BIGGLES SEES TOO MUCH

by Captain W. E. Johns

14. THE SEA TAKES CONTROL (Pages 125 – 133)

The Auster returns and Algy soon spots the alleged fishing launch well out to sea on a course either to France or the island he had previously marked. Shortly after the coastguard cutter appears round the headland and makes for the harbour. Biggles and Bertie go with it, whilst the two senior officers remain in the car in order to keep in touch with headquarters by telephone should it become necessary. The coastguard patrol boat is called the Sea Scout and the officer in charge is a retired Chief Petty Officer of the Royal Navy called Frank Cole. Biggles briefs him on what this is all about. Cole recognises the description of the fishing launch as the Shearwater. He had checked it once or twice, but always found it came back with a shark onboard. Biggles says there must be two boats engaged in the racket, one from each side, “but I’m only interested in the one that’s been operating from Cornwall. When I’m more sure of my ground, I’ll give our French friends the tip as to what’s been going on and leave their side to them”. For two hours they travel to the island and the sea gets more turbulent. They eventually see a smaller craft ahead of them, which Cole identifies as the Shearwater. Time goes on, with the weather still deteriorating. They eventually reach the island, or perhaps more correctly, an islet. “It might have been the back of a sea monster rising from the water had it no consisted almost entirely of chaotic water-worn rock”. A French fishing-boat comes up from the far side of the island, but on seeing the British coastguard boat, it turns away. Biggles says it looks like Brunner, or whoever is in charge of the Shearwater, is going to land, despite the rough seas. Biggles agrees with Cole that they need to keep clear as it isn’t worth taking a chance. The Shearwater passes between two rocks that act as a natural breakwater and gets to a slippery, seaweed-festooned rock. The two men already on the island run forward to help. Just then, the boat is hit by a freak wave, which leaves the Shearwater lying half in and half out of the water across the end of the slipway. Cole says nothing will enduce him to try to follow. “I’m not throwing my ship away for a bunch of crooks”. “Those men might be drowning,” Biggles said dubiously. “That’s no reason why we should drown with ‘em,” returned Cole harshly. Something strikes the superstructure of the Sea Scout and Bertie realises they are under fire. Nobody on their boat has any guns, so they turn away, planning to return when the sea has calmed down.