In twenty minutes, without sighting any of the enemy, we arrived at the edge of the timber behind the wharf.
CHAPTER X
WE TAKE DESPERATE CHANCES
The great liner lay silent in the moonlight, with no lights visible about her, but thin columns of smoke rose lazily from her funnels. A gangplank was down.
It was decided that our number should divide into three equal parts. One was to go to the bow and board the craft there by climbing up the line fastening the ship to the pier; this line was in the shadow except at its far end, where the men would emerge upon the deck. The second group was to get aboard at the stern by the same means. And the third detachment was to advance by the gangplank.
The plan worked without a hitch, and soon we were assembled upon the vessel’s main deck. No guard was in sight. Hurriedly, we explored the upper decks and all the chambers off them. They were empty.
Then, descending simultaneously by companionways forward, aft and amidship, we began to search the body of the vessel. Still no one could be found.
And this deserted condition of the ship continued until only the stokehold remained to be entered. Here, however, we were certain of finding people.
Leaving three men on deck to guard against surprise, the rest of us crept into the boiler room.
Only two Chinamen were in the place, leisurely engaged in stoking the furnaces. We had them covered with our revolvers before they had any warning of our approach.