Part 9 (1/2)
”Why, I saw one of the brutes cut you down with his big sword,” cried Smith.
”Yes,” I said, ”I felt it, but, but--yes, of course: it hit me here.”
”Oh, murder!” cried Smith. ”Look here, Tanner. Your gla.s.s has got it and no mistake.”
It had ”got it” and no mistake, for the blow from the keen sword had struck it at a sharp angle, and cut three parts of the way through the thick metal tube, which had been driven with tremendous force against my ribs.
”Oh, Gnat!” cried Barkins, as he saw the mischief, ”it's quite spoilt.
What a jolly shame!”
”But it saved his life,” said Smith, giving him a meaning nod. ”I wouldn't have given much for his chance, if he hadn't had that telescope under his arm. I say, Mr Brown, why was the gun fired?”
”To bring you all on board. Captain's got some information. Look, we've weighed anchor, and we're off directly--somewhere.”
”But what about Ching?” I said to Barkins.
”Ching! Well, he'll be safe on board and unsafe ash.o.r.e. I don't suppose we shall be away above a day. I say, Ching, you'll have to stop.”
”Me don't mind. Velly hungly once more. Wantee pipe and go sleepee.
Velly tire. Too much fightee.”
We glided alongside of the gunboat the next minute, where Mr Reardon was waiting for us impatiently.
”Come, young gentlemen,” he cried, ”you've kept us waiting two hours.
Up with you. Good gracious, what a state you're in! Nice addition to a well-dis.h.i.+plined s.h.i.+p! and--here, what's the meaning of this?” he cried, as the boat rose to the davits. ”Who is this Chinese boy?”
”Velly glad get 'board,” said the man, smiling at the important officer.
”All along big fight. Me Ching.”
CHAPTER FOUR.
DOUBLE ALLOWANCE.
No time was lost in getting out of the mouth of the river, and as soon as the bustle and excitement of the start was over, we three were sent for to the cabin to relate our adventures to the captain, the first lieutenant being present to put in a word now and then.
”The brutes!” the captain kept on muttering from time to time, and Mr Reardon nodded and tightened his lips.
”Well, young gentlemen,” he said, when Barkins, who as eldest had been spokesman, finished his recital, ”I can do nothing. If you had all three been brutally murdered, of course the Government could have made representations to the authorities, and your families would have secured compensation.”
We glanced at one another.
”But as, unfortunately--I mean fortunately--you have neither of you got a scratch, I can do nothing.”
”But they were so awfully savage with us, sir,” said Smith.
”Yes, Mr Smith, so I suppose. It is their nature; but we cannot punish an unknown mob. We must try and administer the castigation vicariously.”
”Please, sir, I don't understand you,” said Smith. ”Do you mean--”