At eight bells (4 a.m.) the middle watch was relieved, but Raxworthy still carried on. Indefinitely he must be commanding officer of the watch, since there was no one of executive rank to take over his responsibilities.
With the first streaks of dawn came a shout from one of the look-outs:
“Flotilla coming down stream, sir!”
Soon it was light enough for Raxworthy to discern the composition of the “flotilla”.
It was headed by a motor-launch, probably looted from Blakeborough’s factory. She was towing about half a dozen large sampans each crowded with armed men—some in the uniform of the Chinese army, but mostly in native civilian garb.
They were heading straight for the anchored gunboat as if anticipating an easy prey.
Realizing the great disadvantage of Sandgrub being brought up, though fortunately steam had been maintained to full working pressure, Raxworthy gave orders for the cable to be buoyed and made ready to be slipped. There was no time to heave up the anchor; it could be recovered later—after the present little episode ended.
The boats were still about a mile off when Sandgrub fired a blank round as a gentle reminder for the bandits to keep off—for the midshipman had no doubt on that score.
The effect of the gun was to make the motor-launch cast off her tow. The sampan took to the oars and sheered across the stream to the left-hand bank. Presently the motor-launch hoisted a large white flag.
“What’s the bright idea?” asked Raxworthy.