
CHAPTER I - MISSIONARY AND RED-HEADED BEGGAR
CHAPTER II - RED-HEADED BEGGAR AND MISSIONARY
CHAPTER III - THE SPY AND THE DEAD BOATSWAIN
THE FLAGSHIP BAR
CHAPTER IV - I GO ABOARD THE "KUT SANG"
CHAPTER V - THE DEAD MAN IN THE PASSAGE
CHAPTER VI - THE RED-HEADED MAN MAKES AN ACCUSATION
CHAPTER VII - I TURN SPY MYSELF
CHAPTER VIII - MR. HARRIS HAS A FEW IDEAS
CHAPTER IX - A FIGHT IN THE DARK
Set against the restless waters of the China Sea, this tale follows a seasoned mariner who, after the death of his long‑time captain, decides to record the wild night aboard the aging steamer Kut Sang. The ship itself feels like a living character—its scarred hull, red‑banded funnel, and lingering scent of burned rice all hint at a long, hard service. Alongside a motley crew that includes a red‑haired beggar, a Malay cabin‑boy with a kris, and a hardened Newfoundlander, the narrator paints a vivid picture of life on a cargo vessel that never quite fits the glamorous image of liners.
In the opening act, a sudden storm and a mysterious, murderous plot thrust the crew into a desperate struggle for survival. The narrative captures the tension of night‑to‑day combat, the fear of the sea, and the gritty bravery of men who know that admitting defeat is not an option. Listeners will feel the creaking decks, the smell of the galley fire, and the relentless pull of a ship that seems both cursed and beloved.
Language
en
Duration
~6 hours (364K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2004-02-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1881–1947
An adventurer turned storyteller, this American writer drew on life at sea, on battlefields, and in far-flung capitals to create vivid fiction and firsthand travel writing. His books carry the pace of pulp adventure but are rooted in real experience.
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