Charles walked over to a window and grabbed a large cloth resting beneath it. He yanked the cloth aside, unveiling a cannon that would take loads as large as a man's head.
Ying nodded, impressed.
“There's more, too,” Charles said.
Hok shook her head. “We don't have time for this. I think HaMo might have signaled someone for help.”
“That's right,” Ying said. “I noticed that, too. We should leave.”
Charles reached into a drawer and pulled out a spyglass. He looked through it, out the window, and Ying saw his body go rigid.
“Men, prepare your qiangs!” someone shouted in the distance.
Charles continued to stare. “Who is that?”
Ying scowled. He didn't have to look outside to identify the person rushing toward them in the darkness. He would recognize that cold, metallic voice anywhere.
“I onglong!” Ying spat. What is he doing here?”
“Who knows,” Hok replied. She grabbed a small lantern and hurried outside.
Ying rushed out onto the deck behind Hok and saw Tonglong approaching in a dragon boat with twenty soldiers. The men were paddling furiously.
“You two go on,” Charles said, hurrying out of the living quarters into the darkness. “I'll stay here and distract them.” He shoved his qiangs and the spyglass into his sash and ran over to Hok's skiff. He began untying the ropes that connected it to the barge.
“Can't we just cut the anchor rope and take this barge downstream?” Ying asked.
“It's too slow,” Charles said. “We would only be able to travel as fast as the current. Besides, it is better if we split up. You and Hok take the skiff. I'll see what I can do from here.”
“Let us help you—” Hok began to say.
“FIRE!” Tonglong commanded, and four qiangs rang out.
Ying and Hok hit the deck, flattening themselves against the damp wooden floorboards. Charles remained standing, untying the last of the skiff's lines as qiang balls whistled past his head.
“Please, go!” Charles pleaded.
Hok looked at Ying, and Ying nodded. The two of them scrambled for the skiff.
“Charles, if you happen to see my brothers, please remind them to go to PawPaw's house,” Hok said. “They will know what I am talking about.” She climbed over the barge's low railing and into the skiff. The small lantern she carried provided just enough light to show the way.
“Aye, aye,” Charles said. “I hope to see you both soon.” He gave Hok and Ying a quick nod, then hurried back into the living quarters.
Ying leaped over the railing, landing softly in the lantern's tiny pool of light, and they shoved off. Hok stood at the stern and began to row vigorously with the skiff's single large oar.
“Do you want me to do that?” Ying asked.
“No,” Hok said. “You watch for trouble ahead and behind.”
“FIRE!” Tonglong commanded again, and four more shots rang out. Ying realized that the soldiers were firing in rotation. Two qiangballs burrowed into the side of HaMo's barge. Two more splashed into the river next to the skiff. Tonglong was getting close.
Ying looked over at the barge and saw Charles through one of the living quarters’ illuminated windows. He was preparing the cannon. Tonglong must have seen Charles, too.
“New target, men!” Tonglong ordered. “Aim for the round eye on the barge! FIRE!”
Four shots cut through the night air, and Ying saw Charles duck. A moment later, Charles stood again, cool as a winter breeze. He continued preparing the cannon.
Ying looked back at Tonglong and saw the dragon boat barreling forward at terrific speed. It rammed into the side of the ancient wooden barge, and the dragon's ornate ironclad head crashed deep into the hull. The barge lilted heavily to one side as water began to rush into the gaping hole.
“Push away, men!” Tonglong ordered. “Take aim at the round eye again!”
“No!” Hok shouted. She turned to Ying. “We have to do something! They won't miss from that distance.”
“I have an idea,” Ying said. “Give me the dragon scroll map.”
Hok hesitated, then reached into her dress and pulled out the map.
Ying snatched it away and held it high over his head with one hand, lifting the lantern with his other hand.
“Hey, Horse Hair!” Ying shouted to Tonglong. “Yeah, you, Ponytail! Is this what you want?” Ying pinched one corner of the scroll between his fingertips and let the scroll fall open. It flapped in the breeze beside the lantern.
Tonglong scoffed loudly and shouted back, “Don't worry, Dragon Boy, I'll catch up with you soon enough!”
Ying frowned. His plan to distract Tonglong wasn't working. He needed to do something more.