The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-03-16
CHAPTER TX

A few more strokes brought us
alongside the old packet, and in
an incredibly short space of time
the specie was transferred from our
boat to the deck But this time the
boat had been hauled up, to which
piece of work / lent a hand. In
deed, willy-nilly, seemed to be do
ing my best to further my appren
ticeship in the piratical trade.
But on once more turning to take
another peep at the ChungTong ]
was somewhat astonished to see
how close we were drawing; for
now that we had plundered the ship
there was no necessity to kiss be-
fore saying goodbye. Being entire.
ly unprepared for what was about
to follow, was beginning to feel a
little curious as to the meaning OF
the movement, when the gun for
ward rang out.
At first the full significance OF
the act did not appear obvious; but
when it was followed by the ut
most CONSERVATION aboard the liner
realized in full the horror of it
all. Nor did it need the second
shot, which quickly followed the
first, to convince me of the fiend-
ish intention of Macshiel. | saw
the shell explode low down by the
side of the Chung-Tong, and by the
way her officers crowded to that
particular portion of the bulwarks
and looked anxiously over, l knew
that she had been badly hit.
Turning. | saw Hayling beside
me. White wrath showed up
through his dark skin; there was a
nasty glitter in his eyes. Yet his
voice was calm and Jelly cold when
he spoke.
This is pretty business, Ravens
ford
They mean to sink herr"
Undoubtedly"
But, Hayling. might we not pro-
test?"
1--WE might, but it wouldn't be OF
the slightest use. They must sink
the Chung-Tong II they hope to es-
cape detection. Who, then. is to
know how she went down? In
deed. from their point of view, it
is the only thing they can do. Pro
testing is useless. There are quite
Is men forward, all fully armed.
Much better live in the hope of
bringing these scouLdrels to book.
See, she's under way at last" and
he pointed to the bubbling water
just under her counter; "but too
late, / fear--too late"
He turned from me and searched
intently every point of the horizon.
But coming back again he shook his
head. Nothing in sight, old man.
It's all up with the Chung-Tong."
1t was horrible to stand there
and watch the consummation of
such a dastardly piece of work;
more horrible still to feel ones in
ability to prevent it. Yet, as Hay
ling had truly said, protesting was
useless; and if we had been rash
enough to protest with force, it
would have given Capt. Macshiel
decent pretext for doing that which
he had previously failed to accom-
plish.
But in the meantime the widest
excitement prevailed aboard the
liner, which now was under full
steam and steering due north. Peo-
pie rushed excitedly up and down
her decks, while the crew lowered
some sheets of canvas over the
side, with the evident intention of
plugging the hole. Indeed, one man
was swung over in sling. and I
saw that he held long stick in his
hand with which he kept forcing
the canvas into the leak. He made
q pretty target as he swung there
clear of the ship; but I prayed In
wardly that the rascals forward
might not think as thought, and
that the brave fellow might sue
coed in his arduous task.
Alas! Just at that moment the
sharp crack of rifle rang out. For
a second or so l hoped the man had
not been hit; but suddenly he drew
himself up and clutched his sling
tightly, and as he did so the stick
slipped from his hands. There was
an immediate stir among the men
who were watching him, and rapid
ly they began to haul him up. But,
quick as they were, they were not
quick enough. Ere he had been
drawn little more than half way up
the side his hands slipped, and with
a splash he fell backwards into the
sea. Our sharp stem nearly struck
him as we came on in the wake Of
the Chung Tong, and looking over
the side | saw his dead white face
whiz by.
But during all this time neither
Gupp nor his gun had been idle,
and the Chung-Tong, though she
gained on us at first, soon slacken-
ed down; for the water was making
great Roadway upon her, and she
was already rapidly sinking by the
bows. Indeed, as we drew off and
watched we saw her stern gradual
ly rise until her propeller stood al
most clear of the water. Then the
escape pipes were opened and the
steam came up in huge cloud,
making a great roaring and Kissing.
But wise as was the act, 1t came
too late. Almost before we knew
what had happened there was a