Sandokan: The King of the Sea (The Sandokan Series Book 5)

by Emilio Salgari

  The night was magnificent. Though the sun had set several hours earlier, a dim light filled the heavens that lit the sky to the horizon.

  The waters also seemed to glow. Sea anemones could be seen in various colours, pink, violet, yellow and bluish white, their tentacles swaying gently with the current as battalions of jellyfish rose from the depths, brightening the waves with their greenish blue light.

  At times sharks and giant squid would appear among those phosphorescent waters, spreading terror and confusion as they looked for their evening meal. At other times, an enormous mass would emerge from the sea and unleash a bright cloud of spray that fell upon the waves with a dull thud. A rorqual whale had come up for air. More than fifteen metres long, those majestic green and black cetaceans were still fairly common to the tropics, even though whaling ships hunted them relentlessly.

  Though the day had been exhausting, Sandokan and Yanez had not retired for the night. They had not remained on deck to enjoy that magnificent sky, nor to admire the various colours of the anemones, sights they had seen an infinite number of times in the waters of Malaysia.

  Uneasiness marked their steps and they would often stop to fix their eyes upon the west. That plume of smoke was the source of their worries, both men fearing that it heralded the arrival of a squadron.

  “Did you spot something?” asked Yanez, toward midnight, as Sandokan came to a halt for the tenth time and pointed a pair of binoculars towards the west.

  “I’d swear I spied a light close to where that smoke disappeared,” replied the Tiger.

  “A star or a ship’s lantern?”

  “Neither, Yanez.”

  He paused for a moment.

  “It could be the squadron from Labuan. It won’t have sat idle in Victoria after the Governor received our declaration of war.”

  “They’ll never be able to match our engines.”

  “We don’t have much coal left,” replied Sandokan. “The chutes are half empty.”

  “We’ll re-supply at the rajah’s expense.”

  “Provided we reach the mouth of the Sarawak.”

  “You fear otherwise?”

  Sandokan did not reply. He kept his eyes fixed upon the horizon, scanning the waters. At one point he lowered his binoculars.

  “There, that light again,” he said.

  “Where, Sandokan?”

  “To the west, exactly where that ship should be. I’d swear it was a flash of electric light.”

  “Yes, sir,” confirmed Mister Howard, who had left the engine room for a moment, “I spotted it as well.”

  “A signal?” asked Yanez. “There may be other ships nearby.”

  “I fear as much,” replied Sandokan. “Mister Howard, have the stokers increase our speed to fourteen knots. Let’s see if they can keep up with us.”

  The American had just given the command, when another light flashed over the waters. A moment later a thin streak of smoke shot up over the horizon.

  “A flare,” said Yanez. “There’s another ship out there and I’d wager that steamship is signalling our presence.”

  “Sandokan, sir,” said the American. “I just spied something moving towards us. There, a black speck advancing through the phosphorescence.”

  “A black speck! A ship?”

  “It’s approaching at great speed, whatever it is.”

  “Another steamship?”

  He raised his binoculars. The black speck was quickly growing larger. Within minutes it had sailed through the phosphorescence and merged with the dark waters, but it would not remain hidden for long. A second tract of bright waves filled with noctilucas, anemones and jellyfish lay directly in its path.

  “Yes, a large steamship,” said Sandokan. “She’s about two thousand metres from us, but she won’t remain afloat much longer. Master Steher!”

  Chapter 6

  Sir Moreland’s Secrets

  AN OLD MASTER gunner with square shoulders and a long grey beard advanced with that rocking gait typical of an old seafarer.

  “The captain who sold us this ship told me that you are a renowned gunner,” said Sandokan, as the master removed a cigar stub from his mouth and saluted.

  “My eyes are still sharp, Cap’n,” replied the old man.

  “See that ship? I’ll give you a hundred dollars if you sink her.”

  “Will do, Cap’n. Have the King of the Sea cut her engines for five minutes.”

  “Can you sink her with one shot?”

  “You won’t be disappointed, sir.”

  The black speck, which had grown into a long black strip, had just then reached the edge of the second phosphorescent zone.

  “Can you make her out?” asked Sandokan.

  “A torpedo boat,” the old man replied. “She could be dangerous if she gets too close.”

  “Proceed!”

  Yanez had already given the order to reverse engines, but though the propellers were churning furiously, the King of the Sea, driven forward by her momentum, advanced another two hundred metres before she finally came to a halt.

  The master gunner had taken position behind a large chaser.

  A deep silence had fallen over the deck. All anxiously awaited the shot, eyes fixed on the torpedo boat advancing at full steam through the phosphorescence.

  A cry emanated from the turret.

  “Ready!”

  The steamship must have been about fifteen hundred metres from the King of the Sea, her black hull outlined against the bright surface of the water.

  The cannon roared and a flash of light tore through the darkness. The large calibre shell hissed through the air then disappeared from sight as it sped off through the waves.

  Minutes later they heard an explosion off in the distance. A flame shot up from the torpedo boat, then came down in a rain of sparks.

  The waters instantly went dark. The noctilucas, jellyfish and anemones, frightened perhaps by that sudden burst of light, had vanished into the depths of the sea.

  “Got it!” Sandokan shouted.

  A cry of triumph rose from the cruiser. The old master gunner advanced toward Sandokan, beaming happily.

  “Cap’n,” he said, “I’d say I’ve earned my hundred dollars.”

  “Two hundred,” corrected the Tiger of Malaysia. Then he took several steps forward and exclaimed, “Saccaroa! I thought as much!”

  Several bright specks had appeared on the horizon moments after the waters had gone dark. There could be no mistake. Any seafarer could tell the difference between a star and a ship’s lantern even at that great distance. A small band of ships was advancing towards them, warships most likely, sent to find the King of the Sea.

  “That looks like a squadron. From Labuan or Sarawak?” asked Yanez.

  “They’re coming from the north,” replied Sandokan. “I’d wager they’re British ships on their way to meet the Rajah’s fleet. They must have heard we were in these waters and have come to hunt us down.”

  “That spoils our plans.”

  “Yes, for now. Despite all her artillery, the King of the Sea is no match for a squadron. We’ll head north.”

  “What do you plan to do?”

  “Set sail for Tanjung Datu, find the Marianna then set off for Mangalum. Once we’ve replenished our coal, we’ll head for the shipping lanes. I doubt the squadron will spend more than a few days in these waters. When they tire of the search they’ll continue on for Labuan, and when they do, we’ll return to these waters and settle the score with the rajah and Suyodhana’s son.”

  “You were born to be a great admiral,” laughed Yanez.

  “So you approve of my plan?”

  “Fully. And the Marianna?”

  “We’ll send her to the mouth of the Sedang with a load of arms to deliver to our old friends the Dyaks.”

  “We better get a move on then, little brother. The ships are drawing nearer.”

  “Mister Howard!” shouted Sandokan. “Full steam!”

  “I’ll give her everyth
ing she’s got, Captain,” replied the American.

  Tons of coal vanished into the boilers as the King of the Sea set off once again, her hull creaking and groaning as her propellers churned angrily through the waters.

  Darma and Surama had joined the rest of the crew on deck, for though the fleet was still far off, there could have been other scout ships searching those waters. Every eye scanned the waves, all those aboard ready to give battle, but the waters remained dark.

  Standing on the bridge, Sandokan, Yanez and Tremal-Naik carefully eyed those specks of light, studying their every move.

  Realizing the pirates were fleeing towards the northwest, the British commanders had followed suit in hope of capturing them. Forcing their engines, they tried desperately to gain ground, but they were no match for the King of the Sea. After an hour at that frantic pace, the bright specks had almost disappeared.

  “I think we can safely change course,” Sandokan told Yanez. “The British will continue to follow us northward.”

  Once the lanterns were extinguished, the King of the Sea tacked and set a course towards the northwest. Minutes later, their pursuers had vanished from sight.

  “Well then,” Yanez said happily, “seems we’re out of danger for the moment. Best get a few hours sleep. I’d say we’ve earned our rest.”

  When dawn broke the sea was deserted save for a few gulls circling among the waves. The King of the Sea had reduced speed to eight knots, fuel being too precious to waste.

  Sandokan had come on deck at first light, but though confident he had outmanoeuvred his foes, he could not shake a feeling of unease.

  “We’ve outsmarted them, my friends,” he said as Yanez and Darma came up beside him. “We’ll reach Tanjung Datu without any mishaps. Any idea how Sir Moreland reacted to the shot we fired?”

  “I had a chat with Dr. Held. He said our patient appeared worried, feared we’d sunk another ship,” replied Yanez.

  “Best we pay him a visit then.”

  “May I accompany you?” asked Darma.

  “I don’t see why not,” replied Sandokan. “I’m sure he’d be delighted to see his beautiful captive once again. Come.”

  “I’d say it’d make you both happy,” whispered Yanez, drawing closer to the young woman.

  They entered the cabin and found Sir Moreland awake, chatting with the doctor. At the sight of Darma coming in behind Sandokan and Yanez, the captain’s eyes lit up and a smile spread across his lips.

  “Miss Darma!” he exclaimed. “I am happy to see you again!”

  “How are you, Sir Moreland?” asked the young woman, her cheeks colouring slightly.

  “Getting better with each passing day! My wound is healing quickly, isn’t it, doctor?”

  “I expect a full recovery within eight or ten days,” the American replied. “You have a remarkable constitution.”

  “I regret you’ve been wounded, Sir Moreland,” said Darma.

  “It’s for the best,” replied the patient. “Had it not been for this wound, I would have fought to the last and gone down with my ship.”

  “We’ll I’m glad they rescued you.”

  The young captain looked at her and smiled, then said:

  “Thank you, Miss, but…”

  “Yes, Sir Moreland?”

  “I would have been happier had they saved my crew and my ship. Ah! Miss, I didn’t expect to suffer such a disastrous defeat at the hands of your guardians. But, believe me when I tell you that I do not regret my captivity.”

  “Sir Moreland,” said Sandokan, “have you been informed that we were spotted by British ships last night?”

  “The squadron from Labuan?”

  “Most likely, but with a few quick manoeuvres we managed to escape them.”

  “You won’t always be so lucky,” said the captain. “One day, when you least expect it, you’ll find yourself up against a more formidable opponent. I doubt he’ll give you any quarter.”

  “Suyodhana’s son?” asked Sandokan.

  “That’s all I can say. I’ve been sworn to secrecy,” replied Sir Moreland.

  “Who else could it be?” said Yanez. “Yet I could have sworn you’d claimed you’d never met him.”

  Sir Moreland appeared not to have heard him. Troubled by his thoughts, his anguished eyes were fixed on Darma.

  Sandokan, Yanez and the young woman remained in the cabin for a few more minutes, exchanged a few words with the doctor, then took their leave.

  Before they left, however, Sir Moreland turned to address the young woman one last time.

  “I hope to see you again soon, Miss,” he said, a note of sadness in his voice, “and please, do not consider me your enemy.”

  Once the young woman had left, the commander sat stone still, his eyes fixed on the cabin door, arms folded across his chest, brow furrowed in contemplation. He remained that way for several minutes then slowly lay back on the bed.

  “What a sad thing war is,” he sighed. “It can build a wall of hatred between two hearts that could have beaten as one.”

  “I take it yours would have beaten intensely for Miss Darma?” smiled the American.

  “Yes, doctor, I confess it.”

  “A bold and beautiful young woman, you’d make a fine match.”

  “She’ll never be mine,” Sir Moreland said darkly. “Fate stands between us.”

  “What do you mean?” asked the doctor, surprised by the tone of anguish and hatred in the captain’s voice. “These men bear no personal grudge against you.”

  Sir Moreland did not reply. Deep in thought, his face had grown dark.

  “It would appear you have a few secrets,” said the doctor.

  “I curse Fate, that is all,” the young man replied hoarsely. Then, abruptly changing tone, he asked, “Doctor, what’s our heading?”

  “Northwest, sir, at least for the moment.”

  “To Sarawak?”

  “Could be, sir.”

  “Do you think they plan to release me?”

  “Would you regret it?”

  “I think I would, yes.”

  “Because you’d have to leave Miss Darma?”

  “For other more serious reasons,” replied the captain.

  “May I ask what they are?”

  “The rajah would immediately have me set after you, and who knows, should we meet in battle, it could very well fall to me to destroy this ship and, in so doing, kill the woman I love,” said Sir Moreland.

  “That day could be very far off.”

  “Not as far off as you may think. This ship won’t be able to remain at sea forever, not without a friendly port where she can replenish her supplies. Without fuel and ammunition, she doesn’t stand a chance.”

  “The sea is vast, sir.”

  “True, but it won’t be long before ten or twenty ships begin to comb these waters, and when the King of the Sea is enclosed in a ring of iron and steel, there will be no escape. I admire their daring, but only a fool would think they could ever succeed. Granted, this ship is a marvel of engineering, better armed and faster than any vessel in the South China Sea. They’ll plunder a few merchantmen and do a bit of damage to the British Navy and the Rajah’s fleet, but in the end, their enemies will triumph. One ship against the Empire? It’s madness.”

  “These men are all realists, Sir Moreland. No one expects the battle to last for years; they know they can’t avoid the British fleet indefinitely. But they’re determined to fight for as long as this ship remains afloat, and to go down with her when they are defeated.”

  “Miss Darma as well?” asked the commander with a shudder.

  “I suppose so.”

  “Ah! Then you have to get her off this ship! You must save her!”

  “Save her?” the American replied. “She’d never leave! She’d never abandon her father and I’ve been told she owes her very life to Sandokan and Yanez. As long as they’re aboard this ship, you can be sure she’ll stay right here, loyally by their side.”

 
; Sir Moreland put a hand to his brow.

  “It would be better if the squadron sunk us all tomorrow,” he exclaimed. “At least it would all be over and I’d no longer hear the cries for blood and vengeance!”

  Chapter 7

  The Sunda Sea

  SIX DAYS LATER, the King of the Sea, which had been sailing at reduced speed to conserve fuel, reached Tanjung Datu, that long promontory that forms the western shore of the Bay of Sarawak.

  The Marianna was already there, hidden in a small roadstead, anchored behind a row of tall rocks to conceal her from passing ships.

  She was commanded by one of the oldest pirates of Mompracem, an extraordinary warrior and skilled seaman who had taken part in all of Sandokan’s and Yanez’ enterprises, a man trusted beyond reproach.

  He had moved quickly to execute the Tiger’s orders, gathering a large supply of arms and ammunition, however, he had only managed to acquire thirty tons of coal. Upon receipt of Sandokan’s declaration of war, the British had immediately purchased every ounce in Brunei, the capital of the Sultanate of Borneo.

  Though that small supply was barely enough to fuel the ship for a couple of days, even if she kept to minimum speed, it was quickly brought aboard and stored in the coal chutes.

  Fearing he might have been followed, Sandokan quickly issued new orders to the Marianna’s commander. The old warrior was to hoist the Dutch flag and set off immediately for the Sedang River. Upon arrival, he was to sail up it pretending to be a peaceful merchant ship and meet with the Dyak leaders that had helped topple James Brooke, the uncle of the present rajah. Once the arms and ammunition had been delivered, he was to help them launch the insurrection, then make his way back to the mouth of the river and await the King of the Sea’ s return.

  A few hours later, while the Marianna was preparing to set sail, the cruiser left Tanjung Datu and headed northeast towards Mangalum, planning to raid the small coaling station on its shore.

  Seven days later, the King of the Sea sailed past the Vernon Sandbank. Throughout the voyage, she had kept a good distance from the coast, travelling at moderate speed and using her fuel sparingly so as not to be caught short in the event of an attack.

  The same day, Sir Moreland, aided by the doctor, made his first appearance on deck. He was still very pale and weak; however, his wound had almost healed, thanks to his strong constitution and the good American’s assiduous care.