Chapter 44 Chapter two

The intentions of the pirates are already evident.They dropped anchor not far from the island, apparently planning to land on the beach in a skiff the next day! Cyrus.Smith and his partners are ready for action.Although they have made up their minds, they still cannot be paralyzed.If the pirates do not come to inspect the island after landing, they can still hide.The pirates might just want to get some fresh water from the Mercy.If so, they might not have found the bridge and the workshop of the grotto a mile and a half from the mouth of the river. But why hang that flag on the top of the ship?Why did you fire that shot?No doubt it was purely a demonstration, or else it meant that they had taken over the desert island.Smith now knows that the weapons on the ship are well equipped, what should the immigrants on Lincoln Island use to deal with the pirates' artillery fire?Just a few muskets.

Anyway, Cyrus.Smith said our position was impenetrable.Now the exit of the Granite Palace is covered by reeds and weeds, and the enemy will not find it, so it is impossible for them to attack. But our farms, our poultry yards, our corrals, our everything!cried Pencroft, stamping his foot, and in a few hours they'll have ruined it all! Yes, everything will be destroyed, Pencroft.Smith replied, but we can't stop them. How many of them, that is a question, said the correspondent, if they had been a dozen or so we could have stopped them, but perhaps forty, fifty, or more! Mr Smith, said Ayrton, coming up to the engineer, will you let me go?

What are you going to do, my friend? Go to the ship to find out the strength of the enemy. But engineer Ayrton replied hesitantly, you are in danger of your life by doing this Why not, sir? It's not your job. I should also do other things.Ayrton replied. Are you going to go by boat?Ji Ding.asked Spilett. No, sir, I'll go swimming.They will find them by boat, but one person can swim through the wind and waves. That boat was a mile and a quarter from shore, you know?Herbert said. I am a man of water, Mr. Herbert. I tell you, it is life-threatening to do so.said the engineer.

"Never mind," replied Ayrton, "I beg you, Mr. Smith, to grant my request, and I think this may be an opportunity for me to be a man again." Go, Ayrton.The engineer replied that he was convinced that the reformed convict would be deeply grieved if his request were denied. I will go with you.said Pencroft. Then you just don't trust me!said Ayrton at once. Then he sighed shyly again: Alas! do not do that!do not do that!"Don't misunderstand me, Ayrton," exclaimed Smith, in encouraging tones, it is not that Pencroft mistrusts you.You misunderstood him. Indeed, said the sailor, I only propose to send Ayrton to the isle.It is highly unlikely, but perhaps some bandits have already made it ashore.In this case, two people were not too many to prevent him from sounding the alarm.Since he proposed to go alone, I waited for him on the island, and let him board the boat alone.

After the matter was settled, Ayrton was ready to go.His plan was risky, but the night was very dark, or there was a chance of success.As long as he could reach the side of the ship and grab the main chain, Ayrton could detect the number of people on board, and maybe even overhear the pirates' intentions. Ayrton and Pencroft, accompanied by their companions, descended to the beach below.Ayrton took off his clothes and anointed himself with oil to keep him from the cold, for the sea was still cold.In fact he may have to stay in the water for hours. Pencroft and Neb meanwhile went to move the little boat, which lay a few hundred feet above the Mercy.When they returned, Ayrton threw his coat over his shoulders, and waited to start.Residents came running to shake his hand.

Then Ayrton and Pencroft pushed the boat aside. At half past ten the two adventurers disappeared into the darkness.Their companions went to the grotto to wait for them. The boat crossed the strait smoothly and landed on the opposite island.They are very careful in every move, for fear of pirates wandering there.After careful reconnaissance, it was certain that there was no one on the island.Then Pencroft hurried across the isle after Ayrton, and the birds in the cave were alarmed by them.Then Ayrton threw himself into the sea without hesitation, and swam noiselessly towards the brig.The lights had just come on on board to mark its correct location.Pencroft crouched among the rubble, and waited for his companion to return.

At this moment, Ayrton swam forward vigorously on the surface of the water, without making the slightest sound of the water.He just kept his head out of the water, his eyes fixed on the dark hull.The lights of the boat are reflected in the water.He thought only of his own assurances of the task and of the dangers aboard the boat and in the shark-infested waters of that part, he thought little of it.The current carried him forward, and soon left the shore. Half an hour later, Ayrton arrived at the side of the boat without anyone noticing, and grabbed the main chain of the boat.He took a breath, then climbed the main chain all the way to the front of the boat.There were some pairs of sailor pants hanging out, and he put one on, and planted himself, listening.No one on board was asleep. On the contrary, some were talking and laughing, some were singing.They talked loudly and cursed at the same time, but the words that most aroused Ayrton's pain were these words:

This boat we got was a real hit. It sails really well in the sea, and it deserves to be called the Speedy. None of the Norfolk fleet could catch it. Long live the captain! Bob.Long live Harvey! Ayrton overheard Bob.The name of Harvey, this man is a bold sailor, and also Ayrton's former partner in Australia, and he is still continuing to do criminal business.When Ayrton heard this conversation, his mood can be imagined.Bob.Harvey plundered the brig off the coast of Norfolk Island, loaded with weapons, ammunition, utensils and various implements.The ship had been bound for an island in the Sandwich Islands, and since he had snatched it, the gang of criminals had become pirates.These bandits haunt the Pacific Ocean, robbing passing ships and massacring the people on board. They are even more inhumane than Malay pirates.

The criminals talked and laughed loudly while drinking happily, recounting the shameful deeds they had done in the past.Ayrton knew from their conversation that the crew of the Speedy were English convicts escaped from Norfolk Island. A few words now about the situation on Norfolk Island.East of Australia, at latitude 29° 2' south, longitude 165° 42' east, is a small island, six leagues in circumference, with Mount Walter, 1,100 feet above sea level.This Norfolk island once housed some of the most hardened criminals in the English reformatory.At that time, there were 500 criminals on the island. Not only was there strict discipline on the island, but they were also threatened with torture.In addition, there are 150 soldiers under supervision, and these 150 soldiers are all under the command of the governor.It's hard to imagine a worse thug getting together.Although their supervision is very strict, sometimes some people escape, but such things are rare.They raided ships, seized them, and harassed the Polynesian islands.

Bob.Harvey and his partners have done just that in the past.This was Ayrton's former wish.Bob.Harvey plundered the Speedy off Norfolk Island, and killed everyone on board; for a year he commanded the ship to harass the Pacific, and now he was a pirate, and he was a Ertong's old acquaintance! Most of these criminals were in the stern cabin, but there were also a few lying on the deck and talking loudly. While drinking and shouting, they continued to talk.Ayrton knew that the Speedy had come near Lincoln Island by chance.Bob.Harvey had never been to Lincoln Island.Just and Cyrus.As Smith thought, he found a strange land that was not on this map during the voyage, so he made up his mind to visit the island and, if he liked it, use it as the base camp of the brig.

As for the black flag hoisted on the Speedy and the salute fired by imitating warships when the flag was lowered, it was purely a demonstration by the pirates, and it was by no means a signal, because they had no connection with Lincoln Island at that time. The inhabitants' domain is now in serious danger.There are water storage grounds and ports on the deserted island, as well as a granite palace where you can hide; in addition, through the efforts of the residents, various resources on the island have become more valuable.All this is obviously very convenient for criminals.Once it fell into the hands of pirates, it would be an excellent hiding place; and since no one knew of it, it might keep them safe for a long time.Obviously, they don't value the lives of the residents.Bob.The first thing Harvey and his men thought of was killing them inhumanely.As the convicts intended to settle on the island, and as the Speedy went out to rob, a few men might be left behind to watch, Smith and his companions were at their wit's end.Therefore, there was no choice but to fight, no choice but to use any means to wipe out these villains who did not deserve sympathy.Ayrton thought so, he knew Cyrus.Smith must have thought so too. But is resistance and final victory possible?It depends on the equipment and number of people on board. Ayrton decided to find out at all costs.An hour after he had been aboard, the tumult of the ship gradually died down.Not a few convicts were so drunk that Ayrton did not hesitate to venture aboard the Speedy.The lights had gone out by then, and it was pitch black on the surface of the warehouse.He grabbed hold of the bow, clung to the mast, climbed onto the forecastle, passed among the staggering convicts, circled the ship, and found that the Speedy was armed with four cannon, which could fire eight to ten-pound guns. shells.He touched it with his hand and knew that it was a breech-loading cannon. This kind of cannon was very novel, easy to operate and extremely powerful. There were about ten persons lying on the deck, but many others must have slept below.From their conversation, Ayrton knew that there were fifty people on board.For the six residents of Lincoln Island, it is really not an easy task to fight so many people!Thanks to the zeal of Ayrton, Cyrus nowSmith can know the strength of the enemy, and can arrange properly without panic. Ayrton had completed his task, and he was only waiting to go back and tell his companions about the completion of the task. He was going to feel his way to the bow of the boat, and then go into the water. However, as he himself said, he also had to do extra work, so he had a heroic idea: to sacrifice his life to save Lincoln Island and the islanders.Cyrus.Smith definitely couldn't beat these fifty gangsters.The pirates had excellent weapons, and they could achieve their goals no matter whether they concentrated their main force to attack the Granite Palace or starved them to death by siege.At this moment Ayrton thought again of his protectors, who had made him a good man, and had done him a great favor.However, they will be slaughtered mercilessly, the fruits of their labor will be destroyed, and their island will be reduced to a pirate's lair!He said to himself: He is the main reason for all these unfortunate consequences, because his old partner Bob.Harvey is simply fulfilling his past plans.Thinking of this, he couldn't help but shudder.So, he had an incessant intention to blow up the ship and its crew.Even if he himself had to die in the explosion, he finally fulfilled his duty. Ayrton did not hesitate at all.It is not difficult to find the powder magazine, as it is usually always aft of the ship.There is no shortage of gunpowder for such a ship, and it only needs a spark to blow it up in an instant. Ayrton walked stealthily along the center deck, which was littered with sleeping people, most of them drunk rather than asleep.At the base of the mainmast was a lighted lamp, and round it stood a gun-rack with all kinds of weapons. Ayrton took a revolver from the rack.He took a look and knew it was full of ammunition.That's more than enough for this piece of sabotage.So he went straight to the stern, to the gunpowder magazine under the aft barn. The deck was dimly lit, and it was not an easy task to walk across without tripping over the half-asleep criminals.They cursed or kicked him whenever he tripped over them.So Ayrton had to stop again and again.Finally came to the partition of the rear warehouse, and found the door leading to the gunpowder magazine. Ayrton had no other way of opening the door than to force it open, and he knocked at it.To do this work, the padlock on the door had to be broken, which inevitably made some noise.But his wrist was very strong, and he twisted the padlock all at once, and the vault door opened. At this moment, a hand suddenly rested on Ayrton's shoulder. what are you doing here?asked rudely a tall figure standing in the phantom, and he quickly shone the light on Ayrton's face. Ayrton took a few steps back.With a flash of light, he recognized that it was his partner Bob.Harvey, but the other party must no longer recognize him, because he thought Ayrton was dead long ago. what are you doing here?Bob.Harvey grabbed Ayrton's belt and asked again. But Ayrton made no answer; he broke free from his grip, and was about to rush to the powder-magazine.Just put a shot in the powder box and you're done! Help guys!Bob.Harvey yelled. Two or three robbers were awakened by him.They sprang to their feet, threw themselves upon Ayrton, and tried to throw him to the ground.Immediately he stepped aside, fired twice, and the two criminals fell.But he himself was slashed on the shoulder because he was too late to dodge. Ayrton saw the impossibility of his plan.Bob.Harvey had already closed the powder magazine door, and there was a slight sound on the deck, and all the pirates woke up.Ayrton must save himself to help Cyrus.Smith fights.So he had to run away! But can you still escape?this is a problem.Ayrton, however, resolved to make every effort to get back to his companions. He had four bullets left in his gun.Among the two hits just now, one hit Bob.Harvey, but didn't hurt him, at most slightly.Taking advantage of the momentary retreat of the enemy, Ayrton rushed up the ladder and ran to the deck.Passing under the lamp, he knocked it out with a single blow with the butt of his gun.Then it was pitch black, and it was easy for him to escape.At this time, two or three pirates woke up with a start, and they ran down the escalator.Ayrton's fifth shot knocked one of them down, and the others fell back before they knew what had happened.Ayrton jumped onto the deck in two steps, and three seconds later a pirate was nearly choking him, and his last bullet hit the pirate in the face, and he threw himself over the rail into the sea. Ayrton made less than six strokes, and the bullets came round him like a hailstone. The gunfire on the ship rang out, what would Pencroft, who was hiding under the rocks of the island, think?What would Smith, the correspondent, Herbert, and Neb, crouching in the grotto, think?The four of them rushed to the beach with guns on their shoulders, ready to resist the enemy's attack at any time. They thought that Ayrton must have been attacked by pirates, and had been killed.Maybe the bandits will take advantage of the night to come to the island! They waited anxiously for half an hour.The firing had ceased, but neither Ayrton nor Pencroft returned.Is the island already occupied by the enemy?Should they hasten to the rescue of Ayrton and Pencroft?how to get thereAt this time, the tide is rising, and the strait cannot be crossed.The boat is not here again!It is not difficult to imagine the anxiety of Smith and his partners! At nearly half past twelve, the boat the two of them were on finally docked.Ayrton was lightly wounded in the shoulder, Pencroft was unharmed, and they were received with warm embraces. They immediately hid in the grotto.There Ayrton told the whole story, and his plans to destroy the ship. Everyone held out their hands to Ayrton.Ayrton also frankly stated that their situation is very dangerous.The pirates were startled.They already knew there were people on Lincoln Island.They will be fully armed and forced to land.They don't care about anything.Once the inhabitants fall into their hands, there is no need to think about their lives. Well, our sacrifices will not be in vain!said the correspondent. Let's go in and watch.replied the engineer. Have we any chance of escape, Mr. Smith?asked the sailor. Yes, Pencroft. Hey!Six against fifty! Yes!six!does not include who?asked Pencroft. Cyrus pointed up, without answering.