Part 27 (1/2)
EXPLANATIONS--ON BOARD THE _NANIWA_ AGAIN--THE BLOCKADE OF WEI-HAI-WEI--ON SERVICE
During our journey to Talien Bay, which had become the j.a.panese naval base after the demolition of Port Arthur, I put a number of questions to Tomi and to the military officer, his brother, whom I now learned was attached to the army staff. Several of these inquiries had reference to the movements of the army and navy, but some questions were personal to myself. At last my kind friends threw off their official reserve, and cheered my heart with the prospect of release.
I began by asking how the young lieutenant had found me out, and why, having sent me adrift, he had thought of seeking me again. I told my adventures briefly.
”I am sure you did it for the best,” I concluded, ”but all the same your plans nearly cost me my life.”
”We had no choice, I am sorry to say. The report that you were a Chinese spy had been so insisted upon that even j.a.panese discipline wavered on board. When you confessed to knowledge of Chinese, the plan of sending you as a scout with the interpreter was adopted, and I gave you all the a.s.sistance I could.”
”Yes, indeed. But the interpreter proved false. He robbed me, and left me helpless.”
”True; he has paid for his treachery. Yet, had you been taken prisoner, and the map and pistol found upon you, your life would have been forfeited and awful tortures inflicted,” added the elder brother.
”I did not realise that contingency,” said Tomi, ”nor did I imagine the interpreter would be false. He evidently regarded you as an enemy; perhaps he thought he was serving us by putting you in danger. On the other hand, he did you a service by concealing you and taking the compa.s.s and revolver.”
”Well, that is one way of looking at it,” I said. ”Let the matter rest there. Now, may I inquire why, and how, I have been sent for? and how I have been discovered?”
”The second question is the easiest to answer. Inquiries and letters are awaiting you. The English captain from Shanghai”--
”What! My skipper, Captain Goldheugh?” I interrupted.
”I think he is the same. The captain who commanded the Chinese transport, _Kows.h.i.+ng_.”
”Rather _Feng Shui_,” I said. ”The same man. What of him?”
”He has come up in an American steamer, and has made inquiries about you all around the coast--at Chefoo and at Talien-wan. He boarded the _Naniwa_, and we told him all we knew. My brother had previously told me something about the interpreter, and a Britisher in camp. So we put our ideas together, and decided then you were the missing man.”
”And the captain has letters for me?”
”Several; and despatches also, I understand. Inquiry from the consul, too; so your Government think you are of some importance.”
I laughed, and said, ”I suspect my father and mother, were alarmed, and set the diplomatic wheels moving. Then I am to go home?”
”Yes; but meantime we have a favour to ask, and we had considered it possible you would a.s.sist us on the way back.”
”Certainly; when I have announced my safety at home, I can do all you require, I hope.”
”It is merely to convey a letter to the English admiral in the gulf outside Wei-hai-Wei. You have several s.h.i.+ps there, and Admiral Ito is sending a squadron to keep watch on Tengchow and Wei-hai-Wei.”[1]
[1] p.r.o.nounced Way-hi-Way.--H.P.
”Then you intend to capture and occupy Shengtung?”
”So it is understood, but we cannot decide that. The _Naniwa_ or other vessel will convey you to Tengchow, close to Chefoo. There you will find your friend Goldheugh, or perhaps at Chefoo.”
”That seems good enough,” I said. ”But why send _me_? Why not one of your own officers?”
”You are neutral,” replied the young lieutenant, ”and the communication is to the Chinese Admiral Ting. Both Chinese and j.a.panese respect English good faith, and any intervention by your force will prove its honesty of purpose.”
I could only bow to this compliment, and did so with becoming gravity.