“We’ll kill them all!” howled the pirates. “Lead us, Tiger!”
“As you know, the Queen of Mompracem is being held captive on that wretched ship. We must free her! The Tiger wants her by his side!”
“We’ll free her or die trying,” shouted a pirate.
The men roared in agreement.
“Thank you, my friends. Now to your battle stations; hoist the sultan’s colours!”
Flags were raised on each ship, and the three prahus headed towards the first island, or more precisely, towards the small bay at the end of which they could just make out a dark mass beneath a thin plume of smoke.
“Yanez,” said Sandokan, “Make your preparations; we’ll reach the bay in less than an hour.”
“I’ll be ready in an instant,” replied the Portuguese, disappearing below deck.
The prahus continued to advance at full sail, the Sultan of Varauni’s colours fluttering atop their mainmasts. The cannons and swivel guns had been prepared and the pirates, weapons in hand, stood ready to board the enemy vessel at the first command.
Standing at the bow, Sandokan kept his eyes fixed on the cruiser, taking in her every detail as they drew nearer. It appeared as if the formidable pirate was trying to spot Marianna with his powerful eyes. Deep sighs erupted from his strong chest; he frowned constantly as his hand clutched the hilt of his scimitar.
Fearing his lordship could arrive at any moment, he turned to scan the waters surrounding the Three Islands, but there was still no sign of his ship.
The prahu’s chronometer had just struck noon when the three pirate ships reached the mouth of the bay. The cruiser had dropped anchor in the centre of that small stretch of water. The British flag flew from her jackstaff, a pennant fluttered from her masthead, a long white banner marked with a cross to indicate she was a warship. Several men could be seen bustling about the deck. Now that she was within cannon range, the pirates rushed to their artillery, but Sandokan quickly put up a restraining hand.
“Not yet,” he said. “Yanez!”
The Portuguese came up on deck dressed in a green jacket, white trousers and a large turban, the traditional uniform of an officer in the service of the Sultan of Varauni. He carried a letter in one hand.
“Who’s the letter for?” asked Sandokan.
“Lady Marianna.”
“What did you write?”
“That we’re about to free her and not to give us away.”
“You’ll have to deliver it in person if you plan to barricade yourself in her cabin.”
“I won’t let anyone take it from me, you can be certain of that, little brother.”
“What if the commander decides to accompany you to the young lady’s cabin?”
“If things start to get complicated, I’ll kill him,” the Portuguese replied coldly.
“You’re playing for high stakes, Yanez.”
“I’ll come back without a scratch. Now, hide yourself. I’ll take command of our three ships for a few minutes. As for you Tigers, put on your best faces, and remember, we’re all loyal subjects of that great scoundrel, the Sultan of Varauni.”
He shook Sandokan’s hand, fixed his turban and shouted, “Head for the bay!”
The prahu boldly entered that small expanse of water and advanced toward the cruiser, the other ships following a short distance behind her.
“Who goes there?” asked a sentry.
“Labuan and Varauni,” replied Yanez. “I have important information from Victoria. Pisangu, drop anchor, toss the bumpers. Mind the paddle boxes!”
Before the sentries could protest, the manoeuvre had been completed. The ship had drawn up against the cruiser just below her starboard anchor and remained fixed to her side.
“Where’s your commander?” Yanez asked the guard.
“Move your ship,” replied another soldier.
“To hell with your regulations!” replied Yanez. “By Jupiter, are you afraid my little ship is going to sink yours? Fetch your commander; I have important information for him.”
The lieutenant had just then stepped on deck accompanied by his officers. He approached the stern bulwark and seeing Yanez waving a letter, had a ladder lowered over the side.
“On my signal,” whispered Yanez, casting one last look at his crew, who were eyeing the ship menacingly.
He glanced at the stern and met Sandokan’s burning gaze from beneath a sail that had been thrown over a hatch. An instant later, the good Portuguese stood on the cruiser’s deck, his calm face masking his sudden nervousness.
“Commander,” he said, imbuing his voice with confidence, “I have a letter for Lady Marianna Guillonk.”
“Where did you come from?” asked the lieutenant.
“Labuan.”
“What’s Lord James doing now?”
“When I left he was arming his ship and intending to meet you here.”
“Did he send orders?”
“No, Commander.”
“That’s strange. Give me the letter. I’ll deliver it to Lady Marianna.”
“I beg your pardon, Commander, but I’ve been ordered to deliver it personally,” Yanez replied daringly.
“Very well. Come.”
Yanez could feel his blood turn cold. If Marianna so much as looked at him the wrong way, he was done for.
He glanced back at his ship and spotted a dozen pirates clinging from the prahu’s yardarm, and just as many crowded below the ladder, barely concealing their impatience to attack the British crews, who were eyeing them with the utmost curiosity.
He followed the lieutenant down the steps to the stern. The Portuguese’s pulse raced as he watched the man knock on the door and heard Lady Marianna reply, “Enter.”
“A messenger from your uncle, Lord James Guillonk,” announced the lieutenant, stepping into the room.
Marianna was standing in the middle of the cabin; she looked pale but proud. At the sight of Yanez, she could not refrain from starting, but she did not let out a cry. She had grasped the situation immediately. She calmly took the letter, opened it, and read it.
Just as she had finished, Yanez, who had turned as pale as a sheet, walked to a porthole and exclaimed, “Commander, there’s a steamship heading towards us.”
The lieutenant rushed forward, but as he drew near, the Portuguese swung and dealt him a blow to the head with the hilt of his kris. The officer fell to the ground unconscious. Lady Marianna let out a cry of horror.
“Quiet, little sister,” said Yanez, as he bound and gagged the poor commander. “If I’ve killed him inadvertently, God will forgive me.”
“Where’s Sandokan?”
“Preparing to attack this ship. Help me build a barricade.”
He grabbed a heavy armoire and pushed it towards the door, then piled boxes, shelves and tables behind it.
“What’s the plan?” asked Marianna.
“You’ll know in a minute,” replied Yanez, drawing his scimitar and pistols.
He opened the porthole and let out a sharp whistle.
“Be on your guard, little sister,” he said, as he took position behind the door, clutching a pistol in each hand. At that moment, a terrible cry rose from the deck.
“Long live the Tiger of Malaysia!”
Shots thundered through the air followed by a cacophony of howls, moans, groans, curses, and the furious clash of metal. They heard the sound of running feet and the thud of bodies as they crashed to the ground.
“Yanez!” cried Marianna, having turned frighteningly pale.
“Be strong, Milady!” exclaimed the Portuguese. “Long live the Tiger of Malaysia!”
They heard footsteps rushing down the steps then several voices shouted, “Commander! Commander!”
Yanez and Marianna leaned against the barricade.
“By God! Open up, Commander!” shouted a voice.
“Long live the Tiger of Malaysia!” replied Yanez.
The voices howled in rage then something struck the door and they he
ard the sound of splintering wood.
“Yanez!” exclaimed the young woman.
“Keep calm,” replied the Portuguese.
Another three whacks and the door came off its hinges. An axe began to chop at the barricade and soon a rifle barrel poked through the hole, but Yanez quickly pushed it aside and fired his pistol through the opening. They heard a body crash to the ground as the others fled up the steps shouting, “Help! The commander’s been captured! Help!”
The fight continued on the ship’s bridge and the cries grew ever louder, mixing with rifle and pistol blasts. From time to time, among that terrible noise, they heard the thundering voice of the Tiger of Malaysia leading his men on the attack. Marianna had fallen to her knees and Yanez, anxious to know what was happening, began to move the furniture away from the door. Suddenly, they heard several voices cry out, “Fire! Every man for himself!”
The Portuguese turned pale.
“Heaven help us!” he exclaimed.
He quickly pulled back the barricade then severed the commander’s bindings with a swipe of his scimitar, took Marianna in his arms and ran out of the room. Thick clouds of smoke had invaded the hall as flames erupted from the officer’s quarters at the far end.
Yanez rushed on deck, his scimitar clenched between his teeth. The battle would not last much longer. The Tiger of Malaysia was then furiously attacking the forecastle where thirty or forty British soldiers had gathered to make their stand.
“Fire!” shouted Yanez.
At that cry, the British, convinced of their imminent defeat, scattered into the water. Sandokan rushed towards Yanez and the young woman, knocking down the men before him.
“Marianna!” he exclaimed, embracing her. “Mine! Mine at last!”
“Yes, yours, this time forever!”
A cannon blast thundered from beyond the bay.
“His lordship! Back to the prahus!” Sandokan roared.
Sandokan, Marianna, Yanez and the surviving pirates abandoned the burning vessel and boarded the three prahus, carrying the wounded with them. Within minutes the sails were hoisted, the pirates took up the oars and the three prahus sped off towards the open sea.
Sandokan led Marianna to the bow, drew his scimitar and pointed to a small brigantine about seven hundred paces from them, advancing towards the bay. A man was clearly visible on the bow, leaning against the bowsprit.
“Can you see him, Marianna?” asked Sandokan.
“My uncle!” she cried.
“Look at him one last time!”
“Sandokan!…”
“Good Lord! It is him!” exclaimed Yanez.
The brigantine advanced rapidly, attempting to prevent the three pirate ships from escaping, but it was too late; the wind was rapidly driving the prahus towards the east.
“Fire on those scoundrels!” shouted his lordship.
A cannon thundered and a cannonball struck the tip of the mainmast, knocking down the pirate flag Yanez had just ordered unfurled. Sandokan pressed his hand to his heart as a look of pain spread across his face.
“Goodbye, Tiger of Malaysia!” he murmured sadly.
He left Marianna’s side, bent over a bow cannon and carefully adjusted its aim. The brigantine still thundered furiously, hurling cannonballs and clouds of grapeshot at the three ships. Sandokan calmly continued to take aim. At last, he stood up and lit the fuse, the cannon roared, and an instant later the brigantine’s foremast split at its base, smashed through the ship’s bulwarks and fell into the sea.
“There!” exclaimed Sandokan. “Now try and follow us!”
The enemy ship had tacked and come to a sudden stop, but she continued to fire. Sandokan took Marianna by the hand, led her to the stern and proudly waved to his lordship, who was howling like a madman upon the brigantine’s bow.
“Look at my wife!” he shouted.
Then his brow darkened and he slowly drew back from the stern, fists clenched, eyes grave, a slight tremble upon his lips.
“Yanez, set a course for Java!” he said hoarsely.
At those words his strength gave way and he fell into the arms of his beloved Marianna, and that man, who had never shed a tear in his life, began sobbing quietly and murmured, “The Tiger is dead…”
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On the next few pages you’ll find links to the next titles in the Sandokan series, an introduction to the Black Corsair Trilogy and the introductory chapter for our latest novel Captain Tempesta.
The Sandokan series continues in:
The Mystery of the Black Jungle
Who is killing the great hunter’s men?
India, 1851. Few can live in the Black Jungle, a desolate place teeming with wild dangerous beasts. Yet it is among its dark forests and bamboo groves that the renowned hunter Tremal-Naik makes his home. For years he has lived there in peace, quietly going about his trade until, one night, a strange apparition appears before him - a beautiful young woman who vanishes in an instant. Within days, strange music is heard in the jungle then one of his men is found dead without a mark upon his body. Determined to find some answers, the hunter sets off with his faithful servant Kammamuri, but as they head deeper into the jungles of the Sundarbans, they soon find their own lives at risk; a deadly new foe has been watching their every move, a foe that threatens all of British India.
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The Pirates of Malaysia
The Tiger Roars again!
Borneo, 1852. The Tiger Roars again! Sandokan and Yanez are back, righting injustices and fighting old foes. Tremal-Naik's misfortunes have continued. Wrongfully imprisoned, the great hunter has been banished from India and sentenced to life in a penal colony. Knowing his master is innocent, Kammamuri dashes off to the rescue, planning to free the good hunter at the first opportunity. When the ever-loyal servant is captured by the Tigers of Mompracem, he manages to enlist their services. But in order to succeed, Sandokan and Yanez must lead their men against the forces of James Brooke, 'The Exterminator', the dreaded White Rajah of Sarawak.
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The Two Tigers
A rumble in the jungle…
India, 1857. Just when Tremal-Naik’s life was getting back to normal, the Thugs of the Kali cult return to exact their revenge by kidnapping his daughter Darma. Summoned by Kammamuri, Sandokan and Yanez immediately set sail for India to help their loyal friend. But the evil sect knows of their arrival and thwarts them at every turn. Have our heroes finally met their match? It’s the Tiger of Malaysia versus the Tiger of India in a fight to the death!
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The King of the Sea
One ship against the Empire!
Malaysia, 1868. A mysterious figure has armed the Dyaks and led them into battle against Tremal-Naik. Yanez races to the rescue but soon learns that Sandokan and his Tigers are also under threat. Despite eleven years of peace, the new Rajah of Sarawak, Brooke’s nephew, has ordered the pirates to evacuate their island home or face all-out war. Is this the end for the Tigers of Mompracem?
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Sandokan: Quest for a Throne
Can a handful of men take a throne?
At the end of their last adventure, Sandokan and Yanez promised to restore Surama to the throne of her ancestors. Aided by Tremal-Naik, Kammamuri and the Tigers of Mompracem, the Portuguese devises an ingenious plan to take the kingdom from Sindhia, the rajah who had sold her to the thugs many years ago. Ho
wever, all does not go as easily as predicted for an unexpected adversary thwarts their every move: Teotokris, the rajah’s favourite courtier, and a deadlier foe than any they have encountered before.
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Our Other Pirate Series
The Black Corsair
& The Queen of the Caribbean
How far would you go for revenge?
The Caribbean; 17th century. An Italian nobleman turns pirate to avenge the murder of his brothers. His foe: an old Flemish army officer named Van Guld, now the Governor of Maracaibo. The Corsair is relentless, vowing never to rest until he has killed the traitor and all those that bear his name. To help him in his quest, the Black Corsair enlists the greatest pirates of his time: L’Ollonais, Michael the Basque, and a young Welshman named Henry Morgan...
An international classic. Selected by Julia Eccleshare as one of the 1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up
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And our latest title:
Captain Tempesta
A warrior in disguise. A lover to be rescued. A city under siege.
Cyprus, 1571. An island at war. The powerful Ottoman army has taken every city save one, Famagusta, a Venetian port and stronghold. Besieged by a force of 80,000 men, they city has valiantly fought back with its small force of warriors and mercenaries. The greatest among them is Captain Tempesta, a young noble unmatched in bravery and swordsmanship. Few, however, know the captain’s secret… that she has donned armour and passed herself off as a man in order to search for her beloved who has been imprisoned by the Turks. Will she triumph? The odds are overwhelmingly against her. The Turks are preparing to storm the city and slay all those within it, and still there has been no word of her beloved’s whereabouts…
Sandokan: The Tigers of Mompracem (The Sandokan Series Book 1) Page 28
