Charles loomed over the others and spoke in Chinese. “We have to abandon ship. What are you arguing about?”
Hok pointed to the boy. “This is ShaoShu. He and LoBak have escaped from the hold of Tonglong's warship. LoBak sees the value of running away, and we're trying to convince ShaoShu to come, too.”
Charles looked up at the burning rigging, then at ShaoShu. “How much more convincing do you need? The ship is on fire!”
“Exactly,” ShaoShu said. “It's sort of my fault. I think I might be able to sneak back onto Tonglong's boat and get back into his commander's good graces. I could get information to Hok and you and everyone else about Tonglong's future plans.”
Charles raised an eyebrow. “Good idea, but make up your mind, quick. My sloop is anchored on the opposite side of the island, and we must make a break for it.”
Hok huffed. “If you insist on staying with Tong -long, ShaoShu, go with him to Shanghai. There is a big fight club event there in three days, and he is bound to attend. Seek out a fighter called Golden Dragon, and tell him who you are. Tell him about Tong-long and about us. He is our older temple brother. Let him know that we are headed back to the north. If he needs to find us, he should get a message to a woman named Yuen at the Jade Phoenix restaurant in the city of Kaifeng.”
“But how is ShaoShu going to get back into anyone's good graces?” LoBak asked. “Tonglong hasn't questioned him yet about his possible acquaintance with me, but it's only a matter of time. He needs a convincing story.”
Hok tore a silk thread from around her neck and handed it to ShaoShu. At the end of the thread dangled a tiny jade crane. “This might help,” she said. “Give it to Tonglong and tell him LoBak was killed trying to flee this ship with a girl and a teenager with a face carved like a dragon. Do not admit that you know Ying, LoBak, or me. Ever.”
ShaoShu nodded.
“Fair enough,” LoBak said. “But what about our supposed remains? Tonglong will search this ship for bodies.”
“Leave that to me,” Charles said. “I'll have to sink this schooner just to get the crew to abandon it. Now, everyone, to the stern! There are lifeboats there. Climb into one and start rowing to shore. I'll catch up with you. ShaoShu, you stay here with me for the moment. Go!”
Hok grabbed LoBak by the arm and hurried away, with Malao and Fu leading the charge, weapons whirling.
Charles pointed over the side of the ship. “ShaoShu, Tonglong's boat is beginning to drift away. He knows he's won. You're going to have to swim for it.”
“No problem,” ShaoShu replied.
“Good luck, Little Mouse,” Charles said, raising his remaining loaded pistol. “Swim for the bow. I'll watch your back.”
ShaoShu nodded and gripped a small pouch near his waist, then dove headfirst into the black water, out of sight.
CHAPTER 20
ShaoShu surfaced near the bow of Tonglong's warship. He treaded water until he was alongside the craft, then lifted his mouse's pouch out of the water.
The mouse began to squirm, and ShaoShu smiled. It had survived. He felt around the darkness until his hands happened upon a dangling section of rigging that had spilled overboard from high above. He tested its strength by yanking on it, and it held firm.
ShaoShu began to climb and didn't stop until he'd reached a dizzying height. He looked along the sails and saw no soldiers standing on the slats like he'd seen earlier. They had all climbed down to join the hand-to-hand combat.
ShaoShu glanced down at the deck and noticed with interest that it was empty. Everyone must still be aboard the Round Eye's ship. He thought about climbing down when he detected movement below. It was Tonglong, coming out of his cabin. He was alone, heading for the stern.
Tonglong froze, and ShaoShu saw a small boatload of Round Eyes approaching through the smoky darkness. With all of Tonglong's men aboard their ship, these sailors were attempting a sneak attack.
The small boat thumped against the warship's stern, and a Round Eye reached up, taking hold of the much higher stern rail. He began to climb up the side of the ship, and Tonglong ran toward him. With a flash of silver, Tonglong unsheathed his straight sword and lopped off both of the man's hands. The Round Eye screamed and splashed into the water.
ShaoShu watched with wide eyes as a second Round Eye stood in the small boat, pointing a musket at Tonglong.
“Hey!” someone shouted from the deck, and ShaoShu saw Lei appear behind Tonglong with a pistol in each hand. He fired one, striking the Round Eye, and the man toppled out of the boat.
A third Round Eye stood, raising a pistol.
BANG!
Lei fired his second pistol, and this Round Eye fell backward into the small boat, his unfired pistol dropping into the water.