Fired by the dogged bravery of the skipper, Alwyn stood erect1 and prepared to semaphore a reply of defiance2, but before he could do so Captain Blair called to him.
"After all's said and done, Burgoyne," said the Old Man feebly, "we've put up a good fight. No one can deny that. And there are women aboard, though p'raps 'twould be best——"
His voice sank and he muttered a few inaudible sentences.
"I'm slipping my cable," he continued, his voice gaining strength, "so it doesn't much matter to me. There are the others to consider—what's left of them. Quarter, they promised?"
"Aye, aye, sir!"
"Then we'll chuck up the sponge. Tell the villains4 we'll surrender. If they don't keep their word (now make sure you understand) tell Angus to stand by, and if there's any shooting he's to open the Kingston valves."
"Aye, aye, sir," agreed the Third Officer. He realized that if the pirates failed to keep faith in the matter of quarter, then the Donibristle—the prize they so greatly desired—would be sunk by the simple expedient5 of opening the underwater valves.
"We surrender," semaphored Burgoyne.
It was a hateful task, but upon reflection he agreed with his skipper's amended6 decision. The Donibristle had not thrown up the sponge without a gallant7 resistance dearly paid for in human lives. It remained to be seen whether the terms of surrender would be honoured by the horde8 of polyglot9 pirates.
Gripping the bridge-rail Burgoyne shouted out the order: "All hands on deck."
The summons was obeyed promptly10, but how few responded to it! There was Branscombe, with his arm in a sling11 and an ugly gash12 on his cheek; little Perkins, the Fifth Officer, who had never before smelt13 powder; Holmes, the purser, and Adams, the steward14, both looking like butchers after tending the wounded; Heatherington, the junior wireless15 operator; and fifteen of the deck-hands, several of whom bore visible signs of the gruelling they had undergone. In addition were Withers16 and Nuttall and seventeen firemen of the "watch-below", the rest under Angus remaining at their posts in the engine- and boiler-rooms. Of the rest of the officers and crew eleven had been killed outright17 or mortally wounded, including the First and Second Officers, and close on twenty hit.
The officers and men who had fallen in on the boat-deck, unaware18 of the trend of events, were watching the pirate with puzzled looks.
Burgoyne went to the skipper to obtain further instructions before obtaining assistance in order to take him below. Captain Blair was unconscious. Wounded in half a dozen places, he had carried on until the ship was no longer his to command. As senior surviving deck officer, Alwyn was now responsible for the act of surrender.
"We've given in," he announced to the assembled men. "There was no help for it. The cruiser has promised us quarter. Lower the ensign."
As the torn, tattered19, and smoke-begrimed Red Ensign was lowered and untoggled, wild yells burst from the throats of the ruffian crew. They did not know how to cheer; they could not if they did. It could only be compared with a concerted roar of a hundred wild beasts.
The shouts ceased, not abruptly20, but in a long-drawn-out howl. The captain of the pirate cruiser was shouting himself hoarse21 in an endeavour to obtain silence. When comparative quiet had been gained, he stepped to the end of the bridge and raised a megaphone.
"Ship Donibristle!" he shouted. "Obtain way off ze ship an stan' by to receive boats."
"Aye, aye!" replied Burgoyne.
Hitherto the Donibristle had been forging ahead at her present maximum speed, which by this time was a bare five knots; while the pirate cruiser had slowed down to the same speed, causing her to yaw horribly.
For the first time Burgoyne noticed that the engine-room telegraph was no longer workable. The voice-tube, however, was intact.
"Mr. Angus," he began.
"Aye, it's Angus," replied that worthy's rolling voice "Is't Captain Blair speakin'?"
"No, Burgoyne," replied the temporarily promoted Third. "The skipper's hit. We're down and out. Stop both engines, and——"
"Weel?" asked the Chief Engineer with more alacrity22 than he usually displayed.
"Stand by the Kingston valves. The villains have promised to spare our lives, but you never know. So if you hear one blast on the whistle, open the valves and take your chance. Do you understand?"
"Deed aye," replied Angus.
Presently the throb23 of the twin propellers24 ceased. The Donibristle carried way for nearly a mile before she stopped. Her head fell off as she rolled gently in the trough of the long crestless25 waves. The cruiser also stopped, and a couple of boats were swung out, manned, and lowered.
Burgoyne had very little time to complete his preparations, but he made the best of those precious moments. Captain Blair was carried below, with the purser and the steward to attend him. The rest of the engine-room staff, with the exception of Angus, were mustered26 on deck. Calling one of the hands, a reliable and intelligent Cockney, Alwyn stationed him on the bridge, telling him to keep out of sight as much as possible.
"If those fellows start shooting us down," he said, "they won't waste much time about it. Now keep a sharp look-out. At the first sign tug27 that whistle lanyard for all you're worth, then shift for yourself if you can, and the best of luck."
Burgoyne's next step was to send Branscombe to bring the passengers on deck. He watched intently as they ascended28 the companion-ladder, Tarrant and the Fourth Officer assisting Colonel Vivian, and Miles furtively29 following. But to his keen disappointment and alarm there was no sign of Hilda Vivian. Mental pictures of the ruffianly horde finding the girl below filled him with apprehension30.
"Where's Miss Vivian?" asked Alwyn anxiously. A suspicion of a smile showed itself on the Fourth Officer's features.
"It's all right, old man," he explained. "There she is; three from the end of the rear rank of firemen."
Burgoyne gasped31.
"Thought I told her to shove on Mostyn's kit," he exclaimed. "Don't you see, she'll have to—to keep with the engine-room crowd."
"Jolly sight safer," declared Branscombe. "She'd attract attention with the few of us who are left. Her father agreed with me. 'Sides, all hands know, and they're white men, every man jack32 of 'em."
"P'raps you're right," conceded Burgoyne, and as he gave another look he felt convinced that the amended plan was the thing. Unless an unfortunate fluke occurred or, what was most unlikely, someone "gave her away" the pirates would never recognize the slender fireman with closely-cropped hair and begrimed features, and rigged out in an ill-fitting greasy33 suit of blue dungarees, as a girl of gentle birth. There was certainly nothing in her demeanour to betray her. She was standing34 in a line with the men, outwardly as stolid35 as the rest.
Drawing a small plated revolver from his hip-pocket—it was a six-chambered .22 weapon of neat workmanship—Burgoyne thrust it inside his sock, jamming the muzzle36 between the inside of his boot and his ankle. For the first time he felt grateful to the steward for having spilt ink over both pairs of deck-shoes, otherwise he would not have been wearing boots, and another hiding-place for the handy little weapon would not have promised to be so convenient.
The leading boat from the pirate cruiser ran alongside, and about twenty men, armed to the teeth, swarmed37 up the Donibristle's side, followed (not led) by a swarthy, black-bearded individual wearing a cocked hat, a blue tunic38, with a lavish39 display of gold lace, a black and crimson40 scarf round his waist, and a pair of duck trousers with white canvas gaiters. From his belt hung a cavalry41 officer's sword, while in his kid-gloved right hand he grasped an automatic pistol.
The boarding-party consisted of men of half a dozen nationalities, and at least three totally distinct types of colour. There were Chinese, blue-smocked and wearing straw hats and black wooden shoes, negroes, bare to the waist, Creoles and half-breeds from various South American states, a couple of South Sea Island Kanakas, and a gigantic Malay armed with a kriss and a magazine rifle. Bunched together they eyed the motionless crew of the Donibristle so fiercely that Burgoyne momentarily expected to find them slashing42, hewing43, and shooting down their helpless, unarmed captives.
The pirate officer stepped forward in the most approved melodramatic manner.
"Me Pablo Henriques, tiente po—dat premier45 lieutenant46—ob cruiser Malfilio," he announced. "Se?or Ramon Porfirio him capitano. Now I take command ob de—de——"
He paused, unable to pronounce the name.
"—ob dis ship," he continued. "If you no give trouble den3 all vell. If you do, den dis."
He drew one finger across his throat with a guttural cluck and pointed47 significantly over the side. The stolid-faced prisoners hardly moved a muscle. With no immediate48 danger in prospect49, provided the pirate kept his word, they were content to let events shape themselves, confident that in the long run the lawful50 keepers of the peace on the High Seas would adjust matters in the form of a running noose51 round the neck of each of the pirate crew.
"Now tell me," continued Henriques, addressing Burgoyne. "You no capitan; where am he?"
"Wounded," replied Alwyn briefly52.
"Bueno. He make to ram44 us," rejoined the half-caste lieutenant. "Capitano Ramon Porfirio him angry, so we shoot. Say, is dis all der crew?"
"No," replied Burgoyne steadily53. "There are several wounded below. Also the Chief Engineer is in the engine-room."
Henriques darted54 a glance of suspicion at the British officer.
"Wa for?" he demanded sharply.
Burgoyne returned his look calmly.
"He has to watch the steam-gauges," he replied. "It might be awkward for us if an explosion occurred."
It was an answer that served a two-fold purpose. Not only had Burgoyne given the pirate lieutenant a satisfactory reason for the Chief Engineer's presence in the engine-room, but he had, perhaps unknowingly, shown a certain amount of anxiety for the safety of the ship. Consequently any suspicion on the part of Pablo Henriques that the crew of the Donibristle had arranged to destroy the vessel55, the boarding-party, and themselves was totally dispelled56.
"Ver' good!" he exclaimed, satisfied with the explanation. "Now, wher' are de documentos—de papairs?"
Burgoyne shook his head and pointed to the wreckage57 of the chart-house. "Your fire was so accurate that the ship's papers are lost," he replied.
As a matter of fact Captain Blair had weighted them with a lead-line and sinker, and had dropped them overboard almost directly the Malfilio had hoisted58 the ID signal. They were several miles astern and fathoms59 deep in the Pacific.
A string of questions followed. What was the nature of the cargo60? The amount of coal in the bunkers? Any infectious disease? How many passengers?
All these questions Burgoyne answered promptly He was anxious not to cause trouble and give the pirates an excuse for brutality61 and perhaps massacre62.
"Four," he replied in answer to the last question. "One, a lady, lies dead below. She died during the firing."
Pablo Henriques shrugged63 his shoulders. That information interested him hardly at all.
"You vill tell your men," he ordered, "to give up all arms an knifes. If we find any after late, den' we kill 'em."
The young officer gave the word, and the crew deposited their knives upon the deck. Firearms they did not possess, but of the officers, Withers and Branscombe each gave up an automatic and a few rounds of ammunition64. Burgoyne took the risk and retained his revolver.
"Now I make search every man," declared Henriques, smiling sardonically65. "I jus' make certain."
Fortunately a signal was being made by the Malfilio, and Henriques' attention was diverted. By the time the message was completed and acknowledged, the pirate lieutenant had either forgotten his intention of having the prisoners searched, or else something of more pressing nature required attention.
Accompanied by three or four of the pirates Henriques went below. He was away for about five minutes, during which time the Malay ostentatiously whetted66 the already keen edges of his kriss. Noting the act, Burgoyne registered a vow67 that, should the pirates commence a massacre, he would take care that the yellow ruffian would be the recipient68 of the first of the six bullets in his revolver.
Presently the grotesquely69 attired70 Henriques returned with much sabre-rattling.
"De firemans here vill go below an' keep up de steam," he ordered. "Ebbery one of de firemans. De odders dey vill go prisoners on board de Malfilio."
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1
erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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3
den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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4
villains
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| n.恶棍( villain的名词复数 )；罪犯；（小说、戏剧等中的）反面人物；淘气鬼 | |
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5
expedient
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| adj.有用的，有利的；n.紧急的办法，权宜之计 | |
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6
Amended
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| adj. 修正的 动词amend的过去式和过去分词 | |
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7
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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horde
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| n.群众，一大群 | |
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polyglot
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| adj.通晓数种语言的；n.通晓多种语言的人 | |
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promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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11
sling
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| vt.扔；悬挂；n.挂带；吊索，吊兜；弹弓 | |
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12
gash
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| v.深切，划开；n.(深长的)切(伤)口；裂缝 | |
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13
smelt
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| v.熔解，熔炼；n.银白鱼，胡瓜鱼 | |
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14
steward
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| n.乘务员，服务员；看管人；膳食管理员 | |
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15
wireless
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| adj.无线的；n.无线电 | |
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16
withers
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| 马肩隆 | |
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outright
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| adv.坦率地；彻底地；立即；adj.无疑的；彻底的 | |
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18
unaware
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| a.不知道的，未意识到的 | |
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19
tattered
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| adj.破旧的，衣衫破的 | |
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20
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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21
hoarse
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| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
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22
alacrity
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| n.敏捷，轻快，乐意 | |
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23
throb
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| v.震颤，颤动；(急速强烈地)跳动，搏动 | |
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24
propellers
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| n.螺旋桨，推进器( propeller的名词复数 ) | |
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25
crestless
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| adj.无冠毛的，卑微的，出身低下的 | |
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26
mustered
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| v.集合，召集，集结（尤指部队）( muster的过去式和过去分词 )；（自他人处）搜集某事物；聚集；激发 | |
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27
tug
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| v.用力拖(或拉)；苦干；n.拖；苦干；拖船 | |
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28
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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29
furtively
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| adv. 偷偷地, 暗中地 | |
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30
apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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31
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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32
jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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33
greasy
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| adj. 多脂的，油脂的 | |
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34
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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35
stolid
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| adj.无动于衷的，感情麻木的 | |
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36
muzzle
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| n.鼻口部；口套；枪(炮)口；vt.使缄默 | |
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37
swarmed
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| 密集( swarm的过去式和过去分词 )； 云集； 成群地移动； 蜜蜂或其他飞行昆虫成群地飞来飞去 | |
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38
tunic
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| n.束腰外衣 | |
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39
lavish
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| adj.无节制的；浪费的；vt.慷慨地给予，挥霍 | |
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40
crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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41
cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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42
slashing
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| adj.尖锐的；苛刻的；鲜明的；乱砍的v.挥砍( slash的现在分词 )；鞭打；割破；削减 | |
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43
hewing
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| v.（用斧、刀等）砍、劈( hew的现在分词 )；砍成；劈出；开辟 | |
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44
ram
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| (random access memory)随机存取存储器 | |
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45
premier
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| adj.首要的；n.总理，首相 | |
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46
lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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47
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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48
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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49
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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50
lawful
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| adj.法律许可的，守法的，合法的 | |
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51
noose
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| n.绳套，绞索（刑）；v.用套索捉；使落入圈套；处以绞刑 | |
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52
briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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53
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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54
darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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55
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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56
dispelled
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| v.驱散，赶跑( dispel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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57
wreckage
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| n.（失事飞机等的）残骸，破坏，毁坏 | |
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58
hoisted
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| 把…吊起，升起( hoist的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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59
fathoms
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| 英寻( fathom的名词复数 ) | |
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60
cargo
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| n.(一只船或一架飞机运载的)货物 | |
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61
brutality
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| n.野蛮的行为，残忍，野蛮 | |
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62
massacre
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| n.残杀，大屠杀；v.残杀，集体屠杀 | |
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63
shrugged
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| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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64
ammunition
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| n.军火，弹药 | |
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65
sardonically
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| adv.讽刺地，冷嘲地 | |
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66
whetted
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| v.（在石头上）磨（刀、斧等）( whet的过去式和过去分词 )；引起，刺激（食欲、欲望、兴趣等） | |
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67
vow
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| n.誓(言)，誓约；v.起誓，立誓 | |
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68
recipient
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| a.接受的,感受性强的 n.接受者,感受者,容器 | |
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69
grotesquely
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| adv. 奇异地,荒诞地 | |
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70
attired
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| adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服，使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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