BIGGLES IN THE SOUTH SEAS

by Captain W. E. Johns

XVI. THE TABLES TURNED (Pages 235 – 244)

“That something had happened outside was certain, but apart from the possibility of Castanelli’s having been killed or disabled by the stick of dynamite which he had thrown back, Ginger could not imagine what it was”. Ginger finds an easy way up and gets to the top before Full Moon, helping her up the last six feet. Near at hand are two of the Solomon Island boys, terribly mutilated, apparently by the explosion. The whole island seemed to be swarming with hideously painted warriors who yell like madmen as they chase the scattered members of Castanelli’s crew. The ‘Scud’, with her port wing tip fractured and hanging loose, was floating at an alarming angle on the lagoon. Ginger cannot make out what is happening and thinks the ‘Scud’ has returned only to be attacked by natives. Castanelli and some of his crew members are trying to swim back to their schooner. A shark fins breaks the water by Castanelli as he tried desperately to reach his schooner. The natives in their canoe could easily have reached him and saved him, but they just shouted jeers and taunts. Castanelli reaches a trailing rope but is exhausted. As he tries to pull himself clear, a terrible scream is cut off short and Castanelli disappears. The canoe reaches the schooner and the warriors surge up onto it. A shot rings out and a warrior falls back with a splash, but the rest carry on. A warrior runs up to Ginger and Full Moon and is revealed to be Shell-Breaker and he is laughing. He points to the flying-boat and there stands Biggles, Algy and Sandy. Ginger runs to them, realising the truth, that Biggles and the Marquesans had arrived together from Rutuona. Biggles taxis up to Ginger but already the schooner is on fire. “The pearls are on the schooner. Castanelli found them”, Ginger tells them. They taxi up to the schooner, but it is too late, the boat is a sheet of flame from stem to stern. “It would have been suicide for any one who attempted to board her”. Biggles asks Ginger if he is seriously hurt and he replied “Only scratches – and shock”. “When I tell you what we’ve been through you’ll think I’m a prize romancer”. “You mean – you and Full Moon?” “Yes”. The still-burning Avarata sinks. Algy wonders if the pearls could be salvaged, but Sandy says they will just be white lime after the fire. They all stare at the spot where the Avarata had disappeared, thinking of all the risks and labour that had been in vain. “Well, I suppose it’s no use sitting here moping about it” said Biggles at last. Sandy says they will have to find out what happened to Castanelli’s crew as the Governor at Tahiti will want to know, “not that I think there is much doubt about it”. The engines of the flying -boat are started and the ‘Scud’ moves towards the beach.