CHAPTER XXXII.
THE FATE OF VON HARBURG.
The sub pointed to a glade in the forest slightly to the north of thecourse the "Pride of Rhodesia" was following. Here the ground rosegradually, and save for a few prickly pear-trees was destitute ofverdure. Four roughly-constructed tents made from ships' sails had beenerected, with a breast-work of boxes surrounding, except for a narrowopening that gave access to the camp. Seven or eight men, regardless ofthe blazing sun, were lying down or sitting with their backs propped upagainst the boxes. No attempt had apparently been made to post sentriesor to take any steps against a possible surprise, although every man hadeither a rifle or a revolver close to hand.
"Wonder they haven't heard our motors," remarked Captain Jones, as heordered the engines to be stopped and the quick-firers to be manned."They must be sound asleep. I vote we cover them pretty tightly, fire ablank shot and summon them to surrender at discretion."
"They'll fight; they know that as prisoners they'll have a halter roundtheir necks," said Captain Restronguet. "But where are the others?There were several more of the rascals."
"How many, do you think?"
"Not less than thirty all told."
"Well, here goes," ejaculated the "Pride of Rhodesia's" Captain. "Firea blank from the for'ard starboard quick-firer, Evans. That ought togive them a shake up."
The forest re-echoed to the sharp detonation of the gun, but not a manof von Harburg's party stirred. From the trees myriads of birds,alarmed by the report, rose and flew terrified away, uttering harsh anddiscordant cries. Then a strange silence brooded over the solitarycamp.
Captain Restronguet and Hythe exchanged glances. The look wassignificant. Captain Jones whistled softly.
"There's murderous work down there," he remarked.
"Sure, sorr, they are as dead as door-nails," exclaimed O'Shaunessey."Faith, I can see it is a bash over the head as that man has. 'Twouldtake more than a rale Irish shillelah to do that."
"We must investigate," said Captain Restronguet.
"Don't fancy it somehow," objected Captain Jones.
"All the same it is desirable," continued the "Aphrodite's" owner. "Ifvon Harburg is not down there our quest is not yet at an end. PersonallyI do not like the business, but how can we report the death of themodern pirate unless we know definitely that such is the case?"
"Very well," agreed Jones. "I'll land you. I'll remain here, for ifthere are any survivors of the gang and they show fight I can render youmuch more assistance than if I were down there."
Accordingly the airship was brought close to the ground and CaptainRestronguet, Hythe, O'Shaunessey, and Carnon descended the wire ropeladder. Revolver in hand they advanced towards the silent camp. As theyapproached evidences of what had occurred were not wanting. The canvastents were shot through and through, the packing cases were riddled andsplintered. Every man lying within the wooden breastwork wasstone-dead, only one of them being killed otherwise than by a bullet.
Cautiously picking his way Captain Restronguet opened the flap of one ofthe tents. He paused to allow his eyes to get accustomed to the gloom,then turned and signed to Hythe to enter.
Lying across an empty box was a short, heavily-built man, whose longmatted hair and unkempt beard well-nigh concealed his features. Apartially discharged revolver lay by his side, his left hand stillgrasped a flask of spirits. He was stone-dead.
"Karl von Harburg," whispered Captain Restronguet. "My debt in thatdirection is paid, though I'm glad that he did not die by my hand. Hehas altered somewhat since last I saw him, but we ought to be able tofind conclusive means of identification."
Bending over his dead rival the captain drew a watch from von Harburg'spocket. It was a gold hunter. Within the case was an inscription inGerman: "To Karl von Harburg from his friend, Ludwig vonThale--September, 1913."
"We'll take this," continued Captain Restronguet. "He was very fond ofshowing it to people. Ludwig von Thale was a high court official whomvon Harburg sold very neatly. But we've seen enough here. Let us getsome fresh air."
Further examination showed that most of the boxes had contained gold.By strenuous exertions the crew of the "Vorwartz" had succeeded indragging a portion thus far. Then they quarrelled amongst themselves.A desperate fight ensued, and of the thirty men only one survived, andhe was a raving lunatic. Of the others twelve were found within thecamp, the remainder having continued their fight to the death in theneighbouring wood, for there O'Shaunessey and Carnon discovered theirbodies, some of them literally grasping their former comrades' throats.
"What's to be done with them, sir?" asked Carnon, pointing to the goldingots.
"Leave them," replied Captain Restronguet shortly. Then in a lower tonehe added, "They are veritably the price of blood. Let them stay.Perhaps someone will find them who will have more need of riches thaneither you or I will, Carnon. My life-work is practically done now, Mr.Hythe, so let's get back to England as quickly as we can."
"To England!" ejaculated the sub. "I thought you had----"
"Mr. Hythe, remember I am still an Englishman. It is now my intention tosettle down in my native Cornwall. I have now more than enough to keepme in ease. My comrades who stood by me so faithfully in times of periland misfortune, will likewise be amply provided for."
"And the 'Aphrodite,' sir?"
Captain Restronguet's brow clouded.
"I know what you mean, Mr. Hythe," he exclaimed. "No, I mean to keep myvow. I swore I would never hand her over to the Admiralty, and I mustkeep my word. In due course, Mr. Hythe, I will let you know myintentions; but do not seek to swerve me from my decision. It will beuseless to attempt to do so."
Without another word Captain Restronguet turned and strode swiftlytowards the airship's ladder. His companions followed. All save thesub put down their leader's taciturn manner to the reaction of theexcitement caused by the dramatic termination of his quest. But theywere mistaken.
"All accounted for," commented Captain Jones. "Well, that's a blessing,for we don't want rascals of that sort finding their way into Britishterritory. Let her go, McPherson. Full speed ahead. We've got to lookpretty smart if we want to get back before sunset."
But the captain of the "Pride of Rhodesia" was mistaken in hiscalculations. The outward journey at a retarded speed had taken thriceas long as the airship did to fly back to where the captured "Vorwartz"lay.
"The gunboats haven't gone yet," announced Captain Jones, as the broadZambezi came in sight once more.
The sub's practised eye saw that the two vessels lying just ahead of the"Aphrodite" were not the sternwheelers from Lake Nyassa. He snatched uphis binoculars and brought them to bear upon the strange craft.
"Portuguese Government gunboats, by Jove!" he exclaimed. "What's theirlittle game, I wonder?"
"Eh! What's that?" ejaculated Captain Restronguet, overhearing thesub's remark. "Hanging round to see what they can make out of thebusiness, I suppose. Why, there's a crowd of them on shore close to the'Vorwartz'."
"When Portuguese colonial officials begin buzzing round they're bound togive trouble if you treat them courteously," observed Captain Jones."I've had experience of them. If you take my advice you'll send themabout their business without delay."
"They won't trouble me," replied Captain Restronguet grimly.
"At any rate I'll stand by till they pack," continued the captain of the"Pride of Rhodesia." "We'll descend here. I don't want to bring mycraft too close to those gentry."
The airship came to earth at the foot of the little hill on which Kenwynhad been left, and, with the exception of three men who were ordered toremain on guard, the whole of her complement hurried towards the bank ofthe river.
"Those rogues have been trying to get aboard the prize, sir," exclaimedPolglaze, who had run to meet his captain. "They've given us a stiffjob to keep them off. None of us can make head or tail of what thatyellow-faced,
gold-laced Johnnie was talking about, although he thinkshe can speak English."
"Did you come to blows?" asked Captain Restronguet.
"Oh, no, sir; we had to lift one fellow up by his trousers and drop himoverboard, but we handled him very gently, although he whipped out aknife."
The Portuguese officer in charge advanced and punctiliously raised hiscap, a courtesy that Captain Restronguet returned.
"We haf come to take possession of the pirate, senhor," announced theformer.
"To take possession of what?" asked the "Aphrodite's" captain.
"Of pirate ship, over thar."
"You're too late, my friend," announced Captain Restronguet affably.
"Too late? How so?" asked the perplexed Portuguese. "She thar. Mecome to take possession in name of Republica."
"You go to blazes!" retorted Captain Restronguet, beginning to lose histemper. "She is my prize."
"By what authority you hold her?" demanded the Portuguese.
"By what authority--we had the permission of the Portuguese Governmentto ascend the Zambezi."
"Yes; to destroy pirate, not to capture. Since she captured is inPortuguese waters she property of Republica."
Captain Restronguet looked at Captain Jones, and the skipper of the"Pride of Rhodesia" looked at the captain of the "Aphrodite." Theabsurdity of the Portuguese officer's logic caused them to laughheartily.
"Tell him we could wipe him off the face of the earth in a brace ofshakes," suggested Captain Jones speaking rapidly and in a low tone sothat the captain of the gunboat could not understand.
"No, I'll deal with him in quite a different way," was the reply.
"Why you laugh? Me no be laugh at," exclaimed the irate Portuguese."Me representative of Republica."
"Look here, my friend," said Captain Restronguet. "Do you see that tentpitched on the top of the hill? We've fever amongst us. Had we knownyou were coming we would have had the yellow flag hoisted to warn you."
The Portuguese officer's face paled under his yellow skin.
"Fever? How say. Madre de Dios!" and he agilely skipped back a coupleof paces.
"Yes, very bad case, senhor. Perhaps you would care to see our hospitalarrangements?"
But the Portuguese did not care to do so; he precipitately retreated tohis boat, followed by his thoroughly scared men, and half an hour laterthe gunboat was pelting down stream as fast as her crazy engines woulddrive her.
"Another example of the curse of petty officialdom," commented CaptainRestronguet. "No wonder the Portuguese colonies are almost at astandstill. Well, Polglaze, how is the work progressing?"
"We got the whole of the gold on deck, sir," replied the man. "If ithadn't been for those jabbering Dagoes hindering us we would have hadthe whole lot ashore by now."
"Time to be off," remarked Captain Restronguet. "It will be dark in lessthan twenty minutes. Leave the stuff there; it won't be touched."
Hastily the "Aphrodite's" men made their way back to the banks of theZambezi, bringing Kenwyn with them--the second officer was already onthe road to recovery, and the spell ashore did him a considerable amountof good.
As soon as the crew regained the "Aphrodite" she was battened down andsubmerged. The wearied crew sought slumber, but it was long ere CaptainRestronguet, Devoran, and Hythe retired to rest, for the first officerhad to be told in detail of the momentous events of the day.
Captain Jones did not relinquish his task at that point, for anxious toaid his successful rival to the utmost of his ability he kept the "Prideof Rhodesia" floating over the captured submarine. All night theairship's searchlights played upon the "Vorwartz" and the store of goldlying on the shore, but the precaution, though desirable, wasunnecessary.
Early on the following morning all hands assisted in warping the"Vorwartz" into deep water. The bullion and species were then taken onboard by means of the "Aphrodite's" whaler, and, bidding the captain andcrew of the "Pride of Rhodesia" a hearty farewell, the two submarinescommenced the descent of the river.
Two days later the "Aphrodite," with the captured "Vorwartz" in tow,recrossed the dangerous bar. Five miles off-shore the British cruiser"Pique" was awaiting them, and handing the prize over to the care of thelatter, Captain Restronguet ordered full speed ahead.
All Cape Town was bubbling over with excitement when the "Aphrodite"dropped anchor in Table Bay. The shipping was gay with bunting, flagswere flown from the Government buildings and most of the houses. Bandswere playing and people shouting themselves hoarse, while the renownedsubmarine was literally wedged in between tiers of boats filled withcurious and enthusiastic spectators.
The Admiralty had telegraphed to the Commander-in-Chief of the Capeoffering Captain Restronguet a commission in the Royal Navy asInspecting Officer of Submarines; Lloyd's had asked his acceptance of asword of honour; the Crowned Heads of Europe bestowed decorations withlavish hands, while the President of the United States of Americatelegraphed his congratulations, and begged Captain Restronguet to bethe honoured guest of the greatest Republic on earth.
But the captain of the "Aphrodite" showed no enthusiasm at thesehonours. Some he could not with courtesy decline, but he strenuouslyrefused to accept the proffered commission. His sole object, he avowed,in calling at Table Bay was to make necessary arrangements with theauthorities for the disposal of the "Vorwartz" and the distribution ofthe prize-money.
"Now, lads," he exclaimed, addressing his faithful crew, "our mission isended. We are now homeward bound; not to our temporary quarters inSumatra but to our only home, Old England. I am in a position to statethat the individual share of prize-money will be duly paid on ourarrival in England, and that every man will be in a state of affluence.I only hope you will be long spared to enjoy it. In less than threeweeks, all being well, I hope to land you all at Falmouth."
"Three cheers for Falmouth!" shouted Polglaze.
"An' three cheer for Ould Oireland," added O'Shaunessey. "Faith! I'lltake me discharge an' boi the largest farm in all County Wexford."