A SURPRISE FOR LARRY
As the days passed, the watch upon Port Arthur from the sea became
closer and closer. Admiral Togo gave strict orders that no ships should
be allowed to enter or come from the harbor under any circumstances, and
each commander of a warship was on his mettle, knowing full well that if
he was derelict in his duty he would speedily hear from his superior in
a manner far from pleasant.
Blockading became something of a monotony to Larry and Luke, and after
several weeks had passed both wished something would happen.
"I'd rather put up with a stiff sea fight than this," declared the young
gunner's mate.
"Right ye are, lad," replied the old Yankee tar. "Ain't no use o' bein'
ready for a tussle if it ain't comin'. As it now is, life in the navy
ain't no more excitin' nor life on the old _Columbia_."
During that time Larry received a letter from Captain Ponsberry, similar
in contents to that sent to Gilbert. The Japanese Government had
released the cargo of the schooner and then bought the same at a good
round price. The ship had also been released, Captain Ponsberry having
to pay a nominal sum for this action.
"I think the captain is lucky to get off so easily," said Larry. "I
suppose the Japanese Government might have scooped in everything."
"Well, the Japs think it best to remain friendly to the United States,"
answered Luke, and it is likely that the old sailor was more than half
right.
Cold weather had come in earnest and work on deck was far from pleasant.
Yet each man on the _Shohirika_ had to do his full duty as before, and,
be it said to their credit, not a sailor or marine did any shirking. Gun
drills and various exercises were kept up constantly.
One day the warship ran close to a big trading brig bound for Hong-Kong.
As was the custom, the brig stopped to allow the commander of the
_Shohirika_ to make certain that she was not carrying contrabands of war
for Russia or had no intentions of running the blockade.
While this examination was going on, Larry and Luke chanced to come on
deck, curious to have a look at the stranger.
"About as big a brig as I ever see in these parts," was the Yankee tar's
comment. "She must carry a whopping cargo."
"Yes, and a lot of men to man her," answered Larry. "Think of hoisting
and furling such sails as she carries!"
The two vessels had come fairly close to each other, and our friends
continued to survey the brig with interest. Then Larry gave a cry.
"Oh, Luke, I wish I had a glass!"
"Why?"
"Unless I am mistaken, there is Shamhaven on the deck of that ship!"
"No!"
Larry pointed with his hand. "Doesn't that look like him?" he continued.
"Keelhaul me, if I don't think you're right, lad. Wait, I'll get a glass
an' make certain!"
The old tar knew where he could borrow a glass, and in a minute more he
returned, and both took a brief look through the instrument.
"It is Shamhaven!" ejaculated Larry. "And look, there is Peterson coming
from the fo'castle!"
"That's so. What ye goin' to do about it?"
"Tell the officer of the deck. They shan't get off with my money if I
can help it."
Rushing away, Larry soon acquainted the proper officer with what he had
discovered--telling as much about the robbery as seemed necessary. The
officer was interested, and, what was even more to the point, liked the
young American.
"Do you wish to go to yonder ship and confront the men?" he asked.
"Try me and see!" answered Larry, excitedly. "I mean, yes, sir," he
stammered. "And will you let Luke Striker go, too?"
The officer agreed, and soon another small boat put off from the
warship, and Larry and Luke, with the officer, were speedily landed on
the deck of the brig.
"You're a fine rascal, to rob me!" cried Larry, rushing up to Shamhaven.
"And to rob Captain Ponsberry, too!"
Shamhaven had not expected this encounter, and for the moment he was
dumbstruck. He gazed from Larry to Luke as if they were ghosts.
"I--I--who are you, anyway?" he stammered. "I don't know you," he added,
striving to regain his composure.
"Yes, you do know me, and you know Luke Striker, too," answered the
young gunner's mate.
"What does this mean?" asked the captain of the brig, while a number of
others looked on with interest.
"I'll tell you what it means, sir," said Larry, and did so. "He has got
to give up my money belt and my money, and give up Captain Ponsberry's
money, too."
At this moment Peterson came up and was promptly collared by Luke.
"Stop! Don't you vos touch me!" cried Peterson. "I ain't noddings done,
no."
"You helped Shamhaven to rob me," came from Larry.
"No, he done it all alone! I no touch noddings!"
"Oh, shut up!" roared Shamhaven, in disgust. "I never robbed anybody. If
you lost your money Peterson must have taken it."
A quarrel ensued between the evildoers, in the midst of which came a cry
from the _Shohirika_.
"An enemy is in sight!"
At once all attention was turned to the warship. Scarcely a minute
elapsed when a signal was displayed:
"A battleship, and she is trying to escape up the coast!"
"To the boats!" roared the Japanese officer on the deck of the brig. "To
the boats at once! This investigation will have to be postponed. We
shall expect you to remain as you are"--the latter words to the captain
of the big brig.
"As you will," was the smooth answer.
A rush was made for the two small boats, Larry and Luke being hustled
along with the crowd. Soon they put off for the warship, which was
already preparing to follow the Russian battleship that had been seen.
"I didn't get my money, after all," grumbled the youth. "But perhaps
I'll get it later--if that ship of the enemy doesn't sink us," he added.
As soon as they were on board of the _Shohirika_ again, the cruiser
started after the battleship. But the enemy had a good lead, and it was
some time before the Japanese warship could command a full head of
steam, which meant everything to her. Then, when steam was to be had in
plenty, there came a breakdown in the engine room, causing a delay of
twenty minutes.
"We'll never catch her,--at least, not to-day," said Luke, and he was
right. Darkness found the battleship still three miles away. Half a
dozen shots were fired at her, but none took effect. Then night ended
the pursuit.
In the morning nothing was to be seen of the enemy and those on the
Japanese warship were much depressed, for they had fancied that an
encounter might add greatly to their laurels. But shortly before noon
the lookout announced the approach of another ship.
"A Russian cruiser!" was the cry.
This was correct--the vessel was the auxiliary cruiser, _Pontomuk_,
formerly a steamer in the Siberian trade. She was manned by a fierce and
swarthy-looking body of sailors and marines, and carried a first and
second battery of no mean proportions.
"I'll wager we have got some work cut out for us now," said Larry, and
he was right. Finding she could not run away from the _Shohirika_ the
Russian auxiliary cruiser came steaming up and let drive at close
range,--a broadside that raked the Japanese warship from end to end with
deadly effect. The _Shohirika_ answered immediately, and both the
steering wheel and the rudder were smashed on the enemy's ship.
"Phew! but this is hot work!" panted Larry, as all those around the gun
worked like Trojans.
"An' it's going to be hotter!" ejaculated Luke. He sighted the piece
with care. "There, Sally Jane, let her go!" And he pressed the electric
button. _Bang!_ went the gun with a roar that was deafening. Then the
breech was thrown open and the smoke rolled out, filling the air with a
smell that made them cough and sneeze. But nobody stopped work. In a
trice the gun was cleaned and cooled and another shell pushed into
place, and then the firing was repeated.
"She's coming alongside!" was the announcement from on deck. "All hands
to repel boarders!"
"A hand-to-hand fight!" cried Larry, and scarcely had the words been
uttered when there came a bump that hurled half the sailors flat. Up
they sprang, and as order after order was delivered the marines and
others ran for their guns and cutlasses, while the officers saw to it
that their pistols were ready for use.
A wild, maddening yell came from the deck of the Russian ship, as
marines and sailors poured over the side. An answering _Banzai_ issued
from the Japanese, and they met the first onslaught with vigor. Then
came a fierce tramping over the deck, as the two conflicting parties
moved first to one side and then the other.
"We are ordered up!" cried Larry, a few minutes later. "Here is where we
have got to fight for it, Luke!"
"Right you are, lad. Do your best, and trust to Heaven for the rest!"
was the Yankee tar's reply. And then, cutlasses in hand, both mounted to
the deck, to engage in the fiercest hand-to-hand encounter either of
them had ever experienced.