Most of the Chinese had been instantaneously affected by the gas. A few, however, had attempted either to run below or to dive overboard.
“Why didn’t we use the gas shells to recapture the Supreme?” asked Cartwright.
“Because, although it’s supposed to be safe as regards the after effects, we aren’t sure about it,” replied the lieutenant. “It would be a fine thing if we had used it and then knocked out or permanently disabled her officers. It’s given us the opportunity to observe the effects upon these blighters. If they’d fallen into the hands of their own government they’d soon lose their heads. As it is, I suppose they’ll be tried in the Consular Court, if they do recover. . . . Raxworthy!”
“Sir?”
“Take some hands with you and have a look round the hold. See it’s all clear. We’ll have to lower these blighters and keep them under hatches, but I don’t want any of them to break their necks down there.”
Followed by his coxswain and an A.B., the midshipman descended a ladder to the main deck, whence another ladder gave access to the main hold.
He proceeded cautiously, revolver in hand, and sniffed suspiciously in case any gas was lurking below.
“Something burning, coxswain?” he asked.
“Smells like it, sir.”
Raxworthy went a few steps farther for’ard. In the half light he nearly stumbled across the body of a Chinaman. The pirate’s cotton clothing had been smouldering, but as he fell he had stifled the fire.