SURGEON REAR-ADMIRAL T. T. JEANS,
C.M.G., R.N.
Author of "John Graham, Sub-Lieutenant R.N."
"On Foreign Service" "Ford of H.M.S. Vigilant"
&c.
_Illustrated by C. M. Padday_
BLACKIE & SON LIMITED
LONDON AND GLASGOW
1914
BLACKIE & SON LIMITED
_50 Old Bailey, London_
_17 Stanhope Street, Glasgow_
BLACKIE & SON (INDIA) LIMITED
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BLACKIE & SON (CANADA) LIMITED
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*Preface*
For many years the fierce, unruly tribes beyond the north-west frontier
of India have only been able to obtain rifles from the Arabian coast.
Arab dhows bring them across the Persian Gulf and adjacent waters, and
caravans of camels convey them to their destination through the mountain
passes of Baluchistan.
Ships of the Royal Navy and the Royal Indian Marine, armed launches
manned by officers and men lent from the Royal Navy, and ships' armed
cutters cruise and patrol these waters from one year's end to another,
overhauling dhows, landing men to search villages suspected of
concealing arms, and ceaselessly striving to put a stop to this trade.
My story describes the conditions of service in one of these armed
launches, and is based on actual occurrences which took place some ten
years ago. Most of the incidents have been described to me by
participators in them. The proof-sheets have also been revised by
officers who have themselves taken part, during more recent years, in
the suppression of "gun-running".
As a result, the story is, I trust, free from errors and
improbabilities.