Chapter 15 Chapter 15 Ending

The battle between the pirate fleet and the patrol ships lasted two and a half hours.As for the pirates, more than 150 people were killed or injured, and almost the same number of the 200 sailors on the Western Tower were lost.The casualty figures illustrate the intensity of the fighting on both sides.But after all, this is a battle where the more wins the less, and the victory does not belong to the righteous side.Henri Darbale, his officers, sailors and passengers all fell into the hands of Shaqdiff, known for his brutality. Shakhdiv and Nicola Scota, are literally one.Until then, no one knew that under this name was hidden a Greek, a Mane, a traitor to the oppressor.Yes, it was Nicola Scotta who commanded this group of thief ships, making waves on the sea, creating terror and death!It's him, while making a living as shameless pirates, he also manages even more shameless human trafficking!He was also the one who sold his compatriots who escaped from the clutches of Turkey to North Africa and pagans!That's him, Shakdiff!This pseudonym, or pirate name, turned out to be the son of Andronika Scota!

Shakdiv - as we shall call him now - Shakdiv, has built his lair on Scarpendo over the years.In the depths of an unnamed bay in the eastern Mediterranean is where his fleet moored.His lawless hordes follow him blindly, obey him, and do whatever evil he tells them to do.This mob gathered in two dozen boats and obeyed his orders. Shakhdiv had gone straight to Scarpendo since leaving Corfu on the Calista.He was going to continue his crimes among the Isles, and he intended to touch the Tower of the West, which he watched set sail, with the intention of hunting him down.While he was looking for the Western Tower, he had also been paying attention to Haddina's whereabouts. He was still coveting her tens of millions of property, and he did not forget to seek revenge on Henri Darbale.

The pirate ship was looking for the patrol ship everywhere. Although Shakdive often heard that he hunted down and punished many pirate ships in the northern part of the archipelago, he never met him face to face.It was not he who killed Stradner, the former captain of the Occidental Tower, at the battle of Reynolds, but it was he who escaped in the brig at the port of Kessos when the patrol boat was engaged with other ships. he.At that time, he did not know that the captain of the Tower of the West was Henri Darbale.It wasn't until he met Henry at Scarpento Fair that he understood. After Shakdiv left Kassos, he moored the ship at Shira Island, and did not leave until two days before the arrival of the patrol ship.The brig that people see seems to be heading for Crete, which is correct.There was another ship at Grubbs Harbor waiting to take Shakdiff to Scarpendo for new crimes.The patrol boat caught up with him, but let him escape.

Shakdiff recognized the Western Tower.His first idea was to rush aboard, loot it, and destroy it to vent his hatred.After thinking it over, he decided that it would be best for him to follow him along Crete, and lure it near Scarpento, while he hid himself in an unknown harbour. That's what he did.The pirate leader ordered the fleet to line up to attack the patrol ship. Coupled with various circumstances, the tragedy happened very quickly. We already know what happened, and why Shakdiv came to the captive market in Alcazar, and that after he saw Hadzina Elizondo among the captives, he and the captain of the patrol ship , Henri Darbale stood face to face.

Shakdiff also thought that Hadjina Elizondo was the heir to the tens of millions of property owned by the boss of Corfu Bank, so he wanted to keep her for himself... Henry Darbale's intervention destroyed his plan. attempt. So, he decided to keep Hadzina forever, take revenge on his opponent and destroy the patrol ship.Shakdiv took Scopello back to the west of the island.Henri d'Albale wanted to leave Scarpento as soon as possible and send the rescued people back to their homeland.The pirate chief gathered nearly all his ships, and set out the next day.With all odds in his favour, the Western Tower fell into his clutches.

It was three o'clock in the afternoon when Shakdiff stepped onto the deck of the Western Tower.The sea had begun to pick up a wind, just in time for the other ships to move into vantage points and bring the Western Tower under their fire.The two brigs leaned against the patrol ship's gunwale so that their chiefs could get on board and leave the patrol ship. Shakdiff ignored one point. There were only more than a hundred pirates staying with him on the patrol ship. Shakdiff has not spoken to Captain Henri Darbale.He only talks to Scopello.This guy was busy taking the rescued captives and officers and sailors to the hatch, where he joined them with the men caught in the battery and the middle cabin, forced them into the bilge, and closed the hatch.What will be their fate?It must have been terrible, to have them die with the ship.

So there were only Henri Darbale and Captain Todros on the poop, disarmed and bound. Shakdiff, surrounded by a dozen strong men, walked in front of them. "I didn't know," said he, "that the Tower of the West was commanded by Henri d'Arbale! If I had known, I would have never spared you in Crete and would not have let you escape. What kind of mercy do you come to me at Scarpento Market?" "If Nicola Scota had the courage to wait for us in Crete, he would have been hung on the mast of the Western Tower!" Henry replied. "Really?" said Shakdiff, "it's a simple and pleasant way..."

"Yes, a way that suits a pirate chief!" "Beware, Henri Darbale!" cried Shakdiff. "Beware! Your mast is not down yet, I only need to signal..." "You hit!" "Officers cannot be hanged!" cried Captain Todros. "Shoot! Such a shameful way of dying..." "A disgraceful man can only think of a disgraceful death, can't he?" replied Henry. Hearing this, Shakdiv made a gesture, which the pirates understood. This is a sign of death. Five or six men fell on Henry, and others grabbed Captain Todros, who was trying desperately to break free from the rope.

The captain of the Western Tower was dragged to the bow amidst a chorus of curses.The noose, made of rigging, was ready, and within seconds this humiliating execution was about to be applied to a French officer.Just then, Hadzina appeared on the deck. The girl was brought up by order of Shakdiff.She knew that the pirate leader was Nicola Scotta, but she remained calm and proud. She saw Henry at first glance, and she had been thinking about it before, wondering if he was still alive.She saw him! ...he is still alive! ... Alive, at the critical moment of life and death! Haddina screamed and threw herself at him.

"Henry! . . . Henry! . . . " The pirates separated them.Shakdiv came up to them and stopped, sarcastically saying with cruelty: "Hadzina has finally fallen into the hands of Nikolai Skota!" he said, folding his arms. "I now have the richest bank heiress in Corfu!" "The heiress of the Bank of Corfu is fine, but she has no inheritance!" said Hadzina coldly. Shakdiv didn't understand the meaning of the words, he said again: "I'm sure Nicola Scota's fiancée won't reject his marriage proposal because he changed his name to Shakdiff?"

"Me?" cried Haddina. "You!" said Shakdiff even more sarcastically. "You should be grateful to the generous captain of the Western Tower, which is very good. But what he did is exactly what I wanted to do! I did it for You, and not the captives, I don't care about them! Only for you, I will sacrifice all my property! In a little while, beautiful Haddina, I will be your master... or rather Your slave!" While speaking, Shakdiff stepped forward.Hadzina hugged Henry tightly. "Poor thing!" she cried. "Ah, yes! Very poor, Hadzina," answered Shakdiv, "and I am planning to use your tens of millions to rescue me from poverty!" Hearing this, the girl walked towards Shakdiff: "Nikola Scotta," she said calmly, "don't bother thinking about Hadzina Elizondo's money! She has nothing! She has used it to atone for her father Yes! Nikolai Scota, Hadzina Elizondo, are now poorer than these unfortunate souls whom the Occidental Tower is sending back to their homeland!" These unexpected words made his attitude change all of a sudden.There was an angry light in his eyes!Just now he was counting on Haddina to exchange the money for Henry's life!And for these tens of millions,—the tone of her words just now is unquestionable—she has nothing at all now! Shakdiv looked at Hadjina, then at Henry.Scopello understood what he meant and how the tragedy should end.Besides, he had already given the order to destroy the patrol ship, waiting for a gesture to carry it out. Shakdiv turned to him. "Go, Scopello!" he said. Scopello led some of his accomplices down the stairs to the ammunition bay. At this moment, Shakdiff ordered the pirates to return to the brig, which was still mingled with the patrol ship. Captain Henry Darballe understood.Shakdiv's revenge is not only to kill him, but also to let these hundreds of unfortunate people perish with him to satisfy his twisted heart full of hatred. The two brigs had weighed anchor, unfurled their sails, rowed their oars, and slowly moved away from the patrol ship.There are more than 20 gangsters left on the ship.The skiff that had come to fetch them was anchored beside the ship, and Shakdiff ordered them to leave with him. Suddenly, they were back on deck. "Go down!" said Scopello. "Go down," cried Shakdiv in a terrible voice. "In a few minutes, there will be nothing left of this damned ship! Henri Darbale, you don't want to die in disgrace! Well then." Let the explosion send the prisoners, sailors, and officers of the Western Tower to heaven! You have to thank me for letting so many people accompany you to die like this!" "Yes, thanks to him, Henry!" said Haddina. "At least he let us die together!" "You want to die? Hadjina," said Shakdive, "no! You will live and be my slave...my slave!...Listen!" "Shameless!" cried Henry. The girl hugged him tighter.She belongs to this man! "Pull her away!" Shakdive ordered. "Get off the boat! There's no time!" he added. The two pirates rushed to Hadzina and dragged her towards the ship's port. "Now," screamed Shakdiv, "you all die with the Western Tower...all of you..." "Yes! . . . all of them . . . your mother with them!" The old woman among the captives appeared on deck, and now she raised her veil. "My mother...in the boat!..." Shakdiff cried. "Your mother, Nicola Scota!" replied Andronica, "I will die at your hands!" "Take her down! . . . take her down! . . . " howled Shakdiv. Several of his men rushed towards Andronica. At this moment, the survivors on the Western Tower smashed open the cover of the bilge, rushed out, and occupied the deck. "Come here!... Come here!..." Shouted Shakdiff. Scopello took the pirates on deck to rescue him, but the sailors on the Western Tower finally killed them all with axes and knives. Shakdiff knew he was doomed.But at least, these people he hates are going to die with him. "Blow it up, damned ship!" he cried, "Blow it up!" "The Western Tower! . . . will never be bombed!" Kechalis appeared, holding up a flaming fuse which he had drawn from the pod.Then he leaped to Shakdiv's side and knocked him down on the deck with the axe. Andronica cried out.Even if he committed so many crimes, at that moment, the mother still aroused the most primitive and instinctive emotions, and she even hoped that her son could escape that ax... She approached Nikolai Scotta, knelt down on her knees, as if she was still praying for forgiveness for him at the last farewell... Then she also fell down. Henry ran up to her... "She is dead! May God forgive the son for the mother's mercy!" he said. At this moment, escaped pirates in small boats approached their brig, and word of Shakdiff's death spread immediately. To avenge him, all artillery fire was aimed at the Western Tower. But this time it was useless, Henry re-commanded the patrol ship.He had more than a hundred sailors left, and they immediately took their positions and responded to the pirate fleet with heavy artillery fire. Soon, the brig flying the black flag of Shakdiv was hit on the hull and sank amidst the curses of the pirates. "Well done! Boys! Well done!" cried Henry. "Our Western Tower is saved!" The two sides fought fiercely for a while, and the pirate ship did not dare to take the risk of getting close to a hand-to-hand combat because there was no invincible Shakhdiv. In a moment, the entire pirate fleet was reduced to five ships, and Henri d'Albalay's artillery fire was sufficient to hit them at a long distance.At this time, a strong sea wind blew up, and the bandit ships turned around and fled one after another. "Long live Greece!" cried Captain Henry.At this moment the banner of Henri d'Albalay was hoisted on the mainmast. "Long live France!" the crew chanted together, joining together the names of the two nations that had joined hands in the Greek War of Independence. It was five o'clock in the afternoon.Weary, but with no one to rest, they rigged the spare mast, repaired the damage, put on new rigging, and repaired the wheel.That night, the Western Tower headed northwest again. The people placed Andronika's body on the top of the mast with full respect, and paid tribute to her patriotic enthusiasm.Henry is going to send her remains back to her hometown of Magnesia. And the body of that demon, Nikolai Scota, with a bomb strapped to his foot, was thrown into the depths of the sea among the archipelagos that had suffered for his crimes. After another day of sailing, at about 6:00 pm on September 7, the Western Tower saw Aegean Island and sailed into the port.After a year of cruising at sea, it finally completed its mission to restore the safety of the Greek Islands. The passengers on board cheered nonstop.Henry then bid farewell to the ship, officers, and sailors, and he placed the patrol ship in command of Todros, while Hadzina presented the ship as a gift to the new Greek government. A few days later, all the officers and soldiers of the Occidental Tower and the rescued people it carried back attended the wedding of Hadzina Elizondo and Henri Darbale.The next day they left Greece for France with Kechalis, who never left them.They plan to come back as soon as the situation permits. At this time, the sea area that has been disturbed for a long time has returned to calm.The last batch of pirates was also wiped out.The Western Tower, under the command of Captain Todros, never saw the Black Flag again—it had sunk with Shakdiff.The smoke among the islands dissipated, and with the extinguishment of the last spark, it resumed the prosperity of Far East business. Thanks to the valor and tenacity of the sons and daughters of Greece, the Kingdom of Greece finally regained its status as a free country in Europe. On March 22, 1829, the European Union signed an agreement with Sudan. On September 22, the Battle of Beitra laid a solid foundation for the Greek victory. In 1832, the Treaty of London put the crown on the head of the Greek King Odon de Pavel.Finally the Kingdom of Greece was established. At this time, Hadjina and Henry returned to Greece to settle down.Indeed, their lives are very simple, but since happiness is already in their hearts, what is more important than this!