CHAPTER VII
HOLDING THE CONNING-TOWER
Juan Cervillo was completely taken aback at the result of the one shot. It had put him absolutely beyond the pale. Piracy without bloodshed was serious enough in all conscience, but to have gone to this extent meant that capture would, without doubt, end in ignominious death at the hands of the executioner. Not that he would allow himself to be captured if it could possibly be avoided. He had been so far successful. Could he but carry out his plans for the next few days there was a probability that the Independencia might be able to slip away from her pursuers, and land his crew with their ill-gotten booty in some unfrequented place, where they might make their way in individual parties to one of the lawless South American republics.
All need for keeping the hostages on deck was for the time being at an end. The Dutchmen were marched off down below, in a secure place of confinement on the orlop-deck, while Fielding and Cardyke found themselves in a cabin on the half-deck in company with General Oki, Mr. Hokosuka, and a Japanese scientist named Mukyima, The cabin was wretchedly furnished, having been the quarters of a former watch-keeper while the ship was awaiting sale. There was a cracked looking-glass, iron wash-basin and stand, a folding-table fixed to the bulkhead, and a few camp-chairs.
The three Japanese were already in the cabin when Fielding and the mid. were unceremoniously thrust in and the door locked behind them. The former rose and saluted the new arrivals courteously, but by no expression did they depart from the characteristic imperturbability of the Asiatic.
"Good evening, gentlemen!" exclaimed Fielding, thinking this manner of salutation was the best way to ascertain whether the Japanese hostages spoke English.
"Good evening," replied General Oki. "We are sorry we cannot exchange our honourable salutations in an atmosphere more auspicious."
"We're glad you speak English," said the sub. "We do not understand Japanese—I have never been in the Far East."
"I am the only one of three who can speak the tongue of our illustrious allies and instructors in naval science and warfare," continued the Japanese general. "Mr. Hokosuka here does, it is a veracity, speak few English words. Mr. Mukyima, to the sorrow of his ancestors, has taken no stride to overpower your tongue."
"We are all in a bit of a hole," remarked the sub., gravely. "Our destroyer, the Frome, boarded the Yosen Maru a few hours ago and learnt of your predicament. Unfortunately in attempting to capture this pirate vessel, and incidentally to effect your rescue, we fell into the hands of these rascals."