At the Fall of Port Arthur/Chapter 30
CHAPTER XXX
A SURPRISE FOR LARRY
As the days passed, the watch upon Port Arthur from the sea became closer and closer. Admiral Togo gave strict orders that no ships should be allowed to enter or come from the harbor under any circumstances, and each commander of a warship was on his mettle, knowing full well that if he was derelict in his duty he would speedily hear from his superior in a manner far from pleasant.
Blockading became something of a monotony to Larry and Luke, and after several weeks had passed both wished something would happen.
"I'd rather put up with a stiff sea fight than this," declared the young gunner's mate.
"Right ye are, lad," replied the old Yankee tar. "Ain't no use o' bein' ready for a tussle if it ain't comin'. As it now is, life in the navy ain't no more excitin' nor life on the old Columbia."
During that time Larry received a letter from Captain Ponsberry, similar in contents to that sent to Gilbert. The Japanese Government had released the cargo of the schooner and then bought the same at a good round price. The ship had also been released, Captain Ponsberry having to pay a nominal sum for this action.
"I think the captain is lucky to get off so easily," said Larry. "I suppose the Japanese Government might have scooped in everything."
"Well, the Japs think it best to remain friendly to the United States," answered Luke, and it is likely that the old sailor was more than half right.
Cold weather had come in earnest and work on deck was far from pleasant. Yet each man on the Shohirika had to do his full duty as before, and, be it said to their credit, not a sailor or marine did any shirking. Gun drills and various exercises were kept up constantly.
One day the warship ran close to a big trading brig bound for Hong-Kong. As was the custom, the brig stopped to allow the commander of the Shohirika to make certain that she was not carrying contrabands of war for Russia or had no intentions of running the blockade.
While this examination was going on, Larry and Luke chanced to come on deck, curious to have a look at the stranger.
"About as big a brig as I ever see in these parts," was the Yankee tar's comment. "She must carry a whopping cargo."
"Yes, and a lot of men to man her," answered Larry. "Think of hoisting and furling such sails as she carries!"
The two vessels had come fairly close to each other, and our friends continued to survey the brig with interest. Then Larry gave a cry.
"Oh, Luke, I wish I had a glass!"
"Why?"
"Unless I am mistaken, there is Shamhaven on the deck of that ship!"
"No!"
Larry pointed with his hand. "Doesn't that look like him?" he continued.
"Keelhaul me, if I don't think you're right, lad. Wait, I'll get a glass an' make certain!"
The old tar knew where he could borrow a glass, and in a minute more he returned, and both took a brief look through the instrument.
"It is Shamhaven!" ejaculated Larry. "And look, there is Peterson coming from the fo'castle!"
"That's so. What ye goin' to do about it?"
"Tell the officer of the deck. They shan't get off with my money if I can help it."
Rushing away, Larry soon acquainted the proper officer with what he had discovered—telling as much about the robbery as seemed necessary. The officer was interested, and, what was even more to the point, liked the young American.
"Do you wish to go to yonder ship and confront the men?" he asked.
"Try me and see!" answered Larry, excitedly. "I mean, yes, sir," he stammered. "And will you let Luke Striker go, too?"
The officer agreed, and soon another small boat put off from the warship, and Larry and Luke, with the officer, were speedily landed on the deck of the brig.
"You're a fine rascal, to rob me!" cried Larry, rushing up to Shamhaven. "And to rob Captain Ponsberry, too!"
Shamhaven had not expected this encounter, and for the moment he was dumbstruck. He gazed from Larry to Luke as if they were ghosts.
"I—I—who are you, anyway?" he stammered.
"I don't know you," he added, striving to regain his composure.
"Yes, you do know me, and you know Luke Striker, too," answered the young gunner's mate.
"What does this mean?" asked the captain of the brig, while a number of others looked on with interest.
"I'll tell you what it means, sir," said Larry, and did so. "He has got to give up my money belt and my money, and give up Captain Ponsberry's money, too."
At this moment Peterson came up and was promptly collared by Luke.
"Stop! Don't you vos touch me!" cried Peterson. "I ain't noddings done, no."
"You helped Shamhaven to rob me," came from Larry.
"No, he done it all alone! I no touch noddings!"
"Oh, shut up!" roared Shamhaven, in disgust. "I never robbed anybody. If you lost your money Peterson must have taken it."
A quarrel ensued between the evildoers, in the midst of which came a cry from the Shohirika.
"An enemy is in sight!"
At once all attention was turned to the warship. Scarcely a minute elapsed when a signal was displayed:
"A battleship, and she is trying to escape up the coast!"
"To the boats!" roared the Japanese officer on the deck of the brig. "To the boats at once! This investigation will have to be postponed. We shall expect you to remain as you are"—the latter words to the captain of the big brig.
"As you will," was the smooth answer.
A rush was made for the two small boats, Larry and Luke being hustled along with the crowd. Soon they put off for the warship, which was already preparing to follow the Russian battleship that had been seen.
"I didn't get my money, after all," grumbled the youth. "But perhaps I'll get it later—if that ship of the enemy doesn't sink us," he added.
As soon as they were on board of the Shohirika again, the cruiser started after the battleship. But the enemy had a good lead, and it was some time before the Japanese warship could command a full head of steam, which meant everything to her. Then, when steam was to be had in plenty, there came a breakdown in the engine room, causing a delay of twenty minutes.
"We'll never catch her,—at least, not to-day," said Luke, and he was right. Darkness found the battleship still three miles away. Half a dozen shots were fired at her, but none took effect. Then night ended the pursuit.
In the morning nothing was to be seen of the enemy and those on the Japanese warship were much depressed, for they had fancied that an encounter might add greatly to their laurels. But shortly before noon the lookout announced the approach of another ship.
"A Russian cruiser!" was the cry.
This was correct—the vessel was the auxiliary cruiser, Pontomuk, formerly a steamer in the Siberian trade. She was manned by a fierce and swarthy-looking body of sailors and marines, and carried a first and second battery of no mean proportions.
"I'll wager we have got some work cut out for us now," said Larry, and he was right. Finding she could not run away from the Shohirika the Russian auxiliary cruiser came steaming up and let drive at close range,—a broadside that raked the Japanese warship from end to end with deadly effect. The Shohirika answered immediately, and both the steering wheel and the rudder were smashed on the enemy's ship.
"Phew! but this is hot work!" panted Larry, as all those around the gun worked like Trojans.
"An* it's going to be hotter!" ejaculated Luke. He sighted the piece with care. "There, Sally Jane, let her go!" And he pressed the electric button. Bang! went the gun with a roar that was deafening. Then the breech was thrown open and the smoke rolled out, filling the air with a smell that made them cough and sneeze. But nobody stopped work. In a trice the gun was cleaned and cooled and another shell pushed into place, and then the firing was repeated.
"She's coming alongside!" was the announcement from on deck. "All hands to repel boarders!"
"A hand-to-hand fight!" cried Larry, and scarcely had the words been uttered when there came a bump that hurled half the sailors flat. Up they sprang, and as order after order was delivered the marines and others ran for their guns and cutlasses, while the officers saw to it that their pistols were ready for use.
A wild, maddening yell came from the deck of the Russian ship, as marines and sailors poured over the side. An answering Banzai issued from the Japanese, and they met the first onslaught with vigor. Then came a fierce tramping over the deck, as the two conflicting parties moved first to one side and then the other.
"We are ordered up!" cried Larry, a few minutes later. "Here is where we have got to fight for it, Luke!"
"Right you are, lad. Do your best, and trust to Heaven for the rest!" was the Yankee tar's reply, and then, cutlasses in hand, both mounted to the deck, to engage in the fiercest hand-to-hand encounter either of them had ever experienced.