Chapter 25 Chapter Eleven Offense and Defense
In this way, the plot carefully planned by Captain Sarol was put into practice.Also involved in the plot were the Malays he took with him, the New Hebridians who had boarded the ship in Samoa, and the natives of Elomungo Island and the adjacent waters.What will be the result of this?Unpredictable, because this invasion was so sudden and terrifying.
The New Hebrides consist of more than 150 islands.Geographically, it belongs to Australia and is protected by the United Kingdom.Like the Solomon Islands in the northwest of the same sea area, the issue of protection rights there has become the focus of competition between France and the United Kingdom.And the United States doesn't like to see Europeans establish their own colonial rule in the middle of the ocean, which is where it intends to dominate!Great Britain planted its flag on each of the islands.At the same time, it seeks to establish a supply station.In this way, the supply station will be indispensable to the United Kingdom.
The residents of the New Hebrides are divided into blacks and Malays, all of which belong to the Kanak race.But these two types of aborigines are obviously different in character, temper, and nature.They belong to two different islands in the north and south, thus causing the archipelago to be divided into two.
Of the northern islands, in Santo, in St. Philip's Bay, the people there are better educated, and the complexion is not so dark, and the hair is not curly.The men are short and strong, gentle and quiet, and have never robbed European shops and ships.Even when it comes to Waade Island, or the Hawaiian Islands, there are several small towns that appear to be prosperous and lively.Port of Hawaii, the capital of the archipelago, is one of them.The Port of Hawaii, also known as Franceville, was the place where the colonists gathered money.There are rich fertile soil resources: rich and beautiful pastures, good fields for cultivation, and the land can be used for farming, such as growing coffee, bananas, and coconuts; it can also be used for profitable industries, that is, making copra.In this archipelago, the arrival of Europeans completely changed the native population.Their moral and intellectual levels are raised.Thanks to the missionary's efforts, the usual scenes of cannibalism never happened again.Unfortunately, the Kanak race also tended to die out.It is quite evident that the people of the northern islands did change when they came into contact with European civilization, but they also tended towards extinction.
But this regret is not reflected in the southern islands.It was not for nothing that the Sarol Ship had chosen the Southern Isles to organize his criminal operations against the Model Islands.On these islands, the aborigines are still the standard Babu people, even on Donna Island or Elomungo Island, they are still in the initial stage of human progress.Elomango Islanders in particular, an old cobbler has reason to say to Dr. Ayer:
"If this island could talk, the stories it told would be horrifying!"
In fact, the race of these Kanak people is a low-level provenance, so far there is no cure.They cannot be compared with the blood of those Polysinians in the northern islands.Among the 2,500 residents of Elomango Island, the English missionaries have worked hard since 1839, and finally persuaded half of them to convert to Christianity at the expense of five people.The rest of the people were still heretics.Furthermore, these natives, converted or not, were brutal by nature.Compared with the people of Santo Island and the Hawaiian Islands, although they are relatively thin and underbuilt, their notoriety is not untrue.With dangers of this magnitude, travelers must be vigilant when traveling through the Southern Isles.
It is necessary to list some other examples:
Some 50 years ago, this type of piracy attacked the brig Dawn.Of course France eventually cracked down on piracy severely. Missionary Gordon was beheaded in 1869. In 1875, a British ship was attacked because it was betrayed, and the entire crew was killed, and later eaten by wild men who cannibalized. In 1894, among the islands near Louisiad, on Rossel Island, a French merchant and his workers, the captain of a Chinese ship and his crew were all killed by these cannibals. killed.In the end, the British cruiser HMS Royale was forced to attack in order to punish these savage peoples for killing too many Europeans.Now Pancina never shrugged distrustfully when she heard the story.Because he just escaped from the terrible teeth of the Fijians.
This is the nation.Thalor recruited his own accomplices among them.He allowed them to rob the very rich "Pearl of the Pacific", but not a single one was allowed to live.When it appeared near Elomungo Island, it was never out of the prying eyes of these savages.It is separated from the nearby islands-mainly Donner Island-only by a very narrow channel, only 35 miles to the south.Donner Island has the most powerful Huanixi people. They belong to a murderous people who believe in the god Tibalos, and they are almost naked.Also in this archipelago are the natives of the Black Seashore and the Sangari, who are most forbidding and dreadful.
The men of the Northern Isles were comparatively less savage, but it cannot be concluded from this that they were not part of Captain Sarol's schemes.In the northern part of the Hawaiian Islands, there is an Api Island.There are eighteen thousand people on the island, and there is a custom of cooking captives there.The young eat the body, the adults eat the arms and thighs, and the offal feeds the dogs and pigs.There is also Baama Island, whose tribes are as ferocious as Api Island.The cannibal Kanaks also live on Malikolo Island.And last of all, there's Aurora Island, which is the worst of the archipelago, and there's not a single white person living there.A few years ago, the crew of a French dhow was destroyed.Now, it is the people of these islands who enhance the power of Captain Sarol.
The model island emerged, arriving just a few anchor lines from Ello Mungo Island.From that moment on, Captain Sarol sent the signal the natives had been waiting for.
Within minutes, the outcropping rocks became the gateway for three or four thousand men to attack the model island.
The danger was immeasurable, for the New Hebrides could not be stopped by any blow when they had stormed the city of millions.They tasted the sweetness of the surprise attack.Now they had not only javelins and poisoned arrows, but also sneeders of the kind commonly used on the island.Moreover, the javelins used are all tied with bone tips, which can seriously injure people.The arrows are also coated with venom.
The matter was obviously planned for a long time. Right now, Saroll is leading the team ahead of the attacking team.As soon as the incident happened, the authorities of Model Island immediately recruited soldiers, sailors, civil servants and everyone who could fight.
Cyrus Picktaff, Captain Simcoyer, and Captain Stuart all kept cool heads.King Marekari also contributed his strength.Although he lost his youthful vigor, he still had this courage.The natives were still in the port port, far off, and the officers in the port were doing their best to organize resistance.But there was no doubt that the savages would soon be flooding the city.
The order to close the gates of the city of billions was issued, because all the residents of the city were congratulating in the city.Suburbs and parks are in danger of being ravaged, and should be defended.There is also the possibility that the two port areas and the power plant will be razed and should be a distraction.The front and rear battery could be blown up and should be prevented.If the most unfortunate thing happens, and the cannons from the Model Island are turned around to bombard the city... that's entirely possible, because the Malays use cannons.
In short, most of the women and children hid in the city hall building under the suggestion of King Marekari.
The spacious city hall, like the whole island, was plunged into total darkness.Because the generators are no longer running, the mechanics are all engaged in driving out the foreign enemies.
However, thanks to the prudence of Captain Sim Coyer, some weapons were kept in the City Hall.Soldiers and sailors not only received these weapons, but also received sufficient ammunition.Walter leaves Miss Tee, Mrs Tanken, and Mrs Coverley, and joins a team.The team includes James Tanken, Nat Covery, Callistus Membal, Pancina, Yvernay, Frascolan, Sebastian Zorno .
"Let's go...it seems like that's the end of it!" Sebastian Zorno muttered.
"But it's not over!" exclaimed the Steward. "No, it's not over. This little Kanak will never bring down the Model Island!"
"That's right, Callistus Membal! It must be understandable how furious you must be at the thought of these odious New Hebridians disturbing such an orderly wedding. Yes, I hope you will." Fight off these guys...unfortunately, if they're outnumbered, they'll keep the offensive advantage."
However, the sound of explosions continued to come from afar, from the two port areas.Captain Sarol turned off the machine as soon as he came up to prevent the Model Island from slipping away from Elomungo Island.This place is their base camp.
A council of defense was held with the Governor of the Island, King Marekari, Captain Simcoyer, and Colonel Stewart.They first thought of breaking out.But no, this will cause many people on Model Island to lose their lives, which is a much-needed power right now.Expect these savages to suddenly wake up?Why not just count on the conscience of the beast that invaded Model Island two weeks ago to find out!Besides, isn't it obvious what they're trying to do?They wanted the model island to crash into the rocks of Ello Mungo Island before the heist.
An hour later, the attackers reached the fence gate of Yiwan City.They tried to knock down the door, but were unsuccessful.They tried to climb back in again, but were shot.
Since the city of billions of dollars was not captured suddenly at the beginning, it was even more difficult to break through the city defenses in the dark.The Sarol boat then led the natives to station in parks and suburbs, where they waited for dawn.
At four or five o'clock in the morning, the eastern sky turned pale for the first time.Captain Simcoyer and Colonel Stewart ordered the soldiers and sailors to keep half of the soldiers and sailors to guard the city hall building, and the other half to gather at the Observatory Square.They believed that Captain Sarol would storm the gates from this direction.In other words, since there is no foreign aid, they can only prevent the aborigines from attacking the city at all costs.
The "Quartet" followed a team of defenders, led by officers, towards the crossing of First Avenue.
"Just escaped being eaten by the Fijians," Pansina said loudly, "and now I have to fight the cannibal New Hebrides, or I will not keep my body from being cooked."
"To hell with it, they can't eat us all!" replied Yvernay.
"I will shed my last drop of blood for the resistance, like the hero of the writer Rabeche!" added Yvernay.
Sebastian Zorno has been silent, and everyone knows his opinion on the matter.But that didn't stop him from doing his duty.
From the moment the first ray of light appeared, there was an exchange of fire inside and outside the fence gate of the square.The defense inside the observatory was heroic, with casualties on both sides.Among the residents of Billion City, James Tank was injured on the shoulder, and he was unwilling to withdraw from the line of fire because the injury was not serious.Nat Coverly fought alongside Walter on the front lines.King Marekari braved the hail of bullets, trying to target Captain Sarol among the natives.
In fact, there are too many of them, these attackers!All the natives of Elomungo, Donner, and the surrounding islands came to join the battle and stormed the city of billions.However, there was a good sign at this time (Captain Simcoyer had noticed), that is, the model island, driven by an imperceptible current, instead of drifting towards Elomungo Island, drifted towards the northern islands Go, if only head for the high seas!
However, as time went by, the attacks of the natives became even crazier.Although the defenders were exceptionally heroic, they couldn't stand it.About ten o'clock, the fence was pulled up.Facing the screaming natives pouring into the square, Captain Sim Coyer was forced to retreat to the city hall building while fighting.Now I have to defend there like a fortress relying on the building.
The soldiers and sailors retreated step by step.Now that the New Hebrides had breached the walls, they, driven by the desire to plunder, might have dispersed to loot their property.The soldiers and civilians of Hundred Million City can take advantage of this to regain their advantage...
Hope dashed!Captain Sarol forbids the natives to go beyond 1st Avenue.Through this avenue they will reach the city hall and crush the last resistance of the besieged.Once Captain Tharoor became master here, he won a decisive victory.Only then can robbery and killing be carried out.
"After all...they are really too many!" repeated Frascoran, wounded in the arm by a javelin.
The guns flew like rain, and the bullets were like this.The speed of their retreat had to be accelerated.
At about 2 o'clock, resistance fighters once again concentrated on the square in front of the city hall.The death toll on both sides has reached 50 people.The number of injured is as high as two or three times.Before the aborigines rushed into the city government building, they rushed in, closed the gate, and ordered women and children to hide deep in the building to avoid bullets.Enter Cyrus Picktaff, King Marecari, Captain Simcoyer, Captain Stuart, James Tanken, Nate Coverley, and their friends, Soldiers, Sailors up the window sill.Organize fierce firepower again.
"Here we must persevere," said the island governor, "this is our last chance, and may God, in His spirit, save us from danger!"
Captain Sarol ordered an immediate attack.Although the task is still very difficult, he believes that the victory has been secured.In fact, the gate is so strong that it is difficult to break through without cannons.The aborigines braved the hail of bullets from the window and hacked with knives and axes, and naturally paid the price of a large number of casualties.However, this did not shake the resolve of their leader.It seems that only by killing him, things may turn around...
Two hours passed, and the city government building still resisted as before.The bullets killed a large number of attackers, but reinforcements kept rushing up.The best snipers like James Tanken and Colonel Stewart tried to kill Captain Sarol, but they were all unsuccessful.Although many people around him were killed, he seemed invulnerable and unscathed.
In a burst of unprecedented intense fire, a bullet flew into the central balcony.It was not he, Captain Tharol, who was struck, but Cyrus Picktaff.He was shot in the chest and fell, blood gushing down his throat, and he uttered only a few words indistinctly.We sent him into the back room.There, he died quickly.In this way, the first island governor of Model Island fell.He was an able administrator with a great heart of integrity.
The attack is like a raging wave, reaching a frightening madness.Under the ax of the natives, the gate was almost lost.How can the attack on the last bastion of Model Island be stopped?How can these women, children, and all those imprisoned here be saved from mass murder?
King Marekari, Ethel Simcoyer, and Colonel Stuart were conferring to discuss escape through the back door of the building.But where to hide? ...to the rear fort? ...but what if they got there? ...to a port? ...but have the natives taken it? ... What about the wounded?There are already quite a few, and you can't bear to leave them behind, right? ...
At this moment, a lucky gunshot turned the world around.
Regardless of the rain of bullets and javelins all around him, King Marekari rushed to the balcony.He raised his spear and aimed at Captain Sarol, just at the moment when a door was about to be split open...
Captain Sarol fell from a shot.
The Malays were stunned by his death, and hurriedly retreated carrying the leader's body.The aborigines also retreated towards the fence gate of the square.
Almost at the same time, shouts of killing sounded from the heights of 1st Avenue.There the gunfire was loud again.
What's the matter? ... Was it the men who guarded the ports and forts who gained the upper hand? ...Could it be that they came back to the city? ...Did they ignore the disparity in strength and copy the retreat of these aborigines? ...
"Is the gunfire from the observatory intensified?..." Colonel Stewart asked.
"Perhaps the bastards have reinforcements again!" replied Captain Simkoyer.
"I don't think so," replied King Marekari, "because the shots don't mean..."
"Yes! . . . the fight is on again," Pancina exclaimed. "We regained the advantage..."
"Look . . . look!" rejoined Callistus Monbal, "these dogs are starting to scatter. . . . "
"Come on, friends!" cried King Marekari, "get these bastards out of the city. . . . Forward! . . . "
Officers, soldiers, and sailors rushed downstairs and through the gates.
Savages fled in all directions in the square, some along First Avenue, and some scrambled in the nearby streets.
The situation turned around so quickly and so unexpectedly.What is the root cause of this phenomenon? ...Could it be because of the sudden death of Captain Sarol...the dragons have no leader? ... These attackers are so superior in numbers, they will not lose their fighting spirit because the leader was killed!You must know that the city government building was already in danger at that time.Such speculation is impossible to accept, is it not?About 200 sailors and soldiers, led by Captain Sim Coyer and Colonel Stewart, charged into First Avenue in pursuit of the fugitives.With him went the Tandons, Nat Coverly, Frascoran and his mates.The natives fled in panic, and didn't even think about turning back to fire a shot or shoot the last poisoned arrow. Sneed's rifles, bows and arrows, and javelins were discarded everywhere.
"Come on!...Come on!..." Captain Simkoyer yelled loudly, and the voice was really loud.
Near the Observatory, however, the gunfire was louder... there must have been some very heavy fighting going on.
Has Model Island been rescued? ...but what rescue? ...Where did the rescue come from? ...
In any case, the assailants fled in all directions in utter terror.Were they attacked by reinforcements from Port Port? ...
Yes... French immigrants from the Hawaiian Islands led a thousand New Hebridians to invade Model Island.
The quartet was comforted by their native tongue when they met their brave countrymen.What's so strange about that!
This unexpected intervention went like this, which can be said to be a bit magical:
During the night before and after dawn, Model Island kept drifting toward the Hawaiian Islands.Everyone will not forget that it was a French colony, and it was becoming more and more prosperous.In other words, once the colonial authorities learned that Captain Sarol was directing the offensive, they decided to lead a thousand natives who surrendered to them to reinforce Machine Island.But to get them there, canoes are not enough...
In the morning, when the current drifted the model island upstream of the Hawaiian Islands, you can imagine the joy of the honest French immigrants.All jumped into the fishing boats and took the natives - most of them swam and swam - to port on the port side...
At this time, the defenders who remained in the front and rear battery and those who remained in the port joined them.They crossed the countryside, rushed through the park, and went straight to the city of billions.Thanks to their containment, the city hall will not fall into the hands of the attackers (the death of Captain Sarol has made them panic).
Two hours later, the New Hebrides gang, being rounded up, had to jump into the sea to escape, hoping to swim to the Hawaiian Islands.Most of them fell under the bullets of the troops.
Now, the model island can finally rest assured!Finally escaped a catastrophe of robbery, killing and destruction!
It seemed as if the outcome of this terrible event should be happy for all, and something should be done for the good deeds of others... but no!what!These Americans are always astonishing and puzzling!This final ending seems normal... They seem to have expected it a long time ago... But what is it that resists Sarol's crimes and prevents him from accomplishing that terrible catastrophe!
Think of it this way: the two owners of Model Island may be secretly glad that they have kept this 2 billion fortune.The future of the property was secured by the union of Walter Tanken and Miss Tee.
Two newcomers should be mentioned.When they met again, they couldn't help hugging each other.At this time, no one will feel disrespectful.Didn't they get married 24 hours ago? ...
Why have that kind of reserve that is too American?Our Parisian artists don't care about that, they welcome the French immigrants from the island of Hawaii, and shake hands so warmly! How sincerely the "Quartet" was congratulated by my countrymen!Two violinists, a viola player, and a cello player would not be able to bravely perform their duties if the bullets had no eyes.As for the excellent Atanaz Doremy, he was quietly waiting for one of his students in the Civic City, but the student insisted on not coming... Who would blame him for this? ...
As for the general manager, it is an exception.Although he was a Yankee through and through, his joy was beyond words.What do you think he can do?The blood of the illustrious Barnum ran in his veins!Surely the descendants of such a famous person would not be so indifferent, unlike those northern Americans!
After the catastrophe, King Marekari took the Queen back to his residence on 37th Avenue.For his bravery and devotion to the common cause, the Council of Celebrities will personally come to thank him.
The model island is safe again.But this salvation came at a high price.Cyrus Picktaff fell at the height of the battle, and some sixty soldiers and sailors were killed by shot or poisoned arrows.As for the civil servants, clerks, and businessmen who bravely participated in the battle, their casualties were almost equal to those of the soldiers.Residents from all over the city attended their mass funeral. "Pearl of the Pacific" will miss them forever!
Hundreds of millions of city people quickly returned to their original state with their usual efficient handling ability.After the model island anchored on Hawaii Island for a few days, there was no trace left after the bloody battle.
During this period, it was unanimously agreed that the general command should be handed over to Captain Sim Coyer.As far as the position is concerned, there is no difficulty, no competition.Neither Mr. James Tanken nor Mr. Nate Coverly had any intention of getting involved.As for the issue of new consuls after Model Island, it was decided to resolve it through elections.
The next day the townspeople gathered on the Starboard Harbor wharf for a solemn ceremony.The bodies of Malays and natives were thrown into the sea.For the martyrs who sacrificed their lives to protect Machine Island, the treatment must be different.Their bodies were reverently collected and sent to a Christian or Catholic church for preservation, a privilege they deserved.Cyrus Picktaff, consul of the island, received the same prayers, the same mourning, as the commonest commoner.
Subsequent funerals were entrusted to a fast steamer on Model Island.The ship immediately set sail for the Bay of Madeleine to deliver these precious remains to the Christian cemetery.
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