BIGGLES DELIVERS THE GOODS

by Captain W. E. Johns

VI. UP THE RIVER (Pages 48 - 58)

During the slow journey up river to Shansie, Major Marling's estate, the kabang has to hide in the reeds to allow a Japanese launch, called Lotus, to pass by. It is filled without about eighteen to twenty Japanese soldiers. Pulling ashore, Ayart is let off to try to rush ahead to Shansie to warn Marling. The kabang is steered into a narrow backwater near Marling's estate where Biggles and his friends can disembark. They hear shooting in the distance. Ayert comes running to their boat. The Japanese have attacked Shansie and Major Marling has been arrested. His son, Prince Lalla, has escaped and told Ayert what has happened. Li Chi says the Japanese will torture Major Marling to make him talk. "We can't allow that," decided Biggles quickly. Biggles asks Li Chi to make him a rough sketch map of the place and this Li Chi does.