PIRATE CRUISE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21855, 18 July 1934, Page 21

PIRATE CRUISE

By PATRICK CLIFFORD

CHAPTER Xl. —(Continnod)

On tlio deck of tlie destroyer Whitstable, Lieutenant-Commander Gregory stood in earnest conference with Colonel Sir Archibald Graeme, Deputy Chief of Staff of the China Command. Beside them in the inlet at Samshu lay four more of the destroyer flotilla from Hong Kong, while outside the harbour lay the cruiser Hereford, with Vice-Admiral Sir Andrew McAdam on board, and the aircraft carrier Seagull. Packed aboard the five destroyers wore three companies of the Somerset Light Infantry, a company of Royal Marines and scores of sailors in tin-hats, web equipment and all the paraphernalia of a naval landing party. Sir Archibald, his field-glasses to his eyes, spoke to tlio- young naval officer. " Seems pretty clear, Gregory. Might have a few guns up in the hills, though. We'll get the nien ashore. Boats ready ?" " Yes, sir," replied Gregory, " I'll give the order." He turned and addressed Another officer who swiftly descended the bridge-ladder. Signal flags ran up the mastls of the flagship, and swift commands echoed along the destroyer's decks. With seamanlike speed and precision, the boats were loaded with their armed crews, swung outboard and, with the rattle of welloiled davits, lowered into the water. From the bridge the officer commanding watched the boats move steadily shorewards.

" Reminds me of Gallipoli," ho commented to a young lieutenant. " Bit quieter, though. Doesn't seem a soul on shore."

Gregory opened his mouth to speak, and then closed it as he watched the first of the boats ground and saw blue and khaki figures jump ashore. The men began to spread out in orderly formation 011 the beach, their officers in the lead, while others ran quickly ahead and moved fanwise toward the hills.

Suddenly there was a burst of gunfire, and the Colonel seized the rail. " They had machine-gun nests there after all," he said grimly. " Take cover —cover —you blasted fools!" I Sir Archibald shouted the words at [ the top of his voice from sheer excitement, and it seemed almost as though the men could hear him. As tho gunfire continued men moved swiftly forward in perfect order, spreading farther out as they advanced. In less than thirty seconds the whole of the party had landed and were iftider cover, save for the wounded. At the first roar of the machineguns an answering fire came from the destroyers. With lightning precision the gunners found the range, and shell after shell exploded among the gunnests. For upwards of half an hour the firing continued from the warships, and under its cover shore parties moved swiftly up the face of the hill. On tho beach, supplies, medical stores and machine-guns were landed without difficulty. A heliograph flashed from the shore, and soon afterwards a signaller approached the commanding officer with a message. Sir Archibald took it, and smiled* with satisfaction. •" Only five casualties," he commented to Gregory. " None of 'em very serious. Rotten shots, Chinks. If they'd known anything about enfilading fire they might have wiped out a battalion. Young Merrill captured the first gun. Good lad! Pity about his sister. He must be feeling pretty mad." Gregory nodded grimly. ' 111 bet he got a lot of satisfaction out of that gun's crew," he remarked. " Problem now is to find out where they've taken the prisoners." " Yes, by gad," replied the Colonel. " Well, Gregory, I'll have to go ashore now and arrange the march. I'm not going to miss this scrap." "Good luck, sir!" said the naval man, and shook hands with Sir Archibald as he climbed down the ladder leading to the waiting launch. All traces of opposition had been effectively removed by the time bir Archibald reached the beac-h. His second in command told him that the advance party, under Lord Merrill and Captain De Grsce, of tho Somersets, were well on the way along the road. Every precaution was being taken against ambush. The Colonel gave the word, and the little expedition began a long climb in the rear of the advancing troops, j These trained soldiers and sailors made rapid progress, and it was before nightfall when tho combined force reached a point where the road entered between granite cliffs. Harry Merrill halted his men there, and with a picked party, went some distance ahead. The party met with no opposition, but it was deemed inadvisable to take troops through such a dangerous passage in close formation. Some time elapsed before the entire force was past this danger area. Meanwhile Merrill and a dozen sailors had moved forward rapidly. Overhead a naval airplane was flying, and from time to time sent signals to the naval party below. After one of these warnings Merrill halted his men. He had received word that the fortress had been sighted. Had he but known it, at that very moment Admiral Sir Andrew McAdam, white with rage, was reading a Avireless message just received from Hong Kong. The assembled staff stood round the Commander-in-Chief awaiting his instructions. They were not long in receiving them. " How information about our attack has gone through so quickly,.! can't make out," Sir Andrew said in puzzled tones. "His Excellency Sir Adrian Wall is has been informed by representatives of the Nanking Government that we are violating Chinese sovereign rights by landing troops on Chinese territory' Sir Adrian requests that we advance no further than is essential, and that we await the arrival of Chinese forces, which will take command of the situation. Gentlemen, I am convinced that Sir Adrian is acting thus in order to satisfy the damned trading element in Hong Kong, who are afraid of further trouble with the Chinks."

Sir Andrew paused, and looked at the anxious faces of his hearers. " Gentlemen," he concluded grimly. " Our men will advance as far as necessary to secure the release of our fellow British subjects. Tho Nanking Government can go to hell" Harry Merrill knew nothing of that scene, but he did know that his sister was in the hands of Chinese pirates. Revolver in hand, and with a grim determination on every line of his handsome young face, he crept forward with his advance guard when the men came within'sight of the walls of Yuan Woh. At first glance the stronghold appeared to bo deserted. But as one of tho sailors stepped into clear view of the walls a burst of machine gun-fire shattered tho evening stillness.

"Cover!" yelled Merrill. "This is the hang-out all right." Quickly ho gave his orders. Out* of the seamen started off at the double to inform Captain De Grace and the advancing Somersets. A Lewis gun team with Merrill's party took up a position facing the great door of the fortress. When the naval 'plane again appeared Merrill signalled to the pilot

(copyright)

A THRILLING TALE

not to bomb the stronghold until they were sure that the prisoners from the Gigantic were not in danger. The 'plane signalled back, and then flew off to report to Sir Archibald. As the little naval party watched the gates a side door was seen to open, and a Chinaman appeared carrying a white ilag. Merrill stood up, signalling the native to approach him. The man did so, and handed a note, written, to the officer's surprise, in perfect English. He took it and read:

"Any attack on Yuan "Wok will be followed by the immediate death of all the prisoners. They are now safe and well. The commanding officer should withdraw his troops from Chinese territory, and allow negotiations for the ransom of prisoners t& proceed amicably." There was no signature. The naval officer stood very still for several seconds. Perhaps thoughts ot his sister passed through his mind. He turned to the native and handed him an answer. Its brief contents called on the pirates to surrender their prisoners when, in accordance with international law, tho British troops would take no further action on Chinese soil.

"And tell the swine," he burst out," " that if they harm a hair of a single captive's head we'll hang every man in their damned fortress."

■ The messenger, understanding nothing but the young man's rage, took tho slip of paper and trotted off to deliver it. Harry's eyes followed him, straining to catch the faintest glimpse of the interior of the courtyard. Bctts, his C.P.0., moved toward him. " I'm sorry, sir," said the hardy sailor, and Harry did not need to ask what he meant. " Can't we rush 'em, sir? There's a chance we could get in and do something for the young lady." Harry shook his head, and there was a lump in his throat. " Sorry, Betts," he murmured thickly. "Orders. We must stay here until the others arrive." Hardly had he spoken than the Somersets were seen making their way toward the cluster of rocks where the Lewis gun party was screened. Spreading out his mm, De Grace approached the naval officer. Quickly they compared notes, and a second messenger was sent oif to guide Sir Archibald Graeme and his force. It was dark when they arrived, and at an order from the commanding officer a searchlight was installed to illuminate the main gate. A number of shots was fired at the light without effect. Bursts from the Lewis guns effectively silenced the snipers. Crouched behind the rocks the officers held a brief conference.

" We'll have to attack, gentlemen," Sir Archibald said finally. "In the first place we don't know whether the hostages are really there, or whether it is just a scheme to hold us up. In any case, we've got to get these blackguards." He turned to Harry Merrill, who was white-faced and trembling slightly. " I'm sorry, my boy, sorrier than I can sav."

He would have said more, but Harry silenced him with a gesture. " Thank you, sir," he said quietly. " Only I'd like just one chance to get in there. Can I go? " His voice held a pleading note, and Sir Archibald grunted. " Yes," he replied at break me for it, I'll let you go. Goodluck, my boy."

He gripped Merrill's hand in the darkness. In dead silence the young officer slipped between two big rocks and made his way toward the fortress. How he was, going .to gain admission he had not the slightest idea. Only one thing was in his mind —he would either reach his sister or die in the attempt. Crawling through the darkness, gun in hand, ho wondered about Bill Stafford, and concluded that Bill must have returned to Hong Kong. Suddenly the familiar sound of machine-gun fire mado him start. The sounds came from the fortress, yet it was apparent to his trained ear that tlie guns were not firing outside the wall. What did it mean? They were firing inside the courtyard ? A horrible fear gripped at the young man's heart. Massacre! Leaping to his feet he ran madly toward the frowning walls. As he did so he saw a figure rushing toward him. His revolver flashed up, his finger tightened on the trigger, and then lie almost collapsed in amazement. He heard the unmistakable voice of Bill Stafford, yet in the darkness he saw that the creature running toward him was a ragged coolie.

"Don't shoot, man! Don't shoot! " yelled tlio apparition. "Harry! Harry! Thank the Lord! "

"Bill! Where the hell have you come from? Where is—Anne? "

"In therq," yelled Bill, indicating the fortress. " With Clancy and the police. Bring your men along quickly. I got away through a secret tunnel and can lead them in. Be quick! Clancy can't hold out long. That's him with the machine-gun." Even as he spoke they were stumbling.ii toward the British forces. Then, as Bill's breath returned, they broke into a run and within a few minutes were challenged by a British sentry. Merrill j-elled an answer, and they ran on toward the astonished Sir Archibald. That officer wasted no time in foolish qitostions. As soon as he got the gist of Bill's story he marshalled his men and went into action immediately, with Bill Stafford leading the way. As they trotted along, each man spoiling for battle, tho roar of the machine-gun inside the fortress could be heard. Suddenly Bill stopped before what appeared to be the entrance to a cave. " Through here," he called. "It grows wider farther on." The troops crowded into the tunnol, breaking through at last into the courtyard of Yuan Woh. They saw a wild, howling mob milling around a terrified group of passengers from the Gigantic. In the distance, behind a pile of sandbags, was a man, a machine-gun and tti'o women. CHAPTER XII clancy's last fight Alone with Stafford in the dungeon of Yuah Woh, Clancy turned to his companion who sat hunched up and dejected beside him. The major clapped Bill sharply on the bark. "Wake up, man!" he snapped. " We've got to get out of here. Now that loin clotli which at the moment provides the greater part of your wardrobe is made of thickish material. Give me a chunk of it." Used by this time to accepting this strange man's orders without question, Bill tore a length from his scanty garment and handed it to tho detective. Taking it in one hand, Clancy seized his companion's right wrist with tho other.» To Bill's astonishment, the officer deftly inserted the rag beneath the wrist cu.ff and pulled the end briskly through. " This'll hurt like hell," he said with a smile. " Take a spot of skin off, but it'll take the cuff with it." As ho spoko lie twisted the cloth and Bill almost shrieked in agony. Clancy caught his ej'e and he bit his lip. Backwards and forwards went the cloth, tho friction tearing the skin from tho young man's wrist. Then suddenly Clancy ordered him to compress his hand inwards, and with a. jerk tho cuff slipped from his wrist. Bill fell back stifling a cry of pain. Major Clancy smiled encouragingly and then treated tho left wrist cuff in similar fashion. At last Bill, with raw and bleeding hands, was free. (To be concluded)