enough in the morning. Is everything satisfactory as we have planned
it?”
“Yes.”
“All right then, I’ll steam up at daybreak and be ready to put you
ashore with a party and cover your landing if necessary.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
On the following morning when the sun burst over the eastern horizon
with the sudden blaze of tropical brilliance the cruiser “New Orleans”
was already within a few miles of Patrocinio’s southern shore. The
landing party was standing by fully armed, ready to board the launches
which were already in the water alongside the cruiser.
On the bridge Captain Moore and the navigating officer were scanning
the island through their marine glasses for any sign of the pirates.
As soon as Redmond came up on the deck the order to move was given and
the men filed down the accommodation ladder into the boats. When this
task had been completed the boats cast off.
Each of the launches was equipped with a one pounder quick fire gun in
its bows, each of these manned by a gunner. On the cruiser the guncrews
were standing by the six inch rifles ready to shell the island in case
an attack was made upon the boats during their passage to the landing
place.
As the boats left the cruiser Lieutenant Lockwood, who had been placed
in command of the landing party, turned to Redmond and said:
“Do you think that outfit is still on this side of the island?”
“Well, of course I can’t say,” replied Redmond, “but my guess is that
they are not. I think they withdrew to the other side.”
“Well, we’ll soon find out,” said Lockwood with a laugh.
The run to the beach was quickly made, and a landing affected without
any untoward event. Lockwood got his men lined up and was about to
give the order to advance when a terrific explosion seaward halted him
abruptly.
“My God what was that?” he exclaimed as he, in unison with the rest,
turned and looked south. One quick glance revealed the cause.
Flying moderately low, the pirate airplane was sweeping around the
cruiser in rapid vicious circles in a maneuvre of attack. The “New
Orleans” was already under way, gathering headway very fast and
zigzaging on her course.
As the men ashore watched with pent up excitement they saw a flash as
the cruiser opened up with its anti-aircraft guns a vigorous cannonade
upon the pirate. It was clear that the latter was maneuvring for the
best position to bomb the cruiser, and the explosion which had been
heard ashore was undoubtedly caused by the first bomb dropped to find
the range. It had not apparently come close enough to do any damage.
The effect of the rapid fire from the “New Orleans” was quickly
evidenced by the higher altitude which the pirate climbed to.
“Gee!” exclaimed Lockwood, “that’s great shooting. The higher they
force him the less chance he has to hit ’em. Go to it boys!” he cried
excitedly.
For the moment all caution and discipline disappeared, and the men
crowded around their officer to watch the unusual skirmish, shouting
unheard words of encouragement to their distant shipmates.
It was not long before the second bomb fell. It hit the water with
a resounding explosion, sending up a mountainous wave which blotted
out the cruiser from the watchers ashore who strained their utmost to
follow the effect. By this time the cruiser was close to the horizon,
and it was difficult indeed to see it.
“Good God! That was close,” exclaimed Lockwood anxiously. A few seconds
later he sighed with relief as he saw the cruiser emerge from the
obscuring but diminishing wave.
The whole thing had only occupied a few seconds but it seemed like an
eternity to those ashore. Throughout the suspense there had been a ray
of comfort for them in the continuous cracking reports which told them
that the aerial guns of the war-vessel were still going.
Suddenly there was a lull in the sound of the firing. Instinctively
all ashore looked up, and in the sky above the distant horizon they
could dimly see a number of specks about the pirate aircraft which
by this time was barely visible. Pretty soon there came to them the
staccato roar of machine gun fire.
“Hurrah!” shouted the men in glee, while Lockwood added joyously:
“There are the reinforcements. It’s a squadron of our airplanes.
Captain Moore’s quit firing because he doesn’t want to hit any of our
fellows. That’s it sure.”
Redmond was not so jubilant. In fact he was greatly worried because in
his mind there surged the memory of the last aerial battle between the
pirate and the government aircraft. He immediately realized that unless
the latter were much better equipped now, they did not stand a chance,
despite their superior numbers.
The battle was being fought at terrific speed, and Johnston was
evidently using every maneuvre he could execute in fighting the
squadron. The changing tactics brought the contending machine nearer to
the island.
At this point Redmond observed that the government pilots were not
flying in squadron formation. Instead they were spread out widely and
were at different altitudes, with at least five hundred feet separating
any two of them. He rightly guessed that this tactic was being followed
as a result of the experience gained in the previous encounter with the
pirate.
At every opportunity each of the government ships fired a burst of
tracer bullets at the pirate, who was maneuvring his plane with great
skill, but Redmond’s expert eye quickly saw that Johnston, good as he
undoubtedly was, could not compare with Levanter, and he realized that
in this equality alone lay the greatest opportunity for the government
craft.
The pirate gunner was fighting back vigorously whenever a chance
occurred. He too was using his machine gun for all it was worth. By
this time the fight was directly over the beach on which the landing
party was standing. Every man had his neck craned, watching intently,
almost breathlessly.
Suddenly the leading government plane shot straight across the nose of
the pirate machine, level with it, and released a burst of fire which
raked the pirate at short range and apparently damaged his starboard
propeller.
Undaunted the pirate let loose with his three inch gun, loaded with
one of the deadly liquid oxygen shells. It caught the government ship
squarely. A violent flash of flame broke out momentarily like a jewel
in the daylight, and what was left of the government craft plunged like
a plummet into the ocean, a hundred yards from the beach. The first
blood was with the pirate.
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
The momentary victory of the pirate was dearly bought. He was no longer
maneuvring as easily as he had been doing. His craft had become very
sluggish on the turns and was making them only with great difficulty,
while the uneven whir of his propellers emphasized the trouble he was
experiencing. The government forces quickly observed this and began to
close in on it steadily, but somewhat cautiously.
Johnston, realizing the turn in favor of his enemies, began to climb,
but his ship was no longer superior to the government craft in this
respect, and they easily maintained their advantage by keeping well
above him.
Throughout these tactics the antagonists kept up a desultory fire with
their machine guns, but no material damage was effected on either side.
The latest maneuvre had taken both forces to a considerable altitude,
and the men ashore had some difficulty in following the progress of the
battle against the brilliant sky.
For some time the fight continued in this manner without decisive
action. Redmond was feeling easier because he realized now that the
odds which were in favor of the pirate at the beginning of the battle
had been neutralized by the heroic action of the pilot who sacrificed
himself by deliberately running his ship across the pirate’s nose to
fire upon him at close range.
Redmond looked seaward. The cruiser “New Orleans” had steamed in again
and was moving around at high speed on an uneven course. He turned his
gaze upward again, and as he did so an exclamation of surprise escaped
his lips.
All of the aerial craft were lower, but one of the government ships was
directly above and very close to the pirate, traveling at the same rate
of speed while the others were concentrating a burst of fire upon the
outlaw plane.
Suddenly a small black object fell from the particular government ship
which was in such excellent position above the pirate. A blinding flash
burst where the latter had been, followed by a thunderous crash which
shook even those upon the ground by the intensity of its concussion.
A gasp of awe escaped them as they watched intently. Rapidly the flash
merged into the sunlight, and out of it there fell a few blackened
remnants of what had been the aerial scourge of the Pacific. Straight
into the sea the wreckage plunged.
The pirate was conquered at last!
The suddenness of the ending left them spell-bound. As they watched
they saw the ship which had struck the deathblow of the pirate
spiralling down unevenly like a wounded bird, evidently in serious
distress. The other machines were also descending.
“Good God!” was all that Lockwood could say, but his expression clearly
indicated the relief he felt.
For several seconds they stood in amazed silence until all of the
aircraft had descended upon the heaving surface of the ocean. By
remarkable skill the pilot of the injured ship had succeeded in
landing, pulling his craft out of its spin at the crucial moment, but
it was indeed the roughest kind of a landing.
The other machines with their wings retracted taxied over to him as
rapidly as they could go. They were none too soon, for by the time they
reached him the damaged airplane, badly waterlogged, was being pounded
by the heavy swell which surged over it. With great difficulty they
succeeded in rescuing its crew just before the airplane disappeared
below the waves.
While the rescue was being effected the cruiser steamed up to the
scene, and the rest of the squadron went alongside her.
It was quite some time before Lieutenant Lockwood recovered from the
amazement which had left him enthralled during the thrilling encounter
in the skies. Moreover, he found it very difficult to realize that the
pirate machine had been completely destroyed and its crew annihilated.
After he had come back to realities he stood for a few minutes
irresolute, then turning toward Redmond, he ejaculated:
“I wonder what we’d better do now?”
Before the latter could reply one of the landing party cried out:
“The cruiser’s signalling us, sir.”
All hands watched the semaphore arms above the bridge of the war-vessel
as they moved up and down rapidly forming the words of the message.
Lockwood who had read it said:
“He’s instructing us to proceed across the island at once. The
cruiser’s going to steam around. Let’s go.”
CHAPTER FORTY
Upon the “New Orleans” a most distressing incident was being enacted as
the cruiser proceeded around the eastern side of Patrocinio Island. The
commander of the squadron which had downed the pirate was none other
than Kenneth Fitzgerald, and he it was who had dropped the chemical
bomb which destroyed the outlaw. He was now lying unconscious on a
hastily prepared cot aboard the warship in serious condition, with the
ship’s surgeon in attendance.
So close had he been to the pirate when the fatal bomb was released
that the repercussion had damaged his ship and stricken him seriously
by the full force of the concussion. By a supreme effort of will he had
summoned sufficient strength to guide his gyrating craft to a landing
and had collapsed completely.
His rescue under the existing conditions had been nothing short of
miraculous, and only through the quick work of the rest of the squadron
was it effected. They had performed the almost impossible in getting
him from the waterlogged machine through the heavy swell.
Mary Ingleton was at his side doing what little she could to assist
the surgeon’s efforts to revive him. She was in a highly nervous
state, following the excitement of the recent battle, but the serious
condition of Fitzgerald alarmed her and had a steadying effect upon her.
In the meantime Eric Brant, the second in command of the squadron, was
giving Captain Moore an account of the details which led up to the
aerial battle.
“At the time Captain Simmons was leaving Honolulu with the ‘New
Orleans,’” he said, “we were undergoing special secret instructions
with a new type of bomb which had just arrived from Washington.
“We were told that the experts in the Chemical Corps had succeeded in
duplicating the bombs manufactured by the pirate and, after further
work, had improved on them. Ours are fitted with a safety device which,
in the event of accident to one of our machines, automatically releases
the liquid gas without explosive effect.
“They are mounted on a special rack which has a release trigger that
sets a detonating cap on the bomb as it falls, so that it will explode
on hitting. The instructors told us that these bombs would practically
wipe out anything they struck.
“Mr. Fitzgerald was placed in command, and practically all of us had
been in the first fight with the pirate, so we knew just what we had to
expect from him.
“We all talked it over and we devised a new plan of attack, which we
practiced every day in the air while we were awaiting instruction
to move against him. In the first we were not able to attack him
vigorously because we were in each other’s way to a great extent. Our
new plan was designed to overcome this, and we practiced so as to be
in a position where we could all attack simultaneously without fear of
hitting each other.
“The most important part of our plan was to keep the pirate engaged
while one of the machines maneuvred to get directly over him, so that
the bomb could be dropped with a fair chance of hitting him squarely.
“We realized that our only chance to put an end to him was with one
of these bombs. Our machine gun fire was therefore planned to keep
him engaged so as to permit the main attacking machine to get into
position, ready to drop the bomb at the first opportunity.
“Our original instructions were to be ready to proceed on order, and
a supply ship was to follow up as rapidly as possible after we left.
We got the order sooner than we expected. It came hurriedly after
receipt of your wireless. We were told to proceed to the southern side
of the island and assist you. We were very surprised to see the pirate
attacking you, as we had not expected to encounter him so soon.
“It put us in a very bad position as we were pretty nearly out of fuel
after our long flight. If the scrap had lasted much longer he would
have got us all for certain.
“I imagine that’s the reason Mr. Fitzgerald took such a terrible
chance, so as not to miss his mark. He was too close when he dropped
the bomb, and the shock damaged his ship. We were mighty lucky in being
able to get him out of the water, and he did a fine piece of work in
landing his ship under the circumstances.”
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
As soon as he had received the instructions to proceed across the
island from the cruiser Lieutenant Lockwood lined up his men and gave
the order to advance. He took a position ahead of them, Redmond walking
alongside him, leading the way through the jungle. By noon the party
had reached the cave in the center of the island, and a halt was made
to eat and rest during the heat of the day.
At three o’clock in the afternoon a fresh start was made, and an hour’s
brisk march brought the party to the rock where Redmond had so often
met Mary Ingleton.
The New Orleans was already lying off the entrance to the harbor
outside the mine belt which the pirate had laid down as a protection
for himself. Otherwise everything bore a normal appearance to Redmond.
The familiar wisp of blue smoke curling up idly from the workshop
chimney told him the Kanakas were busily engaged in their regular jobs.
“Do you think we’ll have any trouble with them?” Lockwood asked Redmond.
“I don’t think so,” replied the latter.
At this moment one of the men exclaimed:
“There’s a boat coming in from the ship, sir.”
“Well, I guess we’ll go down and meet it,” said Lockwood. He gave an
order to the chief petty officer to remain with the landing party until
he returned. He then set off with Redmond for the beach.
By the time they arrived there the boat was already tied up to the
old mooring ring of the pirate’s airplane, and two officers had come
ashore. One of them was the ship’s surgeon.
“I came along,” he told Lockwood, as soon as they caught up with one
another, “to see what condition Levanter is in. If he can be moved, the
captain’s instructions are to bring him aboard immediately.”
“Well! We might as well get over there right away,” remarked Lockwood
who then signalled to his men to join him. As soon as they came up he
instructed them to seize the workshop and bring the Kanakas out.
While the landing party was engaged in this task the three officers and
Redmond entered Levanter’s room in the living hut.
As they entered Redmond halted abruptly and an involuntary gasp of
astonishment escaped his lips. Levanter was lying on his cot, and the
Kanaka chief was alongside him. The pirate’s features had visibly
shrunk and his skin was tightly drawn across his hollowed cheeks. His
eyes stood out, uncanny and piercing, while the flush of fever which
suffused his cheeks gave him an unnatural appearance.
He started in surprise as he saw the strangers enter his room. With an
effort he raised his weakened body upon his elbows and then exclaimed:
“Who are you? How did you get here?”
Redmond went over to his bedside.
“I’m the man who shot you,” he said. “You have never seen me before,
but I’ve been on your island for weeks. We are here now because you
have come to the end of your rope.”
The pirate sank back upon his pillow. For several moments he remained
motionless. Finally he asked:
“Where is my ship?”
“It’s lying on the bottom of the ocean,” replied Redmond.
“What happened to Johnston and my crew, then?”
“They are lying there with it. If it’s any satisfaction to you, they
died fighting.”
Levanter raised himself again, his eyes flashing with hate.
“Damn you!” he snapped. “If I’d been there you wouldn’t have had a
chance.”
“That’s just where you are wrong,” said Redmond coolly. “The government
beat you at your own game.”
At this moment the surgeon stepped forward and pushed Redmond back. He
saw how critical the pirate’s condition was, and was anxious to put
an end to the altercation which was rapidly causing the injured man’s
temperature to rise dangerously.
“Lie down,” he commanded.
“What are you going to do with me?” enquired Levanter as he obeyed.
“I’m going to find out what’s the matter with you,” replied the surgeon
who, after taking the pirate’s temperature and pulse, examined the
injured leg. He then dressed the wound as carefully as he could with
the limited facilities at his disposal. As soon as this task was
completed he went over to his two companions.
“We’ll have to get back to the ship as rapidly as possible and put him
in the sick bay. It’s a dangerous job. The shock will probably kill
him, but it’s our only chance to save him. He’ll die quick enough if
he’s left here.”
“I didn’t know he was as badly as that,” said Redmond.
“He’s in pretty bad shape,” added the surgeon. “We’ve got to amputate
that leg, and there’s no time to lose. In fact, I think it’s too late
now.”
Without further ado Lockwood went out. The landing party had already
marshalled the Kanakas together outside the huts and was standing by
awaiting further instructions.
Lockwood called two of his men over to him and ordered them to carry
the pirate on the stretcher into the launch. He then instructed the
others to wait with the Kanakas until a boat could be sent over from
the warship to transfer the wounded pirate.
The two men quickly lifted the latter on the stretcher and then carried
him down to the landing place where the three officers assisted in
placing him aboard.
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
As soon as the launch came up alongside the cruiser “New Orleans” it
was fastened to the block and tackle of its davit and hoisted up until
it was level with the main deck. When this had been done it was pulled
inboard, and from this position the wounded pirate was lifted out under
the supervision of the surgeon and carried down to the ship’s hospital.
Redmond and the two officers had previously got off the launch and had
gone up the accommodation ladder. Captain Moore was on deck to meet
them.
“Well, I guess our job’s done, captain,” said Redmond.
“Yes,” replied the commander. “We were very lucky in many ways,
especially in the fortunate arrival of our airplane squadron. The
government owes you a great deal, though. If it hadn’t been for your
splendid work, the pirate would have still been operating.”
Redmond flushed under the praise, stuttered a moment and changing the
embarrassing subject, said:
“How is the pilot of the ship which we brought down?”
“Ah! there’s where we were unlucky,” replied Captain Moore. “That pilot
was the commander of the squadron, and he’s in very bad shape suffering
from shock.”
“I’m sorry to hear that indeed. He certainly had his nerve attacking
the way he did. Who is he?”
“Commander Fitzgerald.”
“What!” exclaimed Redmond in astonishment.
The captain looked at him, surprised at the manner in which he spoke.
“Why, do you know him?” he asked.
“Yes,” said Redmond sharply.
“Well he’s on the quarterdeck now, resting easily the last time I saw
him. Miss Ingleton is nursing him. Do you want to see him?”
Redmond pondered a moment before replying. The news imparted to him
innocently enough by Captain Moore had brought him back from the realm
of action and excitement into that of sentiment. For several seconds
his mind was prey to a score of bitter thoughts. Again he fought with
himself as he realized that another man stood between him and the
possibility of his future happiness. The knowledge enraged him, and for
the first time in his life he experienced the violence of hatred.
He hated himself as well, and in his mind he railed at the fate which
had led him to the altar of love and then dashed happiness from his
grasp. He was more than ever convinced that Mary and Fitzgerald were
betrothed. The words uttered many weeks ago by the Base Commander at
Honolulu, which clearly indicated it, came back to taunt him as he
struggled with his conflicting emotions.
Finally his better nature began to exert itself. At least, he argued
with himself, Mary would be happy now, and after all that was the most
important thing. He turned to Captain Moore and said:
“I guess I’ll go over and see him.”
The two started aft. As they reached the quarterdeck Mary Ingleton
happened to glance up from the cot on which Fitzgerald was lying. She
jumped to her feet and rushed over to him, holding her hands out to
Redmond.
“Oh! I’m so glad to see you, Howard,” she exclaimed. “I was worried to
death about you while that dreadful fight was going on.”
Redmond was completely overcome by the warmth of her greeting, which he
did not expect. He took her hands in his, but managed to hold himself
in check.
“I’m so glad you’re glad, Mary,” he said.
His quiet reply dampened her enthusiasm, and she looked at him somewhat
puzzled. Captain Moore had already gone ahead toward Fitzgerald, so
they were left standing together. Redmond was the first to speak again.
“I was sorry to hear about Fitzgerald,” he said.
“Yes,” replied Mary, “he is seriously hurt.”
“It must have been a great blow to you, Mary. I hope he will soon get
well because you deserve happiness after all you have been through.”
“Why, Howard!” she exclaimed. “How strangely you speak! I don’t know
what you are talking about.”
“Aren’t you and he engaged?” queried Redmond.
“Why no,” laughed Mary. “Whatever put that silly notion in your head?”
“You’re not?” he exclaimed in surprise.
She heartily laughed at his astonishment, then she replied.
“No! I’m not engaged to anyone,” she said with a taunting air.
“Oh! Mary,” he gasped haltingly.
“Yes, Howard.”
“Oh! What can I say? I love you with all my heart. I’ve been dying to
tell you for a long, long time, but I thought you were already engaged,
and I didn’t dare.”
“Why you poor silly boy. I’ve known it for weeks,” she said gently.
“Can you love me too?” he pleaded.