CHAPTER XXIII
A SIGNAL FROM THE RADIO STATION
No signs of life were apparent as the glare of the searchlight playedover the great building, resembling a dock shed in appearance, whichbulked on shore at the end of the pier and slightly to one side of it.
No other buildings could be seen, nothing but the steep slope of asummer-browned hill, as, obedient to instructions, Robbins swept therays of the searchlight over the surroundings.
"Nothing but that great warehouse," said Ensign Warwick to Jack.
"That building seems to me proof positive that this is headquarters forsmugglers of Chinese coolies," said Jack. "Probably 'Black George'housed them there before distributing them to the mainland. The boatsfrom Mexico could run in here at night, discharge their coolies intothat barracks, and nobody would be the wiser."
An exclamation from Frank drew their attention.
"Look there."
All gazed in the direction in which Frank pointed. On a shoulder of thehill behind the barracks, full in the glare of the searchlight, stoodrevealed a radio plant and antenna. Whoever aboard the Sub Chaser wasoperating the searchlight kept it fixed several minutes on this novelobject.
"Not a sign of life there, either," commented the naval officer. "Ifanybody is around here, he's laying mighty low."
They were close now to the barracks. Long, low, solid-walled with not awindow in the sides but with traps in the roofs to admit light and air,it bulked before them--dark, mysterious, forbidding.
At that moment the searchlight ceased its wandering, and the powerfulglare came to rest full on the huge sliding doors barring the nearerend. Ensign Warwick turned and held up a hand to indicate he wanted thelight kept in that position.
"I hear something," whispered Bob.
All stood immobile and silent, straining to hear. Distinctly there cameto their ear a sibilant, whispering sound. It was from the barracks.
"Get out of the light," whispered Ensign Warwick. "Half to each side ofthe door."
He divided his forces, and all took up their positions. He motioned Boband the sailor called Doniphan to him.
"You two are the strongest," he whispered. "That door isn't locked. Youcan see it is in two halves that roll back. Each of you push back oneside, being careful to keep the door between yourselves and theinterior. We'll crouch on the sides, ready for action if there isanybody within. The searchlight will play right through the doorway andlight up the interior. Ready? Then, let's go."
Bob and Doniphan obediently set their shoulders and forearms against thegreat beams lacing the front of the doors. The latter swayed slightly,then gave. Steadily the two young fellows pushed back the doors, and thelight struck through into the dark interior.
A moaning sound went up that rose and rose into an eerie shriek. Thehair of the listeners stood on end. Frank and Jack crouching to one sideleaned against each other instinctively.
"What's that?"
Bob and Doniphan now had succeeded in pushing the doors fully open. Bobjoined his chums who were on his side of the door, Doniphan his comradeson the other. The powerful glare of the searchlight illumined the wholeinterior. It fell on a huddled group of men in the middle of the greatbarracks, whose frightened faces shone white and pale in the light. Itwas from them rose the shriek.
They were Chinese.
"Coolies. Smuggled coolies, as I live," exclaimed Ensign Warwick, "andscared stiff."
No wonder. With those doors opening so mysteriously, that strange lightcoming from the darkness, brighter than the noonday sun, searching outevery nook of the interior, and with not a human being in sight, it wasno wonder, indeed, that the ignorant coolies were frightened.
"Poor devils," commented the naval officer to Jack. "I have nothingagainst them. They are good enough fellows in their own surroundings,but have been made the pawns of these smugglers."
"What are you going to do?"
"I'm going to try to talk to them. Do the rest of you line up on eachside of the doorway."
With that he stepped into the open.
"Who speaks English?" he called clearly.
The big group swayed a little, as if its members were ready to fly apartand break into flight. In a moment a Chinaman in civilian clothes, asdistinguished from the sort of convict's uniform of dark blue pants andblouse worn by the others, stepped a pace or two forward. He movedunwillingly, but evidently was awed by the appearance of the navalofficer in uniform.
"Me speakee Englis," he said. "Me Cholly Lung."
"All right, Charley Lung. I am an officer of the Navy. Out there is agreat big warship. You keep these men quiet and nothing will happen tothem. But if they make trouble the cannon will blow this building topieces. You understand? You tell them that."
"Me unnastan'. Me tell 'em."
A quick jabber in Chinese followed, as Charley Lung faced hisunfortunate compatriots.
"Allee boy sclared," Charley Lung declared, facing about. "No makentlouble. What shall do?"
"Send each man to his bunk. Tell them to stay there."
Again the quick patter of Chinese on Charley's part. The coolies, somefifty in number, scampered away, diving headlong into the bunks liningthe walls. Then the Ensign beckoned Charley Lung to him authoritatively.He asked him a quick series of questions as to the whereabouts of "BlackGeorge," his assistants and the crew of the trawler. Charley lookedbland. To every question he answered monotonously.
"Me no unnastan'. Me no unnastan'."
"Very well," said Ensign Warwick grimly. "You come with me. I think youdo know."
Turning to Doniphan, he said:
"Doniphan, mount guard here. Get a rifle from the boat. We'll wait untilyou return. Tell Robbins to keep the searchlight playing in here, andexplain why."
Doniphan was back in a very short time.
"Now," said Ensign Warwick. "We'll take up the trail. I haven't heard asound for some time. But somewhere up that creek Inspector Burton'sparty has met the enemy, and we must go to the rescue."
Turning to the Chinaman, he said:
"Charley, you are interpreter here. Don't deny it. You know where 'BlackGeorge' and his party have gone. And you know the road to follow. Youhave been violating the laws of this country and you are in my powernow. If you do what I say, it may be easier for you later. Now I wantyou to lead the way."
Charley Lung looked at him through slitted eyes. There was not a traceof expression on his face to show that he understood or that he feared.
"A' light," he said. "Come along dlis way."
He struck off at once at a tangent from the barracks, bending his stepsalong a narrow trail following the creek into a canyon between highhills. The others followed, Ensign Warwick gripping Charley by an arm.
The three chums were at the rear of the procession. As the others dimlyseen in the darkness turned a bend in the trail and disappeared up thecanyon, Jack chanced to look back. The searchlight still shot steadily,a golden bar of light athwart the darkness and accentuating it bycontrast. In its rays the barracks stood out clear-cut as an etching,with the figure of Doniphan, the sentry, before the door. But Jack'skeen eyes saw something else, and he gripped his companions' arms andpointed upward.
Their gaze followed. Gradually their eyes picked out the dim bulk of theradio station seen earlier in the glare of the searchlight. But what hadalarmed Jack? They could see nothing.
"There. That light. There it is again."
Through a window in the end wall of the station blinked a light, once,twice, thrice. Then all was dark again.
"Signal," said Jack with conviction. "Somebody's up there."
"Come on, let's find out," said the impetuous Frank, starting forward.
Jack restrained him.
"Better tell Ensign Warwick."
Without a word, Bob turned and darted away up the trail. He was back infive or six minutes.
"Can't see them," he said, "they must have left the trail and struck offat an angle somewhere. I used my flashlight, too, but cou
ldn't see asoul."
"Very well," said Jack. "Then there's nothing else for it. We can't letthat light go unchallenged. We'll have to investigate ourselves. Comeon."
The three chums started picking their way among the loose stones, up theside of the hill, in the darkness.
CHAPTER XXIV
A SPY CAPTURED
"I haven't seen any further flashes, Jack. Have you?"
"No, Frank. Bob, what do you make of it?"
"Well, you know more about radio than we. As far as I know, that lightwasn't any indication that the radio was in use, because there is nosuch indication possible."
"You're right, of course, Bob. That light was a signal to somebodysomewhere. I wonder----"
"What?" asked Frank.
"Whether it was a signal to some ship off shore?"
"Or to the smugglers who are inland," suggested Frank.
"It might have been the latter," said Jack. "I hadn't thought of that.Let's see whether this hilltop commands a view up the canyon."
They had paused beside a clump of rocks some thirty feet from thenearest corner of the radio station, after toiling up the steep slope.They spoke in whispers. Not a sign of life was apparent about thestation, yet they could not have been deceived regarding the appearanceof the lights, ere starting to climb upward. What did it mean? It wasthis they had been discussing, and now, at Jack's suggestion, they facedabout. A smothered exclamation broke from Jack's lips:
"Why, this hilltop must be in sight for miles."
Even in the moonless darkness, it was apparent that such was, indeed,the case. The winding canyon, up which had disappeared Ensign Warwickand his relief party going to the aid of Inspector Burton in his fightwith the smugglers, was commanded for a long distance by this outjuttinghill on which the radio station had been erected. Two rows of hills,shadowy, bulking in the darkness, stretched ahead on either side and thecanyon lay between.
"Fellows, our arrival and landing was watched," whispered Frank, withconviction. "Then when Ensign Warwick set out with his men, the spysignaled from here by means of a light. And so the smugglers wereinformed and forewarned."
"Yes," said Bob suddenly, "and say----"
The big fellow did not often speak, but when he did it was usually tothe point. Bob and Jack looked at him.
"Say what?" asked Jack.
"Why, that Chinaman Charley Lung. I'll bet he's in on it. He's leadingour men into a trap."
"I believe you've guessed it, Bob," said Frank, his low voice taking onincreased excitement. "Remember how he looked?"
"Looked like a heathen idol to me," grunted Bob. "What do you mean?"
"Oh, a kind of sly look in his eye, and something sly in his voice, too.'All light,' he said. 'Come 'long.' I tell you, now that Bob hassuggested it, I believe that Chinaman was planning to play the traitor,and lead Ensign Warwick into an ambush."
For several seconds all three crouched there beside the rocks, thinking.And their thoughts were not of the pleasantest. Their party was split.Inspector Burton with one force was somewhere inland engaged with thesmugglers. Perhaps he had encountered a large force, and was hardpressed. Certainly, the sound of firing had grown more and more distantuntil it could no longer be heard, and that seemed to indicate he wasbeing beaten back.
Then there was Ensign Warwick with the second force. And, if theirsurmise was correct, the smugglers had been informed by signal from theradio plant that he was coming, and Charley Lung, moreover, was leadingthe naval force into a trap.
"What could they do? What could they do?"
That was the question in each mind. Instinctively, as always in acrisis, the others turned to Jack.
"First of all," said Jack, "we have got to find who is in the radiostation, and capture him. It won't do to leave an enemy in our rear."
"What if there is more than one," objected Frank.
"Not likely," said Jack. "One man to spy and give the signal would besufficient. More would be a waste of men."
"All right. Let's go," said Bob. When action was suggested, he alwayswas ready for it.
Jack considered.
"Listen. We want to be careful, and not run unnecessary risks. It's justa little box of a station with a window in this end nearest us, a doorthere in front, and probably a window on the other end. I think thatwindow is too small for a man to escape through, don't you?"
The boys agreed.
"Big enough for pigeons," commented Bob. "That's about all."
"Well, see what you think of my plan. We'll creep up to the door, andcrouch to each side of it, then knock and call on whoever is within tocome out and surrender."
Bob and Frank considered.
"Sounds all right to me," said Frank.
"Why not break right in?" grumbled Bob.
Jack shook his head.
"Best to be cautious," he said. "Let's go."
Slowly and with infinite care so as not to dislodge loose stones and setthem rolling down the hillside or to make any betraying sound, the boyscrept to their chosen positions, Bob and Frank on one side of the door,Jack on the other. The revolvers served out to them by Ensign Warwickwere held ready. Not a sound from within. Was their presence known orsuspected?
Jack leaned forward and thumped on the door with the butt of his weapon.
"Come out," he called in a clear, firm voice, "in the name of the UnitedStates Navy I call on you to surrender. Your light was seen from thewarship, and the station is surrounded."
A moment's silence followed. The hearts of the boys beat so strongly itseemed to them the very sound must be heard in that tense stillness.Then the boards of the floor creaked under a light tread, and the doorwas slowly pulled inward.
"Don't shoot," said a voice. "I surrender."
A slender form appeared in the doorway, hands upraised. Jack shot therays of his flashlight upward. A Chinese youth in American clothesappeared. He was spectacled.
"Are you alone?" demanded Jack.
"Yes, sir."
"Armed?"
"Yes, sir."
"Advance and be searched."
The youth stepped across the low sill of the station, hands stillupraised. Jack motioned to Frank to search him, and the latter ran hishands over the other's form, abstracting a revolver and a long knife.
"That all?"
"Yes, sir."
Bob spun the young Chinaman around, pulled out his belt and tied hishands together with it.
"Keep an eye on him," said Jack. "I'm going to have a look at thestation."
First casting the rays of his flashlight over the interior and verifyingthe Chinaman's statement that he was alone, Jack went inside. PresentlyBob and Frank heard him exclaim, and then he appeared in the doorwaylugging a heavy square wooden box.
"Look what I found," he cried delightedly. "A portable radio outfit forfield work. This is the very latest equipment. I've examined it hastily,and it seems to have everything--antennae coiled up and ready forstringing, some jointed steel poles to attach it to the box and powerfulstorage batteries."
"What'll we do with it?" asked Bob.
"I don't know yet, but I have a hunch it will come in handy. Well, now Iguess we better go down to the boat and tell this man Robbins what wehave discovered and what we suspect. Then we can talk to our prisoner,too."
The latter's face was impassive. In appearance and judging by the choiceof words he had employed, he was an educated youth. Perhaps somethingcould be gotten out of him by questioning. It was worth trying.
"All right," said Bob. "Frank, you watch our prisoner and I'll lend Jacka hand with this radio outfit."
CHAPTER XXV--A FORLORN HOPE--------------------------
"Wow. Now that we're down, I don't see how we made it with this."
Bob put down his end of the box containing the portable radiotransmission set, and Jack followed suit.
"Must weigh all of two hundred pounds," said Bob.
"Well, the batteries are heavy," said Jack. "The light poles weighlittle, and the coil co
ntains not much more than a pound of wire. Butthere are eight 'B' batteries of twenty-two and one-half volts each, andthey weigh about five pounds apiece."
"Don't see what use the darned contraption will be, anyhow," grumbledBob. "Where can we use it?"
"Oh, I don't know. But I have a hunch it will come in handy. Come on."
Bob took up his end of the case, and the march was resumed. They hadreached the base of the hill and were at the rear of the warehouse.Skirting this, they were halted by a sharp challenge as they reached thefront and stepped into the glare of the searchlight from the Sub Chaser.
"All right, Doniphan," said Jack. "We've got a prisoner."
The young sailor doing sentry duty in front of the building housing theChinese coolies regarded them curiously, as they made their way out thepier toward the boat. Robbins, the petty officer left in charge with ahalf-dozen men felt his responsibility and was on watch on deck. Hehailed them, then leaped to the pier. The boys paused, Jack and Bob putdown their burden, and briefly Jack related their experiences.
"So you were signallin', hey?" said Robbins sharply, turning to theyoung Chinaman whom the boys had taken prisoner.
"He had a powerful electric light bulb hung in the window of the radiostation," explained Jack. "It could be seen a long distance up thecanyon."
"No un'stan'," said the Chinaman, a look of stolid stupidity coming overhis face.
Jack recalled the good English employed when the youth had been calledon to surrender.
"Oh, come, now," he said. "We know better than that. You're an educatedman."
The Chinaman shrugged. Stupidity gave way to defiance.
"Have it your own way," he said. "But I won't tell you a thing."
Robbins was exasperated. He made a threatening gesture, but Jack laid ahand on his arm.
"All right," said Robbins, grinning. "I wouldn't strike him, anyhow.Against regulations. Wait a minute, you fellows, till I turn him over tosomebody aboard."
Taking the prisoner by an arm, he marched him to the rail of the SubChaser, where a sailor who had been an interested observer to what wentforward, was leaning. Returning, Robbins, not much older in appearancethan Bob but of slighter build, said:
"What's to be done?"
He respected the boys for their quick thinking and courage inemergencies, and deferred to them. All four looked at each other insilence. It was a ticklish situation for young heads.
"Ensign Warwick told you not to leave the boat, didn't he?" asked Jack.
Robbins nodded.
"It probably would be foolish for all of us to go chasing off up thecanyon without knowing any more than we do, anyhow," said Jack.
"Look here, you fellows," said Frank. "What's the matter with our goingscouting up the trail, the three of us? We know there is danger aheadand have a pretty good idea of what it is, and so we ought to be able toguard against it. Three men would make a likely reinforcement in case wefind our friends hard pressed."
"Yes, but nine men would be better," said Robbins. "If there was onlysome way you could send back word, in case you find our men bottled up,I could bring up my outfit."
"Well, I can run back," said Jack.
"He's some jackrabbit, too," Frank assured the young sailor. "You oughtto see him in our school field meets."
"Yes, but suppose you get five or six miles inland," objected Robbins."You couldn't be back here in under an hour, and it would be more thandouble that time before we could get there with help."
Big Bob looked thoughtful. Then he kicked against the side of theportable radio outfit at their feet.
"If only this weren't so doggone heavy," he said, "we might carry itwith us, and give you a call when we discover anything."
"I have it," cried Jack delightedly. "The very thing."
"What?" asked Robbins.
"Why, we can take that portable radio without any trouble at all. Thiscreek runs back a considerable distance into the mountains through thecanyon. We can set up the radio in a boat and go up stream that way. Thetrail is bound to parallel the stream. Moreover, we stand a betterchance to proceed unobserved, for they will be watching the trail andnot the stream."
"Why not?" said Frank. "Looks like a good idea to me."
"All right," said Robbins, "if you fellows want to try it. Here's a boatright here, tied to the pier. Let's rig her up."
Everybody worked enthusiastically, and the portable radio apparatus wasquickly in place, except for the aerial.
"There's not sufficient stretch for the aerial," said Jack. "But if wedo get a chance to use the radio to call you, we can string the antennaeto some trees in no time at all, make our connections, and be all fixed.I should say this would send about eight or ten miles."
Frank steering, and Bob and Jack at the oars, the boat shot awayupstream and almost immediately disappeared from sight, so dark was thenight. Robbins listened intently, but the beat of the oars soon dieddown.
"Expert oarsmen," he commented to himself. "Wonder who those fellowsare, anyhow? They certainly act in a hurry."
Then he went aboard to caution one of his men to remain at the radio,ready to catch the boys' message should they call.
Meantime with oars so skilfully handled as to make scarcely any sound,the boys forged upstream. Minute after minute flew by, without a shot,or any human sound, breaking the stillness. Bend after bend wascautiously rounded, but nothing lay ahead. Several times Frank looked athis watch. An hour had passed.
"We must have come three or four miles," he whispered. "Let's take abreather. I'll spell Jack when we go on. Pull in under this left bank.The trail is on the right side, and we'll keep away from it."
Bob and Jack pulled slowly over as Frank swung the tiller, and the boatcame to rest beneath the drooping branches of a pepper tree that grew onthe very edge of the stream.
"I'm afraid we can't go much further in the boat," Jack said anxiously,his voice barely audible. "Stream's getting very shallow."
"Suppose one of us pushes ahead to reconnoiter while the others stay inthe boat," suggested Frank.
"I expect that's what we better do," said Jack. "It's getting quiteshallow."
After some further whispered conversation it was decided that while oneof the trio to be chosen by lot should push ahead on foot, the othersshould busy themselves stringing the aerial.
"If I find out anything to tell Robbins," said Frank, who had been theone selected to spy out the land, "the radio will be working when I comeback."
Scarcely had he stepped ashore on the left bank than the sound ofrevolver fire, ahead and seemingly close at hand, was heard. Frankjumped back into the boat.
"Put me ashore on the other side," he said. "I'll go up the trail. Thatshooting can't be far away."
"Be careful," warned Jack, anxiously, as his young chum again leapedashore.
A quarter of an hour passed, during which Jack and Bob busied themselvesstringing the aerial between two trees on opposite sides of the stream.They stopped work frequently to listen. One more burst of firing washeard, and a faint sound of shouting. Then Frank's voice hailed them,and he scrambled aboard.
"Nobody along the trail," he explained as soon as he could recoverbreath, for he had been running. "But around the bend ahead the canyonbroadens out into a rather wide valley, and up above it on a hilltop onthe right is a stockade. Our men are in there, and the smugglers arebesieging them. The way I could tell the smugglers are outside was byblundering almost on top of a clump of Chinamen directed by 'BlackGeorge.'"
"Guess we better radio Robbins to come up with his men," said Jack. "Boband I just completed stringing the aerial. Now to see if the outfit willtransmit."
He began adjusting the tuner and detector knobs and sending out hissignal.
CHAPTER XXVI--A SURPRISE ATTACK------------------------------
"I hear someone coming," whispered Bob.
While Jack continued working at the radio, Bob and Frank listenedintently. Jack began speaking into the transmitter, indicating he had
opened communication with the Sub Chaser. Bob put a hand on his arm, andset his lips to Jack's ear.
"Tell 'em to wait," he whispered. "Someone coming. Mustn't risk beingoverheard."
Nodding, Jack breathed an injunction to wait into the transmitter. Allthree chums sat silent and tense. The faint sound first noticed by Bobgrew louder. Footsteps were approaching along the trail. Not those ofone man but of a number. Fortunately, the bank of the stream was highand they were sheltered below it. Besides, down here at the bottom ofthe canyon, with the narrow walls not far from the stream on eitherhand, it was dark as a wolf's mouth. Even to each other they were almostundistinguishable thickenings in the gloom.
The footsteps came closer. They could hear men passing on the trailabove. Frank, who was nearest, suddenly swung ashore. Bob divined he wasgoing to clamber up to watch the trail, and considered it a riskyproceeding. He put out a hand to stop Frank, but too late.
Not even daring to whisper, Bob and Jack held their places in the boatand watched Frank's figure melt silently into the darkness.
Presently the sound of men passing ceased. Not a word had been utteredamong them that Bob and Jack could overhear. Nor had the chums venturedto speak to each other. What had become of Frank? Bob looked at hiswatch with the illuminated dial. Ten or twelve minutes had passed. Therewas no longer any sound on the trail above. He could stand the suspensejust about three minutes more, he whispered to Jack, and then he, too,would take the trail to see what had become of Frank.
He was preparing to put his plan into execution when Frank reappeared,swinging down the bank with less precaution than before and obviously ina state of high excitement.
"Fellows, that was 'Black George' and his engineer and nearly a score ofChinese," he said. "They're moving fast down the canyon. Matt Murphy anda handful of men have been left behind. I overheard 'Black George' andhis engineer in whispered conversation, and I gathered what their planis. I was crouching in a tree up here above the trail. Their plan is forMatt Murphy and his gang to keep our men bottled up in the stockade,while 'Black George' goes down to try to surprise and capture the SubChaser."
"Evidently Ensign Warwick's Chinese guide was a traitor all right," saidJack.
"First thing, Jack, is to radio Robbins and warn him what's coming,"suggested Bob.
"Right," said Jack, and turned to comply.
Frank again swung up to the trail to guard against surprise while Jacktelephoned. At the conclusion of his conversation, Jack called to him ina low voice and Frank returned to the boat.
"Robbins suggests that we attack Matt Murphy and his party from therear," he said. "Murphy cannot have many men left, probably merelyenough to keep dropping a shot now and then and lead our men in thestockade to believe all 'Black George's' men still face them. If we openvigorous fire from different quarters it will seem to Matt's men thatreinforcements have arrived to attack them in the rear and they may makea break to get away. Moreover, the sound of the firing will induce ourfellows to come out of the stockade. Shall we try it?"
"I'm game," said Bob.
"Me, too," declared Frank, ungrammatically.
"One thing we must all remember, however," Jack said firmly. "That is,not to take chances. Keep a considerable distance from the enemy. Wedon't want to shoot any of them, but merely to frighten them intowithdrawing."
"All right," said Bob, impatient for action. "Come on."
Examining their revolvers by flashlight to see that all was in order,the boys scrambled ashore with Frank in the lead, as he had acquired afamiliarity with the route. The boat was tied securely to the bank.
Walking in Indian file, they proceeded along the trail to the bendearlier described by Frank. Rounding it, they saw open before them thevalley of which Frank also had spoken. Although there was no moon, theireyes were accustomed to the darkness, and by the pale light of the starsthey could see sufficiently well to gain a good idea of theirsurroundings.
The valley broadened out to the width of, perhaps, half a mile. Close tothem on the left was the hill crowned by the stockade. This hill, bareof verdure and low, jutted up from the floor of the valley andindependent of the higher hills behind it. The posts of the stockademade a serrated line against the clear night sky.
"Murphy's men must be close at hand," Bob whispered.
"It was right here that I almost stumbled on them before," answeredFrank, low-voiced. "We must be careful."
"Look there. I saw someone moving," said Jack, gripping Bob's arm, andpointing ahead.
They stood pressed against the canyon wall, trying to pierce thedarkness. Everything was so shadowy and unreal, however, that Frank'sgaze following where Jack indicated could make nothing of it, nor couldBob discern anything to indicate the presence of the enemy. At thatmoment Matt Murphy's voice raised in a guarded hail came from theshadows in the direction to which Jack had pointed.
"Who's there? That you Mac?"
Murphy believed one of "Black George's" party had returned. Probably,from the name he employed, he considered it was MacFinney, the engineer.Jack thought quickly.
"Down. Crouch down, and scatter," he whispered.
Frank and Bob dropped and disappeared to right and left respectively inthe low brush. Murphy called again, a note of anxiety in his voice:
"Who's there? Answer or I'll fire."
Jack's reply was a shot from his revolver, purposely aimed high. He hadno desire to injure Murphy. Then he ran to one side, fired again, and athird time and then taking shelter behind a rock awaited developments.Bob and Frank who, it had been agreed beforehand, should go not morethan twenty paces away in order that they all might keep in touch witheach other in case it was necessary to come together again forprotection or make a dash back to the boat, also opened fire.
Murphy fired only once, after Jack's first shot. The bullet pingedagainst the canyon wall. Then he turned and, although the boys could notsee him, they could hear him dashing back, and surmised he was going torejoin his men.
Jack decided a little noise now would not come amiss and would help toincrease the alarm and mystification of Murphy's party as well asapprise their own men in the stockade that friends were at hand. Hebegan to yell "Attaboy, give it to 'em." Bob and Frank, closer at handthan he thought, joined in vociferously. They made a praiseworthy dinthat would have done credit to a dozen men at least.
In the midst of it, answering cheers came back from the stockade andthen over the palings leaped Ensign Warwick and Inspector Burton withtheir men. The boys could not see, but they could hear. Shots and cheersrang out, and the boys not to be outdone redoubled their former efforts,at the same time keeping up a brisk revolver fire at the sky.
It was too much for Matt Murphy and the half-dozen Chinese left in hischarge. Their only thought one of escape, they bolted for the trail downthe canyon. A surprised grunt from Bob indicated that one of the fleeingChinese had blundered into him. Bob landed a blow on the side of thefellow's head that was sufficient. It bowled the man over, and Bobleaped forward and sat on him.
Frank saw a dark form scuttle along near him and, unwilling to fire,picked up a stone half as big as his fist and let fly with it. Themissile caught the fugitive behind the ear and he, too, went down. Frankran forward and bent over the still form. By the bandaged arm, he couldtell it was Murphy.
Alarmed, he bent closer. But Murphy was breathing heavily. He had merelybeen knocked out. Frank stood over him undecided what to do. A voicehailed from the darkness:
"Where are you, Frank?"
Frank called, and Jack came up.
"Hello, you've got a prisoner, too. Why, it's Murphy. Bob also captureda man, a Chinese. Four or five others ran by me and hit the trail."
A hail from the darkness ahead in Ensign Warwick's voice came to theirears:
"Where are you, Robbins?"
"It's not Robbins, sir," answered Jack. "But Jack Hampton. My chums arewith me."
"Thank God," cried the young naval officer, running forward, and whilestill some paces away. "S
o you three fellows are safe? I didn't miss youuntil we arrived here, and then things happened so rapidly I couldn't goback to look for you. What happened? But, wait, here's InspectorBurton."
The Secret Service man approached, throwing the glare of his flashlightover the boys. A number of the sailors closed around them. Others whohad followed the fugitives a short distance along the trail but hadturned back, according to orders to stick together, could be seenapproaching. A number of flashlights lighted up the scene.
"Why, you're wounded," said Jack, glancing at a blood-stainedhandkerchief bound about the Secret Service man's forehead.
"A nasty crack, but nothing dangerous," replied Inspector Burton. "Butwhere in the world did you boys drop from? Ensign Warwick thought youlost or captured."
"And where is Robbins? I thought it was he attacking, and that's why weleft the stockade," supplemented the naval officer.
Briefly as possible, Jack recounted their adventures, interruptedfrequently by expressions of approval and warm commendation from EnsignWarwick and Inspector Burton. The boys wanted to know what had happenedto the other two parties, but Ensign Warwick said:
"That story will have to wait. Meantime, if we hurry we can get to thelanding almost as soon as 'Black George.' Leave the boat tied up andcome with us. You can make better time."
CHAPTER XXVII--BLACK GEORGE CAPTURED-----------------------------------
Murphy and the captured Chinese were bound and put aboard the boat. Butfirst Robbins was apprised. "Black George" had not appeared yet. No timewas wasted detaching the aerial. It was abandoned. Then one of thesailors, who had been shot in the fleshy part of the right leg and thuscould not maintain the rapid pace of the party, was put at the oars withinstructions to follow down stream until he reached the landing.
With that the others set out at a trot. All were young and active, evenInspector Burton being still in his thirties and in excellent physicalcondition. They were unencumbered with baggage of any sort.
Ensign Warwick in the lead set a killing pace. Jack, Bob and Frank,however, thanks to their training in long-distance running at HarringtonHall, were enabled to keep up without difficulty. Inspector Burtonsurprised them all by sticking close.
"I've always been a bit of a runner," he explained during onethree-minute halt for the recovery of breath.
So hard did Ensign Warwick push forward that in half an hour they nearedthe mouth of the canyon where it broadened out into the littlelandlocked harbor. A halt was called. Not a shot had been heard yet.
"Those Chinese we routed," whispered Ensign Warwick, "would give thealarm that we are behind them if they caught up with 'Black George.'"
"Perhaps they took to the hills," suggested Jack. Inspector Burtonnodded.
"It might easily be that they had a stomachful of fighting," he said."They might have decided to save their own skins and let 'Black George'shift for himself."
"But if they have given warning, we might be ambushed," said Frank. "Alittle way ahead there, at the mouth of the canyon, would be a fineplace for an ambuscade."
A distant sound of firing, followed by a pandemonium of high-pitchedyells, shattered the silence.
"They're attacking," cried Ensign Warwick. "Come on. Ambush or not, wemust go forward. Every man for himself and watch the sides of thecanyon. On the run now, fellows. Let's go."
Turning he plunged ahead. Behind him came Inspector Burton and the threechums. Close on their heels were the fifteen or eighteen young sailors.
There was no ambush after all, and they later learned the Chinese theyhad routed at the stockade had fled to the hills without seeking to warn"Black George" of the Nemesis on his heels.
Dashing out of the canyon, around the sharp turn at its mouth, they cameupon a wild scene. The Chinese coolies in the warehouse were shriekingin terror, and the sounds of their yells and of the blows they rainedwildly upon the sides of the building came clear to their ears. Theycould see three crouching figures before the door, rifles presented,guarding against any attempt of the coolies to bolt.
The searchlight from the Sub Chaser played over the scene a momentlonger as they watched, bringing it out in sharp relief. Then the lightwas swung away and brought to bear upon the trawler. "Black George"appeared on the deck, firing his revolver futilely at the Sub Chaser.
Ensign Warwick running rapidly reached the pier, with the boys close athis heels. He dashed out to the Sub Chaser and leaped aboard.
"Beggars must have gotten into the warehouse from the roof," Robbinsexplained rapidly to his superior officer. "Stirred the coolies up tomake a break for it, thinking to divert us. Would have done so, too, ifI hadn't had your warning. But we kept the coolies in bounds. Meantime,the rest of their outfit must have swam out to the trawler. Planned toset her adrift, I guess. Tide's running out. Heard something that mademe suspicious and put the light on them, as you see. And here you are."
"Good enough," approved Ensign Warwick.
Advancing to the other side of his little craft he called to "BlackGeorge" to surrender.
"If you try to escape," he called, "I'll train a machine gun on you.Better surrender and avoid bloodshed."
With a curse of rage, "Black George" raised his revolver and fired.Ensign Warwick leaped aside, as the bullet struck the deck at his feet.A shot rang out from the Sub Chaser. The revolver spun from "BlackGeorge's" grasp, and he jumped up and down grasping the stunned wrist inhis other hand.
"Who did that?" queried the naval officer.
"I did, sir," said Jack. "I merely shot his weapon away to disarm him."
"Pretty shot," approved Ensign Warwick, while several of the sailorsalso murmured approval.
"Folwell, a machine gun is trained on your deck and you cannot escape,"the naval officer continued. "Our men are waiting ashore, and you cannotescape by swimming. Call your men on deck. A boarding party is comingaboard."
"Black George" realized the futility of further resistance, and whenEnsign Warwick with a half-dozen heavily armed men gained the deck ofthe trawler he had Engineer MacFinney and eighteen Chinese on deck. Theywere searched, and then the Chinese were put in the forecastle underguard and the two white men were taken aboard the Sub Chaser.
At sight of the three chums, "Black George" cursed bitterly.
"You're the cause of all my troubles," he said. "I should have left youto the tender mercies of Wong Ho's men back in Chinatown."
"If he only knew how much you three lads have contributed to hisdownfall," commented Inspector Burton, as "Black George" was led away,"he would feel even worse."
Ensign Warwick approached.
"Look here," he said, kindly, "you fellows have had a pretty strenuoustime of it. It's a mild night, and I'm going to keep Folwell aboardhere, bed him down in a hammock, where I can watch him. Do you fellowsobject to turning in on the trawler?"
"Not at all," said Jack. "We slept there before, you know."
"Yes, I know. That's why I proposed it now. Well, if you want to turn innow, I've got the boat ready to lift you over."
Amid a hail of "good-nights" the three chums and Inspector Burton wererowed to the trawler. Once aboard, they lost no time in straighteningthe bunks and tumbling in.
"Way past midnight now," said Bob, examining his watch. "We've got onlya few hours. I, for one, am not going to waste them in undressing."
And, merely kicking off his shoes, he tumbled over on his berth andalmost immediately fell asleep. The others followed suit.
CHAPTER XXVIII--REWARDS AHEAD----------------------------
Mr. Temple beamed on the gathering in his sitting room at the VictoriaHotel. It was the afternoon of the following day. The party included thethree chums and Inspector Burton. Ensign Warwick had duties demandinghis attention. Inventor Bender and Doctor Marley had left for SanFrancisco.
"Well, boys, I can't tell you how relieved I am at the safe outcome ofyour adventures," declared Mr. Temple. "I was worried. There's nodenying it. When you left last evening for Santa Cruz Island, everybodys
aid there would be no danger and that the smugglers would submitwithout a fight. But I had a premonition of trouble. Besides," he added,twinkling, "I knew that where there was trouble, you three youngsterswould be sure to be in it."
"They were in it, indeed," said Inspector Burton. "If it hadn't been forthem, I don't know how matters would have turned out. Having isolated usin the stockade, the smugglers might have captured the Sub Chaser.Anything might have happened."
The boys stirred uncomfortably under this praise.
"Inspector Burton, won't you tell us now how you and Ensign Warwick cameto be in the stockade?" asked Jack, to divert the conversation. "So faryou have been busy with other matters, and we haven't heard the storyyet."
"Yes, I meant to tell you as we crossed from Santa Cruz this morning,but the questioning of the prisoners kept me so engaged it wasimpossible. Folwell wouldn't talk, but that man, Matt Murphy, gave memuch valuable information."
"He's a pretty good scout," said Frank thoughtfully, "and we took quitea liking to him. But, somehow, a man that turns traitor to his friendsloses caste with me."
"That's a natural feeling," said Inspector Burton, tolerantly. "But inthis case, there are extenuating circumstances. It's too long to explainnow. At any rate, I'll be able to make it light for Murphy."
"Well, tell-tale or not, I'm glad of that," said Bob. "He did us a goodturn when we were captives aboard the trawler."
Inspector Burton then proceeded to explain that, after landing from theSub Chaser on the north shore of Santa Cruz the previous night, he hadled his party through the mountains. After striking the headwaters ofthe creek, they followed down the canyon until entering the valley wherethe stockade was located.
This they had inspected. Finding it untenanted, they had proceeded ondown the canyon. When still some distance from the landing, they hadencountered "Black George" and his men in superior numbers, and hadfallen back in the stockade.
"That was when we first heard your shots. Then they grew more distant asyou retreated," said Bob.
The Secret Service man nodded.
Ensign Warwick and his party, he continued, had been ambushed as theypushed up the canyon, but had cut their way through and taken refuge inthe stockade.
"Knowing the Sub Chaser was guarded and would wait for us, we determinedto wait for daylight before attacking the smugglers," continuedInspector Burton. "We were at a disadvantage through unfamiliarity withour surroundings. Fortunate for all concerned, you boys were on the job.Otherwise we in the stockade would not have known that the major portionof the attacking party had gone to the landing, and it might have gonehard with Robbins and his handful of sailors."
"I suppose, Inspector, that the breaking up of this gang of cooliesmugglers is a matter of some importance," suggested Mr. Temple.
"Some importance, indeed," Inspector Burton said.
He was silent a little while, gazing out of the window at the palm treeson the lawn and the bright sunshine flooding all.
"A great feather in my cap, and sure to bring me advancement," he said,smiling. "The credit really belongs to you, boys, but matters of thatsort are not recognized in official circles. I, as the man on theground, will be the one rewarded."
"And quite rightly, too," said Mr. Temple, warmly. The genial SecretService man had commended himself by his actions. "I am sure," he added,"that these boys feel anything they were able to do was owing to theaccidents of fortune."
"Yes, indeed," said Jack.
And Frank chimed in:
"We were in great luck, sir, to be permitted to have a hand in theending of the adventure."
Bob nodded.
"Very good of you, boys, to take it like that," approved InspectorBurton. "But, remember, I have no illusions about the matter. I know ofwhat help you have been.
"At any rate," he continued, "the capture of this gang is of thegreatest importance. Smuggling of Chinese coolies into the country hasbeen growing alarmingly. Who would have thought the smugglers would beso bold as to operate a distributing point on Santa Cruz Island? Yet,after all, what better place could they have found? Isolated,practically uninhabited, it was admirably suited to their purpose.
"This man Folwell is a smooth crook with a tremendous reputation forelusiveness. We have never been able to obtain definite informationconnecting him with criminal activities. He is the head of a gang thathas its ramifications not only up and down the Pacific but in the east,too, in New York.
"Through your instrumentality, we have him by the heels now, and notonly him but his agents in our own official circles as well as old WongHo."
"What," interrupted Jack, "you have arrested that old Chinaman? Why, wehad no idea where it was in Chinatown that we had been taken."
"I know," said Inspector Burton, "but from Matt Murphy I obtainedinformation that I wired at once to San Francisco, and Wong Ho is in thetoils. From Murphy, too, I obtained the names not only of Handby, but ofseveral others in official positions, who have been spies for Folwell.They, too, are being watched and either under arrest already or soonwill be. You see," smiling, "I have had a busy morning."
"And the other boats employed in the coolie traffic?"
"Ensign Warwick is attending to that matter. They will be rounded up."
"A good piece of work," approved Mr. Temple, breaking the silence whichfollowed the Secret Service man's last remark. "And now, boys, we'll goback to San Francisco for a day or two while I conclude the businessmatters which brought me west. Then we'll return to New Mexico where Iwill leave you at the Hampton's for the two or three weeks left of yourvacation, while I return to New York."
Inspector Burton leaned forward, and cleared his throat.
"Mr. Temple, I have a proposition to make to you," he said.
The older man regarded him with surprise.
"Yes? What is it?"
"Just this," said the Secret Service chief. "These boys have been ofsuch service to the country that I want them to have some reward."
"Oh, we're not looking for anything," said Frank quickly.
Inspector Burton smiled tolerantly.
"My dear boy, I know very well you aren't. But what I am about topropose may please you, after all. Have you ever been to Washington, thenational capital?"
"No, sir. None of us have."
"Well, wouldn't you like to shake hands with the President? And wouldn'tit be nice to have the Chief of the Secret Service thank you personallyfor what help you have done?"
The eyes of all three chums shone. The unexpected proposal left themspeechless. Mr. Temple spoke for them.
"That would be fine, Inspector," he said. "You've knocked the wind outof the boys. They'll tell you what they think of your plan as soon asthey recover."
"Boy, oh, boy, I guess that wouldn't be scrumptious," said Jack.
"Something more to tell the fellows at Harrington Hall when schoolreopens," said Frank.
"I'm ready right now," said big Bob, melodramatically leaping to hisfeet and grabbing the doorknob. "Come on. Let's go."
Mr. Temple laughed, and Inspector Burton joined him.
"Not so fast," he said. "When you leave New Mexico for home, you can goby way of Washington. That will be time enough. In fact, I'll have toprecede you to arrange matters."
After some discussion, the chums went out to wander around SantaBarbara, leaving Mr. Temple and the Secret Service man to make thenecessary arrangements as to time, etc., for their proposed trip toWashington.
"Come on. Let's go down to the beach for a plunge," said Bob. "That'sthe only way I can get this exuberance out of my system."
CHAPTER XXIX--A LOOK INTO THE FUTURE-----------------------------------
Jack, Frank and Bob reached Washington alone, Mr. Temple, weeks before,having left them in New Mexico to return to New York.
"You fellows have given me the longest and most exciting vacation frombusiness that I ever had," he said, on leaving them at the Hamptonranch. "Little did I think I would be involved in international intrigueon
the border or engaged in breaking up a tremendous smuggling ring. ButI'm too old for all this excitement, although you youngsters seem toflourish on it."
"Old," protested Bob. "Why, Dad, you look fitter after all ourexperiences than for years."
Mr. Temple's eyes twinkled.
"Well," said he, "I can't say that I haven't enjoyed it all. Quite achange from business, hey?" he added, appealing to Mr. Hampton, Jack'sfather, the mining engineer.
Mr. Hampton nodded, smiling slightly. He himself led a life filled withmore adventure and excitement than that of the quieter business man. Yethe, too, had had a considerable increase in thrills that summer,kidnapped in an airplane and held captive by Mexican rebels at theCalomares palace in the mountains of Sonora, as related in a previoustale of _The Radio Boys on the Mexican Border_.
Life at the ranch had gone along quietly for the boys during the twoweeks after Mr. Temple's departure, filled with riding, several shorttrips into the mountains and a visit to Santa Fe, second oldest city inAmerica, to inspect the ruins of the Spanish occupation.
Then had come the expected invitation from Inspector Burton of theSecret Service to visit Washington, and with two weeks left of theirvacation, all three set out for New York via the national capital.
Now, as they stood in front of the New Willard at Fourteenth Street andPennsylvania Avenue, just around the corner from the White House, theywere filled with pleasurable excitement and some nervousness, too. Forthey were going to meet the President of the United States.
"Be at the office of the President's Secretary at eleven o'clock," hadread the note from Inspector Burton, awaiting them at the hotel. He hadwritten he would be unable by reason of business engagements to meetthem at the hotel and conduct them to the White House, but that he wouldmeet them there.
It was a hot August day. Not a cloud was in the sky, and the sun shonewith an intensity that was almost unbearable. Heat waves danced on theasphalt, and there were few people moving about. Washington inmid-summer is at its deadest, for then the legislators and majorgovernment officials have fled to seashore or mountain, the city isdepopulated, and those remaining stir abroad no more than necessary. Inits ring of hills, drowsy, somnolent, the governing center of the nationtakes a summer _siesta_ and waits for the coming of crisper autumn whenthe wheels once more will begin to revolve.
For the President to be at the White House was unusual, but urgentbusiness having to do with a crisis in a little-known corner of LatinAmerica had demanded his presence. The boys had read of his return theday previous in their morning paper.
Being a little ahead of the appointed time they walked leisurely alongPennsylvania Avenue under the dusty trees, with the broad White Houselawn showing green and pleasant behind the high iron fence, and with theWhite House handsome and dignified through the trees. Followingdirections, they did not turn in at the wide main gateway, but atFifteenth Street turned and retraced their steps to the smallthoroughfare between the State, Army and Navy Building and the left wingof the White House, where the executive offices are located.
Down this thoroughfare to the left they went, nervousness increasing,turned in at a gateway and entered the anteroom of the President'ssecretary. It was cool and quiet in there, and empty of its usual crowdof men and women clamoring to see the President on some business orother. Inspector Burton rose from a corner, and came forward handextended, and at his smile and reassuring handclasp the knees of thechums ceased to be water and became a bit more solid once more.
After being introduced to the President's secretary they were taken tothe Blue Room, instead of the President's office, and there, amid thesummer dust cloths covering the furniture, in that room where thepresidents of the past had conferred upon matters that shook the world,the President greeted them. Tall, elegant, elderly, gray, with a smileand a homely manner of talking which put them at ease at once in somemagical way, he made a profound impression on the boys.
"Such boys as you," said he, in parting, "renew my faith in the futureof America."
Then they were out, and walking along Pennsylvania Avenue with InspectorBurton, a bit dazed, sure that great distinction had been visited onthem, but not yet able to understand it all.
At Fifteenth Street, where they had turned back on their previous strollalong the fenced White House lawn, the Secret Service man took them intothe imposing pile of the Treasury Building.
"The Chief wants to thank you," was the only explanation he vouchsafed.
First the President! Now the head of the Secret Service! Things werecoming fast. Jack and Bob looked solemn, but Frank the irrepressible,catching sight of their long faces, burst into laughter.
"Brace up, my hearties," he cried, thwacking each on the back. "He's notgoing to eat you. I have private information that assures me he won't."
The tension was relieved, as all laughed.
Then Inspector Burton conducted the chums into a high-ceilinged officelined with books, looking more like a student's library than the officeof the head of the nation's great super-police force. A small man,compactly built, with a close-clipped gray mustache, rose from a deskand advanced to meet them.
"Well, well, so these are the young heroes," he said, grasping each inturn firmly by the hand as the introductions were managed.
Then he stood back and took a long look at them, a twinkle in his eye atthe mounting color and embarrassed manner of the trio.
"I'd hate to meet any one of you in a rough-and-tumble fight," he said."No wonder you made things fly on the Pacific."
All sat down then and a general conversation about the break-up of thesmugglers' ring followed. The boys learned that "Black George" and WongHo were in jail, awaiting trial, that three boats employed in thesmuggling traffic had been captured, that Mexico had been asked and hadagreed to prosecute the conspirators operating at Ensenada, that threeemployees of the government were under arrest for conspiracy in thesmuggling operations, and that Matt Murphy was free on parole and thecase against him would not be pushed.
Finally, Inspector Burton arose and the boys took that as a signal itwas time to depart, and also got to their feet.
"I know of no way to reward you except to give you the thanks of theService," said the Chief at parting. "But that is yours. Good-by."
"Wow," said Frank, when they were alone at their hotel once more, "Ifeel as if I owned the world."
"The common herd had better not talk to me for a while," declared Bob,grinning. "I wouldn't be able to notice anybody less than a general."
"Same here," said Jack. "Well, now, fellows, what are we going to do?Now that we're on the ground with a fine chance to see the sights, wecertainly aren't going to go right home, are we?"
"I move we stay until we take in everything," said Frank.
"Second the motion," said Bob. "But I tell you, going around in thisheat is going to cost me some weight."
"Oh, it'll just get you in condition for football," said Jack. "You'regetting too fat, anyhow."
That precipitated a general discussion of the forthcoming return toHarrington Hall Military Academy, the football prospects, the effectwhich recital of their thrilling summer would have on schoolmates, andother matters of similar ilk. It would be Jack's last year, while Frankand Bob, a class behind him, would have two years more before enteringcollege. All three planned to enter Yale, of which both Mr. Hampton andMr. Temple were graduates.
Three days they spent in sightseeing, paying visits to Mount Vernon,George Washington's old home; the national cemetery at Arlington, quaintAnnapolis, where the Naval College is located, and inspecting thecapital and all the great public buildings.
Browned, looking taller and broader, every one, than at the beginning ofsummer, they arrived home at length a week before the opening of school,and spent the interim mainly in swimming and in reassembling theairplane owned by Frank and Bob, which had been shipped on from NewMexico, or in working at Jack's radio plant.
Frank, as stated in a previous tale, was an orphan and lived with
theTemples, Bob's father being his guardian. Jack, whose mother was deadand whose father still was in New Mexico, decided to make his home atthe Temples instead of opening his own home. The Hampton and Templeestates, situated on the far end of Long Island, adjoined each other.
And here, with their preparations for school, we shall leave our threefriends. But--here's a little secret--the following summer a mysteriousairplane, a sandy and secluded cove and what they found there, strangelights at sea at night and the imprints of a one-legged man's wooden pegon the sand of a deserted stretch of beach, all combined to draw thethree chums into adventures as exciting and thrilling as any that hadgone before. And these will be related in _The Radio Boys With theRevenue Guard_.
THE END
THE RADIO BOYS SERIES
A Series of Stories for Boys of All Ages
By GERALD BRECKENRIDGE
The Radio Boys on the Mexican Border The Radio Boys on Secret Service Duty The Radio Boys with the Revenue Guards The Radio Boys' Search for the Inca's Treasure The Radio Boys Rescue the Lost Alaska Expedition
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