Part 30 (2/2)
”No, I lost no teeth; I only had a piece taken out of my cheek,” said Billy
”Lucky it wasn't your nose,” observed Tom; ”it would have spoilt your beauty for ever” He could un
Jack had well perfor to remain until he had battered down the fort, when Desnals They were to the effect that all shi+ps of the squadron were to get under way and forly Jack, leaving the sorely battered fort, steamed away to take up his position in the line The weather, which had long been threatening, cauns
A heavy squall blew across the gulf, and at the same instant a downfall of rain came on
Suddenly the whole of the batteries opened on the squadron; still the shi+ps did not return the fire I fro the prizes to be destroyed and the vessels which had the-shi+p, which was leading, was for so, exposed to the fire of several batteries, which killed two of her officers and wounded a considerable number of men
As soon as the weather would allow, the other shi+ps got up and lost not a uns on the batteries The shi+ps had not long been engaged, when the effects of their fire became visible from the battered state to which the fort was reduced, while fla out in different parts of the town Everyworse The wind had increased alloo uns as they poured forth their death-dealing shot into the town At length it becanal to discontinue the action
Five large junks lay to the southward of the tohich the japanese ht have hoped would have escaped, but they werethat the prince was not to receive the full punishment due to him
These vessels were his private property The admiral ordered one of the smaller shi+ps to proceed immediately and set fire to the junks, as there was no possibility of carrying the up, and the flaale, soon destroyed them
The stea a nu the fate of the junks, were left furiously blazing away
The squadron now stood off froe Scarcely were their anchors down than the hurricane caht was as dark as pitch, heavy thunder-clouds rolling overhead; but the as off the land, though it was a question whether it e, and should any of the shi+ps be driven ashore, their crews could expect but little mercy from the hands of the japanese
The _Empress_ was one of the outerone four bells in the first watch when the third lieutenant reported that the shi+p was dragging her anchors More cable was veered out, but she was by this tiale The lead was hove, and sixty fathoround noas, therefore, impossible The captain ordered the cable to be slipped, and the stea been kept up, she drifted sloay, still endeavouring to regain her lost position Every moment she became more and more exposed to the force of the hurricane All on board ell aware of her danger, although sheup on the opposite side of the bay; she would then be on a lee shore, and should her anchors not hold, her loss was alht pass before her fate was sealed
All hands reerous position; but in those days he had no wife to care for, and he had not the responsibilities of co broke, the gale continued blowing as fiercely as ever, while the land to leeward looked unpleasantly near Still stea its best to drive the gallant shi+p ahead
The instant the hurricane ot up to her anchorage with the rest of the squadron
Des his telescope towards the shore, where, at the top of a hill overlooking the anchorage, arove of thick trees, he saw a nu aith picks and shovels, and a little further on he caught a gli along the road, and then another and another
It was very clear that the japanese intended, froeous position they held, to open fire on the s within pistol-shot of the shore The adh, and his shi+p leading they stea the batteries on either side, which they saluted as they glided by with a hot fire, bestowing particular attention on the palace of the prince, teaching hiet The batteries replied, but feebly and without dae to any one of the shi+ps
The squadron now returned to the anchorage they had taken up on first entering the bay, where their crews had plenty of work to do in repairing da to sea
Returning to Yokoha that their proceedings having brought the prince to reason, the whole of the suies offered The undertaking, however, had been a costly one Two gallant officers and eleven ht wounded
Friendly relations were ultimately established with Prince Satsu several of his young nobility to England to be educated, while the Tycoon despatched a special envoy to congratulate the British _charge d'affaires_ on the satisfactory termination of all difficulties, and to express a hope that in future amicable relations would exist between the two nations
CHAPTER TEN
THE EMPRESS SAILS FOR THE FIJI ISLANDS--PICKS UP TWO PAPUANS--CALLS OFF THE COAST OF NEW GUINEA--THE WRECK SEEN--TWO BOATS GO ON Shore--WHAT HAVE BECOME OF THE CREW?--LIEUTENANT NORMAN ASCENDS A HILL--TOM DESMOND AND THEIR PARTY PUSH ON--THE LIEUTENANT ATTACKED BY THE NATIVES-- RETREATS--TOM AND DESMOND MISSING--AFTER A SEVERE FIGHT, REGAINS THE BOATS--CAPTAIN ROGERS LANDS, TO RECOVER HIS BROTHER AND HIS COMPANIONS-- UNSUCCESSFUL MARCH--NATIVE VILLAGE BURNT--BOATS SENT IN AGAIN--GALE COMES ON, AND THE shi+P STANDS OFF THE LAND--RETURNS--NO TRACES OF THE MIDshi+PMEN--CONTINUES HER VOYAGE--LONG STAY AT FIJI--EMPRESS AND ORION SAIL FOR SYDNEY--A WRECK SEEN
The japanese difficulty having been satisfactorily settled, the shi+ps of the squadron separated to proceed to their various destinations The _E in Victoria Harbour, received orders to proceed to the Fiji Islands, with directions to touch on her way at the northern coast of New Guinea in search of the crew of a merchant vessel said to have been lost thereabouts Captain Rogers was afterwards to visit Sydney and other Australian ports before returning hohts of the number of places they were to visit, and the curious people they were to see