Adrift in Pacific and Other Great Adventures – 17 Titles in One Volume (Illustrated Edition). Jules Verne
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it to be to-night?”
“To-night.”
“Before the moon rises?”
“In the second period.”
“And our companions?”
“They are warned.”
“Thirty-six hours in a coffin! I have had enough of it.”
“And I too much.”
“But Lao-Shen commanded”—
“Hush-h!”
At the name of the famous Tai-ping, Craig-Fry, masters of themselves as they were, could not restrain a slight movement. Suddenly the lids of the oblong boxes closed, and perfect silence reigned in the hold of the “Sam-Yep.”
Fry and Craig, crawling on their knees, reached the part of the passage which was lighted by the main-hatchway, and ascended the steps. A moment afterwards they stopped in the rear of the cabin, where no one could hear them.
“Dead people who talk”—said Craig.
“Are not dead,” answered Fry.
One name had revealed every thing,—Lao-Shen!
It was plain to be seen that the companions of this formidable Tai-ping had smuggled themselves on board. Could one doubt that it was with the complicity of Capt. Yin, his crew, and the consignors in the port of Takou who had put this funereal cargo on board? No: after having disembarked from the American ship which brought them from San Francisco, the coffins had remained in the dock for two nights and two days. A dozen or twenty, or more perhaps, of these pirates of Lao-Shen’s band, taking possession of the coffins, had tumbled out the corpses, in order to take their places. But, in making this move at the instigation of their chief, they knew that Kin-Fo was to take passage on board the “Sam-Yep.” Now, how could they have learned this?
This subject was a perfectly dark one, and it was inopportune to try to throw light on it at this time.
It was certain, however, that Chinese of the worst kind had been on board the junk ever since the departure from Takou, and that the name Lao-Shen had just been spoken by one of them, and that Kin-Fo’s life was in imminent danger.
This very night, between the 28th and 29th of June, would cost the Centenary two hundred thousand dollars, when, fifty-four hours later, the policy not being renewed, they would not have to pay any thing to the beneficiaries of this ruinous patron.
It would show little knowledge of Fry and Craig to suppose that they would lose their heads in this grave situation. Their course was decided upon at once: they must insist on Kin-Fo’s leaving the junk before the second period, and they would fly with him.
But how would they escape? Take possession of the only boat on board? Impossible! It was a heavy canoe, which required the efforts of all the crew to lift from the deck, and lower to the sea. Now Capt. Yin and his accomplices would not help them do this. Therefore they must resort to some other measure, whatever risks they might run.
It was then seven in the evening. The captain, who had shut himself up in his cabin, had not again made his appearance. He was evidently waiting for the hour agreed upon with Lao-Shen’s companions.
“There is not an instant to lose,” said Fry-Craig.
No, not one: the two agents could not have been in greater danger if they had been sailing out to sea on a fire-ship to which the match had been applied.
The junk seemed to be left to drift; and only one sailor was in the prow, and he was asleep.
Craig and Fry pushed open the door in the rear-cabin, and crept up to Kin-Fo. He was fast asleep, but he awoke when they touched him.
“What is wanted of me?” he asked.
In a few words the situation was explained to him; but his usual courage and coolness did not forsake him.
“Let us throw all those make-believe corpses into the sea,” he exclaimed.
A grand idea, but absolutely impossible to carry out, on account of the complicity of Capt. Yin with his companions in the hold. “What is to be done, then?” he asked.
“Dress yourself in this,” answered Fry-Craig. Saying which, they opened one of the packages they had put on board at Tong-Tcheou, and presented their charge with one of those wonderful nautical rubber suits invented by Capt. Boyton.
The bundle contained three other suits, with the different articles which made them first-class life-preservers.
“Very well,” said Kin-Fo. “Go find Soun.”
A moment after, Fry brought in Soun, thoroughly stupefied. He had to be dressed, to which he submitted mechanically, expressing his thoughts only in heart-rending “Ai, ai, yas.”
At eight o’clock Kin-Fo and his companions were ready; and one would have taken them for four seals from the frozen seas preparing to make a plunge. But it must be confessed that the seal Soun would not have given a very favorable idea of the wonderful suppleness of these marine mammifera, because he was so lank and flabby in his floating garments.
It was already growing dark in the east, and the junk was drifting in perfect stillness over the calm surface of the waters.
Craig and Fry pushed open one of the portholes which closed the windows in the rear-cabin, and the top of which opened above the crowning of the junk. Soun, whom they lifted up without ceremony, was shoved through the port-hole, and dropped into the sea. Kin-Fo immediately followed him; then Craig and Fry, gathering up the necessary apparatus, jumped in after.
And no one would suspect that the passengers of the “Sam-Yep” had just left the deck.
CHAPTER XIX.
Which Does Not Finish Well, Either For Capt. Yin, The Commander Of The “Sam-Yep,” Or For Her Crew.
Capt. Boyton’s apparatus consists simply of a rubber suit, made up of pantaloons and a tunic with a hood. From the nature of the material the suit is perfectly water-proof, but would not prevent the wearer suffering from the cold during a long immersion, were there not a lining between which and the rubber a certain amount of air can be introduced.
This air serves two ends,—the one, to maintain the apparatus on the water; the other, to prevent contact with it, and to guarantee against cold: so that the wearer may remain in the water for an indefinite time.
It is unnecessary to say that the joints are perfectly tight and strong.
The pantaloons, which extend to and cover the feet, are fastened to a steel belt at the waist, large enough to give free play to the body, and at their feet have stout soles. The tunic, which is also secured to the belt, has a solid collar, and terminates in a hood; while the latter, by means of an elastic band, adheres hermetically to the forehead, cheeks, and chin, and nothing is seen of the face but the eyes, nose, and mouth. To the tunic several rubber tubes are fastened, which introduce the air, and permit of its regulation, according to the density desired. Thus one can plunge at will to the neck or only to the waist, or even take a horizontal position.
In short, perfect freedom of action and motion and absolute safety are insured.
Such is the apparatus which has brought so great honor to its ingenious and bold inventor; and its real utility will be proved in accidents at sea.1
There are various accessories,—a water-tight bag, to be suspended by a strap, and containing necessary utensils; a stout stick, to be set in a socket at the feet, and to carry a small lateen-sail; and