Part 8 (1/2)

In an instant the experience we had had upon the river flashed across my brain. I recalled how the crew of the great tea-boat had dropped away from her high stern when Barkins had used the gla.s.s, and for the first time I grasped why this had been.

My next actions were in a mad fit of desperate mischief more than anything else. For, recalling that I had a few flaming fusees in my jacket pocket, I s.n.a.t.c.hed out the box, secured one; then, taking off the cap, which hung by a strap, I pulled the bra.s.s and leather telescope out to its full extent, presented the large end at the mob, uttered as savage a yell as I could and struck a fusee, which went off with a crack, and flashed and sparkled with plenty of blaze.

The effect was instantaneous. Mistaking the big gla.s.s, which had been a burden to me all day, for some terrible new form of gun, the swordsmen uttered a wild yell of horror, and turned and fled, driving the unarmed mob before them, all adding their savage cries of dread.

”Hoor-rah,” shouted Barkins. ”Now, boys, a Yankee tiger. Waggle the gla.s.s well, Gnat. All together. Hurrah--rah--rah--rah--rah!”

We produced as good an imitation of the American cheer as we could, and Ching supplemented it with a hideous crack-voiced yell, while I raised and lowered the gla.s.s and struck another match.

As we looked up the street we could see part of the mob still running hard, but the swordsmen had taken refuge to right and left, in doorways, angles, and in side shops, and were peering round at us, watching every movement.

”No' laugh!” said Ching anxiously. ”Big fool. Think um bleech-loader.

Now, come 'long, walkee walkee blackward. I go first.”

It was good advice, and we began our retreat, having the street to ourselves for the first minute. My messmates supported me on either side, and we walked backward with military precision.

”Well done, gun carriage,” panted Barkins to me. ”I say, Blacksmith, who says the old gla.s.s isn't worth a hundred pounds now?”

”Worth a thousand,” cried Smith excitedly. ”But look out, they're coming out of their holes again.”

I made the object-gla.s.s end describe a circle in the air as we slowly backed, and the swordsmen darted away to the shelters they had quitted to follow us as they saw us in retreat. But as there was no report, and they saw us escaping, they began to shout one to the other, and ran to and fro, zig-zagging down the street after us, each man darting across to a fresh place of shelter. And as the retreat went on, and no report with a rush of bullets tore up the street, the men gained courage; the mob high up began to gather again. Then there was distant yelling and shouting, and the danger seemed to thicken.

”Is it much farther, Ching?” cried Barkins.

”Yes, velly long way,” he replied. ”No' got no levolvers?”

”No, I wish I had.”

”Fine levolver bull-dog in fancee shop, and plenty cahtlidge. Walkee fast.”

We were walking backwards as fast as we could, and the danger increased.

In place of running right across now from shelter to shelter, the big swordsmen stopped from time to time on their way to flourish their weapons, yell, indulge in a kind of war-dance, and shout out words we did not understand.

”What do they say, Ching?” asked Smith.

”Say chop all in lit' small piece dilectly.”

”Look here,” cried Barkins, as the demonstrations increased, and the wretches now began to gather on each side of the street as if threatening a rush, ”let's stop and have a shot at 'em.”

”No, no,” cried Ching, ”won't go off blang.”

”Never mind, we'll pretend it will. Halt!”

We stopped, so did our enemies, and, in imitation of the big gun practice on board s.h.i.+p, Barkins shouted out order after order, ending with, Fire!

Smith held the flaming fusees now, and at the word struck one with a loud crackle, just as we were beginning to doubt the efficacy of our ruse, for the enemy were watching us keenly; and, though some of them moved uneasily and threatened to run for shelter, the greater part stood firm.

But at the loud crackle and flash of the fusee, and Smith's gesture to lay it close to the eye-piece, they turned and fled yelling once more into the houses on either side, from which now came an addition to the noise, in the shrill howls and shrieks of women, who were evidently resenting the invasion of all these men.

”Now, walkee far,” cried Ching. ”No good no mo'. Allee fun lun out.