THE FATE OF VON HARBURG.
The sub pointed to a glade in the forest slightly to the north of the
course the "Pride of Rhodesia" was following. Here the ground rose
gradually, and save for a few prickly pear-trees was destitute of
verdure. Four roughly-constructed tents made from ships' sails had been
erected, with a breast-work of boxes surrounding, except for a narrow
opening that gave access to the camp. Seven or eight men, regardless of
the blazing sun, were lying down or sitting with their backs propped up
against the boxes. No attempt had apparently been made to post sentries
or to take any steps against a possible surprise, although every man had
either a rifle or a revolver close to hand.
"Wonder they haven't heard our motors," remarked Captain Jones, as he
ordered the engines to be stopped and the quick-firers to be manned.
"They must be sound asleep. I vote we cover them pretty tightly, fire a
blank shot and summon them to surrender at discretion."
"They'll fight; they know that as prisoners they'll have a halter round
their necks," said Captain Restronguet. "But where are the others?
There were several more of the rascals."
"How many, do you think?"
"Not less than thirty all told."
"Well, here goes," ejaculated the "Pride of Rhodesia's" Captain. "Fire
a blank from the for'ard starboard quick-firer, Evans. That ought to
give them a shake up."
The forest re-echoed to the sharp detonation of the gun, but not a man
of von Harburg's party stirred. From the trees myriads of birds,
alarmed by the report, rose and flew terrified away, uttering harsh and
discordant cries. Then a strange silence brooded over the solitary
camp.
Captain Restronguet and Hythe exchanged glances. The look was
significant. Captain Jones whistled softly.
"There's murderous work down there," he remarked.
"Sure, sorr, they are as dead as door-nails," exclaimed O'Shaunessey.
"Faith, I can see it is a bash over the head as that man has. 'Twould
take more than a rale Irish shillelah to do that."
"We must investigate," said Captain Restronguet.
"Don't fancy it somehow," objected Captain Jones.
"All the same it is desirable," continued the "Aphrodite's" owner. "If
von Harburg is not down there our quest is not yet at an end. Personally
I do not like the business, but how can we report the death of the
modern pirate unless we know definitely that such is the case?"
"Very well," agreed Jones. "I'll land you. I'll remain here, for if
there are any survivors of the gang and they show fight I can render you
much more assistance than if I were down there."
Accordingly the airship was brought close to the ground and Captain
Restronguet, Hythe, O'Shaunessey, and Carnon descended the wire rope
ladder. Revolver in hand they advanced towards the silent camp. As they
approached evidences of what had occurred were not wanting. The canvas
tents were shot through and through, the packing cases were riddled and
splintered. Every man lying within the wooden breastwork was
stone-dead, only one of them being killed otherwise than by a bullet.
Cautiously picking his way Captain Restronguet opened the flap of one of
the tents. He paused to allow his eyes to get accustomed to the gloom,
then turned and signed to Hythe to enter.
Lying across an empty box was a short, heavily-built man, whose long
matted hair and unkempt beard well-nigh concealed his features. A
partially discharged revolver lay by his side, his left hand still
grasped a flask of spirits. He was stone-dead.
"Karl von Harburg," whispered Captain Restronguet. "My debt in that
direction is paid, though I'm glad that he did not die by my hand. He
has altered somewhat since last I saw him, but we ought to be able to
find conclusive means of identification."
Bending over his dead rival the captain drew a watch from von Harburg's
pocket. It was a gold hunter. Within the case was an inscription in
German: "To Karl von Harburg from his friend, Ludwig von
Thale--September, 1913."
"We'll take this," continued Captain Restronguet. "He was very fond of
showing it to people. Ludwig von Thale was a high court official whom
von Harburg sold very neatly. But we've seen enough here. Let us get
some fresh air."
Further examination showed that most of the boxes had contained gold.
By strenuous exertions the crew of the "Vorwartz" had succeeded in
dragging a portion thus far. Then they quarrelled amongst themselves.
A desperate fight ensued, and of the thirty men only one survived, and
he was a raving lunatic. Of the others twelve were found within the
camp, the remainder having continued their fight to the death in the
neighbouring wood, for there O'Shaunessey and Carnon discovered their
bodies, some of them literally grasping their former comrades' throats.
"What's to be done with them, sir?" asked Carnon, pointing to the gold
ingots.
"Leave them," replied Captain Restronguet shortly. Then in a lower tone
he added, "They are veritably the price of blood. Let them stay.
Perhaps someone will find them who will have more need of riches than
either you or I will, Carnon. My life-work is practically done now, Mr.
Hythe, so let's get back to England as quickly as we can."
"To England!" ejaculated the sub. "I thought you had----"
"Mr. Hythe, remember I am still an Englishman. It is now my intention to
settle down in my native Cornwall. I have now more than enough to keep
me in ease. My comrades who stood by me so faithfully in times of peril
and misfortune, will likewise be amply provided for."
"And the 'Aphrodite,' sir?"
Captain Restronguet's brow clouded.
"I know what you mean, Mr. Hythe," he exclaimed. "No, I mean to keep my
vow. I swore I would never hand her over to the Admiralty, and I must
keep my word. In due course, Mr. Hythe, I will let you know my
intentions; but do not seek to swerve me from my decision. It will be
useless to attempt to do so."
Without another word Captain Restronguet turned and strode swiftly
towards the airship's ladder. His companions followed. All save the
sub put down their leader's taciturn manner to the reaction of the
excitement caused by the dramatic termination of his quest. But they
were mistaken.
"All accounted for," commented Captain Jones. "Well, that's a blessing,
for we don't want rascals of that sort finding their way into British
territory. Let her go, McPherson. Full speed ahead. We've got to look
pretty smart if we want to get back before sunset."
But the captain of the "Pride of Rhodesia" was mistaken in his
calculations. The outward journey at a retarded speed had taken thrice
as long as the airship did to fly back to where the captured "Vorwartz"
lay.
"The gunboats haven't gone yet," announced Captain Jones, as the broad
Zambezi came in sight once more.
The sub's practised eye saw that the two vessels lying just ahead of the
"Aphrodite" were not the sternwheelers from Lake Nyassa. He snatched up
his binoculars and brought them to bear upon the strange craft.
"Portuguese Government gunboats, by Jove!" he exclaimed. "What's their
little game, I wonder?"
"Eh! What's that?" ejaculated Captain Restronguet, overhearing the
sub's remark. "Hanging round to see what they can make out of the
business, I suppose. Why, there's a crowd of them on shore close to the
'Vorwartz'."
"When Portuguese colonial officials begin buzzing round they're bound to
give trouble if you treat them courteously," observed Captain Jones.
"I've had experience of them. If you take my advice you'll send them
about their business without delay."
"They won't trouble me," replied Captain Restronguet grimly.
"At any rate I'll stand by till they pack," continued the captain of the
"Pride of Rhodesia." "We'll descend here. I don't want to bring my
craft too close to those gentry."
The airship came to earth at the foot of the little hill on which Kenwyn
had been left, and, with the exception of three men who were ordered to
remain on guard, the whole of her complement hurried towards the bank of
the river.
"Those rogues have been trying to get aboard the prize, sir," exclaimed
Polglaze, who had run to meet his captain. "They've given us a stiff
job to keep them off. None of us can make head or tail of what that
yellow-faced, gold-laced Johnnie was talking about, although he thinks
he can speak English."
"Did you come to blows?" asked Captain Restronguet.
"Oh, no, sir; we had to lift one fellow up by his trousers and drop him
overboard, but we handled him very gently, although he whipped out a
knife."
The Portuguese officer in charge advanced and punctiliously raised his
cap, a courtesy that Captain Restronguet returned.
"We haf come to take possession of the pirate, senhor," announced the
former.
"To take possession of what?" asked the "Aphrodite's" captain.
"Of pirate ship, over thar."
"You're too late, my friend," announced Captain Restronguet affably.
"Too late? How so?" asked the perplexed Portuguese. "She thar. Me
come to take possession in name of Republica."
"You go to blazes!" retorted Captain Restronguet, beginning to lose his
temper. "She is my prize."
"By what authority you hold her?" demanded the Portuguese.
"By what authority--we had the permission of the Portuguese Government
to ascend the Zambezi."
"Yes; to destroy pirate, not to capture. Since she captured is in
Portuguese waters she property of Republica."
Captain Restronguet looked at Captain Jones, and the skipper of the
"Pride of Rhodesia" looked at the captain of the "Aphrodite." The
absurdity of the Portuguese officer's logic caused them to laugh
heartily.
"Tell him we could wipe him off the face of the earth in a brace of
shakes," suggested Captain Jones speaking rapidly and in a low tone so
that the captain of the gunboat could not understand.
"No, I'll deal with him in quite a different way," was the reply.
"Why you laugh? Me no be laugh at," exclaimed the irate Portuguese.
"Me representative of Republica."
"Look here, my friend," said Captain Restronguet. "Do you see that tent
pitched on the top of the hill? We've fever amongst us. Had we known
you were coming we would have had the yellow flag hoisted to warn you."
The Portuguese officer's face paled under his yellow skin.
"Fever? How say. Madre de Dios!" and he agilely skipped back a couple
of paces.
"Yes, very bad case, senhor. Perhaps you would care to see our hospital
arrangements?"
But the Portuguese did not care to do so; he precipitately retreated to
his boat, followed by his thoroughly scared men, and half an hour later
the gunboat was pelting down stream as fast as her crazy engines would
drive her.
"Another example of the curse of petty officialdom," commented Captain
Restronguet. "No wonder the Portuguese colonies are almost at a
standstill. Well, Polglaze, how is the work progressing?"
"We got the whole of the gold on deck, sir," replied the man. "If it
hadn't been for those jabbering Dagoes hindering us we would have had
the whole lot ashore by now."
"Time to be off," remarked Captain Restronguet. "It will be dark in less
than twenty minutes. Leave the stuff there; it won't be touched."
Hastily the "Aphrodite's" men made their way back to the banks of the
Zambezi, bringing Kenwyn with them--the second officer was already on
the road to recovery, and the spell ashore did him a considerable amount
of good.
As soon as the crew regained the "Aphrodite" she was battened down and
submerged. The wearied crew sought slumber, but it was long ere Captain
Restronguet, Devoran, and Hythe retired to rest, for the first officer
had to be told in detail of the momentous events of the day.
Captain Jones did not relinquish his task at that point, for anxious to
aid his successful rival to the utmost of his ability he kept the "Pride
of Rhodesia" floating over the captured submarine. All night the
airship's searchlights played upon the "Vorwartz" and the store of gold
lying on the shore, but the precaution, though desirable, was
unnecessary.
Early on the following morning all hands assisted in warping the
"Vorwartz" into deep water. The bullion and species were then taken on
board by means of the "Aphrodite's" whaler, and, bidding the captain and
crew of the "Pride of Rhodesia" a hearty farewell, the two submarines
commenced the descent of the river.
Two days later the "Aphrodite," with the captured "Vorwartz" in tow,
recrossed the dangerous bar. Five miles off-shore the British cruiser
"Pique" was awaiting them, and handing the prize over to the care of the
latter, Captain Restronguet ordered full speed ahead.
All Cape Town was bubbling over with excitement when the "Aphrodite"
dropped anchor in Table Bay. The shipping was gay with bunting, flags
were flown from the Government buildings and most of the houses. Bands
were playing and people shouting themselves hoarse, while the renowned
submarine was literally wedged in between tiers of boats filled with
curious and enthusiastic spectators.
The Admiralty had telegraphed to the Commander-in-Chief of the Cape
offering Captain Restronguet a commission in the Royal Navy as
Inspecting Officer of Submarines; Lloyd's had asked his acceptance of a
sword of honour; the Crowned Heads of Europe bestowed decorations with
lavish hands, while the President of the United States of America
telegraphed his congratulations, and begged Captain Restronguet to be
the honoured guest of the greatest Republic on earth.
But the captain of the "Aphrodite" showed no enthusiasm at these
honours. Some he could not with courtesy decline, but he strenuously
refused to accept the proffered commission. His sole object, he avowed,
in calling at Table Bay was to make necessary arrangements with the
authorities for the disposal of the "Vorwartz" and the distribution of
the prize-money.
"Now, lads," he exclaimed, addressing his faithful crew, "our mission is
ended. We are now homeward bound; not to our temporary quarters in
Sumatra but to our only home, Old England. I am in a position to state
that the individual share of prize-money will be duly paid on our
arrival in England, and that every man will be in a state of affluence.
I only hope you will be long spared to enjoy it. In less than three
weeks, all being well, I hope to land you all at Falmouth."
"Three cheers for Falmouth!" shouted Polglaze.
"An' three cheer for Ould Oireland," added O'Shaunessey. "Faith! I'll
take me discharge an' boi the largest farm in all County Wexford."