TOM IN THE HANDS OF THE PIRATES--ABOUT TO BE KILLED WHEN RESCUED BY
JULL'S YOUNG WIFE--TOM WITNESSES THE FIGHT FROM THE ROCK--THE FORT TAKEN
AND JULL KILLED--FUGITIVES BRING THE NEWS--THE YOUNG WIDOW'S
PHILOSOPHY--SHE MAKES TOM AN OFFER, WHO SAYS HE MUST ASK HIS CAPTAIN--
TOM ESCORTS THE WIDOW ON BOARD THE GNAT--JACK FORBIDS THE BANNS--BOOTY
REMOVED--THE WIDOW ENGAGED BY PO-HO--THE SQUADRON REACHES YOKOHAMA--
CURIOUS SIGHTS ON SHORE--EXPECTED ATTACK ON PRINCE SATSUMA--SQUADRON
SAILS--THE PRINCE'S TOWN BOMBARDED AND HIS FLEET CAPTURED, PROCEEDINGS
WHICH BRING HIM TO REASON AND ESTABLISH FRIENDLY RELATIONS BETWEEN THE
TWO COUNTRIES.
We must now return to Tom Rogers. On finding himself in the hands of
the pirates, he expected nothing but instant death. His uniform,
however, showed them that they had got hold of an officer, and always
having an eye to business, they probably considered that they might
obtain a high ransom for him, or that if hard pressed, he would prove a
valuable hostage in their hands, and compel their enemies to come to
terms. On hearing the shouts of his companions in the rear, he made
several desperate efforts to escape, but, on calmer reflection, the
sight of a sword-blade held to the level of his throat made him see the
wisdom of desisting from any such attempts.
On they dragged him to the rear of the fort; it was already in sight,
when the party were joined by the fugitives of the other two junks which
had been destroyed. They came boiling with rage at their defeat, and on
seeing an English officer in the power of their companions, instantly
prepared to kill him. A fierce-looking Malay, whom Tom guessed was
their captain, drew his sword and was about to cut him down, when
another party who had come out of the fort, appeared on the scene. They
were escorting, so it seemed, a young female to a place of greater
safety than the fort, which, although the pirates might be victorious,
would they knew be exposed to showers of shot and shell. Tom instantly
recognised the girl as the young Malay wife of Jonathan Jull, their
guest on board the _Bellona_. As he had no desire to die, he
immediately shouted out to her, imploring her protection, and letting
her know who he was. In another moment the savage Malay would have
cloven his head in two, had not the Malay girl, answering to his appeal,
sprung forward and placed herself in front of him, making violent
gestures and vociferating vehemently. What she was saying Tom could
only guess at, although he supposed she was insisting that his life
should be spared.
"Thank you, thank you!" he said, taking her hand, and putting it to his
lips. "You have saved my life this once, and I will do my best to
protect you, if I get clear altogether."
The effect of the Malay girl's speech had been to appease the savage old
captain, who at length stalked away at the head of his men towards the
fort, leaving Tom with the Malay girl and the party escorting her, and
some of the men who had captured him. Still Tom felt his position very
insecure. At any moment, should the pirates be defeated, they might, in
revenge, put him to death, and even should Jull lose his life, Tom
thought his protectress might probably turn against him from the same
motive. He did his best, however, to ingratiate himself with her.
As by this time the shot and shell were falling pretty thickly into the
fort, some of the former occasionally flying over it and coming
unpleasantly near the guard attending the Malay girl, they hurried her
on, taking Tom with them. He was willing enough to go, as he would
avoid the unnecessary danger he would otherwise have run had he been
carried into the fort. The guard consisted only of about a dozen men,
sufficient in number, however, to prevent Tom from making his escape.
What they intended ultimately to do with him he could not ascertain, but
he felt tolerably safe while with the Malay girl, who had already shown
her willingness to befriend him. He talked away to her, although, as he
could not speak a word of Malay and very few of Chinese, and she
understood a very small number of English phrases, he found it a hard
matter to make himself understood. "How can I prove my gratitude?" he
thought; and he considered what present he could make her. He felt in
his pockets; he could only find a few Chinese coins, a clasp knife, and
a pencil-case--the latter being merely plated, and somewhat battered,
was not very valuable. He then recollected there was a gold seal
attached to his watch-chain. This he offered to her, but she smilingly
put it back and showed him a variety of gold ornaments, which she
produced from a bag by her side;--how come by, Tom did not ask.
Their conversation, such as it was, was interrupted by the increased
roar of the guns, by which he guessed that the _Gnat_ and the boats were
hotly engaged with the fort and the fleet of junks. Tom observed
several men climbing up to the top of a rock, from whence he judged that
they could see what was going forward. He naturally felt very anxious
to do the same, and made signs to the girl for her permission. She
nodded her consent, and the pirates made no objection to his joining
them. As, however, they watched the fight and saw junk after junk blow
up, and others towed away by the boats, their countenances assumed a
still deeper scowl than usual, while their hands ominously clutched
their swords; still, they did not make any effort to molest him, and he
was permitted by his guards to remain where he was and see the fight.
At length he observed the large junk attacked by the boats, and, after a
hot fight, run on shore. Shortly afterwards he caught sight of the
marines appearing from under the shelter which had concealed them, and,
with a party of blue-jackets, making a desperate assault on the rear of
the fort towards the right hand. Slight preparations only had been made
for its defence, and but scarcely a minute had elapsed before he saw the
red-coats, flanked by the blue-jackets, climbing up the embankment, and
bounding like red and blue balls over the parapet.
At first the pirates gave way, allowing the entrance of the whole force,
and from the height he could clearly see all that was going forward in
the inside. Before the victorious party had got half-way across they
were met by a band of savage-looking fellows led by a big captain, who
quickly rallied the fugitives. The pirate chief, for such Tom guessed
he was, fought with the greatest desperation, but he and his men could
not long withstand the points of the British bayonets, and the sharp
edges of their cutlasses. Tom now saw the chief fall, with a dozen of
his men round him, while the rest giving way, made their escape out by
the left gate, and were seen scampering away in hot haste across the
country.
Tom, as he saw this, felt himself in no very enviable position. The
villains into whose hands he had fallen might revenge the death of their
companions by murdering him, but he maintained as indifferent a manner
as he could assume, while he watched the countenances of those
surrounding him. He had the satisfaction of observing that instead of
thinking of killing him, they themselves were evidently much alarmed.
They were, indeed, completely separated from the fugitive pirates, and
should they leave their cover, they would to a certainty be discovered
by the victors, who now had possession of the fort, as they and Tom knew
by seeing the British flag run up to the summit of the flag-staff on the
fort. He was somewhat anxious to see what effect this would produce on
the Malay girl and the rest of the party. Would any one venture to tell
her that her husband was killed, or should he break the intelligence to
her? She soon, however, apparently guessed from the exclamations of the
pirates that the fort was captured, and might have suspected hat was her
husband's fate. If such was the case, it did not appear to have any
great effect upon her. She sat on the fallen trunk of a tree below the
rock, maintaining the same composure as at first.
Tom now began to fear that the English would blow up the fort and embark
without coming to look for him. "Sooner than they should do that I must
try and make a run for it," he said to himself. "These fellows look so
cowed that they will not dare to stop me. I must, however, first thank
this young lady for having saved my life, and as she can have no object
in keeping me a prisoner, I will tell her boldly what I intend doing,
and ask her assistance."
Having formed this resolution, he descended the rock and approached the
Malay girl.
"Things appear to have gone against my friends," she observed. "It was
their misfortune, and cannot be helped."
"_Yes_, the English have possession of the fort, and have captured all
the junks, so that I would advise your friends here to yield themselves
prisoners, as the best way of saving their lives. I will intercede for
them."
"A very good idea," remarked the girl. "If you will go at once I will
accompany you."
"I shall be very glad of your society," answered Tom; "but what will
these fellows do? They may try to stop us."
"I will order them to remain here until the English come and make them
prisoners. Indeed, they cannot get away without being discovered, even
if they wish it."
Tom, who was highly delighted at thus easily obtaining his liberty,
agreed to the proposal. "Poor thing, she will be dreadfully cut up when
she hears of her husband's death!" he thought.
As it might be dangerous to remain longer, lest the pirates should
change their minds, Tom proposed to set off at once, and the Malay girl
agreeing, they started together for the fort, none of the pirates
attempting to stop them.
"I wonder whether I ought to tell her about her husband's death?"
thought Tom; "but she will hear it soon enough when we get to the fort."
While he was discussing the matter in his own mind, she turned to him
and said--
"They tell me my husband has been killed; if it is true, I hope that
some of your people will take care of me. He was a dreadful tyrant; and
now, after having lost all his wealth, he would have treated me even
worse than before."
This remark showed Tom that all his sympathy had been thrown away. The
young lady greatly puzzled him when she proposed that he should marry
her. He was too polite to refuse at once, but remarked "that English
midshipmen were not allowed to have wives on board, and that he would
not think of such a thing without asking his captain's leave."
This appeared to satisfy her, and they continued walking along side by
side very amicably, till Tom heard a voice exclaim, "Why, there's Tom
Rogers, all alive and merry!"
Immediately several of his messmates rushed out of the fort to greet
him. A party were at once despatched to make prisoners of the pirates
who were hiding behind the rock, and who were shortly afterwards brought
in.
Preparations were now made for destroying the pirates' strong hold. The
prisoners were handcuffed and carried on board the junks, with a guard
placed over them. The _Gnat_ meantime got up her steam in readiness to
tow out the captured junks. The Malay girl kept close to Tom, evidently
considering him her protector, and he, of course, in gratitude, could do
nothing less than attend to her, and as soon as a boat could be obtained
he took her off to the _Gnat_. He explained her wishes to Jack.
"We must carry her to Chusan, where I dare say she will find friends,"
said Jack; "but you must let her understand that I cannot give you
permission to make her your bride."
The girl pouted when she heard this, but being evidently of a
philosophical turn of mind, soon appeared reconciled to her lot. A
considerable amount of booty was found in the fort, the most valuable
portion of which was embarked in the captured junks. In the mean time
the guns of the fort, several of which were of brass, and of
considerable value, were carried on board the gun-boat. Some powder
having been landed and placed in advantageous positions for blowing up
the fort, a train was laid, and as soon as all the party had embarked,
it was fired.
The junks with the prisoners on board were taken in tow by the _Gnat_,
while the other boats took charge of the rest of the junks. As the
flotilla moved off, the fort blew up with a loud explosion, its
fragments being scattered far around.
"I hope the lesson we have given the rascals will teach them in future
to turn to more lawful occupations," observed Captain Rogers, as he
witnessed the destruction of the fort.
"They will be at the same work in a few weeks, if they can cut out a
junk, and find a fellow to lead them," said Adair, to whom the remark
had been made. "Altogether we have had a good morning's work, and
rendered some service to commerce by putting a stop for the present to
the career of such desperadoes."
The flotilla having got clear of the passage, rejoined the larger ships,
which, taking the junks in tow, steamed back to Chusan. Jack's chief
puzzle was to know in what way to dispose of the Malay girl; but his
anxiety was removed when Captain Po-ho, in due form, offered to marry
her, an arrangement to which she appeared to have no objection. Jack
was at all events very glad to get her out of the ship, as, to say the
best of her, she was a determined coquette, and had turned the heads of
half the midshipmen, and, it was whispered, of more than one of the
lieutenants, during the short time she had been on board.
The prisoners were handed over to the Chinese authorities, to be dealt
with according to law. Some lost their heads, others escaped, and the
rest were turned over to the Chinese navy. The junks were sold for the
benefit of the captors, with the exception of the _Round Moon_, which
was delivered back with her cargo to Captain Po-ho, who, considering
that he had regained his vessel and property, and a wife in addition,
benefited more largely than anybody else by the expedition.
These arrangements having been made as quickly as possible, the
commodore continued his course.
In about a week the squadron came to anchor before the lately built town
of Yokohama. It stands on a dead flat, formerly a swamp, with bluffs of
high land at each extremity, joined by a range of low and picturesquely
wooded hills in the form of a horse shoe. Beyond these hills, some
fifty miles away, rising to the height of 14,000 feet above the sea,
towers the truncated cone of Fasiama. At the southern extremity was
seen a long two-storied bungalow, serving as the British legation.
Although some time before the followers of one of the principal damios
had wantonly murdered an Englishman, the people were friendly to
foreigners, who did not hesitate to ride out into the country.
The three captains the following day went on shore to see as much as
they could of the country and its curious inhabitants, and those
fortunate individuals, the three midshipmen, with some of their
messmates, were invited to accompany them.
The foreign settlement was soon inspected, as there was but little to
see in it, beyond its bungalow-looking buildings and gardens. They then
went into the adjoining Japanese town. It greatly resembled that of
some of the northern cities of China, the principal streets being broad,
with neat and clean-looking shops. These greatly resembled those of
China, except that the Japanese used neither tables, chairs, nor
counters. Those in the main street contained lacquer ware, carvings in
ivory, bronzes, some very beautiful porcelain, and a variety of toys.
Strange sights were witnessed. Females of no exalted rank were carried
about in a basket-like litter, sitting cramped up in a most
uncomfortable posture. The basket, which is called a "cango," is
suspended from a pole, borne on the shoulders of two men. Ladies and
gentlemen of higher rank were seen going about in palanquins, which were
smaller, than those used in India. They were formed of wicker work, and
covered outside with lacquer. They also were supported by poles on the
shoulders of bearers. None of the gentlemen, who sat their horses with
apparently such wonderful dignity, really guided them, though they held
their bridles in their hands--a groom always leading their
gaily-caparisoned steeds. The soldiers, however, of whom a troop was
always in attendance on any "damio," or great lord, of course, managed
their horses themselves.
The naval officers encountered a party of these gentlemen, and knowing
the importance of avoiding any cause of dispute, managed in good time to
get out of their way. The "betos," for so the horse-soldiers are
called, cast fierce glances at the strangers. Gerald, ever inclined to
merriment, could scarcely refrain from laughing as he watched them
passing by.
"Well, those fellows are the thinnest-clothed rascals I have ever seen.
Look, Tom, at their braided coats, they fit as tight as their skins.
See what curious devices they have on them, both back and front. Look
at that fellow with the big dragon--the head and fore part on his chest,
its body and tail coming round his back, in blue, red, and yellow
colours!"
"Why, that is his skin which is thus tattoed over in that curious
fashion," answered Tom. "Not a shred of a coat has he got. See, every
one of them has some device marked on him, and they are all in the same
style of uniform."
"Take care, lads; don't speak so loud; or should the fellow see that you
are laughing or talking about them, they may fancy you are insulting
them, and disagreeable consequences may ensue," cried Jack.
The three captains accordingly turned their horses' heads and rode off
in a different direction to that which the damio and his followers had
taken.
On returning on board, the captains received a summons from the admiral,
desiring to see them on important business. Having got themselves up in
full fig, as required on such occasions, they pulled away for the
flag-ship.
"There is something in the wind, depend upon it!" observed one of the
midshipmen to Tom. "Did the captain say anything about it to you?"
"I don't think he knows himself; but if he did, he would not tell me
sooner than anybody else," answered Tom. "I'll tell you what I heard
him and Captain Adair speaking about, and I shouldn't be surprised if
what they are now meeting for is connected with it."
Most of the occupants of the midshipmen's birth were assembled at tea.
"Well, Rogers, what is it?" exclaimed several voices.
"Most of us have heard of Prince Satsuma, a mighty magnificent
three-tailed Bashaw, the chief lord and owner of the city of Kagosima
and the adjacent parts. He, it appears, or one of his bare-backed
followers, some time ago murdered, without any rhyme or reason, an
English merchant, who happened to be riding along the high road. Of
course the British Government demanded satisfaction: the punishment of
the murderer, and a good round sum as compensation to his bereaved
family. These very moderate terms the prince doesn't seem inclined to
agree to, and we are, therefore, ordered here to impress him with the
necessity of doing so, and, if he does not, we are to batter down his
town, to take possession of his fleet--for it is said that he has got
one--and to make such other reprisals as may be deemed expedient to
bring him to reason. I heard the captain say that he paid a visit with
one of the principal merchants residing here, who has transactions with
the prince, to a Japanese official of high rank in the place--I forget
his name--and that during the conversation the matter under dispute was
introduced. A Japanese who speaks English very well was present to act
as interpreter. The great aim of this official seemed to be to induce
the British squadron not to go to Kagosima, and he entreated the captain
to visit another official, the prince's chief envoy. This, he said,
could not be done without permission of the admiral, but, if granted, he
would willingly do as he was requested. No sooner had the interpreter
translated the captain's reply than the great man, taking out writing
materials from a box, seated himself on the floor, and began scribbling
away on a scroll of paper, in wonderfully large characters, a note to
the envoy. As line after line was finished he rolled it up, and then,
with due formality, handed it to the captain, who had the curiosity to
measure it, and what do you think was its length? Why, six feet at the
very least. Official documents, by the same rule, must be thirty or
forty feet long, according to their importance."
"Can you tell us the length of a lover's _billet-doux_?" asked the
assistant surgeon.
"That depends very much on the excess of his ardour, and what he has got
to say," answered Tom; "though, from what I've heard, I don't think the
Japanese are addicted to writing love-letters."
"And what happened next?"
"That's more than I can tell, though I believe that the letter was
delivered and answered, with a hint to Prince Satsuma that whatever
might be said, he had better look sharp and yield to our demands, or
that he might expect to have his town tumbling about his ears. The
British envoy and admiral have been waiting a reply, and I suspect that
it has arrived and is not satisfactory; consequently we shall proceed
immediately to teach the haughty damio that Englishmen are not to be
murdered with impunity. These Japanese will be like the Chinese until
they are taught better. They fancy that their castles are impregnable,
and as they have never been attacked, except by each other, that they
can beat off an English squadron with perfect ease."
This information given by Tom afforded intense satisfaction, and all
hands waited with considerable anxiety to hear how soon they might
expect to exchange shots with the Japanese. They had heard that the
batteries they were likely to be engaged with were somewhat of a
formidable character, having already fired on an American and French
man-of-war and inflicted considerable damage; the American indeed, being
unsupported, narrowly escaped destruction. The captain, on his return,
brought intelligence which confirmed their hopes. The emperor had,
however, sent a document fifteen feet in length, earnestly requesting
that the expedition might be put off; but as he gave no guarantee that
by so doing a satisfactory result would be arrived at, the British envoy
kept to his determination of immediately enforcing the demands of his
government.
Early the following morning, the official gentlemen having embarked on
board the flag-ship, the signal was made for the squadron to weigh, and
the ships, steaming out of the harbour, shaped a course for the Bay of
Kagosima. The distance was considerable, the voyage occupied four days,
during which all preparations were made for the expected attack on the
capital of the Prince of Satsuma. At last, through a wide entrance they
steamed into the beautiful Bay of Kagosima, where they came to anchor
some miles below the town, intending to wait there until the following
morning.
The midshipmen, as might be supposed, during the evening talked over the
work they expected to be engaged in the next day. Some thought that
they should land and storm the town, others that the admiral would be
content with bombarding it at a distance.
"One thing I know that if there is work to be done my brother Jack is
the man to go in and do it," observed Tom to Desmond. "We are certain,
therefore, to see the best part of the fun, whatever it may be."
"I don't think my uncle Captain Adair will be far astern of him if he
has a chance," said Desmond, for he very properly always stuck up for
his relative.
One thing only was generally known, that the admiral had orders to
bombard the place and burn it down if the Japanese did not accede
unconditionally to all demands made on them. The weather did not look
so promising as could have been wished, but still hopes were entertained
that it would allow the ships to take up their positions.
At an early hour the next morning, the signal was made for weighing, and
the squadron steamed up the bay until they arrived off the town to be
attacked, when they again dropped anchor. It was no trifling work in
which they were about to engage, for they could see a long line of
fortifications extending across the whole front of the city, the flag of
Prince Satsuma flying from one of them. The guns, however, remained
silent.
"We shall soon knock that place to pieces," said Billy Blueblazes, as he
surveyed it with a look of contempt.
"Don't be too sure of that," answered Tom; "there are some pretty heavy
guns inside those forts, and the Japanese know how to handle them too."
Still the guns did not open fire, and in a short time a boat was seen
putting off from the shore. She contained a party of two-sworded
officials, who came on board the flag-ship, where Captain Murray and
Archie happened at the time to be. Archie afterwards related all he saw
and heard.
One of the principal of the two-sworded gentlemen inquired, with an air
of surprise, "why the ships of war had come uninvited to the town?"
adding that he concluded the ships had brought a letter from the British
Government on some subject or other.
"You are perfectly correct there," was the answer. "It is a letter,
insisting that all the demands which have been made should be complied
with within twenty-four hours, if not, you see the guns which our ships
carry; we have shells and rockets and other missiles of warfare, and we
shall be compelled to let them fly pretty thickly about your ears."
"But the prince is fifty miles off, and it is impossible to get an
answer within the time specified."
"Then we will make the time thirty hours. Your posts can perform the
distance in that time, and take care that they do not dally on the way."
The Japanese chief official smiled blandly, and then said that it would
facilitate matters if the admiral and the _charge d'affaires_ would come
on shore to discuss the matter in an amicable manner within the city,
where a palace had been prepared for their reception.
"The Japanese must think us very green if they suppose us to be caught
in that fashion," remarked one of the officers standing by, when he
heard the interpreter give the invitation.
The Japanese official pressed the offer in the most bland and courteous
manner, pointing out the great advantage which would be gained by more
quickly bringing affairs to a conclusion.
The admiral, however, was not to be caught, and he had good reason to
congratulate himself that he did not accept it, when it was reported
that the Japanese intended as soon as he and the envoy had got inside
the castle to lift the drawbridges and to send word on board the
squadron that should a shot be fired the prisoners would be instantly
beheaded.
The interview at length came to a conclusion, and the two-sworded
officials took their departure for the shore. Within the time specified
they returned with a long rigmarole letter, which was of course anything
but satisfactory. They looked very much surprised when ordered to
return on shore with an intimation that no further communication would
be held with the prince unless under a flag of truce.
In the mean time a boat expedition had been ordered to proceed further
up the gulf to ascertain what had become of the fleet of vessels which
the prince was said to possess. Tom and Desmond had the satisfaction of
going in one of the boats, their hopes being raised that some work would
be cut out for them.
The scenery presented on either shore was magnificent, while the weather
continued fine. No ships were, however, seen until they had got about
seven miles up, when they came in sight of three large steamers, with
the flag of the prince flying on board.
It was hoped that these would be at once captured and held in pledge
until the demands of the British were complied with; but the officer in
command having been directed simply to make a reconnaissance, ordered
the boats to be put about, and they returned to the squadron. They
found that the Japanese officials had been going backwards and forwards,
evidently with the intention, for some reason or other, of spinning out
the time. That the Japanese intended hostilities was manifest enough,
for they began to assemble large bodies of men in their batteries, and
to point the whole of their guns, numbering some seventy or eighty, upon
the squadron. Shortly after this, five large junks were warped out of
the inner harbour, and anchored out of the line of fire. Later in the
day, a number of Japanese boats came out of the harbour, and as they
approached the squadron, they were seen to be filled with soldiers,
although, at the same time they contained a few water melons, fowls, and
eggs, apparently intended to represent the provisions with which the
Japanese had promised to supply the ships. Instead of coming alongside,
however, they merely pulled round the squadron, evidently for the
purpose of counting the number of guns, that the garrisons of the forts
might be satisfied how far superior a force they themselves possessed.
The best scene of all, however, was a visit from a damio, or person of
high rank, who came off with a guard of forty men. He had the impudence
to ask to come on board the flag-ship with his guard, and, perhaps
greatly to his surprise, this was granted, but he looked very much
astonished when he saw a body of marines drawn up on the opposite side
of the deck, who in a few seconds would have sent him and his guard of
honour flying headlong into the water had they shown any hostile
intentions.
Of this the two-sworded official was evidently very well aware, judging
by the nervous expression on his countenance. As soon as he could find
an excuse for doing so--glad enough to get out of the ship--he hurried
away. Before he was half-way down the companion ladder, the admiral
hoisted the signal to the squadron to get up steam and to be ready to
weigh anchor at a moment's notice. The reason of his doing so was
evident, for it was seen that the Japanese had been training their guns
to bear directly on the squadron, under the belief that they were going
to remain where they were, to be shot at.
The admiral then issued another order, directing five of the smaller
vessels of the squadron to proceed up the gulf and take possession of
the three steamers which had been discovered by the boats.
"We shall have some fun now, at all events," exclaimed Tom to Desmond,
who, with himself and a boat's crew, had been sent on board one of the
gun-boats short of hands. "If they do not fight they will run, and we
shall have the amusement of making chase. It will be better fun than
battering away at the walls, which, in my opinion, is a sort of work
affording very little satisfaction to any one."
The men-of-war, immediately getting under way, proceeded up the gulf.
They steamed on at full speed, and soon came in sight of the three
Japanese steamers, which, however, showed no inclination either to fight
or run away. This was somewhat of a disappointment. No sooner did the
men-of-war approach, then they hauled down their flags and tamely
submitted to be carried off, when they were brought to, just out of
range of the guns of the fort, their crews and other persons found on
board being taken out of them.
"The admiral is speaking to us, sir," said Desmond, who was acting as
signal midshipman on board the _Empress_.
Captain Rogers quickly turned over the leaves of the signal book.
"Engage north battery, until signal to form line of battle is thrown
out." Jack immediately gave the order to slip the cable, and steam
having been got up, the ship moved away towards the spot she was
directed to occupy, opening her fire without loss of time on the
battery, which replied in earnest, with well-directed shots. Several
struck her hull, while others, flying between her masts, cut away her
rigging. This only made her crew work with greater zeal, in the hopes
of soon silencing the battery. That, however, was not easily done, for
the Japanese were evidently handling their guns well, and were not to be
driven from them.
Desmond kept his glass directed towards the flag-ship, to report any
signals which might be made. Tom was attending to his duty at the guns.
Billy Blueblazes was standing near Desmond, ready to convey the
captain's orders. A shot passed unpleasantly near his head.
"A miss is as good as a mile," remarked Desmond, as Billy bobbed,
looking rather pale.
"I hope no other will come nearer than that," said Billy, recovering
himself and trying to laugh.
Just then a shot struck the end of Desmond's telescope, shattering it to
pieces, and carrying the instrument out of his hands, a fragment
striking Billy on the cheek and drawing blood, but not inflicting any
serious wound. The same shot took off the head of a man who was at the
moment coming aft, at the other side of the deck.
"Now, that's not fair!" exclaimed Billy; "aiming at me on purpose."
"Then go and get me another spy-glass, and afterwards ask the doctor to
stick a plaster on your cheek," said Desmond. "You'll be out of harm's
way there, and have the honour of being reported wounded, which will be
pleasanter than being in the other list, though it may not tend so much
to your fame."
Billy gladly hurried off, holding his handkerchief to his face and
speedily returned with the telescope, with which Desmond, as coolly as
before, continued to watch the mast-heads of the flag-ship. It was warm
work, for already two men had been killed and several wounded, not
including Billy, who, however, appeared on deck with a large black patch
on his cheek and a handkerchief tied round his head, not certainly
improving his beauty.
"Did you get any teeth knocked out?" asked Tom, as Billy passed him.
"If you did, take care to pick them up and get the doctor to stick them
in again, for they will grow, depend on that."
"No, I lost no teeth; I only had a piece taken out of my cheek," said
Billy.
"Lucky it wasn't your nose," observed Tom; "it would have spoilt your
beauty for ever." He could make no further remark, as he had to attend
to his gun.
Jack had well performed the duty entrusted to him, and was expecting to
remain until he had battered down the fort, when Desmond cried out that
the admiral was again making signals. They were to the effect that all
ships of the squadron were to get under way and form line of battle
before the town.
Accordingly Jack, leaving the sorely battered fort, steamed away to take
up his position in the line. The weather, which had long been
threatening, came on much worse as the crews stood ready at their guns.
A heavy squall blew across the gulf, and at the same instant a downfall
of rain came on.
Suddenly the whole of the batteries opened on the squadron; still the
ships did not return the fire. Immediately the squall cleared away, the
signal was seen flying from the flag-ship, directing the prizes to be
destroyed and the vessels which had them in charge to join the line of
battle. The flag-ship, which was leading, was for some time, owing to
the heavy gale which was blowing, exposed to the fire of several
batteries, which killed two of her officers and wounded a considerable
number of men.
As soon as the weather would allow, the other ships got up and lost not
a moment in opening with their guns on the batteries. The ships had not
long been engaged, when the effects of their fire became visible from
the battered state to which the fort was reduced, while flames were seen
bursting out in different parts of the town. Every moment the weather
was getting worse. The wind had increased almost to a hurricane. The
sky was overcast with dark and gloomy clouds, rendering more than
usually vivid the flashes of the guns as they poured forth their
death-dealing shot into the town. At length it became difficult to work
them, and the admiral gave the signal to discontinue the action.
Five large junks lay to the southward of the town, which the Japanese
might have hoped would have escaped, but they were mistaken in supposing
that the prince was not to receive the full punishment due to him.
These vessels were his private property. The admiral ordered one of the
smaller ships to proceed immediately and set fire to the junks, as there
was no possibility of carrying them off. One after the other they were
quickly blazing up, and the flames, fanned by the rising gale, soon
destroyed them.
The steamer also threw her shells into an arsenal and among a number of
large storehouses, which soon, sharing the fate of the junks, were left
furiously blazing away.
The squadron now stood off from the batteries and returned to their
former anchorage. Scarcely were their anchors down than the hurricane
came on with greater fury than before. The night was as dark as pitch,
heavy thunder-clouds rolling overhead; but the wind was off the land,
though it was a question whether it might not change, and should any of
the ships be driven ashore, their crews could expect but little mercy
from the hands of the Japanese.
The _Empress_ was one of the outermost of the squadron. It had just
gone four bells in the first watch when the third lieutenant reported
that the ship was dragging her anchors. More cable was veered out, but
she was by this time exposed to the full blast of gale. The lead was
hove, and sixty fathoms reported; that she could hold the ground now
was, therefore, impossible. The captain ordered the cable to be
slipped, and the steam having been kept up, she drifted slowly away,
still endeavouring to regain her lost position. Every moment she became
more and more exposed to the force of the hurricane. All on board were
well aware of her danger, although she might bring up on the opposite
side of the bay; she would then be on a lee shore, and should her
anchors not hold, her loss was almost inevitable, although some hours
might pass before her fate was sealed.
All hands remained on deck. Jack had been in many a dangerous position;
but in those days he had no wife to care for, and he had not the
responsibilities of command. The night passed slowly away. When
morning broke, the gale continued blowing as fiercely as ever, while the
land to leeward looked unpleasantly near. Still steam was kept up, and
the trusty screw was doing its best to drive the gallant ship ahead.
The instant the hurricane moderated she began to make way, and soon
again got up to her anchorage with the rest of the squadron.
Desmond was turning his telescope towards the shore, where, at the top
of a hill overlooking the anchorage, among a grove of thick trees, he
saw a number of Japanese working away with picks and shovels, and a
little further on he caught a glimpse of a heavy gun, dragged by a
number of horses, coming along the road, and then another and another.
It was very clear that the Japanese intended, from the advantageous
position they held, to open fire on the smaller vessels lying within
pistol-shot of the shore. The admiral, on discovering this, ordered the
squadron to weigh, and his ship leading they steamed through the channel
in line, passing the batteries on either side, which they saluted as
they glided by with a hot fire, bestowing particular attention on the
palace of the prince, teaching him a lesson he was not likely soon to
forget. The batteries replied, but feebly and without damage to any one
of the ships.
The squadron now returned to the anchorage they had taken up on first
entering the bay, where their crews had plenty of work to do in
repairing damages; fishing spars and refitting before proceeding to sea.
Returning to Yokohama, they had the satisfaction of learning that their
proceedings having brought the prince to reason, the whole of the sum
demanded had been paid and ample apologies offered. The undertaking,
however, had been a costly one. Two gallant officers and eleven men had
been killed and forty-eight wounded.
Friendly relations were ultimately established with Prince Satsuma, who
expressed his intention of sending several of his young nobility to
England to be educated, while the Tycoon despatched a special envoy to
congratulate the British _charge d'affaires_ on the satisfactory
termination of all difficulties, and to express a hope that in future
amicable relations would exist between the two nations.