BIGGLES GETS HIS MEN

by Captain W. E. Johns

XV. THE BATTLE OF KOSSURI (Pages 178 - 189)

Biggles is sure that the enemy will be after them, with orders to either kill or capture them. They have almost reached the hide-out where Ginger is waiting when they have to hide to let a company of Mongolian horsemen pass in the pale moonlight. Later more horsemen pass and it is only with difficulty that Petroffsky is prevented from shooting at them. Reaching Ginger, they find him waiting for them. Biggles is afraid that the riders ahead of them may catch up with Mayne and the scientists or even find the plane. The party of Biggles, Bertie, Ginger and Petroffsky then set off towards their base where the plane awaits, with Petroffsky indicating the best path to avoid pitfalls. Soon, they hear firing ahead. It is coming from the village of Kossuri, where Petroffsky lives. Mayne and his party have been overtaken, and knowing Petroffsky's house, they have taken refuge there, using his weapons to hold the Mongolians at bay. Advancing, they find a Mongolian has met a dreadful fate at teh bottom of a pitfall, impaled by stakes. As Biggles and his comrades arrive at the scene of the battle, a dozen Mongolians charge the house where Mayne and the scientists are holed up. Petroffsky then charges them from behind and Biggles, Bertie and Ginger follow. Caught offguard by this unexpected attack and under fire from both sides, the Mongolians flee in disorder towards their horses. Then the unexpected happens as they are set upon by Koreans and Orochons who had previously been their slaves. "The ex-slaves were taking this opportunity to pay off old scores". Ginger sees one Mongolian caught in the act of mounting his horse and battered to death with cudgels. Petroffsky embraces "his old friend Mayne" but Biggles is anxious to get on with the journey back to the plane. "Everyone was showing signs of fatigue, particularly the rescued men, and it was apparent that the party would not be able to travel very fast". Mayne tries to persuade Petroffsky to come with them, but he wants to stay. On arrival at the shore of the lake just off the island, they find Algy waiting and he takes them over, two at a time to the island where he has a meal ready. They then board the plane and take off. "Ginger, as tired as he had ever been, closed his eyes and slept, content in the knowledge that with their job well done, they were homeward bound".