded by at least two
persons that could be depended upon.
The captain had hoped for favorable breezes following the heavy storm,
but these did not come, and day after day passed with the old _Columbia_
making slow progress toward Nagasaki. Formosa was passed during a bit of
thick weather, so that nothing was seen of that island. Then the sun
came out again, hotter than ever, so that Larry was glad to keep in the
shade as much as possible.
"It's not so exciting as it was a few days ago," remarked Luke to Larry
one day, when both were seated in the shade of the forecastle.
"I am glad that mutiny is at an end," answered Larry. "It's a great
wonder that somebody wasn't killed or seriously wounded."
"The men didn't have their hearts in the rumpus, thet's why, Larry. If
they had really meant business--well, I reckon some of us wouldn't be
here now to tell the tale."
"I think Semmel meant business."
"Yes, he's a heap sight worse nor any o' the others."
"It was a mistake to take him on board. I tell you, a captain can't be
too careful who he puts in his forecastle."
"Well, you know the reason--those other hands gettin' sick at Manila.
But I can tell you, I'd rather have a crew of Americans any day."
"They are hard to get."
"True fer you." The old Yankee tar heaved a sigh. "The old days are
gone, sure enough. My! my! what times we used to have, when we'd go out,
every man a-knowin' every other man on the ship, an' all about him, too!
Then it was like a big family settin' sail. Now, if you go on a new ship
ye don't know nobody an' nobody knows nobody else."
"I guess you expect to live and die a sailor, don't you, Luke?"
"Don't know but what I do, unless somebody leaves me money enough to
live like a millionaire," and the old tar grinned.
Day after day passed and the _Columbia_ kept on her course, making as
straight a passage for Nagasaki as possible. One day there would be a
fair breeze and the next a dead calm.
"This is unusual weather for this quarter of the globe," said Captain
Ponsberry to Larry. "Like as not it will end in another hurricane."
"In that case what will you do, release Semmel and the others?"
"I may release Peterson and Shamhaven, but not Semmel, for he was the
real ringleader."
There were strong signs of a storm in the air that night, but they
brought forth nothing, and on the following morning the sun came up as
full and bright as before. The breeze came by fits and starts, from
first one direction and then another, and the man at the wheel had all
he could do to keep the schooner to her course. Sails were shifted half
a dozen times, but without making any improvement.
"The weather is certainly queer," said Grandon. "Puts me in mind of the
time I was caught in a tidal wave in the South Seas. Before the wave
struck us we had just such cuttings-up."
"I trust we don't strike a tidal wave," answered Larry. "If it was high
enough it might swamp us."
"True; but when you're on the deep blue sea, lad, you've got to take
whatever comes," replied the first mate, solemnly.
Dinner was a quiet affair for all on board, and shortly after the repast
Larry went to the forward deck, to have another chat with Luke. While
the two were talking they were joined by Captain Ponsberry; and soon the
three were conversing about old times once more.
"Do you remember the swim we once took in the Pacific?" said Larry to
Luke. "The time the sawfish smashed the boat and came after us?"
"Reckon I do," was the Yankee tar's response. "We had a lively swim fer
it, didn't we?"
"And the time we visited the island and you turned the turtles?" went on
Larry. "And do you remember that snake that chased us into the water?"
"I do, Larry. Tell you what, we've had our share of adventures. When
Admiral Dewey----What is it, captain?"
Luke broke off short and looked at Captain Ponsberry inquiringly. The
master of the _Columbia_ was gazing over the port bow in an earnest,
puzzled fashion.
"Do you see that little black cloud, Striker?"
"I do, sir!" And now Luke became all attention and so did Larry. "Kind
o' funny lookin', ain't it?"
"It is odd," answered the captain. "Do you see how it seems to be
dancing around in the sky?"
"Is it a cloud?" questioned Larry. "If so, I never saw its like before."
"I'll take a look at it through my glass," went on the captain, and sent
a sailor for the article.
The cloud came swiftly closer and they heard a most unusual roaring and
hissing. Then of a sudden the cloud seemed to dip down into the sea.
When it came up, the waters of the ocean followed, and there loomed up
before those on the ship a waterspout ten or fifteen feet thick.
"A waterspout!" cried half a dozen in concert.
"And a mighty powerful one, too," said the captain. "I trust it don't
come this way."
"It is coming this way!" yelled Larry. "Look! look!"
The young second mate was right, the waterspout appeared to be headed
directly for the schooner. But then it shot off to the westward,
churning the water into a foam behind it.
"It's going away," murmured Luke, when once more the waterspout made a
curve and then shot directly toward them. It was off the port bow and
less than a hundred feet away. It looked as if the old _Columbia_ was
surely doomed!
CHAPTER X
SOMETHING ABOUT WAR AND FIGHTING SHIPS
"It's going to strike the ship!"
"It will cut us to pieces!"
"Throw the schooner over on the other tack!"
These and several other cries rang out on the deck of the _Columbia_.
All felt their hearts come up into their throats as the roaring,
swirling mass of water came closer and closer, until the spray drenched
them completely. The ocean was churned into a white foam and the wind
seemed to suck and blow in all directions at once.
But, just as it looked as if the schooner would be buried beneath a
veritable mountain of water, the waterspout took another curve and slid
away, along the side of the ship and off the stern. The man at the wheel
came close to being carried overboard by the deluge he received and the
_Columbia_ bobbed up and down like a cork. But in another moment the
waterspout was an eighth of a mile distant.
"What a--a narrow escape," faltered Larry, when he felt able to speak.
"I thought we were bound for the bottom sure!"
"Thet's the closest I ever was to any waterspout," came from Luke, as he
wiped his wet brow. "Reckon we can thank Providence we ain't in Davy
Jones' locker this minit!"
Captain Ponsberry did not say much, but kept his eyes fixed on the
waterspout, which was making fantastic curves across the bosom of the
Pacific. At times it was close by and then it would go half a mile or
more away. It was a fascinating scene, full of dread, and gave more than
one onlooker a chill down his backbone.
"I wish it would go away completely," went on Larry.
But this was not to be. The waterspout kept within sight for a good
half-hour, although it did not come near them again. At last it grew
less and less, off to the southwestward, and finally vanished
altogether. The glass was used in that direction, but nothing save a
clear horizon could be located.
"We are clear of it at last," said Captain Ponsberry, and breathed a
long sigh of relief.
"Waterspouts are mighty dangerous things," said Grandon, after the scare
was over. "When I was on board of the brig _Ben Franklin_ we ran into a
spout off the coast of Brazil, and it knocked off the bow and the
forward rail and nearly sank us."
"I met one once, off the coast of Cuba," said the captain. "That went
ashore and tore up the trees like so many weeds for a hundred feet
around. A waterspout is nothing to be fooled with, I can tell you."
On the day following the appearance of the waterspout the weather
changed. There was a slight storm and then a stiff breeze sprang up
which was cheering to all on board. Every stitch of canvas on the
_Columbia_ was spread and the schooner bowled along right merrily.
"I'd like to know how this war is going on, and how Ben and Gilbert are
faring," said Larry to Captain Ponsberry. "A whole lot may have happened
since we left Manila."
"Well, you'll probably get word from your brother when you reach
Nagasaki, lad; and we'll get word from Captain Pennington, too."
"I hope neither of them has been wounded."
"So do I; but when one goes to the front he has got to put up with the
fortunes of war. Being a soldier of fortune, as it is called, is no baby
business."
"Do you suppose the Japs are continuing to bombard Port Arthur?"
"More than likely--if the place hasn't fallen into their hands. They
want to make sure of their footing in lower Manchuria, and they can
never do that so long as the Russians hold a single seaport down there."
"I suppose Russia has a pretty good-sized navy as well as an army?"
"Yes, Larry, one of the largest navies in the world. But their fighting
ships are no better than the ships of Japan. You see, the Japanese navy
is not near as old as the navy of Russia. Almost all of the ships are of
the up-to-date types. Most of them have been built since the war between
Japan and China in 1894 and 1895."
"That would make them only about ten years old."
"Exactly, and I've been told that some of the ships in the Russian navy
are twenty and thirty years old. More than this, all of the Japanese
guns are of the latest pattern--just as they are on our new warships."
"I'd like to go aboard of a Japanese warship," cried the young second
mate, enthusiastically.
"Want to see if it's as good as it was aboard of the _Olympia_, eh?"
"Yes, sir. Of course the _Olympia_ was old, especially alongside of the
_Brooklyn_, on which my brother Walter served in Cuban waters, but even
so she was a bang-up fighting machine. If she hadn't been she wouldn't
have done her share in sinking that Spanish fleet in Manila Bay."
"Well, you may have a chance to go aboard of a Japanese ship while we
stop at Nagasaki. There must be a number of them at that port, coaling
up and taking war supplies aboard."
"How long do you think it will be before we reach that port?"
"That will depend entirely upon the wind, as you know. If we get just
what we need we may reach there inside of four or five days," answered
Captain Ponsberry.
As Peterson and Shamhaven were now behaving themselves they were allowed
to come out of the brig and do some work on the deck every morning and
afternoon. Both begged the captain to forgive them, but the master of
the _Columbia_ would promise nothing.
"You went into this with your eyes wide open," he said. "Now you can
line up and take your medicine."
Semmel was exceedingly bitter at not being allowed his liberty for at
least a few hours a day and said he would denounce the captain at the
first opportunity. But Captain Ponsberry soon cut him short.
"You keep a civil tongue in your head," he said, sternly. "Unless you
do, I'll put you down on hard-tack and water." And thereupon Semmel
became sullenly silent.
Towards evening of the day upon which Larry had the conversation about
warships with Captain Ponsberry a Chinese junk, heavily laden with
grass-covered boxes, was passed. Nobody on board could speak English, so
the hail that was sent over the water brought no results.
"We are getting closer to the coast shipping," said the master of the
_Columbia_. "I suppose we'll meet quite a few vessels from now on."
During the night an unexpected gale came up and the schooner was blown
far out of her course. The gale came from the westward, so the vessel
was blown to the east.
"This will make the trip a day or two longer," grumbled Grandon, after
the gale had spent itself.
"Yes, but as we didn't lose a spar or a rag of canvas we can be thankful
that it is no worse," responded Larry, who was always ready to look on
the bright side.
The gale subsided after a blow of twenty-four hours and then the bow of
the _Columbia_ was once more set towards her destination. Only a few
knots had been covered when the lookout reported a vessel in sight.
"It's a steamer!" cried Larry, for the smoke from the craft's funnels
was plainly to be seen.
"Maybe she's a warship," returned Tom Grandon, who was beside him. "If
so, I hope she's a Japanese."
The steamer was coming along at a good rate of speed and soon they made
her out to be a British vessel. She was a "tramp," that is, a vessel
going from port to port, picking up whatever cargo can be found.
"Ahoy, there!" cried Captain Ponsberry, as the tramp slowed up. "What
ship is that?"
"The _Lord Duffield_," was the answer. "What ship is that?"
"The _Columbia_."
"Where are you bound?"
"For Nagasaki. And you?"
"For Hong-Kong."
A little more talk followed, and the captain of the _Lord Duffield_
vouchsafed the information that he had sighted a Russian warship the day
before.
"A warship!" murmured Larry.
"Which way was she bound?" asked Captain Ponsberry, anxiously.
"I can't tell you. She stopped us and asked a few questions and then
slipped away in the darkness."
"What warship was she?"
"The _Pocastra_, from Vladivostok. I think she used to be in the
merchant service and was built over for the navy."
The captain of the British steamer could give no further information,
and so resumed his course, and the master of the _Columbia_ did
likewise.
"Ain't very nice news, is it?" said Tom Grandon.
"It's very unpleasant news," returned Captain Ponsberry, with a shrug of
his shoulders.
"What are you going to do about it?"
"What can we do, Tom? Trust to luck that we get into Nagasaki harbor, or
some other port, in safety."
"We'll have to keep a sharp lookout for anything that looks like a
warship, unless, of course, she flies a Japanese flag."
Word was passed around to those who could be trusted, and all day long
one of the mates and a foremast hand were kept on the lookout, taking
turns at looking through the best glass the schooner possessed.
"This is almost as exciting as being in a war," said Larry, when he was
on duty with Luke. "Don't you know how we looked for the Spanish ships?"
"Yes, lad; but if we sight a Russian warship it will be small fighting
we'll do, to my way of thinking."
"Oh, we won't be able to fight at all. We'll simply have to rely on our
wits to keep us out of being gobbled up as a prize of war," responded
the young second mate.
CHAPTER XI
AN ORDER TO LAY-TO
When taking on his cargo at Manila, Captain Ponsberry had considered the
possibility of being captured by a Russian warship, and had talked the
matter over with the agents of the Richmond Importing Company and with a
Japanese official who was doing business on the sly in the Philippines.
The Japanese Government was willing to pay for the cargo, whether it was
delivered or not--presuming it was "gobbled up" by the Russians, but was
not willing to pay for the ship if the vessel was taken as a prize of
war.
"That is a risk you must take yourself," said the Japanese official. "We
are willing to pay a high price for the cargo--we cannot do more." And
so the risk--so far as the schooner went--was divided equally between
the Richmond Importing Company and Captain Ponsberry and the other
owners of the _Columbia_.
As nearly the captain's whole wealth was tied up in his share of the
schooner, he was naturally anxious to make a safe trip, and he often
came on deck to aid the lookouts in watching for the possible appearance
of an enemy.
"If you see the least thing that looks suspicious, tell me at once," was
his order, and it was strictly obeyed. As a consequence they ran away
from two steamers that afternoon and another steamer the next
morning--all too far off to show exactly what they were.
"This isn't bringing us much nearer to port," said Larry to Cal Vincent,
who was using the glass at the time. "I don't believe we have made a
dozen knots since yesterday."
"Well, the old man is a bit nervous," responded the boatswain, in a low
voice. "And I don't blame him. It's no small matter to lose your craft
and be thrown into prison in the bargain."
"Would they dare to throw us into prison?"
"To be sure,--if they could prove that we were aiding the Japs."
"Well, they'll have hard work proving that."
An hour went by and it began to grow misty. Then came a call from the
bow.
"Sail in sight!"
"What is it?" demanded the captain instantly.
"A big steamer o' some sort."
Captain Ponsberry ran forward and took the glass. For fully two minutes
he did not speak and then he drew a long breath and put down the glass.
"I'm afraid she's a warship," he exclaimed, and his voice sounded
unnatural.
"A warship!" echoed Larry. "Will you let me look?"
He did so, and it was not long before he could make out the approaching
craft quite clearly.
"Well?" demanded Grandon, who knew that Larry's eyes were unusually
strong.
"I reckon the captain is right."
"A warship?"
"Yes, not a very large affair, but still a warship. I shouldn't be
surprised if she was the converted vessel the _Lord Duffield_ sighted."
"Just what I think," put in Captain Ponsberry. "We've got to do our best
to show her a clean pair of heels."
"The mist may help us to run away," suggested Grandon.
"Let us hope so."
Necessary orders were given, and soon the _Columbia_ swung around on
another tack, so that she had the large vessel on her starboard quarter.
But this movement was evidently noted by the stranger, and the latter
headed directly for the schooner once more.
"She is after us, that is positive," said Captain Ponsberry.
"There is a bank of mist over to the northward," returned Larry. "Why
not run into that?"
"Well spoken, lad; we'll do it, and as soon as the mist hides us we can
go over on the other tack and throw her off the scent."
The mist the young second mate had mentioned was nearly a quarter of a
mile away and it was a question whether they could reach it before the
stranger came up. But fortune favored those on the schooner. The mist
rolled toward them, and in less than two minutes they were hidden as
completely as could be desired.
"Now to get entirely out of the way," exclaimed Captain Ponsberry, and
lost not a moment in having the sails shifted and a new course set.
Through the mist they heard the other vessel steaming around noisily and
did their best to keep as far away as possible from the sound.
All during that evening and the night to follow the _Columbia_ kept to
her new course. This was taking her away from Nagasaki, but this could
not be helped. The captain said if it became absolutely necessary he
would run into some other Japanese port.
When daybreak came the mist was as thick as ever. But there were signs
that it would not last much longer, and by nine o'clock the sun was
struggling to come through the clouds. Nearly everybody was on deck, for
they realized that a fatal moment might be at hand.
"There she is!"
The cry came from half a dozen throats simultaneously. There, on the
port bow, loomed up the stranger, not an eighth of a mile away. That she
was a warship there was no longer any doubt, for her forward guns were
plainly to be seen.
"We're caught now!" muttered Tom Grandon.
"Not yet!" cried the captain, and gave orders to throw the _Columbia_
over on a new course. But scarcely had this movement been made when
there was a puff of smoke from the warship, a report, and a shot flew in
front of the schooner's bow.
"There's our order to lay-to!" ejaculated Larry. "Whoever she is, she
means business."
As the _Columbia_ did not stop, another shot was fired, this time just
grazing the bow. Seeing there was no help for it, Captain Ponsberry gave
the necessary orders, and down came one sail after another.
As this was done the warship swung around and then those on the schooner
saw that she flew the flag of Russia.
"A Russian warship!" ejaculated half a dozen.
"This looks to me as if the jig was up," murmured Tom Grandon.
As quickly as it could be done, Captain Ponsberry assembled his men on
deck.
"Men," he said, briefly, "the officers on board of that warship wish to
find out what they can about us. If you are asked questions say nothing
more than that you shipped for the voyage to Nagasaki and San Francisco,
and that you know nothing about the cargo. Do you understand?"
"Aye, aye, sir," came from those who were listening.
"I must depend upon you to help save the ship. If the _Columbia_ is
suspected of being in the employ of the Japanese Government, or of
carrying a cargo for that nation, she will be taken as a prize of war
and we'll go to a Russian prison most likely."
"I don't want to go to no Russian prison!" cried out Wilbur, his face
turning pale. "I ain't done nothing wrong!"
"Then keep your tongue from wagging too much, Wilbur," answered the
master of the schooner, grimly.
"There ain't no use o' fighting, is there?" asked Groot.
"Fighting?" came from Tom Grandon. "What could the old _Columbia_ do
against a man-o'-war? Why, they'd blow us sky high in no time!"
"No, there is absolutely no use of attempting to fight," answered
Captain Ponsberry. "Our only hope lays in convincing them that they have
no right to stop us."
The hands were dismissed and sent forward, and Captain Ponsberry hurried
below, to burn certain papers and secrete others. This was in accordance
with the orders received from the agents of the Richmond Importing
Company at Manila.
In the meantime the Russian warship had come to a stop in mid-ocean and
now a small boat was lowered, containing a small crew, a coxswain, and a
Russian naval officer. At the same time a signal was hoisted which meant
that the officer was coming on board of the schooner.
"Unless I miss my guess, this looks rather black for us," said Larry, to
Tom Grandon.
"I agree with you, Larry," responded the first mate. "But we've got to
take our medicine, no matter how bitter it is."
"If only that mist had held on to-day! We might have slipped by that
warship nicely."
"I only hope the old man fixes up his papers so that he can show a clean
bill of health," went on Grandon. "You see, if they can't actually prove
something against us, they won't dare to touch us. They know what Old
Glory means, and Russia has no desire just now to get into trouble with
Uncle Sam."
"The worst of it is, our cargo may look too suspicious to them. Under
ordinary circumstances they know that the _Columbia_ wouldn't be
carrying such a line of goods in these waters."
"That's true, too."
"Besides that, they may have had an agent at Nagasaki and at Manila
spying on us. They may know just what is being done. The Czar's
followers are mighty slick, I can tell you."
Captain Ponsberry now came on deck and gave quick orders that the
sailors should be lined up, to receive the visitor in a befitting
manner.
"A little goose grease may help," he drawled, with a knowing glance at
Grandon and Larry.
The foremast hands did not know much about lining up, but took the
places assigned to them, on the forward deck. Over the side a rope
ladder was thrown, and then Captain Ponsberry, Tom Grandon, and Larry
awaited the arrival of the Russian naval officer with keen interest.
CHAPTER XII
TAKEN AS A PRIZE OF WAR
Slowly but surely the small boat came closer to the schooner. She rode
the long swells of the Pacific with full grace, and Larry could not help
but admire the long, sturdy strokes of the jackies, as they bent to
their task.
"I don't know but that they can handle a small boat as well as our own
jackies," said Larry.
"Why shouldn't they? Russian naval training ought to be first-class,"
answered Tom Grandon. "They have been at it longer than Uncle Sam."
"True, but that doesn't always count. Spain had been at it longer than
we had, too, but when it came to war we beat her in double-quick order."
As the small boat came closer they saw that the jackies were mostly men
of middle age. But the coxswain was younger and so was the naval
officer, who was gazing rather anxiously toward the schooner, as if
wondering what the result of his mission would be.
"Wonder if that chap can talk English?" queried the first mate. "If he
can't the old man will be up a tree, for none of us can talk Russian."
"I reckon Peterson and Semmel can talk it," answered Larry. "But we
don't want either of those rascals to open his mouth."
At last the small boat came up alongside of the _Columbia_. It was no
easy matter to catch the rope ladder without getting bumped, but it was
successfully accomplished, and then the Russian officer lost no time in
coming on board. He at once saluted, and Captain Ponsberry and his mates
did the same, and the sailors in the background did likewise.
"What ship is this?" asked the Russian naval officer, after a few
necessary formalities were at an end.
"The American schooner _Columbia_," answered Captain Ponsberry.
"Would you mind telling me for what port you are bound?" went on the
naval officer, who could speak fairly good English.
"We are bound for San Francisco, with a stopover at Nagasaki."
"Ah! What sort of a cargo are you carrying to Nagasaki?"
"One belonging to the firm for which the _Columbia_ is in commission."
"The name of the firm, please?"
"The Richmond Importing Company."
"Ah!" said the naval officer again, and looked slightly displeased. As
it happened he had a brother in the army at Port Arthur, and had heard
of the doings of Gilbert Pennington at that place, and of how the young
American had accused certain Russians of trying to cheat the company he
represented.
"What warship do you come from?" demanded Captain Ponsberry, feeling
that he had an equal right to ask questions.
"The auxiliary cruiser, _Pocastra_, of the Russian navy," answered the
naval officer, politely.
"And where are you bound?" went on Captain Ponsberry, bluntly.
"That, sir, is a question only our commander, Captain Titorsky, can
answer."
"It's queer you are steaming around in Japanese waters."
"Perhaps so." The Russian naval officer smiled in a knowing way.
"Captain Ponsberry, I am sorry, but I think I shall have to inspect your
papers."
Captain Ponsberry drew himself up, resolved to put on as bold a front as
possible.
"This is an American ship, sir."
"Granted, but I have my orders," returned the naval officer, coldly.
"If I refuse to let you inspect the papers?"
The young Russian officer shrugged his shoulders.
"We shall be under the painful necessity of compelling you to show
them."
"You threaten me--an American captain!"
"There is no help for it--I am simply obeying orders. We inspect all
ships that we find in this vicinity."
"Do you know I can make you pay dearly for this outrage?"
"You cannot call it an outrage. You are in Japanese waters, Japan and
Russia are at war. You knew that before you came into these waters. Am I
to see the papers or not?"
The commander of the _Columbia_ knew that the Russian naval officer
spoke the truth. Yet he made one more effort.
"Very well; I will show my papers, but I shall insist upon you signing a
paper that your ship held us up."
"You can send the paper to my ship for such a signature from my
captain," said the Russian, evasively.
By this time four of the jackies of the small boat had come on board.
All were armed and they lined up at the rail, close to the rope ladder.
They were good-natured sailors and grinned broadly at the hands on the
_Columbia_. Not one could speak a word of English, so conversation with
them was impossible.
Captain Ponsberry led the way to the cabin of the _Columbia_ and the
young Russian officer followed. Getting out such papers as had been
prepared for the occasion, the master of the schooner passed them over.
"These are correct so far as they go," said the Russian, after an
examination lasting ten minutes had been made. "But----" he paused. "You
have no further papers?"
"Those are my papers, sir," answered Captain Ponsberry, briefly.
"Then I will look at a specified list of your cargo."
"I haven't such a list," was the answer, which was true, as the list had
been burnt up just a short while before.
At this statement the young Russian frowned. "Every ship carries such a
list."
"Still, I haven't any."
"In that case, I shall have to order an inspection of the cargo."
"Sir, you are going too far!" said Captain Ponsberry, sternly, yet he
knew he had no right to expect anything else.
"If I am going too far, I am able to take the consequences," returned
the Russian, who was acting strictly under orders.
"Very well, sir; you can look the cargo over," answered Captain
Ponsberry. "But I shall hold Russia accountable for the outrage."
The Russian naval officer bowed and hastened up to the deck. He spoke in
his native tongue to one of the jackies who carried several small flags
under his arm. At once the Jackie began to wig-wag to the warship for
further instructions.
"Search the ship," came back the order, and in a few minutes more
another small boat left the side of the _Pocastra_, containing an
officer and a crew of eight.
"We are in for it now, that is certain," observed Larry. "They are not
going to let us go until they are sure we are O. K."
The second boat was soon alongside of the schooner, and the officer in
charge and four men came up on the deck and joined the other Russians
already there. An earnest conversation was held between the two
officers.
"We'll take a general look at the cargo," said the one who had just
arrived. "It will not do to go too far--in case we find everything as it
should be. We want no trouble with the Yankee government."
Captain Ponsberry was asked to have the mizzen hatch opened, and this
work was done by Luke Striker and several others. Then two of the
Russian sailors were sent below, and one of the officers went along.
In the meantime, Peterson, unknown to anybody on board, had slipped off
to the brig. Here he found Ostag Semmel in solitary confinement.
"Semmel, a Russian warship is close at hand," he said, hurriedly. "An
officer and some men have just boarded us."
"Release me, Peterson!" returned the Russian sailor. "Release me and I
will show Captain Ponsberry what I can do!"
"You will not get me into trouble?" questioned Peterson, anxiously.
"No. Quick--I am sure we can make money out of this."
With an iron bar, Peterson pried off the lock which had been put on the
door of the brig, and drew back the bolt. Then Semmel came out of his
prison, with his hands linked together.
As he was making his way to the stern deck Larry caught sight of him.
"Stop!" he called out, in alarm, realizing what Semmel might do. "Stop,
Semmel!" and he ran to capture the rascal.
"Get out da vay!" roared the Russian and aimed a blow at Larry's head.
But the young second mate dodged and then caught the Russian by the
legs, hurling him flat on his breast. But now Peterson came behind and
gave Larry a vicious kick in the side, which made the youth let go his
hold.
"What's the row there?" called out Captain Ponsberry, and looked much
disturbed to see the escaped prisoner. "Put him back where he came
from!"
"Help!" yelled Semmel, in Russian. "Help, in the name of the Czar! I am
a Russian subject! This ship is in the employ of the Japanese
Government!"
"He speaks the truth!" called out Peterson, also in Russian. "Help us
and protect us and we will prove it!" And he ran forward to where the
Russian officer on deck was standing.
"You are Russians?" asked the officer, quickly.
"We are."
"Then I shall certainly assist you." He raised his voice. "Let that man
go!" And he pointed at Semmel, now surrounded by Larry, Luke, and Cal
Vincent.
The latter words were uttered in English, so all of our friends
understood them. The two sailors looked inquiringly at the young second
mate.
"He is nothing but a mutineer," said Larry. "We locked him up for it. He
ought to have been strung up on the yardarm," he added, bitterly.
By this time Captain Ponsberry was on the scene, and those who had gone
below were summoned on deck once more. The captain glared at Semmel, who
lost no time in shrinking behind the Russian officers for protection.
"I can prove the cargo on this ship belongs to the Japanese Government,"
said Ostag Semmel. "My friend can prove it, too," he added, pointing to
Peterson. "It is true we tried to seize the ship--to take her to
Vladivostok, or some other Russian port, as a prize."
"This is assuredly interesting," said the leading Russian officer. "Tell
me your tale in full."
Despite Captain Ponsberry's protests Semmel told his story in his own
way, and Peterson corroborated it in every detail. Then Shamhaven,
thinking to curry favor, came forward.
"They tell the strict truth," he said. "I worked with them. We did what
we could for the benefit of the Russian Government. Every bit of cargo
on this ship belongs to the Japanese Government and was to be taken
ashore at Nagasaki. The last cargo of the _Columbia_ was also sold at
Nagasaki to the Japanese Government."
"When was this?"
"About two months ago."
More questions were put to Semmel, Peterson, and Shamhaven, and at last
the Russian naval officer turned grimly to Captain Ponsberry.
"I have heard their story, and it will be unnecessary to make an
inspection of your cargo, since they have told me of what it consists.
In the name of Russia I claim this ship as a prize of war, and you and
your crew must consider yourselves prisoners."
CHAPTER XIII
PRISONERS ON THE "POCASTRA"
Captain Ponsberry had feared the result ever since the unexpected
appearance of Ostag Semmel, so he was not very much surprised when the
Russian naval officer stated that he should consider the _Columbia_ as a
war prize and place those on board under arrest as prisoners of war.
"This is a high-handed proceeding," said he, as calmly as possible,
although his mind was in a whirl.
"I do not think so," answered the Russian officer. "Do you submit or
not?"
"Since it would be useless to fight, we shall have to submit," answered
the master of the schooner. "But, remember, I shall hold you and the
Russian Government responsible for all you do."
"As you have said that before, there is no use of repeating it, Captain
Ponsberry. We will take command of the vessel at once."
"What are we going to do?" whispered Larry to Tom Grandon.
"I don't know--follow the old man, I reckon," answered the first mate.
"We shall place a prize crew on this ship," went on the Russian officer.
"These men"--pointing to Semmel, Peterson, and Shamhaven--"can remain on
board. The remainder of the crew and the officers, will be transferred
to the _Pocastra_. I will give you a quarter of an hour in which to
attend to your luggage. Please take no more along than is necessary."
"This is certainly high-handed!" cried Larry.
"So we've got to go over to that old coal box, eh?" grumbled Luke, when
he heard the news. "It's hard luck, Larry."
"You're right, Luke, but it can't be helped."
"What will they do with us?"
"I haven't the least idea."
"Will they take us to Russia?"
"I suppose so--or stow us away in one of those cold and dirty Siberian
prisons until we can get Uncle Sam to make them release us."
When it came time to depart from the _Columbia_ Larry was allowed to
take only a bundle of clothing along, and Grandon and the common sailors
were treated no better. The captain was allowed a trunk and a suit case.
In the meantime Semmel was questioned once more, and what he had to tell
made the Russians look darkly at our friends.
"He is pumping all sorts of falsehoods into them, I suppose," said Larry
to Luke, and he was right. Semmel made it appear that Captain Ponsberry
was really an agent of the Japanese Government and that he (Semmel) had
done his best to gain possession of the ship wholly for the benefit of
his own country.
"If you really did this, it is very worthy of you," said one of the
officers. "But we shall have to investigate before we accept your story
in full." This was not so encouraging, but with it Ostag Semmel had to
be content.
Fearing that a Japanese warship might put in an appearance at any
moment, the Russians lost no time in transferring the officers and men
of the _Columbia_ to the _Pocastra_ and at the same time a prize crew of
two officers and ten men were taken from the warship to the schooner.
Then the sails of the _Columbia_ were hoisted and off she set to the
eastward, and the warship moved in the same direction.
When placed aboard the _Pocastra_ Captain Ponsberry was treated politely
and given a small room of his own. But the mates and the ordinary seamen
were not so fortunate. Grandon, Larry, and Luke Striker were hustled off
to a prison pen on one deck of the auxiliary cruiser, and the others to
another pen below, which was even worse.
"This is certainly hard luck," said Larry, as he threw his bundle into a
corner and sat down on an iron bench, while Grandon and Luke did the
same. "And after we had almost reached Nagasaki, too!"
"Well, there ain't no use to cry over spilt milk," came from Luke.
"We're prisoners o' war, an' I reckon as how we have got to make the
best o' it. Ain't the first time we've been in sech a fix."
"That is true, Luke, but it doesn't help the matter any. I guess we have
seen the last of the old _Columbia_."
"I was afraid of this sort of thing happening ever since we left
Manila," came from Grandon. "I told the old man to be careful, that----"
"Hush!" whispered Larry. "They may be listening--to make sure that they
have caught the right parties."
"True for you, Larry; I won't say another word about that. But it looks
dismal, no two ways on't," and the first mate drew a mountainous sigh.
The prison pen into which they had been placed was an iron structure,
reaching from floor to ceiling, and was not over ten feet square. It had
a solid back and the remaining three sides were built up of stout iron
bars, only a couple of inches apart. There was a door which was doubly
locked, the key being held by a petty officer who could speak broken
English and who rejoiced in the simple name of Rosenvischpoff. For short
Luke nicknamed him Rosey and this name stuck to him.
"Doesn't look as if a fellow could break out of here very easily," said
Larry, after an inspection of their prison. "This is a regular bank
vault."
"Wouldn't do you any good to break out," returned Grandon. "As we are on
the ocean, where would you go to?"
"We might hide until the vessel made a landing."
"Humph, and that would be in some Russian port, so you'd be just as bad
off."
"Well, I'm not trying to escape just now. I want to get the lay of the
land first, and try to find out what they are going to do with us."
From Rosenvischpoff they learned that the _Pocastra_ was one of a large
number of steamers of various Russian lines which had been lately
pressed into the service of the national navy. She had been rushed
through at one of the Russian navy yards and provided with a battery of
four small and four large guns, none, however, over eight inches. She
carried a crew of one hundred and eighty men, drafted principally from
other warships. She had an advertised speed of twenty knots an hour but
rarely made over seventeen or eighteen. She was old and her engines were
constantly in need of repair, much to the disgust of Captain Titorsky,
her commander.
"Well, Rosey, how goes this war?" asked Luke, pleasantly, as the petty
officer came around to give them something to eat.
"Big fight all der dime," answered Rosenvischpoff. "Russians kill all
der Japs--sink all der Jap ships, yes!"
"You're winning right along, eh?"
"Yes, Russians win--Japs no do noddings, no!" And the petty officer left
the food on the bench and hurried away again.
"Do you believe that?" asked Larry.
"No, I don't," came from Grandon. "He told us that simply to scare us,
or else he doesn't know the real truth."
"Exactly what I think."
"These Russians are a lot of blowers," growled Luke. "Just look at
Semmel. He was forever tooting his horn, and yet he couldn't do much of
anything."
"He got us into trouble," said Larry, quickly.
"That's true, but he had to have this warship with all on board to help
him."
The food which had been brought to them consisted of a big bowl of stew,
with three spoons, and three chunks of black bread.
"They are going to treat us to the best," said Grandon, sarcastically.
He lifted one of the spoons and tasted the stew. "Phew, it's hot enough!
Pepper, garlic, and hot water!"
"Does beat all how these fureigners do love their garlic," grumbled
Luke. "'Twas the same way with them Spaniards in the Philippines."
"Garlic and grease," added Larry. "And this bread is hard enough to
build a wall with," he continued. "However, we have got to eat or go
hungry." And he partook of just enough to stay his stomach. Luke and
Grandon were not so particular and despite their grumbling managed to
make away with all that remained.
They saw nothing of the captain, or of the sailors who had been taken
below, and the time hung heavily on their hands. At night they were
given three hammocks and these they slung from one side of the prison to
the other and rested as well as could be expected. The Russian sailors
often came to the pen to gaze at them, but they had been warned not to
attempt to converse with the prisoners, so nothing was said.
On the afternoon of the third day aboard of the _Pocastra_, those in the
pen heard a loud shouting on deck, followed by a rush of feet. Larry,
who was resting in the corner for the want of something better to do,
leaped up.
"Something is doing!" he cried to his companions.
"Here comes Captain Ponsberry," ejaculated Tom Grandon.
He was right, the captain was coming up in company with Rosenvischpoff
and two sailors. The Russian petty officer opened the door of the pen
and Captain Ponsberry was thrust inside. Then the door was locked as
before.
"How are you, boys?" cried the captain, cordially. "All well, I hope."
"We are," answered Grandon. "And you?"
"I'm well enough, but still angry to think that we lost the _Columbia_."
"So are we angry," said Larry. "But we've got to stand it. What's that
noise?"
"They have sighted a Chinese junk, and I reckon they are going to treat
her as they did our vessel," answered the captain.
The noise on deck continued, followed by quarter of an hour of silence.
Then came a shot, followed by a second and a third.
"Another order to lay-to," said Larry. "Wonder if the Chinamen will give
in as we did?"
"They will if they are wise," said Grandon.
But the Chinamen did not believe in surrendering thus easily. They were
carrying rice for the Japanese army, and thought that this was known to
the enemy. Consequently they did their best to sail away.
Hardly had the craft started on a new course when the _Pocastra_ opened
a direct fire upon her. The noise below decks was deafening and fairly
shook the iron pen in which our friends were confined.
"Hullo, that sounds like real war!" cried Larry. "They mean business
now."
One broadside was followed by another, and the Chinese junk was raked
from end to end with such a deadly fire that more than a sixth of the
sailors and officers were killed. Then the captain flung a white flag to
the breeze in token of surrender.
"We have won!" cried those on the _Pocastra_, and it was not long before
our friends understood. Small boats were put out, and presently half a
dozen Chinese officers from the junk were brought on board as prisoners.
A fire that had started on the prize ship was put out after some hard
work; and then a temporary crew was put on board, and the junk followed
in the wake of the old _Columbia_, with the warship keeping guard over
both.
CHAPTER XIV
PROGRESS OF THE WAR
An hour after the capture of the Chinese junk one of the officers of the
ill-fated craft was thrust into the prison pen with our friends.
He was a small sallow-eyed Celestial rejoicing in the name of Won Lung,
and it was soon learned that he could speak a little English, he having
once paid a visit to San Francisco.
"All go up spout!" said he, referring to his own ship. "T'ink we safe
when Russian gunboat come, den all up spout!"
"Did they sink your ship?" asked Captain Ponsberry.
"No sink--shoot holes, back, front, side--all up spout. No fightee no
more den--all up spout!" The latter was his pet phrase and he used it
over and over again.
"You were in the Japanese trade?"
"Yes--carry rice. Now Russians got rice, got junk--all Won Lung's money
gone up spout!" And the Celestial made an odd little grimace.
"Well, they took my ship, too."
"Big schooner your shipee?"
"Yes."
"Won Lung weep for you--all ship gone up spout, samee like Won Lung's
ship gone up spout!"
"Well, we haven't gone up the spout yet," put in Larry, with a laugh.
"Let us thank fortune that we are alive and well."
"Dat so--Won Lung lose fliends on junk--six, seven, ten--don't know how
many yet," and the Chinese officer shook his head sadly. "Bad war, bad!"
"Can you tell us how the war is going?" asked Tom Grandon. "These
Russians say everything is a Russian victory."
"Russians sayee dat?"
"Yes--they pretend to say they have the Japs about beaten."
At this Won Lung screwed up his eyes into mere slits.
"Big lie dat. Japanese win everyt'ing allee timee. Russian warships gone
up spout--Russian army run like--like--up spout!"
After that Won Lung told them all he knew. It was hard to understand
him, yet they gathered that there had been another sea fight in the
vicinity of Port Arthur, in which the Russian navy had come off second
best, and that the Japanese army that had landed in Korea had driven the
enemy to the northwestward, over the Yalu River, and was now forcing
them back upon Liao-Yang.
"If this news about the army is true, Ben and Gilbert must be having a
hot time of it," was Larry's comment. "I must say, I am mighty glad they
are on the winning side."
"Didn't I tell ye them Russians are a lot o' blowers?" came from Luke.
"The truth ain't in 'em half the time."
"Perhaps they do not get the correct news from the front," came from
Captain Ponsberry. "The censors may keep the bad news back, for fear of
disheartening the rest of the men in the army and navy."
"They tell me the Russians are very strict about sending out news,"
rejoined Larry.
"It is true, Larry; no country on the globe is stricter. No telegram can
be sent without it is inspected, and the newspapers cannot print a
single scrap of news, or a single editorial, until after the press
censor has passed upon it."
"If that's the case, I don't wonder that some of the people want to be
free."
"Russia is more free to-day than she ever was before, and freedom is
bound to come sooner or later--that is, I mean, not such freedom as we
have in the United States, but such freedom as they have in England and
Germany--where, at least, a man can call his soul his own."
"It's a wonder the Russians will fight for their country, if they are so
ground down."
"They know nothing better, and besides, they are really patriotic. If
the Czar would only treat them a little better, and give them a little
more liberty, they would be the most faithful of subjects. But when a
man can't do at all as he wants to do, and can't open his mouth about it
either, he is apt to grow sullen and ugly."
As day after day went by life on the Russian warship became almost
unendurable for Larry and the others. They suffered greatly for the want
of fresh air, and at last made a vigorous protest to the captain of the
ship, when he happened to be passing the pen. As a result orders were
given that they should be allowed three hours on deck each day, one in
the morning and two after dinner.
"This is a little like," said Larry, when coming on deck for the first
time. "Oh, how good it feels to breathe fresh air once more!" And he
filled his lungs to their fullest capacity.
For their daily exercise Larry and Luke were chained together, and the
pair inspected with great curiosity as much of the warship as was
allowed.
"It's not so very different from some of our own auxiliary cruisers,"
said Larry. "But, after all, I like ours better."
"That's right, lad; stick up fer your own country every trip."
"Well, what do you say, Luke?"
"I say I'd rather be on one of Uncle Sam's ships than on any other in
the world."
While allowed to roam around on deck, Larry often looked eagerly for the
_Columbia_, but the schooner and the Chinese junk were too far off to be
distinguished with the naked eye.
"We'd give a good deal to be back on her deck, wouldn't we, Luke?" said
he.
"Don't mention it, lad; it makes me sick," grumbled the Yankee tar.
"I wish I knew just what was being done on land, don't you? Perhaps this
war will end soon, and then we'll be set free."
"It won't end yet awhile, Larry, mark my words on that," answered Luke.
The old Yankee sailor was right--the war was far from ended, and here it
may be well to note briefly what was taking place on the sea between
Russia and Japan, while the army of the Mikado was pushing through
Manchuria in the direction of Liao-Yang.
The loss of the great battleship _Petropavlovsk_ has already been
recorded in "Under the Mikado's Flag." This vessel was sunk by a mine in
Port Arthur harbor, April 13, 1904, and carried down with her Admiral
Makaroff and about five hundred officers and men. At the same time the
battleship _Pobieda_ was also injured by a mine.
The loss of the admiral's flag-ship was a great blow to Russia, and
while she was trying to recover, Port Arthur was vigorously shelled by
the Japanese fleet, and many buildings were more or less damaged. Some
warehouses were set on fire, but the local fire department, aided by the
Russian garrison, succeeded in putting out the conflagration.
While the Japanese fleet was hammering at the city and the ships from
beyond the harbor, the Japanese army encircled Port Arthur on land,
taking possession of every available hill beyond the Russian line of
defenses. As a consequence, by the middle of May the city was in a
complete state of siege, nearly all communication with the outside world
being cut off.
But now came a turn in affairs which, for a short while, made matters
look favorable for Russia. While the fleet of Admiral Togo was
patrolling the whole of the southeastern coast of Manchuria and
protecting the Japanese transports which were pouring troops into the
country, occurred a catastrophe as appalling as it was unexpected.
On the same day, May 15, the magnificent battleship _Hatsuse_, of the
Japanese navy, was blown up by mines and sunk, and the protected
cruiser, _Yoshino_, also of Admiral Togo's fleet, collided in the fog
with a sister ship, and was a total loss. It is estimated that by these
two disasters seven hundred men were lost. Among the officers who met
their fate were men of marked ability which Japan at this crisis could
ill afford to lose.
The loss of the _Hatsuse_ is worth relating in detail. She had been
along the coast during a heavy fog, but this had cleared off and the sun
was shining brightly. Not an enemy was in sight, and all was quiet on
the great battleship when, without warning, a terrific explosion was
felt near the stern and a portion of the steering gear was damaged.
"We have struck a mine!" cried some one on board, and without delay
signals were hoisted for the other vessels in sight to stand by. The
battleship was drifting and the locality was full of mines. It was a
moment of terrible suspense. Then came another explosion, greater than
the first, which ripped large holes through her heavy plates. At once
the battleship began to fill, and presently she sank like a stone to the
bottom of the sea. The other warships put out their small boats with all
speed, and succeeded in rescuing about three hundred officers and men
out of a total of nearly eight hundred. Among those lost were
Rear-Admiral Nashiba and Captain Nakao, the commander of the warship.
The _Yoshino_ was lost while steaming slowly southward, after a night's
vigil near the entrance to Port Arthur harbor. Other vessels of the
blockading fleet were close by, so each ship had to advance with extreme
caution. But the fog, instead of lifting, became thicker, and at a
little before two o'clock in the afternoon the cruiser was rammed by the
_Kasuga_, another vessel of the fleet. A large hole was torn in the hull
of the _Yoshino_.
"Out with the collision mats!" cried the commander of the cruiser, and
the mats were brought out without delay and placed over the side. But
the hole was too great to be stopped in that manner. Then the captain
called the entire crew on deck, and ordered the small boats to be
lowered, five on the starboard side and one on the port. Before the
boats could be gotten away, the _Yoshino_ listed heavily to starboard
and went down, smashing the five small boats under her. The other boat
managed to get away, with only a handful of jackies and a couple of
officers. The captain remained on the bridge and went down with his
ship. As soon as possible the _Kasuga_ put out her boats and succeeded
in rescuing about ninety men, out of a total of over two hundred and
fifty.
It was a great blow to Japan and the Russians were correspondingly
elated. Feeling that Admiral Togo's grip on the sea was now weakened,
the Russian squadron at Vladivostok sailed forth and did much damage to
the shipping on the northern coast of Japan, sinking several merchantmen
and taking a number of others as prizes. The Russian squadron also met
the Japanese transport _Kinshiu Maru_, having on board the 37th regiment
of Japanese infantry.
"Surrender, or we will sink you!" signaled the Russian commander. The
Japanese refused, and were given exactly an hour in which to think it
over. As they still refused, a torpedo was discharged against the doomed
ship. As she began to sink the Japanese soldiers opened fire with their
rifles, and then the Russians answered with their machine guns, mowing
down the Mikado's men by the score. But the Japanese were brave to the
last, and sank beneath the waves with the cry of _Banzai_! (hurrah!) on
their lips.
It was an auxiliary cruiser of the Vladivostok squadron which had taken
the _Columbia_ and the Chinese junk as prizes of war. The captain of the
cruiser was now looking for the rest of the squadron, but so far none of
the warships had been sighted.
"They must have returned to Vladivostok," he reasoned, and then turned
in that direction with the _Pocastra_, never dreaming of what the near
future held in store for himself, his ship, and his crew.
CHAPTER XV
A SHARP NAVAL BATTLE
So far the weather had been good, but following the conversation
recorded in the last chapter there came up a dense fog, and for
twenty-four hours the Russian warship did nothing but creep along in the
gloom.
During that time, for some unknown reason, Larry and the others were
allowed greater freedom than before. Each had his hands chained behind
him, but all were separate, which allowed each to roam around as he
pleased.
"This is better than being linked to somebody else," said the youth to
his old sailor friend. "Not but that we got along well enough together,"
he added, hastily.
"You're right--there wasn't no sense in joinin' us together," answered
Luke. "We can't git away if we want to."
"We might, if we didn't have our hands chained, Luke."
"How?"
"If we all got together some night--providing we could keep out of the
pen--and stole one of the small boats."
"Easier said nor done. The guard would ketch ye an' shoot ye down like a
dog."
"Oh, I know there would be a great risk. But I hate to think of going to
a Siberian prison, or aboard a Russian prison ship."
"So do I, Larry. But even if we stole the boat and got away, where would
we go to,--especially if we didn't have much provisions an' water?"
Larry could not answer that question, since he did not know the location
of the _Pocastra_. It might be that they were hundreds of miles from
land. If so, to take to a small boat with a scarcity of water and
provisions would certainly be foolhardy.
The fog continued during the night, but swept away as if by magic about
nine o'clock in the morning. At that time the prisoners had had their
breakfast and Larry and Luke were between decks, looking at some
gunners' assistants cleaning out one of the large guns.
Suddenly came a call from the lookout, followed by half a dozen
commands. As everything said was in Russian, our friends did not
understand a word, but they soon realized that something unusual was in
the air. A shrill whistle sounded out and drums began to beat to
quarters.
"I'll wager a new hat they have sighted a Japanese ship!" cried Larry,
and scarcely had he spoken when there came a dull booming over the
water.
"Let us go to the deck an' see what's doing," returned Luke, and both
started for the stairs. But scarcely had they appeared on the deck when
they were ordered below again.
Larry was right; a Japanese warship had been sighted, and this vessel
had lost no time in discharging a signal gun to a sister ship only a few
miles away.
Hardly had the youth and his friend reached the lower deck once more
than the Japanese cruiser opened fire on the Russian vessel. The latter
retaliated, and the booming of cannon shook the _Pocastra_ from stem to
stern.
"This is a fight for fair!" ejaculated Luke, with a broad smile on his
face.
"I hope the Japs win, Luke!"
"So do I, lad. But where do we come in, that's what I want to know?"
"If we could only drop overboard and swim to that other ship!"
"No use of trying--some of the fellows in the tops would pick us off in
no time. No, we've got to stay right where we are an' take what comes."
"Where are the others?"
They looked around, but could see nothing of Captain Ponsberry or Tom
Grandon. They saw Cal Vincent run past, but he was out of sight before
they could stop him.
Suddenly a crash above them told that a solid shot had struck the upper
works of the Russian cruiser. Then came another crash at the bow.
"Those Japs know how to fire," came from the Yankee sailor. "Reckon as
how they're going to do their best to blow this ship sky-high. I'd give
'most a dollar to be somewhere else just about now!" And he shook his
head anxiously.
The Russian gunners were working with a will, and so were their numerous
assistants. The _Pocastra_ was swung around, and now both ships were
broadside to each other. The thunder of the guns was terrific and the
smoke rolled around in all directions.
"Puts me in mind o' the battle o' Manila Bay, eh?" remarked Luke, as he
and Larry stood at a distance, watching the Russians work one of the
guns.
"You are right, Luke, only----"
Larry got no further, for at that moment came another crash on deck. The
_Pocastra_ shivered and heaved, and to those below it was as if she
would surely sink.
"They're pumping it into us, sure as you're born!" sang out the old
Yankee tar. "Hullo, what's this?"
There was a rush of several gunners across the deck. "Beware of that
gun!" yelled one in Russian, and then a stampede followed.
In the midst of the confusion came a fearful explosion from below. A
portion of the flooring was ripped apart and one of the gunners was
instantly killed and several wounded. A great volume of smoke rolled up,
and splinters and bits of iron and steel flew in all directions.
Both Larry and Luke were almost stunned by the explosion and for the
moment could do nothing but clutch each other in terror. Both were
struck by the flying splinters, but neither was seriously wounded. They
staggered back and began to cough, for the dense smoke was strangling.
"Must have been a torpedo----" gasped Luke.
"Or else a magazine!" spluttered Larry. "Let--let us get--get out of
here. I'm--choking--to--to--death!"
It was really a magazine which had exploded. This tore a good-sized hole
in the _Pocastra's_ side, in a spot impossible to get at in the
confusion. In the meantime a solid eight-inch shell struck the Russian
ship squarely in the stern, doing additional damage and killing and
wounding two officers and nine men.
Almost choked to death, Larry and Luke crawled to where the ladder ran
to the deck. The Russian jackies and gunners were swarming up, along
with all the prisoners.
"Larry, are you safe?" came in the voice of Captain Ponsberry, and he
loomed up, with Tom Grandon, Cal Vincent, and the Chinese petty officer
beside him.
"So far I am," answered Larry. "But I--I--must have air!" and he began
to cough.
The jam on the ladder was terrific, and in the midst of the _melee_ a
Russian gunner and the Chinese petty officer got into a quarrel. The
gunner threw the Celestial down, but he bounced up like a ball, and in a
twinkling the Russian received a blow in the stomach which sent him
staggering back into the crowd and the deadly smoke.
"No knock me up the spout!" sang out the Celestial. "Ship go down I go
uppee!" And soon he was out on the upper deck.
Fighting, surging, pushing, and yelling the Russians and our friends got
to the deck at last. Captain Ponsberry had his coat literally ripped
from his back, and Cal Vincent had an arm almost torn from its socket.
For this he gave a Russian gunner a rap in the mouth which knocked loose
several teeth. It was a case of each man for himself, and many fought
like wild beasts.
At last Larry found himself free of the crowd, with Luke still beside
him. Captain Ponsberry and Cal Vincent were not far away, but between
surged a great number of Russians. The _Pocastra_ was listing heavily to
port and had evidently taken a large quantity of water into her hull.
Two Japanese warships were now at hand and both were firing upon the
doomed Russian cruiser with deadly accuracy. From the fighting tops of
the Mikado's ships came a perfect hail of small bullets which sent the
Russians to the deck by the score. By this fire one of the _Columbia's_
sailors was killed and Cal Vincent was seriously wounded. A bullet
likewise grazed Luke Striker's thigh, drawing some blood, but the Yankee
tar did not know of this until the conflict was at an end and he saw the
crimson stain on his shoe top.
At last the Russian captain saw that to fight further would be useless.
The _Pocastra_ was in danger of going down at any moment. The guns could
no longer be used, and he ordered the colors lowered and put up a signal
of surrender.
A wild cheer came from the two Japanese warships when it was realized
that the battle was won. "_Banzai! Banzai!_" rent the air over and over
again. "Hurrah for the Mikado! Down with the Russians!"
A little while after the fighting came to an end, several small boats
put off from the two Japanese warships and half a dozen of the Mikado's
naval officers presented themselves at the _Pocastra's_ side. The
Russian ship still listed heavily, but after the smoke below had cleared
away it was ascertained that the damage done was not as great as had
been imagined. One of the magazines which had been in danger of blowing
up had been flooded, and the rush of sea water had likewise put out a
fire that had started in the stern.
As soon as order could be restored on board of the _Pocastra_ a complete
surrender was made to the Japanese, the Russian captain giving up his
sword. Then a general conference was had lasting over an hour. At the
end of that time, much to their surprise, the Americans were asked to go
over to one of the Japanese warships.
"We'll go, and glad of the chance," said Captain Ponsberry; and soon the
transfer was made.
CHAPTER XVI
ABOARD A JAPANESE WARSHIP
"What a beauty of a ship!"
Such was Larry's exclamation as he stepped aboard of the Japanese
warship. The vessel was, like the Russian prize, an auxiliary cruiser
and named the _Mimora Juri_. She was but three years old and had been
used for passenger service between Japan and China. For such a small
cruiser she carried an unusually heavy battery, and everything was
shined up to the last degree,--the work having been undertaken directly
after the battle was over. The _Mimora Juri_ had suffered but little
damage during the contest and only a handful of men had been killed and
wounded.
"This looks more like Uncle Sam's navy than anything I have seen yet,"
said Luke.
"Well, I don't know that the decorations aboard our ships are quite so
fine," returned the youth. "But then this isn't an ordinary fighting
ship. Some of the auxiliary cruisers we used during the war with
Spain--those that used to be trans-Atlantic steamers--were just as fine
as this and finer."
As soon as those from the _Columbia_ reached the Japanese warship the
wounded were taken in charge by the surgeons and placed in the sick bay,
as the hospital on a naval vessel is called. This was also in the best
of order, with nice, swinging cots, and appliances of the latest
designs.
As there were many things to be arranged between the two Japanese
vessels and the Russian prize, our friends were not interviewed until
late in the evening. In the meantime, some of the Russians were made
prisoners, and a prize crew was placed aboard of the _Pocastra_. Then
the two Japanese warships moved away, with the captured cruiser between
them.
"Those Russians must feel sick," was Larry's comment. "It's worse for
them, in a way, than if their ship had gone down."
"Well, we all thought she was sinking," returned Captain Ponsberry. "If
she had sunk I reckon some of us wouldn't be here to tell the tale."
When evening came, a guard who could speak a little English conducted
Captain Ponsberry, Larry, and Tom Grandon to the commander's cabin. Here
they were met by Captain Tonkaka, who, being a graduate of the Japanese
naval school, could speak not only English but also several other
foreign languages. It may be mentioned here that the Japanese naval
academy of to-day is one of the foremost institutions of its kind in the
world.
"I will hear your story, Captain Ponsberry," said the Japanese captain,
politely, as he motioned his visitors to be seated.
In a plain, direct manner the master of the _Columbia_ told his tale,
starting from the time the schooner left Manila with a cargo intended
for the Japanese Government. He told of the trouble with Semmel and of
the mutiny, and then of the capture by the _Pocastra_.
"You have assuredly been unfortunate," said Captain Tonkaka. "Have you
any idea where your schooner is now?"
"I have not, but I thought she must be close to the Russian ship--she
and that Chinese junk, too. The _Pocastra_ was taking them to
Vladivostok as prizes."
"Ah!" The Japanese captain mused for a moment. "I dare say you would
like to gain back your ship?" he continued.
"Indeed I would!" cried Captain Ponsberry. "I'd give a pretty dollar to
do so!"
"I shall interview the captain of the Russian warship again to-morrow.
It may be that he will tell us where she is--although I doubt it."
After this a few questions were put to Larry and Tom Grandon and both
corroborated what Captain Ponsberry had said. They were also questioned
concerning the treatment they had received while on the _Pocastra_.
"You may be thankful that the treatment was no worse," said Captain
Tonkaka. "Of late some of the Russians have treated their prisoners in a
most brutal fashion."
"We are thankful," replied the master of the _Columbia_.
The majority of the staterooms aboard of the _Mimora Juri_ were occupied
by the officers of the cruiser, but one small room was turned over to
Captain Ponsberry, and a larger apartment was turned over to Tom Grandon
and Larry. At Larry's solicitation Luke Striker was allowed to "bunk in"
with the first and second mates.
"This 'ere ship is jest about next to a palace," was Luke's comment.
"Ain't seen nothing so fancy in a long time."
The Japanese warships were bound for the nearest naval station with
their prize. They could readily have made eighteen knots an hour, but
the crippled Russian cruiser could not make over ten, and so this was
the rate of speed set for all three.
The Americans were allowed the freedom of the ship and Larry and Luke
spent many hours in inspecting the guns and other equipments, and in
watching the Japanese jackies in the gun and cutlass drills, their
physical exercises, and in their drills to fight fire and to lower the
small boats. Everything on board ran as smoothly as clockwork, much to
their delight.
"I can tell you what, Luke!" cried Larry, enthusiastically, "this beats
the Russians all hollow! I never saw anything so well done!"
"Almost beats our own navy, doesn't it?"
"Well, I don't know about that. But it is certainly just as good. That
drill to fight fire is immense, and their physical exercises ought to
make each man's muscles like iron."
"They are a sturdy lot, lad, no two ways about that,--and they
understand just how to keep themselves in the pink of condition." Luke
rubbed his chin reflectively. "Do ye know what I have in mind to do?"
"I think I can make a pretty good guess," came quickly from Larry.
"Well?"
"You're thinking that you'd like to join the Japanese navy, just to have
a mix-up or two with the Russians."
"You've struck the nail on the head, lad. And why not, seeing as how we
are out here in fighting waters, and with no ship of our own to go
aboard?"
"Well, I feel a good bit that way myself. Ben is in the army, and so is
Gilbert Pennington. If they can make a record for themselves why
shouldn't I do the same? As it was I came close to joining the army with
Ben."
"So you told me before. But you're a born sailor, Larry, not a soldier."
"I don't deny it. I'd rather be on board of a ship than on land any
day."
"Yes, to a fellow as gets used to the sea the land seems a strange
place."
From the Japanese on the warship who could speak English our friends
learned much concerning the war. They were told that Admiral Togo's
fleet was keeping a strict guard over the harbor approach to Port
Arthur, and that a portion of the Japanese army was hemming in the city
on the land side and had lately captured several hills of importance.
From Captain Tonkaka the Americans obtained permission to station
themselves in one of the fighting tops, and here they spent hour after
hour, on the lookout for the _Columbia_. Captain Ponsberry was
particularly anxious to find his vessel, and kept scanning the Japan Sea
through a fine spyglass the Japanese captain loaned him.
"If I can gain possession of that ship, I am going to fix Semmel and
Peterson," said the master of the _Columbia_.
"Both of them declared that they took possession of the ship for the
sake of the Russian Government," said Larry. "That being the case, they
should be treated as prisoners of war."
"Exactly my idea, Larry."
"Semmel is a thoroughly bad egg," came from Tom Grandon. "He will lie
out of his troubles if he can possibly do so."
"It will be a shame if we don't find the _Columbia_ again," went on
Larry. "Think of those rascals taking her to Vladivostok and getting
their share of the prize money! It makes me sick!"
"Captain Tonkaka tells me that other Japanese warships are in this
vicinity," said Captain Ponsberry. "They may fall in with the schooner
even if we don't. But what they will do with her, in that case, there is
no telling. They might claim her as a prize also, and if they did, I'd
have some trouble in getting my property back."
What the Japanese captain had said was true. In order to counteract the
doings of the Russian squadron which was raiding the northern and
eastern coasts of Japan, the Mikado had sent out a flying squadron of
six or seven vessels, all of which, though not large, had good sailing
powers.
Owing to the heavy mists, the flying squadron became separated, and two
of the vessels fell in with the _Pocastra_, as already described. Of the
other ships some proceeded up the coast to Korea and caught two Russian
colliers loaded with coal and another ship carrying steel rails for the
Manchuria railroad. The remainder of the squadron put further to sea,
and on the fourth day out caught sight of two Russian steamers loaded
with munitions of war. A chase ensued, lasting three days, and several
shots were exchanged at long range. But a mist, coming up one night, put
an end to the chase, and chagrined to think that the enemy had given
them the slip after all, the Japanese turned back once more, to look for
the other vessels of the flying squadron.
CHAPTER XVII
THE RETAKING OF THE "COLUMBIA"
"We are in for another storm!"
It was Larry who made the remark. He was in one of the tops with Luke,
gazing anxiously to the westward, where the black clouds were beginning
to pile up.
"Right you are, lad--and it's going to be a heavy one, unless I miss my
guess."
The storm broke half an hour later, and the wind and rain were so
furious that our friends were glad to leave the top and go below. But
some of the Japanese sailors did not appear to mind the lashing of the
elements and remained on deck as if nothing out of the ordinary was
occurring.
"These chaps beat me!" said Larry. "They are certainly as tough as pine
knots. I never saw their equal."
"I'm beginning to think that the Japanese are a wonderful nation," put
in Tom Grandon, seriously. "I used to look at them as something like the
Chinese. But there is a wide difference between them and the Chinks."
"A Chinaman isn't in it alongside of a Japanese," came from Captain
Ponsberry. "The Japanese are up-to-date and very progressive; the
Chinese are about a hundred years behind the times."
The storm continued for the best part of half a day. There was but
little thunder and lightning, but the wind blew a perfect gale. Yet even
the _Pocastra_ did not seem to mind the wind, and all three of the
warships proceeded on their way at only a slightly reduced rate of
speed.
"Such a gale as this will play havoc with the sailing vessels," said
Larry. "I wonder how the old _Columbia_ is making out?"
"I was thinking that same," rejoined Captain Ponsberry. "To tell the
truth, I'd rather have her go to the bottom than see her taken to a
Russian port as a prize."
When the storm cleared away, Larry was one of the first to go on deck,
to get a whiff of "washed air," as he called it. The others followed.
"I see a sail!" cried the youth, a moment later, and at that instant
came a cry from the lookout. Far to the eastward was a sailing vessel
flying a signal of distress.
"She looks familiar to me!" ejaculated Captain Ponsberry, and ran to get
Captain Tonkaka's glass. One glance through the instrument was enough.
"The _Columbia_!"
"Are you sure?" cried Larry.
"She certainly is the _Columbia_," said Tom Grandon, after a look
through the glass. "She has lost her fore topmast and part of her
bowsprit."
"And a part of the stern rail is gone," added Larry, after he too had
used the glass. "Let us tell Captain Tonkaka," he added, starting to go
below.
The news that the _Columbia_ was in sight was soon circulated throughout
the ship, and Captain Tonkaka at once signaled to the other warships
that he was going to her assistance. Then the _Mimora Juri_ steamed away
on her new course.
As they drew closer to the schooner they could see that the storm had
treated the gallant old ship roughly enough. Many of the sails were in
ribbons, and not only the fore topmast but also half a dozen of the
spars were gone. One end of the forecastle was stove in, and a part of
the stern was a wreck.
"This is the worst yet!" cried Larry. "They must have caught more of the
gale than we did."
"They didn't know how to handle her, that's the reason of it," came from
Captain Ponsberry. "We have taken her through a worse blow than that;
eh, Tom?"
"I think so," answered the second mate.
As soon as the Japanese warship was close enough a boat was lowered and
an officer went aboard of the schooner, followed by several of his crew
and Captain Ponsberry, Grandon, and Larry.
The Russians having the schooner in charge were meek enough. As a matter
of fact the gale had terrorized them, and all had imagined they were
surely going to the bottom of the sea. They did not like it to find
themselves in the hands of the enemy and were astonished when they
learned that the _Pocastra_ had been captured.
"It was a fearful storm," said the Russian officer who was in charge.
"Several times I fancied the masts would all go by the board. I shall
never want another such experience. One man was washed overboard and
several were badly hurt by the wrecking of the forecastle."
"Were any of my former men injured?" asked Captain Ponsberry.
"It was my fellow countryman, Ostag Semmel, who was swept overboard and
drowned," answered the Russian officer.
"Semmel!" ejaculated Larry. He drew a long breath and his hatred of the
man died all in an instant. "Poor chap! That was rough on him!"
"It certainly was rough," answered Captain Ponsberry. "And what of the
others?"
"Both Peterson and Shamhaven were hurt, but not seriously. They are
below resting," was the answer.
It was found that some of the seams of the schooner had opened but that
no alarming quantity of water was running into the well. The Russians
were asked to surrender as prisoners of war and this they did willingly,
and were transferred to the Japanese warship. Then Captain Ponsberry was
asked if he wished to take charge of the _Columbia_ again.
"Will a duck swim!" he cried. "Of course I want to take charge. Hasn't
she always been my ship? And my crew will want to go with me, I know."
"But the wreckage----" began Captain Tonkaka.
"I'll attend to that, sir,--don't you worry. Only give me back my ship,
that's all I ask."
"It shall be as you say, Captain Ponsberry. But when you get to Nagasaki
you will have to settle matters with the Japanese Government. It is, all
told, a rather peculiar case. In one way, she is now a Japanese prize of
war, and in another way she is not."
"I understand, and the courts will have to settle the tangle, sir. I'll
do what is fair, and I know the Richmond Importing Company will do the
same."
"Then you can go aboard of the ship as soon as you please."
"Thank you very much."
Captain Ponsberry had returned to the warship for just this talk, and
now he lost no time in getting back to the _Columbia_, taking with him
all his crew, including Cal Vincent, who was just about able to get
around once more.
"Hurrah!" cried Larry, "this seems like home once more, doesn't it?"
"That's what it does," answered Luke. "But there is plenty of work
ahead, I can tell you that, lad."
"I don't care--work will help to pass the time."
When Peterson and Shamhaven saw Captain Ponsberry they did not know what
to say. The loss of their leader, Semmel, had humbled them greatly.
"I'm not going to say much to you, seeing as how both of you are hurt,"
said the master of the _Columbia_, briefly. "But understand, I want no
nonsense from either of you."
"I'll do all I can to assist you, captain," said Shamhaven, humbly. "All
I want is another chance."
"Which you'll not get from me," was the quick rejoinder. "I know you
thoroughly, Shamhaven, and I am done with you. You and Peterson aided
the Russians and you can now consider yourselves under arrest. When we
get into port I'm going to hand you over to the Japanese authorities."
Both of the culprits wanted to argue, but the captain would not listen.
Their hurts were inspected and they were told that they would be allowed
three days in which to recuperate, after which they would have to do
their share of duty.
"I don't like this," growled Shamhaven, after the interview was over.
"Peterson, we are in it deeper than ever."
"Dat is so," was the answer, with a scowl. "Vell, ve not put up mit him,
hey? Maybe, ven we git near shore, we run avay, Shamhaven."
"Yes, if we can get the chance. But I don't know where you are going to
run to--especially if you haven't any money."
"Ve git money."
"From where?"
"I ton't know dot yet, no, but ve git him, yes. Captain Ponsberry must
haf some, and dot Larry Russell, too. Vonce I see Russell mit a money
pelt vot haf some gold in him, yes."
"A money belt with gold? You must be dreaming."
"No, I see him mit mine two eyes. He count der gold. He haf more as
dirty pieces."
"That is worth remembering," answered Shamhaven. And he began to
speculate upon what he could do in Japan if he was free and had a money
belt full of gold.
That Larry had a money belt was true. He had purchased it several years
before, while on shore duty in the Philippines. He was a saving fellow
and found the belt useful in which to place his wages and the money
which he occasionally received from home. Strange as it may seem, the
belt had not been taken away from him by the Russians, and it now
contained nearly three hundred dollars. The money was mostly in
gold,--for he had found that gold could be used no matter where he went.
CHAPTER XVIII
A CLEVER RUSE
As soon as Captain Ponsberry was in charge of the _Columbia_ once more
he set about without delay to put the schooner in proper condition for
the run to Nagasaki. The broken-off foremast was allowed to remain as it
was, but a temporary bowsprit was set into place, and the damage to the
forecastle and to the stern repaired. A temporary rail was also nailed
up, so that there might be no danger of anybody slipping overboard.
In all this work the sailors and the ship's carpenter did their best,
and the captain and his mates helped. Sails were also sewed up, or
replaced, and inside of forty-eight hours the old _Columbia_ was once
more on her way. The water taken aboard was pumped out, and the pumps
were kept going two hours each morning and two hours each afternoon.
"She will do now," said the captain, after the heaviest of the work was
over. "But when we reach Nagasaki I'll have to put her in the dock for
regular repairs. I shouldn't dare to take her to Manila or to San
Francisco in such a condition."
"It will take a long time to have the repairs made in Japan," said
Larry. "All the shipyards are busy on government work."
"True, lad, but that cannot be helped. The law would not allow me to
sign a crew with a ship that was not seaworthy."
"Then we'll have a long lay-off when we reach Nagasaki."
"Exactly, Larry. But I shan't keep you. If you want to go elsewhere----"
"Not on another sailing vessel, Captain Ponsberry. But you know how it
is with Luke Striker and myself. Ever since we were in our own navy we
have had a hankering after warships, and----"
"And you think of joining the Japanese navy?" put in the master of the
schooner, quickly.
"That's it. You know how I spoke of joining the army with Ben and
Gilbert."
"To be sure--and I told you I couldn't spare you."
"But now, if you haven't any use for me any longer----"
"Why, Larry, if you want to fight for Japan, go ahead and fight!"
ejaculated Captain Ponsberry. "I don't blame you. I'd fight myself if I
was a younger man and hadn't any obligations on my shoulders. I suppose
Ben is doing great things in the army and you'd like to match him in the
navy, eh?"
"If I join the navy I'll do my best."
"Will Striker go with you?"
"Oh, yes, Luke and I always go together, if we can. He was my chum when
we fought under Dewey and he has been my chum ever since."
"And a good fellow, too, Larry--a man with a heart of gold. If it wasn't
that you and Tom Grandon were with me, I should have made him a mate
long ago."
"I don't doubt that, sir--and he is worthy of it." Larry paused for a
moment. "Of course, I don't know if they want any of us in the navy."
"Didn't you tell me before that they had several men you had met while
under Dewey and some your brother Walter had met while fighting in Cuban
waters?"
"Yes, but that was some time ago."
"If they took those chaps then it's likely they will take you
now--unless, of course, they have all the men they want--which I doubt."
"We shall not go as ordinary jackies. Ben got a commission as a captain,
and Luke thinks he might go as a gunner and I might go as an assistant
gunner. We occupied those positions before we left our navy."
"Then I should certainly strike for the positions. They may need gunners
even if they don't need common seamen," responded Captain Ponsberry.
As fortune would have it, the run to Nagasaki was made without incident
worthy of special mention. Once there was a scare on board, as the water
in the well hole increased with alarming rapidity. But the new leak was
discovered in time, and the ship's carpenter had little difficulty in
repairing it. They also sighted a vessel they thought might be a Russian
warship, but she proved instead to be a Japanese coastwise freighter,
carrying lumber from one port to another on the northern coast of Japan.
As the _Columbia_ drew closer to Nagasaki both Peterson and Shamhaven
grew more anxious over what was to become of them. Neither desired a
term in a Japanese prison, and both wondered what sort of a charge
Captain Ponsberry and the captain of the Japanese warship would prefer
against them.
So far Captain Ponsberry had allowed them their liberty, but through the
talk of a couple of sailors they presently learned that they were to be
cast into the ship's brig and placed under guard as soon as the schooner
dropped anchor.
"This looks black for us," said Shamhaven, moodily. "I wish we were out
of it."
"I haf a plan got, yes," answered Peterson.
"To get away?"
The other nodded.
"Then let me hear the plan by all means, Peterson."
"It vos--vot you call him--risky, yes. Maype ve get shot--you no like
him, no?"
"Of course I don't want to get shot. But what is your plan?"
"So soon like de ship come up by der harbor we vatch our chances an'
trop oferpoard, yes."
"And swim ashore?"
"Maype ve schwim by some udder poat, yes. Of ve got money we go to
leetle poat--gif Jap mans money to take us avay, you see now?"
"You mean to watch for some small Japanese boat--a bumboat, eh? And
bribe the boatman to take us to some place of safety?"
"You got him now, yes."
"That's good enough if we can find the bumboat and get the money with
which to do the bribing."
"Captain Ponsberry got money--an' Russell he got money pelt, like I told
you."
"Oh, I haven't forgotten about that money belt," returned Shamhaven.
"And I wouldn't mind taking it if I could get my hands on it. But
Russell must wear it most of the time."
"I t'ink he not put him on by der night dime, no."
"What do you know about Captain Ponsberry's money?"
"He got money in a leetle pag--I see him vonce."
"How much do you think?"
At this Peterson shrugged his shoulders.
"No can tell dat--maype a thousand dollars."
There was a pause, and Shamhaven drew a long breath.
"One thing is certain," he resumed. "I don't intend to go to a Japanese
prison, or an American prison either, if I can help it, and if we cut
loose here in a strange country we are bound to need more or less money
with which to get along. Without money a fellow can't do a thing in a
strange country."
"We git money--chust you vait," said Peterson.
At last the _Columbia_ came into sight of the shipping of Nagasaki. But
it was now dark, and a heavy fog was hanging over the harbor, so it was
impossible to make the proper landing before the next day. They came to
anchor and the necessary lights were hung out.
"This is our chance," said Shamhaven. "It is now or never!"
He had heard that Peterson and himself were to be made close prisoners
directly after supper. He watched his chance and when nobody was looking
motioned his confederate to leave the forecastle and steal silently
toward the stern of the ship. Each carried a block of wood, to which was
attached a bit of iron, to make it sink from sight.
"Now then!" whispered Shamhaven, and threw the block he carried
overboard. It struck the water with a loud splash, and the block carried
by Peterson immediately followed.
"Hullo, what's that?" came in the voice of Tom Grandon. "Who threw
something overboard?"
"Sounded like somebody jumping into the water," replied Captain
Ponsberry, who was on deck with the first mate.
An examination was made, but in the fog and darkness nothing could be
discovered.
"It was mighty queer," was Grandon's comment. "Somebody must have done
it."
"Where are Shamhaven and Peterson?"
"In the forecastle, I suppose. Do you think----"
"I don't know what to think. See if they are there."
At once Tom Grandon ran off, and made a tour not only of the forecastle
but also of the forward deck. He called the men's names several times,
and others quickly joined in the hunt.
"They are gone!" he ejaculated, running back to where Captain Ponsberry
stood.
"Gone? Then it must have been them jumping overboard that we heard!"
"Like as not--and they are a good bit away from the schooner by this
time."
"Bring a lantern and we'll take a look around."
A lantern was brought, and a few minutes later a small boat was lowered,
manned by Luke and three other sailors. Captain Ponsberry went with
them, and the searchers remained out the best part of an hour.
"They've given us the slip clean and clear," declared the master of the
_Columbia_, on returning. "It was a risky thing to undertake in such
weather as this."
"Yes, and for all we know they may be at the bottom of the harbor,"
answered Tom Grandon.
"Which place might be jest what they deserve," grumbled Luke Striker, as
he helped to stow away the small boat once more.
CHAPTER XIX
THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE ENEMY
As soon as Peterson and Shamhaven threw the blocks of wood overboard
they darted for the companionway of the schooner and crept noiselessly
down to the cabin.
The apartment was deserted, and the swinging lamp over the center table
was turned low. On the table rested several charts which Captain
Ponsberry had been consulting before joining Tom Grandon on deck.
It was Larry's watch below and he was improving the time by taking a
much-needed nap. He lay on the berth in his stateroom, with the door
wide open to admit the fresh air.
"Make no noise!" whispered Shamhaven. "If we are discovered the jig is
up with us."
"Russell is here, yes?" came from Peterson.
"Sh-sh! Yes--over in yonder stateroom."
They closed the door leading to the companionway and then tiptoed their
way to where Larry lay.
"More than likely he keeps his money belt under his pillow when he
sleeps," said Shamhaven. "Wait till I find out."
He shoved his hand under the headrest with caution and presently his
fingers came into contact with a strip of leather and chamois. He pulled
on it gently, but it refused to budge.
"Lift his head a little," he said, and Peterson started to do as
requested. But the movement, gentle as it was, caused Larry to open his
eyes.
"Wha--what are you doing here?" stammered the young second mate, when,
waiting for no more words, Peterson clapped a dirty hand over his mouth.
"Keep still, you! If you no keep still I hit you good, yes!"
"Confound the luck," muttered Shamhaven. "I didn't want him to know what
we were up to."
Larry began to struggle and with an effort threw aside the hand over his
mouth.
"Le--let up!" he spluttered. "I want you----Help!"
"Shut up!" cried Shamhaven, fiercely, and struck him a swinging blow in
the temple. Another blow from Peterson followed, and then, with flashing
lights darting through his brain, Larry lost consciousness.
Both men bent over him to see if he would move. When he lay as still as
if dead they looked at each other with satisfaction.
"He won't bother us any more--at least, not for awhile," was Shamhaven's
comment.
"Quick, de money belt!" came from Peterson, and as he raised up Larry's
head, Shamhaven secured it and stowed it away in the bosom of his shirt.
"You no keep him!" he went on, in alarm, showing that he did not trust
his companion in crime.
"We'll divide up afterwards," said Shamhaven, briefly. "Now to locate
the captain's little pile."
Both tiptoed their way into Captain Ponsberry's stateroom. Here there
was a small safe, with the door closed.
"A safe, eh?" said Shamhaven. "Wonder if we can open it?"
He knelt down and tried to work the combination lock. The safe was old
and out of order and the captain had had the combination lock made as
simple as possible in consequence. Soon there came a click, followed by
another, and the bolts shot back.
"Luck is with us!" cried Shamhaven.
"Dare is de leetle pag," came from Peterson, and reaching into the safe
he drew the article forth. There was a slip string at the top which he
pulled apart.
"Gold!" he cried. "See--dirty--forty bieces of gold!" And then he shut
the bag again, and placed it into his own shirt bosom.
"Remember, half of that is mine," came sharply from Shamhaven. He
fancied there might be more in the bag than in the money belt.
"Yes,--an' haf de money-pelt money ist mine, yes," returned Peterson.
"Right you are, Peterson. Now to get away from the ship."
"Let us lock Russell in de stateroom first."
"A good idea!"
The door was closed and locked. Larry still lay unconscious and there
was no telling how soon he would come to his senses.
They heard the tramping on the deck and the departure of the small boat.
Now those in the boat came back and the search for the missing men came
to an end.
With the slyness of a pair of cats, the evildoers crept up the
companionway once more. Nobody was in sight, and they crawled rather
than walked to the rail of the schooner. Both were good swimmers and not
afraid to trust themselves to reach some other shipping in the harbor.
Yet as an extra precaution each provided himself with a life-preserver.
"Are you ready, Peterson?"
"Yes."
"Then over we go."
A small rope was handy, and lowering this, each slid along it into the
waters of the harbor. Then they struck out swiftly but silently; and in
a few minutes the fog and darkness hid them completely from view.
It was the best part of an hour before Larry returned to his senses. His
head ached as if ready to split open and for several minutes he could
not remember where he was or what had occurred.
"Oh, my head!" he groaned. "Oh!" And he turned over and tried to sit up,
with the result that he pitched out on the floor of the stateroom. This
aroused him and he got up as quickly as he could.
"Those rascals attacked me!" he muttered. "They struck me over the head!
I remember now! Oh, how my head spins,--just as if I was in a
merry-go-round! I wonder----"
He dropped on the berth and snatched away the pillow. One glance was
sufficient to show him how he had been robbed.
"That's why they attacked me!" he cried. "Wonder where they are now?
Perhaps they ran away from the ship!"
Leaping up again he stepped to the door, and finding it locked, began to
pound away lustily, at the same time yelling at the top of his lungs. In
a few minutes this brought down Captain Ponsberry, followed by Luke, who
had been told to come along, the captain fearing that something had gone
wrong.
"What's up here?" demanded Captain Ponsberry as he flung open the door.
"Where are they?" came the counter-question from Larry.
"They? Who?"
"Peterson and Shamhaven?"
"Gone--slid away in the fog."
"They have robbed me!"
"You don't say!" ejaculated the master of the _Columbia_. "You are
sure?" he went on.
"Yes. My money belt is gone. They came while I was asleep, and when I
woke up both hit me,--and I don't know what happened after that. I just
came to my senses and found myself locked in."
"The villains!" burst in Luke. "Those chaps ought to be swung up to a
yardarm!"
The captain listened to Larry's story and then was prompted to take a
look around the other staterooms. As a result he speedily discovered
that the safe had been tampered with and that his own money was gone.
"They are worse rascals than I thought them," said Captain Ponsberry,
bitterly. "I am sorry that I did not make an example of them from the
start."
There was a good deal of speculation concerning what had become of
Shamhaven and Peterson, and another search was instituted, lasting until
the following day, but not a single trace of the evildoers could be
found.
"Well, I am out the whole of my savings," said Larry to Luke.
"It's a shame, lad," replied the Yankee tar. "But if you need ready cash
don't fail to draw on me. As long as I have a shot in the locker half on
it is yours."
"Thank you, Luke; I know you'd say that. You're the proper kind of a
friend to have."
"Avast, Larry, with your compliments. Wouldn't you do the same fer me?"
"Indeed I would!"
"Then it ain't worth talkin' about. Jest the same, I hope we run into
them rascals some day; don't you?"
"I do. But more than likely they'll give the _Columbia_ and us a wide
berth after this," returned Larry.
CHAPTER XX
LARRY BEFORE ADMIRAL TOGO
As soon as the _Columbia_ could make the proper landing, Captain
Ponsberry went ashore and reported his arrival to the authorities, and
also reported the escape of Shamhaven and Peterson. The authorities had
already heard of the capture of the _Columbia_ from the Russians, and
said that the schooner would have to remain at Nagasaki until the whole
case could be adjusted. The Japanese were inclined to favor both the
Richmond Importing Company and the owners of the vessel, so it was not
likely that our friends would lose much in the end. In the meantime the
_Columbia_ could be put in a dry-dock and given the overhauling that she
needed.
"We shall do all we can to locate Shamhaven and Peterson and get back
your money," said an official of the secret service department. But his
hands were so full with other matters of greater importance that little
attention was paid to the disappearance of the two rascals.
"Well, this will tie me up at Nagasaki for some time to come," said
Captain Ponsberry to Larry, on the third day after arriving at the
Japanese port.
"Which means, I suppose, that I can join the Japanese navy if I wish,"
returned the young second mate, quickly.
"I don't want to force you to leave the ship, lad. But you said----"
"I know, Captain Ponsberry, and I am glad of the chance to get away.
Luke and I have talked it over once more, and yesterday we met a gunner
named Steve Colton--he served on the _Brooklyn_ at the time Walter did.
He is now a gun captain on board of Admiral Togo's flagship, and he is
almost certain he can get us good positions. He says gunners and
gunners' assistants are just now badly needed."
"Then go by all means, Larry, and make even a bigger record for yourself
than your brother Ben is making in the army. Perhaps, when this war is
over, you'll come back to the old _Columbia_, eh?"
"More than likely, and I guess Luke Striker will come, too."
What Larry had said about meeting Steve Colton was true. As readers of a
story of mine entitled "Fighting in Cuban Waters" know, Colton had been
a gun captain under Commodore Schley, and as such had become fairly well
acquainted with Walter Russell and had also heard of Larry, who was at
that time serving under Admiral Dewey at Manila.
A detail from Admiral Togo's flagship had been sent ashore at Nagasaki,
and Larry and Luke, as they walked through the streets, had met several
of these men. Hearing two of them speaking English they had halted the
pair; and introductions had followed.
"So you are Larry Russell," said Steve Colton. "Any relation to Walter
Russell that once served on the U. S. Cruiser _Brooklyn_?"
"Walter is my brother," replied Larry, quickly.
"Oh, so you are the chap that was cast away in the Pacific and picked up
by Admiral Dewey's flagship, eh?"
"The same, and this is the friend who was with me, Luke Striker."
"Glad to know ye both." Steve Colton shook hands. "This is my friend,
Bob Stanford--he hails from San Francisco and is a gunner's mate with
me. What are you doing in this corner of the earth?"
A long talk followed, in which Larry and Luke told their story, and
Steve Colton and his friend related how they had come to join the
Japanese navy.
"It's this way," said Colton. "I've got the fighting blood in my veins
and it won't come out. As soon as this war broke out, I cut sticks from
'Frisco with Bob and we comes to Tokio. There I met another American who
was in the navy here, and it wasn't two days before we were booked for
Admiral Togo's flagship. We've been down to Port Arthur twice, and I
reckon we'll go again before long."
"Perhaps we'll go up to Vladivostok next time," came from Bob Stanford.
"I've heard something of bombarding that Russian port."
Colton and Stanford had a couple of hours to themselves and Larry and
Luke invited them over to the _Columbia_. In return they were asked to
come over to Admiral Togo's flagship, the gunners having the privilege
of bringing their friends aboard during the brief stay in Nagasaki
harbor.
"You can come aboard to-morrow," said Steve Colton. "They have an
inspection and drill, and you can see how they do it in the Japanese
navy--not but what it's a good bit like it's done on Uncle Sam's
warships."
Larry and Luke were very willing to go aboard of the Japanese warship,
and were taken out by Colton the next day, and introduced to several
gunners and others who could speak a little English. They were also
taken before the head gunner, who took them to the commander of the
warship.
"They both served under Admiral Dewey at Manila," said the head gunner,
and this made the commander smile quietly as he shook hands and told
them to make themselves at home.
"Everything is as clean as a whistle," was Larry's comment, as they
walked around the forward part of the warship and through the gun decks.
"The Japs certainly know how to take care of things. Luke, just look at
how the brasswork shines!"
"That's the way it ought to be," was the Yankee tar's reply. "No
slackness, an' I'm glad on it. I love a clean ship above all things."
Steve Colton and Bob Stanford were enthusiastic over the gun they
commanded and explained how it worked. It was certainly an effective
weapon and Larry and Luke were thoroughly interested.
"I could handle sech a gun myself," said Luke. "An' do some damage, too;
eh, Larry?"
"Anyway, I'd like to try it," returned the youth.
Orders were now being issued for the inspection and drill, and presently
nearly all on board of the flagship hurried to the main deck. Here the
marines were drawn up in long lines, with the officers in their proper
places. The sailors and gunners were also at hand, each togged out in
his best, for inspection by an admiral on any warship means a great
deal.
Presently Admiral Togo appeared, followed by several other naval
officers of lesser rank. He was in full dress, with many decorations on
his breast, and carried his sword. He proved to be a man well along in
years, with a round face, and small mustache and goatee.
"He looks like a fighter!" whispered Larry.
"True for you, lad," returned Luke. "An' I reckon he knows how to handle
men."
What our friends said about Admiral Togo was true. He was a fighter and
a born leader of men. When the Naval Academy of Japan was inaugurated he
was one of the first graduates, and he was sent by the government to
complete his nautical education in England, where, during 1873 and 1874,
he served on the training ship _Worcester_, making a record for himself
as a first-class pupil in every respect.
On returning home Togo Heihachiro--to use his full name--found a great
task confronting his people. They were becoming civilized as we term
civilization and needed a modern navy. He set to work with vim and
vigor, and then and there laid the foundation of that navy which is
to-day known as one of the most effective in the world.
The navy had scarcely come into existence when there came rumors of war
with China. The rumors grew, and China became more and more hateful
toward the Japanese. To the outside world it looked as if China, with
her vast territory and her immense number of people, would swallow up
the sons of Nippon bodily.
At last it was discovered that China was transporting troops with which
to begin the war. Togo waited for no instructions from his home
government. He went at the Chinese with vigor. The war followed, and
after a number of thrilling contests the Japanese were victorious, and
Admiral Togo emerged from the struggle covered with glory.
"He is the man to lead us to victory against the Russians!" was the cry
throughout the navy, when war was declared between Russia and Japan, and
how he sent his ships to Port Arthur and other places, and what
effective work was done by them, has already been related. In the whole
of the Japanese navy, to serve on the admiral's flagship, the _Mikasa_,
was considered a great honor.
The inspection and drill were exceedingly interesting to Larry and Luke,
and they watched both with close attention. After it was over Admiral
Togo addressed the men briefly and then turned to the commander of the
ship.
"See, he is pointing to us!" whispered Luke. "Hang me if I don't think
he is talking about us to the captain!"
"An officer is coming," replied Larry, and a moment later one of the
admiral's staff came hurrying to them.
"Are you the two Americans who served under Admiral Dewey at Manila?"
questioned the staff officer.
"We are," answered Larry.
"Admiral Togo wishes you to come to him."
"Oh, Luke, we are going to be presented to the admiral!" cried Larry.
"Great pewter!" groaned the Yankee tar. "I didn't expect this nohow. But
I don't care," he added, bracing up. "He ain't no bigger nor Dewey. Come
along."
He followed the staff officer and Larry did the same. They felt that the
eyes of many of the sailors and marines were on them, and stepped out as
firmly as possible. Coming up to the admiral, they took off their caps
and saluted.
Admiral Togo surveyed the two Americans with interest. He had heard how
they had come to serve under Dewey at Manila and he smiled pleasantly as
he held out his hand, first to Larry and then to Luke.
"Let me give you a welcome, my men," said he. "I have been told your
story. I hope this visit to my ship has interested you."
"Very much, sir," answered Luke.
"I liked the drill, sir," answered Larry, with a smile. "It was fine.
And everything is so clean! Really, I don't think it could be cleaner!"
At this Admiral Togo smiled again. "That is a compliment,--since it
comes from one who has served in the American navy."
He then asked them to remain where they were, while some of the men went
through an exercise with their cutlasses. There was also a gun drill,
and they were asked to show how they had handled a gun during the battle
of Manila Bay.
"You are well drilled, I can see that," said the admiral, on dismissing
them. "They tell me you think of entering our navy. If you wish to do so
I think likely we can find suitable openings for you."
CHAPTER XXI
LETTERS OF INTEREST
The enlistment of Larry and Luke Striker into the Japanese navy came
sooner than anticipated. A new warship was being fitted out at a harbor
some forty miles from Nagasaki, and Steve Colton and Bob Stanford were
transferred to this. Two new gun crews were badly needed on the new
ship, and inside of forty-eight hours our friends had signed the muster
roll and were put into training, under Colton. The positions occupied
were those of gunner and gunner's mate.
"Hurrah for Nippon!" cried Larry, enthusiastically. "Luke, after this we
have got to learn to yell _Banzai!_ in true Japanese style."
"This gun is a beauty," replied the Yankee tar, as he looked the piece
over. "I reckon as I can make her do considerable damage if I get the
chance."
"And I'll help all I can," said Larry. "Won't Ben and Gilbert be
surprised when they hear of this?" he added.
"They might know you'd do something of the sort."
"That's so, too. By the way, I'm going up to the post-office to-day and
see if there are any letters."
Much to the satisfaction of our friends they found over a score of men
on the warship who could speak English. Some, of course, could speak but
little, yet they could make themselves understood. On the other hand,
both Larry and Luke began to pick up the Japanese language remarkably
fast.
"If we keep at this for six months we'll be regular Japanese," said the
youth. "It's not so hard as I thought it would be."
They found the discipline on the warship very strict and were called on
to "toe the mark" continually. Yet all the officers were as considerate
as they were firm, so there was little of hardship.
When Larry called at the post-office for letters he found two good-sized
epistles awaiting him. One was from his brother Walter, and ran, in
part, as follows:
"There is nothing particularly new in this part of the
globe. I am doing very well in my new business and it looks
now as if I should make a big thing of it. I rather think I
am more cut out for work on land than for life on shipboard,
although I don't regret the time I spent in the navy.
"Uncle Job is feeling very well these days and is building a
new wing to the old house--going to put in a library of good
books he tells me. He is as dear an old chap now as anybody
would want for an uncle.
"I suppose you will hear from Ben and Gilbert. I am
expecting a letter every day. It's queer you didn't go with
them, but I suppose the old _Columbia_ with her crew suits
you better."
"I am glad everything is all right at home," thought Larry, as he
finished reading the communication. "A new wing to the house, eh? Uncle
Job must be spreading himself. Reckon he has foun
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