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"Byes, byes," he said, "if there had been twinty yards more the Rhondda would have won. Now d'ye moind, Takia, ye divil . . . d'ye moind! Keep th' byes in hand till I give ye th' wurrd! . . . An' whin ye get th' wurrd, byes! . . . Oh, Saints! Shake her up when ye get th' wurrd!" The third heat was closely contested.
"'Troke! 'troke! 'troke!" in monotone, good for soothing tension. Past midway the green boat came away. The ring of the German's rowlocks rose to treble pitch. Slowly they drew up, working at top speed. Now they were level level! and Takia still droning "'troke! 'troke! 'troke!" as if the lead was ours! Wild outcry came from the crowd as the green boat forged ahead!
Had they been like us, three months at boat-work, we had not pulled so easily up to the mark, but their ship was just in from Liverpool, and they were in poor condition for a mile and a half at pressure. We won easily, and scarce had cheered the losers before the launch came fussing up. "Come aboard, Takia," shouted old Burke. "Ye come down wit' me an' see what shape the German makes.
Both rowed in the Worcester boat that left the Conways' at the start, three years ago. . . . And what about the Rickmers? . . . . No, no! It won't do to be too cocksure! . . . . Eh, Takia?" Takia was our cox-n, a small wiry Jap. Nothing great in inches, but a demon for good steering and timing a stroke. He was serving his apprenticeship with us and had been a year in the Hilda.
Still quicker! . . . The eyes of him glared at each of us, as if daring us to fail! The yelp became a scream as we drew level the Germans still at top speed. "Up! Up! Up!" yells Takia, little yellow devil with a white froth at his lips! "Up! Up! Up!" swaying unsteadily to meet the furious urging. The ring of the German rowlocks deepens deepens we see the green bow at our blades again.
He's drawn wit' th' Rhondda in this heat!" Takia bundled aboard the launch and we hauled inshore to watch the race. There was a delay at the start. Schenke, nichts verstehen, as he said, was for sending his boat away without a painter or spare gear. He was pulled up by the judges, and had to borrow. Now they were ready.
Deep roars from Schenke somewhere in the rear! Now, labouring still to Takia's 'troke! 'troke! we had the foam of the German's stern wash at our blades! "Come away, Hilda's!" . . . "Shake her up, there!" . . . "Hilda-h! Hilda-h!" Takia took no outward heed of the cries. He was staring stolidly ahead, bending to the pulse of the boat. No outward heed but 'troke! 'troke! came faster from his lips.
Chusan, which had been given up to the Chinese, was next recaptured, after which Chinghai, a strong place situated at the mouth of the Takia River, was attacked. It was surrounded by a wall 2 miles in circumference, 37 feet thick, and 22 feet high, mounted by 69 heavy guns and numberless jingalls.
With what inward quakings we noted the clean fine lines of stem and stern! . . . Of the Tuebrook we had no fear. We knew they could never stand the pace the Germans would set. Could we? Old Burke, though in a fever of excitement when we came to the line, had little to say. "Keep the byes in hand, Takia till ye get th' wurrd," was all he muttered. We swung our oar-blades forward. "Ready?"
The starter challenged us. Suddenly Takia yelped! We struck and lay back as the shot rang out! A stroke gained! Takia had taken the flash; the others the report! The Jap's clever start gave us confidence and a lead. Big Jones at stroke worked us up to better the advantage. The green boat sheered a little, then steadied and came on, keeping to us, though nearly a length astern.
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