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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/36499-8.txt b/36499-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e19a794 --- /dev/null +++ b/36499-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7808 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Rounding up the Raider, by Percy F. Westerman + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Rounding up the Raider + A Naval Story of the Great War + +Author: Percy F. Westerman + +Illustrator: E. S. Hodgson + +Release Date: June 23, 2011 [EBook #36499] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ROUNDING UP THE RAIDER *** + + + + +Produced by Al Haines + + + + + + + + + +[Illustration: Cover art] + + + + + +[Frontispiece: DENBIGH AND HIS COMPANIONS ARE RESCUED BY A MONITOR +_Page_ 207. _Frontispiece_] + + + + + +ROUNDING UP + +THE RAIDER + + +A Naval Story of the Great War + + + +BY + +PERCY F. WESTERMAN + +Author of "The Fight for Constantinople" + "Sea Scouts All" + &c. &c. + + + +_Illustrated by E. S. Hodgson_ + + + +BLACKIE & SON LIMITED + +LONDON AND GLASGOW + +1916 + + + + + By Percy F. Westerman + + Haunted Harbour. + His Unfinished Voyage. + Midshipman Webb's Treasure + Winged Might. + Captain Flick. + Tireless Wings. + His First Ship. + The Red Pirate. + The Call of the Sea. + Standish of the Air Police. + Sleuths of the Air. + Andy-All-Alone. + The Westow Talisman. + The White Arab. + The Buccaneers of Boya. + Rounding up the Raider. + Captain Fosdyke's Gold. + In Defiance of the Ban. + The Senior Cadet. + The Amir's Ruby. + The Secret of the Plateau. + Leslie Dexter, Cadet. + All Hands to the Boats. + A Mystery of the Broads. + Rivals of the Reef. + Captain Starlight. + On the Wings of the Wind. + Captain Blundell's Treasure. + The Third Officer. + Unconquered Wings. + Pat Stobart in the "Golden Dawn". + Ringed by Fire. + Midshipman Raxworthy. + Chums of the "Golden Vanity". + Clipped Wings. + Rocks Ahead. + King for a Month. + The Disappearing Dhow. + The Luck of the "Golden Dawn". + The Salving of the "Fusi Yama". + Winning his Wings. + The Good Ship "Golden Effort". + East in the "Golden Gain". + The Quest of the "Golden Hope". + The Wireless Officer. + The Submarine Hunters. + The Thick of the Fray at Zeebrugge. + With Beatty off Jutland. + The Dispatch Riders. + A Cadet of the Mercantile Marine. + With the Last of the Buccaneers. + A Lively Bit of the Front. + + The Westerman Omnibus Book + + + + +_Printed in Great Britain by Blackie & Son, Ltd., Glasgow_ + + + + +Contents + + +CHAP. + + I. THE CAPTURED LINER + II. THE LAST OF THE _NICHI MARU_ + III. ON BOARD THE RAIDER + IV. THREATENED + V. THE PURSUIT OF THE _PELIKAN_ + VI. THE DECOY + VII. FOILED BY A COLLIER + VIII. REINFORCEMENTS + IX. THE MIDNIGHT LANDING + X. THE LAGOON + XI. DENBIGH'S PLAN + XII. A PERILOUS JOURNEY + XIII. NOCTURNAL INVESTIGATIONS + XIV. A NEGLECTED WARNING + XV. ARMSTRONG'S PART + XVI. THE DISASTER TO THE _MYRA_ + XVII. A BID FOR FREEDOM + XVIII. DISAPPOINTMENT + XIX. "OUR LUCK'S OUT" + XX. ADRIFT IN THE INDIAN OCEAN + XXI. VON ECKENSTEIN'S SURPRISE + XXII. THE MONITORS IN ACTION + XXIII. HOW THE _PELIKAN_ SURRENDERED + XXIV. THE LANDING PARTY + XXV. ACCOUNTED FOR + + + + +Illustrations + + +DENBIGH AND HIS COMPANIONS ARE PICKED UP BY A + MONITOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _Frontispiece_ + +"BY JOVE!" EJACULATED O'HARA. "SHE MUST BE ONE OF OUR MONITORS" + +THE 'LOG' WAS A HEALTHY SPECIMEN OF A CROCODILE + +"UNLESS THE GERMAN ENSIGN is HAULED DOWN ON BOARD THE _PELIKAN_ WITHIN +AN HOUR, I OPEN FIRE" + + + + +ROUNDING UP THE RAIDER + + + +CHAPTER I + +The Captured Liner + +"Fifteen days more and then Old England once again!" exclaimed Frank +Denbigh. + +"And bonnie Scotland for me!" added Charlie Stirling. + +"You'll not be forgettin' 'tis Ould Oireland I'm bound for," +remonstrated Pat O'Hara, purposely dropping into the brogue. + +The three chums had just been reading the "miles made good" +announcement that, printed in English and Japanese, was daily exhibited +in various parts of S.S. _Nichi Maru_. + +"Hostile submarines permitting," remarked Denbigh with a laugh, after +he had taken good care that no lady passengers were within earshot. + +"Rot!" ejaculated Stirling. "We've cleared them out of the Channel +pretty well. It's part of the work of the British Navy under----" + +"Stop it!" interrupted O'Hara good-humouredly. "I know what you were +going to say: that old tag from the Articles of War. I propose that +every time the word submarine is mentioned by anyone of us while on +board this vessel the delinquent shall be suitably punished as soon as +the sun's over the fore-yard." + +"Hear, hear! I second that," agreed Stirling. "No more 'shop'. We'll +get plenty of that in a few weeks' time. I fancy My Lords won't let us +kick our heels in idleness for long, and honestly, the sooner we settle +down to business the better." + +The three chums were Sub-lieutenants, homeward bound from a portion of +a certain group of islands off the coast of New Guinea, having till +recently the high-sounding title of the Bismarck Archipelago. The +youthful but none the less glorious Australian Navy had quickly changed +the colour of that portion of the map, but the climate was a more +formidable foe than the former German garrison. Thus the three young +officers, who had been "lent" to the recently-formed navy, had the +misfortune to be stricken with fever. + +After a long convalescence, which by a pure coincidence lasted almost +exactly the same time in each of the three cases, Denbigh, Stirling, +and O'Hara were ordered to return to England and to resume their duties +with the navy of the Motherland. + +They had travelled by an intermediate boat to Singapore, whence, in +order to save delay, they had proceeded by a Japanese liner, the _Nichi +Maru_, bound from Nagasaki to London. It was a case of misdirected +zeal, for, owing to the torpedoing of a large Japanese liner in the +Mediterranean, the _Nichi Maru_ had been ordered to take the longer +passage round the Cape instead of the usual route via the Suez Canal. + +"Hulloa! What's the excitement?" enquired Denbigh, pointing in the +direction of the bridge. The chums had gained the promenade deck, +whence most of the navigating bridge of the liner could be seen. There +was evidently something to warrant his exclamation, for the dapper +little Japanese officer of the watch was steadily keeping his +binoculars upon some distant object. + +"There's a smudge of smoke away to the nor'east'ard," announced +Stirling. "The mild excitement of sighting a vessel will help to push +the hands of the clock. Now if someone will kindly suggest a +sweepstake on the nationality of yonder craft----" + +The door of the wireless room opened. The sharp peculiar cackle of the +instruments announced that an exchange of messages was in progress. A +messenger made his way to the bridge. Almost immediately after, the +captain hurried from his cabin. Evidently "something was in the wind", +for the appearance of the imperturbable commander of the _Nichi Maru_ +at this time of day was rather unusual. + +"We're altering helm," declared O'Hara after a brief interval. "Since +we can speak with that vessel without the necessity of having to close, +it points to something of the nature of a serious mishap." + +The rest of the passengers were now making their way on deck. By an +inexplicable intuition the presence of the still invisible vessel had +made itself felt. None of the officers had communicated the news that +the _Nichi Maru_ was in touch with another craft, yet in five minutes +the decks were crowded with a medley of Europeans and Asiatics. + +"Do you know what is wrong, sir?" asked Denbigh, addressing one of the +Japanese officers who happened to be making his way aft. + +The Jap shook his head. Like most of the _Nichi Maru's_ officers he +spoke English. The question was plain to him, but with Oriental +reticence he politely evaded it. + +"I'll get my glasses," announced O'Hara. + +"And mine, while you are about it," said Denbigh. + +"And mine, too," added the Scot. + +O'Hara quickly returned with the desired articles. Bringing their +binoculars to bear upon the smudge on the horizon the three Subs made +the discovery that there was a two-masted, three-funnelled vessel lying +apparently hove-to. Smoke was issuing from her after-funnel in dense +clouds, that rose slowly in the still sultry air. + +"She's flying an ensign," remarked the Irishman. + +"Yes, straight up and down like a wet dishclout," added Stirling. "For +all the good it's doing it needn't be there." + +"Perhaps her propeller shaft is broken," suggested one of the +passengers, an English merchant who had given up a good position in +Tokio to return home in order to "do his bit". + +"Hardly," replied Denbigh. "She's bound to be a twin screw, and it +isn't likely that both engines would break down." + +"I don't know so much about that," said O'Hara, pointing aft, where a +crowd of Japanese seamen were engaged in preparing a large flexible +steel hawser. "It looks as if we were going to take her in tow. And +it's a long, long way to Las Palmas, worse luck." + +"She's a Dutchman," declared Stirling. "I can make out the red, white, +and blue ensign. I wouldn't mind betting she's one of the Rotterdam +and Batavia liners." + +The three British officers relapsed into silence, devoting their whole +attention upon the disabled liner which was now momentarily looming +larger and larger as the _Nichi Maru_ hastened to her aid. + +Presently the engine-room telegraph bell clanged and the Japanese +vessel's engines began to slow down. Two of the boats were swung out +ready to be lowered, while the four ship's surgeons stood by, ready to +be taken to the helpless Dutchman. + +"Bad boiler-room accident," exclaimed one of the European passengers, +who had learnt the news from a Japanese petty-officer. + +"Boiler accident be hanged!" ejaculated Denbigh, excitedly. "We're +done in, you fellows. That vessel's no Dutchman." + +As if in confirmation of the Sub's announcement the tricolour of +Holland was smartly lowered, its place being taken by that shame-faced +and palpable imitation of the good old British White Ensign--the Black +Cross of Germany. Simultaneously portions of the vessel's plating +swung outboard, revealing a battery of six fifteen-centimetre Krupp +guns. + +"_Nichi Maru_, ahoy!" shouted a guttural voice in English, for the two +vessels were now within megaphone-hailing distance. "Surrender +instantly, or we send you to the bottom." + +There was a pause, while the officer who had shouted the message was +being prompted. + +"Make no attempt to use your wireless," he continued. "That will not +save you. It will make things very bad for you. Stand by to receive a +prize crew." + +Although completely surprised by the dramatic turn of events, both the +crew and passengers of the _Nichi Maru_ remained perfectly calm. The +captain, a descendant of the knightly Samurai of Old Japan, was on the +point of ordering full speed ahead, with the object of ramming the +perfidious vessel and sending both ships to a common destruction; but +the knowledge that the safety of nearly a thousand non-combatants, many +of them women and children, would be in dire peril through such an act +compelled him to submit to the inevitable. + +Humanity, not fear, had conquered the courteous and lion-hearted yellow +skipper. + +Boats were lowered from the German auxiliary cruiser--for such she +undoubtedly was. Into them clambered a number of motley-garbed men +armed with rifles and automatic pistols. But for their modern weapons +the boat's crew might have come from the deck of an Eighteenth-Century +buccaneering craft. + +"I say, you fellows," said O'Hara, "I'm off below." + +"What for?" asked his companions in surprise. Not for one moment did +they imagine that the Irishman was showing the white feather, but at +the same time they were mystified by his announcement. + +"To get into uniform," he replied. "Those skunks won't find me in +mufti." + +"Right oh!" declared Denbigh. "We'll slip into ours, too." + +In a few minutes the chums had changed into their naval uniforms. By +the time they regained the promenade deck the Germans were in +possession of the ship. + +A fat ober-leutnant, backed up by half a dozen armed seamen, held the +bridge, the Japanese captain and deck officers being compelled to +retire to the chart-room. A couple of arrogant unter-leutnants with +much sabre-rattling, were herding the European male passengers on the +port side of the promenade deck. The Japanese passengers they drove +forward with every insulting expression they could make use of. It was +the German officers' idea of revenge, for the fall of Kiau Chau, where +the boasted Teutonic fortress had succumbed to Oriental valour, rankled +in the breasts of the subjects of the All-Highest War Lord. + +Two German officers, apparently of the Accountant branch, had possessed +themselves of the passenger list of the captured vessel, and were +proceeding to call the names it contained. Each person on hearing his +name had to step forward. "Denbigh, Frank," exclaimed one of the +officers. Denbigh, standing erect, faced his captors. "Ah! Englander +officer, hein?" queried the Teuton insolently. "Goot! More to say +soon. Step there over, quick." + +The Sub obeyed. He realized that at times even passive resistance was +indiscreet. + +"Stirling, Charles," continued the German. "Ach, yet anoder Englander. +Unter-leutnant? Goot, a goot capture of Englanders we haf." + +"I'm a Scot--not an Englishman," protested Stirling. + +"No matter. The one is as bad as odder, if nod worse. Over dere," and +he pointed to the place where Denbigh was standing. + +"We're marked down for something, old man," whispered Denbigh. + +"Yes, but listen. They're tackling O'Hara now." + +Sub-lieutenant O'Hara faced his inquisitor with a broad smile on his +face. The Germans could not understand why a man should look pleasant +in time of adversity. + +"Irish? Ach, goot!" declared the Teuton. "Der Irish not like +Englischmans. When we Germans take London, Ireland free country will +be." + +"You haven't got to London yet," remarked O'Hara with the perplexing +smile still on his lips. + +"Already our Zeppelins hab there been. It is matter of time. Ach? +Brussels, Warsaw, Bukharest, Cettigne--five capitals--all conquered." + +"How about Paris?" enquired O'Hara. "To say nothing of Calais. And +who commands the sea? You Germans haven't a vessel afloat outside your +own territorial waters." + +"Vot is dis?" asked the Teuton, pointing to the armed liner. His voice +rose to a crescendo of triumph. + +O'Hara was temporarily non-plussed. Evidently something was at fault +somewhere. How could a large vessel like that evade the strong cordon +of British warships? + +"You're at the end of your tether, old sport," he said after a brief +hesitation. "That ship will be at the bottom before another +twenty-four hours." + +"You tink so?" almost howled the exasperated German. "You vill see. +If she sink, den you sink mit her. Over dere." + +O'Hara rejoined his chums. A couple of armed seamen mounted guard over +them while the work of investigation and pillage continued. + +"We're marked down as hostages," began the Irishman; but one of the +seamen, bringing the butt end of his rifle down on the deck within a +couple of inches of O'Hara's toes, rendered unnecessary the guttural +"Verboten" that accompanied the action. + +In silence the three Subs watched the proceedings. Under the orders of +their captors the Japanese seamen were compelled to transfer bullion +stores from the _Nichi Maru_ into the boats. German seamen brought +charges of explosives and placed them below. It was apparent that the +destruction of the captured vessel was already decided. + +At length all preparations were completed. One of the _Nichi Maru's_ +officers, acting under the authority of the ober-leutnant gave the +order--first in Japanese and then in English--to abandon the ship. + +"Fifteen minutes only are allowed. Boats to be provisioned and manned. +No personal property is to be taken. Women and children first." + +The Japanese captain was expostulating, firmly and in a dignified +manner. He pointed out the inhumanity of sending women and children +adrift in mid-Atlantic and under a tropical sun. His protests were in +vain. + +"We will send a small vessel to pick up the boats," retorted the German +lieutenant. "We will not sink a small one purposely. A little +discomfort will do these English good. You yellow apes are used to it." + +The Japanese accepted the direct insult without signs of emotion. The +disguise of his feelings was a national trait, but it would have gone +hard with the arrogant Prussian had the captain of the _Nichi Maru_ not +been hampered with a crowd of non-combatants. + +"Now, Englishmen," exclaimed the German. "Into that boat. Any trouble +make and you dead men. Ach! You smile now: your trouble it only has +just commenced." + + + + +CHAPTER II + +The Last of the _Nichi Maru_ + +In silence the three Subs left the doomed _Nichi Maru_ and entered the +waiting boat. At the word of command the men pushed off and rowed +towards the modern pirate. + +The disguised vessel had now swung round and was lying motionless at a +distance of two cables' length from her prize. The hull was painted a +light yellow, with a broad black band. Her funnels were buff with +black tops. On her stern were the words, _Zwaan_--Rotterdam. + +"She's no more the _Zwaan_ of Rotterdam than I am," cogitated Denbigh. + +He was right in his surmise. The vessel was originally the +_Pelikan_--a supplementary Hamburg-Amerika Line boat. On the outbreak +of the war she was homeward bound from South America, with, as was the +case with all liners flying the German flag, an armament of +quick-firers stowed away in her hold. + +Unfortunately for Kaiser Wilhelm's plans the abrupt entry of Great +Britain into the arena of war had nipped in the bud the activities of +German commerce raiders. A few ran amok until promptly rounded up and +settled by the ubiquitous British cruisers. Others fled for neutral +ports. Amongst them was the _Pelikan_, whose captain, with +considerable astuteness, contrived to make for a harbour belonging to +an obscure South American Republic. + +Before doing so he had fallen in with the light cruiser _Karlsruhe_--a +craft doomed shortly afterwards to end her career at the hands of her +own crew rather than face an action that would end either in +destruction or ignominious capture--and from her received a number of +additional officers and men. + +For a twelvemonth or more the _Pelikan_ lay hidden. Lavish sums +expended in bribery sealed the mouths of the grasping officials of the +port, in addition to procuring coal and stores to enable the German +vessel to put to sea whenever an opportunity offered. + +At length the chance came. Acting under wireless orders from Berlin +the _Pelikan_ was to make a dash for the Atlantic, do as much damage as +she possibly could to shipping of the Allies, and finally attempt to +reach Dar es Salaam, the principal port of German East Africa. Here, +should she succeed in evading the British patrols, she was to transfer +her crew, armament, and munitions to shore to assist the land forces of +the Colony against a threatened advance from Rhodesia. + +Accordingly the _Pelikan_ became the _Zwaan_. Disguised by a different +colour paint and supplied with forged ship's papers she easily evaded +the lax authority of the neutral port and made for the open sea. + +A course was shaped to cut the Dutch East Indies liners' route in the +latitude of Cape Verde. Then, following in a parallel direction, the +track usually taken by the vessels she was impersonating, the pseudo +_Zwaan_ headed due south. + +Kapitan von Riesser, her commanding officer, was a resourceful and +crafty Hun. He was steeped in the doctrine of "frightfulness", but in +the present instance there were limits. + +Had he been the commander of a U boat he would not have hesitated to +send the _Nichi Maru_ to the bottom without warning, for a German +submarine could strike a fatal blow and not show herself during the +attack. The _Pelikan_---to revert to her original name--was not +capable of emulating the methods of German unterseebooten without risk +of subsequent capture. And as the possibility of being taken by a +British warship always loomed upon von Riesser's mental horizon, he was +determined to tread warily. + +The fear of reprisals alone kept him within the bounds of discretion as +laid down by up-to-date rules of warfare. He might sink any +merchant-vessel that fell into his clutches, provided he gave the +passengers and crew time to take to their boats. + +Three days before sighting the _Nichi Maru_ the _Pelikan_ had been +stopped and examined by a British cruiser. The boarding-officer knew +neither German nor Dutch, and conversation had to be conducted in +English. The ship's papers were apparently in order. The British +lieutenant failed to pay sufficient attention to the bulky deck-gear +that concealed the raider's quick-firers; nor did he discover that, +hidden between double bulkheads abaft the engine-room, two +torpedo-tubes, removed from the _Karlsruhe_, were ready for instant use +should occasion arise. + +The cruiser had, indeed, a very narrow escape of sharing the fate of a +British battleship that was torpedoed in the Channel on a dark and +stormy night, the deadly missile being launched from a vessel sailing +under the Dutch flag. Only Kapitan von Riesser's doubts as to the +immediate success of a torpedo attack prevented him putting his +treacherous design into effect. A stricken cruiser, he knew, could use +her guns with tremendous results, and he had no wish to lay down his +life for the Fatherland while an easier course lay open to him. +Accordingly the boarding officer, with many apologies for having +detained a neutral vessel, returned to the cruiser, which immediately +steamed northwards, while the _Pelikan_ proceeded on her course. + +Having assumed that the British cruiser was well out of her way, the +raider began to send out wireless calls, limiting the radius of action +to about fifty miles. She did not call in vain, for the _Nichi Maru_, +picking up the appeal for aid, hastened to the _Pelikan's_ assistance +and, all unsuspecting, fell a victim to her captor. + +During the "round-up" of the passengers, Kapitan von Riesser had been +informed by signal of the presence of three British naval officers on +board the _Nichi Maru_, and instructions were asked as to their +disposal. + +The kapitan resolved the problem in his mind. He could not murder the +prisoners without the news being conveyed by the rest of the passengers +of the Japanese liner. If they were brought on board the _Pelikan_, +they would be a source of danger should the ship again be overhauled by +a patrolling cruiser, unless---- + +He consulted the ship's surgeon. Apparently the latter's advice was +satisfactory. In addition, should the _Pelikan_ arrive at Dar es +Salaam with three British naval officers on board as prisoners, well +and good. If, on the other hand, the vessel were captured on the high +seas, the prisoners would no doubt be willing to testify to the fact +that Kapitan von Riesser had committed no unpardonable breach of the +usages of war. From which it will be seen that von Riesser was always +considering how to save his own skin in the event of capture. + +"Up--at once!" ordered the unter-leutnant as the boat containing +Denbigh and his companions ran alongside the lowered +accommodation-ladder of the _Pelikan_. The German did not hesitate to +show his arrogance; but he was severely snubbed by his kapitan. + +"I must apologize, gentlemen," began von Riesser in good English as the +British officers came over the side. "My subordinate, Herr Klick, has +allowed his zeal to outrun his discretion. It is necessary for me to +detain you. I know you will bow to the inevitable and recognize that +it is the fortune of war. I will speak to you again shortly!" + +The kapitan hurried off, leaving Denbigh and his fellow-prisoners +standing close to the head of the accommodation-ladder. Beyond the +fact that a sentry stood within ten feet of them, no attempt was made +to place them under restraint. They were free to speak, and to watch +the scene that was being enacted a few hundred yards from the vessel to +which they had been removed. + +The _Nichi Maru_ was lowering her boats rapidly yet with admirable +discipline. Without accident the heavy lifeboats with their human +freights took the water. As soon as the falls were cast off, the crews +rowed to a safe distance, where they lay on their oars and awaited the +end of the huge liner. + +With some minutes to spare, the work of abandoning the vessel was +completed. The captain was the last to leave, the imperturbable look +upon his olive features masking the rage and grief that gripped his +mind. + +The two German boats still lay alongside. Presently half a dozen +Teutons hurriedly scrambled into the waiting craft, which without delay +were rowed quickly toward the _Pelikan_. + +Three muffled reports came almost simultaneously from the interior of +the doomed liner. These were followed by two more at comparatively +long intervals. The _Nichi Maru_ heeled slightly, and began to settle +slowly by the bows. + +The ship took her time. The wreaths of fleecy steam mingled with +denser columns of smoke that issued from 'tween decks. Then, as the in +rushing water came in contact with the furnaces, the vessel was +enveloped in a cloud of eddying pungent fumes. + +When the cloud dispersed, the _Nichi Maru's_ bows were level with the +water, while her stern was raised until the blades of her now +motionless propellers were clear of the agitated sea. + +Lower and lower sank the doomed ship. At frequent intervals, small +explosions of compressed air took place. The sea was strewn with +fragments of floating wreckage. + +"She's going!" whispered Stirling. + +The liner recovered herself. For a moment it seemed as if she were +floating on an even keel. Then, with a convulsive effort, she flung +her stern high out of the water and slid rapidly to her ocean grave. +Almost the last to be seen of her was the mercantile flag of Japan, +still floating proudly from the ensign staff. + +In the liner's crowded boats the Japanese officers were standing erect +and at the salute as the vessel disappeared from view. They, too, were +of a breed that is not to be intimidated by Teutonic frightfulness. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +On Board the Raider + +"I wish to call attention to the fact, gentlemen, that we acted in +strict accordance with the rights of belligerents," remarked Kapitan +von Riesser. + +The _Pelikan's_ captain was seated in his cabin. On either side of him +stood von Langer, the ober-leutnant who had been in charge of the +boarding-party, and Unter-leutnant Kaspar Klick. Facing him stood +Denbigh, Stirling, and O'Hara. + +"I am afraid we cannot agree with you," replied Denbigh. + +"Possibly not," retorted von Riesser, "but on what grounds?" + +"It is hardly a humane act to turn those people adrift in open boats," +continued the Sub. + +"What else could I do? Surely you would not expect us to receive a +thousand people on board this ship? They will be picked up, without +doubt, within a few hours." + +"Perhaps," declared Denbigh. "But there is always a risk. Your action +in sinking that ship is unjustifiable. I am not here to argue the +point, but I will merely state a case in which one of your captains did +not think it advisable to go to the lengths you did. When, in the +early part of the war, the _Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse_ compelled the +British liners _Galicia_ and _Arlanza_ to heave-to, these ships were +subsequently allowed to proceed----" + +"Yes, but at that time you English were not attempting to starve us out +by a blockade," interrupted the kapitan excitedly, as men do when +cornered in argument. + +Denbigh shrugged his shoulders. He had made his protest and had scored +a point. + +"We have done with the past," continued von Riesser. "My object in +sending for you is to explain your position. You are, of course, +prisoners of war. It is my intention to accord you treatment as your +rank demands. In ordinary circumstances you are at liberty to leave +your cabins and come on deck whenever you wish during hours of +daylight. There may be times when it will be necessary for you to be +locked in--perhaps taken below. But, understand: if you attempt to +jeopardize the safety of the ship, or to communicate with any passing +vessel, or, in short, to behave other than officers on parole----" + +"But we are not on parole," interrupted O'Hara. + +"It matters not," declared the kapitan. "If I choose to consider that +you are equivalent to being on parole that is my affair. If, then, you +break any of the conditions I have mentioned you will be tried by a +properly constituted court consisting of officers of the ship, and if +found guilty you will be shot. Is that perfectly clear?" + +The three prisoners signified their assent. After all, the German's +stipulations were reasonable. + +Von Riesser turned and conversed for a few minutes with his +ober-leutnant. O'Hara, being ignorant of German, and Stirling having +but a slight knowledge of the language, were unable to understand the +drift of the conversation. Denbigh, on the other hand, was a fluent +linguist, but he had already decided to keep that knowledge from his +captors. + +Presently Kapitan von Riesser produced a British Navy List. Somewhat +to the British officers' surprise they noticed that it was dated "April +1916", or more than a twelvemonth since the last list had been +obtainable by the public. + +"You have qualified as an interpreter, I see," remarked von Riesser. +"For what languages?" + +"Hindustani, Swahili, and Arabic," replied Denbigh promptly. He did +not think it necessary to add that German was amongst his +qualifications, and he thanked his lucky stars that the recent Navy +Lists do not specify the language in which officer-interpreters are +expert. + +"You are evidently considered a promising young officer," continued the +kapitan. He could not refrain from adding, with a thinly-veiled sneer, +"I am afraid your services will be lost to the English Admiralty for +some time to come." + +"Perhaps," drawled Denbigh, with such well-feigned indifference that +von Riesser glanced keenly at the young officer's clear-cut features. + +Having subjected Stirling and O'Hara to an examination--in which the +Irishman scored more than once by his smart repartees--the prisoners +were dismissed. + +The first meal on board the raider was served in the cabin allotted +them. Judging by the nature of the repast provisions were neither +scarce nor unvaried. Having finished, they went on deck. No one +offered to interfere with them. The seamen affected to ignore them. +Once Unter-leutnant Kaspar Klick passed, and gave them such a look that +O'Hara afterwards remarked he would like to have a quiet five minutes +with the German. + +"I wonder they haven't searched us," said Stirling in a low voice. +"Now I wish I had put my small revolver into my coat pocket. I thought +it would have been too risky." + +"For the same reason I practically emptied my pockets before we left +the _Nichi Maru_," declared Denbigh. + +"And so did I," added O'Hara, "but I took jolly good care to hide that +little automatic pistol--you know the one: I collared it from a German +officer in that little scrap at Herbertshöhe." + +"For goodness sake be careful," protested the cautious and level-headed +Scot. + +"I'll try to be," replied O'Hara non-committedly. + +"Where is the pistol?" asked Denbigh. + +"Inside the lining of my cap," replied the Irishman. "Can you see any +sign of a bulge under the cap-cover?" + +"Not a trace," declared Denbigh. "Only, old man, remember you are +rather hot-headed. Let's hope there won't be a premature explosion." + +"There won't," said O'Hara emphatically. "Because I've no cartridges." + +"That's something to be thankful for," remarked Stirling. "But what, +might I ask, is the use of an automatic pistol, if you haven't any +cartridges?" + +"You never know your luck," replied O'Hara. "I may manage to pick up +some on board. Whist!" + +Von Langer, the fat ober-leutnant who had been in charge of the +boarding-party, was approaching. + +Possibly at a hint from his chief he had dropped his overbearing +manner, for he addressed the prisoners in a mild tone. + +"It is nearly sunset," he remarked. "You vos go below. I am sorry to +tell you dis, but dese are orders. Wir mussen vorsichtig zu Werke +gehen." + +Denbigh gave no sign that he understood. Von Langer had hoped to trip +the Englishman, but he had failed. + +"What was that Johnny spouting about?" asked Stirling, when the three +chums had retired to the cabin. + +"That they had to be very careful," replied Denbigh. "That I don't +doubt. I'll give them a week at the very outside. If we are not free +men then, I reckon we're booked to Davy Jones his locker." + +The cabin was plainly furnished. An electric light was burning, but +the porthole had been previously closed and locked. Overhead an +electric fan was buzzing, while fresh air was admitted by means of +ventilation pipes communicating with the open air. + +"We might do worse," remarked O'Hara as he proceeded to undress. "The +rotten part of it is, we can't see what's going on outside. The +beggars have cooped us up pretty well." + +"They are evidently busy," said Stirling, as the bustling of some +hundreds of men was plainly audible above the hum of the fan. "Perhaps +they do the worst of their dirty work during the hours of darkness." + +The three officers proceeded to make an examination of their quarters. +The walls were of pitch-pine, but upon O'Hara sacrificing one of his +razors, it was found that the woodwork merely formed a casing to a thin +steel bulkhead. The ceiling, too, was of steel, coated with a patent +cement to preserve the metal and to prevent "sweating". The door was +of steel, and was fitted with a "jalousie" or latticed shutter; but +their captors had taken the precaution of bolting a solid metal plate +over the opening. + +"Not much chance for anyone who happens to be a somnambulist," said +Denbigh. "Well, it's no use kicking against the pricks when you're +barefooted. I'm going to turn in. By Jove, I do feel horribly sleepy." + +"And so do I," added Stirling, unable to stifle a terrific yawn. + +"I believe I'm asleep already," muttered O'Hara drowsily. + +A moment later the three chums were lost in oblivion. An opiate +secretly administered by the doctor had been mixed with their food. So +soundly did they sleep that they were unaware of a terrific crash that +took place during the middle watch--the explosion of a torpedo launched +from the supposed Dutch liner at a large French vessel. + +Von Riesser had risked an example of frightfulness. The huge, +heavily-charged missile--powerful enough to sink the largest battleship +afloat within a couple of hours from the moment of impact--had +literally torn to pieces the lightly-built hull of its victim. Before +the luckless passengers and crew rushed for the boats--and these were +for the most part shattered--the French craft sunk like a stone. + +It was not until the sun was almost overhead that Pat O'Hara awoke. +The deadlight of the porthole had been unshipped and the cabin was +flooded with dazzling sunlight. + +He sat up in his bunk. His head seemed to be splitting. Everything in +view was slowly moving to and fro with a semicircular motion. + +"What the deuce have I been up to?" he soliloquized. "Where was I last +night? By Jove, I must have had another touch of that rotten malaria." + +Presently the erratic movements of his surroundings quieted down. He +became aware that Denbigh and Stirling, lying in their bunks on the +other side of the cabin, were still sleeping and breathing stertorously. + +"Now how in the name of goodness did those fellows get into my cabin?" +asked the puzzled Irishman, for he was under the impression that he was +on board the _Nichi Maru_. "Has someone been having a rag?" + +From the alley-way came the sound of voices. He listened. The +speakers were making use of a foreign language. It was not the soft, +pleasing Japanese tongue--something harsh and guttural. + +"German!" ejaculated O'Hara. "By my blessed namesake I remember it all +now." + +He leapt from his bunk and, crossing the cabin, shook Denbigh by the +shoulders. The Sub's only reply was a grunt of semi-conscious +expostulation. O'Hara turned his attentions to the Scot. + +"Fore!" muttered Stirling, engrossed in the joys of a round of golf in +dreamland. + +"More like twelve, be jabbers," retorted O'Hara. "The sun's well over +the fore-yard. Show a leg and shine, you lazy bounder." + +The discipline imbued in the old Dartmouth College was too strong to +resist the nautical invitation to get up. Stirling rolled from his +bunk--fortunately it was the underneath one--and subsided heavily upon +the floor. + +"Pull yourself together, man," counselled O'Hara. "Those rotten Huns +have been hocussing our grub." + +"If they have, they have," muttered the imperturbable Stirling. +"That's no reason why you should bellow into my ear like a +ninety-thousand horse-power siren." + +Leaving the Sub huddled upon the floor O'Hara proceeded to dress. + +Suddenly he exclaimed: + +"The dirty spalpeens! They've been to my pockets while I was asleep." + +This announcement literally electrified his companion, for Stirling +remembered that he had over twenty pounds in Australian sovereigns in +his purse. Alas! The gold had vanished. + +"Your pistol?" asked Stirling. + +The Irishman whipped his uniform cap from a hat-peg. + +"It's there," he reported. "And might you be wanting it to let +daylight into the fellow who collared your cash?" + +"Not much use without cartridges," replied Stirling savagely. "It +might have got us into hot water if they had found it. Better pitch it +through the port-hole, old man, before it lands you in queer street." + +"No fear," declared O'Hara. "It may come in handy some day." + +Some time elapsed before the two men were able to rouse Denbigh from +his stupor. He, too, discovered that a small amount of gold that he +happened to have on him at the time of the capture of the _Nichi Maru_ +had been taken from him. Some silver and a few Japanese coins had been +left. + +"We've been drugged right enough," said Denbigh. "I wonder why? +There's some underhand game afoot during the hours of darkness. +To-night we'll do without wine at dinner, and see how that acts." + +Having completed their toilet the three Subs left the cabin, for the +door was now unlocked and the metal covering to the jalousie removed. +Without stood a seaman on sentry duty. He drew himself up stiffly as +the British officers passed, but made no salute, nor did he attempt to +bar their progress. + +At the foot of the companion-ladder a petty-officer stopped them. + +"Breakfast awaits you in this cabin," he said in German. Neither +Stirling nor O'Hara understood, while Denbigh was sufficiently on his +guard to feign ignorance of the nature of the announcement. + +"Der vos a meal for you in dere," announced von Langer, stepping from +behind the shaft of a ventilator. + +"Thank you!" replied the three Subs in unison. + +"But it's nearly lunch time, isn't it?" added O'Hara. + +"Dey vos tell me der Englische are very fond of sleep," retorted von +Langer with a laugh. "Himmel! I tink dot is very true." + +The meal over, the prisoners went on deck. Out of curiosity Denbigh +walked to the rail and leant over the side. He was not surprised at +what he saw. The ship's sides had been painted during the night. The +black band still remained, but the yellow paint had been replaced with +a coat of blue. Already the tropical sun was blistering the still wet +paint, revealing patches of the original hue underneath. The funnels, +too, had been redecorated. They were now red with black tops. + +Some minutes later Kapitan von Riesser descended from the bridge and +walked aft. Seeing the British officer he crossed the deck. + +"You like our new colour scheme?" he asked. + +Denbigh did not reply to the question. He asked another. + +"Mr. Stirling and I both lost some gold during the night. Our cabin +was entered while we were asleep and the money taken from our pockets. +Was the--er--theft committed at your instigation?" + +For a moment von Riesser hesitated. + +"There was no theft," he replied. "The gold was taken from you +prisoners----" + +"Contrary to----" began Stirling hotly. + +"In accordance with my instructions," continued the Kapitan. "Gold is +of no use to you. Instead, you will be furnished with Notes to its +equivalent as soon as we arrive." + +"You may as well get your purser to write out a receipt," said O'Hara. +"It will come in handy when the _Zwaan_--if that's her proper name--is +captured." + +Von Riesser laughed boisterously. + +"Captured?" he repeated. "Ach! I don't think there is much danger +now. South of the Line there is not a solitary British cruiser that +can touch us in speed. There are plenty of them, I admit, but that is +your English all over. Three swift vessels would be worth all your +East India fleet put together, yet you pack highly-trained crews into +slow and out-of-date tubs." + +"Possibly the captain of the _Emden_ thought the same as you do," +remarked Stirling. + +"Müller had difficulties that I have not," replied von Riesser. "He +was known to be in the Indian Ocean and swift cruisers were dispatched +from England and Australia to hunt for him. Our presence on the High +Seas will not be known to your Admiralty until it is too late. So, +gentlemen, I must ask you to seriously consider the possibility of +finding yourselves prisoners of war in our well-defended Colony of +German East Africa." + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +Threatened + +That night, according to their pre-arranged plans, the captive +sub-lieutenants avoided taking any of the wines that were placed before +them. + +They dined alone in a small cabin placed at least fifty feet from their +sleeping quarters. + +As it was now after sunset the porthole was closed and locked. The +door, too, was shut, but not secured. Outside, a sentry paced to and +fro. + +"Look here, you fellows!" exclaimed Denbigh after the man deputed to +attend to their needs had gone. "It's all very well knocking off the +fizz, but they'll notice we haven't drunk any." + +"Pour it into the grate," suggested Pat O'Hara recklessly. + +Denbigh shook his head. + +"Won't do," he objected, giving a glance in the direction of the small +"bogie" stove. "I suppose there isn't any possibility of prizing open +the port-lid?" + +"You'd be spotted even if you could. There are plenty of men on deck," +said O'Hara, glad of the opportunity of countering Denbigh's objection +with another. "Come along, old bird; what do you suggest?" + +Stirling, to whom the invitation was addressed, thrust his hand into +the breast pocket of his coat. + +"What would you do if I weren't here to look after you?" he enquired, +at the same time producing three sponges. "I took them from our cabin." + +"For dessert?" queried O'Hara, lifting his eyebrows in surprise. + +"Yes, if you are a goat," said Stirling with asperity. "Goats are, I +believe, rather partial to this sort of tack." + +Coolly the Scot poured out a wineglassful of sherry--it was from the +same decanter that they had taken some the previous evening--and slowly +spilt the liquid on the sponge. + +"Fill your glass first," cautioned Stirling. "Then they'll think we +have had some of the poisonous stuff. Slip your sponge into your +pocket, Denbigh. Don't squeeze it. I am presuming you'll want it +again later. Of course if Pat wishes, he can chew his." + +Dinner over, the chums retired to their sleeping cabin. In fact they +had no option, since they were forbidden to go on deck after sunset. +Here they talked and looked at the illustrations of some old Spanish +newspapers until lights out; then, turning in, they lay awake awaiting +possible developments. Eight bells struck. The _Pelikan_ was no +longer moving through the water. Outside the cabin men were talking. +Springing from his bunk Denbigh approached the door, putting his ear to +the covered jalousie. + +"I suppose those English swine are sound asleep," said a voice which +the sub recognized as that of Kapitan von Riesser. "I cannot hear them +grunting--we did last night." + +"Nor can I, sir," replied Unter-leutnant Klick, who as officer of the +watch was accompanying the captain on his rounds. "But they must be. +They went for that doctored sherry like fishes." + +"Himmel! That is good news," exclaimed von Riesser. "It will be quite +safe to settle that vessel. When she first answered our call she was +only forty kilometres away. In twenty minutes----" + +The listener fancied he could hear the kapitan rubbing his hands with +glee. + +"It is much the better way," continued von Riesser: "'Lost with all +hands' is quite a plausible theory. I am almost sorry we didn't wait +until night when we tackled the Japanese ship. We run a good risk of +being made a quarry for a dozen or more of those accursed cruisers. +Those English may even send some swift destroyers on our track. You +are sure those fellows are quite insensible?" + +"As quiet as the grave, sir," assured the unter-leutnant. "They will +hear nothing. Even that terrific explosion when our torpedo took the +Frenchman by surprise never disturbed them. But, of course, sir, I'll +make doubly sure. We'll squirt some chloroform into the cabin." + +"Then be sharp about it," said von Riesser. "There's no time to be +lost. That English vessel ought to be in sight within the next quarter +of an hour." + +The German officer moved away. In a trice Denbigh communicated the +news to his companions. + +"Oh for a respirator!" whispered O'Hara. + +"Don't worry," said Stirling. "The electric fan will carry off the +fumes as quickly as they pump them in." + +Even as he spoke the fan ceased to revolve. The current actuating the +ventilating gear had been switched off. Already Unter-leutnant Klick +was putting his scheme into effect. + +"Those voice tubes," hissed Denbigh. + +"They lead nowhere," protested Stirling. "They are blocked. I tried +them some time ago." + +The cabin had previously been used as the purser's office, and from it +voice-tubes had communicated with the captain's cabin, the head +steward's quarters, and the clerk's office. The metal pipes had been +removed, but three lengths of flexible tubing had been left. + +With a sharp tug Denbigh wrenched one of the tubes from the flange +securing it to the bulkhead. The second gave more trouble. As he was +straining at it a sharp rasping sound fell upon his ear. In the +adjoining cabin someone was at work drilling a hole through the metal +partition. + +Smearing the bell-shaped mouth-pieces of two of the detached pipes with +soap from the wash-basin, Denbigh clapped them together. + +"Hold on here, Pat," he whispered. "Press 'em tightly." + +O'Hara obeyed unhesitatingly. Instinctively he realized that this was +Denbigh's pigeon, and once Denbigh undertook a task he was pretty +certain of the result. + +Stirling was then told to hold one end of the second and third +sections. The united length of tubing was now nearly nine feet. One +end Denbigh wedged into the opening in the ceiling for the electric +fan. The other he held in his hand in readiness. + +At length, after a tedious wait, Denbigh saw the tip of the drill +emerging from the bulkhead. Marking the spot he instantly switched off +the light. A dull thud announced that the boring tool had made a +complete perforation and that the handle had struck home against the +steelwork. + +The drill was withdrawn. In its place a small metal tube was inserted. +Deftly and noiselessly Denbigh slipped the lower end of the flexible +piping over the projecting nozzle. Then he waited. He could hear the +Irishman breathing heavily. The portion of the tube that he was +holding quivered in his excitable grasp. Stirling, cool and collected, +gave no sign of the potential alertness that possessed him. + +A gentle hissing sound, repeated at short intervals, announced that the +Germans were injecting the stupefying fumes by means of a bellows. A +faint, sickly odour assailed Denbigh's nostrils. He had to fight hard +to refrain from gasping. Grimly he stood by until the hissing noise +ceased. + +His plan had been successful. Save for a slight leakage the fumes had +travelled through the pipe and had been carried through the louvres of +the ventilator, while the hot air of the cabin was sufficient to create +an up-draught to disperse the noxious vapour. + +Denbigh removed his end of the tube. As he did so he heard a voice +exclaim: + +"It is enough. More will kill them. You had better enter the cabin, +Herr Doktor, and see that they are still breathing." + +The sub drew the piping from his companions' grasp. + +"Turn in and pretend you're insensible," he whispered, fearful lest the +sound should be heard through the newly-made hole in the bulkhead. + +It was less than five minutes later when the door was unlocked and a +dim figure cautiously entered. + +"Not half so bad as I expected," said a guttural voice. The smell of +the anæsthetic had almost dispersed. "Where is the switch?" + +"Here, Herr Doktor," replied a petty officer. + +The next instant the cabin was bathed in brilliant light. In spite of +their efforts to the contrary the three supposed sleepers twitched +their eyelids. + +The ship's surgeon bent over O'Hara. A short scrutiny confirmed his +suspicions. He turned to the bunk on which Stirling was lying, and, +lifting the sub's eyelid, placed the tip of his forefinger upon the +eyeball. + +"Ach, is it so?" ejaculated the German, for Stirling had been compelled +to contract his eyelids. + +A similar test bore the same result in Denbigh's case; then, without +another word, the doctor hurried from the cabin. + +"The old pillbox has tumbled to it," muttered Denbigh. "Now what will +their little game be?" + +The sub was not left long in doubt. Ober-leutnant von Langer, who had +followed the doctor into the cabin, made his presence known by bawling +out an order to half a dozen of the crew who were waiting without: + +"Come! Out mit you!" he exclaimed, addressing the sham sleepers. "It +is that I know your little pretend. Ach! you tink you smart?" + +Yet Denbigh and his companions kept still, half-hoping that the +doctor's test had not been successful and von Langer was trying his +hand. + +The ober-leutnant gave another order. Unceremoniously the three +British officers were hauled out of the bunks by the seamen, who seemed +to take a delight in roughly handling anyone of commissioned rank. +Perhaps, if von Langer did but know it, his men would have been only +too pleased to use him in the same way, for the ober-leutnant was a +Prussian and a Junker, while the crew were for the most part from +Schleswig-Holstein. + +With as much dignity as their dishevelled appearance would permit, +Denbigh and his companions allowed themselves to be taken on deck, +where they had to cool their heels at the pleasure of their captors. +It was a bright moonlight night. The air was decidedly chilly for the +Tropics. A heavy dew was falling. The lightly-clad men--for the +sub-lieutenants were in pyjamas--realized that there was a grave risk +of tropical fever. + +The ship was once more under way. With a true seaman's instinct +Denbigh glanced aloft. By the relative position of the moon--since no +stars were visible--he was able to fix the approximate course of the +vessel. She was steering roughly sou'-sou'-east. Far away to the +nor'ard a masthead lamp was blinking--calling in Morse to know why they +had been summoned. + +Denbigh gave a grunt of satisfaction. For once von Riesser's plan had +gone awry. He had feared to treacherously torpedo an unsuspecting +merchantman since there were hostile eye-witnesses on board the +_Pelikan_. + +Presently the kapitan, clad in a greatcoat over his white uniform, +appeared at the head of the bridge-ladder. + +"You there, von Langer?" he called. + +"Yes, sir," replied the ober-leutnant. "Shall I bring the prisoners to +you?" + +"No, I'll see them in my cabin," replied von Riesser. "Tell off a +couple of hands to guard the prisoners and another half-dozen to wait +outside in case there is any trouble. I'll be there in a few minutes." + +The kapitan's quarters were situated aft on the upper deck. They +comprised a large cabin, used for meals and recreation, and a sleeping +cabin opening from it. Denbigh and his companions were marched into +the outer cabin and told to take up a position facing von Riesser's +empty arm-chair and separated from it by a long mahogany table. + +The cabin was plainly furnished. In addition to the arm-chair and +table there were two sideboards, a large book-rack, and half a dozen +cane chairs. On the table lay a pile of Dutch charts. Books for +navigation and sailing directions in the same language occupied the +shelves in company with a few American novels. + +Everything German, with one exception, had been studiously eliminated, +in order to baffle the curiosity of a British boarding-officer in the +event of the supposed _Zwaan_ being held up. The exception was a large +oil painting of the Kaiser in the uniform of a German Admiral of the +Fleet. The portrait was framed in a massive oak frame securely fixed +to the bulkhead between the two cabins. The only other picture was a +sepia-toned photograph of the Queen of Holland, in a narrow, plain gilt +frame. When it became necessary to hide the features of the All +Highest War Lord from the eyes of the strafed English, who had +practically contrived to drive the War Lord's battleships from the face +of the five oceans, von Riesser took the risk of committing lese +majesté by placing the portrait of Queen Wilhelmina over that of the +Emperor Wilhelm II. Then, to all appearances, the captain's cabin of +the _Zwaan_ was loyally adorned by a photograph of the Queen of the +Netherlands in a deep oak frame with a thin gold slip. + +In the circumstances, however, it was not considered necessary to +eclipse the All Highest War Lord, so the three British subs found +themselves confronted by the painted features of the modern Attila. + +The door was thrown open. Von Langer and the two seamen clicked their +heels and saluted as von Riesser entered with the dramatic effect of +which Prussians are so fond. Gravely saluting the Emperor's portrait +and then returning his subordinates' mark of respect the kapitan took +his seat. + +"You know why you are here?" asked von Riesser abruptly, lowering his +brows and looking sternly at the three British officers. + +"We do not," replied Denbigh. "In fact, it is rather unusual to turn a +fellow out of his bunk at one in the morning." + +"Do not bandy words, Herr Denbigh," snapped the kapitan. "You have +been causing trouble." + +"Is it causing trouble to take steps to avoid being gassed or +chloroformed?" asked O'Hara. + +"Yes," almost shouted the kapitan. "If we think it desirable that our +prisoners should be put to sleep it is not for them to resist." + +"In that case there's no more to be said," declared the Irishman. "You +are top-dog----" + +"You call me a dog, you English swine!" almost howled the now +infuriated Prussian. + +O'Hara burst out into violent laughter. Denbigh smiled broadly, while +around Stirling's firm lips hovered the suspicion of a grim smile. +Their utter indifference to the ravings of their captor took von +Riesser by surprise. + +"I may as well tell you," began Denbigh, seizing his opportunity, "that +I can speak German perhaps as well as you can speak English. I +overheard your conversation outside our cabin an hour or so ago, and we +know what you proposed to do to the ship which you were luring. I +suppose you call those tactics frightfulness. I call them low-down, +skulking treachery. How a man who professes to be a sailor, who has +lived a free and healthy life upon the sea, could belittle himself to +act as you propose to do, and possibly have done, passes my +understanding. I give you fair warning, Kapitan von Riesser, that, +should we be set free by an English cruiser, you will have a grave +indictment to answer." + +Von Riesser did not reply for a few moments. He was greatly agitated. +Once or twice he glanced anxiously at his ober-leutnant, as if curious +to know whether von Langer understood Denbigh's words. + +Then he, too, laughed, but it was not a natural outburst of an +unburdened and evenly-balanced mind. + +"You threaten?" he asked. "Well, I can threaten also. Suppose I +decide to put into operation the principle of your worthy Prime +Minister? One of his maxims, oft quoted in the Press, is, I believe, +'Wait and see'?" + +"It ought to be particularly applicable in your case," rejoined Denbigh +coolly. + +"Ach! And in yours. What is to prevent me from ordering a weight to +be put about your neck and cast you into the sea? Weight and sea. +Himmel, that is great!" + +He roared at his own joke, while von Langer, although unable to +comprehend the significance, showed his servile approbation by laughing +in a minor key. + +"I don't think that it would make very much difference if you did," +replied Denbigh. "You see, the _Nichi Maru's_ people know that you +carried us off. Some day you will have to answer some rather searching +questions if you could not produce us." + +Again von Riesser pondered. He was beginning to feel horribly annoyed +with himself for having ever received the three British officers on +board the _Pelikan_. He was plunging deeper and deeper into the mire. +He lacked the determination to cut the Gordian Knot. + +By way of an excuse he scribbled a note and tossed it to von Langer. + +"Take that to the officer of the watch," he said carelessly. + +The ober-leutnant quitted the cabin. The two impassive seamen +remained. They, fortunately, knew no English, save a few catch phrases +picked up when lying in dock in that dim period before the War. + +"Suppose we cry quits," resumed von Riesser. "I am ready to apologize +for having exceeded my rights in dealing with you. After all there's +no great harm done. I'll admit I planned to trap yonder vessel. You +must have misunderstood me when I said that I had intended to torpedo +her. We use our torpedoes only in cases of extreme necessity. Are you +willing to forget this night?" + +"We would like to talk the matter over between ourselves," replied +Denbigh. "If you have no objection, we will give our reply at noon +to-morrow." + +"I agree," said von Riesser, with a meekness that quite surprised +Denbigh and his companions. He gave an order to the two seamen. They +turned and left the cabin. + +Two minutes later the British officers were back in their own quarters. +Time had been called after the first round, and the Prussian had not +come out top-dog. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +The Pursuit of the _Pelikan_ + +"One thing that puzzles me," remarked Stirling during the following +forenoon, "is why they didn't clap us below under hatches, instead of +trying to stupefy us. It would have been far less trouble." + +"I must say that I share your thoughts," said Denbigh. "These Germans +are no fools. They are pretty thorough in whatever they take up, +whether it's a diabolical scheme or otherwise. It might be that +there's something below that they don't want us to see, and rather than +run a risk in that direction, they prefer to lock us up in the cabin." + +"That's all very well," rejoined O'Hara. "But it won't wash. Old von +Langer let it out in the course of conversation that this ship has +already been examined by one of our cruisers." + +"Then perhaps the boarding-officer wasn't cute enough. It's a tribute +to our sagacity, old man," said Stirling. "However, time and events +will prove. By Jove, the fateful hour approaches! What will von +Riesser say to our decision?" + +At eight bells the three British officers were told to proceed to the +kapitan's cabin. This time von Riesser was alone. He looked flustered +and worried. + +"Sit down, gentlemen," he began. "You must look upon this as a private +and confidential chat. Now, to go straight to the point: are you +prepared, in the event of your being given honourable treatment and +allowed the greatest liberty possible, to maintain silence upon last +night's affair?" + +Denbigh, as spokesman, did not think it advisable to give a direct +reply. + +"Do you, on your part, promise to refrain from treacherous attacks upon +Allied merchantmen?" he asked. + +"I think I can give that guarantee," replied von Riesser. "If I do so, +will you write a certificate to the effect that, to the best of your +belief, I, as commander of the ship, am acting in accordance with the +present accepted rules of naval warfare? That, I think, will square +matters." + +"We cannot do that," declared Denbigh. "We are willing to give a +certificate to the effect that you acted with discretion." + +The kapitan smiled grimly. + +"There is a certain amount of latitude in that," he replied. "I +suppose you will then say nothing of last night's business." + +"Since we have no direct evidence of what you have done, we cannot very +well state a case," said Denbigh. "The thing is this: are you going to +torpedo any merchantmen without warning?" + +"No," replied von Riesser. + +"Very well. We have forgotten last night," declared Denbigh. "Should +occasion arise we will give you the required certificate." + +"And should occasion not arise," thought von Riesser, "I will make it +pretty hot for these young cubs. Once safely in port in our African +colony, I will show them what it means to thwart a Prussian officer." + +With these sentiments in his mind and a smile on his face the kapitan +dismissed his prisoners. + +During the afternoon there was a thick haze. It was impossible to +distinguish anything beyond a distance of about a mile from the ship. +Sea and sky were merged into an ill-defined blurr. The glass, too, was +falling rapidly. That and the presence of the mist betokened an +imminent change in the weather. + +Suddenly there was a rift in the curtain of vapour. At less than two +miles away on the _Pelikan's_ port bow were two vessels, one being in +tow of the other. + +The subs were quick to recognize the leading craft. She was a British +cruiser of the "Eclipse" class--a vessel of 5600 tons, and with a +nominal speed of 19 knots. But the craft in tow was a puzzle to them. +She was low-lying, with a raised superstructure amidships, one funnel, +and a tall mast fitted with a fire-control platform. From her for'ard +turret two huge guns, seemingly out of all proportion to the rest of +the ship, protruded. The muzzles, instead of being inclined upwards, +were depressed. Although Denbigh and his companions could not +distinguish details owing to the distance of the vessel, the German +officers, by means of their telescopes and binoculars, could see that +the muzzles of the guns were resting on large chocks bolted to the +deck, while the protruding part of the weapons were additionally +secured by stout hawsers. The mysterious craft was apparently +deserted. Everything was battened down, for the decks were swept by +the long Atlantic waves. + +"By Jove!" ejaculated O'Hara. "She must be one of our monitors. Now, +where is she off to, I should like to know? There's something in the +wind." + +[Illustration: "BY JOVE!" EJACULATED O'HARA, "SHE MUST BE ONE OF OUR +MONITORS."] + +Kapitan von Riesser could have answered the question. He stood on the +bridge, glasses glued to his face and rage in his heart. There could +be but one solution. The monitor was bound for the Indian Ocean, to +take part in the forthcoming operations against the Germans in East +Africa. + +"Donnerwetter!" muttered von Riesser. "These accursed English. They +may throw away their opportunities on land, but they know how to do +things at sea." + +"Shall I carry on, sir?" asked the officer of the watch. + +"No, port helm," ordered the kapitan. Then realizing that the carrying +out of this command might arouse the suspicions of the British cruiser, +he had the _Pelikan_ steadied on her helm. The course would bring her +within a mile of the cruiser and her tow. + +"The cheek!" exclaimed Stirling. "Old von Riesser's going to play a +game of bluff." + +"I vote we semaphore," suggested O'Hara impulsively. "We'd do the +trick before they could stop us." + +The Irishman, however, had no opportunity of putting his plan into +effect, for at that moment a petty-officer informed the subs that it +was the kapitan's pleasure they should go below. + +They found the port-hole closed and locked. Von Riesser was not a man +to take needless risks. + +A hoist of bunting fluttered from the cruiser's signal yard-arm. It +was a message in the International Code: "E C--what ship is that?" + +Promptly the Dutch ensign was hoisted, while simultaneously the +"number" of the real _Zwaan_ was made. + +From the cruiser came another signal. Von Riesser had no occasion to +consult the code-book. It was "I D--Heave-to, or I fire." + +"Hard a-port!" he shouted, and telegraphed for full speed ahead. + +Round swung the _Pelikan_, listing until five feet of her underbody +showed clear. Even as she did so a couple of 12-pounders spat +venomously, the shells passing perilously close to the towering hull. + +Down fluttered the Dutch ensign. The British cruiser ceased firing. +Ahead lay a bank of fog. + +Von Riesser knew that he was in a tight corner, and it was in tight +corners that the better qualities of the man showed themselves. For a +few moments he stood motionless. Every second the _Pelikan_ was +slipping farther and farther away from the cruiser, which, hampered by +her tow, was unable to stand in pursuit. Her skipper was somewhat +mystified. According to the rules of the game the _Pelikan_ had +struck, yet he knew that of necessity the immense bulk must carry +considerable way. + +The British cruiser had no doubts of the blue liner with the broad +black band, for the survivors of the _Nichi Maru_ had been picked up by +one of the patrolling vessels. Once more that mixed blessing, wireless +telegraphy, had been brought into service, and a description of the +raider sent far and wide. Already a number of light cruisers were on +their way from Simon's Bay to intercept the _Pelikan_, while the +blockading squadron off the east coast of Africa had been warned of the +likely attempt on the part of the fugitive to gain one of the +little-known and unfrequented rivers of the last of Germany's overseas +possessions. + +Von Riesser alternately kept glancing ahead and astern. The haze was +beginning to envelop the monitor and her escort. + +He shouted an order to a petty officer. The man doubled aft, bawling +as he ran. Then from the ensign staff fluttered the Black Cross of the +Imperial German Navy. + +The cruiser's reply was a salvo from her quick-firers. Two shells +struck home, one bursting on the poop and blowing the emblem of Germany +to atoms, besides causing considerable damage to the deck. A second +burst amidships, shattering a couple of ventilators, splintering one of +the boats, and destroying the greater portion of the bridge. Fragments +of metal and splinters of wood flew in all directions. Kapitan von +Riesser narrowly escaped being hit. As it was, one of his officers and +two seamen were killed outright, five others being seriously wounded, +while the kapitan was thrown to the deck by the concussion. + +For a few minutes the _Pelikan_ was enveloped in smoke and spray thrown +up by the shells that exploded on either side; but before the cruiser +could get in another effective shot the raider was lost in the mist. + +Von Riesser guessed, and rightly, that the cat was out of the bag, +otherwise the cruiser would not have hoisted that peremptory demand to +heave-to. He realized that his position was a hazardous one. +Thousands of miles from a friendly port, sought by perhaps a score of +British cruisers, and, moreover, running short of coal, the _Pelikan_ +stood a very small chance of dropping anchor in East African waters, +except as a prize. + +On the other hand, Fate, in the guise of the mist, had dealt kindly +with the _Pelikan_. For the rest of the day she steamed westward. +Down below the firemen toiled like Trojans, shovelling coal into the +glowing furnaces. On deck the crew worked hard, clearing away the +debris left by the British cruiser's shells. The wireless staff were +busy "jamming" the numerous messages thrown out from various vessels, +that were converging on the monitor and her escort for the purpose of +cutting off the audacious _Pelikan_. + +About an hour before sunset the mist cleared. The sea was still calm, +although high overhead the ragged and greasy clouds betokened the +approach of a southerly gale. The setting sun, a ball of bright +yellow, set in a pale greenish-yellow sky, threw its slanting rays +across the damaged bridge, almost blinding the look-out with its +brilliance. + +"Sail on the starboard bow," reported one of the watchers. + +Von Riesser, who had practically recovered from the shock of being +capsized by the explosion, had not left the bridge. He immediately +gave orders to starboard the helm. At the present juncture he would +not risk meeting even an unarmed tramp laden with military stores. + +The stranger was the British light cruiser _Actæon_, of 3000 tons, and +with a speed of slightly over 20 knots. Pelting towards the scene of +the encounter between the _Pelikan_ and her foiled antagonist, the +_Actæon_ was unwittingly approaching the fugitive. She, having the +advantage of the light, recognized the German liner almost before the +latter had noticed her presence. + +As the _Pelikan_ swung round, the _Actæon_ followed suit, both vessels +being now on slightly converging courses and about six miles apart. It +was a question as to which of the two was the speediest ship--a +question, seemingly, that events only could prove. + +The sun set. The short period of tropical twilight gave place to +pitch-black night, for the moon, now two days after the full, had not +yet risen. + +On board the _Pelikan_ all lights that might be visible from outside +were extinguished, save for one white light shown aft. The pursuing +vessel displayed no lights, but her approximate position could be fixed +by means of the dull-red glow of the flames that issued from her three +funnels. + +"Do you think she's gaining, von Langer?" asked the kapitan anxiously, +after an interval of almost unbroken silence as far as the officers on +the _Pelikan's_ bridge were concerned. + +"I am not sure," replied the ober-leutnant. "We do not appear to be +gaining on her. It may be that we are just holding our own." + +"Unless we can shake her off completely before sunrise we stand little +chance," said von Riesser moodily. "We cannot stand up to her. Those +guns would send us to the bottom in a quarter of an hour, long before +we came within torpedo range." + +"If we had but a dozen mines, sir----" began Unter-leutnant Klick. + +"It is no use wishing for what we haven't got," snapped the kapitan. +"And what is more, yon English ship is taking good care not to follow +directly in our wake in case we were dropping mines." + +There was silence for some moments. Von Riesser was deep in thought, +his eyes fixed the while upon the lurid red tint on the horizon. + +"Ach!" he exclaimed. "I think I have it. Here, Herr Klick, see that +the motor launch is cleared ready for lowering." + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +The Decoy + +Wondering at the inexplicable nature of Kapitan von Riesser's order the +unter-leutnant hurried off. In a few minutes the sea-boat's crew, +drilled for such emergencies, had provisioned and watered the +twenty-five-foot motor-launch that hung in davits abreast of the +after-funnel. + +The securing chocks were removed, the falls manned, and the davits +swung outboard. + +"Motor-launch ready, sir!" reported the unter-leutnant. "Water and +provisions are on board, and a hundred litres of petrol." + +"I gave no orders for the boat to be victualled," exclaimed the +kapitan. "No matter: it will waste too much valuable time to remove +the stuff. Now, listen, Herr Klick. Everything depends upon the +strict carrying out of my instructions. Place two men on board the +launch--one to tend each of the lower blocks of the falls. Have ready +a white light. See that the helm is lashed. I will slow down the +ship, and turn her so that the launch will be slightly to leeward. At +the word, see that the motor is started and the light exhibited. Then +lower away smartly, and tell the men to hang on to the falls when they +are disengaged unless they want to be a target for the English cannon." + +"I understand, sir. You are using the boat as a decoy." + +"Precisely, Herr Klick. Now, be sharp. With a vessel pursuing us at a +rate equal to our utmost speed we cannot afford to lose precious +moments in lying-to." + + * * * * * + +"I say, you fellows, I think I'll go on deck and see what's doing," +announced Sub-lieutenant Stirling. + +His companions looked at him with feelings akin to amazement. + +"What the deuce are you babbling about, old man?" asked O'Hara. "You +know as well as we do that we are locked in." + +None of the three prisoners had any thought of turning in. They had +heard the crash of the British shells as the cruiser sought to wing the +German raider. In spite of the danger of being hit, and what was +infinitely worse, being drowned like rats in a trap in a foundering +vessel--since it was more than possible that the crew of the _Pelikan_ +would take no steps to liberate the captives--the subs were in high +spirits. They took it for granted that their release would be a matter +of a few minutes only, since the lightly-built _Pelikan_ would stand no +earthly chance against the vastly-superior ordnance of the pursuing +vessel. Then came a sudden cessation of the firing; yet the prisoners +knew by the thud of the engines that the German ship was still pelting +on her bid for safety. + +Hours passed. There was no doubt in the minds of the three men that +the _Pelikan_ was being hotly pursued. The pulsations of the engines +under forced draught was conclusive evidence on that point. The +captive officers sat and talked, drawing conclusions as to what was +taking place, until Stirling suddenly hurled a verbal bomb-shell by +announcing his intention of going on deck. + +"Don't be so rash with your assertions, Pat," replied Stirling in mock +reproof. "It is certainly true that we are locked in. It is also a +fact that I possess a very efficient screw-driver. I took the liberty +of annexing it, as one of the carpenter's crew has been guilty of +negligence. On board a British ship that screw-driver would, in the +usual course of routine, find itself in the scran-bag; but since I'm +not at all certain that such a visible cure for forgetfulness exists in +the German navy, I have and hold the article in question." + +"No need to brag about it, old man," said O'Hara. "You are not the +only light-fingered gentleman of our little coterie. As these Germans +had no compunction in entering the cabin and sneaking out hard-earned +cash, I repaid the compliment by entering one of the officer's cabins, +and this is what I annexed." + +He held up a dark-green paper packet containing a dozen rounds of +ammunition that fitted the automatic pistol. + +"Steady!" exclaimed Denbigh. "You're looking for trouble with that +thing, Pat. It's as dangerous as a shillelagh at Donnybrook Fair. And +what's the object in breaking out?" he continued, addressing Stirling, +who was fondling the screw-driver in anticipation. "If you're detected +there'll be a rumpus. I don't suppose you'll do any good, and if you +possess your soul in patience a little longer you'll be let out." + +"Hanged if I can," retorted Stirling. "I must have a look round. I +didn't ask you fellows to come. In fact, there's less risk for one +than three." + +"Have your own way, then," said Denbigh, who knew that when the Scot +once made up his mind there would be no turning aside. + +The lock was secured to the inside of the door. It was sufficient to +keep out intruders, but quite inadequate to resist the application of +the screwdriver. Working swiftly yet silently, Stirling removed the +brass staple. Only the pressure of his boot against the door kept it +shut. Cautiously he drew the door ajar. There was a light switched on +in the passage. At the far end of the alley-way was the sentry on the +aft-deck. The rest of the cabins were deserted, since the excitement +of the chase kept all officers on deck. Having, then, no fear of +detection the sentry was sitting on the lid of a chest, his face buried +in a book. + +"All clear," whispered Stirling. "S'long, you fellows. Expect me when +you see me." + +He gave another glance in the direction of the sentry. The man had not +stirred. Softly Stirling crept out and tiptoed along the passage in +the direction of the ladder leading to the upper-deck. + +The noise of the engines, audible throughout the length and breadth of +the ship, and the tramp of feet on deck, deadened the slight sound of +his movements. At the end of the alley-way a curtain had been +stretched in order to screen the light from the companion-way. Beyond, +although there were men standing about, the place was in darkness. + +Stirling took the risk. He knew that in the gloom there would be great +difficulty to distinguish the uniforms of the German officers from his +own. Lifting aside the curtain, he stepped forward with the +self-confidence of a man accustomed to command. + +The knot of seamen separated, the men clicking their heels and standing +rigidly at the salute. In the darkness they recognized the officer but +not the individual. Not for one moment did they suspect that he was +one of the strafed Englishmen, whom they had every reason to suppose to +be under lock and key. + +Without interruption Stirling gained the deck. The shattered woodwork, +just discernible in the darkness, showed him the result of the British +cruiser's shells. He glanced aft. Far astern, the red blur that had +so disturbed the equanimity of Kapitan von Riesser came as a solace to +his mind. His surmises were correct. The _Pelikan_--or, as he knew +her, the _Zwaan_--was being chased, but he could not quite understand +why the pursuing vessel should be so far astern, since a few hours ago +she was within range. He, of course, knew nothing of the event that +led to the _Actæon_ taking up the chase. Nor could he suggest any +reason why the German liner should show a white light astern. It +seemed contrary to every precaution necessary to shake off pursuit. + +"May as well get for'ard," soliloquized the sub. "There seems a bit of +a hullabaloo. I'll see what it is about. I don't suppose I'll be +spotted if I keep clear of the crush. Hulloa! They're getting the +boats out. Are they going to abandon ship, I wonder, or is it merely a +matter of discretion, should the old hooker get plugged?" + +With little difficulty Stirling took up his position under the lee of a +ventilator. As he waited he heard fragments of the conversation +between von Riesser and his subordinate. + +Stirling was a poor German scholar; so much so that he was ashamed of +the little German he knew. By sheer good luck, however, he recognized +several of the words--sufficient to enable him to guess shrewdly the +nature of the kapitan's order. + +Stirling was very often lucky in that way. Even while he was hiding +behind the ventilator he recalled a similar instance. It was on the +occasion of his entry examination to Osborne, and Stirling was in those +days an atrocious speller even for a youth of thirteen and a half. In +the dictation subject the lad found himself balked by the word +"adaptable". He was on the point of writing "adaptible" when he caught +sight of some letters stamped upon the pen he was using: "The Adaptable +Pen". When the result of the examination was announced Stirling found +that he had only just attained the minimum marks in English to qualify. +Afterwards he was apt to remark that he owed his commission to a +twopenny pen which might, for aught he knew, have been made in Germany. + +"By Jove, they're going to use that boat as a decoy," soliloquized the +sub. "I'll risk it. Hang it all! If I'm spotted there can only be a +shindy. With our cruiser pelting up astern and Denbigh and O'Hara +below, they won't dare to try any of their kultur tricks." + +The launch was now level with the rail. The men told off to attend to +the disengaging gear were already on board, while down below an +artificer was trying to coax the motor. Apparently he had trouble, for +he called out to one of his mates to pass something to him. At that +moment Kapitan von Riesser gave an order, and the unter-leutnant and +his men faced for'ard. + +In a trice Stirling slipped quietly over the rail at the heels of one +of the crew. While the latter made his way for'ard to the motor-room +the sub entered the little cabin. It was, as he expected, empty. Not +knowing whether any of the launch's crew would remain, Stirling crept +under the seat and waited. + +The _Pelikan_ was losing way. Her engines had been reversed in order +to bring her almost to a standstill in the least possible time. + +"Lower away!" shouted a voice in German which Stirling recognized as +that of Unter-leutnant Klick. + +The racing of the motor, which the artificer had at length succeeded in +starting, drowned all other sounds. The propeller, racing in the air, +was revolving at terrific speed. Unless the launch were quickly put +into the water the motor would soon be overheated, since no cooling +device was possible until the pump sucked water into the jackets +surrounding the cylinders. + +The artificer, his task accomplished, swung himself on to the +_Pelikan's_ deck, while directly the falls were cast off the two seamen +swarmed up the ropes. Almost before Stirling was aware of it, the +launch was speeding forward. + +"Time I made a move," muttered the sub. With the utmost caution he +emerged from his hiding-place and made his way to the well. The bright +rays of the lamp lashed to the ensign-staff enabled him to see +everything on deck. One glance told him that he was the only member of +the crew. Already the _Pelikan_ was lost to sight in the darkness. + +Stirling's first act upon taking command was to cut the lashings of the +helm and to turn the launch in the same direction as the _Pelikan_ had +been travelling. He then looked for the supposed position of the +pursuing cruiser. On the horizon were two glints of red light at, +roughly, 15 degrees apart. + +"Two of them," said the sub to himself. "The more the merrier. +Another ten minutes and it will be seen whether I am smashed to +smithereens by a British 6-inch shell." + +As a matter of precaution he cast off the lashings of the lamp, placing +it on a seat just inside the cabin. There it was within arm's reach, +while the sub was not in danger of being temporarily blinded by the +glare. + +"That's the rising moon," continued Stirling, referring to the light to +the east'ard. "The other glare is from the cruiser's funnels. +Allowing her speed to be 20 knots, and this hooker's 12 or 15, she's +gaining on me at about eight miles an hour." + +Presently the newly-risen moon appeared in a rift of clouds. Its +slanting rays silhouetted the outlines of a large four-funnelled +cruiser, now less than a couple of miles astern. + +"Time!" ejaculated Stirling laconically. Leaving the helm he made for +the motor-room and switched off the ignition. Then, returning to the +well, he raised and lowered the lamp several times in succession, +dipping it behind the coaming in order to signal the "General Call". + +A light flashed from the cruiser. Thank heavens it was not the spurt +of a quick-firer but a steady white flare, to signify that the ship was +in readiness to receive the message. "_Zwaan_ has sent decoy adrift," +signalled Stirling. "Probably altered course to south'ard. Please +return and pick me up after end of chase." + +A searchlight was switched on from the cruiser's after-bridge. For a +few moments it played upon the now motionless motor-launch. Then, +somewhat to Stirling's surprise and to his not altogether complete +satisfaction, the cruiser began to slow down. + +"It's all right for me," soliloquized the sub. "But it's hard lines on +Denbigh and Pat. I'm afraid von Riesser has given our fellows the +slip." + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +Foiled by a Collier + +For the rest of the night Denbigh and O'Hara awaited in vain for their +comrade's return. They had no idea of the flight of time since, during +the chase, the ship's bell had not been struck. In the screened cabin +they sat, with the electric light switched on, for after their +interview with Kapitan von Riesser on the subject of the attempted +chloroforming, the current was not cut off after ten o'clock as was +formerly the case. + +"Faith! I'll go and see what he's up to," exclaimed O'Hara, removing +the chair from the door. It was the only way to keep the door closed, +since the replacing of the staple of the lock would have barred +Stirling's return. + +"Better not," objected Denbigh. "Either he's all right or he's all +wrong. In the former case it wouldn't do to meddle with his business. +Two stand double the risk of detection that one fellow runs. In the +latter case, our going to look for him won't help matters in the least, +because if they've collared him they will be on the look-out for us." + +"S'pose you're right," grudgingly assented Pat. "We must stick it." + +The chums "stuck it" for another two hours, then the sound of six bells +(7 a.m.) announced the fact that it was daylight, and that precautions +in the matter of noise were no longer necessary. + +"The flunky will be here presently to open the port-hole," remarked +Denbigh. "I think we had better screw on that chunk of metal. +Stirling won't be coming now." + +"Then what has happened to him?" + +"Goodness only knows. Look here; we won't open the ball. Let's see if +they know anything about his disappearance." + +"The man will notice that the moment he comes into the cabin," objected +O'Hara. + +For answer, Denbigh crossed over to Stirling's cot, placed the bolster +longwise and covered it with the blankets. Then, partly drawing the +curtains, he stood back and surveyed the result of his handiwork. + +"Dash it all!" he exclaimed. "It would take a lynx-eyed detective to +spot the game, especially when the port-hole is opened, because the +bunk is dead against the light. Let's turn in. Old Fritz will smell a +rat if he finds us up and dressed." + +The two subs had barely settled themselves in their bunks and had +switched off the light, when a key clicked in the lock and the German +sailor deputed to attend to them stumbled in. + +He was a taciturn fellow. Perhaps it was because he understood no word +of English, and was unaware of the fact that Denbigh spoke German. He +had, however, a habit of conversing with himself during the performance +of his duties, and more than once Denbigh picked up information from +the fellow's unguarded babbling. + +This time Fritz was silent. Setting down a jug of hot water, he +unlocked and opened the port-hole. + +Having washed, shaved, and dressed, Denbigh and O'Hara made their way +to the cabin in which was served their meals. Covers for three lay on +the table. The steward was standing by in his customary manner. + +Without a word the subs seated themselves. Presently Fritz came in to +deliver a message from one of the ship's officers. + +"Where's the third Englander?" asked the steward. + +Apparently Fritz was fond of a joke at the messman's expense. Without +a word he stooped and looked under the table; then drawing himself up, +he replied: + +"I cannot see him." + +"Fool!" ejaculated the steward. "Don't try to be an idiot; you are one +already. Where is the schwein-hund?" + +"Too lazy to get up and have his breakfast, I suppose," replied Fritz +indifferently. "He was fast asleep when I went in." + +Having asked in broken English if the subs required anything further, +and receiving a negative reply, the steward went out. + +"Deucedly strange," said Denbigh in a low voice. "Those fellows know +nothing. I wonder if von Riesser and his cheerful ober-leutnant have +been up to mischief." + +It was not until one bell in the forenoon watch that Stirling's absence +was discovered. Denbigh and O'Hara were immediately sent for and +closely questioned. + +The interview was unsatisfactory, the British officers affecting +ignorance of the time of their comrade's disappearance; while von +Riesser, rightly guessing that Denbigh and O'Hara imagined he was +responsible and was trying to cloak suspicion, was so emphatic in his +assurances that he knew nothing of Stirling's whereabouts that his very +earnestness caused the subs to misjudge him. + +A thorough search was instituted, but, naturally, without the hoped-for +result. Reluctantly, Denbigh and O'Hara came to the conclusion that +their chum had either fallen in or had been thrown overboard. + +Kapitan von Riesser was genuinely perturbed, not on account of the loss +of the British officer, but for the additional complication that might +ensue if the _Pelikan_ should be captured. The idea of being taken +prisoner obsessed the German commander. It loomed up in front of him +like a gaunt spectre day and night. It spoke volumes for the fact that +Great Britain was Mistress of the Seas. + +He showed little or no elation at having evaded the cruiser that had +doggedly held in pursuit until long after midnight. His pessimism was +beginning to become infectious. Officers and men were downcast. +Several times on the lower deck remarks were heard to the effect that +it was an unlucky day when the _Pelikan_ escaped from her nominal state +of internment. + +For the next three days Denbigh and O'Hara were "off colour". The +mystery of Stirling's disappearance affected them deeply; but on the +fourth day they cheered up considerably, for the _Pelikan_ had +intercepted a wireless message from a British cruiser. The message was +in code, but one word occurred that shed a different light upon the +mystery. The word was "Stirling". Von Riesser lost no time in +informing the two British officers, and although the latter were unable +to decipher the message it was evident that Stirling had been picked up +by one of our patrols. + +Shortly after daybreak on the fifth day of Stirling's absence, the +_Pelikan_ overhauled a large collier, outward bound from Penarth to +Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands, with a valuable cargo of steam +coal. + +It was evident that the skipper of the collier had received no warning +that a German raider was at large, for he allowed the _Pelikan_ to get +within three cables' length without exciting any suspicion. + +When the latter peremptorily ordered the collier to heave-to and +surrender, however, the stalwart old merchant captain showed the stuff +he was made of, for without complying, he suddenly ported helm and bore +down upon the liner, which had now hoisted German colours. + +It was a forlorn hope, for the _Pelikan_ could steam twice as fast as +the collier and was much quicker on her helm. + +"By Jove! that fellow has some pluck," exclaimed O'Hara admiringly, +for, anticipating no resistance on the part of the would-be prize, +Kapitan von Riesser had not ordered the British officers below. "But +he's asking for trouble." + +"Yes, poor chap, he's put himself out of court," agreed Denbigh. + +Manoeuvring so that the _Pelikan's_ guns could be brought to bear upon +the collier without danger of carrying away her masts, von Riesser gave +the order to fire. Two shells did the mischief. Both burst amidships, +sweeping away the bridge and chart-house, and with them the rash and +gallant skipper and three of the crew. + +Further resistance being out of the question the collier struck her +flag. Splendidly handled the _Pelikan_ ranged up alongside, and +without delay the work of transferring the cargo commenced. Although +the sturdy Britons who formed the collier's crew refused to lift as +much as a little finger to help there were plenty of hands available +from the _Pelikan_. The steam winches were manned, skips and whips +brought into play, and sacks and sacks of badly wanted fuel were +toppled down the liner's chutes. + +"Stand by there, you men!" shouted Kapitan von Riesser, observing that +the crew of the collier were provisioning and swinging out their boats. +"I haven't said I was going to sink your ship. Come and bear a hand +and we'll let you go." + +Somewhere from the vicinity of the wrecked bridge came a hoarse voice: + +"We want no favours from strafed Germans. Get your coal yourself if +you want it. You'll have to jolly well look sharp, for the hooker'll +be on her way to Davy Jones in half an hour." + +"Himmel!" gasped the astonished kapitan, completely taken aback by the +bull-dog audacity of the collier's men. "Quick, Herr Klick. Sound the +well." + +Accompanied by a couple of armed seamen the unter-leutnant hurried +below. In a few minutes he reappeared. + +"They've opened the valves, sir," he reported. "The sea is rushing in +like a sluice. It is already up to the floor of the engine-room." + +Von Riesser leant over the bridge rail and surveyed the deck of the +collier forty feet below. + +"Unless you close those valves I'll smash every boat you have!" he +shouted. + +A chorus of gibes was the only reply. The engine-room staff alone knew +the position of the valves. It would take a stranger a couple of hours +to locate them, and the men knew it. + +"Smash away," they replied derisively. "Smashing private property is +the only thing you Germans can do properly." + +For a full minute Kapitan von Riesser lost all control of himself. He +stormed and raved, cursing both in German and English, until he +realized that during that minute the collier had sunk deeper in the +water. + +There was a rush on the part of the _Pelikan's_ men who were loading +the sacks in the vessel's holds, so fierce was the influx of the sea. + +Above their shouts of anger and surprise arose the ceaseless taunts of +the British crew. Having fully made up their minds that no quarter +would be given the stalwart men decided to die game, and in their +opinion the spirit of independence was best shown in heaping sarcasm +upon the baffled Teutons. + +Already the hawsers and springs holding the two vessels were straining +almost to breaking point. Reluctantly von Riesser gave the order to +cast off, at the same time telegraphing to the engine-room for +half-speed ahead. + +Somewhat to the surprise of the collier's crew no attempt was made by +the _Pelikan_ to interfere with them. Taking to the boats they hoisted +sail and in twenty minutes the little flotilla was lost to sight. + +It was a long time before von Riesser got over his fit of bad temper. +Precious time had been all but wasted, for the only result of the +enterprise was the addition of roughly seventy tons of coal to the +_Pelikan's_ sorely-depleted bunkers. + +"By Jove! that was a nasty knock," remarked O'Hara to his chum. "It's +a wonder old von Riesser hadn't ordered those boats to be stove-in. +The lip those fellows gave him was enough to make a British admiral +commit an act of frightfulness." + +"The old chap's frightened about something," replied Denbigh. "He's +literally on toast. You see, what with Stirling's escape--for I feel +confident that code message referred to his rescue--he's got to mind +his p's and q's until he's through the cordon. Then, if he does, I +guess he'll make it mighty hot for us." + +Denbigh was right in his surmise, for as soon as Stirling had been +taken on board H.M.S. _Actæon_ and had made a report to the captain, +the cruiser communicated with each of her consorts, giving the position +of the _Pelikan_ when last seen and the probable course. + +Following this message another was transmitted to the Admiralty +announcing the safety of Sub-lieutenant Charles Stirling, captured +while on a passage home in the Japanese liner _Nichi Maru_. +Instructions were asked as to the "disposal" of that officer. + +Promptly came the reply temporarily appointing Stirling to H.M.S. +_Actæon_ as supernumerary, since it was recognized that his knowledge +of the elusive raider might be of great assistance to the pursuing ship. + +Within two hours of the _Actæon's_ wireless message additional small +cruisers, armed auxiliaries, and destroyers left Table Bay, while +others were ordered from the Pacific Station to proceed to the vicinity +of Cape Horn and guard both the passage to the southward of that place +and also the intricate Straits of Magellan. + +In the event of the _Pelikan_ eluding the cordon in the Atlantic, and +since it was known that her desired destination was German East Africa, +the squadron operating in conjunction with the British military +expedition was warned to exercise a particularly sharp look-out, both +in the Mozambique Channel and off the East African coast between 4° S. +and 11° S. lat. + +Four swift destroyers of the Australian Navy were also given +instructions to proceed to Mauritius and await orders. Thus the net +was being swiftly tightened around the fugitive liner that alone flew +the Black Cross ensign of Germany outside European waters. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +Reinforcements + +Under reduced speed, in order to economize her coal, the _Pelikan_ held +on her southerly course. By dint of careful stoking, her funnels +emitted little or no smoke that might betray her position. At night +every light was screened. + +Fortune seemed to be favouring her, for without sighting a single +vessel she reached the fortieth parallel, or considerably farther to +the south'ard than she need do in ordinary circumstances in order to +round the Cape of Good Hope. + +The air was rapidly becoming colder, and her crew, being unprovided +with warm garments, suffered acutely after coming straight from the +Tropics. + +While the work of repairing the damage done by the British cruiser's +shells was progressing as well as the limited means at the disposal of +the ship would permit, one of the crew slipped, and striking his head +against the edge of an iron plate, was so severely injured that he died +within two hours of the accident. + +It was then that Denbigh and O'Hara had yet another example of the +thoroughness of the German system. The usual practice would have been +to sew the body up in a shotted hammock and throw it overboard, but +Kapitan von Riesser had another plan. + +One of the boats, with the name "_Zwaan_--Rotterdam" painted on the +stern, was lowered. In it the corpse was placed and the boat turned +adrift. + +In due course, the kapitan hoped--and the crew, realizing that +necessity knows no law, agreed with him--that the boat would be sighted +by one of the British cruisers, and thus give the impression that the +raider had sunk. + +About four on the following morning the two subs were roused by the +sudden increase of the revolutions of the propellers, and the frantic +tramp of feet on deck. + +"Hulloa, what's wrong now?" asked O'Hara. "They've got a move on for +something." + +"One of our ships in chase, I think," replied Denbigh. "As we are +locked in we may just as well go to sleep again. I'd like to wake up +and find the hooker hove-to and a prize." + +"Not bad advice," rejoined the Irishman, turning over and rolling +himself in his blankets. "Thank goodness it's not our watch. If these +fellows carry on much farther we'll find ourselves on the way to the +South Pole." + +Sleep, however, was out of the question. The two chums talked at +intervals until the appearance of Fritz warned them that it was time to +dress for breakfast. + +After the meal the subs found, somewhat to their surprise, that they +were not prohibited from going on deck, as was generally the case when +another vessel was sighted. + +It was piercingly cold. A heavy dew had frozen as it fell, rendering +the decks very slippery. Several of the crew were at work with hoses, +washing down the planks with salt water in order to clear away the thin +coating of ice. So keen was the wind that Denbigh and his companion +were glad to take shelter under the lee of the deck-houses. + +Astern, at a distance of about two miles, was a long, rakish-looking +craft, with two short masts and two funnels. She was painted a dark +grey, almost appearing black. She flew no flag, but a signal fluttered +from the foremast. Owing to the direction of the wind it was +impossible, even with the aid of powerful glasses, to distinguish the +flags, since the vessel was steaming directly in the wake of the +runaway _Pelikan_. + +Several of the latter's officers were aft keeping the mysterious craft +under observation, while on the after-bridge Kapitan von Riesser and +the officers of the watch were engaged upon a similar task. + +Seeing the British officers appear the kapitan descended the bridge and +strolled aft. Affecting surprise at finding Denbigh and the Irishman +on deck he asked: + +"What do you make of that vessel, Herr Denbigh? Is she one of yours?" + +The sub shook his head. + +"I really cannot say," he replied. "You see we've added considerably +to our fleet since the outbreak of war, and I haven't been in Home +Waters since October, 1913. She's coming up pretty fast, I should +imagine." + +"She is," agreed Kapitan von Riesser dryly. "But not so fast as you +would like, perhaps. It is somewhat strange that she hasn't opened +fire before now. Perhaps it is because your compatriots are afraid of +hitting you," he added with a slight sneer. + +"And for similar humanitarian reasons you have refrained from using +your quick-firers, I presume?" retorted O'Hara. + +"She's hoisting Argentine colours, sir," reported one of the +_Pelikan's_ officers. + +He was right, for altering helm slightly the pursuing vessel enabled +the flag to blow athwartships. At the same moment the signal that had +been kept flying at the masthead could be distinguished. It read: +"What ship is that?" + +"Those colours may be an English trick," said the kapitan. "I'll carry +on." + +"By Jove, old man!" he whispered to his chum. "It looks as if we are +dished this time. We were a little too premature in chipping the Old +Man." + +In an hour the pursuing craft had closed to slightly less than a mile. +Still she made no attempt to open fire. There were, in fact, no guns +visible. + +"Hoist our proper colours," ordered Kapitan von Riesser at length. "It +will be all the same in another twenty minutes' time whether we use our +own ensign or any other." + +The Black Cross ensign was run up. Its appearance was greeted by a +prolonged blast on the stranger's siren, then from the extremity of the +pursuing craft's bridge a man began semaphoring. + +Although skilled in semaphore, neither Denbigh nor O'Hara could +understand the message. The British system differs from the German, +which again varies with the French and Spanish. Yet, peculiarly, the +officers and men of the _Pelikan_ could read the signal with ease. + +Grave, anxious looks gave place to smiles, while one of the crew began +to cheer--a demonstration that the kapitan quickly suppressed. + +Von Riesser had now ascended the bridge. Still suspicious he ordered +the torpedo tubes to be charged and the engines to be reversed. + +Directly the overtaking craft noticed the falling off of the liner's +speed her decks were black with humanity, and the air was rent with +cries of "Hoch!" Then came the strains of "Deutschland uber alles", in +which the _Pelikan's_ crew joined lustily. + +"Good heavens!" ejaculated Denbigh. "What does it all mean? There's a +small German colony afloat." + +"'Fraid so," agreed O'Hara. + +As there was hardly any sea running the two vessels ran alongside each +other. The new-comer had the name _San Matias_ painted on her stern +and on her boats and life-buoys. She carried no guns except a couple +of small brass signalling pieces. Her officers and a few of her crew +were South Americans, beyond doubt, but the rest of the crowded +complement were of marked Teutonic origin. + +The British subs stood at the rail watching the unwonted sight. No one +offered to order them below. It was part of the business to let them +see what was going on. + +No time was lost. While a party of officers from the _San Matias_ were +being entertained by von Riesser in his cabin the Germans from her +transferred themselves and their belongings to the _Pelikan_--nearly +three hundred men of military age and bearing. Then came the work of +transhipping stores from the capacious holds of the South American +vessel. Carcass after carcass of oxen and sheep were brought on deck. +From the oxen were produced long bundles wrapped in cloth. Every +bundle contained four modern magazine rifles. Enclosed with the frozen +mutton were small shells and rifle ammunition. As fast as the +munitions were taken from their strange places of concealment most of +the carcasses were dumped overboard, a few hundred being retained for +food and stored in the _Pelikan's_ refrigerators. Then came bundles of +hides, each containing parts of machine-guns, until it looked as if the +ship had enough material to equip an army corps. + +Long before the _San Matias_ had disgorged her warlike stores Denbigh +had overheard enough conversation to enable him to solve the mystery. + +The _San Matias_ had been chartered by a number of wealthy German +merchants in Buenos Ayres for the purpose of sending some hundreds of +reservists to German East Africa. The presence of the _Pelikan_ in the +South Atlantic had been expected, and her progress, based upon reports +from British cruisers and duly transmitted by spies to Buenos Ayres, +reached the projectors of the scheme with remarkable promptitude. The +arms and ammunition had been purchased sometime previously from a +pro-German firm in New York, and sent to the Argentine to fulfil a +fictitious contract for the Government of that republic. + +The _San Matias_ was then chartered, her owner, captain, and crew being +heavily bribed to undertake the risk, comparative immunity being +afforded by means of forged ship's papers and certificates of +nationality of the "passengers". At the same time the report was +spread in Buenos Ayres and Monte Video that the _Pelikan_ had been +sighted making for Bahia--a matter of two thousand miles N.N.E. of the +estuary of the La Plata. British agents swallowed the bait and +telegraphed the news to London, whence, in turn, the false information +was transmitted to the patrol vessels specially detailed to search for +the daring raider. + +This report had literally done the trick. The northernmost group of +British cruisers instantly converged upon the Brazilian coast in the +neighbourhood of Bahia. The southern patrol remained in the vicinity +of the Falklands. Thus the _Pelikan_ had the chance of a free and +uninterrupted run eastwards until she approached the vicinity of the +Cape of Good Hope. Although her adventures were by no means over, one +source of danger had been removed. + +The German reservists were certainly optimists. They firmly believed +that Egypt had been wrested from the British, and that their role was +to join the large army concentrating in German East Africa and march +victoriously down the valley of the Nile and crush the remnant of the +English in the vicinity of Khartoum. According to their idea and +belief South Africa was in rebellion, and that German South-West Africa +was once more a Teutonic colony. India, too, had revolted and joined +the Turks, who had occupied Persia and Beluchistan. Mention was also +made of the impending advance of the Turco-Germanic armies through +Tibet and China to establish a vast empire from the Atlantic to the +Pacific, and to avenge upon Japan the loss of Kiau-Chau. In short, the +German armies were everywhere triumphant, although they could hardly +understand why they should have to be smuggled out to sea when the +German High Seas Fleet roamed unchallenged and the British navy skulked +in harbours. + +At length the last of the _San Mathias's_ cargo was transhipped. The +two vessels parted company, the Argentine returning to Buenos Ayres +while the _Pelikan_ headed eastward on her perilous passage round the +Cape of Good Hope. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +The Midnight Landing + +The sanguine spirits of the German reservists had the effect of +cheering up the crew of the _Pelikan_. To confirm their assertions the +former produced copies of newspapers printed under Teutonic auspices +for the benefit of the South American republics. + +Taking advantage of the information concerning the dispositions of the +British cruisers the kapitan of the _Pelikan_ stopped another collier +at a distance of four hundred miles east of Buenos Ayres. For eighteen +hours the two vessels lay side by side while the coal was being +transhipped to the almost empty bunkers of the raider. + +For certain reasons von Riesser did not sink the tramp after having +depleted her cargo. Perhaps it was because the crew had offered no +resistance; but it was just possible that the kapitan of the _Pelikan_ +had sufficient humanity to see that the turning adrift of a couple of +boat-loads in the desolate South Atlantic meant practically slow and +certain death. + +From the time of the arrival of the German reservists von Riesser's +demeanour towards Denbigh and O'Hara underwent a marked change. Rarely +did he enter into conversation with them. He treated them with +aloofness. This the subs minded but little; it was the restrictions +placed upon their movements that riled them. They were now allowed +only two periods of exercise on deck during the day--from ten till noon +and from two till five--and kept within strict limits. A sentry was +posted to see that they remained within boundaries specified, and +orders had been given for none of the reservists, many of whom spoke +English, to enter into conversation with them. + +On the fifth day after falling in with the _San Matias_ the ship's +course was changed to S.S.E. This she held until further progress was +barred by the presence of a large field of pack ice. Von Riesser, in +order to avoid any possible chance of meeting any of the Cape Squadron, +had elected to go south into the vast and desolate Antarctic before +entering the Indian Ocean. + +At length came the welcome order to steer north. Gradually the +temperature rose as the _Pelikan_ left the frozen seas astern. + +Maintaining a steady progress the ship reached the vicinity of +Mauritius, keeping well to the eastward of that island. + +The _Pelikan_ now underwent another change. From truck to water-line +she was repainted--black on the starboard side and a light-grey on the +port. An additional funnel, a dummy one made out of canvas stretched +on a framework of hoop iron and wood, was set up. + +"It looks as if this craft is going to get through after all," remarked +O'Hara, as the _Pelikan_ reached Equatorial waters without having so +much as sighted another vessel of any description. + +"Yes, rotten luck," said Denbigh. "I heard von Langer telling that fat +major that another twenty-four hours would bring us in sight of land. +I notice these fellows are preparing for their jaunt ashore." + +The reservists were discarding their motley civilian attire and were +being provided with drill uniforms that had at one time been white but +were now dyed to a colour nearly approaching khaki. Each man wore a +sun helmet, but instead of puttees, jack-boots of dark undressed +leather were served out. + +In the midst of these preparations a sail was reported on the starboard +bow. Hurriedly arms were served out to the troops, the quick-firers +were manned, and machine-guns placed out of sight but in a position +that would enable them to be used with deadly effect should occasion +arise. + +"Down to your cabins, you Englishmen!" snarled the fat major, von +Eckenstein, who had previously been in conversation with the +ober-leutnant of the _Pelikan_. + +"Are you in charge of this ship, Herr Major?" asked O'Hara. "Hitherto +our orders have come from Kapitan von Riesser." + +The major's only reply was to raise a cane that he held in his hand and +to strike the Irishman sharply across the cheek. + +O'Hara's hot Hibernian blood surged at the insult. Fortunately he +managed to keep himself under control, but for an instant Denbigh felt +certain that his comrade's hard fist would come violently in contact +with von Eckenstein's podgy nose. + +"I'm afraid that bounder will have cause to be sorry for this," +remarked O'Hara, when the chums had retired to their cabin. He +critically examined in the glass the reflection of his face, on which a +weal was rapidly developing. "By Jove, it was lucky for him that you +were there, otherwise I would have given him something by which to +remember me to the rest of his days." + +"Perhaps it is as well," rejoined Denbigh. "It hardly pays in the +circumstances to argue the point with a Prussian." + +Of what occurred during the next two hours the subs had only a vague +idea. + +Von Riesser realized that flight was out of the question. To attempt +to do so would arouse suspicion, and since several swift cruisers were +known to be off the coast, a wireless message would bring half a dozen +speedy British warships upon the scene. He therefore decided to carry +on, escape by a stratagem if possible, if not, fight in a final bid for +liberty. + +Since the waters adjacent to German East Africa had been declared to be +in a state of blockade it was useless to hoist the mercantile flag of +any nation, so the Blue Ensign of the British Reserve was displayed. + +In less than half an hour the strange craft was plainly visible. She +was a small tramp, also displaying the Blue Ensign. + +Von Riesser heaved a sigh of relief. She was not an armed auxiliary, +otherwise the White Ensign would have been used. More than likely she +was one of the fleet of subsidized merchantmen carrying stores and +munitions for the British Expeditionary Force operating against the +sole remaining German colony. + +The stranger hoisted a signal. It was in code and consequently +unintelligible to the _Pelikan_. Von Riesser promptly replied by +another hoist, the flags meaning nothing, but simply to puzzle the +tramp. + +The _Pelikan_ held on her course, which, in defiance of the Rule of the +Road at Sea, would bring across the bows of the other. That in itself +was suspicious, but any alteration of helm would reveal the _Pelikan's_ +piebald sides. + +At a distance of less than a mile the German vessel gave three blasts +upon her siren, signifying that her engines were going astern. +Nevertheless she was steaming ahead as hard as she could until +deception was no longer possible. + +An order from the bridge and the screens surrounding the guns were +lowered revealing her formidable quick-firers. + +"Heave-to, or I'll sink you!" shouted the kapitan through a megaphone, +for the tramp was now less than two cables' lengths away and broad on +the starboard beam. + +The tramp, which proved to be S.S. _Myra_ of South Shields, had no +option but to surrender. She was unarmed and of slow speed. Having +left Simon's Bay with a convoy under escort she had encountered the +tail of a cyclone. Detained by temporary engine-room defects during +the storm she had fallen out of station, and was now a couple of +hundred miles astern of the rest of the convoy. + +Slowly the Blue Ensign was lowered, and way taken off the ship. Within +ten minutes a prize crew in charge of Unter-leutnant Klick was on +board. The officers and crew were locked up below, and warned that any +attempt at resistance would result in the instant destruction of the +_Myra_ with all on board. + +The boarding-officer's report was to the effect that the tramp was +heavily laden with warlike stores. He asked instructions as to the +disposal of the prize. + +Kapitan von Riesser's mind was very active now. With a successful +issue in sight he was not inclined to send such a valuable prize to the +bottom. + +"Can you get the _Myra's_ engine-room and stokehold staff to work, Herr +Klick?" asked the kapitan. + +"I can, sir," replied the unter-leutnant grimly; and he did, for by +dint of threats he compelled the luckless men to undertake to carry on +under his orders. + +"Very good," continued the kapitan of the _Pelikan_, receiving an +affirmative reply. "Follow me at two cables' lengths astern. I'll +slow down to enable you to keep station. Be prepared to abandon ship +instantly should occasion arise." + +Later in the afternoon the _Pelikan_ and her prize arrived off Latham +Island, under the lee of which von Riesser had decided to remain the +night, since it was too hazardous to enter the harbour he had selected +during the hours of darkness. + +Denbigh, who had been allowed on deck, recognized the island. He had +served a commission on the flagship of the East Indies India Station +when he was a midshipman, and was fairly well conversant with the +African coast in the vicinity of Zanzibar and Dar-es-Salaam. + +Latham Island is a dangerous, low-lying patch of coral and sand, of +oval form, being barely 350 yards in length and 180 yards broad. In no +place does it rise more than 10 feet above the sea. Its surface is +quite flat, having been made so by the constant treading of myriads of +sea-fowl, that have consolidated the sand collected on the coral +substratum into a soft sandstone, which shines very white in the sun, +but is difficult to discern at night or in a bad light. + +When visited and surveyed by H.M.S. _Shearwater_ in 1873, a stone +beacon was erected on the island, but owing to the absence of mortar +used in its construction, it was blown down by the wind. Coco-nut +trees were planted at the same time, but the result was unsatisfactory, +as the birds destroyed them. + +Owing to the dangerous vicinity of the islands it was unlikely that any +vessel would pass within several miles of it during the night, so the +_Pelikan_ stood a chance of remaining at the anchorage without fear of +detection. + +"We are not far from the Rufigi River, are we?" asked O'Hara. "Do you +think that the _Pelikan_ is going to run for there?" + +"Hardly," replied Denbigh. "With the _Königsberg_ as a warning I think +she'll give the Rufigi a wide berth. It's my opinion that she'll have +a show at getting into the Mohoro River. It's fairly close, and once +we can pass the bar there's deep water for nearly twenty miles. I'm +curious to know what we are doing off Latham Island, however. I think +I'll try the Stirling trick and have a prowl round on deck during the +night." + +"Only don't leave me in the lurch, old man," protested the Irishman, +with an assumed look of consternation. + +"I won't," replied Denbigh laughingly. "So don't lock me out." + +Just before midnight the sub set to work with the screw-driver and +succeeded in opening the door. Fortunately there was no sentry on the +aft-deck on this occasion. Overhead there was a considerable amount of +noise going on. It conveyed the impression that there were scores of +men hard at work and trying to perform their various tasks with as +little noise as possible. + +Unseen and unheard, Denbigh gained the deck and mingled with the +throng. There were seamen and reservists all hard at it, buckling to +in the starlight. Cautiously the sub looked about for a place of +concealment, where he could hear and see everything that was going on +in his vicinity without much risk of detection. + +He glanced up. Overhead were the boats swinging inboard on davits. +Side by side with them, and resting on the booms or transverse steel +girders, were some larger boats which could only be hoisted out by +means of derricks. Between were several planks and spars lashed to the +girders. + +Awaiting a favourable chance, Denbigh nimbly ascended the iron ladder +on the funnel casing that led to a platform just below the siren. +After climbing a few rungs, he was able to swing himself across to the +nearest boat, which was almost as large as a battleship's pinnace. It +was roughly forty feet in length, and weighed nearly four tons. + +"Look alive, men!" ordered Unter-leutnant Klick in his usual bullying +tone. "The whole of the stuff must be sent ashore within an hour." + +"Two boat-loads full, sir?" asked a petty officer. + +"No; one. Get steam on the main hoist and lift out the pinnace." + +"Hulloa!" thought Denbigh. "This looks like a proper jamboree. I +stand a chance of getting nabbed. I wonder what the idea is of landing +a quantity of gear on a sandbank like Latham Island?" + +He heard several men ascending to make ready the slings for hoisting +out. Promptly the sub retreated for'ard and crouched in the bows. +Here, unless any material was likely to be stowed in his place of +concealment, Denbigh had a fighting chance of escaping detection, for +above him was a large grating that fitted between the bows and the +for'ard thwart. + +"Now, then, Herr Major!" exclaimed Kapitan von Riesser. "Are your men +ready? At least twenty with shovels will be necessary." + +"I cannot see that it is necessary," objected Major von Eckenstein. +"It is a mere waste of time. I protest against this useless labour, +when we ought to be making for the Mohoro River." And the Prussian +officer clanked the tip of his scabbard loudly upon the deck, as if to +emphasize his protest. + +Von Riesser, judging by the sound of his voice, lost his temper. + +"Once you are ashore, Herr Major, you are in sole command of these +troops. Here I am your superior. If I choose to give orders to +facilitate our retreat, should it be necessary, it is for you to carry +them out. If you refuse, I will place you under arrest and report the +matter to the military governor of the colony." + +"If you would only explain what you propose to do, instead of giving +orders that have no apparent reason, I am willing to assist you," said +the major grumblingly. "This business is evidently the result of a +sudden inspiration on your part, and I think it is only just that you +should take others into your confidence." + +"You are setting a bad example for the discipline of the ship," +declared the kapitan in a lower tone. "It would be as well if we +adjourned to my cabin. When you have heard what is proposed to be +done, I think you will agree with me that such a step is certainly +necessary." + +"Carry on, Herr Klick," continued von Riesser as he moved away. "See +that every article enumerated on the list is sent ashore. I hold you +responsible." + +A bare-footed seaman, leaping upon the bow grating, prevented Denbigh +hearing more of what was going on below. The fellow bent and groped +for the hook of the chain sling. As he did so, his hand was within a +couple of inches of the sub's face. The man withdrew his hand so +suddenly, that for the moment Denbigh imagined that he had been +discovered. Then came the metallic click of the hook engaging with the +wire hawser from the derrick. + +To the accompaniment of the clank, clank, of the winch and the hiss of +escaping steam, the pinnace rose from its resting-place. Swaying +gently, it swung outboard and was lowered rapidly into the water. + +For the next quarter of an hour the crew were feverishly employed in +dumping stores and gear into the boat. There were cans of petrol, that +gave Denbigh food for reflection, boxes of provisions, water-beakers, +arms and ammunition, sailcloth, and shipwright's tools. + +Then came an avalanche of picks and shovels, followed by a crowd of men +who, perched in every available space, swarmed like ants over the +deeply-laden boat. + +The pinnace was then cast off and taken in tow by a steam-boat. +Denbigh knew this by the thud of the engines, but he was unaware that +astern of the pinnace was a twenty-seven-foot whaler. + +The pinnace grounded on the lee side of a sandbank, for there was +little swell, although on the outlying coral reefs the sea was breaking +heavily. Her work for the present done, the steam-boat cast off and +returned to the _Pelikan_. + +Without loss of time, the crew set to work to unload, and as the +pinnace rose higher out of the water during the course of operations, +she was hauled closer to the land. + +"Everything out?" asked a voice. + +"I'll see, sir," replied a petty officer, and kneeling on the bottom +boards, he peered under the row of thwarts. + +Denbigh shut his eyes and trusted to luck. He knew that once his gaze +met that of the searcher, the darkness would not screen him. A +long-drawn minute passed, and then the man reported that the boat was +empty. + +"Good; leave a couple of boat-keepers in charge and join the party with +the whaler," continued the officer. "If you cannot manage her, ask for +additional hands, but I think you will be able to drag her up. The +ground is hard and level." + +Away went the working-party, leaving the pinnace in charge of two +seamen, who, having taken the strain off the bow cables, for the tide +was rising, sat stolidly in the stern-sheets. + +Above the distant roar of the surf, Denbigh could distinguish the thud +of the pickaxes and spades. He would have given a lot to see what the +diggers were doing, but the presence of the boat-keepers compelled him +to crouch, cramped and cold in the bows. Although the day had been +exceedingly hot, the night air was decidedly chilly, the sand radiating +the heat with great rapidity the moment the sun set. Clad in light +garments, Denbigh shivered and wished that he could stretch his limbs. + +The boat-keepers felt the cold, too, for after a little while they +began to swing their arms. Finally they jumped ashore and began to +pace to and fro. Having warmed themselves, the men sat upon the sand, +and produced pipes and tobacco. The sub distinctly heard the rasping +of matches, and gradually the odour of South American tobacco assailed +his nostrils. The men had begun to talk, desultory conversation soon +working up into an animated conversation. + +Cautiously Denbigh stretched his limbs. Then waiting until the +numbness had practically disappeared, he grasped the gunwale and slowly +raised himself until his head was level with one of the rowlocks, the +poppet of which had fortunately been removed. + +His range of vision was limited. In the bright starlight he could +discern the diggers. Already the bulk of the stores were hidden, while +at a distance of twenty yards from the cache, other men were excavating +a long trench, by the side of which lay the whaler. The depth of the +hole was now about five feet, and only the heads of the workers were +visible from the pinnace. + +The sub waited and watched, keeping a sharp look-out lest the +boat-keepers should return. Presently he became aware that his range +of vision was changing. The rising tide was swinging the pinnace +diagonally with the shore. + +Denbigh promptly returned to his lair. He was not a minute too soon, +for just as he settled himself the boat-keepers returned and took up +the strain on the bow ropes. + +"A good rise and fall for neap tides," remarked one of the men. "If we +get as much as this tomorrow we ought to be able to cross the bar. I +don't fancy having to remain at anchor in this lagoon until the new +moon with those English cruisers prowling around." + +"Ach, we will take due precautions, Henrich," replied the other. "Once +we get inside the reefs we are perfectly safe. It is the run across to +the mainland that is the trouble. Come on, let us go back to our snug +seat and have another smoke. It is indeed good to be able to tread dry +land again, even if it is little better than a sandbank." + +The men scrambled over the gunwale, and as soon as they were gone +Denbigh took up his former position by the rowlock. He was just in +time to see the whaler, lifted by a dozen brawny seamen and soldiers, +topple bottom upwards into the trench. Without loss of time the +Germans commenced to shovel back the soil. Others joined them, for the +task of hiding the stores had been completed, and in a very short space +of time the boat was quite covered, great care being taken to smooth +the soft substratum until it showed no sign of having been disturbed. + +The sub retreated to his hiding-place, for the men were beginning to +return, straggling up in groups of threes and fours. The pinnace was +backed out about half her own length and the men waded until they were +able to climb on board. + +They rowed back to the _Pelikan_. Once on the return journey the +bowman, swinging his bare legs, caught Denbigh a blow on the forehead +with his heel. Fortunately the fellow did not trouble to investigate, +but the sub realized that it was a narrow squeak. + +Arriving alongside the pinnace was hoisted out and stowed in its former +place. The workers were dismissed, the watch changed, and quietude +brooded over the ship. + +"Now comes the rub," ejaculated the sub as he crept from his place of +concealment. As agilely as a monkey he made his way along the steel +beam until he gained the funnel ladder. Then he waited and listened. +All was silence, save for the rumble of the surf and the subdued hiss +of steam from the ship's boilers. + +Unseen and unheard Denbigh gained the companion and descended the +aft-deck. As he did so footsteps on deck told him he was barely in +time. Cautiously he lifted the curtain that served to screen the light +from the hatchway. The space beyond was deserted. + +Swiftly he tiptoed to the door of the cabin. He tried the handle. The +door refused to move. He knocked softly, thinking that O'Hara had +fallen asleep. There was no response. Perhaps the Irishman had gone +in search of him; but, if so, how could he have secured the door on the +inside? Before Denbigh could knock again a steady tread resounded +along the alley-way. The sentry on the aft-deck was coming towards him. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +The Lagoon + +Almost in an instant Denbigh decided how to act. He could have crept +along the alley-way and surprised the sentry; but stunning the man +would be of little use. Nor could he hope to bluff the fellow, since +there was too much light to attempt to pass himself off as one of the +_Pelikan's_ officers. To retreat was impracticable, for someone, he +knew, was on deck in the immediate vicinity of the companion. + +Without hesitation the sub opened the door of the cabin adjoining his +and entered quickly and silently. The place was in darkness. Whether +it was tenanted or not he was unable to ascertain. Closing the door he +stood stock-still and listened. He could hear no sound of a person +breathing. For five minutes he waited, then began to grope until he +found the edge of one of the bunks. The sleeping-place was empty. +There were not even blankets and bedding. This looked promising. + +He continued his exploration, testing the remaining bunks in turn, +until he was able to come to the happy decision that by sheer good luck +he had lighted upon an empty cabin. + +The glass scuttle in the port-hole was closed, but there was no +dead-light in position over the opening. In that case it would be too +risky to switch on the light, until he had taken due precautions. + +The dead-light squeaked shrilly on its hinges as he drew it to. He +wondered whether the watch on deck heard the sound. He waited again. +There were many footsteps descending the companion. He could detect +von Langer's guttural tones, discussing some matter with one of the +other officers. + +"Dash it all!" ejaculated Denbigh, a cold perspiration standing out on +his forehead. "What if I'm in that fellow's cabin?" + +The men stopped outside the cabin. They were evidently indulging in +horse-play, for once a heavy body struck the wall with a thud, followed +by a chorus of boisterous laughter. + +Then, to Denbigh's intense relief, the officers went along the passage. +Once again he had been lucky. + +Reassured he switched on the light. The cabin was bare of furniture. +In one corner lay a pile of books and a couple of sea-stained +portmanteaux. Hanging from a coat-hook was an officer's sword-belt. +It was mildewed; the stitching of the holster had burst, the buckle was +green with verdigris. Attached to the belt was a small, circular +leather case secured by a strap. + +Denbigh handled it gingerly. There was something hard inside. +Curiosity prompted him to unbuckle the strap and open the case. Within +was a pocket-compass. What was more, it was a spirit one and seemingly +in good order. Without compunction the sub abstracted the compass and +slipped it into his pocket. + +As he did so he was startled to hear a deep groan. It seemed to sound +close to his ear. He wheeled abruptly and shot a glance in the +direction of one of the bunks, thinking that he had made a mistake in +deeming it untenanted. + +There was no one there. Again the groan was repeated. This time the +sound seemed to come from the adjoining cabin--the one occupied by Pat +O'Hara. + +A hole in the bulkhead attracted Denbigh's notice. It was the aperture +drilled by the Germans when they made their ineffectual attempt to +chloroform the three British officers. + +Through it Denbigh could see but a very small portion of the next +cabin, but sufficient to observe O'Hara lying on his back in his bunk. +He was writhing and groaning. His eyes were wide open and rolling in a +horrifying manner. + +Outside all was quiet once more. + +"I say, old man," whispered Denbigh. "What's wrong?" + +At the sound of his voice O'Hara raised himself. He tried to speak, +but could not. With an effort he rolled out of his bunk and stood +clinging to the edge for support. + +"Open the door," said Denbigh peremptorily. "I cannot get in." + +"If he's not able to it's the last straw," he soliloquized. "I'll have +to give myself up and get assistance." + +With a great effort the Irishman lurched across the floor and removed +the chair which had been wedged against the lock. Then, unable to +regain his bunk, he pitched inertly upon his face. + +Denbigh waited no longer. He darted into the alley-way, not even +waiting to see if everything were clear. The door opened easily. He +entered, and lifting O'Hara as easily as a child placed him on his bunk. + +"Felt jolly rotten almost as soon as you cleared out," muttered the +Irishman. "Sorry, but I couldn't help it." + +"I don't suppose you could," replied Denbigh, for O'Hara's regret was +genuine. "I'll ring for assistance." + +He touched the electric bell. Then, and only then, he remembered that +he had to replace a portion of the lock. Grasping the screw-driver he +set to work, and had just driven home the last screw when the locked +turned, and a petty officer entered. + +The man hurried off for the ship's surgeon. It was nearly a quarter of +an hour before the doctor arrived. He came prepared to deal with a +trifling case, but when he saw the Irishman he looked grave. + +Without expressing his opinion the surgeon went out. Nor did he again +put in an appearance. He sent, however, some quinine and written +directions as to treatment. + +For the rest of the night Denbigh sat up with his comrade. As day +broke O'Hara seemed easier. The internal pains passed off. His +temperature fell. He was able to talk rationally. By noon he was +practically well again. The attack had been sharp and rapid, but once +over it seemed to leave no ill-effects. + +Without being sighted by any of the British patrol vessels the +_Pelikan_ and her prize arrived off the entrance to the Mohoro River. +Here the two ships slowed down until there was sufficient water for +them to cross the outer bar. + +During the interval Denbigh and O'Hara were peremptorily ordered to +leave the _Pelikan_ and take up their quarters on the _Myra_, the +reason being that von Riesser was terribly afraid of illness, and in +spite of the doctor's assurances he had a firm belief that O'Hara was +suffering from yellow fever, malaria, black-water fever, and every +tropical disease under the sun. + +"Let him jolly well think so," said the Irishman joyfully. "I feel as +fit as a fiddle now; and I'm not sorry for the change." + +All the same O'Hara acted the invalid to perfection as he was rowed +from the raider to her prize. Denbigh accompanied him, taking good +care to bring all their scanty personal property that they had been +permitted to save from the _Nichi Maru_, excepting the gold that von +Riesser had ordered to be confiscated. + +The _Myra_ was in charge of Unter-leutnant Kaspar Klick and fifteen +men. There were also the skipper, officers, and crew of the tramp, +numbering thirty-two persons. The officers were given a fair amount of +liberty, but the men were kept under hatches, to their no small +discomfort in the tropical heat. + +"Sorry I'm not able to make your acquaintance under more favourable +auspices," was the greeting of Captain Pennington, the master of the +captured _Myra_, when the two subs introduced themselves. "But I hope +before many hours that we will be set at liberty." + +"We've been hoping that for weeks," said Denbigh. "The luck those +fellows get is astonishing." + +"So I should imagine," agreed Captain Pennington. "I learnt at Cape +Town that the _Pelikan_ was given up as lost, as some wreckage and one +of her boats were picked up in the South Atlantic. That is why our +cruisers relaxed their patrol, and were ordered to rendezvous at +Zanzibar. There'll be a dozen or more on their way up." + +"And any monitors?" asked O'Hara. + +"Four, as far as I know," replied the _Myra's_ skipper. "One was +detained for repairs at Simon's Bay. The others must be at Zanzibar by +this time. They will be invaluable for work inside the coral reefs." + +"And the _Pelikan_--or _Zwaan_, as we are accustomed to call her--hopes +to ascend the Mohoro River. Her draught is about twenty-two feet, and +she may be able to lighten to eighteen." + +"She won't do it," declared Pennington decisively. "It will be as much +as she can manage to cross the outer bar. She'll be nabbed before she +does that." + +"When's high water?" enquired Denbigh. + +"Let me see. New moon's on Friday. To-day's Saturday. High water, +full and change, is at 4 p.m. I take it that it's the top of the tide +to-day at eleven or thereabouts. They'll have to be pretty sharp about +it to arrive off the entrance to the lagoon by that time." + +As a matter of fact von Riesser signalled for the prize to steam full +speed ahead, the _Pelikan_ following at four cables' lengths astern. +By 8.30 the _Myra_ slowed down off the entrance to the Mohoro River. + +There was a considerable amount of mist about, for the land breeze had +not commenced to make its influence felt. + +All that could be seen was a long, irregular line of coral reefs +against which the ground-swell broke with a sullen roar into masses of +milk-white foam. There were nearly a dozen visible gaps in the reef, +the largest, bearing directly ahead, being marked by a couple of +coco-nut palms. + +At this point an island was in course of formation, there being a few +feet of soil accumulated upon the coral. These trees marked the +entrance to the lagoon, into which the Mohoro River made its way by +means of three separate estuaries. + +The Germans left nothing to chance. Way was taken off both vessels. A +boat was manned and lowered from the _Pelikan_ and rowed towards the +entrance, soundings being taken methodically and frequently. + +Having found the deepest water the officers in the boat signalled to +the _Myra_, and at half speed the captured tramp crept towards the +narrow passage. + +Between the foam-swept barriers she made her way, until she lay quietly +upon the peaceful waters of the lagoon. + +The _Pelikan_ prepared to follow. + +"Ten to one she'll bump," exclaimed Captain Pennington. "There you +are! I said so," he added, as the raider touched the bottom with a +dull grinding sound. Still she carried way. Scraping along for nearly +her own length she slid into deep water. + +"Hope she's stove in her bottom," said O'Hara. "See, they're using her +bilge pumps." + +A signal was hoisted on the raider. What it meant the British officers +were unable to say, but it was evident from the expression of the face +of Unter-leutnant Klick that the damage to the _Pelikan_ was but slight. + +By this time the mist was rising. The mainland could now be discerned, +low-lying ground densely covered with mangroves and backed by rugged +hills at a distance of about ten miles from the coast. + +The lagoon was quite three miles in breadth and extended in a northerly +direction beyond the range of vision. Southward it gradually converged +towards the coast, apparently joining it at a distance of five miles +from where the ships lay. + +"An anchorage big enough to take the whole of the British Navy," +declared Denbigh. "It's the bar that spoils the place, apart from the +pestilential swamps. Do you see that peculiar isolated tree? It's a +casuarina. It marks the principal entrance to the Mohoro--or did when +I was here last, but these African rivers have a peculiar knack of +altering their course entirely in a night." + +"I suppose we are going straight up," remarked O'Hara. "There's depth +enough for us." + +"Goodness knows," replied his chum. "At all events the _Pelikan_ +can't." + +Apparently the Germans had a good knowledge of the lagoon, for boldly +closing with the land, the _Pelikan_ dropped anchor within three +hundred yards of the highest part of the shore, where a cliff rose +abruptly to the height of thirty or forty feet. On the summit the +ground shelved gently. There were several native huts to be seen in +the clearing between the mangroves, while farther back was a +galvanized-iron shed with a whitewashed roof. + +Acting under von Riesser's instructions the _Myra's_ anchor was let go, +the tramp bringing up at a cable's length from her captor, and so close +to the shore that when she swung her stern was within forty yards of +the cliff. The water here was ten fathoms deep, the shore being +steep-to, but in spite of the depth the bottom could be clearly seen. + +"Suppose you vant to go 'shore, hein?" asked Unter-leutnant Klick. "No +tricks. Plenty of shark about." + +The German was right. Already the surface of the lagoon in the +vicinity of the two ships was furrowed with diverging lines of ripples +as the black dorsal fins of numerous tigers of the deep cleft the water. + +"No, I don't think I want to bathe, lieutenant," remarked Captain +Pennington. "It hardly looks tempting." + +Kaspar Klick laughed boisterously. + +"You see even der shark is der ally of Zhermany," he said. + +"The information does not astonish me one little bit," rejoined the +master of the _Myra_. + +"Vot you mean?" demanded the under-leutnant, instinctively guessing +that he had made a verbal blunder. + +At that moment, when the German was beginning to exhibit signs of +anger, another signal was made from the _Pelikan_, ordering the _Myra_ +to ship as much additional cargo from her captor as she could carry. + +Until sunset the work progressed. Under threats from their captors the +British crew were turned up from below and compelled to assist in +handing and stowing the gear, for it was von Riesser's intention to +lighten his vessel as much as possible, so as to attempt the inner bar +at least a couple of days before the new moon. + +Night put an end to the day's work, for not a light that could be +visible from seaward was shown. + +The two subs slept badly. Their cabin accommodation was indifferent +compared with that on board the _Pelikan_, for Unter-leutnant Klick had +appropriated the skipper's quarters, and Pennington and his chief +engineer were obliged to share the small space that had been the mate's +cabin, while that officer was told to occupy the same cabin in which +Denbigh and O'Hara were placed. + +They lacked the ventilating fan and the liberal air space. The cabin +was low and stuffy. It had no direct communication with the outside +air, as it opened into the state-room, where in normal times the +_Myra's_ officers used to have their meals. At present that limited +space was still further restricted by the huge cases of military stores +removed from the _Pelikan_. These had been struck down the hatchway +and carried aft, where they remained under the charge of an armed +sentry. + +"Those fellows think they've got us safely under lock and key," said +the mate, a burly North-countryman of the name of Armstrong. "They +don't know that each officer of this hooker has a duplicate key to his +cabin. I took jolly good care to keep mine, and I know where to put my +hand on the key to this one. To-morrow, now I know how we're berthed, +I'll get that key." + +At daybreak the work of transhipping the cargo was proceeded with +before the miasmic mists that hid the shore had dispersed. Two boats +were dispatched from the _Pelikan_ to the shore and returned laden with +tops of coco-nut trees. Before noon the foliage was stowed below out +of sight. + +Just before high water the _Myra_, being loaded far below her Plimsoll +mark, prepared to weigh and ascend the river. Even in her deeply laden +condition she drew a good nine feet less than the _Pelikan_, and could +negotiate the bar without much risk. + +The cable was almost "up and down" and the anchor on the point of +"breaking-out" when a warning shout came from one of the look-out men +on the _Pelikan_. A bugle call for "General Quarters" followed in +quick succession. + +"Hulloa, that's great!" ejaculated Denbigh excitedly. He pointed in +the direction of the passage through the reef. Heading for it was a +small gunboat. Although the distance was too great for the British +officers on the _Myra_ to distinguish her ensign they had no doubts as +to her nationality. + +"She's one of our gunboats," announced O'Hara. + +His assertion was confirmed by a flash, followed by a sharp bark as the +_Pelikan_, unmasking her guns, opened fire upon the approaching vessel. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +Denbigh's Plan + +At the opening of the engagement the prize crew of the _Myra_ made a +simultaneous rush to the tramp's rigging, in order to witness the +destruction of the audacious but lightly-armed gunboat. Unter-leutnant +Klick and another junior officer hurried to the bridge. Denbigh, +O'Hara, and the officers of the _Myra_ found themselves in sole +occupation of the deck. + +"Idiots!" exclaimed Denbigh. + +"Who?" asked Captain Pennington. + +"The _Pelikan's_ people. If they had waited another five minutes, they +would have found the gunboat jammed up on the bar. As it is she has +room to manoeuvre." + +Even as he spoke, the gunboat let fly with her puny 4-inch bow gun--the +only one capable of being trained upon the powerfully-armed raider. +Immediately a dense cloud of black smoke burst from the little craft, +entirely hiding her from view. + +"She's got it properly," exclaimed Pennington. + +Slowly the smoke began to disperse. Into the eddying vapour shell +after shell poured from the _Pelikan_. All around the sea was +lacerated by the ricochetting projectiles, which threw columns of spray +high into the air, the pure whiteness of the artificial waterspouts +contrasting vividly with the dark background of smoke. + +The Germans were shouting madly. It was their way of cheering, but it +lacked the inspiring sound of a hearty British cheer. Then, with +remarkable suddenness, the uproar of voices trailed away into a +silence, broken only by the desultory firing from the _Pelikan_. + +Under cover of the cloud of smoke purposely emitted from the gunboat, +the British craft had swung round and was steaming away at her maximum +of 13 knots, apparently undamaged by the salvoes that had been directed +towards her. The exultant shouts of the Germans were not renewed when +they saw the small vessel turn tail. Too late they realized that they +had thrown away their advantages by being too premature. The gunboat, +having sea-room in which to manoeuvre, was speeding away, not in +flight, but with the object of wirelessing the cruisers and destroyers. +By letting their insignificant antagonist escape the Germans were +bringing a hornet's nest about their ears. + +Somewhat disconsolately, the _Myra's_ prize crew descended the rigging +and other coigns of vantage and regained the deck. They, however, knew +that a loophole for escape remained. They were under orders to cross +the inner bar and ascend the Mohoro River. That course was denied the +_Pelikan_ for the next four or five days. A high spring-tide was an +absolute necessity for her to cross the barrier, and long before that +time the British blockading squadron would be off the reefs, ready to +pulverize the raider into a mass of twisted scrap-iron. + +The time of high water had gone, and the tide was beginning to fall, +when the _Myra_ essayed the task of crossing the inner bar. There was +no surf breaking at the mouth of the river, since the coral reef +enclosing the lagoon effectually sheltered the shore. Only a few +ripples marked the spot where the down-current met the submerged +barrier. In a few minutes the great volume of water pouring down the +river, having time to overcome the up tidal stream, would be surging +furiously over the bar. + +"I wish to goodness we could crock the steering-gear," said O'Hara in a +low voice. "If the old hooker grounded on the bar she would prevent +the _Pelikan_ from entering." + +"Not much use," objected Denbigh. "In fact, it would be more of a help +to her than a hindrance." + +"How's that?" asked the Irishman. + +"Simply because the river would dig itself another channel across the +bar, and its width being restricted by the stranded vessel, its depth +would be even greater than the existing one. No, I think we can do +nothing but sit tight and trust to luck, that the _Pelikan_ will be +sent to the bottom before Friday." + +"And us?" + +"You can bet your bottom dollar that a couple of armed cutters will be +sent after the _Myra_." + +Without touching even once the tramp crossed the dangerous patch, and +was soon breasting the rapidly-increasing current. The river at this +point was about 180 yards in width, and carried a depth of 30 to 40 +feet for twelve miles from its mouth. On either side the banks were +overhung with mangroves and coco-nut palms, from which myriads of +birds, aroused by the unfamiliar noise of the tramp, rose screeching in +the sultry air. The surface of the river was dotted with black objects +resembling water-logged trunks of trees, but on the _Myra's_ approach +the seemingly inanimate objects were endowed with life and activity. +They were hippopotami, that literally swarmed in the turgid water. + +Having, as he imagined, navigated the _Myra_ beyond reach of the +British cruisers, Unter-leutnant Klick ordered several of the crew of +the captured tramp on deck, and informed them that they were in future +to assist in working the ship. Should any attempt to recover the +vessel be made, the offence would be punishable with death. He also +pointed out the impracticability of escape, since the river was +infested with hippopotami, and the forests with fierce animals. + +Just before sunset, the _Myra_ brought up at a distance of about seven +miles from the mouth of the river. The flood-tide, accompanied by a +distinct bore, had now set in, and since the river was hardly wide +enough to allow the tramp to swing, an anchor was let go astern and +twice the amount of cable necessary paid out. Then, directly the +vessel's way was stopped, the bower-anchor was let go from the bows. +The stern cable was then hove inboard until the ship lay evenly between +the two anchors. + +The _Myra_ had no stockless anchors, but those of the old Admiralty +pattern. + +"By Jove! how strong the current runs here!" remarked O'Hara, as the +two subs watched the yellow stream surge past the ship. "If the ground +tackle carried away there would be a jamboree. A new channel wouldn't +form in a couple of days here." + +Denbigh did not reply. He was mentally gauging the distance between +the ship's side and the nearmost bank. + +"It's risky," he thought; "but there are no gains without pains. I'll +have a shot at it to-night." + +On being ordered to retire to their cabin the two officers found that +the mate was already there. As Denbigh and his chum entered, he +hastily stowed something in his pocket, but finding that they were not +any of the German crew he withdrew the article. + +It was a piece of soft wood about nine inches in length. + +"What's the game, Armstrong?" asked Denbigh. + +"I'm just knocking up a couple of dummy forelocks," explained the mate, +opening his jack-knife once more. "I gave our fellows in the fo'c'sle +the tip, and they'll get them in position as soon as the anchors are +catted. I'm going to give these a coat of galvanized paint and I'll +wager those German chumps won't notice the difference. Next time they +drop the hook the pins will snap under the strain, the stocks will +slip, and the old hooker will drag at the rate of knots." + +"That's a good wheeze, Armstrong," said Denbigh. "But look here. I +want you to do me a good turn. Have you the duplicate key of this +cabin?" + +"Sure I have," replied the mate. + +"I'm going to have a shot at getting ashore," declared the sub. + +"You'll be a fool if you try," said Armstrong bluntly and emphatically. +"With this current running and the hippos barging about you wouldn't +stand a dog's chance." + +"I'll wait till slack water and take my chance with the hippos," +rejoined Denbigh. "If I succeed in getting ashore I'll make my way +along the bank until I reach the entrance. I'm rather curious to see +what the _Pelikan_ is doing." + +"I'm with you," volunteered O'Hara. + +"You'll stop here, old man," said Denbigh firmly. + +"If I stop you stop too," was the Irishman's equally determined +rejoinder. "Look here, old bird; it's not like prowling around the +upper-deck. Once ashore we'll be all right. One may be jolly useful +in helping the other. Besides, I've a loaded pistol." + +"Might be handy," admitted Denbigh, secretly glad to have a companion +for his enterprise. "But there's something you have which will be, I +fancy, a jolly sight more handy." + +"What's that?" asked O'Hara. + +"The quinine the _Pelikan's_ medico gave you. Our chief danger is, I +fancy, the chance of getting miasmic fever, especially after landing in +saturated togs. A few grains will stave off a fatal illness." + +"All right," agreed O'Hara. "Then it's settled I'm to go with you. +What's your plan?" + +"Nothing more than I have outlined," replied Denbigh. "We'll keep our +eyes and ears open and see what steps the _Pelikan_ is taking for +defence. There'll be enough moonlight to see fairly clearly." + +"Suppose you wouldn't like me to go with you?" enquired the mate. + +Denbigh shook his head. + +"No, thanks, Armstrong; you'll serve a far better purpose by remaining +on board and screening our movements. Those fellows have set an anchor +watch, I suppose?" + +"Only on the fo'c'sle," replied Armstrong. "That is to say, they +hadn't put a man on watch over the stern cable when I left the deck. +But there's no knowing. They imagine that they are safe from attack. +I suppose they are so long as the _Pelikan_ remains afloat, so it's +just likely that they'll be a bit lax. How do you propose to take the +water?" + +"By the stern cable," replied Denbigh. + +"I know a better way," said the mate. "There's a rope ladder coiled up +close to the engine-room fidley. If you can lay hold of it without +being spotted you can make one end fast outside the rail and let the +rest go. It won't be noticed before morning." + +Methodically the two subs went about their preparations, for there was +as yet an hour and a half before slack water. Denbigh knew that +between the two periods of high and low tide there was an interval of +six and a half hours, for the volume of fresh water descending the +river retarded the rising tide by at least thirty or forty minutes. +The chums had thus nearly seven hours at their disposal, of which there +was moonlight until four in the morning. + +The cabin was not electrically lighted, illumination being provided by +means of a smoky oil lamp. Stripping to the buff the two subs blacked +themselves all over by means of corks charred in the lamplight. Their +clothes they lashed into a compact bundle, Denbigh stowing the +pocket-compass in his, while O'Hara placed his automatic pistol in the +middle of his clothing. Two handkerchiefs were retained in readiness +to bind their bundles on the top of their heads. + +"We may get ashore with dry gear," said Denbigh. "It's just a chance. +We'll be lucky if we do. Now, Armstrong, that key, if you please. +I'll borrow it and lock you in after we've left. It will disarm +suspicion; and besides, we will be able to let ourselves in when we +roll home in the small hours of the morning. Don't wait up, Mr. +Armstrong." + +The men smiled grimly. Even on the brink of peril they jested. Cheek +by jowl with death they bantered each other. + +The hour of slack water arrived. No longer the current surged noisily +against the _Myra's_ wall-sides. All was quiet save the occasional +rasp of a huge amphibian along the ship's plating and the faint roar of +a wild animal in the distant mangroves. + +Cautiously Denbigh applied the well-oiled key to the lock. Softly the +door was opened. In the "state-room" an oil-lamp burned dimly and +smelt abominably. Its feeble rays were almost unable to penetrate into +the recesses of the encumbered quarters. + +Giving a final look round Denbigh fastened his bundle on his head and +slipped out, followed by O'Hara. The door was closed and locked, +Denbigh thrusting the key under the lashings of his bundle. + +The deck was wet with a heavy dew that struck cold to their bare feet. +Overhead the crescent moon shone a dull yellow through the haze. The +shores were invisible. + +Crouching close to the low bulwarks the two officers made their way +amidships. Fore and aft awnings had been spread to protect the watch +on deck from the noxious dew, but there were no signs of the seamen on +duty. + +In the chart-room a light, imperfectly screened, threw a narrow glare +into the mist. The officer of the watch--one of the _Pelikan's_ petty +officers--was doubtless indulging in slumber, since it was quite +unlikely that Unter-leutnant Klick would have been out of his bunk to +satisfy himself that all was well unless an alarm was raised by those +on deck. + +Cautiously the two blackened figures glided from the shelter of the +bulwarks to the raised coaming of the engine-room fidley. Through the +iron bars they could see the gleaming mechanism, now at rest, although +steam was being kept at working pressure. + +Groping, Denbigh felt his fingers come in contact with a cylindrical +bundle. It was the rope-ladder enclosed in a canvas cover. + +Returning to the side the sub lashed one end of the ladder to the +upright of one of the davits. The other he allowed to drop. It +touched the surface of the water with hardly a splash. Being too long +for the purpose five or six feet of the ladder floated alongside. +There was not sufficient current to trail it out. + +Swinging over the bulwark Denbigh felt with his foot for the rungs. +The rope creaked under his weight. He descended until his feet came in +contact with the water, then he waited until he saw O'Hara's black form +silhouetted against the moon-lit mist. + +Thank heaven there were no hippos to be seen, although a splashing +sound at some distance off told the sub that some sort of large +amphibians were sporting in the moonlight. + +The Irishman's foot lightly touching Denbigh's upheld hand that grasped +one of the rungs aroused the sub to action. Three steps down did he +take, then he released his hold and struck out into the unknown. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +A Perilous Journey + +Twenty slow, deliberate, and powerful strokes did Denbigh take, then, +treading water, he turned his head to see how his companion was +progressing. + +In that short distance the outlines of the _Myra_ looked vague and +distorted in the eddying vapour. Already the swimmers were practically +safe from observation, since O'Hara, who was barely three yards away, +looked indistinct in his cork-blackened disguise. + +A dozen strokes more and the two officers were in the midst of a +sluggish, turgid stream, their horizon bounded by banks of mist. Were +it not for the moon, that shone dully through the haze, all sense of +direction would have been lost. The water was warm and +sickly-smelling. An odour like that of decaying flowers in an +ill-ventilated room assailed their nostrils. + +Once O'Hara gave vent to a partly smothered yell as his naked foot came +in contact with a slimy water-logged tree. It was easy to imagine +unpleasant things in that modern Styx. + +At the sound Denbigh turned. + +"What's wrong?" he asked in a whisper. + +"Nothing," replied the Irishman. "Carry on." + +He was swimming rapidly. His quick strokes betrayed his acute anxiety +to traverse the stretch of water in as short a time as possible. + +"Steady; don't splash," cautioned Denbigh. + +A reply to his admonition came from another quarter, for almost in +front of the swimmers rose a huge black object, quickly followed by +another. In the semi-light the two men could see that these were +enormous hippopotami, distinguish even their thick lips and wire-like +bristles, and hear the business-like snap of their formidable teeth, +capable of biting the side of a boat and shaking the craft like a +terrier does a rat. + +The two amphibians were gambolling. So intent were they that the +swimmers were unnoticed, but for half a minute after the hippos had +passed Denbigh and O'Hara floated motionless, not trusting to swim +forward another foot. + +At length, after a seemingly interminable space of time, the +mangrove-covered shore loomed up against the moonlit sky. The banks, +thrown into deep shadow, were invisible, until O'Hara, who was now +leading, felt his foot touch the slimy ooze that fringed the shore. + +With feelings of relief the Irishman waded to the bank and awaited +Denbigh's emergence from the river. + +"Thank God," he muttered fervently as Denbigh joined him. "Now, what's +the move?" + +"Dress," replied his chum laconically. + +The two men unfastened their bundles, and proceeded to sacrifice one of +their scanty stock of handkerchiefs as a towel. To allow the foetid +fresh water to dry on them would be courting a speedy attack of +black-water fever. + +"We can't see the _Myra_," whispered O'Hara. "How shall we know where +to 'kick-off' when we return?" + +"Bend that damp handkerchief on to one of the bushes," replied Denbigh. +"We'll have to take jolly good care to----" + +His words ended abruptly, and he found himself sitting on the soft +ground. In order to facilitate the dressing performance he had sat +down upon what he imagined to be a log. The "log" promptly lurched +forward and overthrew him. It was a healthy specimen of a crocodile. + +[Illustration: THE "LOG" WAS A HEALTHY SPECIMEN OF A CROCODILE] + +O'Hara gripped his chum's hand and literally lifted him to his feet. +Both men took to their heels, with the now aroused saurian in pursuit. +Luckily the animal was not quick at turning, and before it could do so +the two subs placed a safe distance between them and their pursuer. + +"There may be others," gasped Denbigh, who half-dressed was clutching +the rest of his clothing. "The river bank is too jolly risky. I had +my doubts about it. We'll cut inland and risk the forest. It's high +ground, as far as I could judge when we came up stream. Therefore it +ought not to be swampy. What's more, we'll save half the distance." + +"And, possibly, take double the time," added O'Hara, who, although +willing to risk the unknown perils of the mangrove forest to the +partly-known adversities of the river banks, was rather doubtful as to +his comrade's skill in navigation on dry land. + +They halted in a little clearing to complete their interrupted task of +donning their clothes. With their ears strained to catch the faintest +suspicious sound, they struggled into their light cotton garments, that +at the best of times were ill-adapted to the miasmic night-mists of the +East African coast. + +"That's better," exclaimed Denbigh cheerfully. "Feel a bit more +civilized. We might pass muster as a pair of Christy minstrels. Now, +then, a few grains of quinine, and we'll be on the move." + +O'Hara's reply was to release the safety-pin of his automatic pistol. +Denbigh, who was studying the luminous face of the pocket-compass, +smiled grimly. + +"Now I'll admit that little toy may come in handy, old man," he +remarked. "Since I lead the way, pray be careful how you finger the +trigger. Nor'east by east is the ticket." + +Before the adventurers had proceeded fifty yards, a rustling sound +overhead brought them up all-standing. Some heavy body was moving from +tree-top to tree-top with great rapidity. + +"Doesn't sound very healthy," whispered Denbigh with a forced laugh. +"I think I'll arm myself with a club." + +He wrenched at a stout sapling. Instead of the stem coming out by the +roots as he expected, it snapped off short. The fractured part tapered +to a chisel edge. The wood was hard and close-grained. + +"No, I'll use this as a spear," continued the sub. "It makes a nasty +weapon to jab an animal with." + +In silence the chums proceeded on their way. It was fair going between +the trunks of the palms and mangroves, there being very little +undergrowth. + +"'Ware mosquitoes," exclaimed O'Hara. "There must be a swamp somewhere +about." + +A swarm of these pestilential insects were buzzing around their heads, +but, possibly owing to the protection afforded by the burnt cork, the +mosquitoes did not press home the attack. Fifty yards farther the two +men were stopped by a deep morass. + +"Edge away to the left," suggested the Irishman. "I think I can hear +running water. By Jove! Look at those fireflies. They're simply +great." + +Denbigh merely grunted. He was in no mood to study the beauties of +nature. The marsh meant loss of valuable time. + +Half a dozen small deer, disturbed in the act of drinking, came +bounding towards them, until, finding themselves confronted by human +beings, they stopped abruptly, then tore madly from the newest danger. + +"Be careful!" urged Denbigh. "Those creatures have been driven towards +us by some animal. Stand by." + +Out of the deep shade ambled a huge unwieldy figure. It looked like a +giant armed with a club. It was too big for a native: it was an +enormous ape. + +In a trice Denbigh and his companion dodged behind a tree; but quick +though they were, the movement had not escaped the notice of the +animal. Uttering a shrill cry, the ape bounded towards their place of +concealment. + +Denbigh's first impulse was to fly, but calmer counsels prevailed. +Dropping on one knee, he held his improvised spear pointed towards the +enemy, the butt planted firmly into the ground. + +As well might a dog try conclusions with a motor-car. The ape's +muscular hand gripped the pole and wrenched it from the sub's grasp, +while Denbigh's endeavour to retain his hold resulted in his being +thrown prostrate at the creature's feet. + +Before the luckless man could realize his position there was a vivid +flash and a sharp report, quickly followed by another and another. +O'Hara had fired point-blank at the animal's head. + +The next instant Denbigh was pinned under the lifeless body of his +antagonist, for a chance-directed shot had struck the ape in the eye, +and had penetrated the brain. + +"Hurt?" asked the Irishman anxiously, as he assisted Denbigh to regain +his feet. + +"Am I?" asked the sub blankly. + +"If you don't know I suppose no one else does," rejoined O'Hara. + +"I thought the brute had me that time. Hulloa! where's my compass?" + +A prolonged search resulted in the recovery of the precious instrument. +Anxiously Denbigh revolved the case; to his intense satisfaction he saw +that the luminous card was still sensitive. + +"My word!" thought Denbigh, as the two men resumed their way. +"Whatever possessed me to take this business on? Idle curiosity and +the love of doing something to pass away the time, I suppose. After +all, I can't see how we can help our squadron in the slightest. And +here are we running the risk of being stranded in a beastly forest, and +perhaps being chawed up by some wild animal. Well, we're half-way +there, so I suppose we may as well carry on. I won't be the one to +suggest chucking up the sponge and making tracks for the _Myra_." + +The Irishman's soliloquies were on almost the identical lines, but as +neither communicated his thought to the other, the consequence was that +they both persisted in their hazardous adventure. + +It must have been about one in the morning, when, more by good luck +than by good management, the two British officers stumbled upon the +clearing on which stood the galvanized iron house that they had noticed +when the _Myra_ lay at anchor in the lagoon. + +Although no light was visible, there were men within, for the subs +could hear the rasping of a file and the sharp whirr of a hack-saw. + +"Steady!" whispered Denbigh. "Bear away a little. Remember we're +close to the native village. Ten to one there'll be a crowd of dogs +about, and our clothes, in spite of ill-usage, are fairly conspicuous +against the dark background." + +Twice they halted before they crossed a foot-track through the mangrove +forest. At the second path, they had to wait until a party of German +bluejackets had passed. The men were armed, and were accompanied by a +score of blacks, who had been impressed to drag a small field-gun up +the hill. + +Unsuspecting the Germans went on their way, and the subs, after a safe +interval had elapsed, continued their way to the shore. + +Suddenly O'Hara gripped his companion's arm and pointed. Fifty feet +below them, and at a distance of two hundred yards, was the native +village. The huts were wrapped in silence. Only the women and +children remained, for the men had been compelled to throw up +earthworks to defend the lagoon from the anticipated attack. Outside +the village stood two German soldiers armed with rifles and fixed +bayonets, their duty being to prevent any of the inhabitants from +leaving their huts during the night. + +"It's not healthy that way," he whispered. "More to the left, old man. +I can hear the surf." + +Ten minutes more found them at the edge of the forest, and on the brink +of the two cliffs, immediately opposite which the _Pelikan_ had brought +up and had fought her brief and unsatisfactory action with the British +gunboat. + +Bathed in the slanting rays of the moon, which was now on the wane, +were the placid waters of the lagoon. Nothing could, it seemed, escape +being detected up on that illuminated patch of sea. + +"By Jove!" exclaimed Denbigh excitedly. "The _Pelikan's_ cleared out." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +Nocturnal Investigations + +"We might have guessed that," remarked O'Hara. + +"Oh?" + +"Yes; don't you see, she was spotted by our gunboat. She couldn't get +away up the Mohoro River until Friday, and rather than run the risk of +being sunk at anchor she's landed her mob of reservists and has put to +sea again." + +"To be promptly snapped up? No; I don't care to admit your reasoning, +old man. We haven't come all this way through that confounded forest +for nothing. Listen!" + +A faint, rapid throbbing was borne to their ears. The sound came not +from the sea but along the shore to their left, where a projecting +tongue of land limited their range of vision. + +"Motor," announced O'Hara laconically. + +"And not a marine one," added Denbigh. "Come on. We'll follow this +path; it's a jolly sight safer than keeping to the shore." + +Once again they plunged into the mangrove forest, following a beaten +track that, judging by its well-worn condition, had been in existence +long before the arrival of the _Pelikan_. + +Suddenly Denbigh halted and held up his hand. Footsteps were +approaching, not those of the naked feet of natives but the booted +tramp of white men. + +The subs took cover and waited, fervently hoping that the oncomers had +not a dog with them. The party advanced slowly and haltingly, so much +so that for the moment Denbigh imagined that their suspicions had been +aroused. + +But without once glancing in the direction of the hidden officers the +men passed by. One was a petty officer of the _Pelikan_. Denbigh +recognized him by his bushy beard. With him were four seamen, walking +two abreast. The leading pair carried a roll of something wrapped in a +painted canvas cover; the others bore a large reel of wire, paying out +the thin cable as they went. + +"H'm, telephone wire," muttered Denbigh. "That doesn't look as if the +ship has cleared out. More than likely they've landed some of the guns +to form a masked battery. It strikes me pretty forcibly that we'll +have to investigate at both ends of the wire." + +Not until the sound of the receding footsteps had died away--and it +took an exasperating time--did the subs emerge from their place of +concealment. The air was now almost free from mist. Occasionally +patches of vapour drifted across their path, but generally speaking the +miasmic belt ended at a distance of about half a mile from the sea. + +O'Hara stooped and lifted up the wire. + +"Let's cut the dashed line," he suggested. + +"All in good time," replied Denbigh. "If we do so now they'll be +buzzing around before we've made our investigations. I think we're on +to a good thing." + +Nearer and nearer grew the sound of the motor, until upon emerging from +the grove the subs found themselves within a hundred yards of a German +base. + +At this point the ground sloped gently to the edge of the lagoon. +Without any apparent attempt at concealment two searchlights had been +set in position. A dozen men in naval uniforms were standing around +the projectors. The lights were "running" as was evident from the +crackle of the carbons, but the shutters were closed, cutting off the +rays. The current was produced by a dynamo, the power being supplied +by means of the petrol motor, the pulsations of which had given the +subs a clue to its position. + +"What's the idea?" whispered O'Hara, indicating the unconcealed +searchlight. + +"A blind," replied his companion. "I guessed it. We'll carry on a +little farther before we retrace our steps." + +Another _détour_ was necessary, but on plunging into the mangrove +forest on to the other side of the clearing the Irishman's foot tripped +in the telephone wire. + +"Good!" he ejaculated. "You're right, old man." + +Five hundred yards farther on the explorers almost tumbled into a deep +pit, protected on the seaward side by sandbags, between which were +stuck shrubs and branches of trees to screen the artificial work from +seaward. + +In the pit were two quick-firers, with basket cases of ammunition in +readiness. Pacing up and down between the guns was a sentry, while +under a tarpaulin supported by short poles were about a dozen sleeping +men. Farther on was another excavation, but what it contained the +British officers were unable to ascertain. The battery, it was +evident, was manned by some of the reservists from the _San Matias_. + +Denbigh, having taken a compass bearing of the entrance of the lagoon, +nudged his chum, and they began to retrace their steps. Moving as +rapidly as their sense of caution would permit, they again skirted the +searchlight station and picked up the telephone wire trail in the woods +beyond. + +"We must not forget the time," cautioned the Irishman. + +"By Jove, no!" replied Denbigh. As a matter of fact he had. The +excitement of their discoveries had banished all thought of anything +else. Even the perils of their return journey to the _Myra_ had been +lightly brushed aside. "Hang it all, there's that confounded mist +again." + +At a distance of a quarter of a mile from the searchlight position the +path bent obliquely towards the lagoon. Here the trees grew right to +the water's edge, the cliff at this point being roughly twenty feet +above the sea. + +"What's that?" whispered O'Hara. + +A cable's length from shore, and just visible through the mist, was a +large indistinct shape. At first sight it looked like a small island +thickly covered with coco-nut palms. + +"The cunning blighters!" ejaculated Denbigh. "That's the _Pelikan_." + +It was the raider. Her masts and funnels were decked with branches; +the whole tops of trees festooned her sides. The outlines of her bow +and stern were concealed by trailing masses of vegetation. Viewed from +seaward, against the tree-clad hillocks, the _Pelikan_ could not be +distinguished from her natural background. A short distance along the +shore there was a gap in the line of cliffs. Here a boat was lying, +with her crew standing about on shore. + +"They're expecting someone," whispered Denbigh. "Let's move." + +Not until the subs were a safe distance from the shore did they +exchange opinions. + +"The _Pelikan_ is expecting an attack," said O'Hara. "So she is +disguised. Some of her guns are taken ashore." + +"Why not all?" asked Denbigh. + +"I should not think so," was the reply. "They would be almost certain +to keep those in position on the port side. They haven't abandoned the +ship, otherwise the boat wouldn't be waiting to take somebody off to +her. Hulloa, there they go!" + +Two brilliant arcs of light swept across the lagoon. The searchlights +had been unmasked and were directed towards the narrow gap in the coral +reef. + +"They've spotted something," continued O'Hara. + +"Not necessarily," replied Denbigh. "Those lights are tantamount to a +challenge. Our fellows will go for the searchlight, thinking that they +are being worked from the _Pelikan_. Then the ship's guns and those of +the masked battery will be able to open a converging fire. We'll have +to stop their little game, old man." + +"Can't see how," said O'Hara. + +"No more can I at present," added his companion. "We've about three +hours to daylight. We must allow an hour and a half at the very +outside to work our way back to the _Myra_." + +"If our fellows put the hat on the _Pelikan_, we may as well hang on +and get them to pick us up. You can bet your bottom dollar they'll +take good care to see that the _Pelikan_ is properly done in." + +"My dear fellow," protested Denbigh, "are we fit to introduce ourselves +as British officers, even suppose the cruisers send a landing party +ashore?" + +"Don't care whether I am or not," replied the Irishman recklessly. +"Whether I wear an evening dress of burnt cork plus a very disreputable +uniform of white ducks, or whether I am immaculately arrayed in No. 1 +rig, makes little difference. I am still Patrick O'Hara." + +"S'sh!" whispered Denbigh, for O'Hara had unconsciously raised his +voice during the delivery of his protest. "Let's have another look to +seaward, and then we'll cut the telephone wire and clap on all sail for +our involuntary home of rest. By Jove, it's getting darker! We'll be +barging into something if we aren't very careful." + +Upon regaining the top of the cliffs the subs saw something that +indicated the impending attack. Lights were in position at the +entrance to the lagoon. The British vessels in the offing had sent +boats to sound and drop calcium-light buoys in the narrow channel, +preparatory to making a dash across the enclosed stretch of water. + +Even as the subs watched a masthead light blinked rapidly. Since the +vessels were equipped with wireless, light signals were unnecessary for +communication. Denbigh could only conclude that one of the attacking +craft was ordering the boats to return. + +"I say, old man," whispered O'Hara. "It's not going to be long-range +gunnery. I believe they're sending a couple of destroyers in. If so, +they're going to try a torpedo on the _Pelikan_." + +Before Denbigh could reply a faint gleam played upon the rock-strewn +beach. Lying at full length in the coarse grass on the top of the +cliffs, which were here only about ten feet in height, the chums waited +and watched. + +Coming towards them was a big-built man in the uniform of a German +officer. At intervals he flashed a torch upon the ground to guide his +footsteps. Behind him came a soldier with his rifle slung across his +back, and carrying a heavy valise. + +"Von Eckenstein," whispered Denbigh, recognizing the bullying Prussian +by his voice. "And with an electric torch, too. We'll bag those +fellows, Pat. No, not that pistol, you chump. We'll jump on 'em." + +Cautiously the two subs crouched ready to spring. Denbigh, grasping a +stout stick that he had found in the place of the one broken by the +ape, signed to his companion to use his powerful fists and tackle the +major's servant. + +Unsuspectingly von Eckenstein passed by. Just as he flashed the torch +Denbigh leapt. Before his feet touched the sand his stick descended +heavily upon the German's head. His sun-helmet was insufficient to +save him. Without a groan the major dropped. + +O'Hara had been equally successful in his share of the attack. Taking +Denbigh literally, he had alighted fairly on the German soldier's head. + +"I've killed him!" exclaimed the Irishman. + +"'Fraid so," agreed Denbigh. "But it's war, you know. Be sharp, drag +them into the bushes. Our dear friend the major won't recover his +senses in a hurry." + +Taking possession of the torch Denbigh scaled the cliff and made his +way through the mangroves until he was nearly twenty yards from the +edge of the wood. From this point he could see the masthead light of +the destroyer--for destroyer he felt sure it must be. He could now +flash the torch with little risk of the glare being spotted from either +the _Pelikan_ or the masked battery. + +He "called up", at first without meeting with success, but at length a +steady white light gleamed from the offing. It was not from the +destroyer that had been using her masthead light, but from one farther +out to sea. + +Rapidly Denbigh flashed the warning message:-- + +"_Pelikan_ disguised, 400 yards to southward of searchlights. Masked +battery 400 yards to northward of searchlights. Useless to attempt +torpedo." + +The white light vanished. With his nerves tingling with anxiety the +sub waited. + +Then through the darkness the destroyer's signalling lamp spelt out the +single word: + +"R-A-T-S." + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +A Neglected Warning + +"Idiot!" snapped Denbigh under his breath. "Some irresponsible +signalman acting the goat." + +"Perhaps they think that our signal is a faked message coming from the +enemy," suggested O'Hara. "Try them again: add your name and rank." + +Denbigh repeated the message, making the additions his companion had +proposed; but there was no reply--not even a facetious one. + +The signalman of the destroyer was engaged in taking down another +message from the shore, for the Germans, seeing the word 'rats' flashed +from an enemy ship, came to the conclusion that it was a personal +affront to themselves. Consequently the searchlights had been +temporarily shut off and a signalling lamp brought into play to frame a +fitting reply to the Englishmen's single-worded challenge. + +"We must make a move," announced Denbigh, disappointed at his warning +being ignored. "It will be daylight before we get back, if we don't +hurry. I'd like to stop and watch the scrap, but we can't wait. They +may not attack until close on dawn." + +Already possessed of the German soldier's rifle, bayonet and +ammunition, Denbigh led the way from the shore. As the subs crossed +the path along which the telegraph line had been laid, Denbigh severed +the copper wire in two places, making the cuts quite fifty feet from +each other. The separated part he removed, rolling it into a small +coil. + +"They'll have a bit of a bother to find that, I fancy," he remarked. +"Unless they bring a spare length with them that telephone will be +useless for the next couple of hours." + +"They'll know it has been deliberately cut, though," added the +Irishman. "If we had wrenched the wire apart they might have thought +that some animal had barged into it. There'll be some strafing over +it." + +As he spoke the air was rent by a terrific detonation, followed almost +immediately by the bark of numerous quick-firers. The attack had +commenced. + +Without a word both officers turned and raced recklessly towards the +shore. + +As Denbigh had foreseen, two British destroyers took part in the +attempt to settle the _Pelikan_. Deceived by the position of the +searchlight on shore both boats headed towards the glare like moths to +a lighted candle. + +At a distance of five hundred yards from the edge of the lagoon the +leading boat ported helm and let fly a couple of torpedoes from her +midship deck-tubes. Straight as arrows sped the two deadly missiles, +but instead of striking the hull of the _Pelikan_ they exploded +simultaneously against the rocks. + +Instantly the guns on the raider and those in the masked battery on +shore opened a furious fire. The leading destroyer, caught by the +tornado of shell, was hulled again and again. With her funnels riddled +like sieves, her deck gear swept away, and in a sinking condition, she +turned for the open sea. Failing in that object her +lieutenant-commander ran her aground on the outer reef just as she was +on the point of foundering. + +The second destroyer, blinded by the glare of the searchlights, and +finding that she was the target for two distinct batteries, neither of +which was in the spot where the _Pelikan_ was supposed to be, turned +about, screening her movements with smoke from her funnels. + +Slowing down outside the lagoon she picked up the survivors from her +consort and steamed out to sea. + +From the Germans' point of view it was a victory: the British, +undaunted by the loss of one of their boats, preferred to call it a +"reconnaissance in force", with the object of compelling the enemy to +unmask his batteries. The main attack would be made by long-range +gunnery, and to that end the three monitors, then lying in Zanzibar +Harbour, were ordered to make for the mouth of the Mohoro River. + +Denbigh and O'Hara, having the mortification of seeing the destroyers +repulsed with loss--the action was over in five minutes--again set out +on their return journey. + +In spite of the aid afforded by the compass the subs found, on emerging +from the forest, that they were a long way out of their reckoning. +They had hit the banks of the Mohoro River right enough, but either a +considerable distance above or below the spot where the _Myra_ lay +moored. + +The mists had rolled away. It was now very dark, yet had the tramp +been anywhere in the vicinity the subs would have been able to discern +her. There were ominous sounds: those of huge creatures wading over +the mud-flats. Hippopotami and crocodiles were emerging from the river. + +"Up or down?" asked O'Hara. + +"Neither, by this bank," replied Denbigh, gripping his rifle. "It +doesn't sound healthy. We'll cut inland a bit and try our luck +up-stream." + +"Why up-stream?" asked the Irishman. + +"Because I think I've tumbled to it," answered his chum. "I've been +carrying this rifle on my left shoulder for the greater part of the +last hour. I have also been holding the compass within a few inches of +the steel barrel. It was a silly thing to do, I admit, but I didn't +think of it at the time. Consequently the needle deviated and threw us +out of our course. We've gone more to the left of our outward track, +and that brings us down stream." + +"It's getting light, I believe," remarked O'Hara after a ten-minutes +detour. + +"Yes," replied Denbigh. "It's the false dawn. It will get pitch-dark +for a little while before the real daybreak. Push on. This light will +serve us a good turn." + +Once more the adventurous twain gained the river bank. This time their +efforts met with success, for showing clearly in the half-light of the +false dawn was the _Myra_. + +"Nearly slack water," announced Denbigh. "We're in luck. Keep under +cover in case the watch are feeling particularly energetic." + +While awaiting the return of darkness, Denbigh retrieved the +handkerchief he had left as a mark, and wrapping it round the breech of +the captured rifle, buried the weapon in the soft earth. It might, he +argued, come in handy within the next few days. Beyond that time the +rifle would be rapidly attacked by rust, for on the East Coast of +Africa the action of corrosion is almost as quick as in the moist air +of the Gold Coast. + +He was dubious concerning the bayonet. It had a much larger blade than +the British article, and its back was furnished with a formidable +double row of teeth to within six inches of the point. With it a man +might fell a fairly large-size tree in an hour. + +"Pity to waste it," declared Denbigh. "Only it's too long to hide +under my clothes without great risk of its being spotted. On the other +hand, it may come in jolly useful." + +"Break it in two," suggested his chum. "Even four inches of the blade +might be handy." + +Wrapping his coat round the end of the blade in order to protect his +hands, the sub brought the flat of the steel smartly against his knee. +To his disgust the bayonet did not snap, as he fully expected it to do. +It bent, and instead of flying back when the pressure was released it +remained bent. + +"Good old Solingen steel!" exclaimed Denbigh disgustedly. "Same rotten +stuff that our cutlass-bayonets were made of in the '85 Soudan +campaign." + +All efforts to break the bayonet failed. The metal was so non-elastic +that the sub gave up the attempt and hurled it into the mud. + +"Time!" he exclaimed. "It's getting dark again." + +The men stripped, and made their clothes into bundles as before. To +return to the _Myra_ with their garments shedding streams of turgid +water would never do, since they had no other clothes. + +"Ugh!" ejaculated O'Hara as his feet touched the loathsome slime. "I +can't say I'm hankering after a mud bath. Can't say I like the rotten +turnip-smelling water any better." + +"Dry up!" cautioned Denbigh under his breath. + +"Wish I could," retorted the irrepressible Irishman. "Sure I'm wet +altogether." + +They swam side by side, making use of the "dog-stroke", as there was +less risk of attracting attention by an involuntary splashing. + +It was a nerve-racking ordeal, for the darkness was now intense. +Hippopotami were noisy not so very far off; there was imminent danger +from crocodiles, that, floating like logs in the water, were +practically invisible until one was almost within arm's length of them. +But on top of these unpleasant possibilities, the haunting dread that +the rope ladder might have been removed was uppermost in Denbigh's mind. + +As the swimmers approached mid-stream, they found there was still a +strong current. It was indeed a hard struggle to make the ship. +Well-nigh exhausted, the two chums gained their goal. Thank heaven the +end of the ladder was still trailing in the water. + +For some minutes the subs contented themselves by hanging on to the +ropes and regaining their breath. Then Denbigh, assuring himself that +the key to the cabin was still hanging from a cord round his neck, +began to ascend. When his head was level with the bulwarks he peered +cautiously along the deck. He could see or hear no one. Had a sentry +been standing for'ard, it would have been possible to discern his +outlines against the gloom. He would have much rather seen the fellow +and made arrangements accordingly, than to be in ignorance of where the +sentry was, since it was unlikely that all the watch on deck were +skulking. + +Denbigh ascended another rung and waited again. This time he heard +voices speaking in low guttural tones. The watch were sheltering in +the fore-peak. + +Reassured on this point, the sub leapt lightly over the rail. As he +did so his bare feet came in contact with something soft. He had +pitched fairly upon a fat German, who, heedless of the risk of sleeping +in the open air, had coiled himself up under the lee of the bulwarks. + +The shock threw Denbigh to the deck. Quickly regaining his feet, he +saw the astonished German struggling to rise. Before he could do so +the sub dealt him a powerful left-hander. Missing the point of the +Teuton's chin, Denbigh's clenched fist struck him heavily on the nose. + +Thoroughly scared by the apparition of a stalwart black, the man took +to his heels. Yelling with fear, his cries for assistance were +rendered indistinguishable owing to the fact that he held both hands +pressed tightly over his nose, which was leaving a purple trail on the +deck. + +"Come on!" hissed Denbigh to his chum. + +O'Hara needed no second bidding. Clearing the bulwarks, he quickly cut +adrift the ladder and raced after Denbigh, who was making with all +possible dispatch for the companion. + +For a brief instant Denbigh fumbled with the key; then inserting it in +the lock he threw open the door. + +"Back again, Armstrong," he announced coolly, for now all immediate +danger was over. "Have you any clean water handy? We could both do +with a good wash." + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +Armstrong's Part + +Restraining his curiosity, the mate of the _Myra_ poured out some water +into a tin bowl, and handed Denbigh a small piece of yellow soap. + +"There'll be just time to scrub your figureheads," he remarked. +"You'll have to turn in pretty sharp, or you'll be bowled out. They're +getting a little bit excited on deck." + +Realizing that it would be as well to act on Armstrong's advice, the +subs, by dint of hard scrubbing and plenty of soap, succeeded in +removing the burnt cork from their faces, necks, and hands. This done +they donned their pyjamas and scrambled into their bunks, while the +mate obligingly unpacked their bundles and laid out the garments with +methodical precision. + +Armstrong was not far wrong in his surmise. The excitement on deck +bordered on a state of panic. Every man of the prize crew turned out. +Unter-leutnant Klick, having heard a muddled version of what had taken +place, ordered the man who had been jumped upon to state what he knew. + +The seaman, still shaken and frightened, could only affirm that he was +pacing the deck as conscientiously as a sentry should do, when the +black figure leapt upon him from behind and felled him. + +"From behind, say you?" repeated Unter-leutnant Klick. "How, then, +could you see that he was black?" + +"I must have spun round, sir, as I fell," replied the fellow. "I +distinctly remember seeing that he was black and without clothing. He +may be a native." + +"Where did he go after taking you unawares?" asked the prize-master of +the _Myra_. + +"Over the side, sir, I think. I believe I heard the splash." + +Kaspar Klick, however, had his suspicions. Not for one moment did he +imagine that anyone would be so utterly reckless as to attempt to swim +ashore and back again. The river, teeming with hippopotami and +crocodiles, offered too formidable an obstacle. On the other hand, the +mysterious assailant of the sentry might be one of several of the +English prisoners, intent upon recapturing the ship. Had the faithful +sentry been felled without uttering a sound, the plot may have +succeeded; but when the seaman made enough bellowing to awaken the +Seven Sleepers, the daring Englishmen probably thought better of it, +and had retired speedily and discreetly. + +Ordering half a dozen armed men to accompany him, Unter-leutnant Klick +went for'ard. Over the hatchway leading to the forehold, where the +_Myra's_ deck hands were under lock and key, he found a sentry on duty. +The man was most emphatic that no one had attempted to come on deck. +The state of the padlock proved that. + +Still dubious, the unter-leutnant descended the main hold. Making his +way over a pack of miscellaneous cargo, he came to the for'ard +bulkhead. A careful examination showed that no effort had been made to +cut through the partition separating the two holds. He could, +therefore, feel reassured that the original crew of the _Myra_ had not +attempted to put into execution a plot to recover the ship. + +"Perhaps it is those harebrained officers we took from the Japanese +liner," soliloquized Klick. "I'll go the rounds now I am about it, and +see if those fellows have been up to any tricks." + +Had the unter-leutnant gone aft as soon as he commenced his +investigations, he might have noticed the tell-tale prints of wet feet, +left by Denbigh and his chum as they scurried to the cabin. By this +time the marks had almost vanished. The slight traces of dampness that +remained were hardly noticeable in the gloom, for it was still dark, +and 'tween decks the lantern gave but a feeble glimmer. + +Klick inserted his key into the lock and threw open the door. The +cabin was in darkness, until one of his men flashed a lantern into it. +The unter-leutnant sniffed suspiciously. + +"Anyone awake?" he asked. + +"Yes," replied Armstrong. + +"You haf been a lamp burning," said Kaspar Klick accusingly. "It is +again der regulations." + +Armstrong's reply told the listening subs that he was "up to snuff". +The prize-master had sniffed the odour of burnt cork; but since he had +suggested that it was the smell of an extinguished oil-lamp, the mate +did not contradict. + +"Yes," he replied. "Mr. O'Hara hasn't been very well. I had to give +him some quinine, and a fellow must have a light to see that he is +giving the right dose." + +"Ach! Is dat so?" asked the unter-leutnant. "Now, tell me dis. Herr +O'Hara, did he go on deck since last hour ago?" + +"No," replied Armstrong with perfect truthfulness. "I am certain he +didn't. I'm a very light sleeper, and if he had moved I should have +heard. Besides, how could he get out without a key?" asked the mate +with well-feigned innocence. + +"I tell you dis----" began Klick; but before he could carry out his +intention a loud shout of "Wer da?" came from the deck, followed by an +unintelligible hail, coming from some distance down the river. + +Kaspar Klick waited no longer. Hurriedly he left the cabin, slamming +and locking the door, and rushed on deck. Aft, a sentry at the ready +was repeating his challenge. The first blush of the short tropical +dawn revealed the presence of a four-oared galley speeding up with the +tide. + +"We're from the _Pelikan_, sir," announced the petty officer in charge, +as the boat ran alongside. Without attempting to board the man +delivered his message. + +In spite of the closed dead-light Denbigh and his companions could hear +all the fellow was saying. + +"Herr Kapitan von Riesser sends his compliments," continued the +coxswain. "He is anxious to know whether any of the English prisoners +have escaped." + +"No, certainly not," replied Kaspar Klick with righteous indignation in +his voice, "our precautions are too elaborate to give the dogs a chance +of that. But why has Kapitan von Riesser sent you with that question?" + +"We've been in action, sir," declared the man. + +"We heard the firing," remarked Klick. "And the result?" + +"One English cruiser sunk, another driven on to the rocks," announced +the coxswain, allowing his imagination to kick over the traces. "There +were others. We would have captured or destroyed those, only----" + +"Only what?" asked the unter-leutnant sharply. + +"Someone cut our field telegraph. 'B' battery could not get in touch +with the observation officer and so the rest of the enemy escaped." + +"How do you know that the wire has been cut?" asked the unter-leutnant. +"It might have carried away." + +"A whole length of it has been removed, sir," reported the coxswain. + +"Then it was the natives. They'll steal anything in the metal line. +Kapitan von Riesser ought to have known that," replied Klick with +asperity. "We look after our prisoners here. None of them has the +faintest chance of getting out of the ship. Anything more to report?" + +"Only that Major von Eckenstein is missing. He left the observation +station to go to the _Pelikan's_ landing stage and never arrived. +Search parties were out when I left." + +Unter-leutnant Kaspar Klick made no audible comment. Inwardly he +rejoiced, after the manner of mean-minded men when they hear of +misfortune overtaking those they dislike; for there was no love lost +between the two representatives of the Kaiser's forces. + +"Very well; carry on back," he ordered. "You can reassure Kapitan von +Riesser on the points he mentioned." + +"There's something else, sir," reported the petty officer, producing a +linen envelope from under a cushion in the stern-sheets. "I had to +deliver this to you personally." + +The German officer took the envelope and went below to read its +contents. It was to the effect that the _Pelikan_ had been lightened +still more and that at high water she would attempt the bar. The +_Myra_ was to return down stream and stand by to render assistance if +necessary. + +Returning on deck the prize-master gave back to the coxswain the order, +to which was added a notation that it would be complied with, and +dismissed the boat. Then, grumbling at being turned out so early in +the morning, Kaspar Klick retired to his cabin. + +"Is that right about the sinking of one of our cruisers?" asked +Armstrong, when Denbigh had translated the gist of the conversation, +for in spite of the port-hole being closed every word had been audible. + +"Hardly," replied Denbigh. "The Germans have a funny habit of +magnifying the size and class of any and every vessel they sink. +Unfortunately they sent one of our destroyers to the bottom. By Jove! +doesn't this burnt cork take a lot of shifting?" + +The two subs were busily engaged in scrubbing off their sooty coats, to +make the rest of their bodies harmonize with their faces. Fresh water +being strictly limited and yellow soap microscopic in size their task +was not an easy one. + +"Well, if they attempt to bring the _Pelikan_ up the river," commented +the mate of the _Myra_, "I hope they'll pile her up on the bar. If +they succeed we'll have to try our hand. Don't I wish they'd let me +have charge of the wheel for five minutes. Now what do you think of +these? I call them champion." + +He held out the two dummy forelocks, which he had completed in the +absence of Denbigh and his chum. They had been coated with aluminium +paint, while to give them a worn appearance he had rubbed charcoal over +the paint. Only by actual handling, when the difference in weight +between the real and the spurious article could be detected, could the +deception be discovered. + +"Capital!" exclaimed O'Hara, suppressing a yawn. "Oh, dash it all! +This is the result of being out of bed when one ought to be enjoying +one's beauty sleep. I'm turning in again." + +"Also this child," added Denbigh; but before the chums could throw +themselves upon their bunks a bugle sounded. It was the signal that +another working day had begun, and that the prisoners had to turn out +and assist their captors. + +"Morning," was Captain Pennington's greeting as Denbigh and O'Hara came +on deck. Then, making sure that no German was within earshot, he +asked, "And what little game were _you_ up to last night?" + +"What do you mean?" asked Denbigh in surprise. + +"Like you I have a liking for fresh air," replied the skipper of the +captured tramp. "The Huns screwed down the dead-light to the +port-hole, but forgot to enquire if I had a spanner. They saved +themselves an unnecessary question, by the by, for I would not have +owned up to being in possession of a very serviceable one. So during +the night I opened the port-hole to get a breather. I was rather +surprised to find a rope-ladder dropped over the side, and still more +so to see two disreputable niggers, whom I recognized as you two, swarm +down and take a cold bath. Also I had the pleasure of seeing the same +dusky pair return, and had the intense satisfaction of hearing a German +bellow like a whipped child." + +"Then we weren't so smart as we imagined," observed O'Hara. "Fortunate +it was for us that you weren't a Hun." + +Before the subs could enlighten Captain Pennington as to the nature of +the mystery the unter-leutnant came up. + +"You vill haf to vork, kapitan," he said without further preliminaries. +"If you no keep your crew up to concert pitch trouble you vill haf. +You men vill vork vatch and vatch, see?" + +Captain Pennington merely nodded in reply. He realized that passivity +was desirable; on the other hand, having heard of Armstrong's little +plan, it would not do to show unwonted eagerness to assist in working +the ship. + +"Turn up der men," ordered Klick. + +"One minute," interposed Captain Pennington. "We are not at sea now. +My men have insufficient head-gear. It's risking sunstroke." + +The unter-leutnant considered the affair for a few minutes. Personally +he didn't care a rope's-end whether the strafed Englishmen had +sunstroke or not, until it occurred to him that a number of invalids +would hamper operations. Finally he gave orders for a number of solar +topees or sun-helmets to be issued to the British crew. + +It was eight o'clock in the morning when the _Myra_ weighed. Already +the sun was unpleasantly hot. There was no wind. Under the shade of +the mangroves the mists still held, while the black mud left uncovered +by the falling tide gave out a most noxious vapour. + +To Denbigh's satisfaction Armstrong had been sent for'ard to +superintend the weighing and catting on the anchor. The stern anchor +had already been hove short. + +Under the action of the steam winch the cable came home. Manoeuvred by +means of the twin screws the _Myra_ swung round in mid-stream, and as +the "hook" broke out from the muddy bottom the tramp forged slowly +ahead. + +Half a dozen British seamen were on the fo'c'sle together with three +Germans. The latter took good care to leave most of the work to the +prisoners, so that Armstrong had a clear opportunity to withdraw the +real forelocks from the anchors and replace them with the wooden ones. + +"That's all serene," he whispered to Denbigh as he came aft. "Now +there'll be trouble for the Deutschers." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +The Disaster to the _Myra_ + +Arriving at the entrance to the Mohoro River the _Myra_ made no attempt +to recross the inner bar. Nor did she anchor, contenting herself with +merely steaming ahead against the flood-tide at a slow speed that kept +her stationary with the shore. + +Just before high water the _Pelikan_ hove in sight from behind a +projecting tongue of land. She still retained her garb of palm trees. +The subs noticed that she had a decided list to starboard. This, +however, was not due to a leak but to the fact that her cargo had been +trimmed so as to throw her on her bilge and thus lighten her draught. + +Slowly she approached the bar, and promptly took ground. Gripped by +the strong tide the stern portion swung round, throwing her almost +broadside athwart the river. + +Great was the confusion on board. Half a dozen officers were shouting +simultaneously; men were rushing hither and thither, with no apparent +object, while with her engines reversed, her propellers were throwing +huge columns of mud and water. + +Before the officers realized the danger the starboard propeller had +shed its blades owing to their coming into contact with the bottom, +while the port propeller was stopped after two blades had been badly +buckled. + +Cautiously the lighter-draughted _Myra_ was backed astern until a +couple of stout hawsers were passed to her from the stranded vessel. + +Three times the tramp endeavoured without success to tow off the +_Pelikan_, but on each occasion the hawsers snapped. By this time it +was close on high water. + +Meanwhile the raider's crew were working like men possessed, throwing +overboard heavy gear that Kapitan von Riesser would have given +thousands of marks to retain. Military stores of the utmost importance +had to be ruthlessly sacrificed, unless the _Pelikan_ was to remain a +target for the guns of the British cruisers which were even now +supposed to be on their way from Zanzibar. + +On the fourth occasion a hawser was sent off to the _Myra_, while in +addition the pinnace was towed into midstream with a large anchor slung +underneath her keel. + +The anchor having been dropped, the cable was led to the _Pelikan's_ +steam capstan. Directly the chain took the strain the _Myra_ began to +tow, with the result that the luckless raider scraped heavily across +the bar into deep water. + +Kapitan von Riesser was delighted, in spite of the loss of stores and +gear. The damaged propellers mattered little, since the _Pelikan_ +would never again attempt to put to sea. The _Myra_ could tow her up +the Mohoro River until she was out of range of the British cruisers' +guns, and from that point the reinforcements for the German Field Force +could proceed to the Rhodesian border and attempt to check General +Smut's advance. + +Amongst the troops was Major von Eckenstein, who had been discovered +lying unconscious at the foot of the cliffs. He was badly battered +about the face, and severely hurt internally. When he came to he was +quite unable to account for his injuries. It was quite evident that +from a combatant point of view the arrogant major was out of the +running. + +As soon as the _Pelikan_ was in comparative safety the German troops +were re-embarked. The quick-firers which had been landed, and which +had served so good a purpose in repelling the British destroyers, were +brought round by steamboats and again hoisted on board the _Pelikan_. + +This done the _Myra_ took her big consort in tow, and against the now +strong ebb-tide slowly crawled up the turgid river. + +Before the tidal stream had turned the two vessels had passed the spot +where the tramp had anchored on the previous night. Without stopping +they proceeded up-stream, the _Pelikan_ keeping well under control by +means of her rudder and a supplementary steering device consisting of a +long spar towed astern to prevent the ship from yawing. + +"By Jove! there's trouble ahead," observed Denbigh, pointing to a sharp +bend in the river about a mile ahead. Here the tidal portion of the +stream extended nearly 500 yards from bank to bank, while the actual +channel was a bare fifth of that distance. On the starboard hand ran a +long tongue of mud, round which the stream swept with great violence. + +By this time a strong breeze had sprung up, blowing athwart the +channel. The absence of trees close to the bank increased the +difficulty, for there was no protection from the wind as it swept +against the lofty side of the slowly-moving _Pelikan_. + +Already the raider's semaphore was signalling to the _Myra_ to cast off +and anchor until the tide slackened. + +With a grim smile on his face Armstrong winked solemnly at the subs. +He said not a word, for several of the German seamen were standing by. + +"Let go!" ordered Unter-leutnant Klick, directly he saw that the +_Pelikan_ had dropped her anchor. + +Promptly the British seaman stationed at the compressor obeyed. The +bower anchor fell with a sullen splash. Fathom after fathom of chain +roared through the hawse-pipe. + +Klick raised his hand as a signal for the cable to be checked. The +_Myra_ was still making sternway and showed no decided tendency to +bring up. Another fifty fathoms of chain were paid out. Still the +tramp dropped astern. She was now within half a cable's length of the +_Pelikan_, which to prevent herself being in collision was obliged to +veer out her cable. + +"The anchor's not holding, sir!" shouted the German petty officer in +charge of the fo'c'sle party. + +"Then let go a second anchor," yelled Klick excitedly. "Make them look +sharp, or we'll be foul of the _Pelikan_." + +The unter-leutnant had no cause to complain of the lack of energy on +the part of the prisoners. With the utmost dispatch the second anchor +was let go. Before twenty fathoms, which alone ought to be sufficient +to bring the _Myra_ to a standstill, were paid out the whole of the +cable of the first anchor had been made use of. + +Suddenly a sullen roar was heard coming from down-stream. The Mohoro +River at certain intervals, especially at extraordinary spring-tides, +is subject to a bore. The bore is very erratic. Sometimes it is very +much in evidence, at other times it is hardly perceptible; but there +was no doubt that now it was of unusual magnitude. + +Nearer and nearer came the wall of solid water, maintaining an unbroken +wave towards the centre of the river. Close to the banks it broke +heavily. + +"Go full speed ahead or we'll be into you!" shouted Kapitan von Riesser +frantically. + +The _Myra's_ engine-room telegraph clanged. Either by accident or +design the British engineers were slow in replying. The tramp was only +just forging ahead when the bore swept under the _Pelikan's_ counter. + +Round swept the raider, her stern just missing the _Myra's_ taffrail. +Fortunately her cables held, but not so the tramp. + +With her engines going ahead and held tightly by the scope of her +anchor-chain--for the anchors themselves, thanks to their dummy +forelocks, were useless--the tramp headed uncontrollably towards the +port-hand bank. In the midst of the tumult of water as the bore broke +over her she struck and struck heavily. + +In an instant the doomed vessel fell over on her beam-ends. With an +appalling crash her funnels and masts went by the board. So sudden was +the catastrophe that a dozen German seamen were trapped down below. +Only by the narrowest margin did the British engine-room staff make +their escape. + +Of what occurred during the next few moments neither Denbigh nor O'Hara +had any clear recollection. They found themselves standing on the side +of the vessel. Captain Pennington, Armstrong, and Unter-leutnant Klick +were there, too. Up for'ard the British seamen and half a dozen of the +German prize crew were scrambling along the upturned sides, which were +by this time barely three feet above the surface of the raging stream. + +It was evident that the survivors had found only a very temporary place +of refuge. The force of the current sweeping past the ship was wearing +out a deep hole in the bed of the river, into which the _Myra_ was +slowly subsiding. To attempt to escape by swimming was almost an +impossibility, as the water surged and eddied past, forming a dangerous +whirlpool close to the stern of the vessel. + +"By Jove!" exclaimed Armstrong. "This is a proper wash-out. We've +done the trick properly this time." + +"Yes, it's more than we bargained for," added the Irishman. "I would +never have believed that a craft of this size would be swallowed up so +quickly." + +Meanwhile Denbigh could not help noticing the marked difference in the +demeanour of the British and German seamen, who by this time were up to +their knees in water, and were soon, unless help were forthcoming, to +be swept off their feet by the rush of the flood-tide. + +The Huns were shouting dolorously for aid; the _Myra's_ men were either +stoically silent or else inclined to indulge in grim jests at the +expense of the bellowing Teutons. + +Denbigh looked in the direction of the _Pelikan_. The crew were +engaged in lowering boats, and taking an extraordinarily long time +about it, owing to the pronounced list of the raider and also to the +fact that her decks were encumbered with her disguise of vegetation. + +Unter-leutnant Klick was trembling violently. He, of all the officers +taking refuge on the side of the tramp, had managed to procure a +life-belt. Even the contemptuous glances of the _Myra's_ skipper +failed to shame him. + +Presently the first of the _Pelikan's_ boats came tearing up-stream. +It required all the strength of the oarsmen to check her way. An +ironical cheer from the British seamen greeted her arrival. + +"Women and children first!" they yelled derisively as the +unter-leutnant and the surviving German seamen made a frantic rush for +the boat. + +Two of the Huns jumped short. Although good swimmers they were swirled +away like pieces of straw, until, drawn into the vortex of the +whirlpool, they disappeared. + +The second boat, backing towards the deadly whirlpool, awaited the +men's reappearance, but in vain. Then, attempting to run alongside the +wreck, the frail craft bumped heavily upon a submerged part of the +vessel and stove in a couple of planks. While two of the crew began to +bale, the boat was swept several hundred yards up the river, for the +remaining rowers were helpless against the flood. + +Meanwhile the first boat, having rescued the unter-leutnant and the +surviving German seamen, began to approach the wreck again; until +Klick, in an agony of terror lest she, too, would meet with disaster, +ordered the men to push off. + +A third boat--a whaler--came upon the scene. Acting with great caution +her coxswain brought her alongside and motioned to Denbigh and his +companions to leap. + +"Those men first," cried Captain Pennington, pointing to those of his +crew who were still maintaining a precarious hold. + +The coxswain understood and allowed his boat to drift down upon the +handful of seamen. Coolly the British crew scrambled into safety, and +the whaler, urged under the powerful strokes of the oarsmen, began to +make her way aft. + +Suddenly the almost submerged part on which Denbigh and his companions +were standing gave a sickening shudder and disappeared beneath the +surface. A swirl of water, surging with irresistible force, swept the +four officers off their feet. + +The next instant Denbigh found himself struggling for dear life in the +foaming yellow water of Mohoro River. In spite of his peril, he could +not help contrasting his involuntary bath with that of the previous +night. Then the water was warm, tranquil, and evil-smelling. Unseen +dangers assailed him on every hand. Now the same river was nothing +less than a broiling cauldron. + +With almost superhuman strength Denbigh struck out. Already he was +within the influence of the deadly whirlpool. Spinning round and round +he kept his face from the vortex, striving, but in vain, to overcome +the suction of the gigantic eddy. + +He could see no signs of his companions. Either they had already +disappeared, or else they had been thrown beyond the range of the +inverted cone that marked the position of the whirlpool. + +Even in danger of imminent death, the sub recalled an incident in the +Clarence Victualling Yard, several years ago. He had been taken by his +father to see the process of manufacturing ships' biscuits. In one +building he saw flour sliding down an inclined plane into a mixing +machine. Mingled with the flour were several large maggots, that gave +the name to the creek that forms the approach by water to the +Victualling Yard. Finding themselves disturbed, the insects tried to +wriggle back, but in vain. Down they slid till caught in the mixer, +finally to form part of the ingredients of ship's biscuits. + +"And I'm almost in the same boat as those weevils," thought Denbigh +grimly, as he completed a circle for the twentieth time. + +He was nearing the vortex. The spiral motion became quicker. An +irresistible force was dragging him down. + +Suddenly Denbigh threw up his arms. He was physically played out. +Like an arrow he shot into the pit in the centre of that mass of +whirling water. The blaze of the African sun gave place to intense +darkness. He held his breath, until his lungs seemed to be on the +point of bursting. + +As rapidly as he had gone down the sub was shot to the surface. Again +he was within the range of the whirlpool, for its centre, instead of +being stationary, was moving in an ellipse. + +Unable even to struggle, Denbigh was again sucked down. This time, +incapable of holding his breath, he swallowed a quantity of water. The +pressure on his chest was excruciating. Then torture gave place to a +strange calmness. On an instant, recollections of practically the +whole of his past life flashed across his mind. The mental pictures +faded away and all became blank. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +A Bid for Freedom + +When Denbigh opened his eyes he found himself in the now familiar cabin +on board the _Pelikan_. There were several people in the limited +space. He did not feel any interest in them. They irritated him. He +wanted to sleep. + +Gradually it dawned upon him that he had a narrow escape. Then he +remembered that O'Hara was with him when he was swept off the side of +the _Myra_. + +"You there, Pat?" he asked, half afraid to put the question in case his +chum was gone. + +"Sure," replied a deep voice from the opposite bunk. + +Denbigh attempted to sit up. He felt horribly sick. His head was +whirling. It reminded him very forcibly and unpleasantly of his spiral +flight around the vortex of the whirlpool. + +"Lie still, Mr. Denbigh," said Captain Pennington. "You'll be fit all +in good time." + +"All right," agreed the sub. He was not in a fit state to do +otherwise. "Where is the _Pelikan_ now?" + +The skipper of the _Myra_ lowered his voice. + +"Properly trapped. She cannot go another fifty yards up the river. +We've spoilt her little game." + +"Good business," murmured Denbigh, and turning on his side he fell +asleep. + +His escape was little short of miraculous. It was owing to the fact +that he wore his solar topee fastened by a strong "chin-stay". The +air-space between the double thickness of the sun-helmet possessed +sufficient buoyancy to bring him to the surface, after being twice +taken down by the whirlpool. + +A few minutes previous to the disaster, the bore had exhausted itself +at a point ten miles up the river, and the "rebound" had made itself +felt just at the time when Denbigh made his second involuntary dive. +The sudden slackening of the full force of the flood-tide had caused +the whirlpool to cease, with the result that the sub floated +unconscious on the surface of the river, when he was picked up by the +_Pelikan's_ whaler. O'Hara, Captain Pennington, and Armstrong had been +more fortunate, for they had been swept clear of the influence of the +eddy. + +The result of Armstrong's plot had rather exceeded his expectations. +The _Myra_ lay athwart the channel, with less than twelve feet of water +over her at high tide. Until the Mohoro River cut itself a new bed +round the submerged wreck--which might take twenty-four hours or as +many days--the _Pelikan_ would be unable to proceed. Even if the +obstruction did not exist, the raider was unable to proceed owing to +the loss of her propeller blades. + +The whole of the stores removed from the _Pelikan_ to the _Myra_, as +well as those originally in the tramp's holds, were hopelessly lost, +including the bulk of the ammunition and arms intended for the German +colonial troops. There were several hundred reservists still on board, +with no facilities for their transfer up-country. Even had there been +boats available for them all, the voyage up the Mohoro was fraught with +danger. + +On the other hand, to remain in the _Pelikan_ was to court disease and +famine, even should the raider escape detection by the British cruisers. + +Kapitan von Riesser's position was far from enviable. He soundly rated +Unter-leutnant Klick, who in turn tried to shift the blame upon the +British sailors for their dilatoriness in letting go the anchors. Von +Riesser had seen with his own eyes that the anchors had been let go +promptly. He could not, therefore, accuse the _Myra's_ original crew +of conspiracy, since he had no evidence. The prospect of capture, too, +made him treat the prisoners with far more consideration than he would +have done had his position been a secure one. + +The kapitan of the _Pelikan_ was not, however, going to "knuckle under" +without another effort. For the next three days all hands were kept +hard at work, in spite of the blazing sunshine by day and the miasmic +mists by night. + +The guns previously landed on the shores of the lagoon and afterwards +taken on board again were once more sent ashore, and placed in position +so as to command a wide stretch of river. The _Pelikan_, being now +moored fore and aft, had the remaining quick-firers mounted at the +stern, so as to cooperate with the shore batteries in sweeping the +approach by water. + +Two miles down-stream a steel-studded cable was thrown across from bank +to bank, and supported by barrels lashed in pairs at frequent +intervals. The obstruction ought to prevent the dash by armed +steamboats, even if unable to withstand the headlong charge of a +destroyer. + +The most formidable objects of defence were the two torpedo-tubes, +which were removed from the ship and placed in position on shore four +hundred yards below the chain boom. To enable the torpedoes to be +fired, light piers were thrown out from the banks into twelve feet of +water, the structure being hidden by boughs of trees and clumps of +reeds. On the high ground at the back of the torpedo station +searchlights were mounted. These were not to be used as a +precautionary measure, but only to be switched on when an attack was +visibly imminent. Von Riesser's principal aim was to remain hidden. +If his retreat were discovered then he would put up a fight, and +failing to win would surrender with a good conscience. + +Long before the three days had elapsed Denbigh had quite recovered from +the effects of his prolonged immersion. He had, with the rest of the +captured British officers, little opportunity of finding out the actual +steps that were being taken for defence. They knew that work was in +progress, but during the removal of the torpedo-tubes and guns they had +been sent below. + +One discovery Denbigh made, and that was through overhearing a chance +conversation between two German petty officers. It also accounted for +the seemingly purposeless reluctance to confine the prisoners in the +hold instead of attempting to chloroform them in their cabin. + +The _Pelikan_ was double-skinned, but the space between the double +bottoms was far greater than is usual in marine construction. It had +practically two hulls, one within the other, and in the intervening +space were stowed quantities of warlike stores. + +When the _Pelikan_ had been boarded by a British patrol officer the +deception escaped detection. Apparently the _Zwaan_ was a harmless +Dutch liner. The sub-lieutenant who acted as boarding-officer was not +sufficiently versed in the ways of the wily Teuton. An examination of +the hold revealed nothing suspicious, and the vessel was accordingly +released. + +Unfortunately for the Germans their plans had gone awry, for on +grounding on the outer bar the ship had strained several of her plates, +with the result that the space between the inner and the outer skin was +flooded. Not only were the stores spoilt, but, in order to lighten her +draught in addition to compensating for lost buoyancy, cargo more than +equivalent to that flooded had to be jettisoned. + +Having landed the quick-firers and torpedo-tubes, the crew of the +_Pelikan_ proceeded to increase the disguise of the ship. She was now +a regular floating palm forest. So thick was the foliage brought on +board and secured to the masts and upper works that sun-awnings were +unnecessary. Even an observer in a seaplane, unless he were prepared +for such a disguise, would fail to distinguish the raider in her garb +of verdure. + +"How do you feel for another jaunt ashore?" asked Denbigh. + +"I can't say I am particularly keen on another swim," replied O'Hara. +"Otherwise I've no objection to studying the fauna and flora of this +delectable land. But what's the object?" + +"It's about time we bade farewell to the _Pelikan_" replied Denbigh. +"It's four days since that little affair with the destroyers, and our +cruisers have apparently made no attempt to get even with von Riesser +and his motley crowd. I'm rather curious to know what's doing?" + +"I can't see how going ashore will help," objected the Irishman. + +"It will if we get to the mouth of the river. If the cruisers are in +the lagoon, well and good." + +"And if not?" + +"Then we'll have to exist as best we can till they do arrive." + +"H'm," muttered O'Hara. "And the other fellows--Pennington and +Armstrong?" + +"We'll ask them to join our merry throng," answered Denbigh. "The more +the better, once we get clear of the ship." + +That same afternoon the subs broached the matter to the master and mate +of the lost _Myra_. + +"I must cry off, thanks all the same," was Captain Pennington's reply. +"Happen what may my place is with my men. I have no objection to +Armstrong going with you, but I hope you have carefully weighed the +matter. If you miss being picked up by the boats of the squadron your +plight will be an unenviable one. The climate, the wild nature of the +coast, and the natives, who are certainly under German influence, are +all against you. Personally I think you stand a better chance by +remaining here and letting events take their course. The _Pelikan_ is +trapped. Capture or destruction is but a matter of time." + +"True," admitted Denbigh. "But these fellows evidently mean to put up +a stiff fight. They've been doing something down the river--probably +throwing up masked batteries. If we could manage to find out what they +are up to and can communicate the intelligence to our ships it would +help matters." + +"That's another consideration," said Captain Pennington. "In fact, +your duty lies that way." + +"Are you trying your luck with us, Armstrong?" asked O'Hara. + +"I'd be only too pleased to have a cut at it," replied the mate. +"Especially as Captain Pennington has no objections. How do you +propose to get clear of the ship? You can't swim ashore, because +there's nothing but slimy mud on the bank for some distance." + +"There's a punt made fast alongside the port quarter," said Denbigh. +"They don't hoist it on board at night, because it's there when we turn +in and in the same place when we come on deck in the morning. They +only use it during the day." + +"And there's a sentry right aft," objected Armstrong. "He'd spot us as +sure as daylight." + +"Look here," declared the sub. "If I succeed in getting her alongside +amidships will you be ready to swarm down and into her?" + +Armstrong nodded in assent. O'Hara also expressed his willingness to +attempt the enterprise. + +The Irishman still had his pistol. He had taken an early opportunity +of cleaning it after his immersion. The screw-driver had been lost in +the _Myra_, but by this time the lock furniture was easy to remove, a +coin doing duty for the hitherto indispensable tool. The three men +also contrived to reserve a small quantity of food and a glass bottle +filled with soda-water. + +Captain Pennington and Armstrong had been berthed in the same cabin as +the two subs. That facilitated matters, since the master of the _Myra_ +could cover his companions' tracks. + +"They'll make it pretty hot for me when they find you've cleared out," +he remarked. "I can stick that. I don't think they'll go to extreme +measures with me. If they do they'll be sorry for it later on." + +At the usual hour the officer-prisoners were ordered below. By ten +o'clock all was still. The crew of the raider were no longer working +by night. The bulk of the preparations completed they were given ample +opportunities for rest, since it was necessary to conserve their +energies for defence against the impending attack. + +On deck a strict watch was maintained, but the attention of the +sentries was mainly directed downstream, whence the sudden switching on +of the searchlights was to be the signal of the approach of the British +flotillas. + +It was not until two bells (1 a.m.) that the three officers stole from +their cabin. On deck all was in darkness. There was no moon. Every +light was extinguished. A mist obscured the glimmer of the stars. It +was one of those nights when it was really impossible to see one's hand +in front of one's face. + +Without interruption the three officers gained the shelter of one of +the boats slung inboard with davits. Here, eight feet above the deck, +they were in comparative safety. Groping in the stern-sheets Denbigh +found what he expected--a hand lead-line. + +Keeping the weighted end in the boat he dropped the coils overboard. +Caught by the swirling current the line trailed out astern. His next +task was to lower the boat's painter, which was to form a means of +getting down into the punt. + +Stealthily the sub lowered himself hand over hand until his feet +touched the water. + +"Good heavens, what a current!" he thought. "Well, if the lead-line +parts it will be an end to this little business. Here goes!" + +He slipped softly into the river, striking out against the current, and +at the same time allowing the rush of water to sweep him down across +the bows of the punt, which was about a hundred feet from the place +where he had descended. + +Suddenly something flicked across his head. It was the trailing +lead-line. Grasping it he allowed himself to be carried past the side +of the ship until he came within reach of the punt, which was made fast +to the lizard of one of the swinging booms. + +Still retaining the line Denbigh clambered over the stern. The punt +was yawing in the tideway. He could see that it would be impossible to +haul it against the stream unless he kept well off. + +He groped for'ard. In the bluff stem he found a metal ring-bolt. +Through this he passed the lead-line, making fast to another ring-bolt +in the transom. + +So far so good. His next step was to cut adrift the unwieldy little +craft. Released from the hold of the two ropes the punt swung away +from the ship's side, but showed little tendency to yaw. + +Slowly Denbigh began to haul in the lead-line. Foot by foot the punt +crept up-stream. Trimmed well by the stern she towed lightly, but the +securing line was none too strong. His journey to the place where he +had entered the water seemed interminable, but at length Denbigh felt +the trailing painter of the boat in the davits. + +He made fast. As he did so the punt swung in towards the ship's side, +her gunwale making a resounding sound as it came in contact with the +steel plating. + +He could hear men's footsteps approaching. Through the darkness he +heard a German sailor enquiring of his companion what the noise was. +The fellow expressed his opinion that it was merely a hippopotamus, and +the explanation being evidently satisfactory the men went aft once more. + +Grasping the painter Denbigh jerked it three times. It was the +prearranged signal for his comrades to rejoin him. Silently Armstrong +slid down the rope, followed by O'Hara. + +By this time they were growing accustomed to the darkness. Denbigh +could see the white uniforms of his companions. He wondered whether +they would be spotted once the punt drifted away from the ship's side. + +Just above his head was a cluster of palm branches, suspended in a line +from the rail. + +"I'll take the liberty of removing some of their floral decorations," +mused Denbigh. Then signing to his companions to lie down he covered +them with the broad leaves, cut the log-line, and allowed the punt to +drift at the mercy of the strong ebb-tide. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +Disappointment + +"Any oars on board?" asked O'Hara, after the frail craft had drifted a +few hundred yards down the river. + +"Not a suspicion of one," replied Armstrong. "And the bore will be due +in about an hour." + +"Hands, lads!" exclaimed Denbigh cheerily. "Let us imagine we're +taking part in a Fleet regatta." + +Leaning over the sides the men paddled with their hands, steering a +course obliquely with the left bank of the river. + +Once the punt tilted alarmingly as a dark heavy body rasped underneath. +The denizens of the river were in evidence. The officers prudently +suspended operations until the unwelcome intruder had disappeared. + +"Hulloa, what's that?" whispered the Irishman. "Hippos right across +the river." + +The punt was bearing down upon a line of dark objects that were +apparently forging ahead against the swift current. + +"Back starboard!" ordered Denbigh promptly. + +The punt, checked by the resistance of O'Hara's palms in the water, +swung sideways. As it did so Denbigh gathered up the slack of the +severed lead-line that still remained on board. + +Retaining the ends he threw the bight across one of the black objects, +at the same time lying at full length on the bottom of the boat. With +a jerk that wellnigh capsized the crank craft the punt's way was +checked. + +"Your hippos are barrels, old man!" he exclaimed. + +"Mines, perhaps," suggested Armstrong. "Be careful, for goodness sake." + +"Not mines," declared Denbigh. "They wouldn't be floating on the +surface. But it's some infernal contrivance. Haul closer and we'll +investigate." + +Warding off the gunwale from the plunging barrel Denbigh dipped his arm +into the water. His hand came in contact with a heavy chain eighteen +inches beneath the surface. + +"A boom!" he announced. "By Jove! If we had a slab of gun-cotton +handy." + +"Hist!" exclaimed O'Hara warningly. "I can hear voices." + +"It's time for us to go," whispered Armstrong. + +Denbigh cast off. The barrel appeared to leap away from them, as the +punt was swept down-stream. + +"Not much use attempting to land at this point," said Armstrong. + +"I don't know so much about that," rejoined Denbigh. "Personally I'm +rather anxious to see what these fellows are doing ashore. Keep her +going, Pat. We'll strike the bank in less than half a mile." + +Paddling in silence the men pursued their tedious course athwart the +current until a dull roar was borne to their ears. + +"The bore!" exclaimed Armstrong. + +"It will be quite ten minutes before it reaches us," replied Denbigh. +"Stick to it, lads!" + +The amphibians, with the keen instinct that nature bestowed upon them, +also were aware of the approach of the foaming mass of water, for the +centre of the river was literally alive with hippopotami and saurians +that had not gone ashore for a nocturnal ramble. The crocodiles on the +mud-flats were either making for deep water or else crawling higher up +the banks out of the rush of the irresistible bore. + +"Aground!" exclaimed Denbigh as the punt's bows touched the mud. +"Check her from swinging round." + +Armstrong promptly jumped overboard, to sink above his knees in the +soft mud. Only by holding on to the gunwale was he able to keep +himself from sinking still deeper. + +"We can't land here," he announced. "We'll be in up to our necks." + +"Must," declared Denbigh laconically, raising his voice to enable it to +be heard above the now loud roar of the approaching bore. + +Seizing the lead-line and bending one end round his waist Denbigh leapt +overboard, threw himself at full length upon the mud, and working with +his hands drew himself laboriously over the slimy surface. It was +horribly exhausting work, but to his intense satisfaction he found +himself making visible progress without sinking beyond a few inches in +the ooze. + +Ahead he could discern the dark outlines of the mangrove forest. It +seemed an interminable distance away. + +Presently his hand came in contact with the trunk of a tree, that had +fallen and had been partly embedded in the mud. It afforded a +precarious foothold, but proceeding carefully, Denbigh found that the +farther end rested in comparatively firm soil. + +Planting his feet against the trunk, the sub hauled at the lead-line +with all his might. The flat-bottomed punt glided easily over the +slime until its bows were within a yard of the fallen tree. Then, +unexpectedly, the rope that had rendered such good service parted like +pack-thread. + +Denbigh, losing his balance, fell prostrate on the ground, which was +here soft enough to break his fall but sufficiently stiff to prevent +him from being swallowed up in the mud. + +Quickly O'Hara and Armstrong jumped, and grasping their fallen comrade +hauled him to his feet. They had barely time to gain the firm bank +when the bore thundered past, sweeping the punt away like a straw. +They had a momentary glimpse of its bows rearing high in the air on the +crest of the foaming, breaking wall of water, then it vanished out of +sight. + +"Phew!" exclaimed Armstrong. "That was a narrow squeak." + +"I'm in a horrible mess," announced Denbigh. "The mud of Portsmouth +Harbour is eau de Cologne compared with this filthy slime." + +"Good heavens, man! you're shivering," declared O'Hara. "That won't +do. Here, take my coat. I don't want it. I insist." + +Waving aside Denbigh's objections the Irishman made him take off his +saturated garments, while the rest of the deficiency of the sub's +wardrobe was temporarily made good by making use of Armstrong's silk +scarf as a loin-cloth. The men realized that in the deadly African +climate dry clothing was of utmost importance. The sub's saturated and +mud-encaked garments were made up into a bundle to be washed and dried +at the first opportunity. + +"Now," said Denbigh, "I feel like a giant refreshed. We've plenty of +time, for it's no use getting to the coast before sunrise. If you +fellows like to wait here I'll go up along the banks and see what is at +the shore end of that chain." + +"It isn't going to be a one-man show," objected O'Hara. "We'll all +have a chip in. You lead, if you will, old man. I'll follow just far +enough behind to keep you in view. Armstrong, will you bring up the +rear?" + +In single file and extended order the three officers made their way +towards their objective. Keeping just below high-water mark they found +the ground easy to walk upon, and, with one exception, free from the +presence of crocodiles. + +One huge brute barred their path, but on Denbigh hurling a heavy stick +in its direction, the saurian turned and waddled towards the water. + +Noiselessly, for the soft ground effectually deadened the sound of +their footsteps, the daring explorers advanced. + +Suddenly a hoarse voice broke the silence with a guttural "Wer da?" + +Without a moment's hesitation Denbigh dropped gently to the ground. +His companions followed his example, holding their breath in momentary +expectation of hearing a bullet whizzing over their heads. + +"It's all right, Schlutze," replied a voice. "The leutnant sent me to +bring some more hands down. There's a boat broken adrift. She's +grinding against the end of the torpedo-station pier." + +"What boat?" asked the sentry, recovering his rifle. + +"I do not know. It's empty." + +"Not an English boat?" asked the man anxiously. + +"When the English do venture they will attempt the attack with +something bigger, my friend. The bigger the better, for they will +never be able to pass here, with our excellent torpedo-tubes trained +across the river. But I must be moving. Herr leutnant is in a great +hurry. He does not want his piers damaged." + +Denbigh remained lying on the ground. He waited until half a dozen +Germans passed within twenty yards of him. He could hear their heavy +boots clattering on the planks of the foliage-screened pier, although +the structure was invisible from where he lay. + +Finding that it would be too risky a business to attempt to pass the +sentry, Denbigh crawled back to O'Hara, and by signs indicated that he +was going into the forest. The three comrades, keeping close together, +turned their backs upon the river and were soon swallowed up in the +dense foliage. + +Maintaining his direction by means of his spirit-compass, Denbigh held +on until he came upon a clearing. Here the ground was furrowed with +deep ruts. They had evidently been caused by the recent passage of +heavy objects drawn upon rough sleighs. The dew-steeped ground bore +the impress of many booted feet as well as, to a lesser extent, those +of natives. + +"They've been lugging up the quick-firers," mentally commented Denbigh. +"I wonder where they've hidden them? Wish to goodness they hadn't +employed niggers. I don't mind getting on the track of a Hun, but the +blacks have an awkward trick of turning the tables upon a fellow when +it comes to following a spoor." + +He waited, revolving in his mind the problem that confronted him. His +companions stood motionless and silent. They, too, realized that +danger lurked in the dense bush. + +Again Denbigh consulted his compass. The track on his left hand lay in +a north-westerly direction. Assuming that it ran fairly straight, it +would open out at the river banks in the vicinity of the temporary +piers. In the other direction it showed a tendency to curve to the +north-east. + +"I'll try the right-hand track," decided the sub. "I suppose it will +be out of the question to get those two obstinate fellows to remain +here." + +He put the proposal in dumb show, but both O'Hara and Armstrong +vigorously protested against being left behind. + +The three officers again took shelter in the bush, keeping close and +parallel to the beaten track. Twenty minutes' steady progress brought +them to the edge of a large clearing. By the compass their direction +was now due west, showing that they had described a large semicircle. +They were now not far from the river. They could hear the swirl of the +flood-tide. Towards the centre of the clearing were several indistinct +objects that looked like gun-emplacements. Through the darkness came +the sound of men's voices. A dog yelped, and was instantly told to be +silent. + +"This is no place for us," thought Denbigh. "Much as I should like to +see what is over there, I think we'll shift. I'll try and see how this +clearing bears for the river." + +Fifty yards farther on progress was barred by a line of young trees. +Groping, the sub attempted to find a gap, but to his surprise the stem +he grasped gave way. It was merely the top of a palm tree lopped off +and forced into the ground. The whole row was merely a screen to mask +the guns from the river. + +As the sub scrambled through the gap his foot tripped against a +concealed wire, and a spurt of red flame stabbed the darkness +accompanied by the sharp crack of a rifle. + +Resisting the impulse to take to their heels the three officers backed +cautiously into the forest. Already numbers of men were hurrying to +the spot. Lights flashed upon the scene, revealing the presence of two +searchlight projectors set up on platforms almost above the heads of +the British fugitives. + +In the confusion, for the German officers and men were shouting and +aimlessly running hither and thither, Denbigh and his companions +withdrew, until they found themselves at the place where a couple of +hours previously they had landed from the punt. + +"Full speed ahead!" exclaimed Denbigh. "It will be dawn by the time we +reach the shore of the lagoon. I think we've seen enough to enable us +to locate the enemy's shore defences." + +"Through the forest, or by the river?" asked O'Hara. + +"Both," replied his chum. "Two miles farther down-stream is the spot +where we landed from the _Myra_. I can recognize it. You remember +what we buried there?" + +"Rather," replied the Irishman. "The rifle and the ammunition we took +from von Eckenstein's man." + +"It will come in jolly handy if we fall foul of more wild animals," +continued Denbigh. "When we've recovered the rifle we'll follow the +same track as we did previously. Let's hope we'll be in time to warn +our cruisers, for from all appearances von Riesser hasn't played +himself out just yet." + +"You're taking into consideration the possibility that the Germans have +left an observation post at the entrance to the river?" asked Armstrong. + +"Rather," replied Denbigh. "Even if they hadn't posted a guard they'll +have made arrangements with the natives to give them the tip. Best leg +forward, lads. If we fail to see the White Ensign before another six +hours have passed I shall be horribly disappointed." + +In spite of Denbigh's assurances the men had great difficulty in +locating the spot where the rifle and ammunition had been hidden. The +lack of moonlight altered the appearance of the river completely. +Landmarks and bearings were useless in the darkness; but at length the +weapon was recovered little the worse for its experience. Having +cleaned the dirt from the muzzle, the breech-mechanism having been +protected when it was buried, O'Hara took possession of the rifle and +the journey was resumed. + +The short African dawn was breaking as the three officers reached the +low cliffs overlooking the lagoon. + +A grunt of disappointment burst from Denbigh's lips. The morning mists +had dispersed. The whole of the reef was plainly visible. The horizon +was unbroken by any object that could be recognized as a British +warship. + +Unaccountably the blockading squadron had disappeared. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +"Our Luck's Out" + +"That's done it!" ejaculated O'Hara. + +"Perhaps," admitted Denbigh. "We'll have some grub and discuss the +situation. It's good to sniff the open sea, after being cooped up in +that pestilential river. That's one consolation." + +The three chums ate sparingly, supplementing the provisions with the +milk of a coco-nut. The soda-water was by common consent kept intact. + +As soon as the sun's rays acquired strength Denbigh washed his +mud-encrusted clothes in the sea and spread them out to dry. + +"What's the programme?" asked Armstrong. "If we hang about here we +stand a chance of getting nabbed. Our flight will have been discovered +by this time, and they'll naturally conclude that we've made off +towards the mouth of the river." + +"Unless they conclude, from finding the punt jammed alongside the pier, +that we've been slung out and drowned," rejoined Denbigh. "But we'll +take no needless chances. We'll go north. Once we pass the clearing +where the native village stands the coast ought to be fairly clear, and +we can still command a view of the entrance to the lagoon." + +Without incident the three officers made their way for nearly three +miles along the coast. By this time the intense heat was making itself +felt, and at O'Hara's suggestion they retreated to the cool of the +forest, taking turns at keeping watch. + +During the afternoon a native canoe appeared round a projecting bluff. +The men had been fishing, for they brought a goodly haul on shore. +Dragging the frail craft above high-water mark the blacks vanished in +the direction of the village. + +O'Hara, who was keeping watch, astonished his companions by giving them +each a violent shake. + +"What's wrong?" asked Denbigh, awake and alert in an instant. + +"Nothing," replied the imperturbable Irishman. + +"Then why this thusness?" + +"Are you keen on a sea voyage?" + +"A sea voyage?" repeated Denbigh. + +"To Latham Island." + +"Do you propose swimming there?" asked Armstrong with considerable +asperity, for he had been disturbed in the midst of a much-needed sleep. + +"There's a canoe awaiting us," reported O'Hara. "The sea's calm. +To-night's the night. You told me that the _Pelikan's_ people left a +whaler and plenty of provisions and stores hidden on the island. With +luck we ought to be able to fetch there, resurrect the boat, and make a +dash for Zanzibar. We'd have the S.W. monsoon with us all the way, and +if we fell in with one of our ships so much the better." + +"Where's your precious discovery?" asked Denbigh. + +Accompanying his chum to the edge of the cliff O'Hara pointed out the +canoe. + +"H'm, not much of a craft to make a voyage to a sandbank twenty-three +miles from land," remarked Denbigh. + +"We can work inside the lagoon for several miles and then keep close +inshore until we reach Ras What's-its-name," continued O'Hara +optimistically. "I've seen these native canoes miles out to sea before +to-day. They seem pretty seaworthy." + +While daylight lasted the three chums rested, after taking the +precaution of gathering a supply of coco-nuts and roots. The subs eyed +the latter with misgivings, in spite of Armstrong's assurances that +they were both edible and nourishing. + +As soon as the sun had set behind the boundless mangrove forests the +daring trio made their way to the spot where the canoe was lying. The +craft was about twenty-four feet in length, but only four in beam. +With her half-dozen short paddles, a mast and sail, suitable only for +running before the wind, and a stone jar half-full of water. Owing to +the porosity of the earthenware the liquid was remarkably cool. A few +lengths of net completed the equipment, but these were considerately +left behind, since there was no need for unnecessary spoliation of the +natives, even though they were, perhaps unwillingly, subjects of Kaiser +Wilhelm II. + +The canoe was light enough to enable the three men to carry her down to +the water's edge. Without delay they pushed off and headed for the +reef. + +Here, on the lee side of the extensive coral ledge, they were in +comparative safety. The long line of foaming breakers thundering up +the reef afforded a guide to the position of the ledges; it deadened +all other sounds, and since no native boats would be likely to indulge +in night fishing, there was little risk of detection. + +"We have company, you see," remarked Armstrong, pointing to a +phosphorescent swirl less than twenty yards astern. The disturbance of +the placid water was caused by the dorsal fin of a huge shark, that, +scenting a possible prey, was zigzagging in the wake of the frail canoe. + +"'We do so want to lose you; and we think you ought to go'," misquoted +O'Hara, laying down his paddle and grasping his rifle. + +"Hold on!" cautioned the mate. "You'll not only bring up every shark +in the lagoon to make a meal of this beauty, but you'll arouse every +native within hearing distance. Don't fire unless the brute gets too +attentive; then use your pistol. It makes much less of a flash and +report." + +Hour after hour passed. The men took turns at paddling, since there +was not a breath of wind. The shark still kept doggedly in company. +As the canoe drew farther and farther away from the entrance to the +Mohoro River the miasmic mists gradually dispersed, until the three +officers found themselves under a bright starlit sky, and on the placid +surface of the lagoon there seemed one blaze of reflected brilliance. + +"It looks as if we are nearing the northern limit of the lagoon," +remarked Denbigh. "We'd better keep a sharp look-out for a passage +through the reef." + +"What if we don't find one?" asked Armstrong. "The last gap of any +size we passed quite three miles astern." + +"There's an opening of sorts," announced O'Hara, pointing to a dark +patch in the otherwise unbroken line of surf. "My word! I believe +there's a spanking breeze outside." + +"Steady there!" cautioned Denbigh, as the frail craft approached the +opening, through which long undulations sullenly rolled in from the +vast expanse of the Indian Ocean. "If we get capsized heaven help us. +Our old friend has brought up a few more of his pals." + +The sub was justified in advising caution. Half a dozen sharks were +close to the canoe. Emboldened by numbers, they swam around in +ever-decreasing circles, until one monster, braver than the rest, +rasped his skin along the side of the canoe. + +As the craft tilted O'Hara aimed a blow at the brute with his paddle. +With a swift movement of its powerful tail the shark disappeared, only +to rise again and resume its embarrassing attentions. + +"If those brutes' instinct isn't at fault there'll be a pretty +mess-up," thought Denbigh. "They evidently have seen native canoes +upset in the channel through the reef before to-day." + +"Think it's worth while risking it?" asked O'Hara. + +"No, I don't," replied his chum bluntly. + +"We must hang on till daybreak, then," said Armstrong. "At dead-low +water there may be a trifle less swell." + +"Yes," assented Denbigh. "We'll land on the lee side of the reef. +Gently with her; we don't want to be stove in against a sharp branch of +coral." + +Without accident the landing was accomplished. The adventurers found +themselves on a broad part of the reef that was barely three feet above +the surface. Seaweed and driftwood had already accumulated, showing +that the coral was now only occasionally invaded by the sea. Fifty +yards away the surf broke heavily, but fortunately they were out of +range of the falling spray. + +Almost in silence the three chums sat until the sun rose in a grey sky +above the horizon. Overhead a few large birds flew seaward--both +circumstances presaging a fine day. + +The tide had now fallen, and, although there were several feet of water +in the channel, a detached reef about a hundred yards from the main +coral ledge, which had uncovered as the tide fell, completely broke the +breakers for some distance on either side of its seaward end. + +"All aboard!" ordered Denbigh. "With luck we'll fetch Latham Island +well before sunset." + +Broad on the port bow rose Ras Kimbiji, which Denbigh recognized by a +peculiarly-rounded and isolated hill rising two miles beyond the point. + +From this cape, he knew, Latham Island bore 23 miles due east. + +"Step the mast, Pat!" he exclaimed. "The breeze is well in our favour. +One thing, we are not over-canvassed." + +Therein he was mistaken, for the small spread of sail was more than +sufficient to endanger the stability of the canoe. Since there were no +reef points recourse had to be made to a "Spanish reef", which consists +in gathering in a generous amount of one corner of the canvas and tying +it into a knot. Even then the little craft literally bounded over the +water. Before the S.W. monsoon Denbigh calculated her speed at seven +or eight knots. + +At the end of three hours the breeze increased, and the sail had to be +still further reduced. Not daring to stand upright, the sub's range of +vision was considerably limited. He was beginning to think that a +slight error in the compass course had taken them past the low-lying +and almost invisible sandbank for which they were steering. + +"Breakers ahead!" shouted Armstrong. + +For nearly five minutes the gaze of all three men was directed upon a +patch of white foam in the midst of the dark-blue waters. + +Then Denbigh broke the silence. + +"We can finish off that soda-water now," he said. "That's Latham +Island." + +They drained the bottle. There was now no need to husband their scanty +resources. Ahead lay the sandbank on which were hidden provisions in +plenty. + +"Down rag and out paddles!" ordered Denbigh. + +The sail was quickly stowed and the mast unshipped. Under paddles the +canoe was urged towards the lee side of the island, where a landing was +easily effected. + +Dragging the canoe above high-water mark the three chums, wellnigh +"baked" by the heat, sat down upon the hard ground. Shelter there was +none. The whole of the white surface simmered in the rays, both direct +and reflected, of the tropical sun. + +"Honestly I don't feel like work," remarked O'Hara. "It's too beastly +hot. Besides, we've anticipated our time-table considerably. The +sun's not crossed the meridian yet." + +"It's a toss-up whether we set to at once or wait. In any case we +stew," said Armstrong. "I vote we dig for an hour and knock off for +the early afternoon." + +"Yes," assented Denbigh. "That will, I think, be the better way. So +bestir yourself, Pat." + +"Where's the spot?" asked the mate. + +"Almost at the other end of the island," replied Denbigh. "I can +recognize it from the position of that jagged reef. Bring the paddles, +they'll make excellent sand scoops." + +Across the glistening sand they made their way until the three men came +simultaneously to a dead stop. + +Other diggers had preceded them, for where the whaler and the stores +had been hidden was a large, partly-silted-up cavity. + +The versatile Irishman was the first to break the silence. + +Throwing his paddle to the ground he ejaculated: + +"Dash it all! Our luck's out this time." + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +Adrift in the Indian Ocean + +"Wish to goodness we hadn't been so prodigal with our provisions," said +Denbigh as the three chums ruefully surveyed the excavation. "It will +be short commons, unless----" + +"Unless what?" asked Armstrong. + +"Unless the fellows who have forestalled us have omitted to remove all +the stuff." + +"It looks as if they've made a clean sweep of most of the gear and +burnt what they couldn't move. They've evidently poured petrol over +the place and set fire to it. Now, what was the object?" + +"Perhaps a landing-party from one of our ships destroyed the cache," +suggested O'Hara. + +"Possibly," replied his chum. "But, on the other hand, unlikely. It's +my opinion that some of the Germans, finding that the _Pelikan_ was +held up, have made a dash for the island. In that case it is +reasonable to suppose that they have fitted out the whaler, and are +either making tracks for some navigable river lower down the coast or +else they will attempt to capture the first tramp they fall in with." + +"Not much chance of escaping capture themselves," said Armstrong. + +"I don't know. Remember the case of the _Ayesha_ with the _Emden's_ +landing-party. They managed to fetch home all the way from the Cocos +Keeling Islands. These fellows, with luck, might reach Batavia and be +interned by the Dutch Colonial Government." + +"And here are we stranded on a desolate sandbank, with precious little +grub in the locker," remarked Armstrong. "There's one consolation. We +have a boat." + +"Of sorts," rejoined the Irishman. "Since she brought us here she +ought to take us back to the mainland, although it will be dead to +windward." + +"What's wrong with Zanzibar?" asked the mate. "It's only about fifty +miles to the nor'-west. We've a breeze slightly abaft the beam. +She'll do it all right, especially if we take some sand aboard as +ballast." + +"Right," assented O'Hara. "Let's make a start. It's a howling pity to +lose the breeze, and it's a jolly sight cooler on the water than on +this sun-baked sandbank." + +Quickly the new plan was put into operation. The canoe was launched, +and about three hundred-weights of sand thrown into her. On +re-embarking the crew found that their frail craft was considerably +"stiffer", and showed no great tendency to capsize when one of their +number stood upright. In her ballasted state more sail could be +carried, and, what was more, she could be steered a point closer to the +wind. + +All went well until about three in the afternoon, when, with +disconcerting suddenness, the wind died utterly away. The crisp, +crested waves subsided into a long, sullen, oily swell. The canoe, +without steerage way, floated idly upon the water. + +"Out paddles!" ordered Denbigh. "You and I, Pat, will take the first +trick. At every thousand strokes one man will be relieved. Ready?" + +Counting, the sub knew, was the only means at their disposal for +arriving at an equal division of labour. It also gave them a rough +indication of the progress made, since each stroke represented a +distance of two yards through the water. + +"See anything?" asked Denbigh at length. + +O'Hara, who was by this time at the steering paddle, stood up, and +shading his eyes looked ahead in the hope of seeing the friendly rising +ground of Zanzibar Island peeping above the horizon. + +"Nothing," was the reply, "except that there's a breeze coming." + +As the freshening wind swept down the men thankfully laid aside their +paddles and set up the mast and sail. For a few minutes the breeze +held true, then swiftly veering it blew dead ahead. + +Once more the sail was lowered and the paddles resumed. With the wind +dead in their teeth the work was trebly increased. + +Within half an hour it blew with considerable violence. + +"Force six, at least," declared Denbigh, referring to the Beaufort +Notation method of indicating the wind-pressure. "We're in for a +dusting." + +It was as much as they could do to keep the lightly made craft head to +wind. Armstrong was busily engaged in throwing overboard the sand +ballast. Drifting before the wind the canoe was in danger either of +being swamped or else carried out into the broad Indian Ocean. + +The men were already exhausted. The canoe was drifting rapidly in +spite of their strenuous efforts. Yet she climbed the crest wave with +an ease that gave them confidence. The loss of "ground", made good +only by hours of sheer hard work, was the circumstance that troubled +them most. + +"We'll rig a sea-anchor," said the mate. "Unfortunately we haven't any +weights to keep the sail up and down, but that can't be helped." + +Quickly the foot of the sail was bent to the mast, the sheets were bent +to the extremities of the spar by a span, and the halyard led from the +centre of the span to the bows of the canoe. + +Watching their opportunity the men heaved their clumsy sea-anchor +overboard and anxiously waited the result. + +To their intense satisfaction they found that directly the rope took +the strain the canoe floated head to wind without any assistance on the +part of the paddles. The crew were, therefore, able to rest, but with +the disquieting knowledge that every moment they were drifting farther +and farther away from their desired haven. + +The three officers were in good spirits notwithstanding the privations +they had undergone and were still experiencing. They realized that +this was part of the game. They had taken chances, and fate, in the +shape of a strong head wind, had been unkind to them. The idea of +mutual recriminations never occurred to them. Their adventure was of +the nature of a joint-stock concern. They had done their best, and +were ready to stand by each other till the end in whatever form it came. + +For some hours O'Hara and Armstrong dozed fitfully on the bottom of the +canoe, regardless of the spray that dashed over their recumbent forms. +Denbigh, crouched aft, kept an occasional look-out, while at intervals +he baled with half a coco-nut shell. + +The sea showed no signs of moderating. The prospect of spending a +night afloat in a mere cockle-shell became imminent. + +Just then the sub heard a faint cry. He looked in the direction from +whence the shout came, but could see nothing. He was about to put it +down to a freak of his imagination when the cry was repeated. + +Fifty yards or more to leeward was a man hanging on to an upturned boat. + +"Wake up, you fellows!" exclaimed Denbigh. "There's someone overboard." + +Seizing the paddles O'Hara and the mate checked the drift of the canoe +until its course would bring it close to the upturned craft. + +"Steady!" cautioned Denbigh. "As close as you can to her bows." + +His ready mind grasped the situation. Could he but effect a +communication with the waterlogged craft a double purpose might be +served. + +Down swept the canoe. As her quarter slipped past the boat Denbigh +leant over the side. With one hand he staved off the sharp stem, the +metal-bound edge of which would have crushed the side of the canoe like +an egg-shell. With the other he grasped the painter, which was +trailing from the bow ring-bolt. + +"Stand by and take a turn!" he shouted to the mate, throwing him the +slack of the rope. + +Promptly Armstrong, who was up for'ard, made the running part of the +painter fast to the rope of the sea-anchor. With a jerk the canoe +brought up fifty feet to leeward of the waterlogged boat. + +Here, sheltered by the latter, and with her drift apparently reduced, +the canoe was in relatively smooth water. The unfortunate seaman, +rallying his remaining energies, struck out. Almost exhausted, he was +on the point of sinking when Denbigh seized him by the hair. + +It was a difficult matter to get the man into the canoe. He was a +great hulking fellow. The safety of the three officers was gravely +endangered, but proceeding with the utmost caution they hoisted him +over the side. + +"Do you recognize him?" asked Denbigh. + +"Eh?" exclaimed his chum. "No; do you?" + +"Rather," replied the sub. "He's one of the _Pelikan's_ mob, and +yonder craft is the whaler I saw buried on Latham Island. I'm afraid +they haven't had much of a run for their money. But what's one man's +meat is another man's poison. The whaler may prove a godsend." + +"She will," rejoined Armstrong. "See, she acts as a perfect +breakwater. We must be almost stationary, owing to her drag in the +water." + +"Even more than that," added Denbigh. "I propose when the weather +moderates to have a shot at righting her. Since they provisioned her +we are bound to find some tinned food in her after locker, for I don't +suppose the whole lot of her gear was slung out when she capsized." + +The sole survivor of the whaler's party was not long in recovering +consciousness. His surprise at finding that his rescuers were the +British officers whom he had last seen as prisoners on board the +_Pelikan_ was almost ludicrous. Soon he became communicative, and +confirmed the sub's surmise that the whaler was bent on a minor raiding +expedition. + +The long night passed slowly. The last of the food supply had been +exhausted. A few coco-nuts, which being freshly gathered contained +liquid only, formed the sole sustenance of the four men. + +With the dawn the wind fell but the sea still ran high. Eagerly the +horizon was scanned, but nothing save a waste of tossing water met the +eye. + +"In another hour or so we'll be able to have a shot at righting the +whaler," said Denbigh. "By that time the sea will have subsided. If +you don't mind, you fellows, I'll have a caulk. I have more arrears to +make up than you have." + +Quite worn out Denbigh stretched himself on the bottom of the canoe and +dropped off into a sound sleep. It seemed to him that he had not +closed his eyes more than half a minute when the mate roused him. + +"What are those beacons on our starboard bow, do you think?" he asked. + +Denbigh was awake in an instant. Looking in the direction indicated he +saw three triangular objects at a distance of nearly three miles away. + +One glance was enough. + +"Pat, you chump!" he exclaimed. "Do you mean to tell me you don't know +what they are? And you must needs make Armstrong wake me out of my +beauty sleep." + +"Hanged if I can see hardly anything," announced the Irishman. "The +salt's bunged my eyes up completely. What about it, then?" + +"Those beacons, as you call them, Armstrong," replied Denbigh joyously, +"are the tripod masts of three of our monitors." + +"They are heading our way, then?" asked the mate. + +"Either that or they're stern on to us. The former most likely. Stand +by with the rifle. We must not let them miss us." + +In about half an hour the three warships had approached sufficiently +for their outlines to be discerned. They were moving at a slow +pace--barely five knots. All that was visible of each of the monitors +consisted of a low-lying hull of great beam, on which was placed a +turret mounting two gigantic guns. Abaft the turret was a small +superstructure, culminating in a bridge and chart-house. Immediately +behind the bridge rose a lofty tripod mast, its height being seemingly +out of all proportion to those conforming to the recognized +measurements of naval architecture. Perched above the junction of the +tripods was a large square structure whence the fire-control +arrangements were conducted, while a stumpy topmast completed the +incongruity. Abaft the mast was a single funnel. Two of the monitors +were evidently sister-ships. The third was of a much smaller tonnage, +although her armament was identical with that of her consorts. + +"They're passing to windward of us," declared Denbigh. "Give them a +couple of rounds." + +Armstrong raised the rifle and fired. Almost immediately following the +second shot a signal was run up from the leading monitor. Up fluttered +the answering pendant to the mast of the smaller vessel, which +immediately altered helm and bore down upon the canoe. + +Slowly the rescuing craft approached. Her superstructure was crowded +with interested spectators, while several of the crew, wading +knee-deep, made their way to the submerged side of the monitor and +stood by to pick up the derelicts. + +The operation required great care for the unwieldy craft was yawing +horribly. Being almost as broad in the beam as she was long, and +snub-nosed in addition, she steered badly. By good seamanship on the +part of her captain the monitor lost way at a distance of half a cable +from the canoe. + +"Cast off and out paddles!" ordered Denbigh. + +Five minutes later willing hands assisted the three British officers +and the German sailor to the ladder leading to the superstructure. + +With feelings of thankfulness Denbigh, mustering his remaining +energies, saluted the diminutive quarter-deck. It seemed almost +heavenly to be once more under the shadow of the White Ensign. As he +raised his hand to the brim of his weather-worn helmet a well-known +voice exclaimed: + +"Cheer oh! old man." + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +Von Eckenstein's Surprise + +The speaker was Charles Stirling, now lieutenant and Acting-commander +of H.M.S. _Crustacean_. + +Stirling had literally fallen on his feet after he had been rescued by +H.M.S. _Actæon_. Owing to his intimate knowledge of the East Coast of +Africa and the Mozambique Channel, and having more than a nodding +acquaintance with the troublesome raider now known to be in hiding in +the Mohoro River, he had been given temporary command of the smallest +of the three monitors sent from England to assist in the operations +against German East Africa. + +Notwithstanding his natural anxiety to learn how his former shipmates +came to be adrift in a canoe in the Indian Ocean, Stirling insisted on +Denbigh, O'Hara, and Armstrong being put into the sick-bay. All three +men were almost exhausted. Even Denbigh's indomitable spirit had +outworn his physical strength, while the Irishman was found to be +affected with partial indistinctness of vision owing to prolonged +exposure to the glare of the sun. + +"You take it easy," was Stirling's parting injunction. "I promise I'll +turn you out directly we sight the Mohoro Lagoon." + +Reassured, Denbigh and his comrades in peril capitulated. Eighteen +hours' solid sleep worked wonders, and although the Irishman was still +suffering from painful inflammation of the optic nerve, the three +officers had bathed, shaved, and changed into borrowed plumage before +breakfast-time on the following morning. + +After scraps of mutual experiences had been exchanged Stirling invited +his chums to the bridge. + +"The rummiest packet I ever set foot on," he admitted, "but she's a +clinker. We've as fine a pair of 14-inch guns as a fellow could wish +for. British made, too; they were manufactured in Canada. The old +_Crustacean_ does not belie her name. She has a decided tendency to +crawl crabwise, and she's as unhandy as a balsa-raft in a gale of wind." + +"Not very good points," remarked O'Hara. + +"But she has her qualifications, Pat. She's said to be +torpedo-proof----" + +"Do you want a practical test, old man?" asked Denbigh. + +"Um--no; that is, not particularly if it can be avoided. Why?" + +"Because there are a pair of 60-centimetre tubes waiting to have a slap +at you when you ascend the Mohoro River." + +"Steady, old man," protested Stirling with a hearty laugh. "The +river's not broad enough for the _Pelikan_ to be lying athwart the +stream. She must be quite twenty miles up the river." + +"Say ten and you'll be nearer the mark," declared Denbigh. "She's +trapped, and we have to thank Mr. Armstrong for doing the trick." + +"Good man!" exclaimed the young skipper of the _Crustacean_, bringing +his hand down upon the shoulder of the bashful mate of the _Myra_, +after Denbigh had related the circumstances in which the _Pelikan_ was +prevented from ascending farther up the river. "I'll have to inform +Holloway, our senior officer. He's under the same impression that I +was. But what did you say about those torpedo-tubes?" + +Concisely Denbigh explained the position and nature of the German shore +defences. + +"It strikes me pretty forcibly that you'll come in most handy," said +Stirling. "It's not the _Pelikan_ that is now our principal objective. +She, apparently, is done for, unless the river forms a fresh bed round +the hull of the sunken tramp. The batteries are our pigeon." + +"You were saying that the _Crustacean_ is practically torpedo-proof," +Denbigh reminded him. "In what way?" + +"She's of very shallow draught. Unless a torpedo were set to travel +only a few feet beneath the surface--in which case much of the bursting +power of the war-head would be wasted--the 'tin-fish' would pass +harmlessly under her bottom. If, however, a torpedo did explode, +there's a cellular space of more than twenty feet between the outer and +inner hulls. These compartments are stuffed with something. I can't +tell you because I don't know myself what the stuff is. All I know is +that it's fireproof and its specific gravity is approximately the same +as sea-water. Hence, in the event of a hole being blown in the shell +of the outer hull our stability will hardly be affected." + +At that moment a signalman approached and saluted. + +"Senior officer reports approach of sea-plane parent ship _Simplicita_, +sir." + +"Very good," replied Stirling, then addressing his companions he added, +"That's excellent. We are having a couple of sea-planes to spot for +us. The _Simplicita_, an old light cruiser, has been fitted out as a +floating base for aerial work. With luck they've managed to stow a +couple of 'planes on her." + +Before the _Simplicita_ joined the flotilla the senior ship hoisted +another signal. It ran: + +"Boat under sail four miles S.S.W. _Crustacean_ to proceed and +investigate." + +At her utmost speed, a bare six knots, the little monitor altered helm +and stood off in the indicated direction. The sea was now calm, and +there was hardly a breath of wind. + +At Stirling's suggestion Denbigh, O'Hara, and Armstrong ascended to the +fire-control platform. From this lofty perch a considerable expanse of +sea could be swept by the aid of powerful glasses. + +Away on the starboard hand could be discerned the faint outlines of the +African coast, almost hidden in a pale-blue haze. Astern, but on a +diverging course, were the monitors _Paradox_ and _Eureka_, the former +flying the broad pendant of the senior officer, Captain Holloway. +Ahead, a small patch of greyish-white canvas marked the position of the +boat to which the _Crustacean_ was proceeding. + +"That's not a Service rig," declared Denbigh, proffering his binoculars +to O'Hara. + +The Irishman waved them aside. + +"No, thanks, old man," said he. "I'll wait. I don't want to crock my +eyes any more than they are at present. I'll take your word for it +that she's not one of our boats." + +"She's a merchantman's cutter," asserted Armstrong. "I wouldn't mind +laying odds that she's one of the _Pelikan's_ boats making for Latham +Island." + +The mate was right, for on discovering the approach of the monitor the +cutter altered her course, lowering her canvas and resorting to her +oars in the vain hope that she had been unnoticed. + +Twenty minutes later, the difference in speed of the monitor and her +quarry being very small, Stirling ordered one of the four quick-firers +to be discharged. The projectile, falling within fifty yards of the +boat, had the desired result, for the men boated their oars and hoisted +a square of white cloth as a signal of surrender. + +"We seem fated to fall in with our friends the Huns," remarked Denbigh. +"Armstrong has scored a palpable hit; they are some of the _Pelikan's_ +crowd. I recognize that fellow with a bandaged head as Major von +Eckenstein." + +Most docilely the boat's crew came over the side. There were, in +addition to the major, a junior lieutenant of the _Pelikan_ and seven +seamen; the rest, to the number of about a dozen, were reservists +transhipped from the _San Matias_. The military section had discarded +their uniform and wore a motley collection of civilian garb. They were +unarmed, having thrown overboard their rifles and ammunition upon the +shot being fired to compel them to abandon flight. + +The unter-leutnant had previously rehearsed a most plausible story with +which to gull the Englishmen, but a look of comical dismay overspread +his features when he recognized the officers who a short while ago had +been prisoners on board the raider. + +At last he mustered up sufficient courage to demand, somewhat +haughtily, that he and his men should be accorded honourable treatment +as prisoners of war. + +"Certainly," replied Stirling blandly. "I am sorry that you should +imagine otherwise. But, of course, the fact that Major von Eckenstein +and his men have adopted civilian attire tends to put them on a +different footing." + +Von Eckenstein's face, or as much of it as was visible between the +swathed bandages, grew pale. He remembered the incident when he +slashed O'Hara across the face. Visions of reprisals rendered him +terror-stricken. + +"Forgive me, Herr O'Hara!" he almost shouted. + +The Irishman smiled affably. + +"Forgive?" he echoed. "There is nothing to forgive. You gave O'Hara a +cut across the face. It raised quite a small weal. Judging by the +state of your figurehead, I'm afraid my treatment of you on the shore +of the lagoon rather disturbed the balance of exchange." + +"You did this?" asked the major, dumbfounded at the information. +"Donnerwetter! I thought----" + +Sheer astonishment rendered him incapable of completing the sentence. +He could not understand why the British officer received him with +unperturbed courtesy. Evidently here was something adrift with the +Teutonic gospel of hate. + +"So you were making for Latham Island to resurrect the hidden stores?" +asked Denbigh, addressing the unter-leutnant. + +The young German officer was also completely taken aback. + +"Yes," he admitted. "But how came you to know that we had stores +buried there?" + +"That's a secret," replied the sub. "But I'll tell you this. You +would have found yourselves forestalled. Some of the _Pelikan's_ men +made a dash for the island, fitted out the whaler, and left the place +as bare as an empty house. They did not get far. The boat was +capsized and all on board perished, except one man, who is now a +prisoner on board this vessel." + +"Now, gentlemen," broke in Stirling briskly, addressing the major and +the unter-leutnant, "I must ask you to go below, but before doing so I +will take the liberty of examining the contents of Major von +Eckenstein's pockets." + +"Himmel!" gasped the major. "For why? According to the rights of +belligerents my personal property is not liable to be confiscated." + +"Your personal property--yes," replied Stirling. "Come, sir, no fuss, +if you please." + +Sullenly the German permitted a petty officer to remove the contents of +his pockets. There was an order-book, containing a few pencilled +memoranda; a pocket-book in which were papers seemingly of purely +personal interest; some notes on a South American bank. + +"Kindly remove your waistcoat," continued the inexorable Stirling. + +Von Eckenstein shrugged his shoulders. If black looks could kill, +Stirling was as good as booked to Davy Jones. + +"This is a needless indignity," almost howled the Hun. + +"On the contrary, a necessary precaution on our part," corrected the +skipper of the _Crustacean_. + +Sullenly von Eckenstein removed his waistcoat and threw it on the deck. +Deliberately opening a penknife Stirling ripped open the back and +removed an envelope of oiled silk. + +"Thank you," he said gravely. "That is all we require for the present, +Herr Major." + +Gathering up the rest of his possessions, the major followed his +companions in misfortune and disappeared below. + +"Confidential orders from Potsdam to the German Governor of the East +African Colony," announced Stirling. "Here, Denbigh, have a squint at +it and see if I'm not right." + +"How ever did you discover this?" asked O'Hara. + +"Intuition, my dear old sport," replied Stirling with a laugh. "You +told me about the cache on Latham Island. Also, you may remember +relating a conversation between this von Eckenstein and Kapitan von +Riesser, just before the stores were landed. Von Eckenstein +objected--why? Because he thought the hiding-place ought to be on the +mainland. He had a rooted objection to making a voyage in a smallboat. +Hence it was reasonable to suppose that the Latham Island depot was for +the major's particular benefit. The fact that he was forestalled has +nothing to do with the main case. The _Pelikan_ is in difficulties. +Direct communication with the rest of the German land forces is out of +the question. So the major is sent off to Latham Island with the +Imperial dispatches in his possession. Then the unter-leutnant's +instructions are to revictual and replenish stores, and take the major +to the mainland, most likely to the Rufigi River. There there is, I +believe, fairly easy communication with Tabora, the head-quarters of +the German Colonial forces. Seeing us approach, von Eckenstein ought +to have destroyed his paper, but he didn't--he trusted to his belief in +our natural stupidity. I wouldn't mind betting that now he's bemoaning +his fate and admitting that Englishmen are not the fools he supposed +them to be." + +Which was exactly what the battered and dejected von Eckenstein _was_ +doing. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +The Monitors in Action + +All that night the monitors lay, with lights out, off the outer bar of +the Mohoro Lagoon. A council of war had been held on board the +_Paradox_, when a fresh plan of action was drawn up. This was in +consequence of the information Denbigh, O'Hara, and Armstrong had +brought concerning the enemy's defences. + +"This chart is radically wrong," declared Denbigh, when a chart of that +part of the coast was shown to him. "The bend in which the _Pelikan_ +is lying is not shown. Apparently the topography is from an old +survey." + +"It is from the latest available information," remarked Captain +Holloway, loath to deprecate the work of the Hydrographic Department of +the Admiralty. + +"Available as far as the Germans would permit," corrected the sub +deferentially. "They've had full control here for years. I'm not +referring to the lagoon, but to the river. The depths, too, are +inaccurate." + +"I suppose you wouldn't object to a job to-morrow?" asked the senior +officer, after he had listened intently to Denbigh's explanations and +descriptions of the details of the Mohoro River. + +"Not in the least, sir," replied the sub promptly. + +"In a sea-plane?" + +"Just my mark, sir; but I've had no flying experience." + +"We would want you for registering duties," continued Captain Holloway. +"You will have a flight sub-lieutenant as pilot. With your knowledge +of the shore batteries and torpedo stations you will be able to render +further important service. Very good; I'll arrange for the sea-plane +to pick you up at dawn; that is, if it is not too misty. These +tropical mists play the deuce with aerial observations." + +It was arranged that the attack should open at seven on the following +morning. The _Crustacean_ was to lead the way over the inner bar, and +devote her attention to the torpedo station. The _Paradox_ was to +shell the batteries concealed in the mangrove forest, while the +_Eureka_ was to patrol the lagoon and to cut off any attempt at flight +on the part of the German troops, whose line of retreat would be pretty +certain to be along the coast, since the thick forests and marshes to +the westward made retirement to the hinterland almost a matter of +impossibility. + +Two hours before sunrise the crews of the monitors were called to +"action" stations. They had previously bathed and changed into clean +clothes, and had been given ample time to enjoy their breakfast. +Clearing ship for action took but little preparation, since the +monitors carried only what was necessary as floating batteries. + +At the hour specified a sea-plane taxied gracefully to within fifty +feet of the _Crustacean_. A boat was lowered from the monitor, and +into this Denbigh stepped, to the accompaniment of the somewhat +irrelevant remarks of his brother officers. + +"Fine mornin'," was the flight-sub's greeting, as nonchalantly as if he +were passing the time of day with a casual acquaintance. "Hop in. +You'll find a belt fixed to the back of your seat. There's the +wireless gear. See that lever on your left? That releases the +paying-out gear of the aerial. Don't pay out too smartly. Ready?" + +The blades glittered in the morning light as the propeller revolved and +rapidly increased the number of revolutions. Slowly at first, then +with accelerated movement, the sea-plane skimmed the placid surface of +the lagoon. Then, almost before Denbigh was aware of it, the machine +leaped upwards. The slight tilt of the seat was the only intimation +that the sea-plane had parted company with the water, until the sub +noticed the surface of the lagoon apparently receding with great +rapidity. + +Round and round spiralled the frail contrivance, tilting with an easy +swinging movement as it climbed. Already the monitors looked no larger +than toy boats upon an ornamental pond. The irregular ground on either +side of the river was merged into an expanse that betrayed no +indication of height. Far beneath him Denbigh could discern a +ribbon-like strip of silvery-grey. It was the Mohoro River. + +"Distance lends enchantment to the eye," thought the sub. "And it is +such a dirty river." + +He mused feelingly. In his imagination he sniffed the foetid odours +from the torrential yellow stream. He had a mental vision of a swim in +the dark, with hippos and crocodiles for company. The reeking +mud-flats, too, lay beneath him, their dismal and monotonous aspect +obliterated by the charm of altitude. + +Above the land the rapidly increasing strength of the morning sun was +causing great irregularities in the density of the air. The sea-plane +rolled violently. Twice she dropped through a sheer distance of a +couple of hundred feet, owing to "air pockets", but the pilot, with the +utmost unconcern, held her on her course. + +Presently he turned and bawled something. The rush of the wind made +his words unintelligible, but he pointed to the aerial release. +Denbigh understood, and depressing the lever allowed a hundred and +fifty feet of wire to be run off the reel. + +Leaning over the side of the fuselage the sub brought his glasses to +bear upon the waterway almost beneath him. He could distinguish the +fatal bend in the Mohoro River where the _Myra_ had turned turtle and +had been swallowed up in the shifting sand. He could even discern her +outlines as she lay on her side with ten feet of water swirling +overhead. + +Farther down-stream was something that looked exactly like an island +covered with luxurious vegetation. It was the _Pelikan_. The disguise +was really admirable. Had Denbigh not known of the means her crew had +taken to hide her he would never have detected her presence. + +But the _Pelikan's_ hour had not yet come. Until the shore batteries +and fortifications had been shelled out of existence she was to be left +severely alone. With the _Myra's_ crew confined on board the raider, +the British monitors dare not open fire upon her. + +Round circled the sea-plane, gliding down to within five hundred feet +of the summit of the mangroves. Everything seemed quiet beneath. The +whir of the propeller and the rush of air deadened all other sounds. +Here and there were clearings, like to one another as peas in a pod. +For the first time in his life Denbigh felt uncertain. + +Again he swept the river with his binoculars. Across the mud-flats, +for the tide was now almost on the last of the ebb, he spotted two +slender dark lines stretching towards the navigable channel. A little +way down was a series of small dark objects thrown athwart the stream. +They were the torpedo-piers and the barrels supporting the chain boom. +Almost abreast of them was the screened battery. + +At a sign from Denbigh the flight-sub trimmed the elevating planes. Up +climbed the machine till at an altitude of six thousand feet she was +visible from the distant monitors. Then she commenced to cut figures +of eight, while Denbigh began to call up the _Paradox_ by wireless. + +Having made certain that the monitor had gauged the required distance +the sea-plane volplaned to within a thousand feet of the ground. + +The receiving telephones fixed to Denbigh's ears began to emit faint +sounds that in Morse spelt out the words, "Stand by to register". + +Twenty seconds later a lurid flash, followed by a terrific cloud of +yellow and black smoke, leapt skywards from a spot in the mangroves. +In spite of her altitude the sea-plane rocked violently in the torn +air. For a moment Denbigh thought that the machine was plunging +helplessly to earth. + +The gentle tapping of the wireless receiver recalled him to a sense of +duty. + +"How's that?" spelt the dot-and-dash message. + +Where the shell had burst a dozen or more trees had been literally +pulverized. Others, their trunks lacerated by the explosion, had +toppled at various angles against those that had withstood the shock. +The "hit" was roughly two hundred yards beyond the screened battery. + +From beneath the foliage covering the emplacements men peeped +timorously. A dull-grey figure, bent almost double, was running for +shelter. It was one of the German sentries. + +"Right direction; two hundred yards over," wirelessed Denbigh. + +Another heavy projectile screamed on its way, passing some hundreds of +feet beneath the seaplane. It burst; but the sound like that of its +predecessor was inaudible to the pilot and observer. The action of the +detonating shells reminded Denbigh of an animated photograph, so +effectually and silently did the work of destruction appear. + +"A hundred yards short," registered the sub. + +"Then how's this?" was the rejoinder. + +Fairly in the centre of an emplacement fell the twelve-hundred-pound +shell. High above the mushroom cloud of smoke flew fragments of wood +and metal. When the dense vapour had drifted away in the sultry air it +was seen that the work of that gigantic missile was accomplished. + +A gaping hole fifty feet in diameter marked the place where the +carefully-screened quick-firers had been. + +Round the edge of the crater were smouldering sand-bags hurled in all +directions like small pebbles. The two guns, dismounted, were sticking +up at acute angles in the debris, their mountings shattered into +fragments of scrap-iron metal. + +There was no sign of life in the crater, nor in the partly uncovered +dug-outs in its vicinity, but from a neighbouring position poured +swarms of Germans, half-dazed and terrified by the explosion that had +shaken their subterranean retreat like a severe earthquake shock. + +The _Paradox_ had completed her particular job. + +Meanwhile a second sea-plane was registering for the _Crustacean_, her +guns being directed upon the piers on which the _Pelikan's_ +torpedo-tubes had been placed. + +Without once coming within sight of her objective the little monitor +effected her mission with two shots, blowing both torpedo-stations to +smithereens. + +Nor was the _Eureka_ less successful. A shell fired in front of the +crowd of demoralized Germans as they fled through the mangroves +literally roped them in. Panic-stricken they doubled back and +disappeared in the dug-outs close to the wrecked emplacements, and the +_Eureka_, having been accordingly informed, ceased firing. + +"Now for the _Pelikan_!" exclaimed Stirling, as the sea-plane, having +returned, put Denbigh on board the _Crustacean_. + +"It will be an affair of boats, I suppose," suggested O'Hara. "With +the flood-tide and on a dark night she ought to be captured with little +loss to the boarding-party." + +Two of the monitors were lying at anchor in the river. The _Eureka_, +having to watch the coast, steamed slowly up and down the lagoon, her +progress watched by hundreds of awe-stricken natives. + +The question of how to deal with the _Pelikan_ was under discussion, +for Captain Holloway had convened another council of war at eight bells +in the afternoon. + +The boats carried by the monitors were not fit for cutting-out work, +and although a certain means of destruction was at the command of the +senior officer, he was reluctant to put his terrible resources into +force on account of the presence of the _Myra's_ crew on board the +raider. + +While the discussion was in progress, the majority of officers +favouring a suggestion that the light cruisers should be brought up by +wireless, a steam launch was reported to be coming down the river. + +The launch bore a large white flag flying from a staff in the bows. In +her stern-sheets was Ober-leutnant von Langer. + +Received with naval honours, a guard being mounted on the quarter-deck +of the senior monitor, von Langer came over the side, and announced +himself as the representative of Kapitan von Riesser, of H.I.M. ship +_Pelikan_. + +"Well, sir?" asked Captain Holloway briefly. + +"I am here to discuss terms," said the ober-leutnant. + +"Which must be unconditional surrender of men and material," added the +skipper of the _Paradox_. + +"Excuse me," said von Langer. "But we are not yet beaten." + +"You are precious near it," said Captain Holloway. "Unless the German +Ensign is hauled down on board the _Pelikan_ within an hour I will open +fire." + +[Illustration: "UNLESS THE GERMAN ENSIGN IS HAULED DOWN ON BOARD THE +_PELIKAN_ WITHIN AN HOUR, I OPEN FIRE."] + +"If you do you must remember that there are many English prisoners on +board," declared the ober-leutnant with the air of a man who has thrown +down his trump card. + +"Within one hour, unless the _Pelikan_ is surrendered in her present +state, without further damage to her stores, equipment, and hull, we +open fire," was the British officer's mandate. "Return to your ship at +once, Herr Leutnant, and inform Kapitan von Riesser that he must take +immediate steps to safeguard his British prisoners, either by sending +them down the river or else by placing them in a secure shelter on +shore. I shall hold your kapitan and officers morally responsible for +any of the _Myra's_ crew who may be killed or injured in the +forthcoming operations." + +"You have yet to find the _Pelikan_," spluttered the German officer. + +"Excuse me, sir, she is found," said Captain Holloway. "To show that I +am not in the habit of speaking at random I will produce proofs." + +He gave an order to a seaman, who doubled off to the quarter-deck +companion-ladder. Presently Denbigh, O'Hara, and Armstrong, who during +the interview had discreetly gone below, appeared on deck. + +The ober-leutnant's jaw dropped. His podgy cheeks quivered with +intense surprise. + +"Donnerwetter!" he exclaimed. "This is a colossal shock." + +With an effort he pulled himself together, clicked his heels and +saluted the British senior officer. Then fumbling in his breast pocket +he produced a document and handed it to the captain. + +It was a formal surrender. + +In it Kapitan von Riesser agreed to hand over the _Pelikan_ at the hour +of nine on the following morning. + +"Very good," said Captain Holloway. "We are willing to give you a few +hours' respite, but you are to clearly understand that nothing must be +done in that interval that will affect the _Pelikan_ from a military +point of view. You must also send the _Myra's_ men down by boat before +sunset." + +"To that I agree," replied von Langer, and stiffly refusing the +invitation to have a glass of wine the German officer went over the +side. + +Von Langer's steam cutter was barely out of sight when a couple of +German officers belonging to the land forces appeared on the bank, +bearing a white flag. + +Their business was quickly transacted. They desired to surrender +forthwith and unconditionally the remaining troops under their command. +Within an hour eighty-five men, many of them badly wounded, were +shipped on board the sea-plane parent ship _Simplicita_. Out of the +three hundred reservists who had transhipped from the _San Matias_ to +the _Pelikan_ but thirty-three were untouched by the British fire. + +Well before sunset the first of the conditions of the _Pelikan's_ +surrender was carried out. The steam cutter returned towing a whaler +in which were the crew of the _Myra_. British reticence went by the +board when they hove in sight. They cheered frantically like delighted +children. Having been under the talons of the German Eagle, they +realized more than ever before the world-wide power of Britain's +sea-power. + +Amongst them was Captain Pennington, who was warmly greeted by the +officers of the _Crustacean_. + +He reported that the _Pelikan_ was being prepared for surrender; that +her garb of palms was being removed, but as far as he knew no attempt +had been made to throw overboard the remaining guns, or to destroy the +stores and munitions. + +"And to-morrow," remarked Stirling to his chum--"to-morrow we will +redeem these." + +And he held out Kapitan von Riesser's receipt for the gold that he had +taken from the three subs when they were captured on the _Nichi Maru_. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +How the _Pelikan_ Surrendered + +As soon as darkness set in the monitors switched on their searchlights, +the _Crustacean_, which was farthest up-stream, training her projectors +on the channel in the direction of the distant _Pelikan_, while the +_Paradox_ swept both banks with her powerful beams. In the lagoon the +_Eureka_ and the _Simplicita_ directed their searchlights upon the +shore. + +About one bell in the middle watch the look-out on the _Crustacean_ +noticed two dark objects drifting down-stream. At first he thought +them to be a pair of hippopotami, but as their relative distance seemed +constant and there was no sign of propulsion, he reported the matter to +the officer of the watch. + +"It's only a part of the boom, smashed by our shell fire," he remarked +casually. "We'll get a lot of wreckage down with the ebb-tide." + +Nevertheless he gave orders for the helm to be starboarded. The +monitor, sheering to port under the force of the current until her +cable was hard athwart her stem, missed the barrels, for such they +were, by a good twenty yards. Steadily they drifted by, eventually +stranding in the mud at a distance of two hundred yards from the +_Paradox_. In half an hour they were high and dry, lying directly in +the rays of the larger monitor's searchlight. + +Twenty minutes later another pair of barrels came drifting down. The +officer of the watch of the _Crustacean_ executed a similar manoeuvre, +but before the monitor sheered out of the track of the derelicts, the +barrels were hung up one on either side of the bows. + +"I can hear something ticking, sir," reported a seaman leaning over the +low freeboard. + +The officer hastened for'ard and listened. + +"Nonsense!" he declared. "It's the bull-frogs on shore that you can +hear, or else the lap of the water. They're only waterlogged +barricoes. Push them clear with a boat-hook." + +Three or four seamen tried to free the bows from the obstruction but +without success. The barrels afforded little or no grip, and pinned +down by the rush of tide refused to be thrown clear. + +"Away sea-boat!" ordered the officer of the watch. + +Quickly the boat was manned, and rowing well ahead of the _Crustacean_, +was allowed to drop stern foremost until the coxswain was able to bend +a rope to one of the barrels. + +"Can you hear anything, Sanders?" asked the officer of the watch. + +"No, sir," replied the petty officer. + +As a matter of fact he was suffering from gun deafness, but from +praiseworthy yet indiscreet motives he had kept the knowledge of his +temporary physical defect to himself. + +Ordering the men to give way, the coxswain jerked the obstruction clear +of the _Crustacean's_ hawse. + +"Shall I make this fast alongside, sir?" he asked. "Perhaps you'd be +likely to examine it in the morning." + +"No," was the reply, "Tow it clear of the _Paradox's_ hawse and cast it +adrift." + +The boat pushed off. The officer of the watch, returning to the +bridge, watched the progress of the two barrels as they wobbled in her +wake. + +Suddenly his attention was aroused in another direction by a loud shout +of; "Vessel dead ahead, sir!" + +Sweeping round a bend in the river into the glare of the searchlights +was the _Pelikan_. She was drifting broadside on, her length appearing +to occupy the whole breadth of the deep channel. + +"Action stations, there!" roared the officer of the watch. + +A bugle blared. Up from below tumbled swarms of men dressed in motley +array of a meagre description. The officers, berthed in the after part +of the superstructure, rushed out. In thirty seconds the turret, with +its pair of monster 14-inch guns, was surging round as a preliminary +test of the turning mechanism. + +At a glance Stirling took in the situation. The _Pelikan_, being not +under control, had been turned adrift with the object of fouling and +seriously damaging the British vessels lying in the strong tideway. + +He telegraphed for half-speed ahead. The engine-room bell had not +clanged a minute when the propellers began to churn. Hurriedly the +cable was slipped, and the anchor with eighty fathoms of studded steel +chain was lost for ever in the muddy bed of the Mohoro. + +The youthful lieutenant-commander's first duty was to avoid the danger +of being fouled. He could not go astern until the _Paradox_ was safely +under way. Regarding the _Pelikan_ he was as yet uncertain whether to +order the sea-boats to board her and drop anchor, if by chance her +ground tackle were ready for instant use, or whether to sink the raider +without further ado. + +His deliberations were cut short by a tremendous explosion on the bank +of the river on the starboard quarter of the _Crustacean_. Where the +stranded barrels had been was a huge cavity in the mud, into which the +water was pouring rapidly. + +A few seconds later another explosion occurred well astern of the +_Paradox_. The barrels were nothing more or less than deadly infernal +machines. Had they exploded close to the side of either of the +monitors it would be doubtful whether, even with their elaborate +protection against torpedoes, they would have kept afloat after the +terrific concussion. + +Almost simultaneously the searchlights on the _Paradox_ went out. +Fragments from the explosion had put the two projectors out of action. + +The echoes of the explosion had scarce died away when a shout was +raised that the drifting _Pelikan_ was on fire. + +With startling suddenness lurid flames were belching from her decks. +Spurts of red-tinged smoke eddied from her open scuttles. In a few +seconds she was a mass of fire from bow to stern. + +Slowly she drifted down-stream. At intervals her stern hung up in the +mud, till, caught by the current, she would swing round and slide away +from the bank. The flames reached well above her mastheads, yet there +was comparatively little smoke. The roar of the devouring elements +out-voiced every other sound, even the terrified noises of the denizens +of the mangrove forests as they fled from the glare that rivalled that +of the sun. + +From the conning-tower Stirling ordered a shot to be fired from one of +the huge turret-guns, but before the muzzle could be depressed a +stupendous explosion shook sky, land, and water. + +Denbigh, gripping the bridge rail, felt himself borne backwards by the +furious rush of air. Temporarily blinded by the vividness of the +flash, he was dimly aware of a series of crashes above and below him. +The stanchion rails snapped off short. In vain the sub strove to +regain his balance; he subsided heavily against the side of the +chart-room, stunned by the terrific thunder-clap that followed the +explosion. + +Intense darkness succeeded the vivid brightness of the prolonged flash. +The searchlights of the _Crustacean_ had failed. + +Slowly Denbigh sat up. He became aware that debris was littering the +partly wrecked bridge. In vain he tried to pierce the darkness and +discern the whereabouts of his companions. A hot, pungent smoke +drifted past, causing him to splutter almost to suffocation. + +Someone tripped across his legs. It was Stirling emerging from the +conning-tower. He recognized the sub's very forcible language. + +"Hold on," cautioned Denbigh, "or you'll be overboard. The bridge has +gone to blazes." + +As he spoke the _Crustacean_ shuddered. Her bows rose slightly. With +her hull still quivering under the pulsations of her engines she had +run aground on a mud-bank on the port-hand side of the river. + +Treading warily Stirling groped till he found the engine-room +telegraph. Guessing the position of the lever he ordered "Stop". In +the pitch-dark engine-room, for every electric lamp in the ship had +been shattered, the artificers, facing death amidst the whirring +machinery, succeeded in carrying out his orders. + +Through the darkness came muttered exclamations and partly stifled +groans. Down-stream the _Paradox's_ siren, for want of better means of +communication, was wailing in long and short blasts. + +"I have brought up to starboard," was the message. "You may feel your +way past me." + +"There's no may about it," thought Stirling grimly; then, leaning on +the twisted bridge rails, he shouted in stentorian tones: "The hands +will fall in on the port side of superstructure facing outboard. +Bugler!" + +"Sir!" replied a boyish voice through the impenetrable gloom--a voice +without a tremor save of excitement. + +"Sound the 'Still'." + +A silence brooded over the stricken monitor. Even the wounded forbore +to groan. Then someone appeared from the superstructure bearing a +couple of "battle lanterns". Lights, too, began to glimmer through the +hatchways, while with admirable promptness the electrical staff set to +work to renew the carbons of the searchlights and to test the circuits +of the internal lighting system. + +Already the wounded were being carried below by their messmates. Four +scorched and maimed forms lay motionless on the low fo'c'sle. There +was no need to bestow medical attention upon them. + +By this time Denbigh was aware that besides Stirling and himself only +three persons remained on the bridge. Neither of them was O'Hara. Nor +could he find the mate of the _Myra_, who on the first alarm had +hurried with the others to the bridge. + +The sub made his way to the ladder. Two steps did he descend, then his +foot encountered nothingness. The rest of the ladder had been swept +out of existence. + +Grasping the still intact handrail Denbigh lowered himself to the +superstructure. Almost the first man he met was Armstrong, who was +mopping his cheek with a blood-stained handkerchief. + +"It's nothing," replied the mate in answer to Denbigh's enquiry. +"Didn't discover until I went below." + +"Seen anything of O'Hara?" asked the sub anxiously. + +"Yes, I've just carried him below, and I was on my way back to look for +you." + +"Thanks," said Denbigh briefly. "And what's happened to O'Hara?" + +"Only shaken, I believe. He was blown off the bridge with the signal +locker for company. They both fetched up against a splinter screen. +O'Hara swears it isn't much, but I have my doubts." + +The two officers made their way across heaps of debris to the +diminutive ward-room. Here lying on a cushion on the floor was O'Hara. + +He turned to smile as Denbigh entered but the attempt was a dismal +failure. His face was drawn and grey in spite of his tanned complexion. + +"My leg feels a bit queer," he said in answer to his chum's enquiry. +"No, don't bother about the doctor. He's got quite enough to do. I +say, old man, von Riesser's giving us a run for our money, isn't he?" + +O'Hara's sentiments were almost identical with those of the rest of the +ship's company. Not a word was said concerning the treachery of the +kapitan of the _Pelikan_, whose method of handing over his ship was far +from being in accordance with the terms of the capitulation. The fact +that von Riesser had outwitted them certainly gave them food for +reflection, but the unanimous conclusion was that the fun was by no +means over. + +The falling tide left the _Crustacean_ hard and fast aground on the +slimy mud. With daylight the actual state of affairs could be +discerned. + +A quarter of a mile up-stream lay the remains of the much-sought-for +raider. Only a few bent and buckled ribs and plates showing just above +the water's edge marked the spot whence the devastating explosion had +emanated. One of her funnels, looking like a distended concertina, had +been hurled ashore and had lodged against a clump of palm trees. The +mud-flats and the adjoining banks were littered with fragments of metal +twisted into weird and fantastic shapes. + +Down-stream lay the _Paradox_, now swinging to the young flood. The +bore was not now in evidence, since it was the period of neap-tides, +and the alteration in the direction of the tidal stream was scarcely +perceptible. + +The _Paradox_ had come off comparatively lightly. To all outward +appearances she was intact, with the exception of her wireless gear, +the wreckage of which was already being cleared away. Beyond a certain +amount of breakage of glass and half a dozen of her crew sustaining +slight wounds, the damage done was not in proportion to the danger to +which she had been exposed. + +The _Crustacean_ had suffered severely. Her fire-control platform and +wireless gear had been swept out of existence. There were four deep +gashes in her funnel, which was only kept in position by the chain +guys. One half of the bridge had vanished; the remaining portion +resembled a scrap-iron heap. + +Her boats had been badly shattered save one, and that exception was the +sea-boat, which was on her way back to the monitor when the explosion +took place and escaped injury. Every bit of steel work exposed to the +destroyed ship was pitted and blistered, while a heavy mass of plating +from the _Pelikan_ had embedded itself in the monitor's quarterdeck. + +Below the water-line she was undamaged. On taking soundings in her +well no abnormal quantity of water was found. With the assistance of +the _Paradox_ it would be a comparatively easy matter to release her +from her mud berth at high water. + +But other work was imminent. Every minute Kapitan von Riesser and the +remainder of the _Pelikan's_ crew were increasing the distance between +them and their foes. Without delay steps had to be taken to bring the +treacherous Germans to bay. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +The Landing-Party + +No one could accuse Captain Holloway of tardiness. He had the +reputation of being an alert and promising officer, and on this +occasion he excelled himself. Within an hour after sunrise the +landing-party from the flotilla was on its way to tackle the remnants +of the _Pelikan's_ crew; for almost as soon as the raider had been +swept out of existence the British senior officer was drawing up his +orders that the unexpected turn of events had necessitated. + +Towed by the two steamboats of the _Simplicita_, four cutters from the +_Paradox_, _Eureka_, and the seaplane parent ship set off up the river. +Into the boats were packed one hundred and twenty officers and men +drawn from each vessel of the little squadron. Each boat carried a +quick-firer in the bows and a Maxim, in addition to stores sufficient +to last a week or ten days. + +The expedition was under the orders of Lieutenant-commander Bourne, +while amongst the officers was Sub-lieutenant Frank Denbigh, with +Armstrong in charge of stores. Much to his disgust Pat O'Hara found +himself "turned down" by the Principal Medical Officer; the former's +assurances that his ankle would improve with a little exercise being +brushed aside by the latter, who knew perfectly well that days would +elapse before the Irishman could set foot upon the _Crustacean's_ deck, +let alone the crowded stern-sheets of an armed cutter. + +Before the boats were out of sight of the still stranded _Crustacean_ +two sea-planes ascended and flew swiftly inland. Without their aid the +landing-party would be literally groping for their foes, since it was +not known whether von Riesser and his men had taken to their boats or +had set out through the mangroves towards the grass-grown hinterland. + +Denbigh having more knowledge of the Mohoro River than any of the other +officers--and his knowledge was limited to a stretch of less than ten +miles--was navigating officer in charge of the leading steamboat. + +While the other officers were sweeping the mudflat fringed banks with +their glasses Denbigh directed his attention towards the turgid channel. + +Presently a line of bobbing objects caught his vision. Ordering the +leading stoker to ease down the engines he signalled by means of +hand-flags to the steamboat astern to likewise reduce speed. + +The objects that had attracted his attention were the barrels forming +the boom across the river almost abreast of the wrecked +torpedo-station. The _Pelikan_, he knew, had been moored above the +obstruction. She had drifted down past them before she took fire and +blew up. Unless the boom had been temporarily removed and afterwards +replaced he could not understand how the raider could have descended +with the ebb-tide without sweeping the line of barrels away. + +"What's wrong?" enquired Bourne. + +Briefly Denbigh explained. + +"It would be as well if we sent a shell into one of those barrels," he +added. + +"Waste of good ammunition," objected the lieutenant-commander. "The +steamboat can take it bows on at full speed ahead. She'll do it +easily." + +"That I do not doubt," replied the sub. "But I have an idea that those +barricoes are filled with explosives, although we bumped into one of +them when we were in a light punt." + +Just then the P.O. telegraphist for wireless duties, who was ensconced +in a small insulated cage on the rearmost cutter, received a message +from one of the sea-planes to the effect that the Germans had been +located. They had landed from the boats at a spot twenty miles above +the former anchorage of the _Pelikan_ and were making their way towards +the hills. + +"They're funking it," declared Bourne. "Everything points to a hurried +flight. They may have swung the boom back in position, but I doubt the +accuracy of your mine theory." + +"Very good, sir," replied Denbigh. "Then you wish the steamboat to +charge the obstruction?" + +"Yes, carry on," said Bourne. + +Denbigh was too accustomed to discipline to demur in the face of +definite orders. He prepared to cast off the tow, for the steamboat +was to essay the feat alone. The two cutters were to anchor until a +passage had been cleared through the obstruction. + +"Well, I hope I'm wrong," thought the sub as he ordered the leading +stoker to "let her rip for all she's worth." + +But before the boat could gather way there was a commotion in the water +ahead. A large hippo, frightened by the unusual noises that had +disturbed the usually peaceful river, made off up-stream. + +Swerving neither to the right hand nor the left the huge animal bore +down upon the line of floating barrels. It passed between a pair of +them. For a moment it seemed that he had surmounted the massive chain, +until the sudden displacement of the barrels showed that its body had +fouled the hidden barrier. + +The hippo reared in fury and terror, bringing its whole weight down +upon the chain. Instantly a line of waterspouts shot high in the air +accompanied by a simultaneous discharge of half a dozen mines. The +sudden strain had ignited tubes of fulminate of mercury, which in turn +had exploded heavy charges of gun-cotton. Had the boat been a hundred +yards nearer not one of her crew would have escaped. + +In silence Denbigh brought the steamboat abreast of the first cutter +and re-established communication. + +The lieutenant-commander stood up, and in a steady, clear voice +exclaimed: + +"Well done, Mr. Denbigh! My judgment was hopelessly at fault." + +"That's all right, sir," replied the sub. He knew the effort that +Bourne had had to make to tender his apologies. Having given his order +in the hearing of the men it was the only course open to him. And +Bourne was an officer who, although somewhat impetuous, was never +afraid to acknowledge an error. + +With the flood-tide the flotilla made good progress. Rounding the +sharp bend where the _Myra_ had disappeared, the boats entered a gently +curving reach that apparently made a long horseshoe sweep. At this +point the mangroves ceased. The ground became higher, the banks being +precipitous in places, and covered with long rank grass. + +"There are the _Pelikan's_ boats," reported Denbigh, pointing to two +large pinnaces lying against the banks to which they had been carried +by the tide. + +In answer to an enquiry the scouting sea-plane reported that further +progress a mile round the next bend was barred by a series of rapids, +and that the Germans had established a gain of nearly ten miles, and +were approaching the bottle-neck formed by the extreme sinuosities of +the river. + +"Can you check them?" asked Bourne anxiously. He was not at all keen +on a ten- or twenty-mile march through the rough grass. If the +sea-planes could command the narrow stretch of ground between the +horseshoe bend von Riesser's men might be headed off. + +"We'll try," was the wirelessed reply. + +Meanwhile the steamboat had cast off the tow, and the cutters still +carrying way were steered towards the bank. Here, owing to the rush of +the tide, there was fairly deep water close to the land, and +fortunately an absence of mud. + +Grounding twenty feet apart the boats disgorged their loads, the seamen +leaping ashore in spite of the weight of arms and accoutrements. The +Maxims, too, were landed and mounted upon light travelling carriages. +The portable wireless apparatus was to accompany the landing-party, +while the officers and men left behind were to land the quick-firers, +since they could not command the ground from the boats owing to the +height of the banks. + +Bourne realized that such things as reverses do happen, so he took +precautions accordingly. The men advanced in open order, with flankers +thrown far and wide. + +From the top of a small hillock Denbigh watched the straw hats of the +men out of sight as they marched through the long grass; then, knowing +that some time must necessarily elapse before the landing-party came in +touch with the enemy, he busied himself in preparing for the +re-embarkation, should the operations prove to be shorter than Captain +Holloway had anticipated. + +With the turn of the tide the boats were taken out into mid-stream and +anchored. Tripping lines were bent to the crowns of the anchors, the +other end of each line being made fast to a watch-buoy, so that the +operation of weighing would not be delayed by the fouling of the flukes +in possible snags on the bed of the river. Gang planks were prepared +in order that no hitch might occur should the men return at or near +dead-low water, when a stretch of ooze separated the dry ground from +the river. + +For two hours Denbigh directed operations under the blazing sun. His +men worked like niggers, knowing that they, too, were doing their bit +although not in the actual firing-line. + +At intervals came the faint detonations of a series of heavy +explosions. The sea-planes were at work, attempting by means of bombs +to arrest the flight of von Riesser's men across the narrow neck of +land. + +Late in the forenoon one of the sea-planes flew overhead. Without +essaying to make a landing on the river, it flew down-stream, +presumably to take in a fresh supply of petrol and bombs. In an hour's +time it returned, and presently its opposite number flew overhead in +the direction of its parent ship. + +Slowly the day wore on. At frequent intervals Denbigh climbed the +hillock and brought his glasses to bear upon the distant high ground. + +Once or twice he fancied he heard the sounds of musketry and Maxim +firing in the sultry air. Armstrong and several of the men were of the +same opinion, agreeing that the firing was desultory and not constantly +maintained. + +At length darkness fell. No one had seen the sea-planes returning +before sunset, and in addition to the great risk of making a night +landing these craft are of little practical use except in daylight. + +With the approach of night Denbigh ordered double sentries to be +posted, and cautioned the boat-keepers to be alert and watchful for +signals. Those of the men left behind slept or rested beside the +quick-firers, protected from the heavy dew by boat awnings stretched on +oars and boat-hooks. + +For Denbigh sleep was out of the question. Muffled in a boat-cloak, +for the off-shore wind blew chilly, he paced up and down with the mate +of the _Myra_. + +"What's that over yonder?" asked Armstrong. + +"Flashes--musketry," replied Denbigh. "It's strange that we cannot +hear the reports, for the wind is in our favour." + +"Too steady for rifle-firing," suggested the mate. "Looks to me like a +bush fire." + +"By Jove, I hope not," said the sub earnestly. "The grass will catch +like tinder." + +A minute or so passed, then Denbigh lowered his binoculars. + +"You're right, Armstrong," he said. "It is a fire. Those brutes have +set the grass ablaze to cover their retreat." + +"Hark!" exclaimed the mate. + +Overhead came the unmistakable buzzing of an aerial propeller. One of +the sea-planes, if not both, was returning. + +Seizing a flashing-lamp Denbigh directed it skywards. It was the only +means at his disposal for communication. + +"All right?" he asked. + +A light blinked through the darkness. + +"_Dash, dot_. Pause. _Dash, dash, dash_" it flashed; then it ceased +abruptly. Nevertheless the answer was to the point. It was NO. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +Accounted For + +Before another quarter of an hour passed the long line of flames was +visible to the naked eye. Fanned by the strong breeze the fire spread +rapidly. It seemed as if its activity was by no means confined to the +horseshoe loop formed by the river. It appeared to have obtained a +grip upon the grass on the opposite bank. Once the flames attacked the +mangroves there was no saying where the mischief might end. + +Denbigh could do little to aid his absent comrades, who, for aught he +knew, might even now be overwhelmed by the swift advance of the +devouring elements. Turning out the men who remained he had the +quick-firer ammunition removed to the boats. Then setting fire to the +grass around the bivouac he cleared a broad belt nearly a hundred yards +in diameter. At all events the main fire would be checked before the +flotilla was seriously imperilled. + +By the time that this work was completed the flames were within three +miles of the camp. For a breadth of more than twice that distance the +grass was blazing furiously. Lurid red tongues of flame licked the +dark cloud of smoke that overhung the devouring elements. Already the +air was reeking with pungent fumes. Grey ashes, caught by the strong +wind, whirled past the anxious watchers or dashed lightly into their +faces. Dark shapes, silhouetted against the red glare, tore madly from +the advancing fire. They were the denizens of the grass lands flying +for their lives. Undeterred by the water the panic-stricken animals +plunged into the river, some of them in their terror frantically pawing +the sides of the anchored boats. + +"Dash it all!" muttered Denbigh. "Wish to goodness I'd cleared another +hundred yards of the scrub. We'll be shrivelled up with the heat. +There's still time." + +Calling to his handful of men the sub ran into the open. This time, +since the inner circle offered no grip to the flames, they could work +without fear of the fire getting the upper hand. + +In the midst of their preparations Denbigh heard a hoarse shout. + +Stumbling towards him, half-enveloped in the haze that was the +forerunner of the roaring furnace, were two men. One fell, picked +himself up, and staggered after his companion. + +Outlined as they were against the ruddy glare it was impossible to +distinguish them, but as the British seamen ran forward to bear them +into safety the men raised their arms appealingly. + +"Help, kamarade, help!" they cried. + +"Germans!" ejaculated Armstrong. "Where are our fellows?" + +Denbigh could not give an answer. A glance in the direction of the +wall of fire, now less than a quarter of a mile distant, told him that +life was impossible in front of that barrier unless the fugitives were +already in sight. But they were not The sub set his jaw tightly. + +"Where are the others--and the British seamen?" he asked in German of +one of the men. The other was beyond speech. + +"All gone! All gone!" replied the German. + +"There's another, sir!" exclaimed a petty officer. + +"Come on, stick it!" shouted half a dozen lusty voices in encouragement. + +The third man was evidently in the last stages of exhaustion. He was +gasping for breath as he ran, but the hot acrid air was fast choking +him. He flung his arms above his head and pitched upon his face, with +the burning embers dropping all around him. + +A cloud of eddying smoke enveloped him. Then a gust of wind cleared +the pall of vapour. The wretch was writhing. His clothes were +smouldering as he lay helpless in the withering grass. + +With a bound Denbigh cleared the shallow trench, and bending low rushed +through the smoke. Burning ashes stung his face. What air he took in +through his nose felt pungent and suffocating. The heat seemed to gnaw +into his eyes. + +How he covered that two hundred yards he never could explain, but at +length, with a feeling of relief, he turned his broad back to the +advancing flames and raised the now unconscious man from the ground. +With almost superhuman strength he lifted the listless body upon his +shoulder and began his bid for safety. + +Almost blindly he ran till his gait slowed down almost to a halting +walk. Dimly he realized that he was not alone. Some of the devoted +seamen had followed him into the edge of the inferno. + +Someone tried to shift the burden from his shoulders. He resisted. +Why he knew not. Already his senses were forsaking him. + +With a crash he fell upon his knees. He was up and staggering again, +until, unable to withstand the strain, he rolled inertly upon the +ground with his fingers gripping his throat. Then all became a blank. + +He recovered consciousness to find himself lying on a pile of canvas in +the stern-sheets of one of the boats. It was broad daylight. Overhead +an awning had been spread to ward off the rays of the morning sun. + +Almost in an instant he recalled the incident of the night of horror. +The air still smelt vilely of smouldering vegetable matter. Wisps of +smoke eddied betwixt the sun and the awning, throwing fantastic shadows +upon the bellying canvas. The fire, then, had practically burnt itself +out. + +"Any signs of the others?" he asked. + +Armstrong shook his head. + +"The whole place is a mass of glowing cinders," he replied. "It is +impossible to see more than a quarter of a mile in that direction. I'm +afraid----" + +"Any more survivors?" asked Denbigh. The mere movement of his facial +muscles caused him exquisite pain, for his face was scorched and +blistered. His hair and eyebrows had been badly singed. Altogether he +looked a pitiable scarecrow. It is only on the stage and on the +cinematograph screen that heroes preserve an unruffled appearance. + +"No," replied the mate. "Not one, after the fellow you brought in. +Did you know who it was?" + +The sub shook his head, then winced, for the action sent a thrill of +anguish through his body. + +"Unter-leutnant Klick," continued Armstrong in answer to his own +question. "He's still unconscious. We dare not move him to the boats. +His skin is literally peeling off all over his body. Shall I have you +sent down the river, old man? The chief petty officer is now in +charge. Is he to withdraw the rest of the boats?" + +"No," replied Denbigh with sudden firmness. "No; by no means. We'll +wait until we can send volunteers to find traces of our fellows. Have +the sea-planes passed over yet?" + +Armstrong replied in the negative. + +"How are the other Germans?" + +"One is practically fit. The other is suffering from shock." + +"Then send the fit fellow to me, please." + +The man was brought to the boat. He was one of the _Pelikan's_ +firemen. Questioned in German he replied without hesitation. The fire +had been started, he declared, not by the raider's crew, but by bombs +dropped by British sea-planes. There was an action, but he and half a +dozen more worked round by the two banks until they were almost cut off +by the flames. He had reason to suppose that both the British and the +German forces had been overwhelmed by the onrushing flames. + +Throughout the afternoon Denbigh lay in torment in spite of the +first-aid remedies applied by the only sick-berth attendant left with +the base party. Hardly ever before had he felt the sweltering heat so +acutely. The air under the awning was close and oppressive. It reeked +both of the odour of the river and of the fumes of the smouldering +grass. There was one compensation. The fire had effectually driven +off the swarms of mosquitoes that otherwise would have increased his +torments. He would have given almost anything to be back on board +ship, with the sea breezes flung in through the open scuttle and the +electric fans cooling the air. But stop he must until he had obtained +definite information as to the fate of the landing-party. + +"I doubt after all if there's much to grumble at," he soliloquized. "I +might have been born to become a Tommy, and I might be stuck up to my +thighs in mud and water in a trench somewhere in France. It's all part +of one big business, and we're keeping our end up all right." + +Then his thoughts took a turn in another direction. He was no longer a +prisoner of war. In another few months he hoped to be back in England. +What plans he would make to spin out that long-deferred leave! For the +time being he was no longer in a vile African river, but in a pretty +old-world garden in the homeland. + +Suddenly his train of thought was rudely interrupted by a hoarse, +almost frenzied burst of cheering. The boat-keeper, thrusting his head +below the curtains to ascertain whether the sub was awake or otherwise, +answered Denbigh's mute appeal. + +"It's orl right, sir," he announced. "They've romped home; the whole +bloomin' crush." + +Following the downward course of the river was the landing-party, +bringing with them forty-three German prisoners, including Kapitan von +Riesser. Their own losses had been insignificant, for during the +long-drawn-out action that was brought to an abrupt conclusion by the +fire, one British officer and seven seamen had been slightly wounded. +These were brought in by the stretcher-bearers. + +The escape of the little expedition was due to their resourcefulness in +fighting fire by fire. Finding that their retreat was not speedy +enough to outpace the flames, Lieutenant-commander Bourne had given +orders to set alight the long grass to leeward. + +By this means, though suffering agonies from thirst and heat, the +British and their prisoners escaped. + +The career of the raider and her crew had been brought to a close, and +before nightfall the boats of the flotilla had regained their +respective ships. + + * * * * * + +Frank Denbigh is sub-lieutenant no longer, but a full-fledged +lieutenant with the letters D.S.O. tacked on to his name. He has just +received his appointment to a brand-new battle-cruiser, and is about to +serve with the Grand Fleet. + +Pat O'Hara is still limping about on one foot somewhere in the Emerald +Isle. He, too, has gained a step in rank, but rather envies his chum's +good luck. Still, there is time for the light-headed Irishman to get +fit again and be in at the death, when, it is to be hoped, the visions +of the trident in the German fist will be shattered for good and aye. + +And Stirling? In recognition of his services he is confirmed as +lieutenant-commander of the monitor _Crustacean_. He is still looking +forward to his leave in the Highlands, but meanwhile he is doing good +work in a remote portion of the globe in upholding the glorious +tradition of the real Mistress of the Seas. + + + + + + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Rounding up the Raider, by Percy F. 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Westerman + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Rounding up the Raider + A Naval Story of the Great War + +Author: Percy F. Westerman + +Illustrator: E. S. Hodgson + +Release Date: June 23, 2011 [EBook #36499] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ROUNDING UP THE RAIDER *** + + + + +Produced by Al Haines + + + + + +</pre> + + +<BR><BR> + +<A NAME="img-cover"></A> +<CENTER> +<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-cover.jpg" ALT="Cover art" BORDER=""> +</CENTER> + +<BR><BR> + +<A NAME="img-front"></A> +<CENTER> +<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-front.jpg" ALT="DENBIGH AND HIS COMPANIONS ARE RESCUED BY A MONITOR <I>Page</I> 207. <I>Frontispiece</I>" BORDER="2"> +<H4 CLASS="h4center"> +DENBIGH AND HIS COMPANIONS ARE RESCUED BY A MONITOR <A HREF="#P207"><I>Page</I> 207</A>. <I>Frontispiece</I> +</H4> +</CENTER> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<P CLASS="t1"> +ROUNDING UP +<BR> +THE RAIDER +</P> + +<BR> + +<P CLASS="t3"> +A Naval Story of the Great War +</P> + +<BR><BR> + +<P CLASS="t4"> +BY +</P> + +<P CLASS="t3"> +PERCY F. WESTERMAN +</P> + +<P CLASS="t4"> +Author of "The Fight for Constantinople"<BR> +"Sea Scouts All"<BR> +&c. &c.<BR> +</P> + +<BR><BR> + +<P CLASS="t3"> +<I>Illustrated by E. S. Hodgson</I> +</P> + +<BR><BR> + +<P CLASS="t3"> +BLACKIE & SON LIMITED +<BR> +LONDON AND GLASGOW +<BR> +1916 +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<P CLASS="noindent" STYLE="margin-left: 10%"> +By Percy F. Westerman<BR> +<BR> +Haunted Harbour.<BR> +His Unfinished Voyage.<BR> +Midshipman Webb's Treasure<BR> +Winged Might.<BR> +Captain Flick.<BR> +Tireless Wings.<BR> +His First Ship.<BR> +The Red Pirate.<BR> +The Call of the Sea.<BR> +Standish of the Air Police.<BR> +Sleuths of the Air.<BR> +Andy-All-Alone.<BR> +The Westow Talisman.<BR> +The White Arab.<BR> +The Buccaneers of Boya.<BR> +Rounding up the Raider.<BR> +Captain Fosdyke's Gold.<BR> +In Defiance of the Ban.<BR> +The Senior Cadet.<BR> +The Amir's Ruby.<BR> +The Secret of the Plateau.<BR> +Leslie Dexter, Cadet.<BR> +All Hands to the Boats.<BR> +A Mystery of the Broads.<BR> +Rivals of the Reef.<BR> +Captain Starlight.<BR> +On the Wings of the Wind.<BR> +Captain Blundell's Treasure.<BR> +The Third Officer.<BR> +Unconquered Wings.<BR> +Pat Stobart in the "Golden Dawn".<BR> +Ringed by Fire.<BR> +Midshipman Raxworthy.<BR> +Chums of the "Golden Vanity".<BR> +Clipped Wings.<BR> +Rocks Ahead.<BR> +King for a Month.<BR> +The Disappearing Dhow.<BR> +The Luck of the "Golden Dawn".<BR> +The Salving of the "Fusi Yama".<BR> +Winning his Wings.<BR> +The Good Ship "Golden Effort".<BR> +East in the "Golden Gain".<BR> +The Quest of the "Golden Hope".<BR> +The Wireless Officer.<BR> +The Submarine Hunters.<BR> +The Thick of the Fray at Zeebrugge.<BR> +With Beatty off Jutland.<BR> +The Dispatch Riders.<BR> +A Cadet of the Mercantile Marine.<BR> +With the Last of the Buccaneers.<BR> +A Lively Bit of the Front.<BR> +<BR> +The Westerman Omnibus Book<BR> +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<P CLASS="t4"> +<I>Printed in Great Britain by Blackie & Son, Ltd., Glasgow</I> +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<P CLASS="t2"> +Contents +</P> + +<TABLE ALIGN="center" WIDTH="80%"> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">CHAP.</TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> </TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">I. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap01">THE CAPTURED LINER</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">II. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap02">THE LAST OF THE <I>NICHI MARU</I></A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">III. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap03">ON BOARD THE RAIDER</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">IV. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap04">THREATENED</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">V. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap05">THE PURSUIT OF THE <I>PELIKAN</I></A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VI. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap06">THE DECOY</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap07">FOILED BY A COLLIER</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VIII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap08">REINFORCEMENTS</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">IX. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap09">THE MIDNIGHT LANDING</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">X. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap10">THE LAGOON</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XI. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap11">DENBIGH'S PLAN</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap12">A PERILOUS JOURNEY</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap13">NOCTURNAL INVESTIGATIONS</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIV. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap14">A NEGLECTED WARNING</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XV. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap15">ARMSTRONG'S PART</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVI. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap16">THE DISASTER TO THE <I>MYRA</I></A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap17">A BID FOR FREEDOM</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVIII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap18">DISAPPOINTMENT</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIX. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap19">"OUR LUCK'S OUT"</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XX. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap20">ADRIFT IN THE INDIAN OCEAN</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXI. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap21">VON ECKENSTEIN'S SURPRISE</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap22">THE MONITORS IN ACTION</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXIII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap23">HOW THE <I>PELIKAN</I> SURRENDERED</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXIV. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap24">THE LANDING PARTY</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXV. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap25">ACCOUNTED FOR</A></TD> +</TR> + +</TABLE> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<P CLASS="t2"> +Illustrations +</P> + +<H4> +<A HREF="#img-front"> +DENBIGH AND HIS COMPANIONS ARE PICKED UP BY A MONITOR . . . . . . <I>Frontispiece</I> +</A> +</H4> + +<H4> +<A HREF="#img-054"> +"BY JOVE!" EJACULATED O'HARA. "SHE MUST BE ONE OF OUR MONITORS" +</A> +</H4> + +<H4> +<A HREF="#img-128"> +THE 'LOG' WAS A HEALTHY SPECIMEN OF A CROCODILE +</A> +</H4> + +<H4> +<A HREF="#img-226"> +"UNLESS THE GERMAN ENSIGN is HAULED DOWN ON BOARD THE <I>PELIKAN</I> WITHIN +AN HOUR, I OPEN FIRE" +</A> +</H4> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap01"></A> + +<H2 ALIGN="center"> +ROUNDING UP THE RAIDER +</H2> + +<BR> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER I +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +The Captured Liner +</H3> + +<P> +"Fifteen days more and then Old England once again!" exclaimed Frank +Denbigh. +</P> + +<P> +"And bonnie Scotland for me!" added Charlie Stirling. +</P> + +<P> +"You'll not be forgettin' 'tis Ould Oireland I'm bound for," +remonstrated Pat O'Hara, purposely dropping into the brogue. +</P> + +<P> +The three chums had just been reading the "miles made good" +announcement that, printed in English and Japanese, was daily exhibited +in various parts of S.S. <I>Nichi Maru</I>. +</P> + +<P> +"Hostile submarines permitting," remarked Denbigh with a laugh, after +he had taken good care that no lady passengers were within earshot. +</P> + +<P> +"Rot!" ejaculated Stirling. "We've cleared them out of the Channel +pretty well. It's part of the work of the British Navy under——" +</P> + +<P> +"Stop it!" interrupted O'Hara good-humouredly. "I know what you were +going to say: that old tag from the Articles of War. I propose that +every time the word submarine is mentioned by anyone of us while on +board this vessel the delinquent shall be suitably punished as soon as +the sun's over the fore-yard." +</P> + +<P> +"Hear, hear! I second that," agreed Stirling. "No more 'shop'. We'll +get plenty of that in a few weeks' time. I fancy My Lords won't let us +kick our heels in idleness for long, and honestly, the sooner we settle +down to business the better." +</P> + +<P> +The three chums were Sub-lieutenants, homeward bound from a portion of +a certain group of islands off the coast of New Guinea, having till +recently the high-sounding title of the Bismarck Archipelago. The +youthful but none the less glorious Australian Navy had quickly changed +the colour of that portion of the map, but the climate was a more +formidable foe than the former German garrison. Thus the three young +officers, who had been "lent" to the recently-formed navy, had the +misfortune to be stricken with fever. +</P> + +<P> +After a long convalescence, which by a pure coincidence lasted almost +exactly the same time in each of the three cases, Denbigh, Stirling, +and O'Hara were ordered to return to England and to resume their duties +with the navy of the Motherland. +</P> + +<P> +They had travelled by an intermediate boat to Singapore, whence, in +order to save delay, they had proceeded by a Japanese liner, the <I>Nichi +Maru</I>, bound from Nagasaki to London. It was a case of misdirected +zeal, for, owing to the torpedoing of a large Japanese liner in the +Mediterranean, the <I>Nichi Maru</I> had been ordered to take the longer +passage round the Cape instead of the usual route via the Suez Canal. +</P> + +<P> +"Hulloa! What's the excitement?" enquired Denbigh, pointing in the +direction of the bridge. The chums had gained the promenade deck, +whence most of the navigating bridge of the liner could be seen. There +was evidently something to warrant his exclamation, for the dapper +little Japanese officer of the watch was steadily keeping his +binoculars upon some distant object. +</P> + +<P> +"There's a smudge of smoke away to the nor'east'ard," announced +Stirling. "The mild excitement of sighting a vessel will help to push +the hands of the clock. Now if someone will kindly suggest a +sweepstake on the nationality of yonder craft——" +</P> + +<P> +The door of the wireless room opened. The sharp peculiar cackle of the +instruments announced that an exchange of messages was in progress. A +messenger made his way to the bridge. Almost immediately after, the +captain hurried from his cabin. Evidently "something was in the wind", +for the appearance of the imperturbable commander of the <I>Nichi Maru</I> +at this time of day was rather unusual. +</P> + +<P> +"We're altering helm," declared O'Hara after a brief interval. "Since +we can speak with that vessel without the necessity of having to close, +it points to something of the nature of a serious mishap." +</P> + +<P> +The rest of the passengers were now making their way on deck. By an +inexplicable intuition the presence of the still invisible vessel had +made itself felt. None of the officers had communicated the news that +the <I>Nichi Maru</I> was in touch with another craft, yet in five minutes +the decks were crowded with a medley of Europeans and Asiatics. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you know what is wrong, sir?" asked Denbigh, addressing one of the +Japanese officers who happened to be making his way aft. +</P> + +<P> +The Jap shook his head. Like most of the <I>Nichi Maru's</I> officers he +spoke English. The question was plain to him, but with Oriental +reticence he politely evaded it. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll get my glasses," announced O'Hara. +</P> + +<P> +"And mine, while you are about it," said Denbigh. +</P> + +<P> +"And mine, too," added the Scot. +</P> + +<P> +O'Hara quickly returned with the desired articles. Bringing their +binoculars to bear upon the smudge on the horizon the three Subs made +the discovery that there was a two-masted, three-funnelled vessel lying +apparently hove-to. Smoke was issuing from her after-funnel in dense +clouds, that rose slowly in the still sultry air. +</P> + +<P> +"She's flying an ensign," remarked the Irishman. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, straight up and down like a wet dishclout," added Stirling. "For +all the good it's doing it needn't be there." +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps her propeller shaft is broken," suggested one of the +passengers, an English merchant who had given up a good position in +Tokio to return home in order to "do his bit". +</P> + +<P> +"Hardly," replied Denbigh. "She's bound to be a twin screw, and it +isn't likely that both engines would break down." +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know so much about that," said O'Hara, pointing aft, where a +crowd of Japanese seamen were engaged in preparing a large flexible +steel hawser. "It looks as if we were going to take her in tow. And +it's a long, long way to Las Palmas, worse luck." +</P> + +<P> +"She's a Dutchman," declared Stirling. "I can make out the red, white, +and blue ensign. I wouldn't mind betting she's one of the Rotterdam +and Batavia liners." +</P> + +<P> +The three British officers relapsed into silence, devoting their whole +attention upon the disabled liner which was now momentarily looming +larger and larger as the <I>Nichi Maru</I> hastened to her aid. +</P> + +<P> +Presently the engine-room telegraph bell clanged and the Japanese +vessel's engines began to slow down. Two of the boats were swung out +ready to be lowered, while the four ship's surgeons stood by, ready to +be taken to the helpless Dutchman. +</P> + +<P> +"Bad boiler-room accident," exclaimed one of the European passengers, +who had learnt the news from a Japanese petty-officer. +</P> + +<P> +"Boiler accident be hanged!" ejaculated Denbigh, excitedly. "We're +done in, you fellows. That vessel's no Dutchman." +</P> + +<P> +As if in confirmation of the Sub's announcement the tricolour of +Holland was smartly lowered, its place being taken by that shame-faced +and palpable imitation of the good old British White Ensign—the Black +Cross of Germany. Simultaneously portions of the vessel's plating +swung outboard, revealing a battery of six fifteen-centimetre Krupp +guns. +</P> + +<P> +"<I>Nichi Maru</I>, ahoy!" shouted a guttural voice in English, for the two +vessels were now within megaphone-hailing distance. "Surrender +instantly, or we send you to the bottom." +</P> + +<P> +There was a pause, while the officer who had shouted the message was +being prompted. +</P> + +<P> +"Make no attempt to use your wireless," he continued. "That will not +save you. It will make things very bad for you. Stand by to receive a +prize crew." +</P> + +<P> +Although completely surprised by the dramatic turn of events, both the +crew and passengers of the <I>Nichi Maru</I> remained perfectly calm. The +captain, a descendant of the knightly Samurai of Old Japan, was on the +point of ordering full speed ahead, with the object of ramming the +perfidious vessel and sending both ships to a common destruction; but +the knowledge that the safety of nearly a thousand non-combatants, many +of them women and children, would be in dire peril through such an act +compelled him to submit to the inevitable. +</P> + +<P> +Humanity, not fear, had conquered the courteous and lion-hearted yellow +skipper. +</P> + +<P> +Boats were lowered from the German auxiliary cruiser—for such she +undoubtedly was. Into them clambered a number of motley-garbed men +armed with rifles and automatic pistols. But for their modern weapons +the boat's crew might have come from the deck of an Eighteenth-Century +buccaneering craft. +</P> + +<P> +"I say, you fellows," said O'Hara, "I'm off below." +</P> + +<P> +"What for?" asked his companions in surprise. Not for one moment did +they imagine that the Irishman was showing the white feather, but at +the same time they were mystified by his announcement. +</P> + +<P> +"To get into uniform," he replied. "Those skunks won't find me in +mufti." +</P> + +<P> +"Right oh!" declared Denbigh. "We'll slip into ours, too." +</P> + +<P> +In a few minutes the chums had changed into their naval uniforms. By +the time they regained the promenade deck the Germans were in +possession of the ship. +</P> + +<P> +A fat ober-leutnant, backed up by half a dozen armed seamen, held the +bridge, the Japanese captain and deck officers being compelled to +retire to the chart-room. A couple of arrogant unter-leutnants with +much sabre-rattling, were herding the European male passengers on the +port side of the promenade deck. The Japanese passengers they drove +forward with every insulting expression they could make use of. It was +the German officers' idea of revenge, for the fall of Kiau Chau, where +the boasted Teutonic fortress had succumbed to Oriental valour, rankled +in the breasts of the subjects of the All-Highest War Lord. +</P> + +<P> +Two German officers, apparently of the Accountant branch, had possessed +themselves of the passenger list of the captured vessel, and were +proceeding to call the names it contained. Each person on hearing his +name had to step forward. "Denbigh, Frank," exclaimed one of the +officers. Denbigh, standing erect, faced his captors. "Ah! Englander +officer, hein?" queried the Teuton insolently. "Goot! More to say +soon. Step there over, quick." +</P> + +<P> +The Sub obeyed. He realized that at times even passive resistance was +indiscreet. +</P> + +<P> +"Stirling, Charles," continued the German. "Ach, yet anoder Englander. +Unter-leutnant? Goot, a goot capture of Englanders we haf." +</P> + +<P> +"I'm a Scot—not an Englishman," protested Stirling. +</P> + +<P> +"No matter. The one is as bad as odder, if nod worse. Over dere," and +he pointed to the place where Denbigh was standing. +</P> + +<P> +"We're marked down for something, old man," whispered Denbigh. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, but listen. They're tackling O'Hara now." +</P> + +<P> +Sub-lieutenant O'Hara faced his inquisitor with a broad smile on his +face. The Germans could not understand why a man should look pleasant +in time of adversity. +</P> + +<P> +"Irish? Ach, goot!" declared the Teuton. "Der Irish not like +Englischmans. When we Germans take London, Ireland free country will +be." +</P> + +<P> +"You haven't got to London yet," remarked O'Hara with the perplexing +smile still on his lips. +</P> + +<P> +"Already our Zeppelins hab there been. It is matter of time. Ach? +Brussels, Warsaw, Bukharest, Cettigne—five capitals—all conquered." +</P> + +<P> +"How about Paris?" enquired O'Hara. "To say nothing of Calais. And +who commands the sea? You Germans haven't a vessel afloat outside your +own territorial waters." +</P> + +<P> +"Vot is dis?" asked the Teuton, pointing to the armed liner. His voice +rose to a crescendo of triumph. +</P> + +<P> +O'Hara was temporarily non-plussed. Evidently something was at fault +somewhere. How could a large vessel like that evade the strong cordon +of British warships? +</P> + +<P> +"You're at the end of your tether, old sport," he said after a brief +hesitation. "That ship will be at the bottom before another +twenty-four hours." +</P> + +<P> +"You tink so?" almost howled the exasperated German. "You vill see. +If she sink, den you sink mit her. Over dere." +</P> + +<P> +O'Hara rejoined his chums. A couple of armed seamen mounted guard over +them while the work of investigation and pillage continued. +</P> + +<P> +"We're marked down as hostages," began the Irishman; but one of the +seamen, bringing the butt end of his rifle down on the deck within a +couple of inches of O'Hara's toes, rendered unnecessary the guttural +"Verboten" that accompanied the action. +</P> + +<P> +In silence the three Subs watched the proceedings. Under the orders of +their captors the Japanese seamen were compelled to transfer bullion +stores from the <I>Nichi Maru</I> into the boats. German seamen brought +charges of explosives and placed them below. It was apparent that the +destruction of the captured vessel was already decided. +</P> + +<P> +At length all preparations were completed. One of the <I>Nichi Maru's</I> +officers, acting under the authority of the ober-leutnant gave the +order—first in Japanese and then in English—to abandon the ship. +</P> + +<P> +"Fifteen minutes only are allowed. Boats to be provisioned and manned. +No personal property is to be taken. Women and children first." +</P> + +<P> +The Japanese captain was expostulating, firmly and in a dignified +manner. He pointed out the inhumanity of sending women and children +adrift in mid-Atlantic and under a tropical sun. His protests were in +vain. +</P> + +<P> +"We will send a small vessel to pick up the boats," retorted the German +lieutenant. "We will not sink a small one purposely. A little +discomfort will do these English good. You yellow apes are used to it." +</P> + +<P> +The Japanese accepted the direct insult without signs of emotion. The +disguise of his feelings was a national trait, but it would have gone +hard with the arrogant Prussian had the captain of the <I>Nichi Maru</I> not +been hampered with a crowd of non-combatants. +</P> + +<P> +"Now, Englishmen," exclaimed the German. "Into that boat. Any trouble +make and you dead men. Ach! You smile now: your trouble it only has +just commenced." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap02"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER II +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +The Last of the <I>Nichi Maru</I> +</H3> + +<P> +In silence the three Subs left the doomed <I>Nichi Maru</I> and entered the +waiting boat. At the word of command the men pushed off and rowed +towards the modern pirate. +</P> + +<P> +The disguised vessel had now swung round and was lying motionless at a +distance of two cables' length from her prize. The hull was painted a +light yellow, with a broad black band. Her funnels were buff with +black tops. On her stern were the words, <I>Zwaan</I>—Rotterdam. +</P> + +<P> +"She's no more the <I>Zwaan</I> of Rotterdam than I am," cogitated Denbigh. +</P> + +<P> +He was right in his surmise. The vessel was originally the +<I>Pelikan</I>—a supplementary Hamburg-Amerika Line boat. On the outbreak +of the war she was homeward bound from South America, with, as was the +case with all liners flying the German flag, an armament of +quick-firers stowed away in her hold. +</P> + +<P> +Unfortunately for Kaiser Wilhelm's plans the abrupt entry of Great +Britain into the arena of war had nipped in the bud the activities of +German commerce raiders. A few ran amok until promptly rounded up and +settled by the ubiquitous British cruisers. Others fled for neutral +ports. Amongst them was the <I>Pelikan</I>, whose captain, with +considerable astuteness, contrived to make for a harbour belonging to +an obscure South American Republic. +</P> + +<P> +Before doing so he had fallen in with the light cruiser <I>Karlsruhe</I>—a +craft doomed shortly afterwards to end her career at the hands of her +own crew rather than face an action that would end either in +destruction or ignominious capture—and from her received a number of +additional officers and men. +</P> + +<P> +For a twelvemonth or more the <I>Pelikan</I> lay hidden. Lavish sums +expended in bribery sealed the mouths of the grasping officials of the +port, in addition to procuring coal and stores to enable the German +vessel to put to sea whenever an opportunity offered. +</P> + +<P> +At length the chance came. Acting under wireless orders from Berlin +the <I>Pelikan</I> was to make a dash for the Atlantic, do as much damage as +she possibly could to shipping of the Allies, and finally attempt to +reach Dar es Salaam, the principal port of German East Africa. Here, +should she succeed in evading the British patrols, she was to transfer +her crew, armament, and munitions to shore to assist the land forces of +the Colony against a threatened advance from Rhodesia. +</P> + +<P> +Accordingly the <I>Pelikan</I> became the <I>Zwaan</I>. Disguised by a different +colour paint and supplied with forged ship's papers she easily evaded +the lax authority of the neutral port and made for the open sea. +</P> + +<P> +A course was shaped to cut the Dutch East Indies liners' route in the +latitude of Cape Verde. Then, following in a parallel direction, the +track usually taken by the vessels she was impersonating, the pseudo +<I>Zwaan</I> headed due south. +</P> + +<P> +Kapitan von Riesser, her commanding officer, was a resourceful and +crafty Hun. He was steeped in the doctrine of "frightfulness", but in +the present instance there were limits. +</P> + +<P> +Had he been the commander of a U boat he would not have hesitated to +send the <I>Nichi Maru</I> to the bottom without warning, for a German +submarine could strike a fatal blow and not show herself during the +attack. The <I>Pelikan</I>—-to revert to her original name—was not +capable of emulating the methods of German unterseebooten without risk +of subsequent capture. And as the possibility of being taken by a +British warship always loomed upon von Riesser's mental horizon, he was +determined to tread warily. +</P> + +<P> +The fear of reprisals alone kept him within the bounds of discretion as +laid down by up-to-date rules of warfare. He might sink any +merchant-vessel that fell into his clutches, provided he gave the +passengers and crew time to take to their boats. +</P> + +<P> +Three days before sighting the <I>Nichi Maru</I> the <I>Pelikan</I> had been +stopped and examined by a British cruiser. The boarding-officer knew +neither German nor Dutch, and conversation had to be conducted in +English. The ship's papers were apparently in order. The British +lieutenant failed to pay sufficient attention to the bulky deck-gear +that concealed the raider's quick-firers; nor did he discover that, +hidden between double bulkheads abaft the engine-room, two +torpedo-tubes, removed from the <I>Karlsruhe</I>, were ready for instant use +should occasion arise. +</P> + +<P> +The cruiser had, indeed, a very narrow escape of sharing the fate of a +British battleship that was torpedoed in the Channel on a dark and +stormy night, the deadly missile being launched from a vessel sailing +under the Dutch flag. Only Kapitan von Riesser's doubts as to the +immediate success of a torpedo attack prevented him putting his +treacherous design into effect. A stricken cruiser, he knew, could use +her guns with tremendous results, and he had no wish to lay down his +life for the Fatherland while an easier course lay open to him. +Accordingly the boarding officer, with many apologies for having +detained a neutral vessel, returned to the cruiser, which immediately +steamed northwards, while the <I>Pelikan</I> proceeded on her course. +</P> + +<P> +Having assumed that the British cruiser was well out of her way, the +raider began to send out wireless calls, limiting the radius of action +to about fifty miles. She did not call in vain, for the <I>Nichi Maru</I>, +picking up the appeal for aid, hastened to the <I>Pelikan's</I> assistance +and, all unsuspecting, fell a victim to her captor. +</P> + +<P> +During the "round-up" of the passengers, Kapitan von Riesser had been +informed by signal of the presence of three British naval officers on +board the <I>Nichi Maru</I>, and instructions were asked as to their +disposal. +</P> + +<P> +The kapitan resolved the problem in his mind. He could not murder the +prisoners without the news being conveyed by the rest of the passengers +of the Japanese liner. If they were brought on board the <I>Pelikan</I>, +they would be a source of danger should the ship again be overhauled by +a patrolling cruiser, unless—— +</P> + +<P> +He consulted the ship's surgeon. Apparently the latter's advice was +satisfactory. In addition, should the <I>Pelikan</I> arrive at Dar es +Salaam with three British naval officers on board as prisoners, well +and good. If, on the other hand, the vessel were captured on the high +seas, the prisoners would no doubt be willing to testify to the fact +that Kapitan von Riesser had committed no unpardonable breach of the +usages of war. From which it will be seen that von Riesser was always +considering how to save his own skin in the event of capture. +</P> + +<P> +"Up—at once!" ordered the unter-leutnant as the boat containing +Denbigh and his companions ran alongside the lowered +accommodation-ladder of the <I>Pelikan</I>. The German did not hesitate to +show his arrogance; but he was severely snubbed by his kapitan. +</P> + +<P> +"I must apologize, gentlemen," began von Riesser in good English as the +British officers came over the side. "My subordinate, Herr Klick, has +allowed his zeal to outrun his discretion. It is necessary for me to +detain you. I know you will bow to the inevitable and recognize that +it is the fortune of war. I will speak to you again shortly!" +</P> + +<P> +The kapitan hurried off, leaving Denbigh and his fellow-prisoners +standing close to the head of the accommodation-ladder. Beyond the +fact that a sentry stood within ten feet of them, no attempt was made +to place them under restraint. They were free to speak, and to watch +the scene that was being enacted a few hundred yards from the vessel to +which they had been removed. +</P> + +<P> +The <I>Nichi Maru</I> was lowering her boats rapidly yet with admirable +discipline. Without accident the heavy lifeboats with their human +freights took the water. As soon as the falls were cast off, the crews +rowed to a safe distance, where they lay on their oars and awaited the +end of the huge liner. +</P> + +<P> +With some minutes to spare, the work of abandoning the vessel was +completed. The captain was the last to leave, the imperturbable look +upon his olive features masking the rage and grief that gripped his +mind. +</P> + +<P> +The two German boats still lay alongside. Presently half a dozen +Teutons hurriedly scrambled into the waiting craft, which without delay +were rowed quickly toward the <I>Pelikan</I>. +</P> + +<P> +Three muffled reports came almost simultaneously from the interior of +the doomed liner. These were followed by two more at comparatively +long intervals. The <I>Nichi Maru</I> heeled slightly, and began to settle +slowly by the bows. +</P> + +<P> +The ship took her time. The wreaths of fleecy steam mingled with +denser columns of smoke that issued from 'tween decks. Then, as the in +rushing water came in contact with the furnaces, the vessel was +enveloped in a cloud of eddying pungent fumes. +</P> + +<P> +When the cloud dispersed, the <I>Nichi Maru's</I> bows were level with the +water, while her stern was raised until the blades of her now +motionless propellers were clear of the agitated sea. +</P> + +<P> +Lower and lower sank the doomed ship. At frequent intervals, small +explosions of compressed air took place. The sea was strewn with +fragments of floating wreckage. +</P> + +<P> +"She's going!" whispered Stirling. +</P> + +<P> +The liner recovered herself. For a moment it seemed as if she were +floating on an even keel. Then, with a convulsive effort, she flung +her stern high out of the water and slid rapidly to her ocean grave. +Almost the last to be seen of her was the mercantile flag of Japan, +still floating proudly from the ensign staff. +</P> + +<P> +In the liner's crowded boats the Japanese officers were standing erect +and at the salute as the vessel disappeared from view. They, too, were +of a breed that is not to be intimidated by Teutonic frightfulness. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap03"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER III +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +On Board the Raider +</H3> + +<P> +"I wish to call attention to the fact, gentlemen, that we acted in +strict accordance with the rights of belligerents," remarked Kapitan +von Riesser. +</P> + +<P> +The <I>Pelikan's</I> captain was seated in his cabin. On either side of him +stood von Langer, the ober-leutnant who had been in charge of the +boarding-party, and Unter-leutnant Kaspar Klick. Facing him stood +Denbigh, Stirling, and O'Hara. +</P> + +<P> +"I am afraid we cannot agree with you," replied Denbigh. +</P> + +<P> +"Possibly not," retorted von Riesser, "but on what grounds?" +</P> + +<P> +"It is hardly a humane act to turn those people adrift in open boats," +continued the Sub. +</P> + +<P> +"What else could I do? Surely you would not expect us to receive a +thousand people on board this ship? They will be picked up, without +doubt, within a few hours." +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps," declared Denbigh. "But there is always a risk. Your action +in sinking that ship is unjustifiable. I am not here to argue the +point, but I will merely state a case in which one of your captains did +not think it advisable to go to the lengths you did. When, in the +early part of the war, the <I>Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse</I> compelled the +British liners <I>Galicia</I> and <I>Arlanza</I> to heave-to, these ships were +subsequently allowed to proceed——" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, but at that time you English were not attempting to starve us out +by a blockade," interrupted the kapitan excitedly, as men do when +cornered in argument. +</P> + +<P> +Denbigh shrugged his shoulders. He had made his protest and had scored +a point. +</P> + +<P> +"We have done with the past," continued von Riesser. "My object in +sending for you is to explain your position. You are, of course, +prisoners of war. It is my intention to accord you treatment as your +rank demands. In ordinary circumstances you are at liberty to leave +your cabins and come on deck whenever you wish during hours of +daylight. There may be times when it will be necessary for you to be +locked in—perhaps taken below. But, understand: if you attempt to +jeopardize the safety of the ship, or to communicate with any passing +vessel, or, in short, to behave other than officers on parole——" +</P> + +<P> +"But we are not on parole," interrupted O'Hara. +</P> + +<P> +"It matters not," declared the kapitan. "If I choose to consider that +you are equivalent to being on parole that is my affair. If, then, you +break any of the conditions I have mentioned you will be tried by a +properly constituted court consisting of officers of the ship, and if +found guilty you will be shot. Is that perfectly clear?" +</P> + +<P> +The three prisoners signified their assent. After all, the German's +stipulations were reasonable. +</P> + +<P> +Von Riesser turned and conversed for a few minutes with his +ober-leutnant. O'Hara, being ignorant of German, and Stirling having +but a slight knowledge of the language, were unable to understand the +drift of the conversation. Denbigh, on the other hand, was a fluent +linguist, but he had already decided to keep that knowledge from his +captors. +</P> + +<P> +Presently Kapitan von Riesser produced a British Navy List. Somewhat +to the British officers' surprise they noticed that it was dated "April +1916", or more than a twelvemonth since the last list had been +obtainable by the public. +</P> + +<P> +"You have qualified as an interpreter, I see," remarked von Riesser. +"For what languages?" +</P> + +<P> +"Hindustani, Swahili, and Arabic," replied Denbigh promptly. He did +not think it necessary to add that German was amongst his +qualifications, and he thanked his lucky stars that the recent Navy +Lists do not specify the language in which officer-interpreters are +expert. +</P> + +<P> +"You are evidently considered a promising young officer," continued the +kapitan. He could not refrain from adding, with a thinly-veiled sneer, +"I am afraid your services will be lost to the English Admiralty for +some time to come." +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps," drawled Denbigh, with such well-feigned indifference that +von Riesser glanced keenly at the young officer's clear-cut features. +</P> + +<P> +Having subjected Stirling and O'Hara to an examination—in which the +Irishman scored more than once by his smart repartees—the prisoners +were dismissed. +</P> + +<P> +The first meal on board the raider was served in the cabin allotted +them. Judging by the nature of the repast provisions were neither +scarce nor unvaried. Having finished, they went on deck. No one +offered to interfere with them. The seamen affected to ignore them. +Once Unter-leutnant Kaspar Klick passed, and gave them such a look that +O'Hara afterwards remarked he would like to have a quiet five minutes +with the German. +</P> + +<P> +"I wonder they haven't searched us," said Stirling in a low voice. +"Now I wish I had put my small revolver into my coat pocket. I thought +it would have been too risky." +</P> + +<P> +"For the same reason I practically emptied my pockets before we left +the <I>Nichi Maru</I>," declared Denbigh. +</P> + +<P> +"And so did I," added O'Hara, "but I took jolly good care to hide that +little automatic pistol—you know the one: I collared it from a German +officer in that little scrap at Herbertshöhe." +</P> + +<P> +"For goodness sake be careful," protested the cautious and level-headed +Scot. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll try to be," replied O'Hara non-committedly. +</P> + +<P> +"Where is the pistol?" asked Denbigh. +</P> + +<P> +"Inside the lining of my cap," replied the Irishman. "Can you see any +sign of a bulge under the cap-cover?" +</P> + +<P> +"Not a trace," declared Denbigh. "Only, old man, remember you are +rather hot-headed. Let's hope there won't be a premature explosion." +</P> + +<P> +"There won't," said O'Hara emphatically. "Because I've no cartridges." +</P> + +<P> +"That's something to be thankful for," remarked Stirling. "But what, +might I ask, is the use of an automatic pistol, if you haven't any +cartridges?" +</P> + +<P> +"You never know your luck," replied O'Hara. "I may manage to pick up +some on board. Whist!" +</P> + +<P> +Von Langer, the fat ober-leutnant who had been in charge of the +boarding-party, was approaching. +</P> + +<P> +Possibly at a hint from his chief he had dropped his overbearing +manner, for he addressed the prisoners in a mild tone. +</P> + +<P> +"It is nearly sunset," he remarked. "You vos go below. I am sorry to +tell you dis, but dese are orders. Wir mussen vorsichtig zu Werke +gehen." +</P> + +<P> +Denbigh gave no sign that he understood. Von Langer had hoped to trip +the Englishman, but he had failed. +</P> + +<P> +"What was that Johnny spouting about?" asked Stirling, when the three +chums had retired to the cabin. +</P> + +<P> +"That they had to be very careful," replied Denbigh. "That I don't +doubt. I'll give them a week at the very outside. If we are not free +men then, I reckon we're booked to Davy Jones his locker." +</P> + +<P> +The cabin was plainly furnished. An electric light was burning, but +the porthole had been previously closed and locked. Overhead an +electric fan was buzzing, while fresh air was admitted by means of +ventilation pipes communicating with the open air. +</P> + +<P> +"We might do worse," remarked O'Hara as he proceeded to undress. "The +rotten part of it is, we can't see what's going on outside. The +beggars have cooped us up pretty well." +</P> + +<P> +"They are evidently busy," said Stirling, as the bustling of some +hundreds of men was plainly audible above the hum of the fan. "Perhaps +they do the worst of their dirty work during the hours of darkness." +</P> + +<P> +The three officers proceeded to make an examination of their quarters. +The walls were of pitch-pine, but upon O'Hara sacrificing one of his +razors, it was found that the woodwork merely formed a casing to a thin +steel bulkhead. The ceiling, too, was of steel, coated with a patent +cement to preserve the metal and to prevent "sweating". The door was +of steel, and was fitted with a "jalousie" or latticed shutter; but +their captors had taken the precaution of bolting a solid metal plate +over the opening. +</P> + +<P> +"Not much chance for anyone who happens to be a somnambulist," said +Denbigh. "Well, it's no use kicking against the pricks when you're +barefooted. I'm going to turn in. By Jove, I do feel horribly sleepy." +</P> + +<P> +"And so do I," added Stirling, unable to stifle a terrific yawn. +</P> + +<P> +"I believe I'm asleep already," muttered O'Hara drowsily. +</P> + +<P> +A moment later the three chums were lost in oblivion. An opiate +secretly administered by the doctor had been mixed with their food. So +soundly did they sleep that they were unaware of a terrific crash that +took place during the middle watch—the explosion of a torpedo launched +from the supposed Dutch liner at a large French vessel. +</P> + +<P> +Von Riesser had risked an example of frightfulness. The huge, +heavily-charged missile—powerful enough to sink the largest battleship +afloat within a couple of hours from the moment of impact—had +literally torn to pieces the lightly-built hull of its victim. Before +the luckless passengers and crew rushed for the boats—and these were +for the most part shattered—the French craft sunk like a stone. +</P> + +<P> +It was not until the sun was almost overhead that Pat O'Hara awoke. +The deadlight of the porthole had been unshipped and the cabin was +flooded with dazzling sunlight. +</P> + +<P> +He sat up in his bunk. His head seemed to be splitting. Everything in +view was slowly moving to and fro with a semicircular motion. +</P> + +<P> +"What the deuce have I been up to?" he soliloquized. "Where was I last +night? By Jove, I must have had another touch of that rotten malaria." +</P> + +<P> +Presently the erratic movements of his surroundings quieted down. He +became aware that Denbigh and Stirling, lying in their bunks on the +other side of the cabin, were still sleeping and breathing stertorously. +</P> + +<P> +"Now how in the name of goodness did those fellows get into my cabin?" +asked the puzzled Irishman, for he was under the impression that he was +on board the <I>Nichi Maru</I>. "Has someone been having a rag?" +</P> + +<P> +From the alley-way came the sound of voices. He listened. The +speakers were making use of a foreign language. It was not the soft, +pleasing Japanese tongue—something harsh and guttural. +</P> + +<P> +"German!" ejaculated O'Hara. "By my blessed namesake I remember it all +now." +</P> + +<P> +He leapt from his bunk and, crossing the cabin, shook Denbigh by the +shoulders. The Sub's only reply was a grunt of semi-conscious +expostulation. O'Hara turned his attentions to the Scot. +</P> + +<P> +"Fore!" muttered Stirling, engrossed in the joys of a round of golf in +dreamland. +</P> + +<P> +"More like twelve, be jabbers," retorted O'Hara. "The sun's well over +the fore-yard. Show a leg and shine, you lazy bounder." +</P> + +<P> +The discipline imbued in the old Dartmouth College was too strong to +resist the nautical invitation to get up. Stirling rolled from his +bunk—fortunately it was the underneath one—and subsided heavily upon +the floor. +</P> + +<P> +"Pull yourself together, man," counselled O'Hara. "Those rotten Huns +have been hocussing our grub." +</P> + +<P> +"If they have, they have," muttered the imperturbable Stirling. +"That's no reason why you should bellow into my ear like a +ninety-thousand horse-power siren." +</P> + +<P> +Leaving the Sub huddled upon the floor O'Hara proceeded to dress. +</P> + +<P> +Suddenly he exclaimed: +</P> + +<P> +"The dirty spalpeens! They've been to my pockets while I was asleep." +</P> + +<P> +This announcement literally electrified his companion, for Stirling +remembered that he had over twenty pounds in Australian sovereigns in +his purse. Alas! The gold had vanished. +</P> + +<P> +"Your pistol?" asked Stirling. +</P> + +<P> +The Irishman whipped his uniform cap from a hat-peg. +</P> + +<P> +"It's there," he reported. "And might you be wanting it to let +daylight into the fellow who collared your cash?" +</P> + +<P> +"Not much use without cartridges," replied Stirling savagely. "It +might have got us into hot water if they had found it. Better pitch it +through the port-hole, old man, before it lands you in queer street." +</P> + +<P> +"No fear," declared O'Hara. "It may come in handy some day." +</P> + +<P> +Some time elapsed before the two men were able to rouse Denbigh from +his stupor. He, too, discovered that a small amount of gold that he +happened to have on him at the time of the capture of the <I>Nichi Maru</I> +had been taken from him. Some silver and a few Japanese coins had been +left. +</P> + +<P> +"We've been drugged right enough," said Denbigh. "I wonder why? +There's some underhand game afoot during the hours of darkness. +To-night we'll do without wine at dinner, and see how that acts." +</P> + +<P> +Having completed their toilet the three Subs left the cabin, for the +door was now unlocked and the metal covering to the jalousie removed. +Without stood a seaman on sentry duty. He drew himself up stiffly as +the British officers passed, but made no salute, nor did he attempt to +bar their progress. +</P> + +<P> +At the foot of the companion-ladder a petty-officer stopped them. +</P> + +<P> +"Breakfast awaits you in this cabin," he said in German. Neither +Stirling nor O'Hara understood, while Denbigh was sufficiently on his +guard to feign ignorance of the nature of the announcement. +</P> + +<P> +"Der vos a meal for you in dere," announced von Langer, stepping from +behind the shaft of a ventilator. +</P> + +<P> +"Thank you!" replied the three Subs in unison. +</P> + +<P> +"But it's nearly lunch time, isn't it?" added O'Hara. +</P> + +<P> +"Dey vos tell me der Englische are very fond of sleep," retorted von +Langer with a laugh. "Himmel! I tink dot is very true." +</P> + +<P> +The meal over, the prisoners went on deck. Out of curiosity Denbigh +walked to the rail and leant over the side. He was not surprised at +what he saw. The ship's sides had been painted during the night. The +black band still remained, but the yellow paint had been replaced with +a coat of blue. Already the tropical sun was blistering the still wet +paint, revealing patches of the original hue underneath. The funnels, +too, had been redecorated. They were now red with black tops. +</P> + +<P> +Some minutes later Kapitan von Riesser descended from the bridge and +walked aft. Seeing the British officer he crossed the deck. +</P> + +<P> +"You like our new colour scheme?" he asked. +</P> + +<P> +Denbigh did not reply to the question. He asked another. +</P> + +<P> +"Mr. Stirling and I both lost some gold during the night. Our cabin +was entered while we were asleep and the money taken from our pockets. +Was the—er—theft committed at your instigation?" +</P> + +<P> +For a moment von Riesser hesitated. +</P> + +<P> +"There was no theft," he replied. "The gold was taken from you +prisoners——" +</P> + +<P> +"Contrary to——" began Stirling hotly. +</P> + +<P> +"In accordance with my instructions," continued the Kapitan. "Gold is +of no use to you. Instead, you will be furnished with Notes to its +equivalent as soon as we arrive." +</P> + +<P> +"You may as well get your purser to write out a receipt," said O'Hara. +"It will come in handy when the <I>Zwaan</I>—if that's her proper name—is +captured." +</P> + +<P> +Von Riesser laughed boisterously. +</P> + +<P> +"Captured?" he repeated. "Ach! I don't think there is much danger +now. South of the Line there is not a solitary British cruiser that +can touch us in speed. There are plenty of them, I admit, but that is +your English all over. Three swift vessels would be worth all your +East India fleet put together, yet you pack highly-trained crews into +slow and out-of-date tubs." +</P> + +<P> +"Possibly the captain of the <I>Emden</I> thought the same as you do," +remarked Stirling. +</P> + +<P> +"Müller had difficulties that I have not," replied von Riesser. "He +was known to be in the Indian Ocean and swift cruisers were dispatched +from England and Australia to hunt for him. Our presence on the High +Seas will not be known to your Admiralty until it is too late. So, +gentlemen, I must ask you to seriously consider the possibility of +finding yourselves prisoners of war in our well-defended Colony of +German East Africa." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap04"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER IV +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Threatened +</H3> + +<P> +That night, according to their pre-arranged plans, the captive +sub-lieutenants avoided taking any of the wines that were placed before +them. +</P> + +<P> +They dined alone in a small cabin placed at least fifty feet from their +sleeping quarters. +</P> + +<P> +As it was now after sunset the porthole was closed and locked. The +door, too, was shut, but not secured. Outside, a sentry paced to and +fro. +</P> + +<P> +"Look here, you fellows!" exclaimed Denbigh after the man deputed to +attend to their needs had gone. "It's all very well knocking off the +fizz, but they'll notice we haven't drunk any." +</P> + +<P> +"Pour it into the grate," suggested Pat O'Hara recklessly. +</P> + +<P> +Denbigh shook his head. +</P> + +<P> +"Won't do," he objected, giving a glance in the direction of the small +"bogie" stove. "I suppose there isn't any possibility of prizing open +the port-lid?" +</P> + +<P> +"You'd be spotted even if you could. There are plenty of men on deck," +said O'Hara, glad of the opportunity of countering Denbigh's objection +with another. "Come along, old bird; what do you suggest?" +</P> + +<P> +Stirling, to whom the invitation was addressed, thrust his hand into +the breast pocket of his coat. +</P> + +<P> +"What would you do if I weren't here to look after you?" he enquired, +at the same time producing three sponges. "I took them from our cabin." +</P> + +<P> +"For dessert?" queried O'Hara, lifting his eyebrows in surprise. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, if you are a goat," said Stirling with asperity. "Goats are, I +believe, rather partial to this sort of tack." +</P> + +<P> +Coolly the Scot poured out a wineglassful of sherry—it was from the +same decanter that they had taken some the previous evening—and slowly +spilt the liquid on the sponge. +</P> + +<P> +"Fill your glass first," cautioned Stirling. "Then they'll think we +have had some of the poisonous stuff. Slip your sponge into your +pocket, Denbigh. Don't squeeze it. I am presuming you'll want it +again later. Of course if Pat wishes, he can chew his." +</P> + +<P> +Dinner over, the chums retired to their sleeping cabin. In fact they +had no option, since they were forbidden to go on deck after sunset. +Here they talked and looked at the illustrations of some old Spanish +newspapers until lights out; then, turning in, they lay awake awaiting +possible developments. Eight bells struck. The <I>Pelikan</I> was no +longer moving through the water. Outside the cabin men were talking. +Springing from his bunk Denbigh approached the door, putting his ear to +the covered jalousie. +</P> + +<P> +"I suppose those English swine are sound asleep," said a voice which +the sub recognized as that of Kapitan von Riesser. "I cannot hear them +grunting—we did last night." +</P> + +<P> +"Nor can I, sir," replied Unter-leutnant Klick, who as officer of the +watch was accompanying the captain on his rounds. "But they must be. +They went for that doctored sherry like fishes." +</P> + +<P> +"Himmel! That is good news," exclaimed von Riesser. "It will be quite +safe to settle that vessel. When she first answered our call she was +only forty kilometres away. In twenty minutes——" +</P> + +<P> +The listener fancied he could hear the kapitan rubbing his hands with +glee. +</P> + +<P> +"It is much the better way," continued von Riesser: "'Lost with all +hands' is quite a plausible theory. I am almost sorry we didn't wait +until night when we tackled the Japanese ship. We run a good risk of +being made a quarry for a dozen or more of those accursed cruisers. +Those English may even send some swift destroyers on our track. You +are sure those fellows are quite insensible?" +</P> + +<P> +"As quiet as the grave, sir," assured the unter-leutnant. "They will +hear nothing. Even that terrific explosion when our torpedo took the +Frenchman by surprise never disturbed them. But, of course, sir, I'll +make doubly sure. We'll squirt some chloroform into the cabin." +</P> + +<P> +"Then be sharp about it," said von Riesser. "There's no time to be +lost. That English vessel ought to be in sight within the next quarter +of an hour." +</P> + +<P> +The German officer moved away. In a trice Denbigh communicated the +news to his companions. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh for a respirator!" whispered O'Hara. +</P> + +<P> +"Don't worry," said Stirling. "The electric fan will carry off the +fumes as quickly as they pump them in." +</P> + +<P> +Even as he spoke the fan ceased to revolve. The current actuating the +ventilating gear had been switched off. Already Unter-leutnant Klick +was putting his scheme into effect. +</P> + +<P> +"Those voice tubes," hissed Denbigh. +</P> + +<P> +"They lead nowhere," protested Stirling. "They are blocked. I tried +them some time ago." +</P> + +<P> +The cabin had previously been used as the purser's office, and from it +voice-tubes had communicated with the captain's cabin, the head +steward's quarters, and the clerk's office. The metal pipes had been +removed, but three lengths of flexible tubing had been left. +</P> + +<P> +With a sharp tug Denbigh wrenched one of the tubes from the flange +securing it to the bulkhead. The second gave more trouble. As he was +straining at it a sharp rasping sound fell upon his ear. In the +adjoining cabin someone was at work drilling a hole through the metal +partition. +</P> + +<P> +Smearing the bell-shaped mouth-pieces of two of the detached pipes with +soap from the wash-basin, Denbigh clapped them together. +</P> + +<P> +"Hold on here, Pat," he whispered. "Press 'em tightly." +</P> + +<P> +O'Hara obeyed unhesitatingly. Instinctively he realized that this was +Denbigh's pigeon, and once Denbigh undertook a task he was pretty +certain of the result. +</P> + +<P> +Stirling was then told to hold one end of the second and third +sections. The united length of tubing was now nearly nine feet. One +end Denbigh wedged into the opening in the ceiling for the electric +fan. The other he held in his hand in readiness. +</P> + +<P> +At length, after a tedious wait, Denbigh saw the tip of the drill +emerging from the bulkhead. Marking the spot he instantly switched off +the light. A dull thud announced that the boring tool had made a +complete perforation and that the handle had struck home against the +steelwork. +</P> + +<P> +The drill was withdrawn. In its place a small metal tube was inserted. +Deftly and noiselessly Denbigh slipped the lower end of the flexible +piping over the projecting nozzle. Then he waited. He could hear the +Irishman breathing heavily. The portion of the tube that he was +holding quivered in his excitable grasp. Stirling, cool and collected, +gave no sign of the potential alertness that possessed him. +</P> + +<P> +A gentle hissing sound, repeated at short intervals, announced that the +Germans were injecting the stupefying fumes by means of a bellows. A +faint, sickly odour assailed Denbigh's nostrils. He had to fight hard +to refrain from gasping. Grimly he stood by until the hissing noise +ceased. +</P> + +<P> +His plan had been successful. Save for a slight leakage the fumes had +travelled through the pipe and had been carried through the louvres of +the ventilator, while the hot air of the cabin was sufficient to create +an up-draught to disperse the noxious vapour. +</P> + +<P> +Denbigh removed his end of the tube. As he did so he heard a voice +exclaim: +</P> + +<P> +"It is enough. More will kill them. You had better enter the cabin, +Herr Doktor, and see that they are still breathing." +</P> + +<P> +The sub drew the piping from his companions' grasp. +</P> + +<P> +"Turn in and pretend you're insensible," he whispered, fearful lest the +sound should be heard through the newly-made hole in the bulkhead. +</P> + +<P> +It was less than five minutes later when the door was unlocked and a +dim figure cautiously entered. +</P> + +<P> +"Not half so bad as I expected," said a guttural voice. The smell of +the anæsthetic had almost dispersed. "Where is the switch?" +</P> + +<P> +"Here, Herr Doktor," replied a petty officer. +</P> + +<P> +The next instant the cabin was bathed in brilliant light. In spite of +their efforts to the contrary the three supposed sleepers twitched +their eyelids. +</P> + +<P> +The ship's surgeon bent over O'Hara. A short scrutiny confirmed his +suspicions. He turned to the bunk on which Stirling was lying, and, +lifting the sub's eyelid, placed the tip of his forefinger upon the +eyeball. +</P> + +<P> +"Ach, is it so?" ejaculated the German, for Stirling had been compelled +to contract his eyelids. +</P> + +<P> +A similar test bore the same result in Denbigh's case; then, without +another word, the doctor hurried from the cabin. +</P> + +<P> +"The old pillbox has tumbled to it," muttered Denbigh. "Now what will +their little game be?" +</P> + +<P> +The sub was not left long in doubt. Ober-leutnant von Langer, who had +followed the doctor into the cabin, made his presence known by bawling +out an order to half a dozen of the crew who were waiting without: +</P> + +<P> +"Come! Out mit you!" he exclaimed, addressing the sham sleepers. "It +is that I know your little pretend. Ach! you tink you smart?" +</P> + +<P> +Yet Denbigh and his companions kept still, half-hoping that the +doctor's test had not been successful and von Langer was trying his +hand. +</P> + +<P> +The ober-leutnant gave another order. Unceremoniously the three +British officers were hauled out of the bunks by the seamen, who seemed +to take a delight in roughly handling anyone of commissioned rank. +Perhaps, if von Langer did but know it, his men would have been only +too pleased to use him in the same way, for the ober-leutnant was a +Prussian and a Junker, while the crew were for the most part from +Schleswig-Holstein. +</P> + +<P> +With as much dignity as their dishevelled appearance would permit, +Denbigh and his companions allowed themselves to be taken on deck, +where they had to cool their heels at the pleasure of their captors. +It was a bright moonlight night. The air was decidedly chilly for the +Tropics. A heavy dew was falling. The lightly-clad men—for the +sub-lieutenants were in pyjamas—realized that there was a grave risk +of tropical fever. +</P> + +<P> +The ship was once more under way. With a true seaman's instinct +Denbigh glanced aloft. By the relative position of the moon—since no +stars were visible—he was able to fix the approximate course of the +vessel. She was steering roughly sou'-sou'-east. Far away to the +nor'ard a masthead lamp was blinking—calling in Morse to know why they +had been summoned. +</P> + +<P> +Denbigh gave a grunt of satisfaction. For once von Riesser's plan had +gone awry. He had feared to treacherously torpedo an unsuspecting +merchantman since there were hostile eye-witnesses on board the +<I>Pelikan</I>. +</P> + +<P> +Presently the kapitan, clad in a greatcoat over his white uniform, +appeared at the head of the bridge-ladder. +</P> + +<P> +"You there, von Langer?" he called. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir," replied the ober-leutnant. "Shall I bring the prisoners to +you?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, I'll see them in my cabin," replied von Riesser. "Tell off a +couple of hands to guard the prisoners and another half-dozen to wait +outside in case there is any trouble. I'll be there in a few minutes." +</P> + +<P> +The kapitan's quarters were situated aft on the upper deck. They +comprised a large cabin, used for meals and recreation, and a sleeping +cabin opening from it. Denbigh and his companions were marched into +the outer cabin and told to take up a position facing von Riesser's +empty arm-chair and separated from it by a long mahogany table. +</P> + +<P> +The cabin was plainly furnished. In addition to the arm-chair and +table there were two sideboards, a large book-rack, and half a dozen +cane chairs. On the table lay a pile of Dutch charts. Books for +navigation and sailing directions in the same language occupied the +shelves in company with a few American novels. +</P> + +<P> +Everything German, with one exception, had been studiously eliminated, +in order to baffle the curiosity of a British boarding-officer in the +event of the supposed <I>Zwaan</I> being held up. The exception was a large +oil painting of the Kaiser in the uniform of a German Admiral of the +Fleet. The portrait was framed in a massive oak frame securely fixed +to the bulkhead between the two cabins. The only other picture was a +sepia-toned photograph of the Queen of Holland, in a narrow, plain gilt +frame. When it became necessary to hide the features of the All +Highest War Lord from the eyes of the strafed English, who had +practically contrived to drive the War Lord's battleships from the face +of the five oceans, von Riesser took the risk of committing lese +majesté by placing the portrait of Queen Wilhelmina over that of the +Emperor Wilhelm II. Then, to all appearances, the captain's cabin of +the <I>Zwaan</I> was loyally adorned by a photograph of the Queen of the +Netherlands in a deep oak frame with a thin gold slip. +</P> + +<P> +In the circumstances, however, it was not considered necessary to +eclipse the All Highest War Lord, so the three British subs found +themselves confronted by the painted features of the modern Attila. +</P> + +<P> +The door was thrown open. Von Langer and the two seamen clicked their +heels and saluted as von Riesser entered with the dramatic effect of +which Prussians are so fond. Gravely saluting the Emperor's portrait +and then returning his subordinates' mark of respect the kapitan took +his seat. +</P> + +<P> +"You know why you are here?" asked von Riesser abruptly, lowering his +brows and looking sternly at the three British officers. +</P> + +<P> +"We do not," replied Denbigh. "In fact, it is rather unusual to turn a +fellow out of his bunk at one in the morning." +</P> + +<P> +"Do not bandy words, Herr Denbigh," snapped the kapitan. "You have +been causing trouble." +</P> + +<P> +"Is it causing trouble to take steps to avoid being gassed or +chloroformed?" asked O'Hara. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," almost shouted the kapitan. "If we think it desirable that our +prisoners should be put to sleep it is not for them to resist." +</P> + +<P> +"In that case there's no more to be said," declared the Irishman. "You +are top-dog——" +</P> + +<P> +"You call me a dog, you English swine!" almost howled the now +infuriated Prussian. +</P> + +<P> +O'Hara burst out into violent laughter. Denbigh smiled broadly, while +around Stirling's firm lips hovered the suspicion of a grim smile. +Their utter indifference to the ravings of their captor took von +Riesser by surprise. +</P> + +<P> +"I may as well tell you," began Denbigh, seizing his opportunity, "that +I can speak German perhaps as well as you can speak English. I +overheard your conversation outside our cabin an hour or so ago, and we +know what you proposed to do to the ship which you were luring. I +suppose you call those tactics frightfulness. I call them low-down, +skulking treachery. How a man who professes to be a sailor, who has +lived a free and healthy life upon the sea, could belittle himself to +act as you propose to do, and possibly have done, passes my +understanding. I give you fair warning, Kapitan von Riesser, that, +should we be set free by an English cruiser, you will have a grave +indictment to answer." +</P> + +<P> +Von Riesser did not reply for a few moments. He was greatly agitated. +Once or twice he glanced anxiously at his ober-leutnant, as if curious +to know whether von Langer understood Denbigh's words. +</P> + +<P> +Then he, too, laughed, but it was not a natural outburst of an +unburdened and evenly-balanced mind. +</P> + +<P> +"You threaten?" he asked. "Well, I can threaten also. Suppose I +decide to put into operation the principle of your worthy Prime +Minister? One of his maxims, oft quoted in the Press, is, I believe, +'Wait and see'?" +</P> + +<P> +"It ought to be particularly applicable in your case," rejoined Denbigh +coolly. +</P> + +<P> +"Ach! And in yours. What is to prevent me from ordering a weight to +be put about your neck and cast you into the sea? Weight and sea. +Himmel, that is great!" +</P> + +<P> +He roared at his own joke, while von Langer, although unable to +comprehend the significance, showed his servile approbation by laughing +in a minor key. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't think that it would make very much difference if you did," +replied Denbigh. "You see, the <I>Nichi Maru's</I> people know that you +carried us off. Some day you will have to answer some rather searching +questions if you could not produce us." +</P> + +<P> +Again von Riesser pondered. He was beginning to feel horribly annoyed +with himself for having ever received the three British officers on +board the <I>Pelikan</I>. He was plunging deeper and deeper into the mire. +He lacked the determination to cut the Gordian Knot. +</P> + +<P> +By way of an excuse he scribbled a note and tossed it to von Langer. +</P> + +<P> +"Take that to the officer of the watch," he said carelessly. +</P> + +<P> +The ober-leutnant quitted the cabin. The two impassive seamen +remained. They, fortunately, knew no English, save a few catch phrases +picked up when lying in dock in that dim period before the War. +</P> + +<P> +"Suppose we cry quits," resumed von Riesser. "I am ready to apologize +for having exceeded my rights in dealing with you. After all there's +no great harm done. I'll admit I planned to trap yonder vessel. You +must have misunderstood me when I said that I had intended to torpedo +her. We use our torpedoes only in cases of extreme necessity. Are you +willing to forget this night?" +</P> + +<P> +"We would like to talk the matter over between ourselves," replied +Denbigh. "If you have no objection, we will give our reply at noon +to-morrow." +</P> + +<P> +"I agree," said von Riesser, with a meekness that quite surprised +Denbigh and his companions. He gave an order to the two seamen. They +turned and left the cabin. +</P> + +<P> +Two minutes later the British officers were back in their own quarters. +Time had been called after the first round, and the Prussian had not +come out top-dog. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap05"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER V +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +The Pursuit of the <I>Pelikan</I> +</H3> + +<P> +"One thing that puzzles me," remarked Stirling during the following +forenoon, "is why they didn't clap us below under hatches, instead of +trying to stupefy us. It would have been far less trouble." +</P> + +<P> +"I must say that I share your thoughts," said Denbigh. "These Germans +are no fools. They are pretty thorough in whatever they take up, +whether it's a diabolical scheme or otherwise. It might be that +there's something below that they don't want us to see, and rather than +run a risk in that direction, they prefer to lock us up in the cabin." +</P> + +<P> +"That's all very well," rejoined O'Hara. "But it won't wash. Old von +Langer let it out in the course of conversation that this ship has +already been examined by one of our cruisers." +</P> + +<P> +"Then perhaps the boarding-officer wasn't cute enough. It's a tribute +to our sagacity, old man," said Stirling. "However, time and events +will prove. By Jove, the fateful hour approaches! What will von +Riesser say to our decision?" +</P> + +<P> +At eight bells the three British officers were told to proceed to the +kapitan's cabin. This time von Riesser was alone. He looked flustered +and worried. +</P> + +<P> +"Sit down, gentlemen," he began. "You must look upon this as a private +and confidential chat. Now, to go straight to the point: are you +prepared, in the event of your being given honourable treatment and +allowed the greatest liberty possible, to maintain silence upon last +night's affair?" +</P> + +<P> +Denbigh, as spokesman, did not think it advisable to give a direct +reply. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you, on your part, promise to refrain from treacherous attacks upon +Allied merchantmen?" he asked. +</P> + +<P> +"I think I can give that guarantee," replied von Riesser. "If I do so, +will you write a certificate to the effect that, to the best of your +belief, I, as commander of the ship, am acting in accordance with the +present accepted rules of naval warfare? That, I think, will square +matters." +</P> + +<P> +"We cannot do that," declared Denbigh. "We are willing to give a +certificate to the effect that you acted with discretion." +</P> + +<P> +The kapitan smiled grimly. +</P> + +<P> +"There is a certain amount of latitude in that," he replied. "I +suppose you will then say nothing of last night's business." +</P> + +<P> +"Since we have no direct evidence of what you have done, we cannot very +well state a case," said Denbigh. "The thing is this: are you going to +torpedo any merchantmen without warning?" +</P> + +<P> +"No," replied von Riesser. +</P> + +<P> +"Very well. We have forgotten last night," declared Denbigh. "Should +occasion arise we will give you the required certificate." +</P> + +<P> +"And should occasion not arise," thought von Riesser, "I will make it +pretty hot for these young cubs. Once safely in port in our African +colony, I will show them what it means to thwart a Prussian officer." +</P> + +<P> +With these sentiments in his mind and a smile on his face the kapitan +dismissed his prisoners. +</P> + +<P> +During the afternoon there was a thick haze. It was impossible to +distinguish anything beyond a distance of about a mile from the ship. +Sea and sky were merged into an ill-defined blurr. The glass, too, was +falling rapidly. That and the presence of the mist betokened an +imminent change in the weather. +</P> + +<P> +Suddenly there was a rift in the curtain of vapour. At less than two +miles away on the <I>Pelikan's</I> port bow were two vessels, one being in +tow of the other. +</P> + +<P> +The subs were quick to recognize the leading craft. She was a British +cruiser of the "Eclipse" class—a vessel of 5600 tons, and with a +nominal speed of 19 knots. But the craft in tow was a puzzle to them. +She was low-lying, with a raised superstructure amidships, one funnel, +and a tall mast fitted with a fire-control platform. From her for'ard +turret two huge guns, seemingly out of all proportion to the rest of +the ship, protruded. The muzzles, instead of being inclined upwards, +were depressed. Although Denbigh and his companions could not +distinguish details owing to the distance of the vessel, the German +officers, by means of their telescopes and binoculars, could see that +the muzzles of the guns were resting on large chocks bolted to the +deck, while the protruding part of the weapons were additionally +secured by stout hawsers. The mysterious craft was apparently +deserted. Everything was battened down, for the decks were swept by +the long Atlantic waves. +</P> + +<P> +"By Jove!" ejaculated O'Hara. "She must be one of our monitors. Now, +where is she off to, I should like to know? There's something in the +wind." +</P> + +<A NAME="img-054"></A> +<CENTER> +<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-054.jpg" ALT=""BY JOVE!" EJACULATED O'HARA, "SHE MUST BE ONE OF OUR MONITORS."" BORDER="2"> +<H4 CLASS="h4center"> +"BY JOVE!" EJACULATED O'HARA, "SHE MUST BE ONE OF OUR MONITORS." +</H4> +</CENTER> + +<P> +Kapitan von Riesser could have answered the question. He stood on the +bridge, glasses glued to his face and rage in his heart. There could +be but one solution. The monitor was bound for the Indian Ocean, to +take part in the forthcoming operations against the Germans in East +Africa. +</P> + +<P> +"Donnerwetter!" muttered von Riesser. "These accursed English. They +may throw away their opportunities on land, but they know how to do +things at sea." +</P> + +<P> +"Shall I carry on, sir?" asked the officer of the watch. +</P> + +<P> +"No, port helm," ordered the kapitan. Then realizing that the carrying +out of this command might arouse the suspicions of the British cruiser, +he had the <I>Pelikan</I> steadied on her helm. The course would bring her +within a mile of the cruiser and her tow. +</P> + +<P> +"The cheek!" exclaimed Stirling. "Old von Riesser's going to play a +game of bluff." +</P> + +<P> +"I vote we semaphore," suggested O'Hara impulsively. "We'd do the +trick before they could stop us." +</P> + +<P> +The Irishman, however, had no opportunity of putting his plan into +effect, for at that moment a petty-officer informed the subs that it +was the kapitan's pleasure they should go below. +</P> + +<P> +They found the port-hole closed and locked. Von Riesser was not a man +to take needless risks. +</P> + +<P> +A hoist of bunting fluttered from the cruiser's signal yard-arm. It +was a message in the International Code: "E C—what ship is that?" +</P> + +<P> +Promptly the Dutch ensign was hoisted, while simultaneously the +"number" of the real <I>Zwaan</I> was made. +</P> + +<P> +From the cruiser came another signal. Von Riesser had no occasion to +consult the code-book. It was "I D—Heave-to, or I fire." +</P> + +<P> +"Hard a-port!" he shouted, and telegraphed for full speed ahead. +</P> + +<P> +Round swung the <I>Pelikan</I>, listing until five feet of her underbody +showed clear. Even as she did so a couple of 12-pounders spat +venomously, the shells passing perilously close to the towering hull. +</P> + +<P> +Down fluttered the Dutch ensign. The British cruiser ceased firing. +Ahead lay a bank of fog. +</P> + +<P> +Von Riesser knew that he was in a tight corner, and it was in tight +corners that the better qualities of the man showed themselves. For a +few moments he stood motionless. Every second the <I>Pelikan</I> was +slipping farther and farther away from the cruiser, which, hampered by +her tow, was unable to stand in pursuit. Her skipper was somewhat +mystified. According to the rules of the game the <I>Pelikan</I> had +struck, yet he knew that of necessity the immense bulk must carry +considerable way. +</P> + +<P> +The British cruiser had no doubts of the blue liner with the broad +black band, for the survivors of the <I>Nichi Maru</I> had been picked up by +one of the patrolling vessels. Once more that mixed blessing, wireless +telegraphy, had been brought into service, and a description of the +raider sent far and wide. Already a number of light cruisers were on +their way from Simon's Bay to intercept the <I>Pelikan</I>, while the +blockading squadron off the east coast of Africa had been warned of the +likely attempt on the part of the fugitive to gain one of the +little-known and unfrequented rivers of the last of Germany's overseas +possessions. +</P> + +<P> +Von Riesser alternately kept glancing ahead and astern. The haze was +beginning to envelop the monitor and her escort. +</P> + +<P> +He shouted an order to a petty officer. The man doubled aft, bawling +as he ran. Then from the ensign staff fluttered the Black Cross of the +Imperial German Navy. +</P> + +<P> +The cruiser's reply was a salvo from her quick-firers. Two shells +struck home, one bursting on the poop and blowing the emblem of Germany +to atoms, besides causing considerable damage to the deck. A second +burst amidships, shattering a couple of ventilators, splintering one of +the boats, and destroying the greater portion of the bridge. Fragments +of metal and splinters of wood flew in all directions. Kapitan von +Riesser narrowly escaped being hit. As it was, one of his officers and +two seamen were killed outright, five others being seriously wounded, +while the kapitan was thrown to the deck by the concussion. +</P> + +<P> +For a few minutes the <I>Pelikan</I> was enveloped in smoke and spray thrown +up by the shells that exploded on either side; but before the cruiser +could get in another effective shot the raider was lost in the mist. +</P> + +<P> +Von Riesser guessed, and rightly, that the cat was out of the bag, +otherwise the cruiser would not have hoisted that peremptory demand to +heave-to. He realized that his position was a hazardous one. +Thousands of miles from a friendly port, sought by perhaps a score of +British cruisers, and, moreover, running short of coal, the <I>Pelikan</I> +stood a very small chance of dropping anchor in East African waters, +except as a prize. +</P> + +<P> +On the other hand, Fate, in the guise of the mist, had dealt kindly +with the <I>Pelikan</I>. For the rest of the day she steamed westward. +Down below the firemen toiled like Trojans, shovelling coal into the +glowing furnaces. On deck the crew worked hard, clearing away the +debris left by the British cruiser's shells. The wireless staff were +busy "jamming" the numerous messages thrown out from various vessels, +that were converging on the monitor and her escort for the purpose of +cutting off the audacious <I>Pelikan</I>. +</P> + +<P> +About an hour before sunset the mist cleared. The sea was still calm, +although high overhead the ragged and greasy clouds betokened the +approach of a southerly gale. The setting sun, a ball of bright +yellow, set in a pale greenish-yellow sky, threw its slanting rays +across the damaged bridge, almost blinding the look-out with its +brilliance. +</P> + +<P> +"Sail on the starboard bow," reported one of the watchers. +</P> + +<P> +Von Riesser, who had practically recovered from the shock of being +capsized by the explosion, had not left the bridge. He immediately +gave orders to starboard the helm. At the present juncture he would +not risk meeting even an unarmed tramp laden with military stores. +</P> + +<P> +The stranger was the British light cruiser <I>Actæon</I>, of 3000 tons, and +with a speed of slightly over 20 knots. Pelting towards the scene of +the encounter between the <I>Pelikan</I> and her foiled antagonist, the +<I>Actæon</I> was unwittingly approaching the fugitive. She, having the +advantage of the light, recognized the German liner almost before the +latter had noticed her presence. +</P> + +<P> +As the <I>Pelikan</I> swung round, the <I>Actæon</I> followed suit, both vessels +being now on slightly converging courses and about six miles apart. It +was a question as to which of the two was the speediest ship—a +question, seemingly, that events only could prove. +</P> + +<P> +The sun set. The short period of tropical twilight gave place to +pitch-black night, for the moon, now two days after the full, had not +yet risen. +</P> + +<P> +On board the <I>Pelikan</I> all lights that might be visible from outside +were extinguished, save for one white light shown aft. The pursuing +vessel displayed no lights, but her approximate position could be fixed +by means of the dull-red glow of the flames that issued from her three +funnels. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you think she's gaining, von Langer?" asked the kapitan anxiously, +after an interval of almost unbroken silence as far as the officers on +the <I>Pelikan's</I> bridge were concerned. +</P> + +<P> +"I am not sure," replied the ober-leutnant. "We do not appear to be +gaining on her. It may be that we are just holding our own." +</P> + +<P> +"Unless we can shake her off completely before sunrise we stand little +chance," said von Riesser moodily. "We cannot stand up to her. Those +guns would send us to the bottom in a quarter of an hour, long before +we came within torpedo range." +</P> + +<P> +"If we had but a dozen mines, sir——" began Unter-leutnant Klick. +</P> + +<P> +"It is no use wishing for what we haven't got," snapped the kapitan. +"And what is more, yon English ship is taking good care not to follow +directly in our wake in case we were dropping mines." +</P> + +<P> +There was silence for some moments. Von Riesser was deep in thought, +his eyes fixed the while upon the lurid red tint on the horizon. +</P> + +<P> +"Ach!" he exclaimed. "I think I have it. Here, Herr Klick, see that +the motor launch is cleared ready for lowering." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap06"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER VI +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +The Decoy +</H3> + +<P> +Wondering at the inexplicable nature of Kapitan von Riesser's order the +unter-leutnant hurried off. In a few minutes the sea-boat's crew, +drilled for such emergencies, had provisioned and watered the +twenty-five-foot motor-launch that hung in davits abreast of the +after-funnel. +</P> + +<P> +The securing chocks were removed, the falls manned, and the davits +swung outboard. +</P> + +<P> +"Motor-launch ready, sir!" reported the unter-leutnant. "Water and +provisions are on board, and a hundred litres of petrol." +</P> + +<P> +"I gave no orders for the boat to be victualled," exclaimed the +kapitan. "No matter: it will waste too much valuable time to remove +the stuff. Now, listen, Herr Klick. Everything depends upon the +strict carrying out of my instructions. Place two men on board the +launch—one to tend each of the lower blocks of the falls. Have ready +a white light. See that the helm is lashed. I will slow down the +ship, and turn her so that the launch will be slightly to leeward. At +the word, see that the motor is started and the light exhibited. Then +lower away smartly, and tell the men to hang on to the falls when they +are disengaged unless they want to be a target for the English cannon." +</P> + +<P> +"I understand, sir. You are using the boat as a decoy." +</P> + +<P> +"Precisely, Herr Klick. Now, be sharp. With a vessel pursuing us at a +rate equal to our utmost speed we cannot afford to lose precious +moments in lying-to." +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent" ALIGN="center"> +<SPAN STYLE="letter-spacing: 4em">*****</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<P> +"I say, you fellows, I think I'll go on deck and see what's doing," +announced Sub-lieutenant Stirling. +</P> + +<P> +His companions looked at him with feelings akin to amazement. +</P> + +<P> +"What the deuce are you babbling about, old man?" asked O'Hara. "You +know as well as we do that we are locked in." +</P> + +<P> +None of the three prisoners had any thought of turning in. They had +heard the crash of the British shells as the cruiser sought to wing the +German raider. In spite of the danger of being hit, and what was +infinitely worse, being drowned like rats in a trap in a foundering +vessel—since it was more than possible that the crew of the <I>Pelikan</I> +would take no steps to liberate the captives—the subs were in high +spirits. They took it for granted that their release would be a matter +of a few minutes only, since the lightly-built <I>Pelikan</I> would stand no +earthly chance against the vastly-superior ordnance of the pursuing +vessel. Then came a sudden cessation of the firing; yet the prisoners +knew by the thud of the engines that the German ship was still pelting +on her bid for safety. +</P> + +<P> +Hours passed. There was no doubt in the minds of the three men that +the <I>Pelikan</I> was being hotly pursued. The pulsations of the engines +under forced draught was conclusive evidence on that point. The +captive officers sat and talked, drawing conclusions as to what was +taking place, until Stirling suddenly hurled a verbal bomb-shell by +announcing his intention of going on deck. +</P> + +<P> +"Don't be so rash with your assertions, Pat," replied Stirling in mock +reproof. "It is certainly true that we are locked in. It is also a +fact that I possess a very efficient screw-driver. I took the liberty +of annexing it, as one of the carpenter's crew has been guilty of +negligence. On board a British ship that screw-driver would, in the +usual course of routine, find itself in the scran-bag; but since I'm +not at all certain that such a visible cure for forgetfulness exists in +the German navy, I have and hold the article in question." +</P> + +<P> +"No need to brag about it, old man," said O'Hara. "You are not the +only light-fingered gentleman of our little coterie. As these Germans +had no compunction in entering the cabin and sneaking out hard-earned +cash, I repaid the compliment by entering one of the officer's cabins, +and this is what I annexed." +</P> + +<P> +He held up a dark-green paper packet containing a dozen rounds of +ammunition that fitted the automatic pistol. +</P> + +<P> +"Steady!" exclaimed Denbigh. "You're looking for trouble with that +thing, Pat. It's as dangerous as a shillelagh at Donnybrook Fair. And +what's the object in breaking out?" he continued, addressing Stirling, +who was fondling the screw-driver in anticipation. "If you're detected +there'll be a rumpus. I don't suppose you'll do any good, and if you +possess your soul in patience a little longer you'll be let out." +</P> + +<P> +"Hanged if I can," retorted Stirling. "I must have a look round. I +didn't ask you fellows to come. In fact, there's less risk for one +than three." +</P> + +<P> +"Have your own way, then," said Denbigh, who knew that when the Scot +once made up his mind there would be no turning aside. +</P> + +<P> +The lock was secured to the inside of the door. It was sufficient to +keep out intruders, but quite inadequate to resist the application of +the screwdriver. Working swiftly yet silently, Stirling removed the +brass staple. Only the pressure of his boot against the door kept it +shut. Cautiously he drew the door ajar. There was a light switched on +in the passage. At the far end of the alley-way was the sentry on the +aft-deck. The rest of the cabins were deserted, since the excitement +of the chase kept all officers on deck. Having, then, no fear of +detection the sentry was sitting on the lid of a chest, his face buried +in a book. +</P> + +<P> +"All clear," whispered Stirling. "S'long, you fellows. Expect me when +you see me." +</P> + +<P> +He gave another glance in the direction of the sentry. The man had not +stirred. Softly Stirling crept out and tiptoed along the passage in +the direction of the ladder leading to the upper-deck. +</P> + +<P> +The noise of the engines, audible throughout the length and breadth of +the ship, and the tramp of feet on deck, deadened the slight sound of +his movements. At the end of the alley-way a curtain had been +stretched in order to screen the light from the companion-way. Beyond, +although there were men standing about, the place was in darkness. +</P> + +<P> +Stirling took the risk. He knew that in the gloom there would be great +difficulty to distinguish the uniforms of the German officers from his +own. Lifting aside the curtain, he stepped forward with the +self-confidence of a man accustomed to command. +</P> + +<P> +The knot of seamen separated, the men clicking their heels and standing +rigidly at the salute. In the darkness they recognized the officer but +not the individual. Not for one moment did they suspect that he was +one of the strafed Englishmen, whom they had every reason to suppose to +be under lock and key. +</P> + +<P> +Without interruption Stirling gained the deck. The shattered woodwork, +just discernible in the darkness, showed him the result of the British +cruiser's shells. He glanced aft. Far astern, the red blur that had +so disturbed the equanimity of Kapitan von Riesser came as a solace to +his mind. His surmises were correct. The <I>Pelikan</I>—or, as he knew +her, the <I>Zwaan</I>—was being chased, but he could not quite understand +why the pursuing vessel should be so far astern, since a few hours ago +she was within range. He, of course, knew nothing of the event that +led to the <I>Actæon</I> taking up the chase. Nor could he suggest any +reason why the German liner should show a white light astern. It +seemed contrary to every precaution necessary to shake off pursuit. +</P> + +<P> +"May as well get for'ard," soliloquized the sub. "There seems a bit of +a hullabaloo. I'll see what it is about. I don't suppose I'll be +spotted if I keep clear of the crush. Hulloa! They're getting the +boats out. Are they going to abandon ship, I wonder, or is it merely a +matter of discretion, should the old hooker get plugged?" +</P> + +<P> +With little difficulty Stirling took up his position under the lee of a +ventilator. As he waited he heard fragments of the conversation +between von Riesser and his subordinate. +</P> + +<P> +Stirling was a poor German scholar; so much so that he was ashamed of +the little German he knew. By sheer good luck, however, he recognized +several of the words—sufficient to enable him to guess shrewdly the +nature of the kapitan's order. +</P> + +<P> +Stirling was very often lucky in that way. Even while he was hiding +behind the ventilator he recalled a similar instance. It was on the +occasion of his entry examination to Osborne, and Stirling was in those +days an atrocious speller even for a youth of thirteen and a half. In +the dictation subject the lad found himself balked by the word +"adaptable". He was on the point of writing "adaptible" when he caught +sight of some letters stamped upon the pen he was using: "The Adaptable +Pen". When the result of the examination was announced Stirling found +that he had only just attained the minimum marks in English to qualify. +Afterwards he was apt to remark that he owed his commission to a +twopenny pen which might, for aught he knew, have been made in Germany. +</P> + +<P> +"By Jove, they're going to use that boat as a decoy," soliloquized the +sub. "I'll risk it. Hang it all! If I'm spotted there can only be a +shindy. With our cruiser pelting up astern and Denbigh and O'Hara +below, they won't dare to try any of their kultur tricks." +</P> + +<P> +The launch was now level with the rail. The men told off to attend to +the disengaging gear were already on board, while down below an +artificer was trying to coax the motor. Apparently he had trouble, for +he called out to one of his mates to pass something to him. At that +moment Kapitan von Riesser gave an order, and the unter-leutnant and +his men faced for'ard. +</P> + +<P> +In a trice Stirling slipped quietly over the rail at the heels of one +of the crew. While the latter made his way for'ard to the motor-room +the sub entered the little cabin. It was, as he expected, empty. Not +knowing whether any of the launch's crew would remain, Stirling crept +under the seat and waited. +</P> + +<P> +The <I>Pelikan</I> was losing way. Her engines had been reversed in order +to bring her almost to a standstill in the least possible time. +</P> + +<P> +"Lower away!" shouted a voice in German which Stirling recognized as +that of Unter-leutnant Klick. +</P> + +<P> +The racing of the motor, which the artificer had at length succeeded in +starting, drowned all other sounds. The propeller, racing in the air, +was revolving at terrific speed. Unless the launch were quickly put +into the water the motor would soon be overheated, since no cooling +device was possible until the pump sucked water into the jackets +surrounding the cylinders. +</P> + +<P> +The artificer, his task accomplished, swung himself on to the +<I>Pelikan's</I> deck, while directly the falls were cast off the two seamen +swarmed up the ropes. Almost before Stirling was aware of it, the +launch was speeding forward. +</P> + +<P> +"Time I made a move," muttered the sub. With the utmost caution he +emerged from his hiding-place and made his way to the well. The bright +rays of the lamp lashed to the ensign-staff enabled him to see +everything on deck. One glance told him that he was the only member of +the crew. Already the <I>Pelikan</I> was lost to sight in the darkness. +</P> + +<P> +Stirling's first act upon taking command was to cut the lashings of the +helm and to turn the launch in the same direction as the <I>Pelikan</I> had +been travelling. He then looked for the supposed position of the +pursuing cruiser. On the horizon were two glints of red light at, +roughly, 15 degrees apart. +</P> + +<P> +"Two of them," said the sub to himself. "The more the merrier. +Another ten minutes and it will be seen whether I am smashed to +smithereens by a British 6-inch shell." +</P> + +<P> +As a matter of precaution he cast off the lashings of the lamp, placing +it on a seat just inside the cabin. There it was within arm's reach, +while the sub was not in danger of being temporarily blinded by the +glare. +</P> + +<P> +"That's the rising moon," continued Stirling, referring to the light to +the east'ard. "The other glare is from the cruiser's funnels. +Allowing her speed to be 20 knots, and this hooker's 12 or 15, she's +gaining on me at about eight miles an hour." +</P> + +<P> +Presently the newly-risen moon appeared in a rift of clouds. Its +slanting rays silhouetted the outlines of a large four-funnelled +cruiser, now less than a couple of miles astern. +</P> + +<P> +"Time!" ejaculated Stirling laconically. Leaving the helm he made for +the motor-room and switched off the ignition. Then, returning to the +well, he raised and lowered the lamp several times in succession, +dipping it behind the coaming in order to signal the "General Call". +</P> + +<P> +A light flashed from the cruiser. Thank heavens it was not the spurt +of a quick-firer but a steady white flare, to signify that the ship was +in readiness to receive the message. "<I>Zwaan</I> has sent decoy adrift," +signalled Stirling. "Probably altered course to south'ard. Please +return and pick me up after end of chase." +</P> + +<P> +A searchlight was switched on from the cruiser's after-bridge. For a +few moments it played upon the now motionless motor-launch. Then, +somewhat to Stirling's surprise and to his not altogether complete +satisfaction, the cruiser began to slow down. +</P> + +<P> +"It's all right for me," soliloquized the sub. "But it's hard lines on +Denbigh and Pat. I'm afraid von Riesser has given our fellows the +slip." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap07"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER VII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Foiled by a Collier +</H3> + +<P> +For the rest of the night Denbigh and O'Hara awaited in vain for their +comrade's return. They had no idea of the flight of time since, during +the chase, the ship's bell had not been struck. In the screened cabin +they sat, with the electric light switched on, for after their +interview with Kapitan von Riesser on the subject of the attempted +chloroforming, the current was not cut off after ten o'clock as was +formerly the case. +</P> + +<P> +"Faith! I'll go and see what he's up to," exclaimed O'Hara, removing +the chair from the door. It was the only way to keep the door closed, +since the replacing of the staple of the lock would have barred +Stirling's return. +</P> + +<P> +"Better not," objected Denbigh. "Either he's all right or he's all +wrong. In the former case it wouldn't do to meddle with his business. +Two stand double the risk of detection that one fellow runs. In the +latter case, our going to look for him won't help matters in the least, +because if they've collared him they will be on the look-out for us." +</P> + +<P> +"S'pose you're right," grudgingly assented Pat. "We must stick it." +</P> + +<P> +The chums "stuck it" for another two hours, then the sound of six bells +(7 a.m.) announced the fact that it was daylight, and that precautions +in the matter of noise were no longer necessary. +</P> + +<P> +"The flunky will be here presently to open the port-hole," remarked +Denbigh. "I think we had better screw on that chunk of metal. +Stirling won't be coming now." +</P> + +<P> +"Then what has happened to him?" +</P> + +<P> +"Goodness only knows. Look here; we won't open the ball. Let's see if +they know anything about his disappearance." +</P> + +<P> +"The man will notice that the moment he comes into the cabin," objected +O'Hara. +</P> + +<P> +For answer, Denbigh crossed over to Stirling's cot, placed the bolster +longwise and covered it with the blankets. Then, partly drawing the +curtains, he stood back and surveyed the result of his handiwork. +</P> + +<P> +"Dash it all!" he exclaimed. "It would take a lynx-eyed detective to +spot the game, especially when the port-hole is opened, because the +bunk is dead against the light. Let's turn in. Old Fritz will smell a +rat if he finds us up and dressed." +</P> + +<P> +The two subs had barely settled themselves in their bunks and had +switched off the light, when a key clicked in the lock and the German +sailor deputed to attend to them stumbled in. +</P> + +<P> +He was a taciturn fellow. Perhaps it was because he understood no word +of English, and was unaware of the fact that Denbigh spoke German. He +had, however, a habit of conversing with himself during the performance +of his duties, and more than once Denbigh picked up information from +the fellow's unguarded babbling. +</P> + +<P> +This time Fritz was silent. Setting down a jug of hot water, he +unlocked and opened the port-hole. +</P> + +<P> +Having washed, shaved, and dressed, Denbigh and O'Hara made their way +to the cabin in which was served their meals. Covers for three lay on +the table. The steward was standing by in his customary manner. +</P> + +<P> +Without a word the subs seated themselves. Presently Fritz came in to +deliver a message from one of the ship's officers. +</P> + +<P> +"Where's the third Englander?" asked the steward. +</P> + +<P> +Apparently Fritz was fond of a joke at the messman's expense. Without +a word he stooped and looked under the table; then drawing himself up, +he replied: +</P> + +<P> +"I cannot see him." +</P> + +<P> +"Fool!" ejaculated the steward. "Don't try to be an idiot; you are one +already. Where is the schwein-hund?" +</P> + +<P> +"Too lazy to get up and have his breakfast, I suppose," replied Fritz +indifferently. "He was fast asleep when I went in." +</P> + +<P> +Having asked in broken English if the subs required anything further, +and receiving a negative reply, the steward went out. +</P> + +<P> +"Deucedly strange," said Denbigh in a low voice. "Those fellows know +nothing. I wonder if von Riesser and his cheerful ober-leutnant have +been up to mischief." +</P> + +<P> +It was not until one bell in the forenoon watch that Stirling's absence +was discovered. Denbigh and O'Hara were immediately sent for and +closely questioned. +</P> + +<P> +The interview was unsatisfactory, the British officers affecting +ignorance of the time of their comrade's disappearance; while von +Riesser, rightly guessing that Denbigh and O'Hara imagined he was +responsible and was trying to cloak suspicion, was so emphatic in his +assurances that he knew nothing of Stirling's whereabouts that his very +earnestness caused the subs to misjudge him. +</P> + +<P> +A thorough search was instituted, but, naturally, without the hoped-for +result. Reluctantly, Denbigh and O'Hara came to the conclusion that +their chum had either fallen in or had been thrown overboard. +</P> + +<P> +Kapitan von Riesser was genuinely perturbed, not on account of the loss +of the British officer, but for the additional complication that might +ensue if the <I>Pelikan</I> should be captured. The idea of being taken +prisoner obsessed the German commander. It loomed up in front of him +like a gaunt spectre day and night. It spoke volumes for the fact that +Great Britain was Mistress of the Seas. +</P> + +<P> +He showed little or no elation at having evaded the cruiser that had +doggedly held in pursuit until long after midnight. His pessimism was +beginning to become infectious. Officers and men were downcast. +Several times on the lower deck remarks were heard to the effect that +it was an unlucky day when the <I>Pelikan</I> escaped from her nominal state +of internment. +</P> + +<P> +For the next three days Denbigh and O'Hara were "off colour". The +mystery of Stirling's disappearance affected them deeply; but on the +fourth day they cheered up considerably, for the <I>Pelikan</I> had +intercepted a wireless message from a British cruiser. The message was +in code, but one word occurred that shed a different light upon the +mystery. The word was "Stirling". Von Riesser lost no time in +informing the two British officers, and although the latter were unable +to decipher the message it was evident that Stirling had been picked up +by one of our patrols. +</P> + +<P> +Shortly after daybreak on the fifth day of Stirling's absence, the +<I>Pelikan</I> overhauled a large collier, outward bound from Penarth to +Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands, with a valuable cargo of steam +coal. +</P> + +<P> +It was evident that the skipper of the collier had received no warning +that a German raider was at large, for he allowed the <I>Pelikan</I> to get +within three cables' length without exciting any suspicion. +</P> + +<P> +When the latter peremptorily ordered the collier to heave-to and +surrender, however, the stalwart old merchant captain showed the stuff +he was made of, for without complying, he suddenly ported helm and bore +down upon the liner, which had now hoisted German colours. +</P> + +<P> +It was a forlorn hope, for the <I>Pelikan</I> could steam twice as fast as +the collier and was much quicker on her helm. +</P> + +<P> +"By Jove! that fellow has some pluck," exclaimed O'Hara admiringly, +for, anticipating no resistance on the part of the would-be prize, +Kapitan von Riesser had not ordered the British officers below. "But +he's asking for trouble." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, poor chap, he's put himself out of court," agreed Denbigh. +</P> + +<P> +Manoeuvring so that the <I>Pelikan's</I> guns could be brought to bear upon +the collier without danger of carrying away her masts, von Riesser gave +the order to fire. Two shells did the mischief. Both burst amidships, +sweeping away the bridge and chart-house, and with them the rash and +gallant skipper and three of the crew. +</P> + +<P> +Further resistance being out of the question the collier struck her +flag. Splendidly handled the <I>Pelikan</I> ranged up alongside, and +without delay the work of transferring the cargo commenced. Although +the sturdy Britons who formed the collier's crew refused to lift as +much as a little finger to help there were plenty of hands available +from the <I>Pelikan</I>. The steam winches were manned, skips and whips +brought into play, and sacks and sacks of badly wanted fuel were +toppled down the liner's chutes. +</P> + +<P> +"Stand by there, you men!" shouted Kapitan von Riesser, observing that +the crew of the collier were provisioning and swinging out their boats. +"I haven't said I was going to sink your ship. Come and bear a hand +and we'll let you go." +</P> + +<P> +Somewhere from the vicinity of the wrecked bridge came a hoarse voice: +</P> + +<P> +"We want no favours from strafed Germans. Get your coal yourself if +you want it. You'll have to jolly well look sharp, for the hooker'll +be on her way to Davy Jones in half an hour." +</P> + +<P> +"Himmel!" gasped the astonished kapitan, completely taken aback by the +bull-dog audacity of the collier's men. "Quick, Herr Klick. Sound the +well." +</P> + +<P> +Accompanied by a couple of armed seamen the unter-leutnant hurried +below. In a few minutes he reappeared. +</P> + +<P> +"They've opened the valves, sir," he reported. "The sea is rushing in +like a sluice. It is already up to the floor of the engine-room." +</P> + +<P> +Von Riesser leant over the bridge rail and surveyed the deck of the +collier forty feet below. +</P> + +<P> +"Unless you close those valves I'll smash every boat you have!" he +shouted. +</P> + +<P> +A chorus of gibes was the only reply. The engine-room staff alone knew +the position of the valves. It would take a stranger a couple of hours +to locate them, and the men knew it. +</P> + +<P> +"Smash away," they replied derisively. "Smashing private property is +the only thing you Germans can do properly." +</P> + +<P> +For a full minute Kapitan von Riesser lost all control of himself. He +stormed and raved, cursing both in German and English, until he +realized that during that minute the collier had sunk deeper in the +water. +</P> + +<P> +There was a rush on the part of the <I>Pelikan's</I> men who were loading +the sacks in the vessel's holds, so fierce was the influx of the sea. +</P> + +<P> +Above their shouts of anger and surprise arose the ceaseless taunts of +the British crew. Having fully made up their minds that no quarter +would be given the stalwart men decided to die game, and in their +opinion the spirit of independence was best shown in heaping sarcasm +upon the baffled Teutons. +</P> + +<P> +Already the hawsers and springs holding the two vessels were straining +almost to breaking point. Reluctantly von Riesser gave the order to +cast off, at the same time telegraphing to the engine-room for +half-speed ahead. +</P> + +<P> +Somewhat to the surprise of the collier's crew no attempt was made by +the <I>Pelikan</I> to interfere with them. Taking to the boats they hoisted +sail and in twenty minutes the little flotilla was lost to sight. +</P> + +<P> +It was a long time before von Riesser got over his fit of bad temper. +Precious time had been all but wasted, for the only result of the +enterprise was the addition of roughly seventy tons of coal to the +<I>Pelikan's</I> sorely-depleted bunkers. +</P> + +<P> +"By Jove! that was a nasty knock," remarked O'Hara to his chum. "It's +a wonder old von Riesser hadn't ordered those boats to be stove-in. +The lip those fellows gave him was enough to make a British admiral +commit an act of frightfulness." +</P> + +<P> +"The old chap's frightened about something," replied Denbigh. "He's +literally on toast. You see, what with Stirling's escape—for I feel +confident that code message referred to his rescue—he's got to mind +his p's and q's until he's through the cordon. Then, if he does, I +guess he'll make it mighty hot for us." +</P> + +<P> +Denbigh was right in his surmise, for as soon as Stirling had been +taken on board H.M.S. <I>Actæon</I> and had made a report to the captain, +the cruiser communicated with each of her consorts, giving the position +of the <I>Pelikan</I> when last seen and the probable course. +</P> + +<P> +Following this message another was transmitted to the Admiralty +announcing the safety of Sub-lieutenant Charles Stirling, captured +while on a passage home in the Japanese liner <I>Nichi Maru</I>. +Instructions were asked as to the "disposal" of that officer. +</P> + +<P> +Promptly came the reply temporarily appointing Stirling to H.M.S. +<I>Actæon</I> as supernumerary, since it was recognized that his knowledge +of the elusive raider might be of great assistance to the pursuing ship. +</P> + +<P> +Within two hours of the <I>Actæon's</I> wireless message additional small +cruisers, armed auxiliaries, and destroyers left Table Bay, while +others were ordered from the Pacific Station to proceed to the vicinity +of Cape Horn and guard both the passage to the southward of that place +and also the intricate Straits of Magellan. +</P> + +<P> +In the event of the <I>Pelikan</I> eluding the cordon in the Atlantic, and +since it was known that her desired destination was German East Africa, +the squadron operating in conjunction with the British military +expedition was warned to exercise a particularly sharp look-out, both +in the Mozambique Channel and off the East African coast between 4° S. +and 11° S. lat. +</P> + +<P> +Four swift destroyers of the Australian Navy were also given +instructions to proceed to Mauritius and await orders. Thus the net +was being swiftly tightened around the fugitive liner that alone flew +the Black Cross ensign of Germany outside European waters. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap08"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER VIII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Reinforcements +</H3> + +<P> +Under reduced speed, in order to economize her coal, the <I>Pelikan</I> held +on her southerly course. By dint of careful stoking, her funnels +emitted little or no smoke that might betray her position. At night +every light was screened. +</P> + +<P> +Fortune seemed to be favouring her, for without sighting a single +vessel she reached the fortieth parallel, or considerably farther to +the south'ard than she need do in ordinary circumstances in order to +round the Cape of Good Hope. +</P> + +<P> +The air was rapidly becoming colder, and her crew, being unprovided +with warm garments, suffered acutely after coming straight from the +Tropics. +</P> + +<P> +While the work of repairing the damage done by the British cruiser's +shells was progressing as well as the limited means at the disposal of +the ship would permit, one of the crew slipped, and striking his head +against the edge of an iron plate, was so severely injured that he died +within two hours of the accident. +</P> + +<P> +It was then that Denbigh and O'Hara had yet another example of the +thoroughness of the German system. The usual practice would have been +to sew the body up in a shotted hammock and throw it overboard, but +Kapitan von Riesser had another plan. +</P> + +<P> +One of the boats, with the name "<I>Zwaan</I>—Rotterdam" painted on the +stern, was lowered. In it the corpse was placed and the boat turned +adrift. +</P> + +<P> +In due course, the kapitan hoped—and the crew, realizing that +necessity knows no law, agreed with him—that the boat would be sighted +by one of the British cruisers, and thus give the impression that the +raider had sunk. +</P> + +<P> +About four on the following morning the two subs were roused by the +sudden increase of the revolutions of the propellers, and the frantic +tramp of feet on deck. +</P> + +<P> +"Hulloa, what's wrong now?" asked O'Hara. "They've got a move on for +something." +</P> + +<P> +"One of our ships in chase, I think," replied Denbigh. "As we are +locked in we may just as well go to sleep again. I'd like to wake up +and find the hooker hove-to and a prize." +</P> + +<P> +"Not bad advice," rejoined the Irishman, turning over and rolling +himself in his blankets. "Thank goodness it's not our watch. If these +fellows carry on much farther we'll find ourselves on the way to the +South Pole." +</P> + +<P> +Sleep, however, was out of the question. The two chums talked at +intervals until the appearance of Fritz warned them that it was time to +dress for breakfast. +</P> + +<P> +After the meal the subs found, somewhat to their surprise, that they +were not prohibited from going on deck, as was generally the case when +another vessel was sighted. +</P> + +<P> +It was piercingly cold. A heavy dew had frozen as it fell, rendering +the decks very slippery. Several of the crew were at work with hoses, +washing down the planks with salt water in order to clear away the thin +coating of ice. So keen was the wind that Denbigh and his companion +were glad to take shelter under the lee of the deck-houses. +</P> + +<P> +Astern, at a distance of about two miles, was a long, rakish-looking +craft, with two short masts and two funnels. She was painted a dark +grey, almost appearing black. She flew no flag, but a signal fluttered +from the foremast. Owing to the direction of the wind it was +impossible, even with the aid of powerful glasses, to distinguish the +flags, since the vessel was steaming directly in the wake of the +runaway <I>Pelikan</I>. +</P> + +<P> +Several of the latter's officers were aft keeping the mysterious craft +under observation, while on the after-bridge Kapitan von Riesser and +the officers of the watch were engaged upon a similar task. +</P> + +<P> +Seeing the British officers appear the kapitan descended the bridge and +strolled aft. Affecting surprise at finding Denbigh and the Irishman +on deck he asked: +</P> + +<P> +"What do you make of that vessel, Herr Denbigh? Is she one of yours?" +</P> + +<P> +The sub shook his head. +</P> + +<P> +"I really cannot say," he replied. "You see we've added considerably +to our fleet since the outbreak of war, and I haven't been in Home +Waters since October, 1913. She's coming up pretty fast, I should +imagine." +</P> + +<P> +"She is," agreed Kapitan von Riesser dryly. "But not so fast as you +would like, perhaps. It is somewhat strange that she hasn't opened +fire before now. Perhaps it is because your compatriots are afraid of +hitting you," he added with a slight sneer. +</P> + +<P> +"And for similar humanitarian reasons you have refrained from using +your quick-firers, I presume?" retorted O'Hara. +</P> + +<P> +"She's hoisting Argentine colours, sir," reported one of the +<I>Pelikan's</I> officers. +</P> + +<P> +He was right, for altering helm slightly the pursuing vessel enabled +the flag to blow athwartships. At the same moment the signal that had +been kept flying at the masthead could be distinguished. It read: +"What ship is that?" +</P> + +<P> +"Those colours may be an English trick," said the kapitan. "I'll carry +on." +</P> + +<P> +"By Jove, old man!" he whispered to his chum. "It looks as if we are +dished this time. We were a little too premature in chipping the Old +Man." +</P> + +<P> +In an hour the pursuing craft had closed to slightly less than a mile. +Still she made no attempt to open fire. There were, in fact, no guns +visible. +</P> + +<P> +"Hoist our proper colours," ordered Kapitan von Riesser at length. "It +will be all the same in another twenty minutes' time whether we use our +own ensign or any other." +</P> + +<P> +The Black Cross ensign was run up. Its appearance was greeted by a +prolonged blast on the stranger's siren, then from the extremity of the +pursuing craft's bridge a man began semaphoring. +</P> + +<P> +Although skilled in semaphore, neither Denbigh nor O'Hara could +understand the message. The British system differs from the German, +which again varies with the French and Spanish. Yet, peculiarly, the +officers and men of the <I>Pelikan</I> could read the signal with ease. +</P> + +<P> +Grave, anxious looks gave place to smiles, while one of the crew began +to cheer—a demonstration that the kapitan quickly suppressed. +</P> + +<P> +Von Riesser had now ascended the bridge. Still suspicious he ordered +the torpedo tubes to be charged and the engines to be reversed. +</P> + +<P> +Directly the overtaking craft noticed the falling off of the liner's +speed her decks were black with humanity, and the air was rent with +cries of "Hoch!" Then came the strains of "Deutschland uber alles", in +which the <I>Pelikan's</I> crew joined lustily. +</P> + +<P> +"Good heavens!" ejaculated Denbigh. "What does it all mean? There's a +small German colony afloat." +</P> + +<P> +"'Fraid so," agreed O'Hara. +</P> + +<P> +As there was hardly any sea running the two vessels ran alongside each +other. The new-comer had the name <I>San Matias</I> painted on her stern +and on her boats and life-buoys. She carried no guns except a couple +of small brass signalling pieces. Her officers and a few of her crew +were South Americans, beyond doubt, but the rest of the crowded +complement were of marked Teutonic origin. +</P> + +<P> +The British subs stood at the rail watching the unwonted sight. No one +offered to order them below. It was part of the business to let them +see what was going on. +</P> + +<P> +No time was lost. While a party of officers from the <I>San Matias</I> were +being entertained by von Riesser in his cabin the Germans from her +transferred themselves and their belongings to the <I>Pelikan</I>—nearly +three hundred men of military age and bearing. Then came the work of +transhipping stores from the capacious holds of the South American +vessel. Carcass after carcass of oxen and sheep were brought on deck. +From the oxen were produced long bundles wrapped in cloth. Every +bundle contained four modern magazine rifles. Enclosed with the frozen +mutton were small shells and rifle ammunition. As fast as the +munitions were taken from their strange places of concealment most of +the carcasses were dumped overboard, a few hundred being retained for +food and stored in the <I>Pelikan's</I> refrigerators. Then came bundles of +hides, each containing parts of machine-guns, until it looked as if the +ship had enough material to equip an army corps. +</P> + +<P> +Long before the <I>San Matias</I> had disgorged her warlike stores Denbigh +had overheard enough conversation to enable him to solve the mystery. +</P> + +<P> +The <I>San Matias</I> had been chartered by a number of wealthy German +merchants in Buenos Ayres for the purpose of sending some hundreds of +reservists to German East Africa. The presence of the <I>Pelikan</I> in the +South Atlantic had been expected, and her progress, based upon reports +from British cruisers and duly transmitted by spies to Buenos Ayres, +reached the projectors of the scheme with remarkable promptitude. The +arms and ammunition had been purchased sometime previously from a +pro-German firm in New York, and sent to the Argentine to fulfil a +fictitious contract for the Government of that republic. +</P> + +<P> +The <I>San Matias</I> was then chartered, her owner, captain, and crew being +heavily bribed to undertake the risk, comparative immunity being +afforded by means of forged ship's papers and certificates of +nationality of the "passengers". At the same time the report was +spread in Buenos Ayres and Monte Video that the <I>Pelikan</I> had been +sighted making for Bahia—a matter of two thousand miles N.N.E. of the +estuary of the La Plata. British agents swallowed the bait and +telegraphed the news to London, whence, in turn, the false information +was transmitted to the patrol vessels specially detailed to search for +the daring raider. +</P> + +<P> +This report had literally done the trick. The northernmost group of +British cruisers instantly converged upon the Brazilian coast in the +neighbourhood of Bahia. The southern patrol remained in the vicinity +of the Falklands. Thus the <I>Pelikan</I> had the chance of a free and +uninterrupted run eastwards until she approached the vicinity of the +Cape of Good Hope. Although her adventures were by no means over, one +source of danger had been removed. +</P> + +<P> +The German reservists were certainly optimists. They firmly believed +that Egypt had been wrested from the British, and that their role was +to join the large army concentrating in German East Africa and march +victoriously down the valley of the Nile and crush the remnant of the +English in the vicinity of Khartoum. According to their idea and +belief South Africa was in rebellion, and that German South-West Africa +was once more a Teutonic colony. India, too, had revolted and joined +the Turks, who had occupied Persia and Beluchistan. Mention was also +made of the impending advance of the Turco-Germanic armies through +Tibet and China to establish a vast empire from the Atlantic to the +Pacific, and to avenge upon Japan the loss of Kiau-Chau. In short, the +German armies were everywhere triumphant, although they could hardly +understand why they should have to be smuggled out to sea when the +German High Seas Fleet roamed unchallenged and the British navy skulked +in harbours. +</P> + +<P> +At length the last of the <I>San Mathias's</I> cargo was transhipped. The +two vessels parted company, the Argentine returning to Buenos Ayres +while the <I>Pelikan</I> headed eastward on her perilous passage round the +Cape of Good Hope. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap09"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER IX +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +The Midnight Landing +</H3> + +<P> +The sanguine spirits of the German reservists had the effect of +cheering up the crew of the <I>Pelikan</I>. To confirm their assertions the +former produced copies of newspapers printed under Teutonic auspices +for the benefit of the South American republics. +</P> + +<P> +Taking advantage of the information concerning the dispositions of the +British cruisers the kapitan of the <I>Pelikan</I> stopped another collier +at a distance of four hundred miles east of Buenos Ayres. For eighteen +hours the two vessels lay side by side while the coal was being +transhipped to the almost empty bunkers of the raider. +</P> + +<P> +For certain reasons von Riesser did not sink the tramp after having +depleted her cargo. Perhaps it was because the crew had offered no +resistance; but it was just possible that the kapitan of the <I>Pelikan</I> +had sufficient humanity to see that the turning adrift of a couple of +boat-loads in the desolate South Atlantic meant practically slow and +certain death. +</P> + +<P> +From the time of the arrival of the German reservists von Riesser's +demeanour towards Denbigh and O'Hara underwent a marked change. Rarely +did he enter into conversation with them. He treated them with +aloofness. This the subs minded but little; it was the restrictions +placed upon their movements that riled them. They were now allowed +only two periods of exercise on deck during the day—from ten till noon +and from two till five—and kept within strict limits. A sentry was +posted to see that they remained within boundaries specified, and +orders had been given for none of the reservists, many of whom spoke +English, to enter into conversation with them. +</P> + +<P> +On the fifth day after falling in with the <I>San Matias</I> the ship's +course was changed to S.S.E. This she held until further progress was +barred by the presence of a large field of pack ice. Von Riesser, in +order to avoid any possible chance of meeting any of the Cape Squadron, +had elected to go south into the vast and desolate Antarctic before +entering the Indian Ocean. +</P> + +<P> +At length came the welcome order to steer north. Gradually the +temperature rose as the <I>Pelikan</I> left the frozen seas astern. +</P> + +<P> +Maintaining a steady progress the ship reached the vicinity of +Mauritius, keeping well to the eastward of that island. +</P> + +<P> +The <I>Pelikan</I> now underwent another change. From truck to water-line +she was repainted—black on the starboard side and a light-grey on the +port. An additional funnel, a dummy one made out of canvas stretched +on a framework of hoop iron and wood, was set up. +</P> + +<P> +"It looks as if this craft is going to get through after all," remarked +O'Hara, as the <I>Pelikan</I> reached Equatorial waters without having so +much as sighted another vessel of any description. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, rotten luck," said Denbigh. "I heard von Langer telling that fat +major that another twenty-four hours would bring us in sight of land. +I notice these fellows are preparing for their jaunt ashore." +</P> + +<P> +The reservists were discarding their motley civilian attire and were +being provided with drill uniforms that had at one time been white but +were now dyed to a colour nearly approaching khaki. Each man wore a +sun helmet, but instead of puttees, jack-boots of dark undressed +leather were served out. +</P> + +<P> +In the midst of these preparations a sail was reported on the starboard +bow. Hurriedly arms were served out to the troops, the quick-firers +were manned, and machine-guns placed out of sight but in a position +that would enable them to be used with deadly effect should occasion +arise. +</P> + +<P> +"Down to your cabins, you Englishmen!" snarled the fat major, von +Eckenstein, who had previously been in conversation with the +ober-leutnant of the <I>Pelikan</I>. +</P> + +<P> +"Are you in charge of this ship, Herr Major?" asked O'Hara. "Hitherto +our orders have come from Kapitan von Riesser." +</P> + +<P> +The major's only reply was to raise a cane that he held in his hand and +to strike the Irishman sharply across the cheek. +</P> + +<P> +O'Hara's hot Hibernian blood surged at the insult. Fortunately he +managed to keep himself under control, but for an instant Denbigh felt +certain that his comrade's hard fist would come violently in contact +with von Eckenstein's podgy nose. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm afraid that bounder will have cause to be sorry for this," +remarked O'Hara, when the chums had retired to their cabin. He +critically examined in the glass the reflection of his face, on which a +weal was rapidly developing. "By Jove, it was lucky for him that you +were there, otherwise I would have given him something by which to +remember me to the rest of his days." +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps it is as well," rejoined Denbigh. "It hardly pays in the +circumstances to argue the point with a Prussian." +</P> + +<P> +Of what occurred during the next two hours the subs had only a vague +idea. +</P> + +<P> +Von Riesser realized that flight was out of the question. To attempt +to do so would arouse suspicion, and since several swift cruisers were +known to be off the coast, a wireless message would bring half a dozen +speedy British warships upon the scene. He therefore decided to carry +on, escape by a stratagem if possible, if not, fight in a final bid for +liberty. +</P> + +<P> +Since the waters adjacent to German East Africa had been declared to be +in a state of blockade it was useless to hoist the mercantile flag of +any nation, so the Blue Ensign of the British Reserve was displayed. +</P> + +<P> +In less than half an hour the strange craft was plainly visible. She +was a small tramp, also displaying the Blue Ensign. +</P> + +<P> +Von Riesser heaved a sigh of relief. She was not an armed auxiliary, +otherwise the White Ensign would have been used. More than likely she +was one of the fleet of subsidized merchantmen carrying stores and +munitions for the British Expeditionary Force operating against the +sole remaining German colony. +</P> + +<P> +The stranger hoisted a signal. It was in code and consequently +unintelligible to the <I>Pelikan</I>. Von Riesser promptly replied by +another hoist, the flags meaning nothing, but simply to puzzle the +tramp. +</P> + +<P> +The <I>Pelikan</I> held on her course, which, in defiance of the Rule of the +Road at Sea, would bring across the bows of the other. That in itself +was suspicious, but any alteration of helm would reveal the <I>Pelikan's</I> +piebald sides. +</P> + +<P> +At a distance of less than a mile the German vessel gave three blasts +upon her siren, signifying that her engines were going astern. +Nevertheless she was steaming ahead as hard as she could until +deception was no longer possible. +</P> + +<P> +An order from the bridge and the screens surrounding the guns were +lowered revealing her formidable quick-firers. +</P> + +<P> +"Heave-to, or I'll sink you!" shouted the kapitan through a megaphone, +for the tramp was now less than two cables' lengths away and broad on +the starboard beam. +</P> + +<P> +The tramp, which proved to be S.S. <I>Myra</I> of South Shields, had no +option but to surrender. She was unarmed and of slow speed. Having +left Simon's Bay with a convoy under escort she had encountered the +tail of a cyclone. Detained by temporary engine-room defects during +the storm she had fallen out of station, and was now a couple of +hundred miles astern of the rest of the convoy. +</P> + +<P> +Slowly the Blue Ensign was lowered, and way taken off the ship. Within +ten minutes a prize crew in charge of Unter-leutnant Klick was on +board. The officers and crew were locked up below, and warned that any +attempt at resistance would result in the instant destruction of the +<I>Myra</I> with all on board. +</P> + +<P> +The boarding-officer's report was to the effect that the tramp was +heavily laden with warlike stores. He asked instructions as to the +disposal of the prize. +</P> + +<P> +Kapitan von Riesser's mind was very active now. With a successful +issue in sight he was not inclined to send such a valuable prize to the +bottom. +</P> + +<P> +"Can you get the <I>Myra's</I> engine-room and stokehold staff to work, Herr +Klick?" asked the kapitan. +</P> + +<P> +"I can, sir," replied the unter-leutnant grimly; and he did, for by +dint of threats he compelled the luckless men to undertake to carry on +under his orders. +</P> + +<P> +"Very good," continued the kapitan of the <I>Pelikan</I>, receiving an +affirmative reply. "Follow me at two cables' lengths astern. I'll +slow down to enable you to keep station. Be prepared to abandon ship +instantly should occasion arise." +</P> + +<P> +Later in the afternoon the <I>Pelikan</I> and her prize arrived off Latham +Island, under the lee of which von Riesser had decided to remain the +night, since it was too hazardous to enter the harbour he had selected +during the hours of darkness. +</P> + +<P> +Denbigh, who had been allowed on deck, recognized the island. He had +served a commission on the flagship of the East Indies India Station +when he was a midshipman, and was fairly well conversant with the +African coast in the vicinity of Zanzibar and Dar-es-Salaam. +</P> + +<P> +Latham Island is a dangerous, low-lying patch of coral and sand, of +oval form, being barely 350 yards in length and 180 yards broad. In no +place does it rise more than 10 feet above the sea. Its surface is +quite flat, having been made so by the constant treading of myriads of +sea-fowl, that have consolidated the sand collected on the coral +substratum into a soft sandstone, which shines very white in the sun, +but is difficult to discern at night or in a bad light. +</P> + +<P> +When visited and surveyed by H.M.S. <I>Shearwater</I> in 1873, a stone +beacon was erected on the island, but owing to the absence of mortar +used in its construction, it was blown down by the wind. Coco-nut +trees were planted at the same time, but the result was unsatisfactory, +as the birds destroyed them. +</P> + +<P> +Owing to the dangerous vicinity of the islands it was unlikely that any +vessel would pass within several miles of it during the night, so the +<I>Pelikan</I> stood a chance of remaining at the anchorage without fear of +detection. +</P> + +<P> +"We are not far from the Rufigi River, are we?" asked O'Hara. "Do you +think that the <I>Pelikan</I> is going to run for there?" +</P> + +<P> +"Hardly," replied Denbigh. "With the <I>Königsberg</I> as a warning I think +she'll give the Rufigi a wide berth. It's my opinion that she'll have +a show at getting into the Mohoro River. It's fairly close, and once +we can pass the bar there's deep water for nearly twenty miles. I'm +curious to know what we are doing off Latham Island, however. I think +I'll try the Stirling trick and have a prowl round on deck during the +night." +</P> + +<P> +"Only don't leave me in the lurch, old man," protested the Irishman, +with an assumed look of consternation. +</P> + +<P> +"I won't," replied Denbigh laughingly. "So don't lock me out." +</P> + +<P> +Just before midnight the sub set to work with the screw-driver and +succeeded in opening the door. Fortunately there was no sentry on the +aft-deck on this occasion. Overhead there was a considerable amount of +noise going on. It conveyed the impression that there were scores of +men hard at work and trying to perform their various tasks with as +little noise as possible. +</P> + +<P> +Unseen and unheard, Denbigh gained the deck and mingled with the +throng. There were seamen and reservists all hard at it, buckling to +in the starlight. Cautiously the sub looked about for a place of +concealment, where he could hear and see everything that was going on +in his vicinity without much risk of detection. +</P> + +<P> +He glanced up. Overhead were the boats swinging inboard on davits. +Side by side with them, and resting on the booms or transverse steel +girders, were some larger boats which could only be hoisted out by +means of derricks. Between were several planks and spars lashed to the +girders. +</P> + +<P> +Awaiting a favourable chance, Denbigh nimbly ascended the iron ladder +on the funnel casing that led to a platform just below the siren. +After climbing a few rungs, he was able to swing himself across to the +nearest boat, which was almost as large as a battleship's pinnace. It +was roughly forty feet in length, and weighed nearly four tons. +</P> + +<P> +"Look alive, men!" ordered Unter-leutnant Klick in his usual bullying +tone. "The whole of the stuff must be sent ashore within an hour." +</P> + +<P> +"Two boat-loads full, sir?" asked a petty officer. +</P> + +<P> +"No; one. Get steam on the main hoist and lift out the pinnace." +</P> + +<P> +"Hulloa!" thought Denbigh. "This looks like a proper jamboree. I +stand a chance of getting nabbed. I wonder what the idea is of landing +a quantity of gear on a sandbank like Latham Island?" +</P> + +<P> +He heard several men ascending to make ready the slings for hoisting +out. Promptly the sub retreated for'ard and crouched in the bows. +Here, unless any material was likely to be stowed in his place of +concealment, Denbigh had a fighting chance of escaping detection, for +above him was a large grating that fitted between the bows and the +for'ard thwart. +</P> + +<P> +"Now, then, Herr Major!" exclaimed Kapitan von Riesser. "Are your men +ready? At least twenty with shovels will be necessary." +</P> + +<P> +"I cannot see that it is necessary," objected Major von Eckenstein. +"It is a mere waste of time. I protest against this useless labour, +when we ought to be making for the Mohoro River." And the Prussian +officer clanked the tip of his scabbard loudly upon the deck, as if to +emphasize his protest. +</P> + +<P> +Von Riesser, judging by the sound of his voice, lost his temper. +</P> + +<P> +"Once you are ashore, Herr Major, you are in sole command of these +troops. Here I am your superior. If I choose to give orders to +facilitate our retreat, should it be necessary, it is for you to carry +them out. If you refuse, I will place you under arrest and report the +matter to the military governor of the colony." +</P> + +<P> +"If you would only explain what you propose to do, instead of giving +orders that have no apparent reason, I am willing to assist you," said +the major grumblingly. "This business is evidently the result of a +sudden inspiration on your part, and I think it is only just that you +should take others into your confidence." +</P> + +<P> +"You are setting a bad example for the discipline of the ship," +declared the kapitan in a lower tone. "It would be as well if we +adjourned to my cabin. When you have heard what is proposed to be +done, I think you will agree with me that such a step is certainly +necessary." +</P> + +<P> +"Carry on, Herr Klick," continued von Riesser as he moved away. "See +that every article enumerated on the list is sent ashore. I hold you +responsible." +</P> + +<P> +A bare-footed seaman, leaping upon the bow grating, prevented Denbigh +hearing more of what was going on below. The fellow bent and groped +for the hook of the chain sling. As he did so, his hand was within a +couple of inches of the sub's face. The man withdrew his hand so +suddenly, that for the moment Denbigh imagined that he had been +discovered. Then came the metallic click of the hook engaging with the +wire hawser from the derrick. +</P> + +<P> +To the accompaniment of the clank, clank, of the winch and the hiss of +escaping steam, the pinnace rose from its resting-place. Swaying +gently, it swung outboard and was lowered rapidly into the water. +</P> + +<P> +For the next quarter of an hour the crew were feverishly employed in +dumping stores and gear into the boat. There were cans of petrol, that +gave Denbigh food for reflection, boxes of provisions, water-beakers, +arms and ammunition, sailcloth, and shipwright's tools. +</P> + +<P> +Then came an avalanche of picks and shovels, followed by a crowd of men +who, perched in every available space, swarmed like ants over the +deeply-laden boat. +</P> + +<P> +The pinnace was then cast off and taken in tow by a steam-boat. +Denbigh knew this by the thud of the engines, but he was unaware that +astern of the pinnace was a twenty-seven-foot whaler. +</P> + +<P> +The pinnace grounded on the lee side of a sandbank, for there was +little swell, although on the outlying coral reefs the sea was breaking +heavily. Her work for the present done, the steam-boat cast off and +returned to the <I>Pelikan</I>. +</P> + +<P> +Without loss of time, the crew set to work to unload, and as the +pinnace rose higher out of the water during the course of operations, +she was hauled closer to the land. +</P> + +<P> +"Everything out?" asked a voice. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll see, sir," replied a petty officer, and kneeling on the bottom +boards, he peered under the row of thwarts. +</P> + +<P> +Denbigh shut his eyes and trusted to luck. He knew that once his gaze +met that of the searcher, the darkness would not screen him. A +long-drawn minute passed, and then the man reported that the boat was +empty. +</P> + +<P> +"Good; leave a couple of boat-keepers in charge and join the party with +the whaler," continued the officer. "If you cannot manage her, ask for +additional hands, but I think you will be able to drag her up. The +ground is hard and level." +</P> + +<P> +Away went the working-party, leaving the pinnace in charge of two +seamen, who, having taken the strain off the bow cables, for the tide +was rising, sat stolidly in the stern-sheets. +</P> + +<P> +Above the distant roar of the surf, Denbigh could distinguish the thud +of the pickaxes and spades. He would have given a lot to see what the +diggers were doing, but the presence of the boat-keepers compelled him +to crouch, cramped and cold in the bows. Although the day had been +exceedingly hot, the night air was decidedly chilly, the sand radiating +the heat with great rapidity the moment the sun set. Clad in light +garments, Denbigh shivered and wished that he could stretch his limbs. +</P> + +<P> +The boat-keepers felt the cold, too, for after a little while they +began to swing their arms. Finally they jumped ashore and began to +pace to and fro. Having warmed themselves, the men sat upon the sand, +and produced pipes and tobacco. The sub distinctly heard the rasping +of matches, and gradually the odour of South American tobacco assailed +his nostrils. The men had begun to talk, desultory conversation soon +working up into an animated conversation. +</P> + +<P> +Cautiously Denbigh stretched his limbs. Then waiting until the +numbness had practically disappeared, he grasped the gunwale and slowly +raised himself until his head was level with one of the rowlocks, the +poppet of which had fortunately been removed. +</P> + +<P> +His range of vision was limited. In the bright starlight he could +discern the diggers. Already the bulk of the stores were hidden, while +at a distance of twenty yards from the cache, other men were excavating +a long trench, by the side of which lay the whaler. The depth of the +hole was now about five feet, and only the heads of the workers were +visible from the pinnace. +</P> + +<P> +The sub waited and watched, keeping a sharp look-out lest the +boat-keepers should return. Presently he became aware that his range +of vision was changing. The rising tide was swinging the pinnace +diagonally with the shore. +</P> + +<P> +Denbigh promptly returned to his lair. He was not a minute too soon, +for just as he settled himself the boat-keepers returned and took up +the strain on the bow ropes. +</P> + +<P> +"A good rise and fall for neap tides," remarked one of the men. "If we +get as much as this tomorrow we ought to be able to cross the bar. I +don't fancy having to remain at anchor in this lagoon until the new +moon with those English cruisers prowling around." +</P> + +<P> +"Ach, we will take due precautions, Henrich," replied the other. "Once +we get inside the reefs we are perfectly safe. It is the run across to +the mainland that is the trouble. Come on, let us go back to our snug +seat and have another smoke. It is indeed good to be able to tread dry +land again, even if it is little better than a sandbank." +</P> + +<P> +The men scrambled over the gunwale, and as soon as they were gone +Denbigh took up his former position by the rowlock. He was just in +time to see the whaler, lifted by a dozen brawny seamen and soldiers, +topple bottom upwards into the trench. Without loss of time the +Germans commenced to shovel back the soil. Others joined them, for the +task of hiding the stores had been completed, and in a very short space +of time the boat was quite covered, great care being taken to smooth +the soft substratum until it showed no sign of having been disturbed. +</P> + +<P> +The sub retreated to his hiding-place, for the men were beginning to +return, straggling up in groups of threes and fours. The pinnace was +backed out about half her own length and the men waded until they were +able to climb on board. +</P> + +<P> +They rowed back to the <I>Pelikan</I>. Once on the return journey the +bowman, swinging his bare legs, caught Denbigh a blow on the forehead +with his heel. Fortunately the fellow did not trouble to investigate, +but the sub realized that it was a narrow squeak. +</P> + +<P> +Arriving alongside the pinnace was hoisted out and stowed in its former +place. The workers were dismissed, the watch changed, and quietude +brooded over the ship. +</P> + +<P> +"Now comes the rub," ejaculated the sub as he crept from his place of +concealment. As agilely as a monkey he made his way along the steel +beam until he gained the funnel ladder. Then he waited and listened. +All was silence, save for the rumble of the surf and the subdued hiss +of steam from the ship's boilers. +</P> + +<P> +Unseen and unheard Denbigh gained the companion and descended the +aft-deck. As he did so footsteps on deck told him he was barely in +time. Cautiously he lifted the curtain that served to screen the light +from the hatchway. The space beyond was deserted. +</P> + +<P> +Swiftly he tiptoed to the door of the cabin. He tried the handle. The +door refused to move. He knocked softly, thinking that O'Hara had +fallen asleep. There was no response. Perhaps the Irishman had gone +in search of him; but, if so, how could he have secured the door on the +inside? Before Denbigh could knock again a steady tread resounded +along the alley-way. The sentry on the aft-deck was coming towards him. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap10"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER X +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +The Lagoon +</H3> + +<P> +Almost in an instant Denbigh decided how to act. He could have crept +along the alley-way and surprised the sentry; but stunning the man +would be of little use. Nor could he hope to bluff the fellow, since +there was too much light to attempt to pass himself off as one of the +<I>Pelikan's</I> officers. To retreat was impracticable, for someone, he +knew, was on deck in the immediate vicinity of the companion. +</P> + +<P> +Without hesitation the sub opened the door of the cabin adjoining his +and entered quickly and silently. The place was in darkness. Whether +it was tenanted or not he was unable to ascertain. Closing the door he +stood stock-still and listened. He could hear no sound of a person +breathing. For five minutes he waited, then began to grope until he +found the edge of one of the bunks. The sleeping-place was empty. +There were not even blankets and bedding. This looked promising. +</P> + +<P> +He continued his exploration, testing the remaining bunks in turn, +until he was able to come to the happy decision that by sheer good luck +he had lighted upon an empty cabin. +</P> + +<P> +The glass scuttle in the port-hole was closed, but there was no +dead-light in position over the opening. In that case it would be too +risky to switch on the light, until he had taken due precautions. +</P> + +<P> +The dead-light squeaked shrilly on its hinges as he drew it to. He +wondered whether the watch on deck heard the sound. He waited again. +There were many footsteps descending the companion. He could detect +von Langer's guttural tones, discussing some matter with one of the +other officers. +</P> + +<P> +"Dash it all!" ejaculated Denbigh, a cold perspiration standing out on +his forehead. "What if I'm in that fellow's cabin?" +</P> + +<P> +The men stopped outside the cabin. They were evidently indulging in +horse-play, for once a heavy body struck the wall with a thud, followed +by a chorus of boisterous laughter. +</P> + +<P> +Then, to Denbigh's intense relief, the officers went along the passage. +Once again he had been lucky. +</P> + +<P> +Reassured he switched on the light. The cabin was bare of furniture. +In one corner lay a pile of books and a couple of sea-stained +portmanteaux. Hanging from a coat-hook was an officer's sword-belt. +It was mildewed; the stitching of the holster had burst, the buckle was +green with verdigris. Attached to the belt was a small, circular +leather case secured by a strap. +</P> + +<P> +Denbigh handled it gingerly. There was something hard inside. +Curiosity prompted him to unbuckle the strap and open the case. Within +was a pocket-compass. What was more, it was a spirit one and seemingly +in good order. Without compunction the sub abstracted the compass and +slipped it into his pocket. +</P> + +<P> +As he did so he was startled to hear a deep groan. It seemed to sound +close to his ear. He wheeled abruptly and shot a glance in the +direction of one of the bunks, thinking that he had made a mistake in +deeming it untenanted. +</P> + +<P> +There was no one there. Again the groan was repeated. This time the +sound seemed to come from the adjoining cabin—the one occupied by Pat +O'Hara. +</P> + +<P> +A hole in the bulkhead attracted Denbigh's notice. It was the aperture +drilled by the Germans when they made their ineffectual attempt to +chloroform the three British officers. +</P> + +<P> +Through it Denbigh could see but a very small portion of the next +cabin, but sufficient to observe O'Hara lying on his back in his bunk. +He was writhing and groaning. His eyes were wide open and rolling in a +horrifying manner. +</P> + +<P> +Outside all was quiet once more. +</P> + +<P> +"I say, old man," whispered Denbigh. "What's wrong?" +</P> + +<P> +At the sound of his voice O'Hara raised himself. He tried to speak, +but could not. With an effort he rolled out of his bunk and stood +clinging to the edge for support. +</P> + +<P> +"Open the door," said Denbigh peremptorily. "I cannot get in." +</P> + +<P> +"If he's not able to it's the last straw," he soliloquized. "I'll have +to give myself up and get assistance." +</P> + +<P> +With a great effort the Irishman lurched across the floor and removed +the chair which had been wedged against the lock. Then, unable to +regain his bunk, he pitched inertly upon his face. +</P> + +<P> +Denbigh waited no longer. He darted into the alley-way, not even +waiting to see if everything were clear. The door opened easily. He +entered, and lifting O'Hara as easily as a child placed him on his bunk. +</P> + +<P> +"Felt jolly rotten almost as soon as you cleared out," muttered the +Irishman. "Sorry, but I couldn't help it." +</P> + +<P> +"I don't suppose you could," replied Denbigh, for O'Hara's regret was +genuine. "I'll ring for assistance." +</P> + +<P> +He touched the electric bell. Then, and only then, he remembered that +he had to replace a portion of the lock. Grasping the screw-driver he +set to work, and had just driven home the last screw when the locked +turned, and a petty officer entered. +</P> + +<P> +The man hurried off for the ship's surgeon. It was nearly a quarter of +an hour before the doctor arrived. He came prepared to deal with a +trifling case, but when he saw the Irishman he looked grave. +</P> + +<P> +Without expressing his opinion the surgeon went out. Nor did he again +put in an appearance. He sent, however, some quinine and written +directions as to treatment. +</P> + +<P> +For the rest of the night Denbigh sat up with his comrade. As day +broke O'Hara seemed easier. The internal pains passed off. His +temperature fell. He was able to talk rationally. By noon he was +practically well again. The attack had been sharp and rapid, but once +over it seemed to leave no ill-effects. +</P> + +<P> +Without being sighted by any of the British patrol vessels the +<I>Pelikan</I> and her prize arrived off the entrance to the Mohoro River. +Here the two ships slowed down until there was sufficient water for +them to cross the outer bar. +</P> + +<P> +During the interval Denbigh and O'Hara were peremptorily ordered to +leave the <I>Pelikan</I> and take up their quarters on the <I>Myra</I>, the +reason being that von Riesser was terribly afraid of illness, and in +spite of the doctor's assurances he had a firm belief that O'Hara was +suffering from yellow fever, malaria, black-water fever, and every +tropical disease under the sun. +</P> + +<P> +"Let him jolly well think so," said the Irishman joyfully. "I feel as +fit as a fiddle now; and I'm not sorry for the change." +</P> + +<P> +All the same O'Hara acted the invalid to perfection as he was rowed +from the raider to her prize. Denbigh accompanied him, taking good +care to bring all their scanty personal property that they had been +permitted to save from the <I>Nichi Maru</I>, excepting the gold that von +Riesser had ordered to be confiscated. +</P> + +<P> +The <I>Myra</I> was in charge of Unter-leutnant Kaspar Klick and fifteen +men. There were also the skipper, officers, and crew of the tramp, +numbering thirty-two persons. The officers were given a fair amount of +liberty, but the men were kept under hatches, to their no small +discomfort in the tropical heat. +</P> + +<P> +"Sorry I'm not able to make your acquaintance under more favourable +auspices," was the greeting of Captain Pennington, the master of the +captured <I>Myra</I>, when the two subs introduced themselves. "But I hope +before many hours that we will be set at liberty." +</P> + +<P> +"We've been hoping that for weeks," said Denbigh. "The luck those +fellows get is astonishing." +</P> + +<P> +"So I should imagine," agreed Captain Pennington. "I learnt at Cape +Town that the <I>Pelikan</I> was given up as lost, as some wreckage and one +of her boats were picked up in the South Atlantic. That is why our +cruisers relaxed their patrol, and were ordered to rendezvous at +Zanzibar. There'll be a dozen or more on their way up." +</P> + +<P> +"And any monitors?" asked O'Hara. +</P> + +<P> +"Four, as far as I know," replied the <I>Myra's</I> skipper. "One was +detained for repairs at Simon's Bay. The others must be at Zanzibar by +this time. They will be invaluable for work inside the coral reefs." +</P> + +<P> +"And the <I>Pelikan</I>—or <I>Zwaan</I>, as we are accustomed to call her—hopes +to ascend the Mohoro River. Her draught is about twenty-two feet, and +she may be able to lighten to eighteen." +</P> + +<P> +"She won't do it," declared Pennington decisively. "It will be as much +as she can manage to cross the outer bar. She'll be nabbed before she +does that." +</P> + +<P> +"When's high water?" enquired Denbigh. +</P> + +<P> +"Let me see. New moon's on Friday. To-day's Saturday. High water, +full and change, is at 4 p.m. I take it that it's the top of the tide +to-day at eleven or thereabouts. They'll have to be pretty sharp about +it to arrive off the entrance to the lagoon by that time." +</P> + +<P> +As a matter of fact von Riesser signalled for the prize to steam full +speed ahead, the <I>Pelikan</I> following at four cables' lengths astern. +By 8.30 the <I>Myra</I> slowed down off the entrance to the Mohoro River. +</P> + +<P> +There was a considerable amount of mist about, for the land breeze had +not commenced to make its influence felt. +</P> + +<P> +All that could be seen was a long, irregular line of coral reefs +against which the ground-swell broke with a sullen roar into masses of +milk-white foam. There were nearly a dozen visible gaps in the reef, +the largest, bearing directly ahead, being marked by a couple of +coco-nut palms. +</P> + +<P> +At this point an island was in course of formation, there being a few +feet of soil accumulated upon the coral. These trees marked the +entrance to the lagoon, into which the Mohoro River made its way by +means of three separate estuaries. +</P> + +<P> +The Germans left nothing to chance. Way was taken off both vessels. A +boat was manned and lowered from the <I>Pelikan</I> and rowed towards the +entrance, soundings being taken methodically and frequently. +</P> + +<P> +Having found the deepest water the officers in the boat signalled to +the <I>Myra</I>, and at half speed the captured tramp crept towards the +narrow passage. +</P> + +<P> +Between the foam-swept barriers she made her way, until she lay quietly +upon the peaceful waters of the lagoon. +</P> + +<P> +The <I>Pelikan</I> prepared to follow. +</P> + +<P> +"Ten to one she'll bump," exclaimed Captain Pennington. "There you +are! I said so," he added, as the raider touched the bottom with a +dull grinding sound. Still she carried way. Scraping along for nearly +her own length she slid into deep water. +</P> + +<P> +"Hope she's stove in her bottom," said O'Hara. "See, they're using her +bilge pumps." +</P> + +<P> +A signal was hoisted on the raider. What it meant the British officers +were unable to say, but it was evident from the expression of the face +of Unter-leutnant Klick that the damage to the <I>Pelikan</I> was but slight. +</P> + +<P> +By this time the mist was rising. The mainland could now be discerned, +low-lying ground densely covered with mangroves and backed by rugged +hills at a distance of about ten miles from the coast. +</P> + +<P> +The lagoon was quite three miles in breadth and extended in a northerly +direction beyond the range of vision. Southward it gradually converged +towards the coast, apparently joining it at a distance of five miles +from where the ships lay. +</P> + +<P> +"An anchorage big enough to take the whole of the British Navy," +declared Denbigh. "It's the bar that spoils the place, apart from the +pestilential swamps. Do you see that peculiar isolated tree? It's a +casuarina. It marks the principal entrance to the Mohoro—or did when +I was here last, but these African rivers have a peculiar knack of +altering their course entirely in a night." +</P> + +<P> +"I suppose we are going straight up," remarked O'Hara. "There's depth +enough for us." +</P> + +<P> +"Goodness knows," replied his chum. "At all events the <I>Pelikan</I> +can't." +</P> + +<P> +Apparently the Germans had a good knowledge of the lagoon, for boldly +closing with the land, the <I>Pelikan</I> dropped anchor within three +hundred yards of the highest part of the shore, where a cliff rose +abruptly to the height of thirty or forty feet. On the summit the +ground shelved gently. There were several native huts to be seen in +the clearing between the mangroves, while farther back was a +galvanized-iron shed with a whitewashed roof. +</P> + +<P> +Acting under von Riesser's instructions the <I>Myra's</I> anchor was let go, +the tramp bringing up at a cable's length from her captor, and so close +to the shore that when she swung her stern was within forty yards of +the cliff. The water here was ten fathoms deep, the shore being +steep-to, but in spite of the depth the bottom could be clearly seen. +</P> + +<P> +"Suppose you vant to go 'shore, hein?" asked Unter-leutnant Klick. "No +tricks. Plenty of shark about." +</P> + +<P> +The German was right. Already the surface of the lagoon in the +vicinity of the two ships was furrowed with diverging lines of ripples +as the black dorsal fins of numerous tigers of the deep cleft the water. +</P> + +<P> +"No, I don't think I want to bathe, lieutenant," remarked Captain +Pennington. "It hardly looks tempting." +</P> + +<P> +Kaspar Klick laughed boisterously. +</P> + +<P> +"You see even der shark is der ally of Zhermany," he said. +</P> + +<P> +"The information does not astonish me one little bit," rejoined the +master of the <I>Myra</I>. +</P> + +<P> +"Vot you mean?" demanded the under-leutnant, instinctively guessing +that he had made a verbal blunder. +</P> + +<P> +At that moment, when the German was beginning to exhibit signs of +anger, another signal was made from the <I>Pelikan</I>, ordering the <I>Myra</I> +to ship as much additional cargo from her captor as she could carry. +</P> + +<P> +Until sunset the work progressed. Under threats from their captors the +British crew were turned up from below and compelled to assist in +handing and stowing the gear, for it was von Riesser's intention to +lighten his vessel as much as possible, so as to attempt the inner bar +at least a couple of days before the new moon. +</P> + +<P> +Night put an end to the day's work, for not a light that could be +visible from seaward was shown. +</P> + +<P> +The two subs slept badly. Their cabin accommodation was indifferent +compared with that on board the <I>Pelikan</I>, for Unter-leutnant Klick had +appropriated the skipper's quarters, and Pennington and his chief +engineer were obliged to share the small space that had been the mate's +cabin, while that officer was told to occupy the same cabin in which +Denbigh and O'Hara were placed. +</P> + +<P> +They lacked the ventilating fan and the liberal air space. The cabin +was low and stuffy. It had no direct communication with the outside +air, as it opened into the state-room, where in normal times the +<I>Myra's</I> officers used to have their meals. At present that limited +space was still further restricted by the huge cases of military stores +removed from the <I>Pelikan</I>. These had been struck down the hatchway +and carried aft, where they remained under the charge of an armed +sentry. +</P> + +<P> +"Those fellows think they've got us safely under lock and key," said +the mate, a burly North-countryman of the name of Armstrong. "They +don't know that each officer of this hooker has a duplicate key to his +cabin. I took jolly good care to keep mine, and I know where to put my +hand on the key to this one. To-morrow, now I know how we're berthed, +I'll get that key." +</P> + +<P> +At daybreak the work of transhipping the cargo was proceeded with +before the miasmic mists that hid the shore had dispersed. Two boats +were dispatched from the <I>Pelikan</I> to the shore and returned laden with +tops of coco-nut trees. Before noon the foliage was stowed below out +of sight. +</P> + +<P> +Just before high water the <I>Myra</I>, being loaded far below her Plimsoll +mark, prepared to weigh and ascend the river. Even in her deeply laden +condition she drew a good nine feet less than the <I>Pelikan</I>, and could +negotiate the bar without much risk. +</P> + +<P> +The cable was almost "up and down" and the anchor on the point of +"breaking-out" when a warning shout came from one of the look-out men +on the <I>Pelikan</I>. A bugle call for "General Quarters" followed in +quick succession. +</P> + +<P> +"Hulloa, that's great!" ejaculated Denbigh excitedly. He pointed in +the direction of the passage through the reef. Heading for it was a +small gunboat. Although the distance was too great for the British +officers on the <I>Myra</I> to distinguish her ensign they had no doubts as +to her nationality. +</P> + +<P> +"She's one of our gunboats," announced O'Hara. +</P> + +<P> +His assertion was confirmed by a flash, followed by a sharp bark as the +<I>Pelikan</I>, unmasking her guns, opened fire upon the approaching vessel. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap11"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XI +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Denbigh's Plan +</H3> + +<P> +At the opening of the engagement the prize crew of the <I>Myra</I> made a +simultaneous rush to the tramp's rigging, in order to witness the +destruction of the audacious but lightly-armed gunboat. Unter-leutnant +Klick and another junior officer hurried to the bridge. Denbigh, +O'Hara, and the officers of the <I>Myra</I> found themselves in sole +occupation of the deck. +</P> + +<P> +"Idiots!" exclaimed Denbigh. +</P> + +<P> +"Who?" asked Captain Pennington. +</P> + +<P> +"The <I>Pelikan's</I> people. If they had waited another five minutes, they +would have found the gunboat jammed up on the bar. As it is she has +room to manoeuvre." +</P> + +<P> +Even as he spoke, the gunboat let fly with her puny 4-inch bow gun—the +only one capable of being trained upon the powerfully-armed raider. +Immediately a dense cloud of black smoke burst from the little craft, +entirely hiding her from view. +</P> + +<P> +"She's got it properly," exclaimed Pennington. +</P> + +<P> +Slowly the smoke began to disperse. Into the eddying vapour shell +after shell poured from the <I>Pelikan</I>. All around the sea was +lacerated by the ricochetting projectiles, which threw columns of spray +high into the air, the pure whiteness of the artificial waterspouts +contrasting vividly with the dark background of smoke. +</P> + +<P> +The Germans were shouting madly. It was their way of cheering, but it +lacked the inspiring sound of a hearty British cheer. Then, with +remarkable suddenness, the uproar of voices trailed away into a +silence, broken only by the desultory firing from the <I>Pelikan</I>. +</P> + +<P> +Under cover of the cloud of smoke purposely emitted from the gunboat, +the British craft had swung round and was steaming away at her maximum +of 13 knots, apparently undamaged by the salvoes that had been directed +towards her. The exultant shouts of the Germans were not renewed when +they saw the small vessel turn tail. Too late they realized that they +had thrown away their advantages by being too premature. The gunboat, +having sea-room in which to manoeuvre, was speeding away, not in +flight, but with the object of wirelessing the cruisers and destroyers. +By letting their insignificant antagonist escape the Germans were +bringing a hornet's nest about their ears. +</P> + +<P> +Somewhat disconsolately, the <I>Myra's</I> prize crew descended the rigging +and other coigns of vantage and regained the deck. They, however, knew +that a loophole for escape remained. They were under orders to cross +the inner bar and ascend the Mohoro River. That course was denied the +<I>Pelikan</I> for the next four or five days. A high spring-tide was an +absolute necessity for her to cross the barrier, and long before that +time the British blockading squadron would be off the reefs, ready to +pulverize the raider into a mass of twisted scrap-iron. +</P> + +<P> +The time of high water had gone, and the tide was beginning to fall, +when the <I>Myra</I> essayed the task of crossing the inner bar. There was +no surf breaking at the mouth of the river, since the coral reef +enclosing the lagoon effectually sheltered the shore. Only a few +ripples marked the spot where the down-current met the submerged +barrier. In a few minutes the great volume of water pouring down the +river, having time to overcome the up tidal stream, would be surging +furiously over the bar. +</P> + +<P> +"I wish to goodness we could crock the steering-gear," said O'Hara in a +low voice. "If the old hooker grounded on the bar she would prevent +the <I>Pelikan</I> from entering." +</P> + +<P> +"Not much use," objected Denbigh. "In fact, it would be more of a help +to her than a hindrance." +</P> + +<P> +"How's that?" asked the Irishman. +</P> + +<P> +"Simply because the river would dig itself another channel across the +bar, and its width being restricted by the stranded vessel, its depth +would be even greater than the existing one. No, I think we can do +nothing but sit tight and trust to luck, that the <I>Pelikan</I> will be +sent to the bottom before Friday." +</P> + +<P> +"And us?" +</P> + +<P> +"You can bet your bottom dollar that a couple of armed cutters will be +sent after the <I>Myra</I>." +</P> + +<P> +Without touching even once the tramp crossed the dangerous patch, and +was soon breasting the rapidly-increasing current. The river at this +point was about 180 yards in width, and carried a depth of 30 to 40 +feet for twelve miles from its mouth. On either side the banks were +overhung with mangroves and coco-nut palms, from which myriads of +birds, aroused by the unfamiliar noise of the tramp, rose screeching in +the sultry air. The surface of the river was dotted with black objects +resembling water-logged trunks of trees, but on the <I>Myra's</I> approach +the seemingly inanimate objects were endowed with life and activity. +They were hippopotami, that literally swarmed in the turgid water. +</P> + +<P> +Having, as he imagined, navigated the <I>Myra</I> beyond reach of the +British cruisers, Unter-leutnant Klick ordered several of the crew of +the captured tramp on deck, and informed them that they were in future +to assist in working the ship. Should any attempt to recover the +vessel be made, the offence would be punishable with death. He also +pointed out the impracticability of escape, since the river was +infested with hippopotami, and the forests with fierce animals. +</P> + +<P> +Just before sunset, the <I>Myra</I> brought up at a distance of about seven +miles from the mouth of the river. The flood-tide, accompanied by a +distinct bore, had now set in, and since the river was hardly wide +enough to allow the tramp to swing, an anchor was let go astern and +twice the amount of cable necessary paid out. Then, directly the +vessel's way was stopped, the bower-anchor was let go from the bows. +The stern cable was then hove inboard until the ship lay evenly between +the two anchors. +</P> + +<P> +The <I>Myra</I> had no stockless anchors, but those of the old Admiralty +pattern. +</P> + +<P> +"By Jove! how strong the current runs here!" remarked O'Hara, as the +two subs watched the yellow stream surge past the ship. "If the ground +tackle carried away there would be a jamboree. A new channel wouldn't +form in a couple of days here." +</P> + +<P> +Denbigh did not reply. He was mentally gauging the distance between +the ship's side and the nearmost bank. +</P> + +<P> +"It's risky," he thought; "but there are no gains without pains. I'll +have a shot at it to-night." +</P> + +<P> +On being ordered to retire to their cabin the two officers found that +the mate was already there. As Denbigh and his chum entered, he +hastily stowed something in his pocket, but finding that they were not +any of the German crew he withdrew the article. +</P> + +<P> +It was a piece of soft wood about nine inches in length. +</P> + +<P> +"What's the game, Armstrong?" asked Denbigh. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm just knocking up a couple of dummy forelocks," explained the mate, +opening his jack-knife once more. "I gave our fellows in the fo'c'sle +the tip, and they'll get them in position as soon as the anchors are +catted. I'm going to give these a coat of galvanized paint and I'll +wager those German chumps won't notice the difference. Next time they +drop the hook the pins will snap under the strain, the stocks will +slip, and the old hooker will drag at the rate of knots." +</P> + +<P> +"That's a good wheeze, Armstrong," said Denbigh. "But look here. I +want you to do me a good turn. Have you the duplicate key of this +cabin?" +</P> + +<P> +"Sure I have," replied the mate. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm going to have a shot at getting ashore," declared the sub. +</P> + +<P> +"You'll be a fool if you try," said Armstrong bluntly and emphatically. +"With this current running and the hippos barging about you wouldn't +stand a dog's chance." +</P> + +<P> +"I'll wait till slack water and take my chance with the hippos," +rejoined Denbigh. "If I succeed in getting ashore I'll make my way +along the bank until I reach the entrance. I'm rather curious to see +what the <I>Pelikan</I> is doing." +</P> + +<P> +"I'm with you," volunteered O'Hara. +</P> + +<P> +"You'll stop here, old man," said Denbigh firmly. +</P> + +<P> +"If I stop you stop too," was the Irishman's equally determined +rejoinder. "Look here, old bird; it's not like prowling around the +upper-deck. Once ashore we'll be all right. One may be jolly useful +in helping the other. Besides, I've a loaded pistol." +</P> + +<P> +"Might be handy," admitted Denbigh, secretly glad to have a companion +for his enterprise. "But there's something you have which will be, I +fancy, a jolly sight more handy." +</P> + +<P> +"What's that?" asked O'Hara. +</P> + +<P> +"The quinine the <I>Pelikan's</I> medico gave you. Our chief danger is, I +fancy, the chance of getting miasmic fever, especially after landing in +saturated togs. A few grains will stave off a fatal illness." +</P> + +<P> +"All right," agreed O'Hara. "Then it's settled I'm to go with you. +What's your plan?" +</P> + +<P> +"Nothing more than I have outlined," replied Denbigh. "We'll keep our +eyes and ears open and see what steps the <I>Pelikan</I> is taking for +defence. There'll be enough moonlight to see fairly clearly." +</P> + +<P> +"Suppose you wouldn't like me to go with you?" enquired the mate. +</P> + +<P> +Denbigh shook his head. +</P> + +<P> +"No, thanks, Armstrong; you'll serve a far better purpose by remaining +on board and screening our movements. Those fellows have set an anchor +watch, I suppose?" +</P> + +<P> +"Only on the fo'c'sle," replied Armstrong. "That is to say, they +hadn't put a man on watch over the stern cable when I left the deck. +But there's no knowing. They imagine that they are safe from attack. +I suppose they are so long as the <I>Pelikan</I> remains afloat, so it's +just likely that they'll be a bit lax. How do you propose to take the +water?" +</P> + +<P> +"By the stern cable," replied Denbigh. +</P> + +<P> +"I know a better way," said the mate. "There's a rope ladder coiled up +close to the engine-room fidley. If you can lay hold of it without +being spotted you can make one end fast outside the rail and let the +rest go. It won't be noticed before morning." +</P> + +<P> +Methodically the two subs went about their preparations, for there was +as yet an hour and a half before slack water. Denbigh knew that +between the two periods of high and low tide there was an interval of +six and a half hours, for the volume of fresh water descending the +river retarded the rising tide by at least thirty or forty minutes. +The chums had thus nearly seven hours at their disposal, of which there +was moonlight until four in the morning. +</P> + +<P> +The cabin was not electrically lighted, illumination being provided by +means of a smoky oil lamp. Stripping to the buff the two subs blacked +themselves all over by means of corks charred in the lamplight. Their +clothes they lashed into a compact bundle, Denbigh stowing the +pocket-compass in his, while O'Hara placed his automatic pistol in the +middle of his clothing. Two handkerchiefs were retained in readiness +to bind their bundles on the top of their heads. +</P> + +<P> +"We may get ashore with dry gear," said Denbigh. "It's just a chance. +We'll be lucky if we do. Now, Armstrong, that key, if you please. +I'll borrow it and lock you in after we've left. It will disarm +suspicion; and besides, we will be able to let ourselves in when we +roll home in the small hours of the morning. Don't wait up, Mr. +Armstrong." +</P> + +<P> +The men smiled grimly. Even on the brink of peril they jested. Cheek +by jowl with death they bantered each other. +</P> + +<P> +The hour of slack water arrived. No longer the current surged noisily +against the <I>Myra's</I> wall-sides. All was quiet save the occasional +rasp of a huge amphibian along the ship's plating and the faint roar of +a wild animal in the distant mangroves. +</P> + +<P> +Cautiously Denbigh applied the well-oiled key to the lock. Softly the +door was opened. In the "state-room" an oil-lamp burned dimly and +smelt abominably. Its feeble rays were almost unable to penetrate into +the recesses of the encumbered quarters. +</P> + +<P> +Giving a final look round Denbigh fastened his bundle on his head and +slipped out, followed by O'Hara. The door was closed and locked, +Denbigh thrusting the key under the lashings of his bundle. +</P> + +<P> +The deck was wet with a heavy dew that struck cold to their bare feet. +Overhead the crescent moon shone a dull yellow through the haze. The +shores were invisible. +</P> + +<P> +Crouching close to the low bulwarks the two officers made their way +amidships. Fore and aft awnings had been spread to protect the watch +on deck from the noxious dew, but there were no signs of the seamen on +duty. +</P> + +<P> +In the chart-room a light, imperfectly screened, threw a narrow glare +into the mist. The officer of the watch—one of the <I>Pelikan's</I> petty +officers—was doubtless indulging in slumber, since it was quite +unlikely that Unter-leutnant Klick would have been out of his bunk to +satisfy himself that all was well unless an alarm was raised by those +on deck. +</P> + +<P> +Cautiously the two blackened figures glided from the shelter of the +bulwarks to the raised coaming of the engine-room fidley. Through the +iron bars they could see the gleaming mechanism, now at rest, although +steam was being kept at working pressure. +</P> + +<P> +Groping, Denbigh felt his fingers come in contact with a cylindrical +bundle. It was the rope-ladder enclosed in a canvas cover. +</P> + +<P> +Returning to the side the sub lashed one end of the ladder to the +upright of one of the davits. The other he allowed to drop. It +touched the surface of the water with hardly a splash. Being too long +for the purpose five or six feet of the ladder floated alongside. +There was not sufficient current to trail it out. +</P> + +<P> +Swinging over the bulwark Denbigh felt with his foot for the rungs. +The rope creaked under his weight. He descended until his feet came in +contact with the water, then he waited until he saw O'Hara's black form +silhouetted against the moon-lit mist. +</P> + +<P> +Thank heaven there were no hippos to be seen, although a splashing +sound at some distance off told the sub that some sort of large +amphibians were sporting in the moonlight. +</P> + +<P> +The Irishman's foot lightly touching Denbigh's upheld hand that grasped +one of the rungs aroused the sub to action. Three steps down did he +take, then he released his hold and struck out into the unknown. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap12"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +A Perilous Journey +</H3> + +<P> +Twenty slow, deliberate, and powerful strokes did Denbigh take, then, +treading water, he turned his head to see how his companion was +progressing. +</P> + +<P> +In that short distance the outlines of the <I>Myra</I> looked vague and +distorted in the eddying vapour. Already the swimmers were practically +safe from observation, since O'Hara, who was barely three yards away, +looked indistinct in his cork-blackened disguise. +</P> + +<P> +A dozen strokes more and the two officers were in the midst of a +sluggish, turgid stream, their horizon bounded by banks of mist. Were +it not for the moon, that shone dully through the haze, all sense of +direction would have been lost. The water was warm and +sickly-smelling. An odour like that of decaying flowers in an +ill-ventilated room assailed their nostrils. +</P> + +<P> +Once O'Hara gave vent to a partly smothered yell as his naked foot came +in contact with a slimy water-logged tree. It was easy to imagine +unpleasant things in that modern Styx. +</P> + +<P> +At the sound Denbigh turned. +</P> + +<P> +"What's wrong?" he asked in a whisper. +</P> + +<P> +"Nothing," replied the Irishman. "Carry on." +</P> + +<P> +He was swimming rapidly. His quick strokes betrayed his acute anxiety +to traverse the stretch of water in as short a time as possible. +</P> + +<P> +"Steady; don't splash," cautioned Denbigh. +</P> + +<P> +A reply to his admonition came from another quarter, for almost in +front of the swimmers rose a huge black object, quickly followed by +another. In the semi-light the two men could see that these were +enormous hippopotami, distinguish even their thick lips and wire-like +bristles, and hear the business-like snap of their formidable teeth, +capable of biting the side of a boat and shaking the craft like a +terrier does a rat. +</P> + +<P> +The two amphibians were gambolling. So intent were they that the +swimmers were unnoticed, but for half a minute after the hippos had +passed Denbigh and O'Hara floated motionless, not trusting to swim +forward another foot. +</P> + +<P> +At length, after a seemingly interminable space of time, the +mangrove-covered shore loomed up against the moonlit sky. The banks, +thrown into deep shadow, were invisible, until O'Hara, who was now +leading, felt his foot touch the slimy ooze that fringed the shore. +</P> + +<P> +With feelings of relief the Irishman waded to the bank and awaited +Denbigh's emergence from the river. +</P> + +<P> +"Thank God," he muttered fervently as Denbigh joined him. "Now, what's +the move?" +</P> + +<P> +"Dress," replied his chum laconically. +</P> + +<P> +The two men unfastened their bundles, and proceeded to sacrifice one of +their scanty stock of handkerchiefs as a towel. To allow the foetid +fresh water to dry on them would be courting a speedy attack of +black-water fever. +</P> + +<P> +"We can't see the <I>Myra</I>," whispered O'Hara. "How shall we know where +to 'kick-off' when we return?" +</P> + +<P> +"Bend that damp handkerchief on to one of the bushes," replied Denbigh. +"We'll have to take jolly good care to——" +</P> + +<P> +His words ended abruptly, and he found himself sitting on the soft +ground. In order to facilitate the dressing performance he had sat +down upon what he imagined to be a log. The "log" promptly lurched +forward and overthrew him. It was a healthy specimen of a crocodile. +</P> + +<A NAME="img-128"></A> +<CENTER> +<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-128.jpg" ALT="THE "LOG" WAS A HEALTHY SPECIMEN OF A CROCODILE" BORDER="2"> +<H4 CLASS="h4center"> +THE "LOG" WAS A HEALTHY SPECIMEN OF A CROCODILE +</H4> +</CENTER> + +<P> +O'Hara gripped his chum's hand and literally lifted him to his feet. +Both men took to their heels, with the now aroused saurian in pursuit. +Luckily the animal was not quick at turning, and before it could do so +the two subs placed a safe distance between them and their pursuer. +</P> + +<P> +"There may be others," gasped Denbigh, who half-dressed was clutching +the rest of his clothing. "The river bank is too jolly risky. I had +my doubts about it. We'll cut inland and risk the forest. It's high +ground, as far as I could judge when we came up stream. Therefore it +ought not to be swampy. What's more, we'll save half the distance." +</P> + +<P> +"And, possibly, take double the time," added O'Hara, who, although +willing to risk the unknown perils of the mangrove forest to the +partly-known adversities of the river banks, was rather doubtful as to +his comrade's skill in navigation on dry land. +</P> + +<P> +They halted in a little clearing to complete their interrupted task of +donning their clothes. With their ears strained to catch the faintest +suspicious sound, they struggled into their light cotton garments, that +at the best of times were ill-adapted to the miasmic night-mists of the +East African coast. +</P> + +<P> +"That's better," exclaimed Denbigh cheerfully. "Feel a bit more +civilized. We might pass muster as a pair of Christy minstrels. Now, +then, a few grains of quinine, and we'll be on the move." +</P> + +<P> +O'Hara's reply was to release the safety-pin of his automatic pistol. +Denbigh, who was studying the luminous face of the pocket-compass, +smiled grimly. +</P> + +<P> +"Now I'll admit that little toy may come in handy, old man," he +remarked. "Since I lead the way, pray be careful how you finger the +trigger. Nor'east by east is the ticket." +</P> + +<P> +Before the adventurers had proceeded fifty yards, a rustling sound +overhead brought them up all-standing. Some heavy body was moving from +tree-top to tree-top with great rapidity. +</P> + +<P> +"Doesn't sound very healthy," whispered Denbigh with a forced laugh. +"I think I'll arm myself with a club." +</P> + +<P> +He wrenched at a stout sapling. Instead of the stem coming out by the +roots as he expected, it snapped off short. The fractured part tapered +to a chisel edge. The wood was hard and close-grained. +</P> + +<P> +"No, I'll use this as a spear," continued the sub. "It makes a nasty +weapon to jab an animal with." +</P> + +<P> +In silence the chums proceeded on their way. It was fair going between +the trunks of the palms and mangroves, there being very little +undergrowth. +</P> + +<P> +"'Ware mosquitoes," exclaimed O'Hara. "There must be a swamp somewhere +about." +</P> + +<P> +A swarm of these pestilential insects were buzzing around their heads, +but, possibly owing to the protection afforded by the burnt cork, the +mosquitoes did not press home the attack. Fifty yards farther the two +men were stopped by a deep morass. +</P> + +<P> +"Edge away to the left," suggested the Irishman. "I think I can hear +running water. By Jove! Look at those fireflies. They're simply +great." +</P> + +<P> +Denbigh merely grunted. He was in no mood to study the beauties of +nature. The marsh meant loss of valuable time. +</P> + +<P> +Half a dozen small deer, disturbed in the act of drinking, came +bounding towards them, until, finding themselves confronted by human +beings, they stopped abruptly, then tore madly from the newest danger. +</P> + +<P> +"Be careful!" urged Denbigh. "Those creatures have been driven towards +us by some animal. Stand by." +</P> + +<P> +Out of the deep shade ambled a huge unwieldy figure. It looked like a +giant armed with a club. It was too big for a native: it was an +enormous ape. +</P> + +<P> +In a trice Denbigh and his companion dodged behind a tree; but quick +though they were, the movement had not escaped the notice of the +animal. Uttering a shrill cry, the ape bounded towards their place of +concealment. +</P> + +<P> +Denbigh's first impulse was to fly, but calmer counsels prevailed. +Dropping on one knee, he held his improvised spear pointed towards the +enemy, the butt planted firmly into the ground. +</P> + +<P> +As well might a dog try conclusions with a motor-car. The ape's +muscular hand gripped the pole and wrenched it from the sub's grasp, +while Denbigh's endeavour to retain his hold resulted in his being +thrown prostrate at the creature's feet. +</P> + +<P> +Before the luckless man could realize his position there was a vivid +flash and a sharp report, quickly followed by another and another. +O'Hara had fired point-blank at the animal's head. +</P> + +<P> +The next instant Denbigh was pinned under the lifeless body of his +antagonist, for a chance-directed shot had struck the ape in the eye, +and had penetrated the brain. +</P> + +<P> +"Hurt?" asked the Irishman anxiously, as he assisted Denbigh to regain +his feet. +</P> + +<P> +"Am I?" asked the sub blankly. +</P> + +<P> +"If you don't know I suppose no one else does," rejoined O'Hara. +</P> + +<P> +"I thought the brute had me that time. Hulloa! where's my compass?" +</P> + +<P> +A prolonged search resulted in the recovery of the precious instrument. +Anxiously Denbigh revolved the case; to his intense satisfaction he saw +that the luminous card was still sensitive. +</P> + +<P> +"My word!" thought Denbigh, as the two men resumed their way. +"Whatever possessed me to take this business on? Idle curiosity and +the love of doing something to pass away the time, I suppose. After +all, I can't see how we can help our squadron in the slightest. And +here are we running the risk of being stranded in a beastly forest, and +perhaps being chawed up by some wild animal. Well, we're half-way +there, so I suppose we may as well carry on. I won't be the one to +suggest chucking up the sponge and making tracks for the <I>Myra</I>." +</P> + +<P> +The Irishman's soliloquies were on almost the identical lines, but as +neither communicated his thought to the other, the consequence was that +they both persisted in their hazardous adventure. +</P> + +<P> +It must have been about one in the morning, when, more by good luck +than by good management, the two British officers stumbled upon the +clearing on which stood the galvanized iron house that they had noticed +when the <I>Myra</I> lay at anchor in the lagoon. +</P> + +<P> +Although no light was visible, there were men within, for the subs +could hear the rasping of a file and the sharp whirr of a hack-saw. +</P> + +<P> +"Steady!" whispered Denbigh. "Bear away a little. Remember we're +close to the native village. Ten to one there'll be a crowd of dogs +about, and our clothes, in spite of ill-usage, are fairly conspicuous +against the dark background." +</P> + +<P> +Twice they halted before they crossed a foot-track through the mangrove +forest. At the second path, they had to wait until a party of German +bluejackets had passed. The men were armed, and were accompanied by a +score of blacks, who had been impressed to drag a small field-gun up +the hill. +</P> + +<P> +Unsuspecting the Germans went on their way, and the subs, after a safe +interval had elapsed, continued their way to the shore. +</P> + +<P> +Suddenly O'Hara gripped his companion's arm and pointed. Fifty feet +below them, and at a distance of two hundred yards, was the native +village. The huts were wrapped in silence. Only the women and +children remained, for the men had been compelled to throw up +earthworks to defend the lagoon from the anticipated attack. Outside +the village stood two German soldiers armed with rifles and fixed +bayonets, their duty being to prevent any of the inhabitants from +leaving their huts during the night. +</P> + +<P> +"It's not healthy that way," he whispered. "More to the left, old man. +I can hear the surf." +</P> + +<P> +Ten minutes more found them at the edge of the forest, and on the brink +of the two cliffs, immediately opposite which the <I>Pelikan</I> had brought +up and had fought her brief and unsatisfactory action with the British +gunboat. +</P> + +<P> +Bathed in the slanting rays of the moon, which was now on the wane, +were the placid waters of the lagoon. Nothing could, it seemed, escape +being detected up on that illuminated patch of sea. +</P> + +<P> +"By Jove!" exclaimed Denbigh excitedly. "The <I>Pelikan's</I> cleared out." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap13"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XIII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Nocturnal Investigations +</H3> + +<P> +"We might have guessed that," remarked O'Hara. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; don't you see, she was spotted by our gunboat. She couldn't get +away up the Mohoro River until Friday, and rather than run the risk of +being sunk at anchor she's landed her mob of reservists and has put to +sea again." +</P> + +<P> +"To be promptly snapped up? No; I don't care to admit your reasoning, +old man. We haven't come all this way through that confounded forest +for nothing. Listen!" +</P> + +<P> +A faint, rapid throbbing was borne to their ears. The sound came not +from the sea but along the shore to their left, where a projecting +tongue of land limited their range of vision. +</P> + +<P> +"Motor," announced O'Hara laconically. +</P> + +<P> +"And not a marine one," added Denbigh. "Come on. We'll follow this +path; it's a jolly sight safer than keeping to the shore." +</P> + +<P> +Once again they plunged into the mangrove forest, following a beaten +track that, judging by its well-worn condition, had been in existence +long before the arrival of the <I>Pelikan</I>. +</P> + +<P> +Suddenly Denbigh halted and held up his hand. Footsteps were +approaching, not those of the naked feet of natives but the booted +tramp of white men. +</P> + +<P> +The subs took cover and waited, fervently hoping that the oncomers had +not a dog with them. The party advanced slowly and haltingly, so much +so that for the moment Denbigh imagined that their suspicions had been +aroused. +</P> + +<P> +But without once glancing in the direction of the hidden officers the +men passed by. One was a petty officer of the <I>Pelikan</I>. Denbigh +recognized him by his bushy beard. With him were four seamen, walking +two abreast. The leading pair carried a roll of something wrapped in a +painted canvas cover; the others bore a large reel of wire, paying out +the thin cable as they went. +</P> + +<P> +"H'm, telephone wire," muttered Denbigh. "That doesn't look as if the +ship has cleared out. More than likely they've landed some of the guns +to form a masked battery. It strikes me pretty forcibly that we'll +have to investigate at both ends of the wire." +</P> + +<P> +Not until the sound of the receding footsteps had died away—and it +took an exasperating time—did the subs emerge from their place of +concealment. The air was now almost free from mist. Occasionally +patches of vapour drifted across their path, but generally speaking the +miasmic belt ended at a distance of about half a mile from the sea. +</P> + +<P> +O'Hara stooped and lifted up the wire. +</P> + +<P> +"Let's cut the dashed line," he suggested. +</P> + +<P> +"All in good time," replied Denbigh. "If we do so now they'll be +buzzing around before we've made our investigations. I think we're on +to a good thing." +</P> + +<P> +Nearer and nearer grew the sound of the motor, until upon emerging from +the grove the subs found themselves within a hundred yards of a German +base. +</P> + +<P> +At this point the ground sloped gently to the edge of the lagoon. +Without any apparent attempt at concealment two searchlights had been +set in position. A dozen men in naval uniforms were standing around +the projectors. The lights were "running" as was evident from the +crackle of the carbons, but the shutters were closed, cutting off the +rays. The current was produced by a dynamo, the power being supplied +by means of the petrol motor, the pulsations of which had given the +subs a clue to its position. +</P> + +<P> +"What's the idea?" whispered O'Hara, indicating the unconcealed +searchlight. +</P> + +<P> +"A blind," replied his companion. "I guessed it. We'll carry on a +little farther before we retrace our steps." +</P> + +<P> +Another <I>détour</I> was necessary, but on plunging into the mangrove +forest on to the other side of the clearing the Irishman's foot tripped +in the telephone wire. +</P> + +<P> +"Good!" he ejaculated. "You're right, old man." +</P> + +<P> +Five hundred yards farther on the explorers almost tumbled into a deep +pit, protected on the seaward side by sandbags, between which were +stuck shrubs and branches of trees to screen the artificial work from +seaward. +</P> + +<P> +In the pit were two quick-firers, with basket cases of ammunition in +readiness. Pacing up and down between the guns was a sentry, while +under a tarpaulin supported by short poles were about a dozen sleeping +men. Farther on was another excavation, but what it contained the +British officers were unable to ascertain. The battery, it was +evident, was manned by some of the reservists from the <I>San Matias</I>. +</P> + +<P> +Denbigh, having taken a compass bearing of the entrance of the lagoon, +nudged his chum, and they began to retrace their steps. Moving as +rapidly as their sense of caution would permit, they again skirted the +searchlight station and picked up the telephone wire trail in the woods +beyond. +</P> + +<P> +"We must not forget the time," cautioned the Irishman. +</P> + +<P> +"By Jove, no!" replied Denbigh. As a matter of fact he had. The +excitement of their discoveries had banished all thought of anything +else. Even the perils of their return journey to the <I>Myra</I> had been +lightly brushed aside. "Hang it all, there's that confounded mist +again." +</P> + +<P> +At a distance of a quarter of a mile from the searchlight position the +path bent obliquely towards the lagoon. Here the trees grew right to +the water's edge, the cliff at this point being roughly twenty feet +above the sea. +</P> + +<P> +"What's that?" whispered O'Hara. +</P> + +<P> +A cable's length from shore, and just visible through the mist, was a +large indistinct shape. At first sight it looked like a small island +thickly covered with coco-nut palms. +</P> + +<P> +"The cunning blighters!" ejaculated Denbigh. "That's the <I>Pelikan</I>." +</P> + +<P> +It was the raider. Her masts and funnels were decked with branches; +the whole tops of trees festooned her sides. The outlines of her bow +and stern were concealed by trailing masses of vegetation. Viewed from +seaward, against the tree-clad hillocks, the <I>Pelikan</I> could not be +distinguished from her natural background. A short distance along the +shore there was a gap in the line of cliffs. Here a boat was lying, +with her crew standing about on shore. +</P> + +<P> +"They're expecting someone," whispered Denbigh. "Let's move." +</P> + +<P> +Not until the subs were a safe distance from the shore did they +exchange opinions. +</P> + +<P> +"The <I>Pelikan</I> is expecting an attack," said O'Hara. "So she is +disguised. Some of her guns are taken ashore." +</P> + +<P> +"Why not all?" asked Denbigh. +</P> + +<P> +"I should not think so," was the reply. "They would be almost certain +to keep those in position on the port side. They haven't abandoned the +ship, otherwise the boat wouldn't be waiting to take somebody off to +her. Hulloa, there they go!" +</P> + +<P> +Two brilliant arcs of light swept across the lagoon. The searchlights +had been unmasked and were directed towards the narrow gap in the coral +reef. +</P> + +<P> +"They've spotted something," continued O'Hara. +</P> + +<P> +"Not necessarily," replied Denbigh. "Those lights are tantamount to a +challenge. Our fellows will go for the searchlight, thinking that they +are being worked from the <I>Pelikan</I>. Then the ship's guns and those of +the masked battery will be able to open a converging fire. We'll have +to stop their little game, old man." +</P> + +<P> +"Can't see how," said O'Hara. +</P> + +<P> +"No more can I at present," added his companion. "We've about three +hours to daylight. We must allow an hour and a half at the very +outside to work our way back to the <I>Myra</I>." +</P> + +<P> +"If our fellows put the hat on the <I>Pelikan</I>, we may as well hang on +and get them to pick us up. You can bet your bottom dollar they'll +take good care to see that the <I>Pelikan</I> is properly done in." +</P> + +<P> +"My dear fellow," protested Denbigh, "are we fit to introduce ourselves +as British officers, even suppose the cruisers send a landing party +ashore?" +</P> + +<P> +"Don't care whether I am or not," replied the Irishman recklessly. +"Whether I wear an evening dress of burnt cork plus a very disreputable +uniform of white ducks, or whether I am immaculately arrayed in No. 1 +rig, makes little difference. I am still Patrick O'Hara." +</P> + +<P> +"S'sh!" whispered Denbigh, for O'Hara had unconsciously raised his +voice during the delivery of his protest. "Let's have another look to +seaward, and then we'll cut the telephone wire and clap on all sail for +our involuntary home of rest. By Jove, it's getting darker! We'll be +barging into something if we aren't very careful." +</P> + +<P> +Upon regaining the top of the cliffs the subs saw something that +indicated the impending attack. Lights were in position at the +entrance to the lagoon. The British vessels in the offing had sent +boats to sound and drop calcium-light buoys in the narrow channel, +preparatory to making a dash across the enclosed stretch of water. +</P> + +<P> +Even as the subs watched a masthead light blinked rapidly. Since the +vessels were equipped with wireless, light signals were unnecessary for +communication. Denbigh could only conclude that one of the attacking +craft was ordering the boats to return. +</P> + +<P> +"I say, old man," whispered O'Hara. "It's not going to be long-range +gunnery. I believe they're sending a couple of destroyers in. If so, +they're going to try a torpedo on the <I>Pelikan</I>." +</P> + +<P> +Before Denbigh could reply a faint gleam played upon the rock-strewn +beach. Lying at full length in the coarse grass on the top of the +cliffs, which were here only about ten feet in height, the chums waited +and watched. +</P> + +<P> +Coming towards them was a big-built man in the uniform of a German +officer. At intervals he flashed a torch upon the ground to guide his +footsteps. Behind him came a soldier with his rifle slung across his +back, and carrying a heavy valise. +</P> + +<P> +"Von Eckenstein," whispered Denbigh, recognizing the bullying Prussian +by his voice. "And with an electric torch, too. We'll bag those +fellows, Pat. No, not that pistol, you chump. We'll jump on 'em." +</P> + +<P> +Cautiously the two subs crouched ready to spring. Denbigh, grasping a +stout stick that he had found in the place of the one broken by the +ape, signed to his companion to use his powerful fists and tackle the +major's servant. +</P> + +<P> +Unsuspectingly von Eckenstein passed by. Just as he flashed the torch +Denbigh leapt. Before his feet touched the sand his stick descended +heavily upon the German's head. His sun-helmet was insufficient to +save him. Without a groan the major dropped. +</P> + +<P> +O'Hara had been equally successful in his share of the attack. Taking +Denbigh literally, he had alighted fairly on the German soldier's head. +</P> + +<P> +"I've killed him!" exclaimed the Irishman. +</P> + +<P> +"'Fraid so," agreed Denbigh. "But it's war, you know. Be sharp, drag +them into the bushes. Our dear friend the major won't recover his +senses in a hurry." +</P> + +<P> +Taking possession of the torch Denbigh scaled the cliff and made his +way through the mangroves until he was nearly twenty yards from the +edge of the wood. From this point he could see the masthead light of +the destroyer—for destroyer he felt sure it must be. He could now +flash the torch with little risk of the glare being spotted from either +the <I>Pelikan</I> or the masked battery. +</P> + +<P> +He "called up", at first without meeting with success, but at length a +steady white light gleamed from the offing. It was not from the +destroyer that had been using her masthead light, but from one farther +out to sea. +</P> + +<P> +Rapidly Denbigh flashed the warning message:— +</P> + +<P> +"<I>Pelikan</I> disguised, 400 yards to southward of searchlights. Masked +battery 400 yards to northward of searchlights. Useless to attempt +torpedo." +</P> + +<P> +The white light vanished. With his nerves tingling with anxiety the +sub waited. +</P> + +<P> +Then through the darkness the destroyer's signalling lamp spelt out the +single word: +</P> + +<P> +"R-A-T-S." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap14"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XIV +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +A Neglected Warning +</H3> + +<P> +"Idiot!" snapped Denbigh under his breath. "Some irresponsible +signalman acting the goat." +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps they think that our signal is a faked message coming from the +enemy," suggested O'Hara. "Try them again: add your name and rank." +</P> + +<P> +Denbigh repeated the message, making the additions his companion had +proposed; but there was no reply—not even a facetious one. +</P> + +<P> +The signalman of the destroyer was engaged in taking down another +message from the shore, for the Germans, seeing the word 'rats' flashed +from an enemy ship, came to the conclusion that it was a personal +affront to themselves. Consequently the searchlights had been +temporarily shut off and a signalling lamp brought into play to frame a +fitting reply to the Englishmen's single-worded challenge. +</P> + +<P> +"We must make a move," announced Denbigh, disappointed at his warning +being ignored. "It will be daylight before we get back, if we don't +hurry. I'd like to stop and watch the scrap, but we can't wait. They +may not attack until close on dawn." +</P> + +<P> +Already possessed of the German soldier's rifle, bayonet and +ammunition, Denbigh led the way from the shore. As the subs crossed +the path along which the telegraph line had been laid, Denbigh severed +the copper wire in two places, making the cuts quite fifty feet from +each other. The separated part he removed, rolling it into a small +coil. +</P> + +<P> +"They'll have a bit of a bother to find that, I fancy," he remarked. +"Unless they bring a spare length with them that telephone will be +useless for the next couple of hours." +</P> + +<P> +"They'll know it has been deliberately cut, though," added the +Irishman. "If we had wrenched the wire apart they might have thought +that some animal had barged into it. There'll be some strafing over +it." +</P> + +<P> +As he spoke the air was rent by a terrific detonation, followed almost +immediately by the bark of numerous quick-firers. The attack had +commenced. +</P> + +<P> +Without a word both officers turned and raced recklessly towards the +shore. +</P> + +<P> +As Denbigh had foreseen, two British destroyers took part in the +attempt to settle the <I>Pelikan</I>. Deceived by the position of the +searchlight on shore both boats headed towards the glare like moths to +a lighted candle. +</P> + +<P> +At a distance of five hundred yards from the edge of the lagoon the +leading boat ported helm and let fly a couple of torpedoes from her +midship deck-tubes. Straight as arrows sped the two deadly missiles, +but instead of striking the hull of the <I>Pelikan</I> they exploded +simultaneously against the rocks. +</P> + +<P> +Instantly the guns on the raider and those in the masked battery on +shore opened a furious fire. The leading destroyer, caught by the +tornado of shell, was hulled again and again. With her funnels riddled +like sieves, her deck gear swept away, and in a sinking condition, she +turned for the open sea. Failing in that object her +lieutenant-commander ran her aground on the outer reef just as she was +on the point of foundering. +</P> + +<P> +The second destroyer, blinded by the glare of the searchlights, and +finding that she was the target for two distinct batteries, neither of +which was in the spot where the <I>Pelikan</I> was supposed to be, turned +about, screening her movements with smoke from her funnels. +</P> + +<P> +Slowing down outside the lagoon she picked up the survivors from her +consort and steamed out to sea. +</P> + +<P> +From the Germans' point of view it was a victory: the British, +undaunted by the loss of one of their boats, preferred to call it a +"reconnaissance in force", with the object of compelling the enemy to +unmask his batteries. The main attack would be made by long-range +gunnery, and to that end the three monitors, then lying in Zanzibar +Harbour, were ordered to make for the mouth of the Mohoro River. +</P> + +<P> +Denbigh and O'Hara, having the mortification of seeing the destroyers +repulsed with loss—the action was over in five minutes—again set out +on their return journey. +</P> + +<P> +In spite of the aid afforded by the compass the subs found, on emerging +from the forest, that they were a long way out of their reckoning. +They had hit the banks of the Mohoro River right enough, but either a +considerable distance above or below the spot where the <I>Myra</I> lay +moored. +</P> + +<P> +The mists had rolled away. It was now very dark, yet had the tramp +been anywhere in the vicinity the subs would have been able to discern +her. There were ominous sounds: those of huge creatures wading over +the mud-flats. Hippopotami and crocodiles were emerging from the river. +</P> + +<P> +"Up or down?" asked O'Hara. +</P> + +<P> +"Neither, by this bank," replied Denbigh, gripping his rifle. "It +doesn't sound healthy. We'll cut inland a bit and try our luck +up-stream." +</P> + +<P> +"Why up-stream?" asked the Irishman. +</P> + +<P> +"Because I think I've tumbled to it," answered his chum. "I've been +carrying this rifle on my left shoulder for the greater part of the +last hour. I have also been holding the compass within a few inches of +the steel barrel. It was a silly thing to do, I admit, but I didn't +think of it at the time. Consequently the needle deviated and threw us +out of our course. We've gone more to the left of our outward track, +and that brings us down stream." +</P> + +<P> +"It's getting light, I believe," remarked O'Hara after a ten-minutes +detour. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," replied Denbigh. "It's the false dawn. It will get pitch-dark +for a little while before the real daybreak. Push on. This light will +serve us a good turn." +</P> + +<P> +Once more the adventurous twain gained the river bank. This time their +efforts met with success, for showing clearly in the half-light of the +false dawn was the <I>Myra</I>. +</P> + +<P> +"Nearly slack water," announced Denbigh. "We're in luck. Keep under +cover in case the watch are feeling particularly energetic." +</P> + +<P> +While awaiting the return of darkness, Denbigh retrieved the +handkerchief he had left as a mark, and wrapping it round the breech of +the captured rifle, buried the weapon in the soft earth. It might, he +argued, come in handy within the next few days. Beyond that time the +rifle would be rapidly attacked by rust, for on the East Coast of +Africa the action of corrosion is almost as quick as in the moist air +of the Gold Coast. +</P> + +<P> +He was dubious concerning the bayonet. It had a much larger blade than +the British article, and its back was furnished with a formidable +double row of teeth to within six inches of the point. With it a man +might fell a fairly large-size tree in an hour. +</P> + +<P> +"Pity to waste it," declared Denbigh. "Only it's too long to hide +under my clothes without great risk of its being spotted. On the other +hand, it may come in jolly useful." +</P> + +<P> +"Break it in two," suggested his chum. "Even four inches of the blade +might be handy." +</P> + +<P> +Wrapping his coat round the end of the blade in order to protect his +hands, the sub brought the flat of the steel smartly against his knee. +To his disgust the bayonet did not snap, as he fully expected it to do. +It bent, and instead of flying back when the pressure was released it +remained bent. +</P> + +<P> +"Good old Solingen steel!" exclaimed Denbigh disgustedly. "Same rotten +stuff that our cutlass-bayonets were made of in the '85 Soudan +campaign." +</P> + +<P> +All efforts to break the bayonet failed. The metal was so non-elastic +that the sub gave up the attempt and hurled it into the mud. +</P> + +<P> +"Time!" he exclaimed. "It's getting dark again." +</P> + +<P> +The men stripped, and made their clothes into bundles as before. To +return to the <I>Myra</I> with their garments shedding streams of turgid +water would never do, since they had no other clothes. +</P> + +<P> +"Ugh!" ejaculated O'Hara as his feet touched the loathsome slime. "I +can't say I'm hankering after a mud bath. Can't say I like the rotten +turnip-smelling water any better." +</P> + +<P> +"Dry up!" cautioned Denbigh under his breath. +</P> + +<P> +"Wish I could," retorted the irrepressible Irishman. "Sure I'm wet +altogether." +</P> + +<P> +They swam side by side, making use of the "dog-stroke", as there was +less risk of attracting attention by an involuntary splashing. +</P> + +<P> +It was a nerve-racking ordeal, for the darkness was now intense. +Hippopotami were noisy not so very far off; there was imminent danger +from crocodiles, that, floating like logs in the water, were +practically invisible until one was almost within arm's length of them. +But on top of these unpleasant possibilities, the haunting dread that +the rope ladder might have been removed was uppermost in Denbigh's mind. +</P> + +<P> +As the swimmers approached mid-stream, they found there was still a +strong current. It was indeed a hard struggle to make the ship. +Well-nigh exhausted, the two chums gained their goal. Thank heaven the +end of the ladder was still trailing in the water. +</P> + +<P> +For some minutes the subs contented themselves by hanging on to the +ropes and regaining their breath. Then Denbigh, assuring himself that +the key to the cabin was still hanging from a cord round his neck, +began to ascend. When his head was level with the bulwarks he peered +cautiously along the deck. He could see or hear no one. Had a sentry +been standing for'ard, it would have been possible to discern his +outlines against the gloom. He would have much rather seen the fellow +and made arrangements accordingly, than to be in ignorance of where the +sentry was, since it was unlikely that all the watch on deck were +skulking. +</P> + +<P> +Denbigh ascended another rung and waited again. This time he heard +voices speaking in low guttural tones. The watch were sheltering in +the fore-peak. +</P> + +<P> +Reassured on this point, the sub leapt lightly over the rail. As he +did so his bare feet came in contact with something soft. He had +pitched fairly upon a fat German, who, heedless of the risk of sleeping +in the open air, had coiled himself up under the lee of the bulwarks. +</P> + +<P> +The shock threw Denbigh to the deck. Quickly regaining his feet, he +saw the astonished German struggling to rise. Before he could do so +the sub dealt him a powerful left-hander. Missing the point of the +Teuton's chin, Denbigh's clenched fist struck him heavily on the nose. +</P> + +<P> +Thoroughly scared by the apparition of a stalwart black, the man took +to his heels. Yelling with fear, his cries for assistance were +rendered indistinguishable owing to the fact that he held both hands +pressed tightly over his nose, which was leaving a purple trail on the +deck. +</P> + +<P> +"Come on!" hissed Denbigh to his chum. +</P> + +<P> +O'Hara needed no second bidding. Clearing the bulwarks, he quickly cut +adrift the ladder and raced after Denbigh, who was making with all +possible dispatch for the companion. +</P> + +<P> +For a brief instant Denbigh fumbled with the key; then inserting it in +the lock he threw open the door. +</P> + +<P> +"Back again, Armstrong," he announced coolly, for now all immediate +danger was over. "Have you any clean water handy? We could both do +with a good wash." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap15"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XV +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Armstrong's Part +</H3> + +<P> +Restraining his curiosity, the mate of the <I>Myra</I> poured out some water +into a tin bowl, and handed Denbigh a small piece of yellow soap. +</P> + +<P> +"There'll be just time to scrub your figureheads," he remarked. +"You'll have to turn in pretty sharp, or you'll be bowled out. They're +getting a little bit excited on deck." +</P> + +<P> +Realizing that it would be as well to act on Armstrong's advice, the +subs, by dint of hard scrubbing and plenty of soap, succeeded in +removing the burnt cork from their faces, necks, and hands. This done +they donned their pyjamas and scrambled into their bunks, while the +mate obligingly unpacked their bundles and laid out the garments with +methodical precision. +</P> + +<P> +Armstrong was not far wrong in his surmise. The excitement on deck +bordered on a state of panic. Every man of the prize crew turned out. +Unter-leutnant Klick, having heard a muddled version of what had taken +place, ordered the man who had been jumped upon to state what he knew. +</P> + +<P> +The seaman, still shaken and frightened, could only affirm that he was +pacing the deck as conscientiously as a sentry should do, when the +black figure leapt upon him from behind and felled him. +</P> + +<P> +"From behind, say you?" repeated Unter-leutnant Klick. "How, then, +could you see that he was black?" +</P> + +<P> +"I must have spun round, sir, as I fell," replied the fellow. "I +distinctly remember seeing that he was black and without clothing. He +may be a native." +</P> + +<P> +"Where did he go after taking you unawares?" asked the prize-master of +the <I>Myra</I>. +</P> + +<P> +"Over the side, sir, I think. I believe I heard the splash." +</P> + +<P> +Kaspar Klick, however, had his suspicions. Not for one moment did he +imagine that anyone would be so utterly reckless as to attempt to swim +ashore and back again. The river, teeming with hippopotami and +crocodiles, offered too formidable an obstacle. On the other hand, the +mysterious assailant of the sentry might be one of several of the +English prisoners, intent upon recapturing the ship. Had the faithful +sentry been felled without uttering a sound, the plot may have +succeeded; but when the seaman made enough bellowing to awaken the +Seven Sleepers, the daring Englishmen probably thought better of it, +and had retired speedily and discreetly. +</P> + +<P> +Ordering half a dozen armed men to accompany him, Unter-leutnant Klick +went for'ard. Over the hatchway leading to the forehold, where the +<I>Myra's</I> deck hands were under lock and key, he found a sentry on duty. +The man was most emphatic that no one had attempted to come on deck. +The state of the padlock proved that. +</P> + +<P> +Still dubious, the unter-leutnant descended the main hold. Making his +way over a pack of miscellaneous cargo, he came to the for'ard +bulkhead. A careful examination showed that no effort had been made to +cut through the partition separating the two holds. He could, +therefore, feel reassured that the original crew of the <I>Myra</I> had not +attempted to put into execution a plot to recover the ship. +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps it is those harebrained officers we took from the Japanese +liner," soliloquized Klick. "I'll go the rounds now I am about it, and +see if those fellows have been up to any tricks." +</P> + +<P> +Had the unter-leutnant gone aft as soon as he commenced his +investigations, he might have noticed the tell-tale prints of wet feet, +left by Denbigh and his chum as they scurried to the cabin. By this +time the marks had almost vanished. The slight traces of dampness that +remained were hardly noticeable in the gloom, for it was still dark, +and 'tween decks the lantern gave but a feeble glimmer. +</P> + +<P> +Klick inserted his key into the lock and threw open the door. The +cabin was in darkness, until one of his men flashed a lantern into it. +The unter-leutnant sniffed suspiciously. +</P> + +<P> +"Anyone awake?" he asked. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," replied Armstrong. +</P> + +<P> +"You haf been a lamp burning," said Kaspar Klick accusingly. "It is +again der regulations." +</P> + +<P> +Armstrong's reply told the listening subs that he was "up to snuff". +The prize-master had sniffed the odour of burnt cork; but since he had +suggested that it was the smell of an extinguished oil-lamp, the mate +did not contradict. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," he replied. "Mr. O'Hara hasn't been very well. I had to give +him some quinine, and a fellow must have a light to see that he is +giving the right dose." +</P> + +<P> +"Ach! Is dat so?" asked the unter-leutnant. "Now, tell me dis. Herr +O'Hara, did he go on deck since last hour ago?" +</P> + +<P> +"No," replied Armstrong with perfect truthfulness. "I am certain he +didn't. I'm a very light sleeper, and if he had moved I should have +heard. Besides, how could he get out without a key?" asked the mate +with well-feigned innocence. +</P> + +<P> +"I tell you dis——" began Klick; but before he could carry out his +intention a loud shout of "Wer da?" came from the deck, followed by an +unintelligible hail, coming from some distance down the river. +</P> + +<P> +Kaspar Klick waited no longer. Hurriedly he left the cabin, slamming +and locking the door, and rushed on deck. Aft, a sentry at the ready +was repeating his challenge. The first blush of the short tropical +dawn revealed the presence of a four-oared galley speeding up with the +tide. +</P> + +<P> +"We're from the <I>Pelikan</I>, sir," announced the petty officer in charge, +as the boat ran alongside. Without attempting to board the man +delivered his message. +</P> + +<P> +In spite of the closed dead-light Denbigh and his companions could hear +all the fellow was saying. +</P> + +<P> +"Herr Kapitan von Riesser sends his compliments," continued the +coxswain. "He is anxious to know whether any of the English prisoners +have escaped." +</P> + +<P> +"No, certainly not," replied Kaspar Klick with righteous indignation in +his voice, "our precautions are too elaborate to give the dogs a chance +of that. But why has Kapitan von Riesser sent you with that question?" +</P> + +<P> +"We've been in action, sir," declared the man. +</P> + +<P> +"We heard the firing," remarked Klick. "And the result?" +</P> + +<P> +"One English cruiser sunk, another driven on to the rocks," announced +the coxswain, allowing his imagination to kick over the traces. "There +were others. We would have captured or destroyed those, only——" +</P> + +<P> +"Only what?" asked the unter-leutnant sharply. +</P> + +<P> +"Someone cut our field telegraph. 'B' battery could not get in touch +with the observation officer and so the rest of the enemy escaped." +</P> + +<P> +"How do you know that the wire has been cut?" asked the unter-leutnant. +"It might have carried away." +</P> + +<P> +"A whole length of it has been removed, sir," reported the coxswain. +</P> + +<P> +"Then it was the natives. They'll steal anything in the metal line. +Kapitan von Riesser ought to have known that," replied Klick with +asperity. "We look after our prisoners here. None of them has the +faintest chance of getting out of the ship. Anything more to report?" +</P> + +<P> +"Only that Major von Eckenstein is missing. He left the observation +station to go to the <I>Pelikan's</I> landing stage and never arrived. +Search parties were out when I left." +</P> + +<P> +Unter-leutnant Kaspar Klick made no audible comment. Inwardly he +rejoiced, after the manner of mean-minded men when they hear of +misfortune overtaking those they dislike; for there was no love lost +between the two representatives of the Kaiser's forces. +</P> + +<P> +"Very well; carry on back," he ordered. "You can reassure Kapitan von +Riesser on the points he mentioned." +</P> + +<P> +"There's something else, sir," reported the petty officer, producing a +linen envelope from under a cushion in the stern-sheets. "I had to +deliver this to you personally." +</P> + +<P> +The German officer took the envelope and went below to read its +contents. It was to the effect that the <I>Pelikan</I> had been lightened +still more and that at high water she would attempt the bar. The +<I>Myra</I> was to return down stream and stand by to render assistance if +necessary. +</P> + +<P> +Returning on deck the prize-master gave back to the coxswain the order, +to which was added a notation that it would be complied with, and +dismissed the boat. Then, grumbling at being turned out so early in +the morning, Kaspar Klick retired to his cabin. +</P> + +<P> +"Is that right about the sinking of one of our cruisers?" asked +Armstrong, when Denbigh had translated the gist of the conversation, +for in spite of the port-hole being closed every word had been audible. +</P> + +<P> +"Hardly," replied Denbigh. "The Germans have a funny habit of +magnifying the size and class of any and every vessel they sink. +Unfortunately they sent one of our destroyers to the bottom. By Jove! +doesn't this burnt cork take a lot of shifting?" +</P> + +<P> +The two subs were busily engaged in scrubbing off their sooty coats, to +make the rest of their bodies harmonize with their faces. Fresh water +being strictly limited and yellow soap microscopic in size their task +was not an easy one. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, if they attempt to bring the <I>Pelikan</I> up the river," commented +the mate of the <I>Myra</I>, "I hope they'll pile her up on the bar. If +they succeed we'll have to try our hand. Don't I wish they'd let me +have charge of the wheel for five minutes. Now what do you think of +these? I call them champion." +</P> + +<P> +He held out the two dummy forelocks, which he had completed in the +absence of Denbigh and his chum. They had been coated with aluminium +paint, while to give them a worn appearance he had rubbed charcoal over +the paint. Only by actual handling, when the difference in weight +between the real and the spurious article could be detected, could the +deception be discovered. +</P> + +<P> +"Capital!" exclaimed O'Hara, suppressing a yawn. "Oh, dash it all! +This is the result of being out of bed when one ought to be enjoying +one's beauty sleep. I'm turning in again." +</P> + +<P> +"Also this child," added Denbigh; but before the chums could throw +themselves upon their bunks a bugle sounded. It was the signal that +another working day had begun, and that the prisoners had to turn out +and assist their captors. +</P> + +<P> +"Morning," was Captain Pennington's greeting as Denbigh and O'Hara came +on deck. Then, making sure that no German was within earshot, he +asked, "And what little game were <I>you</I> up to last night?" +</P> + +<P> +"What do you mean?" asked Denbigh in surprise. +</P> + +<P> +"Like you I have a liking for fresh air," replied the skipper of the +captured tramp. "The Huns screwed down the dead-light to the +port-hole, but forgot to enquire if I had a spanner. They saved +themselves an unnecessary question, by the by, for I would not have +owned up to being in possession of a very serviceable one. So during +the night I opened the port-hole to get a breather. I was rather +surprised to find a rope-ladder dropped over the side, and still more +so to see two disreputable niggers, whom I recognized as you two, swarm +down and take a cold bath. Also I had the pleasure of seeing the same +dusky pair return, and had the intense satisfaction of hearing a German +bellow like a whipped child." +</P> + +<P> +"Then we weren't so smart as we imagined," observed O'Hara. "Fortunate +it was for us that you weren't a Hun." +</P> + +<P> +Before the subs could enlighten Captain Pennington as to the nature of +the mystery the unter-leutnant came up. +</P> + +<P> +"You vill haf to vork, kapitan," he said without further preliminaries. +"If you no keep your crew up to concert pitch trouble you vill haf. +You men vill vork vatch and vatch, see?" +</P> + +<P> +Captain Pennington merely nodded in reply. He realized that passivity +was desirable; on the other hand, having heard of Armstrong's little +plan, it would not do to show unwonted eagerness to assist in working +the ship. +</P> + +<P> +"Turn up der men," ordered Klick. +</P> + +<P> +"One minute," interposed Captain Pennington. "We are not at sea now. +My men have insufficient head-gear. It's risking sunstroke." +</P> + +<P> +The unter-leutnant considered the affair for a few minutes. Personally +he didn't care a rope's-end whether the strafed Englishmen had +sunstroke or not, until it occurred to him that a number of invalids +would hamper operations. Finally he gave orders for a number of solar +topees or sun-helmets to be issued to the British crew. +</P> + +<P> +It was eight o'clock in the morning when the <I>Myra</I> weighed. Already +the sun was unpleasantly hot. There was no wind. Under the shade of +the mangroves the mists still held, while the black mud left uncovered +by the falling tide gave out a most noxious vapour. +</P> + +<P> +To Denbigh's satisfaction Armstrong had been sent for'ard to +superintend the weighing and catting on the anchor. The stern anchor +had already been hove short. +</P> + +<P> +Under the action of the steam winch the cable came home. Manoeuvred by +means of the twin screws the <I>Myra</I> swung round in mid-stream, and as +the "hook" broke out from the muddy bottom the tramp forged slowly +ahead. +</P> + +<P> +Half a dozen British seamen were on the fo'c'sle together with three +Germans. The latter took good care to leave most of the work to the +prisoners, so that Armstrong had a clear opportunity to withdraw the +real forelocks from the anchors and replace them with the wooden ones. +</P> + +<P> +"That's all serene," he whispered to Denbigh as he came aft. "Now +there'll be trouble for the Deutschers." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap16"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XVI +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +The Disaster to the <I>Myra</I> +</H3> + +<P> +Arriving at the entrance to the Mohoro River the <I>Myra</I> made no attempt +to recross the inner bar. Nor did she anchor, contenting herself with +merely steaming ahead against the flood-tide at a slow speed that kept +her stationary with the shore. +</P> + +<P> +Just before high water the <I>Pelikan</I> hove in sight from behind a +projecting tongue of land. She still retained her garb of palm trees. +The subs noticed that she had a decided list to starboard. This, +however, was not due to a leak but to the fact that her cargo had been +trimmed so as to throw her on her bilge and thus lighten her draught. +</P> + +<P> +Slowly she approached the bar, and promptly took ground. Gripped by +the strong tide the stern portion swung round, throwing her almost +broadside athwart the river. +</P> + +<P> +Great was the confusion on board. Half a dozen officers were shouting +simultaneously; men were rushing hither and thither, with no apparent +object, while with her engines reversed, her propellers were throwing +huge columns of mud and water. +</P> + +<P> +Before the officers realized the danger the starboard propeller had +shed its blades owing to their coming into contact with the bottom, +while the port propeller was stopped after two blades had been badly +buckled. +</P> + +<P> +Cautiously the lighter-draughted <I>Myra</I> was backed astern until a +couple of stout hawsers were passed to her from the stranded vessel. +</P> + +<P> +Three times the tramp endeavoured without success to tow off the +<I>Pelikan</I>, but on each occasion the hawsers snapped. By this time it +was close on high water. +</P> + +<P> +Meanwhile the raider's crew were working like men possessed, throwing +overboard heavy gear that Kapitan von Riesser would have given +thousands of marks to retain. Military stores of the utmost importance +had to be ruthlessly sacrificed, unless the <I>Pelikan</I> was to remain a +target for the guns of the British cruisers which were even now +supposed to be on their way from Zanzibar. +</P> + +<P> +On the fourth occasion a hawser was sent off to the <I>Myra</I>, while in +addition the pinnace was towed into midstream with a large anchor slung +underneath her keel. +</P> + +<P> +The anchor having been dropped, the cable was led to the <I>Pelikan's</I> +steam capstan. Directly the chain took the strain the <I>Myra</I> began to +tow, with the result that the luckless raider scraped heavily across +the bar into deep water. +</P> + +<P> +Kapitan von Riesser was delighted, in spite of the loss of stores and +gear. The damaged propellers mattered little, since the <I>Pelikan</I> +would never again attempt to put to sea. The <I>Myra</I> could tow her up +the Mohoro River until she was out of range of the British cruisers' +guns, and from that point the reinforcements for the German Field Force +could proceed to the Rhodesian border and attempt to check General +Smut's advance. +</P> + +<P> +Amongst the troops was Major von Eckenstein, who had been discovered +lying unconscious at the foot of the cliffs. He was badly battered +about the face, and severely hurt internally. When he came to he was +quite unable to account for his injuries. It was quite evident that +from a combatant point of view the arrogant major was out of the +running. +</P> + +<P> +As soon as the <I>Pelikan</I> was in comparative safety the German troops +were re-embarked. The quick-firers which had been landed, and which +had served so good a purpose in repelling the British destroyers, were +brought round by steamboats and again hoisted on board the <I>Pelikan</I>. +</P> + +<P> +This done the <I>Myra</I> took her big consort in tow, and against the now +strong ebb-tide slowly crawled up the turgid river. +</P> + +<P> +Before the tidal stream had turned the two vessels had passed the spot +where the tramp had anchored on the previous night. Without stopping +they proceeded up-stream, the <I>Pelikan</I> keeping well under control by +means of her rudder and a supplementary steering device consisting of a +long spar towed astern to prevent the ship from yawing. +</P> + +<P> +"By Jove! there's trouble ahead," observed Denbigh, pointing to a sharp +bend in the river about a mile ahead. Here the tidal portion of the +stream extended nearly 500 yards from bank to bank, while the actual +channel was a bare fifth of that distance. On the starboard hand ran a +long tongue of mud, round which the stream swept with great violence. +</P> + +<P> +By this time a strong breeze had sprung up, blowing athwart the +channel. The absence of trees close to the bank increased the +difficulty, for there was no protection from the wind as it swept +against the lofty side of the slowly-moving <I>Pelikan</I>. +</P> + +<P> +Already the raider's semaphore was signalling to the <I>Myra</I> to cast off +and anchor until the tide slackened. +</P> + +<P> +With a grim smile on his face Armstrong winked solemnly at the subs. +He said not a word, for several of the German seamen were standing by. +</P> + +<P> +"Let go!" ordered Unter-leutnant Klick, directly he saw that the +<I>Pelikan</I> had dropped her anchor. +</P> + +<P> +Promptly the British seaman stationed at the compressor obeyed. The +bower anchor fell with a sullen splash. Fathom after fathom of chain +roared through the hawse-pipe. +</P> + +<P> +Klick raised his hand as a signal for the cable to be checked. The +<I>Myra</I> was still making sternway and showed no decided tendency to +bring up. Another fifty fathoms of chain were paid out. Still the +tramp dropped astern. She was now within half a cable's length of the +<I>Pelikan</I>, which to prevent herself being in collision was obliged to +veer out her cable. +</P> + +<P> +"The anchor's not holding, sir!" shouted the German petty officer in +charge of the fo'c'sle party. +</P> + +<P> +"Then let go a second anchor," yelled Klick excitedly. "Make them look +sharp, or we'll be foul of the <I>Pelikan</I>." +</P> + +<P> +The unter-leutnant had no cause to complain of the lack of energy on +the part of the prisoners. With the utmost dispatch the second anchor +was let go. Before twenty fathoms, which alone ought to be sufficient +to bring the <I>Myra</I> to a standstill, were paid out the whole of the +cable of the first anchor had been made use of. +</P> + +<P> +Suddenly a sullen roar was heard coming from down-stream. The Mohoro +River at certain intervals, especially at extraordinary spring-tides, +is subject to a bore. The bore is very erratic. Sometimes it is very +much in evidence, at other times it is hardly perceptible; but there +was no doubt that now it was of unusual magnitude. +</P> + +<P> +Nearer and nearer came the wall of solid water, maintaining an unbroken +wave towards the centre of the river. Close to the banks it broke +heavily. +</P> + +<P> +"Go full speed ahead or we'll be into you!" shouted Kapitan von Riesser +frantically. +</P> + +<P> +The <I>Myra's</I> engine-room telegraph clanged. Either by accident or +design the British engineers were slow in replying. The tramp was only +just forging ahead when the bore swept under the <I>Pelikan's</I> counter. +</P> + +<P> +Round swept the raider, her stern just missing the <I>Myra's</I> taffrail. +Fortunately her cables held, but not so the tramp. +</P> + +<P> +With her engines going ahead and held tightly by the scope of her +anchor-chain—for the anchors themselves, thanks to their dummy +forelocks, were useless—the tramp headed uncontrollably towards the +port-hand bank. In the midst of the tumult of water as the bore broke +over her she struck and struck heavily. +</P> + +<P> +In an instant the doomed vessel fell over on her beam-ends. With an +appalling crash her funnels and masts went by the board. So sudden was +the catastrophe that a dozen German seamen were trapped down below. +Only by the narrowest margin did the British engine-room staff make +their escape. +</P> + +<P> +Of what occurred during the next few moments neither Denbigh nor O'Hara +had any clear recollection. They found themselves standing on the side +of the vessel. Captain Pennington, Armstrong, and Unter-leutnant Klick +were there, too. Up for'ard the British seamen and half a dozen of the +German prize crew were scrambling along the upturned sides, which were +by this time barely three feet above the surface of the raging stream. +</P> + +<P> +It was evident that the survivors had found only a very temporary place +of refuge. The force of the current sweeping past the ship was wearing +out a deep hole in the bed of the river, into which the <I>Myra</I> was +slowly subsiding. To attempt to escape by swimming was almost an +impossibility, as the water surged and eddied past, forming a dangerous +whirlpool close to the stern of the vessel. +</P> + +<P> +"By Jove!" exclaimed Armstrong. "This is a proper wash-out. We've +done the trick properly this time." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, it's more than we bargained for," added the Irishman. "I would +never have believed that a craft of this size would be swallowed up so +quickly." +</P> + +<P> +Meanwhile Denbigh could not help noticing the marked difference in the +demeanour of the British and German seamen, who by this time were up to +their knees in water, and were soon, unless help were forthcoming, to +be swept off their feet by the rush of the flood-tide. +</P> + +<P> +The Huns were shouting dolorously for aid; the <I>Myra's</I> men were either +stoically silent or else inclined to indulge in grim jests at the +expense of the bellowing Teutons. +</P> + +<P> +Denbigh looked in the direction of the <I>Pelikan</I>. The crew were +engaged in lowering boats, and taking an extraordinarily long time +about it, owing to the pronounced list of the raider and also to the +fact that her decks were encumbered with her disguise of vegetation. +</P> + +<P> +Unter-leutnant Klick was trembling violently. He, of all the officers +taking refuge on the side of the tramp, had managed to procure a +life-belt. Even the contemptuous glances of the <I>Myra's</I> skipper +failed to shame him. +</P> + +<P> +Presently the first of the <I>Pelikan's</I> boats came tearing up-stream. +It required all the strength of the oarsmen to check her way. An +ironical cheer from the British seamen greeted her arrival. +</P> + +<P> +"Women and children first!" they yelled derisively as the +unter-leutnant and the surviving German seamen made a frantic rush for +the boat. +</P> + +<P> +Two of the Huns jumped short. Although good swimmers they were swirled +away like pieces of straw, until, drawn into the vortex of the +whirlpool, they disappeared. +</P> + +<P> +The second boat, backing towards the deadly whirlpool, awaited the +men's reappearance, but in vain. Then, attempting to run alongside the +wreck, the frail craft bumped heavily upon a submerged part of the +vessel and stove in a couple of planks. While two of the crew began to +bale, the boat was swept several hundred yards up the river, for the +remaining rowers were helpless against the flood. +</P> + +<P> +Meanwhile the first boat, having rescued the unter-leutnant and the +surviving German seamen, began to approach the wreck again; until +Klick, in an agony of terror lest she, too, would meet with disaster, +ordered the men to push off. +</P> + +<P> +A third boat—a whaler—came upon the scene. Acting with great caution +her coxswain brought her alongside and motioned to Denbigh and his +companions to leap. +</P> + +<P> +"Those men first," cried Captain Pennington, pointing to those of his +crew who were still maintaining a precarious hold. +</P> + +<P> +The coxswain understood and allowed his boat to drift down upon the +handful of seamen. Coolly the British crew scrambled into safety, and +the whaler, urged under the powerful strokes of the oarsmen, began to +make her way aft. +</P> + +<P> +Suddenly the almost submerged part on which Denbigh and his companions +were standing gave a sickening shudder and disappeared beneath the +surface. A swirl of water, surging with irresistible force, swept the +four officers off their feet. +</P> + +<P> +The next instant Denbigh found himself struggling for dear life in the +foaming yellow water of Mohoro River. In spite of his peril, he could +not help contrasting his involuntary bath with that of the previous +night. Then the water was warm, tranquil, and evil-smelling. Unseen +dangers assailed him on every hand. Now the same river was nothing +less than a broiling cauldron. +</P> + +<P> +With almost superhuman strength Denbigh struck out. Already he was +within the influence of the deadly whirlpool. Spinning round and round +he kept his face from the vortex, striving, but in vain, to overcome +the suction of the gigantic eddy. +</P> + +<P> +He could see no signs of his companions. Either they had already +disappeared, or else they had been thrown beyond the range of the +inverted cone that marked the position of the whirlpool. +</P> + +<P> +Even in danger of imminent death, the sub recalled an incident in the +Clarence Victualling Yard, several years ago. He had been taken by his +father to see the process of manufacturing ships' biscuits. In one +building he saw flour sliding down an inclined plane into a mixing +machine. Mingled with the flour were several large maggots, that gave +the name to the creek that forms the approach by water to the +Victualling Yard. Finding themselves disturbed, the insects tried to +wriggle back, but in vain. Down they slid till caught in the mixer, +finally to form part of the ingredients of ship's biscuits. +</P> + +<P> +"And I'm almost in the same boat as those weevils," thought Denbigh +grimly, as he completed a circle for the twentieth time. +</P> + +<P> +He was nearing the vortex. The spiral motion became quicker. An +irresistible force was dragging him down. +</P> + +<P> +Suddenly Denbigh threw up his arms. He was physically played out. +Like an arrow he shot into the pit in the centre of that mass of +whirling water. The blaze of the African sun gave place to intense +darkness. He held his breath, until his lungs seemed to be on the +point of bursting. +</P> + +<P> +As rapidly as he had gone down the sub was shot to the surface. Again +he was within the range of the whirlpool, for its centre, instead of +being stationary, was moving in an ellipse. +</P> + +<P> +Unable even to struggle, Denbigh was again sucked down. This time, +incapable of holding his breath, he swallowed a quantity of water. The +pressure on his chest was excruciating. Then torture gave place to a +strange calmness. On an instant, recollections of practically the +whole of his past life flashed across his mind. The mental pictures +faded away and all became blank. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap17"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XVII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +A Bid for Freedom +</H3> + +<P> +When Denbigh opened his eyes he found himself in the now familiar cabin +on board the <I>Pelikan</I>. There were several people in the limited +space. He did not feel any interest in them. They irritated him. He +wanted to sleep. +</P> + +<P> +Gradually it dawned upon him that he had a narrow escape. Then he +remembered that O'Hara was with him when he was swept off the side of +the <I>Myra</I>. +</P> + +<P> +"You there, Pat?" he asked, half afraid to put the question in case his +chum was gone. +</P> + +<P> +"Sure," replied a deep voice from the opposite bunk. +</P> + +<P> +Denbigh attempted to sit up. He felt horribly sick. His head was +whirling. It reminded him very forcibly and unpleasantly of his spiral +flight around the vortex of the whirlpool. +</P> + +<P> +"Lie still, Mr. Denbigh," said Captain Pennington. "You'll be fit all +in good time." +</P> + +<P> +"All right," agreed the sub. He was not in a fit state to do +otherwise. "Where is the <I>Pelikan</I> now?" +</P> + +<P> +The skipper of the <I>Myra</I> lowered his voice. +</P> + +<P> +"Properly trapped. She cannot go another fifty yards up the river. +We've spoilt her little game." +</P> + +<P> +"Good business," murmured Denbigh, and turning on his side he fell +asleep. +</P> + +<P> +His escape was little short of miraculous. It was owing to the fact +that he wore his solar topee fastened by a strong "chin-stay". The +air-space between the double thickness of the sun-helmet possessed +sufficient buoyancy to bring him to the surface, after being twice +taken down by the whirlpool. +</P> + +<P> +A few minutes previous to the disaster, the bore had exhausted itself +at a point ten miles up the river, and the "rebound" had made itself +felt just at the time when Denbigh made his second involuntary dive. +The sudden slackening of the full force of the flood-tide had caused +the whirlpool to cease, with the result that the sub floated +unconscious on the surface of the river, when he was picked up by the +<I>Pelikan's</I> whaler. O'Hara, Captain Pennington, and Armstrong had been +more fortunate, for they had been swept clear of the influence of the +eddy. +</P> + +<P> +The result of Armstrong's plot had rather exceeded his expectations. +The <I>Myra</I> lay athwart the channel, with less than twelve feet of water +over her at high tide. Until the Mohoro River cut itself a new bed +round the submerged wreck—which might take twenty-four hours or as +many days—the <I>Pelikan</I> would be unable to proceed. Even if the +obstruction did not exist, the raider was unable to proceed owing to +the loss of her propeller blades. +</P> + +<P> +The whole of the stores removed from the <I>Pelikan</I> to the <I>Myra</I>, as +well as those originally in the tramp's holds, were hopelessly lost, +including the bulk of the ammunition and arms intended for the German +colonial troops. There were several hundred reservists still on board, +with no facilities for their transfer up-country. Even had there been +boats available for them all, the voyage up the Mohoro was fraught with +danger. +</P> + +<P> +On the other hand, to remain in the <I>Pelikan</I> was to court disease and +famine, even should the raider escape detection by the British cruisers. +</P> + +<P> +Kapitan von Riesser's position was far from enviable. He soundly rated +Unter-leutnant Klick, who in turn tried to shift the blame upon the +British sailors for their dilatoriness in letting go the anchors. Von +Riesser had seen with his own eyes that the anchors had been let go +promptly. He could not, therefore, accuse the <I>Myra's</I> original crew +of conspiracy, since he had no evidence. The prospect of capture, too, +made him treat the prisoners with far more consideration than he would +have done had his position been a secure one. +</P> + +<P> +The kapitan of the <I>Pelikan</I> was not, however, going to "knuckle under" +without another effort. For the next three days all hands were kept +hard at work, in spite of the blazing sunshine by day and the miasmic +mists by night. +</P> + +<P> +The guns previously landed on the shores of the lagoon and afterwards +taken on board again were once more sent ashore, and placed in position +so as to command a wide stretch of river. The <I>Pelikan</I>, being now +moored fore and aft, had the remaining quick-firers mounted at the +stern, so as to cooperate with the shore batteries in sweeping the +approach by water. +</P> + +<P> +Two miles down-stream a steel-studded cable was thrown across from bank +to bank, and supported by barrels lashed in pairs at frequent +intervals. The obstruction ought to prevent the dash by armed +steamboats, even if unable to withstand the headlong charge of a +destroyer. +</P> + +<P> +The most formidable objects of defence were the two torpedo-tubes, +which were removed from the ship and placed in position on shore four +hundred yards below the chain boom. To enable the torpedoes to be +fired, light piers were thrown out from the banks into twelve feet of +water, the structure being hidden by boughs of trees and clumps of +reeds. On the high ground at the back of the torpedo station +searchlights were mounted. These were not to be used as a +precautionary measure, but only to be switched on when an attack was +visibly imminent. Von Riesser's principal aim was to remain hidden. +If his retreat were discovered then he would put up a fight, and +failing to win would surrender with a good conscience. +</P> + +<P> +Long before the three days had elapsed Denbigh had quite recovered from +the effects of his prolonged immersion. He had, with the rest of the +captured British officers, little opportunity of finding out the actual +steps that were being taken for defence. They knew that work was in +progress, but during the removal of the torpedo-tubes and guns they had +been sent below. +</P> + +<P> +One discovery Denbigh made, and that was through overhearing a chance +conversation between two German petty officers. It also accounted for +the seemingly purposeless reluctance to confine the prisoners in the +hold instead of attempting to chloroform them in their cabin. +</P> + +<P> +The <I>Pelikan</I> was double-skinned, but the space between the double +bottoms was far greater than is usual in marine construction. It had +practically two hulls, one within the other, and in the intervening +space were stowed quantities of warlike stores. +</P> + +<P> +When the <I>Pelikan</I> had been boarded by a British patrol officer the +deception escaped detection. Apparently the <I>Zwaan</I> was a harmless +Dutch liner. The sub-lieutenant who acted as boarding-officer was not +sufficiently versed in the ways of the wily Teuton. An examination of +the hold revealed nothing suspicious, and the vessel was accordingly +released. +</P> + +<P> +Unfortunately for the Germans their plans had gone awry, for on +grounding on the outer bar the ship had strained several of her plates, +with the result that the space between the inner and the outer skin was +flooded. Not only were the stores spoilt, but, in order to lighten her +draught in addition to compensating for lost buoyancy, cargo more than +equivalent to that flooded had to be jettisoned. +</P> + +<P> +Having landed the quick-firers and torpedo-tubes, the crew of the +<I>Pelikan</I> proceeded to increase the disguise of the ship. She was now +a regular floating palm forest. So thick was the foliage brought on +board and secured to the masts and upper works that sun-awnings were +unnecessary. Even an observer in a seaplane, unless he were prepared +for such a disguise, would fail to distinguish the raider in her garb +of verdure. +</P> + +<P> +"How do you feel for another jaunt ashore?" asked Denbigh. +</P> + +<P> +"I can't say I am particularly keen on another swim," replied O'Hara. +"Otherwise I've no objection to studying the fauna and flora of this +delectable land. But what's the object?" +</P> + +<P> +"It's about time we bade farewell to the <I>Pelikan</I>" replied Denbigh. +"It's four days since that little affair with the destroyers, and our +cruisers have apparently made no attempt to get even with von Riesser +and his motley crowd. I'm rather curious to know what's doing?" +</P> + +<P> +"I can't see how going ashore will help," objected the Irishman. +</P> + +<P> +"It will if we get to the mouth of the river. If the cruisers are in +the lagoon, well and good." +</P> + +<P> +"And if not?" +</P> + +<P> +"Then we'll have to exist as best we can till they do arrive." +</P> + +<P> +"H'm," muttered O'Hara. "And the other fellows—Pennington and +Armstrong?" +</P> + +<P> +"We'll ask them to join our merry throng," answered Denbigh. "The more +the better, once we get clear of the ship." +</P> + +<P> +That same afternoon the subs broached the matter to the master and mate +of the lost <I>Myra</I>. +</P> + +<P> +"I must cry off, thanks all the same," was Captain Pennington's reply. +"Happen what may my place is with my men. I have no objection to +Armstrong going with you, but I hope you have carefully weighed the +matter. If you miss being picked up by the boats of the squadron your +plight will be an unenviable one. The climate, the wild nature of the +coast, and the natives, who are certainly under German influence, are +all against you. Personally I think you stand a better chance by +remaining here and letting events take their course. The <I>Pelikan</I> is +trapped. Capture or destruction is but a matter of time." +</P> + +<P> +"True," admitted Denbigh. "But these fellows evidently mean to put up +a stiff fight. They've been doing something down the river—probably +throwing up masked batteries. If we could manage to find out what they +are up to and can communicate the intelligence to our ships it would +help matters." +</P> + +<P> +"That's another consideration," said Captain Pennington. "In fact, +your duty lies that way." +</P> + +<P> +"Are you trying your luck with us, Armstrong?" asked O'Hara. +</P> + +<P> +"I'd be only too pleased to have a cut at it," replied the mate. +"Especially as Captain Pennington has no objections. How do you +propose to get clear of the ship? You can't swim ashore, because +there's nothing but slimy mud on the bank for some distance." +</P> + +<P> +"There's a punt made fast alongside the port quarter," said Denbigh. +"They don't hoist it on board at night, because it's there when we turn +in and in the same place when we come on deck in the morning. They +only use it during the day." +</P> + +<P> +"And there's a sentry right aft," objected Armstrong. "He'd spot us as +sure as daylight." +</P> + +<P> +"Look here," declared the sub. "If I succeed in getting her alongside +amidships will you be ready to swarm down and into her?" +</P> + +<P> +Armstrong nodded in assent. O'Hara also expressed his willingness to +attempt the enterprise. +</P> + +<P> +The Irishman still had his pistol. He had taken an early opportunity +of cleaning it after his immersion. The screw-driver had been lost in +the <I>Myra</I>, but by this time the lock furniture was easy to remove, a +coin doing duty for the hitherto indispensable tool. The three men +also contrived to reserve a small quantity of food and a glass bottle +filled with soda-water. +</P> + +<P> +Captain Pennington and Armstrong had been berthed in the same cabin as +the two subs. That facilitated matters, since the master of the <I>Myra</I> +could cover his companions' tracks. +</P> + +<P> +"They'll make it pretty hot for me when they find you've cleared out," +he remarked. "I can stick that. I don't think they'll go to extreme +measures with me. If they do they'll be sorry for it later on." +</P> + +<P> +At the usual hour the officer-prisoners were ordered below. By ten +o'clock all was still. The crew of the raider were no longer working +by night. The bulk of the preparations completed they were given ample +opportunities for rest, since it was necessary to conserve their +energies for defence against the impending attack. +</P> + +<P> +On deck a strict watch was maintained, but the attention of the +sentries was mainly directed downstream, whence the sudden switching on +of the searchlights was to be the signal of the approach of the British +flotillas. +</P> + +<P> +It was not until two bells (1 a.m.) that the three officers stole from +their cabin. On deck all was in darkness. There was no moon. Every +light was extinguished. A mist obscured the glimmer of the stars. It +was one of those nights when it was really impossible to see one's hand +in front of one's face. +</P> + +<P> +Without interruption the three officers gained the shelter of one of +the boats slung inboard with davits. Here, eight feet above the deck, +they were in comparative safety. Groping in the stern-sheets Denbigh +found what he expected—a hand lead-line. +</P> + +<P> +Keeping the weighted end in the boat he dropped the coils overboard. +Caught by the swirling current the line trailed out astern. His next +task was to lower the boat's painter, which was to form a means of +getting down into the punt. +</P> + +<P> +Stealthily the sub lowered himself hand over hand until his feet +touched the water. +</P> + +<P> +"Good heavens, what a current!" he thought. "Well, if the lead-line +parts it will be an end to this little business. Here goes!" +</P> + +<P> +He slipped softly into the river, striking out against the current, and +at the same time allowing the rush of water to sweep him down across +the bows of the punt, which was about a hundred feet from the place +where he had descended. +</P> + +<P> +Suddenly something flicked across his head. It was the trailing +lead-line. Grasping it he allowed himself to be carried past the side +of the ship until he came within reach of the punt, which was made fast +to the lizard of one of the swinging booms. +</P> + +<P> +Still retaining the line Denbigh clambered over the stern. The punt +was yawing in the tideway. He could see that it would be impossible to +haul it against the stream unless he kept well off. +</P> + +<P> +He groped for'ard. In the bluff stem he found a metal ring-bolt. +Through this he passed the lead-line, making fast to another ring-bolt +in the transom. +</P> + +<P> +So far so good. His next step was to cut adrift the unwieldy little +craft. Released from the hold of the two ropes the punt swung away +from the ship's side, but showed little tendency to yaw. +</P> + +<P> +Slowly Denbigh began to haul in the lead-line. Foot by foot the punt +crept up-stream. Trimmed well by the stern she towed lightly, but the +securing line was none too strong. His journey to the place where he +had entered the water seemed interminable, but at length Denbigh felt +the trailing painter of the boat in the davits. +</P> + +<P> +He made fast. As he did so the punt swung in towards the ship's side, +her gunwale making a resounding sound as it came in contact with the +steel plating. +</P> + +<P> +He could hear men's footsteps approaching. Through the darkness he +heard a German sailor enquiring of his companion what the noise was. +The fellow expressed his opinion that it was merely a hippopotamus, and +the explanation being evidently satisfactory the men went aft once more. +</P> + +<P> +Grasping the painter Denbigh jerked it three times. It was the +prearranged signal for his comrades to rejoin him. Silently Armstrong +slid down the rope, followed by O'Hara. +</P> + +<P> +By this time they were growing accustomed to the darkness. Denbigh +could see the white uniforms of his companions. He wondered whether +they would be spotted once the punt drifted away from the ship's side. +</P> + +<P> +Just above his head was a cluster of palm branches, suspended in a line +from the rail. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll take the liberty of removing some of their floral decorations," +mused Denbigh. Then signing to his companions to lie down he covered +them with the broad leaves, cut the log-line, and allowed the punt to +drift at the mercy of the strong ebb-tide. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap18"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XVIII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Disappointment +</H3> + +<P> +"Any oars on board?" asked O'Hara, after the frail craft had drifted a +few hundred yards down the river. +</P> + +<P> +"Not a suspicion of one," replied Armstrong. "And the bore will be due +in about an hour." +</P> + +<P> +"Hands, lads!" exclaimed Denbigh cheerily. "Let us imagine we're +taking part in a Fleet regatta." +</P> + +<P> +Leaning over the sides the men paddled with their hands, steering a +course obliquely with the left bank of the river. +</P> + +<P> +Once the punt tilted alarmingly as a dark heavy body rasped underneath. +The denizens of the river were in evidence. The officers prudently +suspended operations until the unwelcome intruder had disappeared. +</P> + +<P> +"Hulloa, what's that?" whispered the Irishman. "Hippos right across +the river." +</P> + +<P> +The punt was bearing down upon a line of dark objects that were +apparently forging ahead against the swift current. +</P> + +<P> +"Back starboard!" ordered Denbigh promptly. +</P> + +<P> +The punt, checked by the resistance of O'Hara's palms in the water, +swung sideways. As it did so Denbigh gathered up the slack of the +severed lead-line that still remained on board. +</P> + +<P> +Retaining the ends he threw the bight across one of the black objects, +at the same time lying at full length on the bottom of the boat. With +a jerk that wellnigh capsized the crank craft the punt's way was +checked. +</P> + +<P> +"Your hippos are barrels, old man!" he exclaimed. +</P> + +<P> +"Mines, perhaps," suggested Armstrong. "Be careful, for goodness sake." +</P> + +<P> +"Not mines," declared Denbigh. "They wouldn't be floating on the +surface. But it's some infernal contrivance. Haul closer and we'll +investigate." +</P> + +<P> +Warding off the gunwale from the plunging barrel Denbigh dipped his arm +into the water. His hand came in contact with a heavy chain eighteen +inches beneath the surface. +</P> + +<P> +"A boom!" he announced. "By Jove! If we had a slab of gun-cotton +handy." +</P> + +<P> +"Hist!" exclaimed O'Hara warningly. "I can hear voices." +</P> + +<P> +"It's time for us to go," whispered Armstrong. +</P> + +<P> +Denbigh cast off. The barrel appeared to leap away from them, as the +punt was swept down-stream. +</P> + +<P> +"Not much use attempting to land at this point," said Armstrong. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know so much about that," rejoined Denbigh. "Personally I'm +rather anxious to see what these fellows are doing ashore. Keep her +going, Pat. We'll strike the bank in less than half a mile." +</P> + +<P> +Paddling in silence the men pursued their tedious course athwart the +current until a dull roar was borne to their ears. +</P> + +<P> +"The bore!" exclaimed Armstrong. +</P> + +<P> +"It will be quite ten minutes before it reaches us," replied Denbigh. +"Stick to it, lads!" +</P> + +<P> +The amphibians, with the keen instinct that nature bestowed upon them, +also were aware of the approach of the foaming mass of water, for the +centre of the river was literally alive with hippopotami and saurians +that had not gone ashore for a nocturnal ramble. The crocodiles on the +mud-flats were either making for deep water or else crawling higher up +the banks out of the rush of the irresistible bore. +</P> + +<P> +"Aground!" exclaimed Denbigh as the punt's bows touched the mud. +"Check her from swinging round." +</P> + +<P> +Armstrong promptly jumped overboard, to sink above his knees in the +soft mud. Only by holding on to the gunwale was he able to keep +himself from sinking still deeper. +</P> + +<P> +"We can't land here," he announced. "We'll be in up to our necks." +</P> + +<P> +"Must," declared Denbigh laconically, raising his voice to enable it to +be heard above the now loud roar of the approaching bore. +</P> + +<P> +Seizing the lead-line and bending one end round his waist Denbigh leapt +overboard, threw himself at full length upon the mud, and working with +his hands drew himself laboriously over the slimy surface. It was +horribly exhausting work, but to his intense satisfaction he found +himself making visible progress without sinking beyond a few inches in +the ooze. +</P> + +<P> +Ahead he could discern the dark outlines of the mangrove forest. It +seemed an interminable distance away. +</P> + +<P> +Presently his hand came in contact with the trunk of a tree, that had +fallen and had been partly embedded in the mud. It afforded a +precarious foothold, but proceeding carefully, Denbigh found that the +farther end rested in comparatively firm soil. +</P> + +<P> +Planting his feet against the trunk, the sub hauled at the lead-line +with all his might. The flat-bottomed punt glided easily over the +slime until its bows were within a yard of the fallen tree. Then, +unexpectedly, the rope that had rendered such good service parted like +pack-thread. +</P> + +<P> +Denbigh, losing his balance, fell prostrate on the ground, which was +here soft enough to break his fall but sufficiently stiff to prevent +him from being swallowed up in the mud. +</P> + +<P> +Quickly O'Hara and Armstrong jumped, and grasping their fallen comrade +hauled him to his feet. They had barely time to gain the firm bank +when the bore thundered past, sweeping the punt away like a straw. +They had a momentary glimpse of its bows rearing high in the air on the +crest of the foaming, breaking wall of water, then it vanished out of +sight. +</P> + +<P> +"Phew!" exclaimed Armstrong. "That was a narrow squeak." +</P> + +<P> +"I'm in a horrible mess," announced Denbigh. "The mud of Portsmouth +Harbour is eau de Cologne compared with this filthy slime." +</P> + +<P> +"Good heavens, man! you're shivering," declared O'Hara. "That won't +do. Here, take my coat. I don't want it. I insist." +</P> + +<P> +Waving aside Denbigh's objections the Irishman made him take off his +saturated garments, while the rest of the deficiency of the sub's +wardrobe was temporarily made good by making use of Armstrong's silk +scarf as a loin-cloth. The men realized that in the deadly African +climate dry clothing was of utmost importance. The sub's saturated and +mud-encaked garments were made up into a bundle to be washed and dried +at the first opportunity. +</P> + +<P> +"Now," said Denbigh, "I feel like a giant refreshed. We've plenty of +time, for it's no use getting to the coast before sunrise. If you +fellows like to wait here I'll go up along the banks and see what is at +the shore end of that chain." +</P> + +<P> +"It isn't going to be a one-man show," objected O'Hara. "We'll all +have a chip in. You lead, if you will, old man. I'll follow just far +enough behind to keep you in view. Armstrong, will you bring up the +rear?" +</P> + +<P> +In single file and extended order the three officers made their way +towards their objective. Keeping just below high-water mark they found +the ground easy to walk upon, and, with one exception, free from the +presence of crocodiles. +</P> + +<P> +One huge brute barred their path, but on Denbigh hurling a heavy stick +in its direction, the saurian turned and waddled towards the water. +</P> + +<P> +Noiselessly, for the soft ground effectually deadened the sound of +their footsteps, the daring explorers advanced. +</P> + +<P> +Suddenly a hoarse voice broke the silence with a guttural "Wer da?" +</P> + +<P> +Without a moment's hesitation Denbigh dropped gently to the ground. +His companions followed his example, holding their breath in momentary +expectation of hearing a bullet whizzing over their heads. +</P> + +<P> +"It's all right, Schlutze," replied a voice. "The leutnant sent me to +bring some more hands down. There's a boat broken adrift. She's +grinding against the end of the torpedo-station pier." +</P> + +<P> +"What boat?" asked the sentry, recovering his rifle. +</P> + +<P> +"I do not know. It's empty." +</P> + +<P> +"Not an English boat?" asked the man anxiously. +</P> + +<P> +"When the English do venture they will attempt the attack with +something bigger, my friend. The bigger the better, for they will +never be able to pass here, with our excellent torpedo-tubes trained +across the river. But I must be moving. Herr leutnant is in a great +hurry. He does not want his piers damaged." +</P> + +<P> +Denbigh remained lying on the ground. He waited until half a dozen +Germans passed within twenty yards of him. He could hear their heavy +boots clattering on the planks of the foliage-screened pier, although +the structure was invisible from where he lay. +</P> + +<P> +Finding that it would be too risky a business to attempt to pass the +sentry, Denbigh crawled back to O'Hara, and by signs indicated that he +was going into the forest. The three comrades, keeping close together, +turned their backs upon the river and were soon swallowed up in the +dense foliage. +</P> + +<P> +Maintaining his direction by means of his spirit-compass, Denbigh held +on until he came upon a clearing. Here the ground was furrowed with +deep ruts. They had evidently been caused by the recent passage of +heavy objects drawn upon rough sleighs. The dew-steeped ground bore +the impress of many booted feet as well as, to a lesser extent, those +of natives. +</P> + +<P> +"They've been lugging up the quick-firers," mentally commented Denbigh. +"I wonder where they've hidden them? Wish to goodness they hadn't +employed niggers. I don't mind getting on the track of a Hun, but the +blacks have an awkward trick of turning the tables upon a fellow when +it comes to following a spoor." +</P> + +<P> +He waited, revolving in his mind the problem that confronted him. His +companions stood motionless and silent. They, too, realized that +danger lurked in the dense bush. +</P> + +<P> +Again Denbigh consulted his compass. The track on his left hand lay in +a north-westerly direction. Assuming that it ran fairly straight, it +would open out at the river banks in the vicinity of the temporary +piers. In the other direction it showed a tendency to curve to the +north-east. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll try the right-hand track," decided the sub. "I suppose it will +be out of the question to get those two obstinate fellows to remain +here." +</P> + +<P> +He put the proposal in dumb show, but both O'Hara and Armstrong +vigorously protested against being left behind. +</P> + +<P> +The three officers again took shelter in the bush, keeping close and +parallel to the beaten track. Twenty minutes' steady progress brought +them to the edge of a large clearing. By the compass their direction +was now due west, showing that they had described a large semicircle. +They were now not far from the river. They could hear the swirl of the +flood-tide. Towards the centre of the clearing were several indistinct +objects that looked like gun-emplacements. Through the darkness came +the sound of men's voices. A dog yelped, and was instantly told to be +silent. +</P> + +<P> +"This is no place for us," thought Denbigh. "Much as I should like to +see what is over there, I think we'll shift. I'll try and see how this +clearing bears for the river." +</P> + +<P> +Fifty yards farther on progress was barred by a line of young trees. +Groping, the sub attempted to find a gap, but to his surprise the stem +he grasped gave way. It was merely the top of a palm tree lopped off +and forced into the ground. The whole row was merely a screen to mask +the guns from the river. +</P> + +<P> +As the sub scrambled through the gap his foot tripped against a +concealed wire, and a spurt of red flame stabbed the darkness +accompanied by the sharp crack of a rifle. +</P> + +<P> +Resisting the impulse to take to their heels the three officers backed +cautiously into the forest. Already numbers of men were hurrying to +the spot. Lights flashed upon the scene, revealing the presence of two +searchlight projectors set up on platforms almost above the heads of +the British fugitives. +</P> + +<P> +In the confusion, for the German officers and men were shouting and +aimlessly running hither and thither, Denbigh and his companions +withdrew, until they found themselves at the place where a couple of +hours previously they had landed from the punt. +</P> + +<P> +"Full speed ahead!" exclaimed Denbigh. "It will be dawn by the time we +reach the shore of the lagoon. I think we've seen enough to enable us +to locate the enemy's shore defences." +</P> + +<P> +"Through the forest, or by the river?" asked O'Hara. +</P> + +<P> +"Both," replied his chum. "Two miles farther down-stream is the spot +where we landed from the <I>Myra</I>. I can recognize it. You remember +what we buried there?" +</P> + +<P> +"Rather," replied the Irishman. "The rifle and the ammunition we took +from von Eckenstein's man." +</P> + +<P> +"It will come in jolly handy if we fall foul of more wild animals," +continued Denbigh. "When we've recovered the rifle we'll follow the +same track as we did previously. Let's hope we'll be in time to warn +our cruisers, for from all appearances von Riesser hasn't played +himself out just yet." +</P> + +<P> +"You're taking into consideration the possibility that the Germans have +left an observation post at the entrance to the river?" asked Armstrong. +</P> + +<P> +"Rather," replied Denbigh. "Even if they hadn't posted a guard they'll +have made arrangements with the natives to give them the tip. Best leg +forward, lads. If we fail to see the White Ensign before another six +hours have passed I shall be horribly disappointed." +</P> + +<P> +In spite of Denbigh's assurances the men had great difficulty in +locating the spot where the rifle and ammunition had been hidden. The +lack of moonlight altered the appearance of the river completely. +Landmarks and bearings were useless in the darkness; but at length the +weapon was recovered little the worse for its experience. Having +cleaned the dirt from the muzzle, the breech-mechanism having been +protected when it was buried, O'Hara took possession of the rifle and +the journey was resumed. +</P> + +<P> +The short African dawn was breaking as the three officers reached the +low cliffs overlooking the lagoon. +</P> + +<P> +A grunt of disappointment burst from Denbigh's lips. The morning mists +had dispersed. The whole of the reef was plainly visible. The horizon +was unbroken by any object that could be recognized as a British +warship. +</P> + +<P> +Unaccountably the blockading squadron had disappeared. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap19"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XIX +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +"Our Luck's Out" +</H3> + +<P> +"That's done it!" ejaculated O'Hara. +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps," admitted Denbigh. "We'll have some grub and discuss the +situation. It's good to sniff the open sea, after being cooped up in +that pestilential river. That's one consolation." +</P> + +<P> +The three chums ate sparingly, supplementing the provisions with the +milk of a coco-nut. The soda-water was by common consent kept intact. +</P> + +<P> +As soon as the sun's rays acquired strength Denbigh washed his +mud-encrusted clothes in the sea and spread them out to dry. +</P> + +<P> +"What's the programme?" asked Armstrong. "If we hang about here we +stand a chance of getting nabbed. Our flight will have been discovered +by this time, and they'll naturally conclude that we've made off +towards the mouth of the river." +</P> + +<P> +"Unless they conclude, from finding the punt jammed alongside the pier, +that we've been slung out and drowned," rejoined Denbigh. "But we'll +take no needless chances. We'll go north. Once we pass the clearing +where the native village stands the coast ought to be fairly clear, and +we can still command a view of the entrance to the lagoon." +</P> + +<P> +Without incident the three officers made their way for nearly three +miles along the coast. By this time the intense heat was making itself +felt, and at O'Hara's suggestion they retreated to the cool of the +forest, taking turns at keeping watch. +</P> + +<P> +During the afternoon a native canoe appeared round a projecting bluff. +The men had been fishing, for they brought a goodly haul on shore. +Dragging the frail craft above high-water mark the blacks vanished in +the direction of the village. +</P> + +<P> +O'Hara, who was keeping watch, astonished his companions by giving them +each a violent shake. +</P> + +<P> +"What's wrong?" asked Denbigh, awake and alert in an instant. +</P> + +<P> +"Nothing," replied the imperturbable Irishman. +</P> + +<P> +"Then why this thusness?" +</P> + +<P> +"Are you keen on a sea voyage?" +</P> + +<P> +"A sea voyage?" repeated Denbigh. +</P> + +<P> +"To Latham Island." +</P> + +<P> +"Do you propose swimming there?" asked Armstrong with considerable +asperity, for he had been disturbed in the midst of a much-needed sleep. +</P> + +<P> +"There's a canoe awaiting us," reported O'Hara. "The sea's calm. +To-night's the night. You told me that the <I>Pelikan's</I> people left a +whaler and plenty of provisions and stores hidden on the island. With +luck we ought to be able to fetch there, resurrect the boat, and make a +dash for Zanzibar. We'd have the S.W. monsoon with us all the way, and +if we fell in with one of our ships so much the better." +</P> + +<P> +"Where's your precious discovery?" asked Denbigh. +</P> + +<P> +Accompanying his chum to the edge of the cliff O'Hara pointed out the +canoe. +</P> + +<P> +"H'm, not much of a craft to make a voyage to a sandbank twenty-three +miles from land," remarked Denbigh. +</P> + +<P> +"We can work inside the lagoon for several miles and then keep close +inshore until we reach Ras What's-its-name," continued O'Hara +optimistically. "I've seen these native canoes miles out to sea before +to-day. They seem pretty seaworthy." +</P> + +<P> +While daylight lasted the three chums rested, after taking the +precaution of gathering a supply of coco-nuts and roots. The subs eyed +the latter with misgivings, in spite of Armstrong's assurances that +they were both edible and nourishing. +</P> + +<P> +As soon as the sun had set behind the boundless mangrove forests the +daring trio made their way to the spot where the canoe was lying. The +craft was about twenty-four feet in length, but only four in beam. +With her half-dozen short paddles, a mast and sail, suitable only for +running before the wind, and a stone jar half-full of water. Owing to +the porosity of the earthenware the liquid was remarkably cool. A few +lengths of net completed the equipment, but these were considerately +left behind, since there was no need for unnecessary spoliation of the +natives, even though they were, perhaps unwillingly, subjects of Kaiser +Wilhelm II. +</P> + +<P> +The canoe was light enough to enable the three men to carry her down to +the water's edge. Without delay they pushed off and headed for the +reef. +</P> + +<P> +Here, on the lee side of the extensive coral ledge, they were in +comparative safety. The long line of foaming breakers thundering up +the reef afforded a guide to the position of the ledges; it deadened +all other sounds, and since no native boats would be likely to indulge +in night fishing, there was little risk of detection. +</P> + +<P> +"We have company, you see," remarked Armstrong, pointing to a +phosphorescent swirl less than twenty yards astern. The disturbance of +the placid water was caused by the dorsal fin of a huge shark, that, +scenting a possible prey, was zigzagging in the wake of the frail canoe. +</P> + +<P> +"'We do so want to lose you; and we think you ought to go'," misquoted +O'Hara, laying down his paddle and grasping his rifle. +</P> + +<P> +"Hold on!" cautioned the mate. "You'll not only bring up every shark +in the lagoon to make a meal of this beauty, but you'll arouse every +native within hearing distance. Don't fire unless the brute gets too +attentive; then use your pistol. It makes much less of a flash and +report." +</P> + +<P> +Hour after hour passed. The men took turns at paddling, since there +was not a breath of wind. The shark still kept doggedly in company. +As the canoe drew farther and farther away from the entrance to the +Mohoro River the miasmic mists gradually dispersed, until the three +officers found themselves under a bright starlit sky, and on the placid +surface of the lagoon there seemed one blaze of reflected brilliance. +</P> + +<P> +"It looks as if we are nearing the northern limit of the lagoon," +remarked Denbigh. "We'd better keep a sharp look-out for a passage +through the reef." +</P> + +<P> +"What if we don't find one?" asked Armstrong. "The last gap of any +size we passed quite three miles astern." +</P> + +<P> +"There's an opening of sorts," announced O'Hara, pointing to a dark +patch in the otherwise unbroken line of surf. "My word! I believe +there's a spanking breeze outside." +</P> + +<P> +"Steady there!" cautioned Denbigh, as the frail craft approached the +opening, through which long undulations sullenly rolled in from the +vast expanse of the Indian Ocean. "If we get capsized heaven help us. +Our old friend has brought up a few more of his pals." +</P> + +<P> +The sub was justified in advising caution. Half a dozen sharks were +close to the canoe. Emboldened by numbers, they swam around in +ever-decreasing circles, until one monster, braver than the rest, +rasped his skin along the side of the canoe. +</P> + +<P> +As the craft tilted O'Hara aimed a blow at the brute with his paddle. +With a swift movement of its powerful tail the shark disappeared, only +to rise again and resume its embarrassing attentions. +</P> + +<P> +"If those brutes' instinct isn't at fault there'll be a pretty +mess-up," thought Denbigh. "They evidently have seen native canoes +upset in the channel through the reef before to-day." +</P> + +<P> +"Think it's worth while risking it?" asked O'Hara. +</P> + +<P> +"No, I don't," replied his chum bluntly. +</P> + +<P> +"We must hang on till daybreak, then," said Armstrong. "At dead-low +water there may be a trifle less swell." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," assented Denbigh. "We'll land on the lee side of the reef. +Gently with her; we don't want to be stove in against a sharp branch of +coral." +</P> + +<P> +Without accident the landing was accomplished. The adventurers found +themselves on a broad part of the reef that was barely three feet above +the surface. Seaweed and driftwood had already accumulated, showing +that the coral was now only occasionally invaded by the sea. Fifty +yards away the surf broke heavily, but fortunately they were out of +range of the falling spray. +</P> + +<P> +Almost in silence the three chums sat until the sun rose in a grey sky +above the horizon. Overhead a few large birds flew seaward—both +circumstances presaging a fine day. +</P> + +<P> +The tide had now fallen, and, although there were several feet of water +in the channel, a detached reef about a hundred yards from the main +coral ledge, which had uncovered as the tide fell, completely broke the +breakers for some distance on either side of its seaward end. +</P> + +<P> +"All aboard!" ordered Denbigh. "With luck we'll fetch Latham Island +well before sunset." +</P> + +<P> +Broad on the port bow rose Ras Kimbiji, which Denbigh recognized by a +peculiarly-rounded and isolated hill rising two miles beyond the point. +</P> + +<P> +From this cape, he knew, Latham Island bore 23 miles due east. +</P> + +<P> +"Step the mast, Pat!" he exclaimed. "The breeze is well in our favour. +One thing, we are not over-canvassed." +</P> + +<P> +Therein he was mistaken, for the small spread of sail was more than +sufficient to endanger the stability of the canoe. Since there were no +reef points recourse had to be made to a "Spanish reef", which consists +in gathering in a generous amount of one corner of the canvas and tying +it into a knot. Even then the little craft literally bounded over the +water. Before the S.W. monsoon Denbigh calculated her speed at seven +or eight knots. +</P> + +<P> +At the end of three hours the breeze increased, and the sail had to be +still further reduced. Not daring to stand upright, the sub's range of +vision was considerably limited. He was beginning to think that a +slight error in the compass course had taken them past the low-lying +and almost invisible sandbank for which they were steering. +</P> + +<P> +"Breakers ahead!" shouted Armstrong. +</P> + +<P> +For nearly five minutes the gaze of all three men was directed upon a +patch of white foam in the midst of the dark-blue waters. +</P> + +<P> +Then Denbigh broke the silence. +</P> + +<P> +"We can finish off that soda-water now," he said. "That's Latham +Island." +</P> + +<P> +They drained the bottle. There was now no need to husband their scanty +resources. Ahead lay the sandbank on which were hidden provisions in +plenty. +</P> + +<P> +"Down rag and out paddles!" ordered Denbigh. +</P> + +<P> +The sail was quickly stowed and the mast unshipped. Under paddles the +canoe was urged towards the lee side of the island, where a landing was +easily effected. +</P> + +<P> +Dragging the canoe above high-water mark the three chums, wellnigh +"baked" by the heat, sat down upon the hard ground. Shelter there was +none. The whole of the white surface simmered in the rays, both direct +and reflected, of the tropical sun. +</P> + +<P> +"Honestly I don't feel like work," remarked O'Hara. "It's too beastly +hot. Besides, we've anticipated our time-table considerably. The +sun's not crossed the meridian yet." +</P> + +<P> +"It's a toss-up whether we set to at once or wait. In any case we +stew," said Armstrong. "I vote we dig for an hour and knock off for +the early afternoon." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," assented Denbigh. "That will, I think, be the better way. So +bestir yourself, Pat." +</P> + +<P> +"Where's the spot?" asked the mate. +</P> + +<P> +"Almost at the other end of the island," replied Denbigh. "I can +recognize it from the position of that jagged reef. Bring the paddles, +they'll make excellent sand scoops." +</P> + +<P> +Across the glistening sand they made their way until the three men came +simultaneously to a dead stop. +</P> + +<P> +Other diggers had preceded them, for where the whaler and the stores +had been hidden was a large, partly-silted-up cavity. +</P> + +<P> +The versatile Irishman was the first to break the silence. +</P> + +<P> +Throwing his paddle to the ground he ejaculated: +</P> + +<P> +"Dash it all! Our luck's out this time." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap20"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XX +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Adrift in the Indian Ocean +</H3> + +<P> +"Wish to goodness we hadn't been so prodigal with our provisions," said +Denbigh as the three chums ruefully surveyed the excavation. "It will +be short commons, unless——" +</P> + +<P> +"Unless what?" asked Armstrong. +</P> + +<P> +"Unless the fellows who have forestalled us have omitted to remove all +the stuff." +</P> + +<P> +"It looks as if they've made a clean sweep of most of the gear and +burnt what they couldn't move. They've evidently poured petrol over +the place and set fire to it. Now, what was the object?" +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps a landing-party from one of our ships destroyed the cache," +suggested O'Hara. +</P> + +<P> +"Possibly," replied his chum. "But, on the other hand, unlikely. It's +my opinion that some of the Germans, finding that the <I>Pelikan</I> was +held up, have made a dash for the island. In that case it is +reasonable to suppose that they have fitted out the whaler, and are +either making tracks for some navigable river lower down the coast or +else they will attempt to capture the first tramp they fall in with." +</P> + +<P> +"Not much chance of escaping capture themselves," said Armstrong. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know. Remember the case of the <I>Ayesha</I> with the <I>Emden's</I> +landing-party. They managed to fetch home all the way from the Cocos +Keeling Islands. These fellows, with luck, might reach Batavia and be +interned by the Dutch Colonial Government." +</P> + +<P> +"And here are we stranded on a desolate sandbank, with precious little +grub in the locker," remarked Armstrong. "There's one consolation. We +have a boat." +</P> + +<P> +"Of sorts," rejoined the Irishman. "Since she brought us here she +ought to take us back to the mainland, although it will be dead to +windward." +</P> + +<P> +"What's wrong with Zanzibar?" asked the mate. "It's only about fifty +miles to the nor'-west. We've a breeze slightly abaft the beam. +She'll do it all right, especially if we take some sand aboard as +ballast." +</P> + +<P> +"Right," assented O'Hara. "Let's make a start. It's a howling pity to +lose the breeze, and it's a jolly sight cooler on the water than on +this sun-baked sandbank." +</P> + +<P> +Quickly the new plan was put into operation. The canoe was launched, +and about three hundred-weights of sand thrown into her. On +re-embarking the crew found that their frail craft was considerably +"stiffer", and showed no great tendency to capsize when one of their +number stood upright. In her ballasted state more sail could be +carried, and, what was more, she could be steered a point closer to the +wind. +</P> + +<P> +All went well until about three in the afternoon, when, with +disconcerting suddenness, the wind died utterly away. The crisp, +crested waves subsided into a long, sullen, oily swell. The canoe, +without steerage way, floated idly upon the water. +</P> + +<P> +"Out paddles!" ordered Denbigh. "You and I, Pat, will take the first +trick. At every thousand strokes one man will be relieved. Ready?" +</P> + +<P> +Counting, the sub knew, was the only means at their disposal for +arriving at an equal division of labour. It also gave them a rough +indication of the progress made, since each stroke represented a +distance of two yards through the water. +</P> + +<P> +"See anything?" asked Denbigh at length. +</P> + +<P> +O'Hara, who was by this time at the steering paddle, stood up, and +shading his eyes looked ahead in the hope of seeing the friendly rising +ground of Zanzibar Island peeping above the horizon. +</P> + +<P> +"Nothing," was the reply, "except that there's a breeze coming." +</P> + +<P> +As the freshening wind swept down the men thankfully laid aside their +paddles and set up the mast and sail. For a few minutes the breeze +held true, then swiftly veering it blew dead ahead. +</P> + +<P> +Once more the sail was lowered and the paddles resumed. With the wind +dead in their teeth the work was trebly increased. +</P> + +<P> +Within half an hour it blew with considerable violence. +</P> + +<P> +"Force six, at least," declared Denbigh, referring to the Beaufort +Notation method of indicating the wind-pressure. "We're in for a +dusting." +</P> + +<P> +It was as much as they could do to keep the lightly made craft head to +wind. Armstrong was busily engaged in throwing overboard the sand +ballast. Drifting before the wind the canoe was in danger either of +being swamped or else carried out into the broad Indian Ocean. +</P> + +<P> +The men were already exhausted. The canoe was drifting rapidly in +spite of their strenuous efforts. Yet she climbed the crest wave with +an ease that gave them confidence. The loss of "ground", made good +only by hours of sheer hard work, was the circumstance that troubled +them most. +</P> + +<P> +"We'll rig a sea-anchor," said the mate. "Unfortunately we haven't any +weights to keep the sail up and down, but that can't be helped." +</P> + +<P> +Quickly the foot of the sail was bent to the mast, the sheets were bent +to the extremities of the spar by a span, and the halyard led from the +centre of the span to the bows of the canoe. +</P> + +<P> +Watching their opportunity the men heaved their clumsy sea-anchor +overboard and anxiously waited the result. +</P> + +<P> +To their intense satisfaction they found that directly the rope took +the strain the canoe floated head to wind without any assistance on the +part of the paddles. The crew were, therefore, able to rest, but with +the disquieting knowledge that every moment they were drifting farther +and farther away from their desired haven. +</P> + +<P> +The three officers were in good spirits notwithstanding the privations +they had undergone and were still experiencing. They realized that +this was part of the game. They had taken chances, and fate, in the +shape of a strong head wind, had been unkind to them. The idea of +mutual recriminations never occurred to them. Their adventure was of +the nature of a joint-stock concern. They had done their best, and +were ready to stand by each other till the end in whatever form it came. +</P> + +<P> +For some hours O'Hara and Armstrong dozed fitfully on the bottom of the +canoe, regardless of the spray that dashed over their recumbent forms. +Denbigh, crouched aft, kept an occasional look-out, while at intervals +he baled with half a coco-nut shell. +</P> + +<P> +The sea showed no signs of moderating. The prospect of spending a +night afloat in a mere cockle-shell became imminent. +</P> + +<P> +Just then the sub heard a faint cry. He looked in the direction from +whence the shout came, but could see nothing. He was about to put it +down to a freak of his imagination when the cry was repeated. +</P> + +<P> +Fifty yards or more to leeward was a man hanging on to an upturned boat. +</P> + +<P> +"Wake up, you fellows!" exclaimed Denbigh. "There's someone overboard." +</P> + +<P> +Seizing the paddles O'Hara and the mate checked the drift of the canoe +until its course would bring it close to the upturned craft. +</P> + +<P> +"Steady!" cautioned Denbigh. "As close as you can to her bows." +</P> + +<P> +His ready mind grasped the situation. Could he but effect a +communication with the waterlogged craft a double purpose might be +served. +</P> + +<P> +Down swept the canoe. As her quarter slipped past the boat Denbigh +leant over the side. With one hand he staved off the sharp stem, the +metal-bound edge of which would have crushed the side of the canoe like +an egg-shell. With the other he grasped the painter, which was +trailing from the bow ring-bolt. +</P> + +<P> +"Stand by and take a turn!" he shouted to the mate, throwing him the +slack of the rope. +</P> + +<P> +Promptly Armstrong, who was up for'ard, made the running part of the +painter fast to the rope of the sea-anchor. With a jerk the canoe +brought up fifty feet to leeward of the waterlogged boat. +</P> + +<P> +Here, sheltered by the latter, and with her drift apparently reduced, +the canoe was in relatively smooth water. The unfortunate seaman, +rallying his remaining energies, struck out. Almost exhausted, he was +on the point of sinking when Denbigh seized him by the hair. +</P> + +<P> +It was a difficult matter to get the man into the canoe. He was a +great hulking fellow. The safety of the three officers was gravely +endangered, but proceeding with the utmost caution they hoisted him +over the side. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you recognize him?" asked Denbigh. +</P> + +<P> +"Eh?" exclaimed his chum. "No; do you?" +</P> + +<P> +"Rather," replied the sub. "He's one of the <I>Pelikan's</I> mob, and +yonder craft is the whaler I saw buried on Latham Island. I'm afraid +they haven't had much of a run for their money. But what's one man's +meat is another man's poison. The whaler may prove a godsend." +</P> + +<P> +"She will," rejoined Armstrong. "See, she acts as a perfect +breakwater. We must be almost stationary, owing to her drag in the +water." +</P> + +<P> +"Even more than that," added Denbigh. "I propose when the weather +moderates to have a shot at righting her. Since they provisioned her +we are bound to find some tinned food in her after locker, for I don't +suppose the whole lot of her gear was slung out when she capsized." +</P> + +<P> +The sole survivor of the whaler's party was not long in recovering +consciousness. His surprise at finding that his rescuers were the +British officers whom he had last seen as prisoners on board the +<I>Pelikan</I> was almost ludicrous. Soon he became communicative, and +confirmed the sub's surmise that the whaler was bent on a minor raiding +expedition. +</P> + +<P> +The long night passed slowly. The last of the food supply had been +exhausted. A few coco-nuts, which being freshly gathered contained +liquid only, formed the sole sustenance of the four men. +</P> + +<P> +With the dawn the wind fell but the sea still ran high. Eagerly the +horizon was scanned, but nothing save a waste of tossing water met the +eye. +</P> + +<P> +"In another hour or so we'll be able to have a shot at righting the +whaler," said Denbigh. "By that time the sea will have subsided. If +you don't mind, you fellows, I'll have a caulk. I have more arrears to +make up than you have." +</P> + +<P> +Quite worn out Denbigh stretched himself on the bottom of the canoe and +dropped off into a sound sleep. It seemed to him that he had not +closed his eyes more than half a minute when the mate roused him. +</P> + +<P> +"What are those beacons on our starboard bow, do you think?" he asked. +</P> + +<P> +Denbigh was awake in an instant. Looking in the direction indicated he +saw three triangular objects at a distance of nearly three miles away. +</P> + +<P> +One glance was enough. +</P> + +<P> +"Pat, you chump!" he exclaimed. "Do you mean to tell me you don't know +what they are? And you must needs make Armstrong wake me out of my +beauty sleep." +</P> + +<P> +"Hanged if I can see hardly anything," announced the Irishman. "The +salt's bunged my eyes up completely. What about it, then?" +</P> + +<P> +"Those beacons, as you call them, Armstrong," replied Denbigh joyously, +"are the tripod masts of three of our monitors." +</P> + +<P> +"They are heading our way, then?" asked the mate. +</P> + +<P> +"Either that or they're stern on to us. The former most likely. Stand +by with the rifle. We must not let them miss us." +</P> + +<P> +In about half an hour the three warships had approached sufficiently +for their outlines to be discerned. They were moving at a slow +pace—barely five knots. All that was visible of each of the monitors +consisted of a low-lying hull of great beam, on which was placed a +turret mounting two gigantic guns. Abaft the turret was a small +superstructure, culminating in a bridge and chart-house. Immediately +behind the bridge rose a lofty tripod mast, its height being seemingly +out of all proportion to those conforming to the recognized +measurements of naval architecture. Perched above the junction of the +tripods was a large square structure whence the fire-control +arrangements were conducted, while a stumpy topmast completed the +incongruity. Abaft the mast was a single funnel. Two of the monitors +were evidently sister-ships. The third was of a much smaller tonnage, +although her armament was identical with that of her consorts. +</P> + +<P> +"They're passing to windward of us," declared Denbigh. "Give them a +couple of rounds." +</P> + +<A NAME="P207"></A> + +<P> +Armstrong raised the rifle and fired. Almost immediately following the +second shot a signal was run up from the leading monitor. Up fluttered +the answering pendant to the mast of the smaller vessel, which +immediately altered helm and bore down upon the canoe. +</P> + +<P> +Slowly the rescuing craft approached. Her superstructure was crowded +with interested spectators, while several of the crew, wading +knee-deep, made their way to the submerged side of the monitor and +stood by to pick up the derelicts. +</P> + +<P> +The operation required great care for the unwieldy craft was yawing +horribly. Being almost as broad in the beam as she was long, and +snub-nosed in addition, she steered badly. By good seamanship on the +part of her captain the monitor lost way at a distance of half a cable +from the canoe. +</P> + +<P> +"Cast off and out paddles!" ordered Denbigh. +</P> + +<P> +Five minutes later willing hands assisted the three British officers +and the German sailor to the ladder leading to the superstructure. +</P> + +<P> +With feelings of thankfulness Denbigh, mustering his remaining +energies, saluted the diminutive quarter-deck. It seemed almost +heavenly to be once more under the shadow of the White Ensign. As he +raised his hand to the brim of his weather-worn helmet a well-known +voice exclaimed: +</P> + +<P> +"Cheer oh! old man." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap21"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXI +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Von Eckenstein's Surprise +</H3> + +<P> +The speaker was Charles Stirling, now lieutenant and Acting-commander +of H.M.S. <I>Crustacean</I>. +</P> + +<P> +Stirling had literally fallen on his feet after he had been rescued by +H.M.S. <I>Actæon</I>. Owing to his intimate knowledge of the East Coast of +Africa and the Mozambique Channel, and having more than a nodding +acquaintance with the troublesome raider now known to be in hiding in +the Mohoro River, he had been given temporary command of the smallest +of the three monitors sent from England to assist in the operations +against German East Africa. +</P> + +<P> +Notwithstanding his natural anxiety to learn how his former shipmates +came to be adrift in a canoe in the Indian Ocean, Stirling insisted on +Denbigh, O'Hara, and Armstrong being put into the sick-bay. All three +men were almost exhausted. Even Denbigh's indomitable spirit had +outworn his physical strength, while the Irishman was found to be +affected with partial indistinctness of vision owing to prolonged +exposure to the glare of the sun. +</P> + +<P> +"You take it easy," was Stirling's parting injunction. "I promise I'll +turn you out directly we sight the Mohoro Lagoon." +</P> + +<P> +Reassured, Denbigh and his comrades in peril capitulated. Eighteen +hours' solid sleep worked wonders, and although the Irishman was still +suffering from painful inflammation of the optic nerve, the three +officers had bathed, shaved, and changed into borrowed plumage before +breakfast-time on the following morning. +</P> + +<P> +After scraps of mutual experiences had been exchanged Stirling invited +his chums to the bridge. +</P> + +<P> +"The rummiest packet I ever set foot on," he admitted, "but she's a +clinker. We've as fine a pair of 14-inch guns as a fellow could wish +for. British made, too; they were manufactured in Canada. The old +<I>Crustacean</I> does not belie her name. She has a decided tendency to +crawl crabwise, and she's as unhandy as a balsa-raft in a gale of wind." +</P> + +<P> +"Not very good points," remarked O'Hara. +</P> + +<P> +"But she has her qualifications, Pat. She's said to be +torpedo-proof——" +</P> + +<P> +"Do you want a practical test, old man?" asked Denbigh. +</P> + +<P> +"Um—no; that is, not particularly if it can be avoided. Why?" +</P> + +<P> +"Because there are a pair of 60-centimetre tubes waiting to have a slap +at you when you ascend the Mohoro River." +</P> + +<P> +"Steady, old man," protested Stirling with a hearty laugh. "The +river's not broad enough for the <I>Pelikan</I> to be lying athwart the +stream. She must be quite twenty miles up the river." +</P> + +<P> +"Say ten and you'll be nearer the mark," declared Denbigh. "She's +trapped, and we have to thank Mr. Armstrong for doing the trick." +</P> + +<P> +"Good man!" exclaimed the young skipper of the <I>Crustacean</I>, bringing +his hand down upon the shoulder of the bashful mate of the <I>Myra</I>, +after Denbigh had related the circumstances in which the <I>Pelikan</I> was +prevented from ascending farther up the river. "I'll have to inform +Holloway, our senior officer. He's under the same impression that I +was. But what did you say about those torpedo-tubes?" +</P> + +<P> +Concisely Denbigh explained the position and nature of the German shore +defences. +</P> + +<P> +"It strikes me pretty forcibly that you'll come in most handy," said +Stirling. "It's not the <I>Pelikan</I> that is now our principal objective. +She, apparently, is done for, unless the river forms a fresh bed round +the hull of the sunken tramp. The batteries are our pigeon." +</P> + +<P> +"You were saying that the <I>Crustacean</I> is practically torpedo-proof," +Denbigh reminded him. "In what way?" +</P> + +<P> +"She's of very shallow draught. Unless a torpedo were set to travel +only a few feet beneath the surface—in which case much of the bursting +power of the war-head would be wasted—the 'tin-fish' would pass +harmlessly under her bottom. If, however, a torpedo did explode, +there's a cellular space of more than twenty feet between the outer and +inner hulls. These compartments are stuffed with something. I can't +tell you because I don't know myself what the stuff is. All I know is +that it's fireproof and its specific gravity is approximately the same +as sea-water. Hence, in the event of a hole being blown in the shell +of the outer hull our stability will hardly be affected." +</P> + +<P> +At that moment a signalman approached and saluted. +</P> + +<P> +"Senior officer reports approach of sea-plane parent ship <I>Simplicita</I>, +sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Very good," replied Stirling, then addressing his companions he added, +"That's excellent. We are having a couple of sea-planes to spot for +us. The <I>Simplicita</I>, an old light cruiser, has been fitted out as a +floating base for aerial work. With luck they've managed to stow a +couple of 'planes on her." +</P> + +<P> +Before the <I>Simplicita</I> joined the flotilla the senior ship hoisted +another signal. It ran: +</P> + +<P> +"Boat under sail four miles S.S.W. <I>Crustacean</I> to proceed and +investigate." +</P> + +<P> +At her utmost speed, a bare six knots, the little monitor altered helm +and stood off in the indicated direction. The sea was now calm, and +there was hardly a breath of wind. +</P> + +<P> +At Stirling's suggestion Denbigh, O'Hara, and Armstrong ascended to the +fire-control platform. From this lofty perch a considerable expanse of +sea could be swept by the aid of powerful glasses. +</P> + +<P> +Away on the starboard hand could be discerned the faint outlines of the +African coast, almost hidden in a pale-blue haze. Astern, but on a +diverging course, were the monitors <I>Paradox</I> and <I>Eureka</I>, the former +flying the broad pendant of the senior officer, Captain Holloway. +Ahead, a small patch of greyish-white canvas marked the position of the +boat to which the <I>Crustacean</I> was proceeding. +</P> + +<P> +"That's not a Service rig," declared Denbigh, proffering his binoculars +to O'Hara. +</P> + +<P> +The Irishman waved them aside. +</P> + +<P> +"No, thanks, old man," said he. "I'll wait. I don't want to crock my +eyes any more than they are at present. I'll take your word for it +that she's not one of our boats." +</P> + +<P> +"She's a merchantman's cutter," asserted Armstrong. "I wouldn't mind +laying odds that she's one of the <I>Pelikan's</I> boats making for Latham +Island." +</P> + +<P> +The mate was right, for on discovering the approach of the monitor the +cutter altered her course, lowering her canvas and resorting to her +oars in the vain hope that she had been unnoticed. +</P> + +<P> +Twenty minutes later, the difference in speed of the monitor and her +quarry being very small, Stirling ordered one of the four quick-firers +to be discharged. The projectile, falling within fifty yards of the +boat, had the desired result, for the men boated their oars and hoisted +a square of white cloth as a signal of surrender. +</P> + +<P> +"We seem fated to fall in with our friends the Huns," remarked Denbigh. +"Armstrong has scored a palpable hit; they are some of the <I>Pelikan's</I> +crowd. I recognize that fellow with a bandaged head as Major von +Eckenstein." +</P> + +<P> +Most docilely the boat's crew came over the side. There were, in +addition to the major, a junior lieutenant of the <I>Pelikan</I> and seven +seamen; the rest, to the number of about a dozen, were reservists +transhipped from the <I>San Matias</I>. The military section had discarded +their uniform and wore a motley collection of civilian garb. They were +unarmed, having thrown overboard their rifles and ammunition upon the +shot being fired to compel them to abandon flight. +</P> + +<P> +The unter-leutnant had previously rehearsed a most plausible story with +which to gull the Englishmen, but a look of comical dismay overspread +his features when he recognized the officers who a short while ago had +been prisoners on board the raider. +</P> + +<P> +At last he mustered up sufficient courage to demand, somewhat +haughtily, that he and his men should be accorded honourable treatment +as prisoners of war. +</P> + +<P> +"Certainly," replied Stirling blandly. "I am sorry that you should +imagine otherwise. But, of course, the fact that Major von Eckenstein +and his men have adopted civilian attire tends to put them on a +different footing." +</P> + +<P> +Von Eckenstein's face, or as much of it as was visible between the +swathed bandages, grew pale. He remembered the incident when he +slashed O'Hara across the face. Visions of reprisals rendered him +terror-stricken. +</P> + +<P> +"Forgive me, Herr O'Hara!" he almost shouted. +</P> + +<P> +The Irishman smiled affably. +</P> + +<P> +"Forgive?" he echoed. "There is nothing to forgive. You gave O'Hara a +cut across the face. It raised quite a small weal. Judging by the +state of your figurehead, I'm afraid my treatment of you on the shore +of the lagoon rather disturbed the balance of exchange." +</P> + +<P> +"You did this?" asked the major, dumbfounded at the information. +"Donnerwetter! I thought——" +</P> + +<P> +Sheer astonishment rendered him incapable of completing the sentence. +He could not understand why the British officer received him with +unperturbed courtesy. Evidently here was something adrift with the +Teutonic gospel of hate. +</P> + +<P> +"So you were making for Latham Island to resurrect the hidden stores?" +asked Denbigh, addressing the unter-leutnant. +</P> + +<P> +The young German officer was also completely taken aback. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," he admitted. "But how came you to know that we had stores +buried there?" +</P> + +<P> +"That's a secret," replied the sub. "But I'll tell you this. You +would have found yourselves forestalled. Some of the <I>Pelikan's</I> men +made a dash for the island, fitted out the whaler, and left the place +as bare as an empty house. They did not get far. The boat was +capsized and all on board perished, except one man, who is now a +prisoner on board this vessel." +</P> + +<P> +"Now, gentlemen," broke in Stirling briskly, addressing the major and +the unter-leutnant, "I must ask you to go below, but before doing so I +will take the liberty of examining the contents of Major von +Eckenstein's pockets." +</P> + +<P> +"Himmel!" gasped the major. "For why? According to the rights of +belligerents my personal property is not liable to be confiscated." +</P> + +<P> +"Your personal property—yes," replied Stirling. "Come, sir, no fuss, +if you please." +</P> + +<P> +Sullenly the German permitted a petty officer to remove the contents of +his pockets. There was an order-book, containing a few pencilled +memoranda; a pocket-book in which were papers seemingly of purely +personal interest; some notes on a South American bank. +</P> + +<P> +"Kindly remove your waistcoat," continued the inexorable Stirling. +</P> + +<P> +Von Eckenstein shrugged his shoulders. If black looks could kill, +Stirling was as good as booked to Davy Jones. +</P> + +<P> +"This is a needless indignity," almost howled the Hun. +</P> + +<P> +"On the contrary, a necessary precaution on our part," corrected the +skipper of the <I>Crustacean</I>. +</P> + +<P> +Sullenly von Eckenstein removed his waistcoat and threw it on the deck. +Deliberately opening a penknife Stirling ripped open the back and +removed an envelope of oiled silk. +</P> + +<P> +"Thank you," he said gravely. "That is all we require for the present, +Herr Major." +</P> + +<P> +Gathering up the rest of his possessions, the major followed his +companions in misfortune and disappeared below. +</P> + +<P> +"Confidential orders from Potsdam to the German Governor of the East +African Colony," announced Stirling. "Here, Denbigh, have a squint at +it and see if I'm not right." +</P> + +<P> +"How ever did you discover this?" asked O'Hara. +</P> + +<P> +"Intuition, my dear old sport," replied Stirling with a laugh. "You +told me about the cache on Latham Island. Also, you may remember +relating a conversation between this von Eckenstein and Kapitan von +Riesser, just before the stores were landed. Von Eckenstein +objected—why? Because he thought the hiding-place ought to be on the +mainland. He had a rooted objection to making a voyage in a smallboat. +Hence it was reasonable to suppose that the Latham Island depot was for +the major's particular benefit. The fact that he was forestalled has +nothing to do with the main case. The <I>Pelikan</I> is in difficulties. +Direct communication with the rest of the German land forces is out of +the question. So the major is sent off to Latham Island with the +Imperial dispatches in his possession. Then the unter-leutnant's +instructions are to revictual and replenish stores, and take the major +to the mainland, most likely to the Rufigi River. There there is, I +believe, fairly easy communication with Tabora, the head-quarters of +the German Colonial forces. Seeing us approach, von Eckenstein ought +to have destroyed his paper, but he didn't—he trusted to his belief in +our natural stupidity. I wouldn't mind betting that now he's bemoaning +his fate and admitting that Englishmen are not the fools he supposed +them to be." +</P> + +<P> +Which was exactly what the battered and dejected von Eckenstein <I>was</I> +doing. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap22"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +The Monitors in Action +</H3> + +<P> +All that night the monitors lay, with lights out, off the outer bar of +the Mohoro Lagoon. A council of war had been held on board the +<I>Paradox</I>, when a fresh plan of action was drawn up. This was in +consequence of the information Denbigh, O'Hara, and Armstrong had +brought concerning the enemy's defences. +</P> + +<P> +"This chart is radically wrong," declared Denbigh, when a chart of that +part of the coast was shown to him. "The bend in which the <I>Pelikan</I> +is lying is not shown. Apparently the topography is from an old +survey." +</P> + +<P> +"It is from the latest available information," remarked Captain +Holloway, loath to deprecate the work of the Hydrographic Department of +the Admiralty. +</P> + +<P> +"Available as far as the Germans would permit," corrected the sub +deferentially. "They've had full control here for years. I'm not +referring to the lagoon, but to the river. The depths, too, are +inaccurate." +</P> + +<P> +"I suppose you wouldn't object to a job to-morrow?" asked the senior +officer, after he had listened intently to Denbigh's explanations and +descriptions of the details of the Mohoro River. +</P> + +<P> +"Not in the least, sir," replied the sub promptly. +</P> + +<P> +"In a sea-plane?" +</P> + +<P> +"Just my mark, sir; but I've had no flying experience." +</P> + +<P> +"We would want you for registering duties," continued Captain Holloway. +"You will have a flight sub-lieutenant as pilot. With your knowledge +of the shore batteries and torpedo stations you will be able to render +further important service. Very good; I'll arrange for the sea-plane +to pick you up at dawn; that is, if it is not too misty. These +tropical mists play the deuce with aerial observations." +</P> + +<P> +It was arranged that the attack should open at seven on the following +morning. The <I>Crustacean</I> was to lead the way over the inner bar, and +devote her attention to the torpedo station. The <I>Paradox</I> was to +shell the batteries concealed in the mangrove forest, while the +<I>Eureka</I> was to patrol the lagoon and to cut off any attempt at flight +on the part of the German troops, whose line of retreat would be pretty +certain to be along the coast, since the thick forests and marshes to +the westward made retirement to the hinterland almost a matter of +impossibility. +</P> + +<P> +Two hours before sunrise the crews of the monitors were called to +"action" stations. They had previously bathed and changed into clean +clothes, and had been given ample time to enjoy their breakfast. +Clearing ship for action took but little preparation, since the +monitors carried only what was necessary as floating batteries. +</P> + +<P> +At the hour specified a sea-plane taxied gracefully to within fifty +feet of the <I>Crustacean</I>. A boat was lowered from the monitor, and +into this Denbigh stepped, to the accompaniment of the somewhat +irrelevant remarks of his brother officers. +</P> + +<P> +"Fine mornin'," was the flight-sub's greeting, as nonchalantly as if he +were passing the time of day with a casual acquaintance. "Hop in. +You'll find a belt fixed to the back of your seat. There's the +wireless gear. See that lever on your left? That releases the +paying-out gear of the aerial. Don't pay out too smartly. Ready?" +</P> + +<P> +The blades glittered in the morning light as the propeller revolved and +rapidly increased the number of revolutions. Slowly at first, then +with accelerated movement, the sea-plane skimmed the placid surface of +the lagoon. Then, almost before Denbigh was aware of it, the machine +leaped upwards. The slight tilt of the seat was the only intimation +that the sea-plane had parted company with the water, until the sub +noticed the surface of the lagoon apparently receding with great +rapidity. +</P> + +<P> +Round and round spiralled the frail contrivance, tilting with an easy +swinging movement as it climbed. Already the monitors looked no larger +than toy boats upon an ornamental pond. The irregular ground on either +side of the river was merged into an expanse that betrayed no +indication of height. Far beneath him Denbigh could discern a +ribbon-like strip of silvery-grey. It was the Mohoro River. +</P> + +<P> +"Distance lends enchantment to the eye," thought the sub. "And it is +such a dirty river." +</P> + +<P> +He mused feelingly. In his imagination he sniffed the foetid odours +from the torrential yellow stream. He had a mental vision of a swim in +the dark, with hippos and crocodiles for company. The reeking +mud-flats, too, lay beneath him, their dismal and monotonous aspect +obliterated by the charm of altitude. +</P> + +<P> +Above the land the rapidly increasing strength of the morning sun was +causing great irregularities in the density of the air. The sea-plane +rolled violently. Twice she dropped through a sheer distance of a +couple of hundred feet, owing to "air pockets", but the pilot, with the +utmost unconcern, held her on her course. +</P> + +<P> +Presently he turned and bawled something. The rush of the wind made +his words unintelligible, but he pointed to the aerial release. +Denbigh understood, and depressing the lever allowed a hundred and +fifty feet of wire to be run off the reel. +</P> + +<P> +Leaning over the side of the fuselage the sub brought his glasses to +bear upon the waterway almost beneath him. He could distinguish the +fatal bend in the Mohoro River where the <I>Myra</I> had turned turtle and +had been swallowed up in the shifting sand. He could even discern her +outlines as she lay on her side with ten feet of water swirling +overhead. +</P> + +<P> +Farther down-stream was something that looked exactly like an island +covered with luxurious vegetation. It was the <I>Pelikan</I>. The disguise +was really admirable. Had Denbigh not known of the means her crew had +taken to hide her he would never have detected her presence. +</P> + +<P> +But the <I>Pelikan's</I> hour had not yet come. Until the shore batteries +and fortifications had been shelled out of existence she was to be left +severely alone. With the <I>Myra's</I> crew confined on board the raider, +the British monitors dare not open fire upon her. +</P> + +<P> +Round circled the sea-plane, gliding down to within five hundred feet +of the summit of the mangroves. Everything seemed quiet beneath. The +whir of the propeller and the rush of air deadened all other sounds. +Here and there were clearings, like to one another as peas in a pod. +For the first time in his life Denbigh felt uncertain. +</P> + +<P> +Again he swept the river with his binoculars. Across the mud-flats, +for the tide was now almost on the last of the ebb, he spotted two +slender dark lines stretching towards the navigable channel. A little +way down was a series of small dark objects thrown athwart the stream. +They were the torpedo-piers and the barrels supporting the chain boom. +Almost abreast of them was the screened battery. +</P> + +<P> +At a sign from Denbigh the flight-sub trimmed the elevating planes. Up +climbed the machine till at an altitude of six thousand feet she was +visible from the distant monitors. Then she commenced to cut figures +of eight, while Denbigh began to call up the <I>Paradox</I> by wireless. +</P> + +<P> +Having made certain that the monitor had gauged the required distance +the sea-plane volplaned to within a thousand feet of the ground. +</P> + +<P> +The receiving telephones fixed to Denbigh's ears began to emit faint +sounds that in Morse spelt out the words, "Stand by to register". +</P> + +<P> +Twenty seconds later a lurid flash, followed by a terrific cloud of +yellow and black smoke, leapt skywards from a spot in the mangroves. +In spite of her altitude the sea-plane rocked violently in the torn +air. For a moment Denbigh thought that the machine was plunging +helplessly to earth. +</P> + +<P> +The gentle tapping of the wireless receiver recalled him to a sense of +duty. +</P> + +<P> +"How's that?" spelt the dot-and-dash message. +</P> + +<P> +Where the shell had burst a dozen or more trees had been literally +pulverized. Others, their trunks lacerated by the explosion, had +toppled at various angles against those that had withstood the shock. +The "hit" was roughly two hundred yards beyond the screened battery. +</P> + +<P> +From beneath the foliage covering the emplacements men peeped +timorously. A dull-grey figure, bent almost double, was running for +shelter. It was one of the German sentries. +</P> + +<P> +"Right direction; two hundred yards over," wirelessed Denbigh. +</P> + +<P> +Another heavy projectile screamed on its way, passing some hundreds of +feet beneath the seaplane. It burst; but the sound like that of its +predecessor was inaudible to the pilot and observer. The action of the +detonating shells reminded Denbigh of an animated photograph, so +effectually and silently did the work of destruction appear. +</P> + +<P> +"A hundred yards short," registered the sub. +</P> + +<P> +"Then how's this?" was the rejoinder. +</P> + +<P> +Fairly in the centre of an emplacement fell the twelve-hundred-pound +shell. High above the mushroom cloud of smoke flew fragments of wood +and metal. When the dense vapour had drifted away in the sultry air it +was seen that the work of that gigantic missile was accomplished. +</P> + +<P> +A gaping hole fifty feet in diameter marked the place where the +carefully-screened quick-firers had been. +</P> + +<P> +Round the edge of the crater were smouldering sand-bags hurled in all +directions like small pebbles. The two guns, dismounted, were sticking +up at acute angles in the debris, their mountings shattered into +fragments of scrap-iron metal. +</P> + +<P> +There was no sign of life in the crater, nor in the partly uncovered +dug-outs in its vicinity, but from a neighbouring position poured +swarms of Germans, half-dazed and terrified by the explosion that had +shaken their subterranean retreat like a severe earthquake shock. +</P> + +<P> +The <I>Paradox</I> had completed her particular job. +</P> + +<P> +Meanwhile a second sea-plane was registering for the <I>Crustacean</I>, her +guns being directed upon the piers on which the <I>Pelikan's</I> +torpedo-tubes had been placed. +</P> + +<P> +Without once coming within sight of her objective the little monitor +effected her mission with two shots, blowing both torpedo-stations to +smithereens. +</P> + +<P> +Nor was the <I>Eureka</I> less successful. A shell fired in front of the +crowd of demoralized Germans as they fled through the mangroves +literally roped them in. Panic-stricken they doubled back and +disappeared in the dug-outs close to the wrecked emplacements, and the +<I>Eureka</I>, having been accordingly informed, ceased firing. +</P> + +<P> +"Now for the <I>Pelikan</I>!" exclaimed Stirling, as the sea-plane, having +returned, put Denbigh on board the <I>Crustacean</I>. +</P> + +<P> +"It will be an affair of boats, I suppose," suggested O'Hara. "With +the flood-tide and on a dark night she ought to be captured with little +loss to the boarding-party." +</P> + +<P> +Two of the monitors were lying at anchor in the river. The <I>Eureka</I>, +having to watch the coast, steamed slowly up and down the lagoon, her +progress watched by hundreds of awe-stricken natives. +</P> + +<P> +The question of how to deal with the <I>Pelikan</I> was under discussion, +for Captain Holloway had convened another council of war at eight bells +in the afternoon. +</P> + +<P> +The boats carried by the monitors were not fit for cutting-out work, +and although a certain means of destruction was at the command of the +senior officer, he was reluctant to put his terrible resources into +force on account of the presence of the <I>Myra's</I> crew on board the +raider. +</P> + +<P> +While the discussion was in progress, the majority of officers +favouring a suggestion that the light cruisers should be brought up by +wireless, a steam launch was reported to be coming down the river. +</P> + +<P> +The launch bore a large white flag flying from a staff in the bows. In +her stern-sheets was Ober-leutnant von Langer. +</P> + +<P> +Received with naval honours, a guard being mounted on the quarter-deck +of the senior monitor, von Langer came over the side, and announced +himself as the representative of Kapitan von Riesser, of H.I.M. ship +<I>Pelikan</I>. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, sir?" asked Captain Holloway briefly. +</P> + +<P> +"I am here to discuss terms," said the ober-leutnant. +</P> + +<P> +"Which must be unconditional surrender of men and material," added the +skipper of the <I>Paradox</I>. +</P> + +<P> +"Excuse me," said von Langer. "But we are not yet beaten." +</P> + +<P> +"You are precious near it," said Captain Holloway. "Unless the German +Ensign is hauled down on board the <I>Pelikan</I> within an hour I will open +fire." +</P> + +<A NAME="img-226"></A> +<CENTER> +<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-226.jpg" ALT=""UNLESS THE GERMAN ENSIGN IS HAULED DOWN ON BOARD THE <I>PELIKAN</I> WITHIN AN HOUR, I OPEN FIRE."" BORDER="2"> +<H4 CLASS="h4center"> +"UNLESS THE GERMAN ENSIGN IS HAULED DOWN ON BOARD THE <I>PELIKAN</I> WITHIN AN HOUR, I OPEN FIRE." +</H4> +</CENTER> + +<P> +"If you do you must remember that there are many English prisoners on +board," declared the ober-leutnant with the air of a man who has thrown +down his trump card. +</P> + +<P> +"Within one hour, unless the <I>Pelikan</I> is surrendered in her present +state, without further damage to her stores, equipment, and hull, we +open fire," was the British officer's mandate. "Return to your ship at +once, Herr Leutnant, and inform Kapitan von Riesser that he must take +immediate steps to safeguard his British prisoners, either by sending +them down the river or else by placing them in a secure shelter on +shore. I shall hold your kapitan and officers morally responsible for +any of the <I>Myra's</I> crew who may be killed or injured in the +forthcoming operations." +</P> + +<P> +"You have yet to find the <I>Pelikan</I>," spluttered the German officer. +</P> + +<P> +"Excuse me, sir, she is found," said Captain Holloway. "To show that I +am not in the habit of speaking at random I will produce proofs." +</P> + +<P> +He gave an order to a seaman, who doubled off to the quarter-deck +companion-ladder. Presently Denbigh, O'Hara, and Armstrong, who during +the interview had discreetly gone below, appeared on deck. +</P> + +<P> +The ober-leutnant's jaw dropped. His podgy cheeks quivered with +intense surprise. +</P> + +<P> +"Donnerwetter!" he exclaimed. "This is a colossal shock." +</P> + +<P> +With an effort he pulled himself together, clicked his heels and +saluted the British senior officer. Then fumbling in his breast pocket +he produced a document and handed it to the captain. +</P> + +<P> +It was a formal surrender. +</P> + +<P> +In it Kapitan von Riesser agreed to hand over the <I>Pelikan</I> at the hour +of nine on the following morning. +</P> + +<P> +"Very good," said Captain Holloway. "We are willing to give you a few +hours' respite, but you are to clearly understand that nothing must be +done in that interval that will affect the <I>Pelikan</I> from a military +point of view. You must also send the <I>Myra's</I> men down by boat before +sunset." +</P> + +<P> +"To that I agree," replied von Langer, and stiffly refusing the +invitation to have a glass of wine the German officer went over the +side. +</P> + +<P> +Von Langer's steam cutter was barely out of sight when a couple of +German officers belonging to the land forces appeared on the bank, +bearing a white flag. +</P> + +<P> +Their business was quickly transacted. They desired to surrender +forthwith and unconditionally the remaining troops under their command. +Within an hour eighty-five men, many of them badly wounded, were +shipped on board the sea-plane parent ship <I>Simplicita</I>. Out of the +three hundred reservists who had transhipped from the <I>San Matias</I> to +the <I>Pelikan</I> but thirty-three were untouched by the British fire. +</P> + +<P> +Well before sunset the first of the conditions of the <I>Pelikan's</I> +surrender was carried out. The steam cutter returned towing a whaler +in which were the crew of the <I>Myra</I>. British reticence went by the +board when they hove in sight. They cheered frantically like delighted +children. Having been under the talons of the German Eagle, they +realized more than ever before the world-wide power of Britain's +sea-power. +</P> + +<P> +Amongst them was Captain Pennington, who was warmly greeted by the +officers of the <I>Crustacean</I>. +</P> + +<P> +He reported that the <I>Pelikan</I> was being prepared for surrender; that +her garb of palms was being removed, but as far as he knew no attempt +had been made to throw overboard the remaining guns, or to destroy the +stores and munitions. +</P> + +<P> +"And to-morrow," remarked Stirling to his chum—"to-morrow we will +redeem these." +</P> + +<P> +And he held out Kapitan von Riesser's receipt for the gold that he had +taken from the three subs when they were captured on the <I>Nichi Maru</I>. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap23"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXIII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +How the <I>Pelikan</I> Surrendered +</H3> + +<P> +As soon as darkness set in the monitors switched on their searchlights, +the <I>Crustacean</I>, which was farthest up-stream, training her projectors +on the channel in the direction of the distant <I>Pelikan</I>, while the +<I>Paradox</I> swept both banks with her powerful beams. In the lagoon the +<I>Eureka</I> and the <I>Simplicita</I> directed their searchlights upon the +shore. +</P> + +<P> +About one bell in the middle watch the look-out on the <I>Crustacean</I> +noticed two dark objects drifting down-stream. At first he thought +them to be a pair of hippopotami, but as their relative distance seemed +constant and there was no sign of propulsion, he reported the matter to +the officer of the watch. +</P> + +<P> +"It's only a part of the boom, smashed by our shell fire," he remarked +casually. "We'll get a lot of wreckage down with the ebb-tide." +</P> + +<P> +Nevertheless he gave orders for the helm to be starboarded. The +monitor, sheering to port under the force of the current until her +cable was hard athwart her stem, missed the barrels, for such they +were, by a good twenty yards. Steadily they drifted by, eventually +stranding in the mud at a distance of two hundred yards from the +<I>Paradox</I>. In half an hour they were high and dry, lying directly in +the rays of the larger monitor's searchlight. +</P> + +<P> +Twenty minutes later another pair of barrels came drifting down. The +officer of the watch of the <I>Crustacean</I> executed a similar manoeuvre, +but before the monitor sheered out of the track of the derelicts, the +barrels were hung up one on either side of the bows. +</P> + +<P> +"I can hear something ticking, sir," reported a seaman leaning over the +low freeboard. +</P> + +<P> +The officer hastened for'ard and listened. +</P> + +<P> +"Nonsense!" he declared. "It's the bull-frogs on shore that you can +hear, or else the lap of the water. They're only waterlogged +barricoes. Push them clear with a boat-hook." +</P> + +<P> +Three or four seamen tried to free the bows from the obstruction but +without success. The barrels afforded little or no grip, and pinned +down by the rush of tide refused to be thrown clear. +</P> + +<P> +"Away sea-boat!" ordered the officer of the watch. +</P> + +<P> +Quickly the boat was manned, and rowing well ahead of the <I>Crustacean</I>, +was allowed to drop stern foremost until the coxswain was able to bend +a rope to one of the barrels. +</P> + +<P> +"Can you hear anything, Sanders?" asked the officer of the watch. +</P> + +<P> +"No, sir," replied the petty officer. +</P> + +<P> +As a matter of fact he was suffering from gun deafness, but from +praiseworthy yet indiscreet motives he had kept the knowledge of his +temporary physical defect to himself. +</P> + +<P> +Ordering the men to give way, the coxswain jerked the obstruction clear +of the <I>Crustacean's</I> hawse. +</P> + +<P> +"Shall I make this fast alongside, sir?" he asked. "Perhaps you'd be +likely to examine it in the morning." +</P> + +<P> +"No," was the reply, "Tow it clear of the <I>Paradox's</I> hawse and cast it +adrift." +</P> + +<P> +The boat pushed off. The officer of the watch, returning to the +bridge, watched the progress of the two barrels as they wobbled in her +wake. +</P> + +<P> +Suddenly his attention was aroused in another direction by a loud shout +of; "Vessel dead ahead, sir!" +</P> + +<P> +Sweeping round a bend in the river into the glare of the searchlights +was the <I>Pelikan</I>. She was drifting broadside on, her length appearing +to occupy the whole breadth of the deep channel. +</P> + +<P> +"Action stations, there!" roared the officer of the watch. +</P> + +<P> +A bugle blared. Up from below tumbled swarms of men dressed in motley +array of a meagre description. The officers, berthed in the after part +of the superstructure, rushed out. In thirty seconds the turret, with +its pair of monster 14-inch guns, was surging round as a preliminary +test of the turning mechanism. +</P> + +<P> +At a glance Stirling took in the situation. The <I>Pelikan</I>, being not +under control, had been turned adrift with the object of fouling and +seriously damaging the British vessels lying in the strong tideway. +</P> + +<P> +He telegraphed for half-speed ahead. The engine-room bell had not +clanged a minute when the propellers began to churn. Hurriedly the +cable was slipped, and the anchor with eighty fathoms of studded steel +chain was lost for ever in the muddy bed of the Mohoro. +</P> + +<P> +The youthful lieutenant-commander's first duty was to avoid the danger +of being fouled. He could not go astern until the <I>Paradox</I> was safely +under way. Regarding the <I>Pelikan</I> he was as yet uncertain whether to +order the sea-boats to board her and drop anchor, if by chance her +ground tackle were ready for instant use, or whether to sink the raider +without further ado. +</P> + +<P> +His deliberations were cut short by a tremendous explosion on the bank +of the river on the starboard quarter of the <I>Crustacean</I>. Where the +stranded barrels had been was a huge cavity in the mud, into which the +water was pouring rapidly. +</P> + +<P> +A few seconds later another explosion occurred well astern of the +<I>Paradox</I>. The barrels were nothing more or less than deadly infernal +machines. Had they exploded close to the side of either of the +monitors it would be doubtful whether, even with their elaborate +protection against torpedoes, they would have kept afloat after the +terrific concussion. +</P> + +<P> +Almost simultaneously the searchlights on the <I>Paradox</I> went out. +Fragments from the explosion had put the two projectors out of action. +</P> + +<P> +The echoes of the explosion had scarce died away when a shout was +raised that the drifting <I>Pelikan</I> was on fire. +</P> + +<P> +With startling suddenness lurid flames were belching from her decks. +Spurts of red-tinged smoke eddied from her open scuttles. In a few +seconds she was a mass of fire from bow to stern. +</P> + +<P> +Slowly she drifted down-stream. At intervals her stern hung up in the +mud, till, caught by the current, she would swing round and slide away +from the bank. The flames reached well above her mastheads, yet there +was comparatively little smoke. The roar of the devouring elements +out-voiced every other sound, even the terrified noises of the denizens +of the mangrove forests as they fled from the glare that rivalled that +of the sun. +</P> + +<P> +From the conning-tower Stirling ordered a shot to be fired from one of +the huge turret-guns, but before the muzzle could be depressed a +stupendous explosion shook sky, land, and water. +</P> + +<P> +Denbigh, gripping the bridge rail, felt himself borne backwards by the +furious rush of air. Temporarily blinded by the vividness of the +flash, he was dimly aware of a series of crashes above and below him. +The stanchion rails snapped off short. In vain the sub strove to +regain his balance; he subsided heavily against the side of the +chart-room, stunned by the terrific thunder-clap that followed the +explosion. +</P> + +<P> +Intense darkness succeeded the vivid brightness of the prolonged flash. +The searchlights of the <I>Crustacean</I> had failed. +</P> + +<P> +Slowly Denbigh sat up. He became aware that debris was littering the +partly wrecked bridge. In vain he tried to pierce the darkness and +discern the whereabouts of his companions. A hot, pungent smoke +drifted past, causing him to splutter almost to suffocation. +</P> + +<P> +Someone tripped across his legs. It was Stirling emerging from the +conning-tower. He recognized the sub's very forcible language. +</P> + +<P> +"Hold on," cautioned Denbigh, "or you'll be overboard. The bridge has +gone to blazes." +</P> + +<P> +As he spoke the <I>Crustacean</I> shuddered. Her bows rose slightly. With +her hull still quivering under the pulsations of her engines she had +run aground on a mud-bank on the port-hand side of the river. +</P> + +<P> +Treading warily Stirling groped till he found the engine-room +telegraph. Guessing the position of the lever he ordered "Stop". In +the pitch-dark engine-room, for every electric lamp in the ship had +been shattered, the artificers, facing death amidst the whirring +machinery, succeeded in carrying out his orders. +</P> + +<P> +Through the darkness came muttered exclamations and partly stifled +groans. Down-stream the <I>Paradox's</I> siren, for want of better means of +communication, was wailing in long and short blasts. +</P> + +<P> +"I have brought up to starboard," was the message. "You may feel your +way past me." +</P> + +<P> +"There's no may about it," thought Stirling grimly; then, leaning on +the twisted bridge rails, he shouted in stentorian tones: "The hands +will fall in on the port side of superstructure facing outboard. +Bugler!" +</P> + +<P> +"Sir!" replied a boyish voice through the impenetrable gloom—a voice +without a tremor save of excitement. +</P> + +<P> +"Sound the 'Still'." +</P> + +<P> +A silence brooded over the stricken monitor. Even the wounded forbore +to groan. Then someone appeared from the superstructure bearing a +couple of "battle lanterns". Lights, too, began to glimmer through the +hatchways, while with admirable promptness the electrical staff set to +work to renew the carbons of the searchlights and to test the circuits +of the internal lighting system. +</P> + +<P> +Already the wounded were being carried below by their messmates. Four +scorched and maimed forms lay motionless on the low fo'c'sle. There +was no need to bestow medical attention upon them. +</P> + +<P> +By this time Denbigh was aware that besides Stirling and himself only +three persons remained on the bridge. Neither of them was O'Hara. Nor +could he find the mate of the <I>Myra</I>, who on the first alarm had +hurried with the others to the bridge. +</P> + +<P> +The sub made his way to the ladder. Two steps did he descend, then his +foot encountered nothingness. The rest of the ladder had been swept +out of existence. +</P> + +<P> +Grasping the still intact handrail Denbigh lowered himself to the +superstructure. Almost the first man he met was Armstrong, who was +mopping his cheek with a blood-stained handkerchief. +</P> + +<P> +"It's nothing," replied the mate in answer to Denbigh's enquiry. +"Didn't discover until I went below." +</P> + +<P> +"Seen anything of O'Hara?" asked the sub anxiously. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I've just carried him below, and I was on my way back to look for +you." +</P> + +<P> +"Thanks," said Denbigh briefly. "And what's happened to O'Hara?" +</P> + +<P> +"Only shaken, I believe. He was blown off the bridge with the signal +locker for company. They both fetched up against a splinter screen. +O'Hara swears it isn't much, but I have my doubts." +</P> + +<P> +The two officers made their way across heaps of debris to the +diminutive ward-room. Here lying on a cushion on the floor was O'Hara. +</P> + +<P> +He turned to smile as Denbigh entered but the attempt was a dismal +failure. His face was drawn and grey in spite of his tanned complexion. +</P> + +<P> +"My leg feels a bit queer," he said in answer to his chum's enquiry. +"No, don't bother about the doctor. He's got quite enough to do. I +say, old man, von Riesser's giving us a run for our money, isn't he?" +</P> + +<P> +O'Hara's sentiments were almost identical with those of the rest of the +ship's company. Not a word was said concerning the treachery of the +kapitan of the <I>Pelikan</I>, whose method of handing over his ship was far +from being in accordance with the terms of the capitulation. The fact +that von Riesser had outwitted them certainly gave them food for +reflection, but the unanimous conclusion was that the fun was by no +means over. +</P> + +<P> +The falling tide left the <I>Crustacean</I> hard and fast aground on the +slimy mud. With daylight the actual state of affairs could be +discerned. +</P> + +<P> +A quarter of a mile up-stream lay the remains of the much-sought-for +raider. Only a few bent and buckled ribs and plates showing just above +the water's edge marked the spot whence the devastating explosion had +emanated. One of her funnels, looking like a distended concertina, had +been hurled ashore and had lodged against a clump of palm trees. The +mud-flats and the adjoining banks were littered with fragments of metal +twisted into weird and fantastic shapes. +</P> + +<P> +Down-stream lay the <I>Paradox</I>, now swinging to the young flood. The +bore was not now in evidence, since it was the period of neap-tides, +and the alteration in the direction of the tidal stream was scarcely +perceptible. +</P> + +<P> +The <I>Paradox</I> had come off comparatively lightly. To all outward +appearances she was intact, with the exception of her wireless gear, +the wreckage of which was already being cleared away. Beyond a certain +amount of breakage of glass and half a dozen of her crew sustaining +slight wounds, the damage done was not in proportion to the danger to +which she had been exposed. +</P> + +<P> +The <I>Crustacean</I> had suffered severely. Her fire-control platform and +wireless gear had been swept out of existence. There were four deep +gashes in her funnel, which was only kept in position by the chain +guys. One half of the bridge had vanished; the remaining portion +resembled a scrap-iron heap. +</P> + +<P> +Her boats had been badly shattered save one, and that exception was the +sea-boat, which was on her way back to the monitor when the explosion +took place and escaped injury. Every bit of steel work exposed to the +destroyed ship was pitted and blistered, while a heavy mass of plating +from the <I>Pelikan</I> had embedded itself in the monitor's quarterdeck. +</P> + +<P> +Below the water-line she was undamaged. On taking soundings in her +well no abnormal quantity of water was found. With the assistance of +the <I>Paradox</I> it would be a comparatively easy matter to release her +from her mud berth at high water. +</P> + +<P> +But other work was imminent. Every minute Kapitan von Riesser and the +remainder of the <I>Pelikan's</I> crew were increasing the distance between +them and their foes. Without delay steps had to be taken to bring the +treacherous Germans to bay. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap24"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXIV +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +The Landing-Party +</H3> + +<P> +No one could accuse Captain Holloway of tardiness. He had the +reputation of being an alert and promising officer, and on this +occasion he excelled himself. Within an hour after sunrise the +landing-party from the flotilla was on its way to tackle the remnants +of the <I>Pelikan's</I> crew; for almost as soon as the raider had been +swept out of existence the British senior officer was drawing up his +orders that the unexpected turn of events had necessitated. +</P> + +<P> +Towed by the two steamboats of the <I>Simplicita</I>, four cutters from the +<I>Paradox</I>, <I>Eureka</I>, and the seaplane parent ship set off up the river. +Into the boats were packed one hundred and twenty officers and men +drawn from each vessel of the little squadron. Each boat carried a +quick-firer in the bows and a Maxim, in addition to stores sufficient +to last a week or ten days. +</P> + +<P> +The expedition was under the orders of Lieutenant-commander Bourne, +while amongst the officers was Sub-lieutenant Frank Denbigh, with +Armstrong in charge of stores. Much to his disgust Pat O'Hara found +himself "turned down" by the Principal Medical Officer; the former's +assurances that his ankle would improve with a little exercise being +brushed aside by the latter, who knew perfectly well that days would +elapse before the Irishman could set foot upon the <I>Crustacean's</I> deck, +let alone the crowded stern-sheets of an armed cutter. +</P> + +<P> +Before the boats were out of sight of the still stranded <I>Crustacean</I> +two sea-planes ascended and flew swiftly inland. Without their aid the +landing-party would be literally groping for their foes, since it was +not known whether von Riesser and his men had taken to their boats or +had set out through the mangroves towards the grass-grown hinterland. +</P> + +<P> +Denbigh having more knowledge of the Mohoro River than any of the other +officers—and his knowledge was limited to a stretch of less than ten +miles—was navigating officer in charge of the leading steamboat. +</P> + +<P> +While the other officers were sweeping the mudflat fringed banks with +their glasses Denbigh directed his attention towards the turgid channel. +</P> + +<P> +Presently a line of bobbing objects caught his vision. Ordering the +leading stoker to ease down the engines he signalled by means of +hand-flags to the steamboat astern to likewise reduce speed. +</P> + +<P> +The objects that had attracted his attention were the barrels forming +the boom across the river almost abreast of the wrecked +torpedo-station. The <I>Pelikan</I>, he knew, had been moored above the +obstruction. She had drifted down past them before she took fire and +blew up. Unless the boom had been temporarily removed and afterwards +replaced he could not understand how the raider could have descended +with the ebb-tide without sweeping the line of barrels away. +</P> + +<P> +"What's wrong?" enquired Bourne. +</P> + +<P> +Briefly Denbigh explained. +</P> + +<P> +"It would be as well if we sent a shell into one of those barrels," he +added. +</P> + +<P> +"Waste of good ammunition," objected the lieutenant-commander. "The +steamboat can take it bows on at full speed ahead. She'll do it +easily." +</P> + +<P> +"That I do not doubt," replied the sub. "But I have an idea that those +barricoes are filled with explosives, although we bumped into one of +them when we were in a light punt." +</P> + +<P> +Just then the P.O. telegraphist for wireless duties, who was ensconced +in a small insulated cage on the rearmost cutter, received a message +from one of the sea-planes to the effect that the Germans had been +located. They had landed from the boats at a spot twenty miles above +the former anchorage of the <I>Pelikan</I> and were making their way towards +the hills. +</P> + +<P> +"They're funking it," declared Bourne. "Everything points to a hurried +flight. They may have swung the boom back in position, but I doubt the +accuracy of your mine theory." +</P> + +<P> +"Very good, sir," replied Denbigh. "Then you wish the steamboat to +charge the obstruction?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, carry on," said Bourne. +</P> + +<P> +Denbigh was too accustomed to discipline to demur in the face of +definite orders. He prepared to cast off the tow, for the steamboat +was to essay the feat alone. The two cutters were to anchor until a +passage had been cleared through the obstruction. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I hope I'm wrong," thought the sub as he ordered the leading +stoker to "let her rip for all she's worth." +</P> + +<P> +But before the boat could gather way there was a commotion in the water +ahead. A large hippo, frightened by the unusual noises that had +disturbed the usually peaceful river, made off up-stream. +</P> + +<P> +Swerving neither to the right hand nor the left the huge animal bore +down upon the line of floating barrels. It passed between a pair of +them. For a moment it seemed that he had surmounted the massive chain, +until the sudden displacement of the barrels showed that its body had +fouled the hidden barrier. +</P> + +<P> +The hippo reared in fury and terror, bringing its whole weight down +upon the chain. Instantly a line of waterspouts shot high in the air +accompanied by a simultaneous discharge of half a dozen mines. The +sudden strain had ignited tubes of fulminate of mercury, which in turn +had exploded heavy charges of gun-cotton. Had the boat been a hundred +yards nearer not one of her crew would have escaped. +</P> + +<P> +In silence Denbigh brought the steamboat abreast of the first cutter +and re-established communication. +</P> + +<P> +The lieutenant-commander stood up, and in a steady, clear voice +exclaimed: +</P> + +<P> +"Well done, Mr. Denbigh! My judgment was hopelessly at fault." +</P> + +<P> +"That's all right, sir," replied the sub. He knew the effort that +Bourne had had to make to tender his apologies. Having given his order +in the hearing of the men it was the only course open to him. And +Bourne was an officer who, although somewhat impetuous, was never +afraid to acknowledge an error. +</P> + +<P> +With the flood-tide the flotilla made good progress. Rounding the +sharp bend where the <I>Myra</I> had disappeared, the boats entered a gently +curving reach that apparently made a long horseshoe sweep. At this +point the mangroves ceased. The ground became higher, the banks being +precipitous in places, and covered with long rank grass. +</P> + +<P> +"There are the <I>Pelikan's</I> boats," reported Denbigh, pointing to two +large pinnaces lying against the banks to which they had been carried +by the tide. +</P> + +<P> +In answer to an enquiry the scouting sea-plane reported that further +progress a mile round the next bend was barred by a series of rapids, +and that the Germans had established a gain of nearly ten miles, and +were approaching the bottle-neck formed by the extreme sinuosities of +the river. +</P> + +<P> +"Can you check them?" asked Bourne anxiously. He was not at all keen +on a ten- or twenty-mile march through the rough grass. If the +sea-planes could command the narrow stretch of ground between the +horseshoe bend von Riesser's men might be headed off. +</P> + +<P> +"We'll try," was the wirelessed reply. +</P> + +<P> +Meanwhile the steamboat had cast off the tow, and the cutters still +carrying way were steered towards the bank. Here, owing to the rush of +the tide, there was fairly deep water close to the land, and +fortunately an absence of mud. +</P> + +<P> +Grounding twenty feet apart the boats disgorged their loads, the seamen +leaping ashore in spite of the weight of arms and accoutrements. The +Maxims, too, were landed and mounted upon light travelling carriages. +The portable wireless apparatus was to accompany the landing-party, +while the officers and men left behind were to land the quick-firers, +since they could not command the ground from the boats owing to the +height of the banks. +</P> + +<P> +Bourne realized that such things as reverses do happen, so he took +precautions accordingly. The men advanced in open order, with flankers +thrown far and wide. +</P> + +<P> +From the top of a small hillock Denbigh watched the straw hats of the +men out of sight as they marched through the long grass; then, knowing +that some time must necessarily elapse before the landing-party came in +touch with the enemy, he busied himself in preparing for the +re-embarkation, should the operations prove to be shorter than Captain +Holloway had anticipated. +</P> + +<P> +With the turn of the tide the boats were taken out into mid-stream and +anchored. Tripping lines were bent to the crowns of the anchors, the +other end of each line being made fast to a watch-buoy, so that the +operation of weighing would not be delayed by the fouling of the flukes +in possible snags on the bed of the river. Gang planks were prepared +in order that no hitch might occur should the men return at or near +dead-low water, when a stretch of ooze separated the dry ground from +the river. +</P> + +<P> +For two hours Denbigh directed operations under the blazing sun. His +men worked like niggers, knowing that they, too, were doing their bit +although not in the actual firing-line. +</P> + +<P> +At intervals came the faint detonations of a series of heavy +explosions. The sea-planes were at work, attempting by means of bombs +to arrest the flight of von Riesser's men across the narrow neck of +land. +</P> + +<P> +Late in the forenoon one of the sea-planes flew overhead. Without +essaying to make a landing on the river, it flew down-stream, +presumably to take in a fresh supply of petrol and bombs. In an hour's +time it returned, and presently its opposite number flew overhead in +the direction of its parent ship. +</P> + +<P> +Slowly the day wore on. At frequent intervals Denbigh climbed the +hillock and brought his glasses to bear upon the distant high ground. +</P> + +<P> +Once or twice he fancied he heard the sounds of musketry and Maxim +firing in the sultry air. Armstrong and several of the men were of the +same opinion, agreeing that the firing was desultory and not constantly +maintained. +</P> + +<P> +At length darkness fell. No one had seen the sea-planes returning +before sunset, and in addition to the great risk of making a night +landing these craft are of little practical use except in daylight. +</P> + +<P> +With the approach of night Denbigh ordered double sentries to be +posted, and cautioned the boat-keepers to be alert and watchful for +signals. Those of the men left behind slept or rested beside the +quick-firers, protected from the heavy dew by boat awnings stretched on +oars and boat-hooks. +</P> + +<P> +For Denbigh sleep was out of the question. Muffled in a boat-cloak, +for the off-shore wind blew chilly, he paced up and down with the mate +of the <I>Myra</I>. +</P> + +<P> +"What's that over yonder?" asked Armstrong. +</P> + +<P> +"Flashes—musketry," replied Denbigh. "It's strange that we cannot +hear the reports, for the wind is in our favour." +</P> + +<P> +"Too steady for rifle-firing," suggested the mate. "Looks to me like a +bush fire." +</P> + +<P> +"By Jove, I hope not," said the sub earnestly. "The grass will catch +like tinder." +</P> + +<P> +A minute or so passed, then Denbigh lowered his binoculars. +</P> + +<P> +"You're right, Armstrong," he said. "It is a fire. Those brutes have +set the grass ablaze to cover their retreat." +</P> + +<P> +"Hark!" exclaimed the mate. +</P> + +<P> +Overhead came the unmistakable buzzing of an aerial propeller. One of +the sea-planes, if not both, was returning. +</P> + +<P> +Seizing a flashing-lamp Denbigh directed it skywards. It was the only +means at his disposal for communication. +</P> + +<P> +"All right?" he asked. +</P> + +<P> +A light blinked through the darkness. +</P> + +<P> +"<I>Dash, dot</I>. Pause. <I>Dash, dash, dash</I>" it flashed; then it ceased +abruptly. Nevertheless the answer was to the point. It was NO. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap25"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXV +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Accounted For +</H3> + +<P> +Before another quarter of an hour passed the long line of flames was +visible to the naked eye. Fanned by the strong breeze the fire spread +rapidly. It seemed as if its activity was by no means confined to the +horseshoe loop formed by the river. It appeared to have obtained a +grip upon the grass on the opposite bank. Once the flames attacked the +mangroves there was no saying where the mischief might end. +</P> + +<P> +Denbigh could do little to aid his absent comrades, who, for aught he +knew, might even now be overwhelmed by the swift advance of the +devouring elements. Turning out the men who remained he had the +quick-firer ammunition removed to the boats. Then setting fire to the +grass around the bivouac he cleared a broad belt nearly a hundred yards +in diameter. At all events the main fire would be checked before the +flotilla was seriously imperilled. +</P> + +<P> +By the time that this work was completed the flames were within three +miles of the camp. For a breadth of more than twice that distance the +grass was blazing furiously. Lurid red tongues of flame licked the +dark cloud of smoke that overhung the devouring elements. Already the +air was reeking with pungent fumes. Grey ashes, caught by the strong +wind, whirled past the anxious watchers or dashed lightly into their +faces. Dark shapes, silhouetted against the red glare, tore madly from +the advancing fire. They were the denizens of the grass lands flying +for their lives. Undeterred by the water the panic-stricken animals +plunged into the river, some of them in their terror frantically pawing +the sides of the anchored boats. +</P> + +<P> +"Dash it all!" muttered Denbigh. "Wish to goodness I'd cleared another +hundred yards of the scrub. We'll be shrivelled up with the heat. +There's still time." +</P> + +<P> +Calling to his handful of men the sub ran into the open. This time, +since the inner circle offered no grip to the flames, they could work +without fear of the fire getting the upper hand. +</P> + +<P> +In the midst of their preparations Denbigh heard a hoarse shout. +</P> + +<P> +Stumbling towards him, half-enveloped in the haze that was the +forerunner of the roaring furnace, were two men. One fell, picked +himself up, and staggered after his companion. +</P> + +<P> +Outlined as they were against the ruddy glare it was impossible to +distinguish them, but as the British seamen ran forward to bear them +into safety the men raised their arms appealingly. +</P> + +<P> +"Help, kamarade, help!" they cried. +</P> + +<P> +"Germans!" ejaculated Armstrong. "Where are our fellows?" +</P> + +<P> +Denbigh could not give an answer. A glance in the direction of the +wall of fire, now less than a quarter of a mile distant, told him that +life was impossible in front of that barrier unless the fugitives were +already in sight. But they were not The sub set his jaw tightly. +</P> + +<P> +"Where are the others—and the British seamen?" he asked in German of +one of the men. The other was beyond speech. +</P> + +<P> +"All gone! All gone!" replied the German. +</P> + +<P> +"There's another, sir!" exclaimed a petty officer. +</P> + +<P> +"Come on, stick it!" shouted half a dozen lusty voices in encouragement. +</P> + +<P> +The third man was evidently in the last stages of exhaustion. He was +gasping for breath as he ran, but the hot acrid air was fast choking +him. He flung his arms above his head and pitched upon his face, with +the burning embers dropping all around him. +</P> + +<P> +A cloud of eddying smoke enveloped him. Then a gust of wind cleared +the pall of vapour. The wretch was writhing. His clothes were +smouldering as he lay helpless in the withering grass. +</P> + +<P> +With a bound Denbigh cleared the shallow trench, and bending low rushed +through the smoke. Burning ashes stung his face. What air he took in +through his nose felt pungent and suffocating. The heat seemed to gnaw +into his eyes. +</P> + +<P> +How he covered that two hundred yards he never could explain, but at +length, with a feeling of relief, he turned his broad back to the +advancing flames and raised the now unconscious man from the ground. +With almost superhuman strength he lifted the listless body upon his +shoulder and began his bid for safety. +</P> + +<P> +Almost blindly he ran till his gait slowed down almost to a halting +walk. Dimly he realized that he was not alone. Some of the devoted +seamen had followed him into the edge of the inferno. +</P> + +<P> +Someone tried to shift the burden from his shoulders. He resisted. +Why he knew not. Already his senses were forsaking him. +</P> + +<P> +With a crash he fell upon his knees. He was up and staggering again, +until, unable to withstand the strain, he rolled inertly upon the +ground with his fingers gripping his throat. Then all became a blank. +</P> + +<P> +He recovered consciousness to find himself lying on a pile of canvas in +the stern-sheets of one of the boats. It was broad daylight. Overhead +an awning had been spread to ward off the rays of the morning sun. +</P> + +<P> +Almost in an instant he recalled the incident of the night of horror. +The air still smelt vilely of smouldering vegetable matter. Wisps of +smoke eddied betwixt the sun and the awning, throwing fantastic shadows +upon the bellying canvas. The fire, then, had practically burnt itself +out. +</P> + +<P> +"Any signs of the others?" he asked. +</P> + +<P> +Armstrong shook his head. +</P> + +<P> +"The whole place is a mass of glowing cinders," he replied. "It is +impossible to see more than a quarter of a mile in that direction. I'm +afraid——" +</P> + +<P> +"Any more survivors?" asked Denbigh. The mere movement of his facial +muscles caused him exquisite pain, for his face was scorched and +blistered. His hair and eyebrows had been badly singed. Altogether he +looked a pitiable scarecrow. It is only on the stage and on the +cinematograph screen that heroes preserve an unruffled appearance. +</P> + +<P> +"No," replied the mate. "Not one, after the fellow you brought in. +Did you know who it was?" +</P> + +<P> +The sub shook his head, then winced, for the action sent a thrill of +anguish through his body. +</P> + +<P> +"Unter-leutnant Klick," continued Armstrong in answer to his own +question. "He's still unconscious. We dare not move him to the boats. +His skin is literally peeling off all over his body. Shall I have you +sent down the river, old man? The chief petty officer is now in +charge. Is he to withdraw the rest of the boats?" +</P> + +<P> +"No," replied Denbigh with sudden firmness. "No; by no means. We'll +wait until we can send volunteers to find traces of our fellows. Have +the sea-planes passed over yet?" +</P> + +<P> +Armstrong replied in the negative. +</P> + +<P> +"How are the other Germans?" +</P> + +<P> +"One is practically fit. The other is suffering from shock." +</P> + +<P> +"Then send the fit fellow to me, please." +</P> + +<P> +The man was brought to the boat. He was one of the <I>Pelikan's</I> +firemen. Questioned in German he replied without hesitation. The fire +had been started, he declared, not by the raider's crew, but by bombs +dropped by British sea-planes. There was an action, but he and half a +dozen more worked round by the two banks until they were almost cut off +by the flames. He had reason to suppose that both the British and the +German forces had been overwhelmed by the onrushing flames. +</P> + +<P> +Throughout the afternoon Denbigh lay in torment in spite of the +first-aid remedies applied by the only sick-berth attendant left with +the base party. Hardly ever before had he felt the sweltering heat so +acutely. The air under the awning was close and oppressive. It reeked +both of the odour of the river and of the fumes of the smouldering +grass. There was one compensation. The fire had effectually driven +off the swarms of mosquitoes that otherwise would have increased his +torments. He would have given almost anything to be back on board +ship, with the sea breezes flung in through the open scuttle and the +electric fans cooling the air. But stop he must until he had obtained +definite information as to the fate of the landing-party. +</P> + +<P> +"I doubt after all if there's much to grumble at," he soliloquized. "I +might have been born to become a Tommy, and I might be stuck up to my +thighs in mud and water in a trench somewhere in France. It's all part +of one big business, and we're keeping our end up all right." +</P> + +<P> +Then his thoughts took a turn in another direction. He was no longer a +prisoner of war. In another few months he hoped to be back in England. +What plans he would make to spin out that long-deferred leave! For the +time being he was no longer in a vile African river, but in a pretty +old-world garden in the homeland. +</P> + +<P> +Suddenly his train of thought was rudely interrupted by a hoarse, +almost frenzied burst of cheering. The boat-keeper, thrusting his head +below the curtains to ascertain whether the sub was awake or otherwise, +answered Denbigh's mute appeal. +</P> + +<P> +"It's orl right, sir," he announced. "They've romped home; the whole +bloomin' crush." +</P> + +<P> +Following the downward course of the river was the landing-party, +bringing with them forty-three German prisoners, including Kapitan von +Riesser. Their own losses had been insignificant, for during the +long-drawn-out action that was brought to an abrupt conclusion by the +fire, one British officer and seven seamen had been slightly wounded. +These were brought in by the stretcher-bearers. +</P> + +<P> +The escape of the little expedition was due to their resourcefulness in +fighting fire by fire. Finding that their retreat was not speedy +enough to outpace the flames, Lieutenant-commander Bourne had given +orders to set alight the long grass to leeward. +</P> + +<P> +By this means, though suffering agonies from thirst and heat, the +British and their prisoners escaped. +</P> + +<P> +The career of the raider and her crew had been brought to a close, and +before nightfall the boats of the flotilla had regained their +respective ships. +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent" ALIGN="center"> +<SPAN STYLE="letter-spacing: 4em">*****</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<P> +Frank Denbigh is sub-lieutenant no longer, but a full-fledged +lieutenant with the letters D.S.O. tacked on to his name. He has just +received his appointment to a brand-new battle-cruiser, and is about to +serve with the Grand Fleet. +</P> + +<P> +Pat O'Hara is still limping about on one foot somewhere in the Emerald +Isle. He, too, has gained a step in rank, but rather envies his chum's +good luck. Still, there is time for the light-headed Irishman to get +fit again and be in at the death, when, it is to be hoped, the visions +of the trident in the German fist will be shattered for good and aye. +</P> + +<P> +And Stirling? In recognition of his services he is confirmed as +lieutenant-commander of the monitor <I>Crustacean</I>. He is still looking +forward to his leave in the Highlands, but meanwhile he is doing good +work in a remote portion of the globe in upholding the glorious +tradition of the real Mistress of the Seas. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR><BR> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Rounding up the Raider, by Percy F. 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Westerman + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Rounding up the Raider + A Naval Story of the Great War + +Author: Percy F. Westerman + +Illustrator: E. S. Hodgson + +Release Date: June 23, 2011 [EBook #36499] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ROUNDING UP THE RAIDER *** + + + + +Produced by Al Haines + + + + + + + + + +[Illustration: Cover art] + + + + + +[Frontispiece: DENBIGH AND HIS COMPANIONS ARE RESCUED BY A MONITOR +_Page_ 207. _Frontispiece_] + + + + + +ROUNDING UP + +THE RAIDER + + +A Naval Story of the Great War + + + +BY + +PERCY F. WESTERMAN + +Author of "The Fight for Constantinople" + "Sea Scouts All" + &c. &c. + + + +_Illustrated by E. S. Hodgson_ + + + +BLACKIE & SON LIMITED + +LONDON AND GLASGOW + +1916 + + + + + By Percy F. Westerman + + Haunted Harbour. + His Unfinished Voyage. + Midshipman Webb's Treasure + Winged Might. + Captain Flick. + Tireless Wings. + His First Ship. + The Red Pirate. + The Call of the Sea. + Standish of the Air Police. + Sleuths of the Air. + Andy-All-Alone. + The Westow Talisman. + The White Arab. + The Buccaneers of Boya. + Rounding up the Raider. + Captain Fosdyke's Gold. + In Defiance of the Ban. + The Senior Cadet. + The Amir's Ruby. + The Secret of the Plateau. + Leslie Dexter, Cadet. + All Hands to the Boats. + A Mystery of the Broads. + Rivals of the Reef. + Captain Starlight. + On the Wings of the Wind. + Captain Blundell's Treasure. + The Third Officer. + Unconquered Wings. + Pat Stobart in the "Golden Dawn". + Ringed by Fire. + Midshipman Raxworthy. + Chums of the "Golden Vanity". + Clipped Wings. + Rocks Ahead. + King for a Month. + The Disappearing Dhow. + The Luck of the "Golden Dawn". + The Salving of the "Fusi Yama". + Winning his Wings. + The Good Ship "Golden Effort". + East in the "Golden Gain". + The Quest of the "Golden Hope". + The Wireless Officer. + The Submarine Hunters. + The Thick of the Fray at Zeebrugge. + With Beatty off Jutland. + The Dispatch Riders. + A Cadet of the Mercantile Marine. + With the Last of the Buccaneers. + A Lively Bit of the Front. + + The Westerman Omnibus Book + + + + +_Printed in Great Britain by Blackie & Son, Ltd., Glasgow_ + + + + +Contents + + +CHAP. + + I. THE CAPTURED LINER + II. THE LAST OF THE _NICHI MARU_ + III. ON BOARD THE RAIDER + IV. THREATENED + V. THE PURSUIT OF THE _PELIKAN_ + VI. THE DECOY + VII. FOILED BY A COLLIER + VIII. REINFORCEMENTS + IX. THE MIDNIGHT LANDING + X. THE LAGOON + XI. DENBIGH'S PLAN + XII. A PERILOUS JOURNEY + XIII. NOCTURNAL INVESTIGATIONS + XIV. A NEGLECTED WARNING + XV. ARMSTRONG'S PART + XVI. THE DISASTER TO THE _MYRA_ + XVII. A BID FOR FREEDOM + XVIII. DISAPPOINTMENT + XIX. "OUR LUCK'S OUT" + XX. ADRIFT IN THE INDIAN OCEAN + XXI. VON ECKENSTEIN'S SURPRISE + XXII. THE MONITORS IN ACTION + XXIII. HOW THE _PELIKAN_ SURRENDERED + XXIV. THE LANDING PARTY + XXV. ACCOUNTED FOR + + + + +Illustrations + + +DENBIGH AND HIS COMPANIONS ARE PICKED UP BY A + MONITOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _Frontispiece_ + +"BY JOVE!" EJACULATED O'HARA. "SHE MUST BE ONE OF OUR MONITORS" + +THE 'LOG' WAS A HEALTHY SPECIMEN OF A CROCODILE + +"UNLESS THE GERMAN ENSIGN is HAULED DOWN ON BOARD THE _PELIKAN_ WITHIN +AN HOUR, I OPEN FIRE" + + + + +ROUNDING UP THE RAIDER + + + +CHAPTER I + +The Captured Liner + +"Fifteen days more and then Old England once again!" exclaimed Frank +Denbigh. + +"And bonnie Scotland for me!" added Charlie Stirling. + +"You'll not be forgettin' 'tis Ould Oireland I'm bound for," +remonstrated Pat O'Hara, purposely dropping into the brogue. + +The three chums had just been reading the "miles made good" +announcement that, printed in English and Japanese, was daily exhibited +in various parts of S.S. _Nichi Maru_. + +"Hostile submarines permitting," remarked Denbigh with a laugh, after +he had taken good care that no lady passengers were within earshot. + +"Rot!" ejaculated Stirling. "We've cleared them out of the Channel +pretty well. It's part of the work of the British Navy under----" + +"Stop it!" interrupted O'Hara good-humouredly. "I know what you were +going to say: that old tag from the Articles of War. I propose that +every time the word submarine is mentioned by anyone of us while on +board this vessel the delinquent shall be suitably punished as soon as +the sun's over the fore-yard." + +"Hear, hear! I second that," agreed Stirling. "No more 'shop'. We'll +get plenty of that in a few weeks' time. I fancy My Lords won't let us +kick our heels in idleness for long, and honestly, the sooner we settle +down to business the better." + +The three chums were Sub-lieutenants, homeward bound from a portion of +a certain group of islands off the coast of New Guinea, having till +recently the high-sounding title of the Bismarck Archipelago. The +youthful but none the less glorious Australian Navy had quickly changed +the colour of that portion of the map, but the climate was a more +formidable foe than the former German garrison. Thus the three young +officers, who had been "lent" to the recently-formed navy, had the +misfortune to be stricken with fever. + +After a long convalescence, which by a pure coincidence lasted almost +exactly the same time in each of the three cases, Denbigh, Stirling, +and O'Hara were ordered to return to England and to resume their duties +with the navy of the Motherland. + +They had travelled by an intermediate boat to Singapore, whence, in +order to save delay, they had proceeded by a Japanese liner, the _Nichi +Maru_, bound from Nagasaki to London. It was a case of misdirected +zeal, for, owing to the torpedoing of a large Japanese liner in the +Mediterranean, the _Nichi Maru_ had been ordered to take the longer +passage round the Cape instead of the usual route via the Suez Canal. + +"Hulloa! What's the excitement?" enquired Denbigh, pointing in the +direction of the bridge. The chums had gained the promenade deck, +whence most of the navigating bridge of the liner could be seen. There +was evidently something to warrant his exclamation, for the dapper +little Japanese officer of the watch was steadily keeping his +binoculars upon some distant object. + +"There's a smudge of smoke away to the nor'east'ard," announced +Stirling. "The mild excitement of sighting a vessel will help to push +the hands of the clock. Now if someone will kindly suggest a +sweepstake on the nationality of yonder craft----" + +The door of the wireless room opened. The sharp peculiar cackle of the +instruments announced that an exchange of messages was in progress. A +messenger made his way to the bridge. Almost immediately after, the +captain hurried from his cabin. Evidently "something was in the wind", +for the appearance of the imperturbable commander of the _Nichi Maru_ +at this time of day was rather unusual. + +"We're altering helm," declared O'Hara after a brief interval. "Since +we can speak with that vessel without the necessity of having to close, +it points to something of the nature of a serious mishap." + +The rest of the passengers were now making their way on deck. By an +inexplicable intuition the presence of the still invisible vessel had +made itself felt. None of the officers had communicated the news that +the _Nichi Maru_ was in touch with another craft, yet in five minutes +the decks were crowded with a medley of Europeans and Asiatics. + +"Do you know what is wrong, sir?" asked Denbigh, addressing one of the +Japanese officers who happened to be making his way aft. + +The Jap shook his head. Like most of the _Nichi Maru's_ officers he +spoke English. The question was plain to him, but with Oriental +reticence he politely evaded it. + +"I'll get my glasses," announced O'Hara. + +"And mine, while you are about it," said Denbigh. + +"And mine, too," added the Scot. + +O'Hara quickly returned with the desired articles. Bringing their +binoculars to bear upon the smudge on the horizon the three Subs made +the discovery that there was a two-masted, three-funnelled vessel lying +apparently hove-to. Smoke was issuing from her after-funnel in dense +clouds, that rose slowly in the still sultry air. + +"She's flying an ensign," remarked the Irishman. + +"Yes, straight up and down like a wet dishclout," added Stirling. "For +all the good it's doing it needn't be there." + +"Perhaps her propeller shaft is broken," suggested one of the +passengers, an English merchant who had given up a good position in +Tokio to return home in order to "do his bit". + +"Hardly," replied Denbigh. "She's bound to be a twin screw, and it +isn't likely that both engines would break down." + +"I don't know so much about that," said O'Hara, pointing aft, where a +crowd of Japanese seamen were engaged in preparing a large flexible +steel hawser. "It looks as if we were going to take her in tow. And +it's a long, long way to Las Palmas, worse luck." + +"She's a Dutchman," declared Stirling. "I can make out the red, white, +and blue ensign. I wouldn't mind betting she's one of the Rotterdam +and Batavia liners." + +The three British officers relapsed into silence, devoting their whole +attention upon the disabled liner which was now momentarily looming +larger and larger as the _Nichi Maru_ hastened to her aid. + +Presently the engine-room telegraph bell clanged and the Japanese +vessel's engines began to slow down. Two of the boats were swung out +ready to be lowered, while the four ship's surgeons stood by, ready to +be taken to the helpless Dutchman. + +"Bad boiler-room accident," exclaimed one of the European passengers, +who had learnt the news from a Japanese petty-officer. + +"Boiler accident be hanged!" ejaculated Denbigh, excitedly. "We're +done in, you fellows. That vessel's no Dutchman." + +As if in confirmation of the Sub's announcement the tricolour of +Holland was smartly lowered, its place being taken by that shame-faced +and palpable imitation of the good old British White Ensign--the Black +Cross of Germany. Simultaneously portions of the vessel's plating +swung outboard, revealing a battery of six fifteen-centimetre Krupp +guns. + +"_Nichi Maru_, ahoy!" shouted a guttural voice in English, for the two +vessels were now within megaphone-hailing distance. "Surrender +instantly, or we send you to the bottom." + +There was a pause, while the officer who had shouted the message was +being prompted. + +"Make no attempt to use your wireless," he continued. "That will not +save you. It will make things very bad for you. Stand by to receive a +prize crew." + +Although completely surprised by the dramatic turn of events, both the +crew and passengers of the _Nichi Maru_ remained perfectly calm. The +captain, a descendant of the knightly Samurai of Old Japan, was on the +point of ordering full speed ahead, with the object of ramming the +perfidious vessel and sending both ships to a common destruction; but +the knowledge that the safety of nearly a thousand non-combatants, many +of them women and children, would be in dire peril through such an act +compelled him to submit to the inevitable. + +Humanity, not fear, had conquered the courteous and lion-hearted yellow +skipper. + +Boats were lowered from the German auxiliary cruiser--for such she +undoubtedly was. Into them clambered a number of motley-garbed men +armed with rifles and automatic pistols. But for their modern weapons +the boat's crew might have come from the deck of an Eighteenth-Century +buccaneering craft. + +"I say, you fellows," said O'Hara, "I'm off below." + +"What for?" asked his companions in surprise. Not for one moment did +they imagine that the Irishman was showing the white feather, but at +the same time they were mystified by his announcement. + +"To get into uniform," he replied. "Those skunks won't find me in +mufti." + +"Right oh!" declared Denbigh. "We'll slip into ours, too." + +In a few minutes the chums had changed into their naval uniforms. By +the time they regained the promenade deck the Germans were in +possession of the ship. + +A fat ober-leutnant, backed up by half a dozen armed seamen, held the +bridge, the Japanese captain and deck officers being compelled to +retire to the chart-room. A couple of arrogant unter-leutnants with +much sabre-rattling, were herding the European male passengers on the +port side of the promenade deck. The Japanese passengers they drove +forward with every insulting expression they could make use of. It was +the German officers' idea of revenge, for the fall of Kiau Chau, where +the boasted Teutonic fortress had succumbed to Oriental valour, rankled +in the breasts of the subjects of the All-Highest War Lord. + +Two German officers, apparently of the Accountant branch, had possessed +themselves of the passenger list of the captured vessel, and were +proceeding to call the names it contained. Each person on hearing his +name had to step forward. "Denbigh, Frank," exclaimed one of the +officers. Denbigh, standing erect, faced his captors. "Ah! Englander +officer, hein?" queried the Teuton insolently. "Goot! More to say +soon. Step there over, quick." + +The Sub obeyed. He realized that at times even passive resistance was +indiscreet. + +"Stirling, Charles," continued the German. "Ach, yet anoder Englander. +Unter-leutnant? Goot, a goot capture of Englanders we haf." + +"I'm a Scot--not an Englishman," protested Stirling. + +"No matter. The one is as bad as odder, if nod worse. Over dere," and +he pointed to the place where Denbigh was standing. + +"We're marked down for something, old man," whispered Denbigh. + +"Yes, but listen. They're tackling O'Hara now." + +Sub-lieutenant O'Hara faced his inquisitor with a broad smile on his +face. The Germans could not understand why a man should look pleasant +in time of adversity. + +"Irish? Ach, goot!" declared the Teuton. "Der Irish not like +Englischmans. When we Germans take London, Ireland free country will +be." + +"You haven't got to London yet," remarked O'Hara with the perplexing +smile still on his lips. + +"Already our Zeppelins hab there been. It is matter of time. Ach? +Brussels, Warsaw, Bukharest, Cettigne--five capitals--all conquered." + +"How about Paris?" enquired O'Hara. "To say nothing of Calais. And +who commands the sea? You Germans haven't a vessel afloat outside your +own territorial waters." + +"Vot is dis?" asked the Teuton, pointing to the armed liner. His voice +rose to a crescendo of triumph. + +O'Hara was temporarily non-plussed. Evidently something was at fault +somewhere. How could a large vessel like that evade the strong cordon +of British warships? + +"You're at the end of your tether, old sport," he said after a brief +hesitation. "That ship will be at the bottom before another +twenty-four hours." + +"You tink so?" almost howled the exasperated German. "You vill see. +If she sink, den you sink mit her. Over dere." + +O'Hara rejoined his chums. A couple of armed seamen mounted guard over +them while the work of investigation and pillage continued. + +"We're marked down as hostages," began the Irishman; but one of the +seamen, bringing the butt end of his rifle down on the deck within a +couple of inches of O'Hara's toes, rendered unnecessary the guttural +"Verboten" that accompanied the action. + +In silence the three Subs watched the proceedings. Under the orders of +their captors the Japanese seamen were compelled to transfer bullion +stores from the _Nichi Maru_ into the boats. German seamen brought +charges of explosives and placed them below. It was apparent that the +destruction of the captured vessel was already decided. + +At length all preparations were completed. One of the _Nichi Maru's_ +officers, acting under the authority of the ober-leutnant gave the +order--first in Japanese and then in English--to abandon the ship. + +"Fifteen minutes only are allowed. Boats to be provisioned and manned. +No personal property is to be taken. Women and children first." + +The Japanese captain was expostulating, firmly and in a dignified +manner. He pointed out the inhumanity of sending women and children +adrift in mid-Atlantic and under a tropical sun. His protests were in +vain. + +"We will send a small vessel to pick up the boats," retorted the German +lieutenant. "We will not sink a small one purposely. A little +discomfort will do these English good. You yellow apes are used to it." + +The Japanese accepted the direct insult without signs of emotion. The +disguise of his feelings was a national trait, but it would have gone +hard with the arrogant Prussian had the captain of the _Nichi Maru_ not +been hampered with a crowd of non-combatants. + +"Now, Englishmen," exclaimed the German. "Into that boat. Any trouble +make and you dead men. Ach! You smile now: your trouble it only has +just commenced." + + + + +CHAPTER II + +The Last of the _Nichi Maru_ + +In silence the three Subs left the doomed _Nichi Maru_ and entered the +waiting boat. At the word of command the men pushed off and rowed +towards the modern pirate. + +The disguised vessel had now swung round and was lying motionless at a +distance of two cables' length from her prize. The hull was painted a +light yellow, with a broad black band. Her funnels were buff with +black tops. On her stern were the words, _Zwaan_--Rotterdam. + +"She's no more the _Zwaan_ of Rotterdam than I am," cogitated Denbigh. + +He was right in his surmise. The vessel was originally the +_Pelikan_--a supplementary Hamburg-Amerika Line boat. On the outbreak +of the war she was homeward bound from South America, with, as was the +case with all liners flying the German flag, an armament of +quick-firers stowed away in her hold. + +Unfortunately for Kaiser Wilhelm's plans the abrupt entry of Great +Britain into the arena of war had nipped in the bud the activities of +German commerce raiders. A few ran amok until promptly rounded up and +settled by the ubiquitous British cruisers. Others fled for neutral +ports. Amongst them was the _Pelikan_, whose captain, with +considerable astuteness, contrived to make for a harbour belonging to +an obscure South American Republic. + +Before doing so he had fallen in with the light cruiser _Karlsruhe_--a +craft doomed shortly afterwards to end her career at the hands of her +own crew rather than face an action that would end either in +destruction or ignominious capture--and from her received a number of +additional officers and men. + +For a twelvemonth or more the _Pelikan_ lay hidden. Lavish sums +expended in bribery sealed the mouths of the grasping officials of the +port, in addition to procuring coal and stores to enable the German +vessel to put to sea whenever an opportunity offered. + +At length the chance came. Acting under wireless orders from Berlin +the _Pelikan_ was to make a dash for the Atlantic, do as much damage as +she possibly could to shipping of the Allies, and finally attempt to +reach Dar es Salaam, the principal port of German East Africa. Here, +should she succeed in evading the British patrols, she was to transfer +her crew, armament, and munitions to shore to assist the land forces of +the Colony against a threatened advance from Rhodesia. + +Accordingly the _Pelikan_ became the _Zwaan_. Disguised by a different +colour paint and supplied with forged ship's papers she easily evaded +the lax authority of the neutral port and made for the open sea. + +A course was shaped to cut the Dutch East Indies liners' route in the +latitude of Cape Verde. Then, following in a parallel direction, the +track usually taken by the vessels she was impersonating, the pseudo +_Zwaan_ headed due south. + +Kapitan von Riesser, her commanding officer, was a resourceful and +crafty Hun. He was steeped in the doctrine of "frightfulness", but in +the present instance there were limits. + +Had he been the commander of a U boat he would not have hesitated to +send the _Nichi Maru_ to the bottom without warning, for a German +submarine could strike a fatal blow and not show herself during the +attack. The _Pelikan_---to revert to her original name--was not +capable of emulating the methods of German unterseebooten without risk +of subsequent capture. And as the possibility of being taken by a +British warship always loomed upon von Riesser's mental horizon, he was +determined to tread warily. + +The fear of reprisals alone kept him within the bounds of discretion as +laid down by up-to-date rules of warfare. He might sink any +merchant-vessel that fell into his clutches, provided he gave the +passengers and crew time to take to their boats. + +Three days before sighting the _Nichi Maru_ the _Pelikan_ had been +stopped and examined by a British cruiser. The boarding-officer knew +neither German nor Dutch, and conversation had to be conducted in +English. The ship's papers were apparently in order. The British +lieutenant failed to pay sufficient attention to the bulky deck-gear +that concealed the raider's quick-firers; nor did he discover that, +hidden between double bulkheads abaft the engine-room, two +torpedo-tubes, removed from the _Karlsruhe_, were ready for instant use +should occasion arise. + +The cruiser had, indeed, a very narrow escape of sharing the fate of a +British battleship that was torpedoed in the Channel on a dark and +stormy night, the deadly missile being launched from a vessel sailing +under the Dutch flag. Only Kapitan von Riesser's doubts as to the +immediate success of a torpedo attack prevented him putting his +treacherous design into effect. A stricken cruiser, he knew, could use +her guns with tremendous results, and he had no wish to lay down his +life for the Fatherland while an easier course lay open to him. +Accordingly the boarding officer, with many apologies for having +detained a neutral vessel, returned to the cruiser, which immediately +steamed northwards, while the _Pelikan_ proceeded on her course. + +Having assumed that the British cruiser was well out of her way, the +raider began to send out wireless calls, limiting the radius of action +to about fifty miles. She did not call in vain, for the _Nichi Maru_, +picking up the appeal for aid, hastened to the _Pelikan's_ assistance +and, all unsuspecting, fell a victim to her captor. + +During the "round-up" of the passengers, Kapitan von Riesser had been +informed by signal of the presence of three British naval officers on +board the _Nichi Maru_, and instructions were asked as to their +disposal. + +The kapitan resolved the problem in his mind. He could not murder the +prisoners without the news being conveyed by the rest of the passengers +of the Japanese liner. If they were brought on board the _Pelikan_, +they would be a source of danger should the ship again be overhauled by +a patrolling cruiser, unless---- + +He consulted the ship's surgeon. Apparently the latter's advice was +satisfactory. In addition, should the _Pelikan_ arrive at Dar es +Salaam with three British naval officers on board as prisoners, well +and good. If, on the other hand, the vessel were captured on the high +seas, the prisoners would no doubt be willing to testify to the fact +that Kapitan von Riesser had committed no unpardonable breach of the +usages of war. From which it will be seen that von Riesser was always +considering how to save his own skin in the event of capture. + +"Up--at once!" ordered the unter-leutnant as the boat containing +Denbigh and his companions ran alongside the lowered +accommodation-ladder of the _Pelikan_. The German did not hesitate to +show his arrogance; but he was severely snubbed by his kapitan. + +"I must apologize, gentlemen," began von Riesser in good English as the +British officers came over the side. "My subordinate, Herr Klick, has +allowed his zeal to outrun his discretion. It is necessary for me to +detain you. I know you will bow to the inevitable and recognize that +it is the fortune of war. I will speak to you again shortly!" + +The kapitan hurried off, leaving Denbigh and his fellow-prisoners +standing close to the head of the accommodation-ladder. Beyond the +fact that a sentry stood within ten feet of them, no attempt was made +to place them under restraint. They were free to speak, and to watch +the scene that was being enacted a few hundred yards from the vessel to +which they had been removed. + +The _Nichi Maru_ was lowering her boats rapidly yet with admirable +discipline. Without accident the heavy lifeboats with their human +freights took the water. As soon as the falls were cast off, the crews +rowed to a safe distance, where they lay on their oars and awaited the +end of the huge liner. + +With some minutes to spare, the work of abandoning the vessel was +completed. The captain was the last to leave, the imperturbable look +upon his olive features masking the rage and grief that gripped his +mind. + +The two German boats still lay alongside. Presently half a dozen +Teutons hurriedly scrambled into the waiting craft, which without delay +were rowed quickly toward the _Pelikan_. + +Three muffled reports came almost simultaneously from the interior of +the doomed liner. These were followed by two more at comparatively +long intervals. The _Nichi Maru_ heeled slightly, and began to settle +slowly by the bows. + +The ship took her time. The wreaths of fleecy steam mingled with +denser columns of smoke that issued from 'tween decks. Then, as the in +rushing water came in contact with the furnaces, the vessel was +enveloped in a cloud of eddying pungent fumes. + +When the cloud dispersed, the _Nichi Maru's_ bows were level with the +water, while her stern was raised until the blades of her now +motionless propellers were clear of the agitated sea. + +Lower and lower sank the doomed ship. At frequent intervals, small +explosions of compressed air took place. The sea was strewn with +fragments of floating wreckage. + +"She's going!" whispered Stirling. + +The liner recovered herself. For a moment it seemed as if she were +floating on an even keel. Then, with a convulsive effort, she flung +her stern high out of the water and slid rapidly to her ocean grave. +Almost the last to be seen of her was the mercantile flag of Japan, +still floating proudly from the ensign staff. + +In the liner's crowded boats the Japanese officers were standing erect +and at the salute as the vessel disappeared from view. They, too, were +of a breed that is not to be intimidated by Teutonic frightfulness. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +On Board the Raider + +"I wish to call attention to the fact, gentlemen, that we acted in +strict accordance with the rights of belligerents," remarked Kapitan +von Riesser. + +The _Pelikan's_ captain was seated in his cabin. On either side of him +stood von Langer, the ober-leutnant who had been in charge of the +boarding-party, and Unter-leutnant Kaspar Klick. Facing him stood +Denbigh, Stirling, and O'Hara. + +"I am afraid we cannot agree with you," replied Denbigh. + +"Possibly not," retorted von Riesser, "but on what grounds?" + +"It is hardly a humane act to turn those people adrift in open boats," +continued the Sub. + +"What else could I do? Surely you would not expect us to receive a +thousand people on board this ship? They will be picked up, without +doubt, within a few hours." + +"Perhaps," declared Denbigh. "But there is always a risk. Your action +in sinking that ship is unjustifiable. I am not here to argue the +point, but I will merely state a case in which one of your captains did +not think it advisable to go to the lengths you did. When, in the +early part of the war, the _Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse_ compelled the +British liners _Galicia_ and _Arlanza_ to heave-to, these ships were +subsequently allowed to proceed----" + +"Yes, but at that time you English were not attempting to starve us out +by a blockade," interrupted the kapitan excitedly, as men do when +cornered in argument. + +Denbigh shrugged his shoulders. He had made his protest and had scored +a point. + +"We have done with the past," continued von Riesser. "My object in +sending for you is to explain your position. You are, of course, +prisoners of war. It is my intention to accord you treatment as your +rank demands. In ordinary circumstances you are at liberty to leave +your cabins and come on deck whenever you wish during hours of +daylight. There may be times when it will be necessary for you to be +locked in--perhaps taken below. But, understand: if you attempt to +jeopardize the safety of the ship, or to communicate with any passing +vessel, or, in short, to behave other than officers on parole----" + +"But we are not on parole," interrupted O'Hara. + +"It matters not," declared the kapitan. "If I choose to consider that +you are equivalent to being on parole that is my affair. If, then, you +break any of the conditions I have mentioned you will be tried by a +properly constituted court consisting of officers of the ship, and if +found guilty you will be shot. Is that perfectly clear?" + +The three prisoners signified their assent. After all, the German's +stipulations were reasonable. + +Von Riesser turned and conversed for a few minutes with his +ober-leutnant. O'Hara, being ignorant of German, and Stirling having +but a slight knowledge of the language, were unable to understand the +drift of the conversation. Denbigh, on the other hand, was a fluent +linguist, but he had already decided to keep that knowledge from his +captors. + +Presently Kapitan von Riesser produced a British Navy List. Somewhat +to the British officers' surprise they noticed that it was dated "April +1916", or more than a twelvemonth since the last list had been +obtainable by the public. + +"You have qualified as an interpreter, I see," remarked von Riesser. +"For what languages?" + +"Hindustani, Swahili, and Arabic," replied Denbigh promptly. He did +not think it necessary to add that German was amongst his +qualifications, and he thanked his lucky stars that the recent Navy +Lists do not specify the language in which officer-interpreters are +expert. + +"You are evidently considered a promising young officer," continued the +kapitan. He could not refrain from adding, with a thinly-veiled sneer, +"I am afraid your services will be lost to the English Admiralty for +some time to come." + +"Perhaps," drawled Denbigh, with such well-feigned indifference that +von Riesser glanced keenly at the young officer's clear-cut features. + +Having subjected Stirling and O'Hara to an examination--in which the +Irishman scored more than once by his smart repartees--the prisoners +were dismissed. + +The first meal on board the raider was served in the cabin allotted +them. Judging by the nature of the repast provisions were neither +scarce nor unvaried. Having finished, they went on deck. No one +offered to interfere with them. The seamen affected to ignore them. +Once Unter-leutnant Kaspar Klick passed, and gave them such a look that +O'Hara afterwards remarked he would like to have a quiet five minutes +with the German. + +"I wonder they haven't searched us," said Stirling in a low voice. +"Now I wish I had put my small revolver into my coat pocket. I thought +it would have been too risky." + +"For the same reason I practically emptied my pockets before we left +the _Nichi Maru_," declared Denbigh. + +"And so did I," added O'Hara, "but I took jolly good care to hide that +little automatic pistol--you know the one: I collared it from a German +officer in that little scrap at Herbertshoehe." + +"For goodness sake be careful," protested the cautious and level-headed +Scot. + +"I'll try to be," replied O'Hara non-committedly. + +"Where is the pistol?" asked Denbigh. + +"Inside the lining of my cap," replied the Irishman. "Can you see any +sign of a bulge under the cap-cover?" + +"Not a trace," declared Denbigh. "Only, old man, remember you are +rather hot-headed. Let's hope there won't be a premature explosion." + +"There won't," said O'Hara emphatically. "Because I've no cartridges." + +"That's something to be thankful for," remarked Stirling. "But what, +might I ask, is the use of an automatic pistol, if you haven't any +cartridges?" + +"You never know your luck," replied O'Hara. "I may manage to pick up +some on board. Whist!" + +Von Langer, the fat ober-leutnant who had been in charge of the +boarding-party, was approaching. + +Possibly at a hint from his chief he had dropped his overbearing +manner, for he addressed the prisoners in a mild tone. + +"It is nearly sunset," he remarked. "You vos go below. I am sorry to +tell you dis, but dese are orders. Wir mussen vorsichtig zu Werke +gehen." + +Denbigh gave no sign that he understood. Von Langer had hoped to trip +the Englishman, but he had failed. + +"What was that Johnny spouting about?" asked Stirling, when the three +chums had retired to the cabin. + +"That they had to be very careful," replied Denbigh. "That I don't +doubt. I'll give them a week at the very outside. If we are not free +men then, I reckon we're booked to Davy Jones his locker." + +The cabin was plainly furnished. An electric light was burning, but +the porthole had been previously closed and locked. Overhead an +electric fan was buzzing, while fresh air was admitted by means of +ventilation pipes communicating with the open air. + +"We might do worse," remarked O'Hara as he proceeded to undress. "The +rotten part of it is, we can't see what's going on outside. The +beggars have cooped us up pretty well." + +"They are evidently busy," said Stirling, as the bustling of some +hundreds of men was plainly audible above the hum of the fan. "Perhaps +they do the worst of their dirty work during the hours of darkness." + +The three officers proceeded to make an examination of their quarters. +The walls were of pitch-pine, but upon O'Hara sacrificing one of his +razors, it was found that the woodwork merely formed a casing to a thin +steel bulkhead. The ceiling, too, was of steel, coated with a patent +cement to preserve the metal and to prevent "sweating". The door was +of steel, and was fitted with a "jalousie" or latticed shutter; but +their captors had taken the precaution of bolting a solid metal plate +over the opening. + +"Not much chance for anyone who happens to be a somnambulist," said +Denbigh. "Well, it's no use kicking against the pricks when you're +barefooted. I'm going to turn in. By Jove, I do feel horribly sleepy." + +"And so do I," added Stirling, unable to stifle a terrific yawn. + +"I believe I'm asleep already," muttered O'Hara drowsily. + +A moment later the three chums were lost in oblivion. An opiate +secretly administered by the doctor had been mixed with their food. So +soundly did they sleep that they were unaware of a terrific crash that +took place during the middle watch--the explosion of a torpedo launched +from the supposed Dutch liner at a large French vessel. + +Von Riesser had risked an example of frightfulness. The huge, +heavily-charged missile--powerful enough to sink the largest battleship +afloat within a couple of hours from the moment of impact--had +literally torn to pieces the lightly-built hull of its victim. Before +the luckless passengers and crew rushed for the boats--and these were +for the most part shattered--the French craft sunk like a stone. + +It was not until the sun was almost overhead that Pat O'Hara awoke. +The deadlight of the porthole had been unshipped and the cabin was +flooded with dazzling sunlight. + +He sat up in his bunk. His head seemed to be splitting. Everything in +view was slowly moving to and fro with a semicircular motion. + +"What the deuce have I been up to?" he soliloquized. "Where was I last +night? By Jove, I must have had another touch of that rotten malaria." + +Presently the erratic movements of his surroundings quieted down. He +became aware that Denbigh and Stirling, lying in their bunks on the +other side of the cabin, were still sleeping and breathing stertorously. + +"Now how in the name of goodness did those fellows get into my cabin?" +asked the puzzled Irishman, for he was under the impression that he was +on board the _Nichi Maru_. "Has someone been having a rag?" + +From the alley-way came the sound of voices. He listened. The +speakers were making use of a foreign language. It was not the soft, +pleasing Japanese tongue--something harsh and guttural. + +"German!" ejaculated O'Hara. "By my blessed namesake I remember it all +now." + +He leapt from his bunk and, crossing the cabin, shook Denbigh by the +shoulders. The Sub's only reply was a grunt of semi-conscious +expostulation. O'Hara turned his attentions to the Scot. + +"Fore!" muttered Stirling, engrossed in the joys of a round of golf in +dreamland. + +"More like twelve, be jabbers," retorted O'Hara. "The sun's well over +the fore-yard. Show a leg and shine, you lazy bounder." + +The discipline imbued in the old Dartmouth College was too strong to +resist the nautical invitation to get up. Stirling rolled from his +bunk--fortunately it was the underneath one--and subsided heavily upon +the floor. + +"Pull yourself together, man," counselled O'Hara. "Those rotten Huns +have been hocussing our grub." + +"If they have, they have," muttered the imperturbable Stirling. +"That's no reason why you should bellow into my ear like a +ninety-thousand horse-power siren." + +Leaving the Sub huddled upon the floor O'Hara proceeded to dress. + +Suddenly he exclaimed: + +"The dirty spalpeens! They've been to my pockets while I was asleep." + +This announcement literally electrified his companion, for Stirling +remembered that he had over twenty pounds in Australian sovereigns in +his purse. Alas! The gold had vanished. + +"Your pistol?" asked Stirling. + +The Irishman whipped his uniform cap from a hat-peg. + +"It's there," he reported. "And might you be wanting it to let +daylight into the fellow who collared your cash?" + +"Not much use without cartridges," replied Stirling savagely. "It +might have got us into hot water if they had found it. Better pitch it +through the port-hole, old man, before it lands you in queer street." + +"No fear," declared O'Hara. "It may come in handy some day." + +Some time elapsed before the two men were able to rouse Denbigh from +his stupor. He, too, discovered that a small amount of gold that he +happened to have on him at the time of the capture of the _Nichi Maru_ +had been taken from him. Some silver and a few Japanese coins had been +left. + +"We've been drugged right enough," said Denbigh. "I wonder why? +There's some underhand game afoot during the hours of darkness. +To-night we'll do without wine at dinner, and see how that acts." + +Having completed their toilet the three Subs left the cabin, for the +door was now unlocked and the metal covering to the jalousie removed. +Without stood a seaman on sentry duty. He drew himself up stiffly as +the British officers passed, but made no salute, nor did he attempt to +bar their progress. + +At the foot of the companion-ladder a petty-officer stopped them. + +"Breakfast awaits you in this cabin," he said in German. Neither +Stirling nor O'Hara understood, while Denbigh was sufficiently on his +guard to feign ignorance of the nature of the announcement. + +"Der vos a meal for you in dere," announced von Langer, stepping from +behind the shaft of a ventilator. + +"Thank you!" replied the three Subs in unison. + +"But it's nearly lunch time, isn't it?" added O'Hara. + +"Dey vos tell me der Englische are very fond of sleep," retorted von +Langer with a laugh. "Himmel! I tink dot is very true." + +The meal over, the prisoners went on deck. Out of curiosity Denbigh +walked to the rail and leant over the side. He was not surprised at +what he saw. The ship's sides had been painted during the night. The +black band still remained, but the yellow paint had been replaced with +a coat of blue. Already the tropical sun was blistering the still wet +paint, revealing patches of the original hue underneath. The funnels, +too, had been redecorated. They were now red with black tops. + +Some minutes later Kapitan von Riesser descended from the bridge and +walked aft. Seeing the British officer he crossed the deck. + +"You like our new colour scheme?" he asked. + +Denbigh did not reply to the question. He asked another. + +"Mr. Stirling and I both lost some gold during the night. Our cabin +was entered while we were asleep and the money taken from our pockets. +Was the--er--theft committed at your instigation?" + +For a moment von Riesser hesitated. + +"There was no theft," he replied. "The gold was taken from you +prisoners----" + +"Contrary to----" began Stirling hotly. + +"In accordance with my instructions," continued the Kapitan. "Gold is +of no use to you. Instead, you will be furnished with Notes to its +equivalent as soon as we arrive." + +"You may as well get your purser to write out a receipt," said O'Hara. +"It will come in handy when the _Zwaan_--if that's her proper name--is +captured." + +Von Riesser laughed boisterously. + +"Captured?" he repeated. "Ach! I don't think there is much danger +now. South of the Line there is not a solitary British cruiser that +can touch us in speed. There are plenty of them, I admit, but that is +your English all over. Three swift vessels would be worth all your +East India fleet put together, yet you pack highly-trained crews into +slow and out-of-date tubs." + +"Possibly the captain of the _Emden_ thought the same as you do," +remarked Stirling. + +"Mueller had difficulties that I have not," replied von Riesser. "He +was known to be in the Indian Ocean and swift cruisers were dispatched +from England and Australia to hunt for him. Our presence on the High +Seas will not be known to your Admiralty until it is too late. So, +gentlemen, I must ask you to seriously consider the possibility of +finding yourselves prisoners of war in our well-defended Colony of +German East Africa." + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +Threatened + +That night, according to their pre-arranged plans, the captive +sub-lieutenants avoided taking any of the wines that were placed before +them. + +They dined alone in a small cabin placed at least fifty feet from their +sleeping quarters. + +As it was now after sunset the porthole was closed and locked. The +door, too, was shut, but not secured. Outside, a sentry paced to and +fro. + +"Look here, you fellows!" exclaimed Denbigh after the man deputed to +attend to their needs had gone. "It's all very well knocking off the +fizz, but they'll notice we haven't drunk any." + +"Pour it into the grate," suggested Pat O'Hara recklessly. + +Denbigh shook his head. + +"Won't do," he objected, giving a glance in the direction of the small +"bogie" stove. "I suppose there isn't any possibility of prizing open +the port-lid?" + +"You'd be spotted even if you could. There are plenty of men on deck," +said O'Hara, glad of the opportunity of countering Denbigh's objection +with another. "Come along, old bird; what do you suggest?" + +Stirling, to whom the invitation was addressed, thrust his hand into +the breast pocket of his coat. + +"What would you do if I weren't here to look after you?" he enquired, +at the same time producing three sponges. "I took them from our cabin." + +"For dessert?" queried O'Hara, lifting his eyebrows in surprise. + +"Yes, if you are a goat," said Stirling with asperity. "Goats are, I +believe, rather partial to this sort of tack." + +Coolly the Scot poured out a wineglassful of sherry--it was from the +same decanter that they had taken some the previous evening--and slowly +spilt the liquid on the sponge. + +"Fill your glass first," cautioned Stirling. "Then they'll think we +have had some of the poisonous stuff. Slip your sponge into your +pocket, Denbigh. Don't squeeze it. I am presuming you'll want it +again later. Of course if Pat wishes, he can chew his." + +Dinner over, the chums retired to their sleeping cabin. In fact they +had no option, since they were forbidden to go on deck after sunset. +Here they talked and looked at the illustrations of some old Spanish +newspapers until lights out; then, turning in, they lay awake awaiting +possible developments. Eight bells struck. The _Pelikan_ was no +longer moving through the water. Outside the cabin men were talking. +Springing from his bunk Denbigh approached the door, putting his ear to +the covered jalousie. + +"I suppose those English swine are sound asleep," said a voice which +the sub recognized as that of Kapitan von Riesser. "I cannot hear them +grunting--we did last night." + +"Nor can I, sir," replied Unter-leutnant Klick, who as officer of the +watch was accompanying the captain on his rounds. "But they must be. +They went for that doctored sherry like fishes." + +"Himmel! That is good news," exclaimed von Riesser. "It will be quite +safe to settle that vessel. When she first answered our call she was +only forty kilometres away. In twenty minutes----" + +The listener fancied he could hear the kapitan rubbing his hands with +glee. + +"It is much the better way," continued von Riesser: "'Lost with all +hands' is quite a plausible theory. I am almost sorry we didn't wait +until night when we tackled the Japanese ship. We run a good risk of +being made a quarry for a dozen or more of those accursed cruisers. +Those English may even send some swift destroyers on our track. You +are sure those fellows are quite insensible?" + +"As quiet as the grave, sir," assured the unter-leutnant. "They will +hear nothing. Even that terrific explosion when our torpedo took the +Frenchman by surprise never disturbed them. But, of course, sir, I'll +make doubly sure. We'll squirt some chloroform into the cabin." + +"Then be sharp about it," said von Riesser. "There's no time to be +lost. That English vessel ought to be in sight within the next quarter +of an hour." + +The German officer moved away. In a trice Denbigh communicated the +news to his companions. + +"Oh for a respirator!" whispered O'Hara. + +"Don't worry," said Stirling. "The electric fan will carry off the +fumes as quickly as they pump them in." + +Even as he spoke the fan ceased to revolve. The current actuating the +ventilating gear had been switched off. Already Unter-leutnant Klick +was putting his scheme into effect. + +"Those voice tubes," hissed Denbigh. + +"They lead nowhere," protested Stirling. "They are blocked. I tried +them some time ago." + +The cabin had previously been used as the purser's office, and from it +voice-tubes had communicated with the captain's cabin, the head +steward's quarters, and the clerk's office. The metal pipes had been +removed, but three lengths of flexible tubing had been left. + +With a sharp tug Denbigh wrenched one of the tubes from the flange +securing it to the bulkhead. The second gave more trouble. As he was +straining at it a sharp rasping sound fell upon his ear. In the +adjoining cabin someone was at work drilling a hole through the metal +partition. + +Smearing the bell-shaped mouth-pieces of two of the detached pipes with +soap from the wash-basin, Denbigh clapped them together. + +"Hold on here, Pat," he whispered. "Press 'em tightly." + +O'Hara obeyed unhesitatingly. Instinctively he realized that this was +Denbigh's pigeon, and once Denbigh undertook a task he was pretty +certain of the result. + +Stirling was then told to hold one end of the second and third +sections. The united length of tubing was now nearly nine feet. One +end Denbigh wedged into the opening in the ceiling for the electric +fan. The other he held in his hand in readiness. + +At length, after a tedious wait, Denbigh saw the tip of the drill +emerging from the bulkhead. Marking the spot he instantly switched off +the light. A dull thud announced that the boring tool had made a +complete perforation and that the handle had struck home against the +steelwork. + +The drill was withdrawn. In its place a small metal tube was inserted. +Deftly and noiselessly Denbigh slipped the lower end of the flexible +piping over the projecting nozzle. Then he waited. He could hear the +Irishman breathing heavily. The portion of the tube that he was +holding quivered in his excitable grasp. Stirling, cool and collected, +gave no sign of the potential alertness that possessed him. + +A gentle hissing sound, repeated at short intervals, announced that the +Germans were injecting the stupefying fumes by means of a bellows. A +faint, sickly odour assailed Denbigh's nostrils. He had to fight hard +to refrain from gasping. Grimly he stood by until the hissing noise +ceased. + +His plan had been successful. Save for a slight leakage the fumes had +travelled through the pipe and had been carried through the louvres of +the ventilator, while the hot air of the cabin was sufficient to create +an up-draught to disperse the noxious vapour. + +Denbigh removed his end of the tube. As he did so he heard a voice +exclaim: + +"It is enough. More will kill them. You had better enter the cabin, +Herr Doktor, and see that they are still breathing." + +The sub drew the piping from his companions' grasp. + +"Turn in and pretend you're insensible," he whispered, fearful lest the +sound should be heard through the newly-made hole in the bulkhead. + +It was less than five minutes later when the door was unlocked and a +dim figure cautiously entered. + +"Not half so bad as I expected," said a guttural voice. The smell of +the anaesthetic had almost dispersed. "Where is the switch?" + +"Here, Herr Doktor," replied a petty officer. + +The next instant the cabin was bathed in brilliant light. In spite of +their efforts to the contrary the three supposed sleepers twitched +their eyelids. + +The ship's surgeon bent over O'Hara. A short scrutiny confirmed his +suspicions. He turned to the bunk on which Stirling was lying, and, +lifting the sub's eyelid, placed the tip of his forefinger upon the +eyeball. + +"Ach, is it so?" ejaculated the German, for Stirling had been compelled +to contract his eyelids. + +A similar test bore the same result in Denbigh's case; then, without +another word, the doctor hurried from the cabin. + +"The old pillbox has tumbled to it," muttered Denbigh. "Now what will +their little game be?" + +The sub was not left long in doubt. Ober-leutnant von Langer, who had +followed the doctor into the cabin, made his presence known by bawling +out an order to half a dozen of the crew who were waiting without: + +"Come! Out mit you!" he exclaimed, addressing the sham sleepers. "It +is that I know your little pretend. Ach! you tink you smart?" + +Yet Denbigh and his companions kept still, half-hoping that the +doctor's test had not been successful and von Langer was trying his +hand. + +The ober-leutnant gave another order. Unceremoniously the three +British officers were hauled out of the bunks by the seamen, who seemed +to take a delight in roughly handling anyone of commissioned rank. +Perhaps, if von Langer did but know it, his men would have been only +too pleased to use him in the same way, for the ober-leutnant was a +Prussian and a Junker, while the crew were for the most part from +Schleswig-Holstein. + +With as much dignity as their dishevelled appearance would permit, +Denbigh and his companions allowed themselves to be taken on deck, +where they had to cool their heels at the pleasure of their captors. +It was a bright moonlight night. The air was decidedly chilly for the +Tropics. A heavy dew was falling. The lightly-clad men--for the +sub-lieutenants were in pyjamas--realized that there was a grave risk +of tropical fever. + +The ship was once more under way. With a true seaman's instinct +Denbigh glanced aloft. By the relative position of the moon--since no +stars were visible--he was able to fix the approximate course of the +vessel. She was steering roughly sou'-sou'-east. Far away to the +nor'ard a masthead lamp was blinking--calling in Morse to know why they +had been summoned. + +Denbigh gave a grunt of satisfaction. For once von Riesser's plan had +gone awry. He had feared to treacherously torpedo an unsuspecting +merchantman since there were hostile eye-witnesses on board the +_Pelikan_. + +Presently the kapitan, clad in a greatcoat over his white uniform, +appeared at the head of the bridge-ladder. + +"You there, von Langer?" he called. + +"Yes, sir," replied the ober-leutnant. "Shall I bring the prisoners to +you?" + +"No, I'll see them in my cabin," replied von Riesser. "Tell off a +couple of hands to guard the prisoners and another half-dozen to wait +outside in case there is any trouble. I'll be there in a few minutes." + +The kapitan's quarters were situated aft on the upper deck. They +comprised a large cabin, used for meals and recreation, and a sleeping +cabin opening from it. Denbigh and his companions were marched into +the outer cabin and told to take up a position facing von Riesser's +empty arm-chair and separated from it by a long mahogany table. + +The cabin was plainly furnished. In addition to the arm-chair and +table there were two sideboards, a large book-rack, and half a dozen +cane chairs. On the table lay a pile of Dutch charts. Books for +navigation and sailing directions in the same language occupied the +shelves in company with a few American novels. + +Everything German, with one exception, had been studiously eliminated, +in order to baffle the curiosity of a British boarding-officer in the +event of the supposed _Zwaan_ being held up. The exception was a large +oil painting of the Kaiser in the uniform of a German Admiral of the +Fleet. The portrait was framed in a massive oak frame securely fixed +to the bulkhead between the two cabins. The only other picture was a +sepia-toned photograph of the Queen of Holland, in a narrow, plain gilt +frame. When it became necessary to hide the features of the All +Highest War Lord from the eyes of the strafed English, who had +practically contrived to drive the War Lord's battleships from the face +of the five oceans, von Riesser took the risk of committing lese +majeste by placing the portrait of Queen Wilhelmina over that of the +Emperor Wilhelm II. Then, to all appearances, the captain's cabin of +the _Zwaan_ was loyally adorned by a photograph of the Queen of the +Netherlands in a deep oak frame with a thin gold slip. + +In the circumstances, however, it was not considered necessary to +eclipse the All Highest War Lord, so the three British subs found +themselves confronted by the painted features of the modern Attila. + +The door was thrown open. Von Langer and the two seamen clicked their +heels and saluted as von Riesser entered with the dramatic effect of +which Prussians are so fond. Gravely saluting the Emperor's portrait +and then returning his subordinates' mark of respect the kapitan took +his seat. + +"You know why you are here?" asked von Riesser abruptly, lowering his +brows and looking sternly at the three British officers. + +"We do not," replied Denbigh. "In fact, it is rather unusual to turn a +fellow out of his bunk at one in the morning." + +"Do not bandy words, Herr Denbigh," snapped the kapitan. "You have +been causing trouble." + +"Is it causing trouble to take steps to avoid being gassed or +chloroformed?" asked O'Hara. + +"Yes," almost shouted the kapitan. "If we think it desirable that our +prisoners should be put to sleep it is not for them to resist." + +"In that case there's no more to be said," declared the Irishman. "You +are top-dog----" + +"You call me a dog, you English swine!" almost howled the now +infuriated Prussian. + +O'Hara burst out into violent laughter. Denbigh smiled broadly, while +around Stirling's firm lips hovered the suspicion of a grim smile. +Their utter indifference to the ravings of their captor took von +Riesser by surprise. + +"I may as well tell you," began Denbigh, seizing his opportunity, "that +I can speak German perhaps as well as you can speak English. I +overheard your conversation outside our cabin an hour or so ago, and we +know what you proposed to do to the ship which you were luring. I +suppose you call those tactics frightfulness. I call them low-down, +skulking treachery. How a man who professes to be a sailor, who has +lived a free and healthy life upon the sea, could belittle himself to +act as you propose to do, and possibly have done, passes my +understanding. I give you fair warning, Kapitan von Riesser, that, +should we be set free by an English cruiser, you will have a grave +indictment to answer." + +Von Riesser did not reply for a few moments. He was greatly agitated. +Once or twice he glanced anxiously at his ober-leutnant, as if curious +to know whether von Langer understood Denbigh's words. + +Then he, too, laughed, but it was not a natural outburst of an +unburdened and evenly-balanced mind. + +"You threaten?" he asked. "Well, I can threaten also. Suppose I +decide to put into operation the principle of your worthy Prime +Minister? One of his maxims, oft quoted in the Press, is, I believe, +'Wait and see'?" + +"It ought to be particularly applicable in your case," rejoined Denbigh +coolly. + +"Ach! And in yours. What is to prevent me from ordering a weight to +be put about your neck and cast you into the sea? Weight and sea. +Himmel, that is great!" + +He roared at his own joke, while von Langer, although unable to +comprehend the significance, showed his servile approbation by laughing +in a minor key. + +"I don't think that it would make very much difference if you did," +replied Denbigh. "You see, the _Nichi Maru's_ people know that you +carried us off. Some day you will have to answer some rather searching +questions if you could not produce us." + +Again von Riesser pondered. He was beginning to feel horribly annoyed +with himself for having ever received the three British officers on +board the _Pelikan_. He was plunging deeper and deeper into the mire. +He lacked the determination to cut the Gordian Knot. + +By way of an excuse he scribbled a note and tossed it to von Langer. + +"Take that to the officer of the watch," he said carelessly. + +The ober-leutnant quitted the cabin. The two impassive seamen +remained. They, fortunately, knew no English, save a few catch phrases +picked up when lying in dock in that dim period before the War. + +"Suppose we cry quits," resumed von Riesser. "I am ready to apologize +for having exceeded my rights in dealing with you. After all there's +no great harm done. I'll admit I planned to trap yonder vessel. You +must have misunderstood me when I said that I had intended to torpedo +her. We use our torpedoes only in cases of extreme necessity. Are you +willing to forget this night?" + +"We would like to talk the matter over between ourselves," replied +Denbigh. "If you have no objection, we will give our reply at noon +to-morrow." + +"I agree," said von Riesser, with a meekness that quite surprised +Denbigh and his companions. He gave an order to the two seamen. They +turned and left the cabin. + +Two minutes later the British officers were back in their own quarters. +Time had been called after the first round, and the Prussian had not +come out top-dog. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +The Pursuit of the _Pelikan_ + +"One thing that puzzles me," remarked Stirling during the following +forenoon, "is why they didn't clap us below under hatches, instead of +trying to stupefy us. It would have been far less trouble." + +"I must say that I share your thoughts," said Denbigh. "These Germans +are no fools. They are pretty thorough in whatever they take up, +whether it's a diabolical scheme or otherwise. It might be that +there's something below that they don't want us to see, and rather than +run a risk in that direction, they prefer to lock us up in the cabin." + +"That's all very well," rejoined O'Hara. "But it won't wash. Old von +Langer let it out in the course of conversation that this ship has +already been examined by one of our cruisers." + +"Then perhaps the boarding-officer wasn't cute enough. It's a tribute +to our sagacity, old man," said Stirling. "However, time and events +will prove. By Jove, the fateful hour approaches! What will von +Riesser say to our decision?" + +At eight bells the three British officers were told to proceed to the +kapitan's cabin. This time von Riesser was alone. He looked flustered +and worried. + +"Sit down, gentlemen," he began. "You must look upon this as a private +and confidential chat. Now, to go straight to the point: are you +prepared, in the event of your being given honourable treatment and +allowed the greatest liberty possible, to maintain silence upon last +night's affair?" + +Denbigh, as spokesman, did not think it advisable to give a direct +reply. + +"Do you, on your part, promise to refrain from treacherous attacks upon +Allied merchantmen?" he asked. + +"I think I can give that guarantee," replied von Riesser. "If I do so, +will you write a certificate to the effect that, to the best of your +belief, I, as commander of the ship, am acting in accordance with the +present accepted rules of naval warfare? That, I think, will square +matters." + +"We cannot do that," declared Denbigh. "We are willing to give a +certificate to the effect that you acted with discretion." + +The kapitan smiled grimly. + +"There is a certain amount of latitude in that," he replied. "I +suppose you will then say nothing of last night's business." + +"Since we have no direct evidence of what you have done, we cannot very +well state a case," said Denbigh. "The thing is this: are you going to +torpedo any merchantmen without warning?" + +"No," replied von Riesser. + +"Very well. We have forgotten last night," declared Denbigh. "Should +occasion arise we will give you the required certificate." + +"And should occasion not arise," thought von Riesser, "I will make it +pretty hot for these young cubs. Once safely in port in our African +colony, I will show them what it means to thwart a Prussian officer." + +With these sentiments in his mind and a smile on his face the kapitan +dismissed his prisoners. + +During the afternoon there was a thick haze. It was impossible to +distinguish anything beyond a distance of about a mile from the ship. +Sea and sky were merged into an ill-defined blurr. The glass, too, was +falling rapidly. That and the presence of the mist betokened an +imminent change in the weather. + +Suddenly there was a rift in the curtain of vapour. At less than two +miles away on the _Pelikan's_ port bow were two vessels, one being in +tow of the other. + +The subs were quick to recognize the leading craft. She was a British +cruiser of the "Eclipse" class--a vessel of 5600 tons, and with a +nominal speed of 19 knots. But the craft in tow was a puzzle to them. +She was low-lying, with a raised superstructure amidships, one funnel, +and a tall mast fitted with a fire-control platform. From her for'ard +turret two huge guns, seemingly out of all proportion to the rest of +the ship, protruded. The muzzles, instead of being inclined upwards, +were depressed. Although Denbigh and his companions could not +distinguish details owing to the distance of the vessel, the German +officers, by means of their telescopes and binoculars, could see that +the muzzles of the guns were resting on large chocks bolted to the +deck, while the protruding part of the weapons were additionally +secured by stout hawsers. The mysterious craft was apparently +deserted. Everything was battened down, for the decks were swept by +the long Atlantic waves. + +"By Jove!" ejaculated O'Hara. "She must be one of our monitors. Now, +where is she off to, I should like to know? There's something in the +wind." + +[Illustration: "BY JOVE!" EJACULATED O'HARA, "SHE MUST BE ONE OF OUR +MONITORS."] + +Kapitan von Riesser could have answered the question. He stood on the +bridge, glasses glued to his face and rage in his heart. There could +be but one solution. The monitor was bound for the Indian Ocean, to +take part in the forthcoming operations against the Germans in East +Africa. + +"Donnerwetter!" muttered von Riesser. "These accursed English. They +may throw away their opportunities on land, but they know how to do +things at sea." + +"Shall I carry on, sir?" asked the officer of the watch. + +"No, port helm," ordered the kapitan. Then realizing that the carrying +out of this command might arouse the suspicions of the British cruiser, +he had the _Pelikan_ steadied on her helm. The course would bring her +within a mile of the cruiser and her tow. + +"The cheek!" exclaimed Stirling. "Old von Riesser's going to play a +game of bluff." + +"I vote we semaphore," suggested O'Hara impulsively. "We'd do the +trick before they could stop us." + +The Irishman, however, had no opportunity of putting his plan into +effect, for at that moment a petty-officer informed the subs that it +was the kapitan's pleasure they should go below. + +They found the port-hole closed and locked. Von Riesser was not a man +to take needless risks. + +A hoist of bunting fluttered from the cruiser's signal yard-arm. It +was a message in the International Code: "E C--what ship is that?" + +Promptly the Dutch ensign was hoisted, while simultaneously the +"number" of the real _Zwaan_ was made. + +From the cruiser came another signal. Von Riesser had no occasion to +consult the code-book. It was "I D--Heave-to, or I fire." + +"Hard a-port!" he shouted, and telegraphed for full speed ahead. + +Round swung the _Pelikan_, listing until five feet of her underbody +showed clear. Even as she did so a couple of 12-pounders spat +venomously, the shells passing perilously close to the towering hull. + +Down fluttered the Dutch ensign. The British cruiser ceased firing. +Ahead lay a bank of fog. + +Von Riesser knew that he was in a tight corner, and it was in tight +corners that the better qualities of the man showed themselves. For a +few moments he stood motionless. Every second the _Pelikan_ was +slipping farther and farther away from the cruiser, which, hampered by +her tow, was unable to stand in pursuit. Her skipper was somewhat +mystified. According to the rules of the game the _Pelikan_ had +struck, yet he knew that of necessity the immense bulk must carry +considerable way. + +The British cruiser had no doubts of the blue liner with the broad +black band, for the survivors of the _Nichi Maru_ had been picked up by +one of the patrolling vessels. Once more that mixed blessing, wireless +telegraphy, had been brought into service, and a description of the +raider sent far and wide. Already a number of light cruisers were on +their way from Simon's Bay to intercept the _Pelikan_, while the +blockading squadron off the east coast of Africa had been warned of the +likely attempt on the part of the fugitive to gain one of the +little-known and unfrequented rivers of the last of Germany's overseas +possessions. + +Von Riesser alternately kept glancing ahead and astern. The haze was +beginning to envelop the monitor and her escort. + +He shouted an order to a petty officer. The man doubled aft, bawling +as he ran. Then from the ensign staff fluttered the Black Cross of the +Imperial German Navy. + +The cruiser's reply was a salvo from her quick-firers. Two shells +struck home, one bursting on the poop and blowing the emblem of Germany +to atoms, besides causing considerable damage to the deck. A second +burst amidships, shattering a couple of ventilators, splintering one of +the boats, and destroying the greater portion of the bridge. Fragments +of metal and splinters of wood flew in all directions. Kapitan von +Riesser narrowly escaped being hit. As it was, one of his officers and +two seamen were killed outright, five others being seriously wounded, +while the kapitan was thrown to the deck by the concussion. + +For a few minutes the _Pelikan_ was enveloped in smoke and spray thrown +up by the shells that exploded on either side; but before the cruiser +could get in another effective shot the raider was lost in the mist. + +Von Riesser guessed, and rightly, that the cat was out of the bag, +otherwise the cruiser would not have hoisted that peremptory demand to +heave-to. He realized that his position was a hazardous one. +Thousands of miles from a friendly port, sought by perhaps a score of +British cruisers, and, moreover, running short of coal, the _Pelikan_ +stood a very small chance of dropping anchor in East African waters, +except as a prize. + +On the other hand, Fate, in the guise of the mist, had dealt kindly +with the _Pelikan_. For the rest of the day she steamed westward. +Down below the firemen toiled like Trojans, shovelling coal into the +glowing furnaces. On deck the crew worked hard, clearing away the +debris left by the British cruiser's shells. The wireless staff were +busy "jamming" the numerous messages thrown out from various vessels, +that were converging on the monitor and her escort for the purpose of +cutting off the audacious _Pelikan_. + +About an hour before sunset the mist cleared. The sea was still calm, +although high overhead the ragged and greasy clouds betokened the +approach of a southerly gale. The setting sun, a ball of bright +yellow, set in a pale greenish-yellow sky, threw its slanting rays +across the damaged bridge, almost blinding the look-out with its +brilliance. + +"Sail on the starboard bow," reported one of the watchers. + +Von Riesser, who had practically recovered from the shock of being +capsized by the explosion, had not left the bridge. He immediately +gave orders to starboard the helm. At the present juncture he would +not risk meeting even an unarmed tramp laden with military stores. + +The stranger was the British light cruiser _Actaeon_, of 3000 tons, and +with a speed of slightly over 20 knots. Pelting towards the scene of +the encounter between the _Pelikan_ and her foiled antagonist, the +_Actaeon_ was unwittingly approaching the fugitive. She, having the +advantage of the light, recognized the German liner almost before the +latter had noticed her presence. + +As the _Pelikan_ swung round, the _Actaeon_ followed suit, both vessels +being now on slightly converging courses and about six miles apart. It +was a question as to which of the two was the speediest ship--a +question, seemingly, that events only could prove. + +The sun set. The short period of tropical twilight gave place to +pitch-black night, for the moon, now two days after the full, had not +yet risen. + +On board the _Pelikan_ all lights that might be visible from outside +were extinguished, save for one white light shown aft. The pursuing +vessel displayed no lights, but her approximate position could be fixed +by means of the dull-red glow of the flames that issued from her three +funnels. + +"Do you think she's gaining, von Langer?" asked the kapitan anxiously, +after an interval of almost unbroken silence as far as the officers on +the _Pelikan's_ bridge were concerned. + +"I am not sure," replied the ober-leutnant. "We do not appear to be +gaining on her. It may be that we are just holding our own." + +"Unless we can shake her off completely before sunrise we stand little +chance," said von Riesser moodily. "We cannot stand up to her. Those +guns would send us to the bottom in a quarter of an hour, long before +we came within torpedo range." + +"If we had but a dozen mines, sir----" began Unter-leutnant Klick. + +"It is no use wishing for what we haven't got," snapped the kapitan. +"And what is more, yon English ship is taking good care not to follow +directly in our wake in case we were dropping mines." + +There was silence for some moments. Von Riesser was deep in thought, +his eyes fixed the while upon the lurid red tint on the horizon. + +"Ach!" he exclaimed. "I think I have it. Here, Herr Klick, see that +the motor launch is cleared ready for lowering." + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +The Decoy + +Wondering at the inexplicable nature of Kapitan von Riesser's order the +unter-leutnant hurried off. In a few minutes the sea-boat's crew, +drilled for such emergencies, had provisioned and watered the +twenty-five-foot motor-launch that hung in davits abreast of the +after-funnel. + +The securing chocks were removed, the falls manned, and the davits +swung outboard. + +"Motor-launch ready, sir!" reported the unter-leutnant. "Water and +provisions are on board, and a hundred litres of petrol." + +"I gave no orders for the boat to be victualled," exclaimed the +kapitan. "No matter: it will waste too much valuable time to remove +the stuff. Now, listen, Herr Klick. Everything depends upon the +strict carrying out of my instructions. Place two men on board the +launch--one to tend each of the lower blocks of the falls. Have ready +a white light. See that the helm is lashed. I will slow down the +ship, and turn her so that the launch will be slightly to leeward. At +the word, see that the motor is started and the light exhibited. Then +lower away smartly, and tell the men to hang on to the falls when they +are disengaged unless they want to be a target for the English cannon." + +"I understand, sir. You are using the boat as a decoy." + +"Precisely, Herr Klick. Now, be sharp. With a vessel pursuing us at a +rate equal to our utmost speed we cannot afford to lose precious +moments in lying-to." + + * * * * * + +"I say, you fellows, I think I'll go on deck and see what's doing," +announced Sub-lieutenant Stirling. + +His companions looked at him with feelings akin to amazement. + +"What the deuce are you babbling about, old man?" asked O'Hara. "You +know as well as we do that we are locked in." + +None of the three prisoners had any thought of turning in. They had +heard the crash of the British shells as the cruiser sought to wing the +German raider. In spite of the danger of being hit, and what was +infinitely worse, being drowned like rats in a trap in a foundering +vessel--since it was more than possible that the crew of the _Pelikan_ +would take no steps to liberate the captives--the subs were in high +spirits. They took it for granted that their release would be a matter +of a few minutes only, since the lightly-built _Pelikan_ would stand no +earthly chance against the vastly-superior ordnance of the pursuing +vessel. Then came a sudden cessation of the firing; yet the prisoners +knew by the thud of the engines that the German ship was still pelting +on her bid for safety. + +Hours passed. There was no doubt in the minds of the three men that +the _Pelikan_ was being hotly pursued. The pulsations of the engines +under forced draught was conclusive evidence on that point. The +captive officers sat and talked, drawing conclusions as to what was +taking place, until Stirling suddenly hurled a verbal bomb-shell by +announcing his intention of going on deck. + +"Don't be so rash with your assertions, Pat," replied Stirling in mock +reproof. "It is certainly true that we are locked in. It is also a +fact that I possess a very efficient screw-driver. I took the liberty +of annexing it, as one of the carpenter's crew has been guilty of +negligence. On board a British ship that screw-driver would, in the +usual course of routine, find itself in the scran-bag; but since I'm +not at all certain that such a visible cure for forgetfulness exists in +the German navy, I have and hold the article in question." + +"No need to brag about it, old man," said O'Hara. "You are not the +only light-fingered gentleman of our little coterie. As these Germans +had no compunction in entering the cabin and sneaking out hard-earned +cash, I repaid the compliment by entering one of the officer's cabins, +and this is what I annexed." + +He held up a dark-green paper packet containing a dozen rounds of +ammunition that fitted the automatic pistol. + +"Steady!" exclaimed Denbigh. "You're looking for trouble with that +thing, Pat. It's as dangerous as a shillelagh at Donnybrook Fair. And +what's the object in breaking out?" he continued, addressing Stirling, +who was fondling the screw-driver in anticipation. "If you're detected +there'll be a rumpus. I don't suppose you'll do any good, and if you +possess your soul in patience a little longer you'll be let out." + +"Hanged if I can," retorted Stirling. "I must have a look round. I +didn't ask you fellows to come. In fact, there's less risk for one +than three." + +"Have your own way, then," said Denbigh, who knew that when the Scot +once made up his mind there would be no turning aside. + +The lock was secured to the inside of the door. It was sufficient to +keep out intruders, but quite inadequate to resist the application of +the screwdriver. Working swiftly yet silently, Stirling removed the +brass staple. Only the pressure of his boot against the door kept it +shut. Cautiously he drew the door ajar. There was a light switched on +in the passage. At the far end of the alley-way was the sentry on the +aft-deck. The rest of the cabins were deserted, since the excitement +of the chase kept all officers on deck. Having, then, no fear of +detection the sentry was sitting on the lid of a chest, his face buried +in a book. + +"All clear," whispered Stirling. "S'long, you fellows. Expect me when +you see me." + +He gave another glance in the direction of the sentry. The man had not +stirred. Softly Stirling crept out and tiptoed along the passage in +the direction of the ladder leading to the upper-deck. + +The noise of the engines, audible throughout the length and breadth of +the ship, and the tramp of feet on deck, deadened the slight sound of +his movements. At the end of the alley-way a curtain had been +stretched in order to screen the light from the companion-way. Beyond, +although there were men standing about, the place was in darkness. + +Stirling took the risk. He knew that in the gloom there would be great +difficulty to distinguish the uniforms of the German officers from his +own. Lifting aside the curtain, he stepped forward with the +self-confidence of a man accustomed to command. + +The knot of seamen separated, the men clicking their heels and standing +rigidly at the salute. In the darkness they recognized the officer but +not the individual. Not for one moment did they suspect that he was +one of the strafed Englishmen, whom they had every reason to suppose to +be under lock and key. + +Without interruption Stirling gained the deck. The shattered woodwork, +just discernible in the darkness, showed him the result of the British +cruiser's shells. He glanced aft. Far astern, the red blur that had +so disturbed the equanimity of Kapitan von Riesser came as a solace to +his mind. His surmises were correct. The _Pelikan_--or, as he knew +her, the _Zwaan_--was being chased, but he could not quite understand +why the pursuing vessel should be so far astern, since a few hours ago +she was within range. He, of course, knew nothing of the event that +led to the _Actaeon_ taking up the chase. Nor could he suggest any +reason why the German liner should show a white light astern. It +seemed contrary to every precaution necessary to shake off pursuit. + +"May as well get for'ard," soliloquized the sub. "There seems a bit of +a hullabaloo. I'll see what it is about. I don't suppose I'll be +spotted if I keep clear of the crush. Hulloa! They're getting the +boats out. Are they going to abandon ship, I wonder, or is it merely a +matter of discretion, should the old hooker get plugged?" + +With little difficulty Stirling took up his position under the lee of a +ventilator. As he waited he heard fragments of the conversation +between von Riesser and his subordinate. + +Stirling was a poor German scholar; so much so that he was ashamed of +the little German he knew. By sheer good luck, however, he recognized +several of the words--sufficient to enable him to guess shrewdly the +nature of the kapitan's order. + +Stirling was very often lucky in that way. Even while he was hiding +behind the ventilator he recalled a similar instance. It was on the +occasion of his entry examination to Osborne, and Stirling was in those +days an atrocious speller even for a youth of thirteen and a half. In +the dictation subject the lad found himself balked by the word +"adaptable". He was on the point of writing "adaptible" when he caught +sight of some letters stamped upon the pen he was using: "The Adaptable +Pen". When the result of the examination was announced Stirling found +that he had only just attained the minimum marks in English to qualify. +Afterwards he was apt to remark that he owed his commission to a +twopenny pen which might, for aught he knew, have been made in Germany. + +"By Jove, they're going to use that boat as a decoy," soliloquized the +sub. "I'll risk it. Hang it all! If I'm spotted there can only be a +shindy. With our cruiser pelting up astern and Denbigh and O'Hara +below, they won't dare to try any of their kultur tricks." + +The launch was now level with the rail. The men told off to attend to +the disengaging gear were already on board, while down below an +artificer was trying to coax the motor. Apparently he had trouble, for +he called out to one of his mates to pass something to him. At that +moment Kapitan von Riesser gave an order, and the unter-leutnant and +his men faced for'ard. + +In a trice Stirling slipped quietly over the rail at the heels of one +of the crew. While the latter made his way for'ard to the motor-room +the sub entered the little cabin. It was, as he expected, empty. Not +knowing whether any of the launch's crew would remain, Stirling crept +under the seat and waited. + +The _Pelikan_ was losing way. Her engines had been reversed in order +to bring her almost to a standstill in the least possible time. + +"Lower away!" shouted a voice in German which Stirling recognized as +that of Unter-leutnant Klick. + +The racing of the motor, which the artificer had at length succeeded in +starting, drowned all other sounds. The propeller, racing in the air, +was revolving at terrific speed. Unless the launch were quickly put +into the water the motor would soon be overheated, since no cooling +device was possible until the pump sucked water into the jackets +surrounding the cylinders. + +The artificer, his task accomplished, swung himself on to the +_Pelikan's_ deck, while directly the falls were cast off the two seamen +swarmed up the ropes. Almost before Stirling was aware of it, the +launch was speeding forward. + +"Time I made a move," muttered the sub. With the utmost caution he +emerged from his hiding-place and made his way to the well. The bright +rays of the lamp lashed to the ensign-staff enabled him to see +everything on deck. One glance told him that he was the only member of +the crew. Already the _Pelikan_ was lost to sight in the darkness. + +Stirling's first act upon taking command was to cut the lashings of the +helm and to turn the launch in the same direction as the _Pelikan_ had +been travelling. He then looked for the supposed position of the +pursuing cruiser. On the horizon were two glints of red light at, +roughly, 15 degrees apart. + +"Two of them," said the sub to himself. "The more the merrier. +Another ten minutes and it will be seen whether I am smashed to +smithereens by a British 6-inch shell." + +As a matter of precaution he cast off the lashings of the lamp, placing +it on a seat just inside the cabin. There it was within arm's reach, +while the sub was not in danger of being temporarily blinded by the +glare. + +"That's the rising moon," continued Stirling, referring to the light to +the east'ard. "The other glare is from the cruiser's funnels. +Allowing her speed to be 20 knots, and this hooker's 12 or 15, she's +gaining on me at about eight miles an hour." + +Presently the newly-risen moon appeared in a rift of clouds. Its +slanting rays silhouetted the outlines of a large four-funnelled +cruiser, now less than a couple of miles astern. + +"Time!" ejaculated Stirling laconically. Leaving the helm he made for +the motor-room and switched off the ignition. Then, returning to the +well, he raised and lowered the lamp several times in succession, +dipping it behind the coaming in order to signal the "General Call". + +A light flashed from the cruiser. Thank heavens it was not the spurt +of a quick-firer but a steady white flare, to signify that the ship was +in readiness to receive the message. "_Zwaan_ has sent decoy adrift," +signalled Stirling. "Probably altered course to south'ard. Please +return and pick me up after end of chase." + +A searchlight was switched on from the cruiser's after-bridge. For a +few moments it played upon the now motionless motor-launch. Then, +somewhat to Stirling's surprise and to his not altogether complete +satisfaction, the cruiser began to slow down. + +"It's all right for me," soliloquized the sub. "But it's hard lines on +Denbigh and Pat. I'm afraid von Riesser has given our fellows the +slip." + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +Foiled by a Collier + +For the rest of the night Denbigh and O'Hara awaited in vain for their +comrade's return. They had no idea of the flight of time since, during +the chase, the ship's bell had not been struck. In the screened cabin +they sat, with the electric light switched on, for after their +interview with Kapitan von Riesser on the subject of the attempted +chloroforming, the current was not cut off after ten o'clock as was +formerly the case. + +"Faith! I'll go and see what he's up to," exclaimed O'Hara, removing +the chair from the door. It was the only way to keep the door closed, +since the replacing of the staple of the lock would have barred +Stirling's return. + +"Better not," objected Denbigh. "Either he's all right or he's all +wrong. In the former case it wouldn't do to meddle with his business. +Two stand double the risk of detection that one fellow runs. In the +latter case, our going to look for him won't help matters in the least, +because if they've collared him they will be on the look-out for us." + +"S'pose you're right," grudgingly assented Pat. "We must stick it." + +The chums "stuck it" for another two hours, then the sound of six bells +(7 a.m.) announced the fact that it was daylight, and that precautions +in the matter of noise were no longer necessary. + +"The flunky will be here presently to open the port-hole," remarked +Denbigh. "I think we had better screw on that chunk of metal. +Stirling won't be coming now." + +"Then what has happened to him?" + +"Goodness only knows. Look here; we won't open the ball. Let's see if +they know anything about his disappearance." + +"The man will notice that the moment he comes into the cabin," objected +O'Hara. + +For answer, Denbigh crossed over to Stirling's cot, placed the bolster +longwise and covered it with the blankets. Then, partly drawing the +curtains, he stood back and surveyed the result of his handiwork. + +"Dash it all!" he exclaimed. "It would take a lynx-eyed detective to +spot the game, especially when the port-hole is opened, because the +bunk is dead against the light. Let's turn in. Old Fritz will smell a +rat if he finds us up and dressed." + +The two subs had barely settled themselves in their bunks and had +switched off the light, when a key clicked in the lock and the German +sailor deputed to attend to them stumbled in. + +He was a taciturn fellow. Perhaps it was because he understood no word +of English, and was unaware of the fact that Denbigh spoke German. He +had, however, a habit of conversing with himself during the performance +of his duties, and more than once Denbigh picked up information from +the fellow's unguarded babbling. + +This time Fritz was silent. Setting down a jug of hot water, he +unlocked and opened the port-hole. + +Having washed, shaved, and dressed, Denbigh and O'Hara made their way +to the cabin in which was served their meals. Covers for three lay on +the table. The steward was standing by in his customary manner. + +Without a word the subs seated themselves. Presently Fritz came in to +deliver a message from one of the ship's officers. + +"Where's the third Englander?" asked the steward. + +Apparently Fritz was fond of a joke at the messman's expense. Without +a word he stooped and looked under the table; then drawing himself up, +he replied: + +"I cannot see him." + +"Fool!" ejaculated the steward. "Don't try to be an idiot; you are one +already. Where is the schwein-hund?" + +"Too lazy to get up and have his breakfast, I suppose," replied Fritz +indifferently. "He was fast asleep when I went in." + +Having asked in broken English if the subs required anything further, +and receiving a negative reply, the steward went out. + +"Deucedly strange," said Denbigh in a low voice. "Those fellows know +nothing. I wonder if von Riesser and his cheerful ober-leutnant have +been up to mischief." + +It was not until one bell in the forenoon watch that Stirling's absence +was discovered. Denbigh and O'Hara were immediately sent for and +closely questioned. + +The interview was unsatisfactory, the British officers affecting +ignorance of the time of their comrade's disappearance; while von +Riesser, rightly guessing that Denbigh and O'Hara imagined he was +responsible and was trying to cloak suspicion, was so emphatic in his +assurances that he knew nothing of Stirling's whereabouts that his very +earnestness caused the subs to misjudge him. + +A thorough search was instituted, but, naturally, without the hoped-for +result. Reluctantly, Denbigh and O'Hara came to the conclusion that +their chum had either fallen in or had been thrown overboard. + +Kapitan von Riesser was genuinely perturbed, not on account of the loss +of the British officer, but for the additional complication that might +ensue if the _Pelikan_ should be captured. The idea of being taken +prisoner obsessed the German commander. It loomed up in front of him +like a gaunt spectre day and night. It spoke volumes for the fact that +Great Britain was Mistress of the Seas. + +He showed little or no elation at having evaded the cruiser that had +doggedly held in pursuit until long after midnight. His pessimism was +beginning to become infectious. Officers and men were downcast. +Several times on the lower deck remarks were heard to the effect that +it was an unlucky day when the _Pelikan_ escaped from her nominal state +of internment. + +For the next three days Denbigh and O'Hara were "off colour". The +mystery of Stirling's disappearance affected them deeply; but on the +fourth day they cheered up considerably, for the _Pelikan_ had +intercepted a wireless message from a British cruiser. The message was +in code, but one word occurred that shed a different light upon the +mystery. The word was "Stirling". Von Riesser lost no time in +informing the two British officers, and although the latter were unable +to decipher the message it was evident that Stirling had been picked up +by one of our patrols. + +Shortly after daybreak on the fifth day of Stirling's absence, the +_Pelikan_ overhauled a large collier, outward bound from Penarth to +Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands, with a valuable cargo of steam +coal. + +It was evident that the skipper of the collier had received no warning +that a German raider was at large, for he allowed the _Pelikan_ to get +within three cables' length without exciting any suspicion. + +When the latter peremptorily ordered the collier to heave-to and +surrender, however, the stalwart old merchant captain showed the stuff +he was made of, for without complying, he suddenly ported helm and bore +down upon the liner, which had now hoisted German colours. + +It was a forlorn hope, for the _Pelikan_ could steam twice as fast as +the collier and was much quicker on her helm. + +"By Jove! that fellow has some pluck," exclaimed O'Hara admiringly, +for, anticipating no resistance on the part of the would-be prize, +Kapitan von Riesser had not ordered the British officers below. "But +he's asking for trouble." + +"Yes, poor chap, he's put himself out of court," agreed Denbigh. + +Manoeuvring so that the _Pelikan's_ guns could be brought to bear upon +the collier without danger of carrying away her masts, von Riesser gave +the order to fire. Two shells did the mischief. Both burst amidships, +sweeping away the bridge and chart-house, and with them the rash and +gallant skipper and three of the crew. + +Further resistance being out of the question the collier struck her +flag. Splendidly handled the _Pelikan_ ranged up alongside, and +without delay the work of transferring the cargo commenced. Although +the sturdy Britons who formed the collier's crew refused to lift as +much as a little finger to help there were plenty of hands available +from the _Pelikan_. The steam winches were manned, skips and whips +brought into play, and sacks and sacks of badly wanted fuel were +toppled down the liner's chutes. + +"Stand by there, you men!" shouted Kapitan von Riesser, observing that +the crew of the collier were provisioning and swinging out their boats. +"I haven't said I was going to sink your ship. Come and bear a hand +and we'll let you go." + +Somewhere from the vicinity of the wrecked bridge came a hoarse voice: + +"We want no favours from strafed Germans. Get your coal yourself if +you want it. You'll have to jolly well look sharp, for the hooker'll +be on her way to Davy Jones in half an hour." + +"Himmel!" gasped the astonished kapitan, completely taken aback by the +bull-dog audacity of the collier's men. "Quick, Herr Klick. Sound the +well." + +Accompanied by a couple of armed seamen the unter-leutnant hurried +below. In a few minutes he reappeared. + +"They've opened the valves, sir," he reported. "The sea is rushing in +like a sluice. It is already up to the floor of the engine-room." + +Von Riesser leant over the bridge rail and surveyed the deck of the +collier forty feet below. + +"Unless you close those valves I'll smash every boat you have!" he +shouted. + +A chorus of gibes was the only reply. The engine-room staff alone knew +the position of the valves. It would take a stranger a couple of hours +to locate them, and the men knew it. + +"Smash away," they replied derisively. "Smashing private property is +the only thing you Germans can do properly." + +For a full minute Kapitan von Riesser lost all control of himself. He +stormed and raved, cursing both in German and English, until he +realized that during that minute the collier had sunk deeper in the +water. + +There was a rush on the part of the _Pelikan's_ men who were loading +the sacks in the vessel's holds, so fierce was the influx of the sea. + +Above their shouts of anger and surprise arose the ceaseless taunts of +the British crew. Having fully made up their minds that no quarter +would be given the stalwart men decided to die game, and in their +opinion the spirit of independence was best shown in heaping sarcasm +upon the baffled Teutons. + +Already the hawsers and springs holding the two vessels were straining +almost to breaking point. Reluctantly von Riesser gave the order to +cast off, at the same time telegraphing to the engine-room for +half-speed ahead. + +Somewhat to the surprise of the collier's crew no attempt was made by +the _Pelikan_ to interfere with them. Taking to the boats they hoisted +sail and in twenty minutes the little flotilla was lost to sight. + +It was a long time before von Riesser got over his fit of bad temper. +Precious time had been all but wasted, for the only result of the +enterprise was the addition of roughly seventy tons of coal to the +_Pelikan's_ sorely-depleted bunkers. + +"By Jove! that was a nasty knock," remarked O'Hara to his chum. "It's +a wonder old von Riesser hadn't ordered those boats to be stove-in. +The lip those fellows gave him was enough to make a British admiral +commit an act of frightfulness." + +"The old chap's frightened about something," replied Denbigh. "He's +literally on toast. You see, what with Stirling's escape--for I feel +confident that code message referred to his rescue--he's got to mind +his p's and q's until he's through the cordon. Then, if he does, I +guess he'll make it mighty hot for us." + +Denbigh was right in his surmise, for as soon as Stirling had been +taken on board H.M.S. _Actaeon_ and had made a report to the captain, +the cruiser communicated with each of her consorts, giving the position +of the _Pelikan_ when last seen and the probable course. + +Following this message another was transmitted to the Admiralty +announcing the safety of Sub-lieutenant Charles Stirling, captured +while on a passage home in the Japanese liner _Nichi Maru_. +Instructions were asked as to the "disposal" of that officer. + +Promptly came the reply temporarily appointing Stirling to H.M.S. +_Actaeon_ as supernumerary, since it was recognized that his knowledge +of the elusive raider might be of great assistance to the pursuing ship. + +Within two hours of the _Actaeon's_ wireless message additional small +cruisers, armed auxiliaries, and destroyers left Table Bay, while +others were ordered from the Pacific Station to proceed to the vicinity +of Cape Horn and guard both the passage to the southward of that place +and also the intricate Straits of Magellan. + +In the event of the _Pelikan_ eluding the cordon in the Atlantic, and +since it was known that her desired destination was German East Africa, +the squadron operating in conjunction with the British military +expedition was warned to exercise a particularly sharp look-out, both +in the Mozambique Channel and off the East African coast between 4 deg. S. +and 11 deg. S. lat. + +Four swift destroyers of the Australian Navy were also given +instructions to proceed to Mauritius and await orders. Thus the net +was being swiftly tightened around the fugitive liner that alone flew +the Black Cross ensign of Germany outside European waters. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +Reinforcements + +Under reduced speed, in order to economize her coal, the _Pelikan_ held +on her southerly course. By dint of careful stoking, her funnels +emitted little or no smoke that might betray her position. At night +every light was screened. + +Fortune seemed to be favouring her, for without sighting a single +vessel she reached the fortieth parallel, or considerably farther to +the south'ard than she need do in ordinary circumstances in order to +round the Cape of Good Hope. + +The air was rapidly becoming colder, and her crew, being unprovided +with warm garments, suffered acutely after coming straight from the +Tropics. + +While the work of repairing the damage done by the British cruiser's +shells was progressing as well as the limited means at the disposal of +the ship would permit, one of the crew slipped, and striking his head +against the edge of an iron plate, was so severely injured that he died +within two hours of the accident. + +It was then that Denbigh and O'Hara had yet another example of the +thoroughness of the German system. The usual practice would have been +to sew the body up in a shotted hammock and throw it overboard, but +Kapitan von Riesser had another plan. + +One of the boats, with the name "_Zwaan_--Rotterdam" painted on the +stern, was lowered. In it the corpse was placed and the boat turned +adrift. + +In due course, the kapitan hoped--and the crew, realizing that +necessity knows no law, agreed with him--that the boat would be sighted +by one of the British cruisers, and thus give the impression that the +raider had sunk. + +About four on the following morning the two subs were roused by the +sudden increase of the revolutions of the propellers, and the frantic +tramp of feet on deck. + +"Hulloa, what's wrong now?" asked O'Hara. "They've got a move on for +something." + +"One of our ships in chase, I think," replied Denbigh. "As we are +locked in we may just as well go to sleep again. I'd like to wake up +and find the hooker hove-to and a prize." + +"Not bad advice," rejoined the Irishman, turning over and rolling +himself in his blankets. "Thank goodness it's not our watch. If these +fellows carry on much farther we'll find ourselves on the way to the +South Pole." + +Sleep, however, was out of the question. The two chums talked at +intervals until the appearance of Fritz warned them that it was time to +dress for breakfast. + +After the meal the subs found, somewhat to their surprise, that they +were not prohibited from going on deck, as was generally the case when +another vessel was sighted. + +It was piercingly cold. A heavy dew had frozen as it fell, rendering +the decks very slippery. Several of the crew were at work with hoses, +washing down the planks with salt water in order to clear away the thin +coating of ice. So keen was the wind that Denbigh and his companion +were glad to take shelter under the lee of the deck-houses. + +Astern, at a distance of about two miles, was a long, rakish-looking +craft, with two short masts and two funnels. She was painted a dark +grey, almost appearing black. She flew no flag, but a signal fluttered +from the foremast. Owing to the direction of the wind it was +impossible, even with the aid of powerful glasses, to distinguish the +flags, since the vessel was steaming directly in the wake of the +runaway _Pelikan_. + +Several of the latter's officers were aft keeping the mysterious craft +under observation, while on the after-bridge Kapitan von Riesser and +the officers of the watch were engaged upon a similar task. + +Seeing the British officers appear the kapitan descended the bridge and +strolled aft. Affecting surprise at finding Denbigh and the Irishman +on deck he asked: + +"What do you make of that vessel, Herr Denbigh? Is she one of yours?" + +The sub shook his head. + +"I really cannot say," he replied. "You see we've added considerably +to our fleet since the outbreak of war, and I haven't been in Home +Waters since October, 1913. She's coming up pretty fast, I should +imagine." + +"She is," agreed Kapitan von Riesser dryly. "But not so fast as you +would like, perhaps. It is somewhat strange that she hasn't opened +fire before now. Perhaps it is because your compatriots are afraid of +hitting you," he added with a slight sneer. + +"And for similar humanitarian reasons you have refrained from using +your quick-firers, I presume?" retorted O'Hara. + +"She's hoisting Argentine colours, sir," reported one of the +_Pelikan's_ officers. + +He was right, for altering helm slightly the pursuing vessel enabled +the flag to blow athwartships. At the same moment the signal that had +been kept flying at the masthead could be distinguished. It read: +"What ship is that?" + +"Those colours may be an English trick," said the kapitan. "I'll carry +on." + +"By Jove, old man!" he whispered to his chum. "It looks as if we are +dished this time. We were a little too premature in chipping the Old +Man." + +In an hour the pursuing craft had closed to slightly less than a mile. +Still she made no attempt to open fire. There were, in fact, no guns +visible. + +"Hoist our proper colours," ordered Kapitan von Riesser at length. "It +will be all the same in another twenty minutes' time whether we use our +own ensign or any other." + +The Black Cross ensign was run up. Its appearance was greeted by a +prolonged blast on the stranger's siren, then from the extremity of the +pursuing craft's bridge a man began semaphoring. + +Although skilled in semaphore, neither Denbigh nor O'Hara could +understand the message. The British system differs from the German, +which again varies with the French and Spanish. Yet, peculiarly, the +officers and men of the _Pelikan_ could read the signal with ease. + +Grave, anxious looks gave place to smiles, while one of the crew began +to cheer--a demonstration that the kapitan quickly suppressed. + +Von Riesser had now ascended the bridge. Still suspicious he ordered +the torpedo tubes to be charged and the engines to be reversed. + +Directly the overtaking craft noticed the falling off of the liner's +speed her decks were black with humanity, and the air was rent with +cries of "Hoch!" Then came the strains of "Deutschland uber alles", in +which the _Pelikan's_ crew joined lustily. + +"Good heavens!" ejaculated Denbigh. "What does it all mean? There's a +small German colony afloat." + +"'Fraid so," agreed O'Hara. + +As there was hardly any sea running the two vessels ran alongside each +other. The new-comer had the name _San Matias_ painted on her stern +and on her boats and life-buoys. She carried no guns except a couple +of small brass signalling pieces. Her officers and a few of her crew +were South Americans, beyond doubt, but the rest of the crowded +complement were of marked Teutonic origin. + +The British subs stood at the rail watching the unwonted sight. No one +offered to order them below. It was part of the business to let them +see what was going on. + +No time was lost. While a party of officers from the _San Matias_ were +being entertained by von Riesser in his cabin the Germans from her +transferred themselves and their belongings to the _Pelikan_--nearly +three hundred men of military age and bearing. Then came the work of +transhipping stores from the capacious holds of the South American +vessel. Carcass after carcass of oxen and sheep were brought on deck. +From the oxen were produced long bundles wrapped in cloth. Every +bundle contained four modern magazine rifles. Enclosed with the frozen +mutton were small shells and rifle ammunition. As fast as the +munitions were taken from their strange places of concealment most of +the carcasses were dumped overboard, a few hundred being retained for +food and stored in the _Pelikan's_ refrigerators. Then came bundles of +hides, each containing parts of machine-guns, until it looked as if the +ship had enough material to equip an army corps. + +Long before the _San Matias_ had disgorged her warlike stores Denbigh +had overheard enough conversation to enable him to solve the mystery. + +The _San Matias_ had been chartered by a number of wealthy German +merchants in Buenos Ayres for the purpose of sending some hundreds of +reservists to German East Africa. The presence of the _Pelikan_ in the +South Atlantic had been expected, and her progress, based upon reports +from British cruisers and duly transmitted by spies to Buenos Ayres, +reached the projectors of the scheme with remarkable promptitude. The +arms and ammunition had been purchased sometime previously from a +pro-German firm in New York, and sent to the Argentine to fulfil a +fictitious contract for the Government of that republic. + +The _San Matias_ was then chartered, her owner, captain, and crew being +heavily bribed to undertake the risk, comparative immunity being +afforded by means of forged ship's papers and certificates of +nationality of the "passengers". At the same time the report was +spread in Buenos Ayres and Monte Video that the _Pelikan_ had been +sighted making for Bahia--a matter of two thousand miles N.N.E. of the +estuary of the La Plata. British agents swallowed the bait and +telegraphed the news to London, whence, in turn, the false information +was transmitted to the patrol vessels specially detailed to search for +the daring raider. + +This report had literally done the trick. The northernmost group of +British cruisers instantly converged upon the Brazilian coast in the +neighbourhood of Bahia. The southern patrol remained in the vicinity +of the Falklands. Thus the _Pelikan_ had the chance of a free and +uninterrupted run eastwards until she approached the vicinity of the +Cape of Good Hope. Although her adventures were by no means over, one +source of danger had been removed. + +The German reservists were certainly optimists. They firmly believed +that Egypt had been wrested from the British, and that their role was +to join the large army concentrating in German East Africa and march +victoriously down the valley of the Nile and crush the remnant of the +English in the vicinity of Khartoum. According to their idea and +belief South Africa was in rebellion, and that German South-West Africa +was once more a Teutonic colony. India, too, had revolted and joined +the Turks, who had occupied Persia and Beluchistan. Mention was also +made of the impending advance of the Turco-Germanic armies through +Tibet and China to establish a vast empire from the Atlantic to the +Pacific, and to avenge upon Japan the loss of Kiau-Chau. In short, the +German armies were everywhere triumphant, although they could hardly +understand why they should have to be smuggled out to sea when the +German High Seas Fleet roamed unchallenged and the British navy skulked +in harbours. + +At length the last of the _San Mathias's_ cargo was transhipped. The +two vessels parted company, the Argentine returning to Buenos Ayres +while the _Pelikan_ headed eastward on her perilous passage round the +Cape of Good Hope. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +The Midnight Landing + +The sanguine spirits of the German reservists had the effect of +cheering up the crew of the _Pelikan_. To confirm their assertions the +former produced copies of newspapers printed under Teutonic auspices +for the benefit of the South American republics. + +Taking advantage of the information concerning the dispositions of the +British cruisers the kapitan of the _Pelikan_ stopped another collier +at a distance of four hundred miles east of Buenos Ayres. For eighteen +hours the two vessels lay side by side while the coal was being +transhipped to the almost empty bunkers of the raider. + +For certain reasons von Riesser did not sink the tramp after having +depleted her cargo. Perhaps it was because the crew had offered no +resistance; but it was just possible that the kapitan of the _Pelikan_ +had sufficient humanity to see that the turning adrift of a couple of +boat-loads in the desolate South Atlantic meant practically slow and +certain death. + +From the time of the arrival of the German reservists von Riesser's +demeanour towards Denbigh and O'Hara underwent a marked change. Rarely +did he enter into conversation with them. He treated them with +aloofness. This the subs minded but little; it was the restrictions +placed upon their movements that riled them. They were now allowed +only two periods of exercise on deck during the day--from ten till noon +and from two till five--and kept within strict limits. A sentry was +posted to see that they remained within boundaries specified, and +orders had been given for none of the reservists, many of whom spoke +English, to enter into conversation with them. + +On the fifth day after falling in with the _San Matias_ the ship's +course was changed to S.S.E. This she held until further progress was +barred by the presence of a large field of pack ice. Von Riesser, in +order to avoid any possible chance of meeting any of the Cape Squadron, +had elected to go south into the vast and desolate Antarctic before +entering the Indian Ocean. + +At length came the welcome order to steer north. Gradually the +temperature rose as the _Pelikan_ left the frozen seas astern. + +Maintaining a steady progress the ship reached the vicinity of +Mauritius, keeping well to the eastward of that island. + +The _Pelikan_ now underwent another change. From truck to water-line +she was repainted--black on the starboard side and a light-grey on the +port. An additional funnel, a dummy one made out of canvas stretched +on a framework of hoop iron and wood, was set up. + +"It looks as if this craft is going to get through after all," remarked +O'Hara, as the _Pelikan_ reached Equatorial waters without having so +much as sighted another vessel of any description. + +"Yes, rotten luck," said Denbigh. "I heard von Langer telling that fat +major that another twenty-four hours would bring us in sight of land. +I notice these fellows are preparing for their jaunt ashore." + +The reservists were discarding their motley civilian attire and were +being provided with drill uniforms that had at one time been white but +were now dyed to a colour nearly approaching khaki. Each man wore a +sun helmet, but instead of puttees, jack-boots of dark undressed +leather were served out. + +In the midst of these preparations a sail was reported on the starboard +bow. Hurriedly arms were served out to the troops, the quick-firers +were manned, and machine-guns placed out of sight but in a position +that would enable them to be used with deadly effect should occasion +arise. + +"Down to your cabins, you Englishmen!" snarled the fat major, von +Eckenstein, who had previously been in conversation with the +ober-leutnant of the _Pelikan_. + +"Are you in charge of this ship, Herr Major?" asked O'Hara. "Hitherto +our orders have come from Kapitan von Riesser." + +The major's only reply was to raise a cane that he held in his hand and +to strike the Irishman sharply across the cheek. + +O'Hara's hot Hibernian blood surged at the insult. Fortunately he +managed to keep himself under control, but for an instant Denbigh felt +certain that his comrade's hard fist would come violently in contact +with von Eckenstein's podgy nose. + +"I'm afraid that bounder will have cause to be sorry for this," +remarked O'Hara, when the chums had retired to their cabin. He +critically examined in the glass the reflection of his face, on which a +weal was rapidly developing. "By Jove, it was lucky for him that you +were there, otherwise I would have given him something by which to +remember me to the rest of his days." + +"Perhaps it is as well," rejoined Denbigh. "It hardly pays in the +circumstances to argue the point with a Prussian." + +Of what occurred during the next two hours the subs had only a vague +idea. + +Von Riesser realized that flight was out of the question. To attempt +to do so would arouse suspicion, and since several swift cruisers were +known to be off the coast, a wireless message would bring half a dozen +speedy British warships upon the scene. He therefore decided to carry +on, escape by a stratagem if possible, if not, fight in a final bid for +liberty. + +Since the waters adjacent to German East Africa had been declared to be +in a state of blockade it was useless to hoist the mercantile flag of +any nation, so the Blue Ensign of the British Reserve was displayed. + +In less than half an hour the strange craft was plainly visible. She +was a small tramp, also displaying the Blue Ensign. + +Von Riesser heaved a sigh of relief. She was not an armed auxiliary, +otherwise the White Ensign would have been used. More than likely she +was one of the fleet of subsidized merchantmen carrying stores and +munitions for the British Expeditionary Force operating against the +sole remaining German colony. + +The stranger hoisted a signal. It was in code and consequently +unintelligible to the _Pelikan_. Von Riesser promptly replied by +another hoist, the flags meaning nothing, but simply to puzzle the +tramp. + +The _Pelikan_ held on her course, which, in defiance of the Rule of the +Road at Sea, would bring across the bows of the other. That in itself +was suspicious, but any alteration of helm would reveal the _Pelikan's_ +piebald sides. + +At a distance of less than a mile the German vessel gave three blasts +upon her siren, signifying that her engines were going astern. +Nevertheless she was steaming ahead as hard as she could until +deception was no longer possible. + +An order from the bridge and the screens surrounding the guns were +lowered revealing her formidable quick-firers. + +"Heave-to, or I'll sink you!" shouted the kapitan through a megaphone, +for the tramp was now less than two cables' lengths away and broad on +the starboard beam. + +The tramp, which proved to be S.S. _Myra_ of South Shields, had no +option but to surrender. She was unarmed and of slow speed. Having +left Simon's Bay with a convoy under escort she had encountered the +tail of a cyclone. Detained by temporary engine-room defects during +the storm she had fallen out of station, and was now a couple of +hundred miles astern of the rest of the convoy. + +Slowly the Blue Ensign was lowered, and way taken off the ship. Within +ten minutes a prize crew in charge of Unter-leutnant Klick was on +board. The officers and crew were locked up below, and warned that any +attempt at resistance would result in the instant destruction of the +_Myra_ with all on board. + +The boarding-officer's report was to the effect that the tramp was +heavily laden with warlike stores. He asked instructions as to the +disposal of the prize. + +Kapitan von Riesser's mind was very active now. With a successful +issue in sight he was not inclined to send such a valuable prize to the +bottom. + +"Can you get the _Myra's_ engine-room and stokehold staff to work, Herr +Klick?" asked the kapitan. + +"I can, sir," replied the unter-leutnant grimly; and he did, for by +dint of threats he compelled the luckless men to undertake to carry on +under his orders. + +"Very good," continued the kapitan of the _Pelikan_, receiving an +affirmative reply. "Follow me at two cables' lengths astern. I'll +slow down to enable you to keep station. Be prepared to abandon ship +instantly should occasion arise." + +Later in the afternoon the _Pelikan_ and her prize arrived off Latham +Island, under the lee of which von Riesser had decided to remain the +night, since it was too hazardous to enter the harbour he had selected +during the hours of darkness. + +Denbigh, who had been allowed on deck, recognized the island. He had +served a commission on the flagship of the East Indies India Station +when he was a midshipman, and was fairly well conversant with the +African coast in the vicinity of Zanzibar and Dar-es-Salaam. + +Latham Island is a dangerous, low-lying patch of coral and sand, of +oval form, being barely 350 yards in length and 180 yards broad. In no +place does it rise more than 10 feet above the sea. Its surface is +quite flat, having been made so by the constant treading of myriads of +sea-fowl, that have consolidated the sand collected on the coral +substratum into a soft sandstone, which shines very white in the sun, +but is difficult to discern at night or in a bad light. + +When visited and surveyed by H.M.S. _Shearwater_ in 1873, a stone +beacon was erected on the island, but owing to the absence of mortar +used in its construction, it was blown down by the wind. Coco-nut +trees were planted at the same time, but the result was unsatisfactory, +as the birds destroyed them. + +Owing to the dangerous vicinity of the islands it was unlikely that any +vessel would pass within several miles of it during the night, so the +_Pelikan_ stood a chance of remaining at the anchorage without fear of +detection. + +"We are not far from the Rufigi River, are we?" asked O'Hara. "Do you +think that the _Pelikan_ is going to run for there?" + +"Hardly," replied Denbigh. "With the _Koenigsberg_ as a warning I think +she'll give the Rufigi a wide berth. It's my opinion that she'll have +a show at getting into the Mohoro River. It's fairly close, and once +we can pass the bar there's deep water for nearly twenty miles. I'm +curious to know what we are doing off Latham Island, however. I think +I'll try the Stirling trick and have a prowl round on deck during the +night." + +"Only don't leave me in the lurch, old man," protested the Irishman, +with an assumed look of consternation. + +"I won't," replied Denbigh laughingly. "So don't lock me out." + +Just before midnight the sub set to work with the screw-driver and +succeeded in opening the door. Fortunately there was no sentry on the +aft-deck on this occasion. Overhead there was a considerable amount of +noise going on. It conveyed the impression that there were scores of +men hard at work and trying to perform their various tasks with as +little noise as possible. + +Unseen and unheard, Denbigh gained the deck and mingled with the +throng. There were seamen and reservists all hard at it, buckling to +in the starlight. Cautiously the sub looked about for a place of +concealment, where he could hear and see everything that was going on +in his vicinity without much risk of detection. + +He glanced up. Overhead were the boats swinging inboard on davits. +Side by side with them, and resting on the booms or transverse steel +girders, were some larger boats which could only be hoisted out by +means of derricks. Between were several planks and spars lashed to the +girders. + +Awaiting a favourable chance, Denbigh nimbly ascended the iron ladder +on the funnel casing that led to a platform just below the siren. +After climbing a few rungs, he was able to swing himself across to the +nearest boat, which was almost as large as a battleship's pinnace. It +was roughly forty feet in length, and weighed nearly four tons. + +"Look alive, men!" ordered Unter-leutnant Klick in his usual bullying +tone. "The whole of the stuff must be sent ashore within an hour." + +"Two boat-loads full, sir?" asked a petty officer. + +"No; one. Get steam on the main hoist and lift out the pinnace." + +"Hulloa!" thought Denbigh. "This looks like a proper jamboree. I +stand a chance of getting nabbed. I wonder what the idea is of landing +a quantity of gear on a sandbank like Latham Island?" + +He heard several men ascending to make ready the slings for hoisting +out. Promptly the sub retreated for'ard and crouched in the bows. +Here, unless any material was likely to be stowed in his place of +concealment, Denbigh had a fighting chance of escaping detection, for +above him was a large grating that fitted between the bows and the +for'ard thwart. + +"Now, then, Herr Major!" exclaimed Kapitan von Riesser. "Are your men +ready? At least twenty with shovels will be necessary." + +"I cannot see that it is necessary," objected Major von Eckenstein. +"It is a mere waste of time. I protest against this useless labour, +when we ought to be making for the Mohoro River." And the Prussian +officer clanked the tip of his scabbard loudly upon the deck, as if to +emphasize his protest. + +Von Riesser, judging by the sound of his voice, lost his temper. + +"Once you are ashore, Herr Major, you are in sole command of these +troops. Here I am your superior. If I choose to give orders to +facilitate our retreat, should it be necessary, it is for you to carry +them out. If you refuse, I will place you under arrest and report the +matter to the military governor of the colony." + +"If you would only explain what you propose to do, instead of giving +orders that have no apparent reason, I am willing to assist you," said +the major grumblingly. "This business is evidently the result of a +sudden inspiration on your part, and I think it is only just that you +should take others into your confidence." + +"You are setting a bad example for the discipline of the ship," +declared the kapitan in a lower tone. "It would be as well if we +adjourned to my cabin. When you have heard what is proposed to be +done, I think you will agree with me that such a step is certainly +necessary." + +"Carry on, Herr Klick," continued von Riesser as he moved away. "See +that every article enumerated on the list is sent ashore. I hold you +responsible." + +A bare-footed seaman, leaping upon the bow grating, prevented Denbigh +hearing more of what was going on below. The fellow bent and groped +for the hook of the chain sling. As he did so, his hand was within a +couple of inches of the sub's face. The man withdrew his hand so +suddenly, that for the moment Denbigh imagined that he had been +discovered. Then came the metallic click of the hook engaging with the +wire hawser from the derrick. + +To the accompaniment of the clank, clank, of the winch and the hiss of +escaping steam, the pinnace rose from its resting-place. Swaying +gently, it swung outboard and was lowered rapidly into the water. + +For the next quarter of an hour the crew were feverishly employed in +dumping stores and gear into the boat. There were cans of petrol, that +gave Denbigh food for reflection, boxes of provisions, water-beakers, +arms and ammunition, sailcloth, and shipwright's tools. + +Then came an avalanche of picks and shovels, followed by a crowd of men +who, perched in every available space, swarmed like ants over the +deeply-laden boat. + +The pinnace was then cast off and taken in tow by a steam-boat. +Denbigh knew this by the thud of the engines, but he was unaware that +astern of the pinnace was a twenty-seven-foot whaler. + +The pinnace grounded on the lee side of a sandbank, for there was +little swell, although on the outlying coral reefs the sea was breaking +heavily. Her work for the present done, the steam-boat cast off and +returned to the _Pelikan_. + +Without loss of time, the crew set to work to unload, and as the +pinnace rose higher out of the water during the course of operations, +she was hauled closer to the land. + +"Everything out?" asked a voice. + +"I'll see, sir," replied a petty officer, and kneeling on the bottom +boards, he peered under the row of thwarts. + +Denbigh shut his eyes and trusted to luck. He knew that once his gaze +met that of the searcher, the darkness would not screen him. A +long-drawn minute passed, and then the man reported that the boat was +empty. + +"Good; leave a couple of boat-keepers in charge and join the party with +the whaler," continued the officer. "If you cannot manage her, ask for +additional hands, but I think you will be able to drag her up. The +ground is hard and level." + +Away went the working-party, leaving the pinnace in charge of two +seamen, who, having taken the strain off the bow cables, for the tide +was rising, sat stolidly in the stern-sheets. + +Above the distant roar of the surf, Denbigh could distinguish the thud +of the pickaxes and spades. He would have given a lot to see what the +diggers were doing, but the presence of the boat-keepers compelled him +to crouch, cramped and cold in the bows. Although the day had been +exceedingly hot, the night air was decidedly chilly, the sand radiating +the heat with great rapidity the moment the sun set. Clad in light +garments, Denbigh shivered and wished that he could stretch his limbs. + +The boat-keepers felt the cold, too, for after a little while they +began to swing their arms. Finally they jumped ashore and began to +pace to and fro. Having warmed themselves, the men sat upon the sand, +and produced pipes and tobacco. The sub distinctly heard the rasping +of matches, and gradually the odour of South American tobacco assailed +his nostrils. The men had begun to talk, desultory conversation soon +working up into an animated conversation. + +Cautiously Denbigh stretched his limbs. Then waiting until the +numbness had practically disappeared, he grasped the gunwale and slowly +raised himself until his head was level with one of the rowlocks, the +poppet of which had fortunately been removed. + +His range of vision was limited. In the bright starlight he could +discern the diggers. Already the bulk of the stores were hidden, while +at a distance of twenty yards from the cache, other men were excavating +a long trench, by the side of which lay the whaler. The depth of the +hole was now about five feet, and only the heads of the workers were +visible from the pinnace. + +The sub waited and watched, keeping a sharp look-out lest the +boat-keepers should return. Presently he became aware that his range +of vision was changing. The rising tide was swinging the pinnace +diagonally with the shore. + +Denbigh promptly returned to his lair. He was not a minute too soon, +for just as he settled himself the boat-keepers returned and took up +the strain on the bow ropes. + +"A good rise and fall for neap tides," remarked one of the men. "If we +get as much as this tomorrow we ought to be able to cross the bar. I +don't fancy having to remain at anchor in this lagoon until the new +moon with those English cruisers prowling around." + +"Ach, we will take due precautions, Henrich," replied the other. "Once +we get inside the reefs we are perfectly safe. It is the run across to +the mainland that is the trouble. Come on, let us go back to our snug +seat and have another smoke. It is indeed good to be able to tread dry +land again, even if it is little better than a sandbank." + +The men scrambled over the gunwale, and as soon as they were gone +Denbigh took up his former position by the rowlock. He was just in +time to see the whaler, lifted by a dozen brawny seamen and soldiers, +topple bottom upwards into the trench. Without loss of time the +Germans commenced to shovel back the soil. Others joined them, for the +task of hiding the stores had been completed, and in a very short space +of time the boat was quite covered, great care being taken to smooth +the soft substratum until it showed no sign of having been disturbed. + +The sub retreated to his hiding-place, for the men were beginning to +return, straggling up in groups of threes and fours. The pinnace was +backed out about half her own length and the men waded until they were +able to climb on board. + +They rowed back to the _Pelikan_. Once on the return journey the +bowman, swinging his bare legs, caught Denbigh a blow on the forehead +with his heel. Fortunately the fellow did not trouble to investigate, +but the sub realized that it was a narrow squeak. + +Arriving alongside the pinnace was hoisted out and stowed in its former +place. The workers were dismissed, the watch changed, and quietude +brooded over the ship. + +"Now comes the rub," ejaculated the sub as he crept from his place of +concealment. As agilely as a monkey he made his way along the steel +beam until he gained the funnel ladder. Then he waited and listened. +All was silence, save for the rumble of the surf and the subdued hiss +of steam from the ship's boilers. + +Unseen and unheard Denbigh gained the companion and descended the +aft-deck. As he did so footsteps on deck told him he was barely in +time. Cautiously he lifted the curtain that served to screen the light +from the hatchway. The space beyond was deserted. + +Swiftly he tiptoed to the door of the cabin. He tried the handle. The +door refused to move. He knocked softly, thinking that O'Hara had +fallen asleep. There was no response. Perhaps the Irishman had gone +in search of him; but, if so, how could he have secured the door on the +inside? Before Denbigh could knock again a steady tread resounded +along the alley-way. The sentry on the aft-deck was coming towards him. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +The Lagoon + +Almost in an instant Denbigh decided how to act. He could have crept +along the alley-way and surprised the sentry; but stunning the man +would be of little use. Nor could he hope to bluff the fellow, since +there was too much light to attempt to pass himself off as one of the +_Pelikan's_ officers. To retreat was impracticable, for someone, he +knew, was on deck in the immediate vicinity of the companion. + +Without hesitation the sub opened the door of the cabin adjoining his +and entered quickly and silently. The place was in darkness. Whether +it was tenanted or not he was unable to ascertain. Closing the door he +stood stock-still and listened. He could hear no sound of a person +breathing. For five minutes he waited, then began to grope until he +found the edge of one of the bunks. The sleeping-place was empty. +There were not even blankets and bedding. This looked promising. + +He continued his exploration, testing the remaining bunks in turn, +until he was able to come to the happy decision that by sheer good luck +he had lighted upon an empty cabin. + +The glass scuttle in the port-hole was closed, but there was no +dead-light in position over the opening. In that case it would be too +risky to switch on the light, until he had taken due precautions. + +The dead-light squeaked shrilly on its hinges as he drew it to. He +wondered whether the watch on deck heard the sound. He waited again. +There were many footsteps descending the companion. He could detect +von Langer's guttural tones, discussing some matter with one of the +other officers. + +"Dash it all!" ejaculated Denbigh, a cold perspiration standing out on +his forehead. "What if I'm in that fellow's cabin?" + +The men stopped outside the cabin. They were evidently indulging in +horse-play, for once a heavy body struck the wall with a thud, followed +by a chorus of boisterous laughter. + +Then, to Denbigh's intense relief, the officers went along the passage. +Once again he had been lucky. + +Reassured he switched on the light. The cabin was bare of furniture. +In one corner lay a pile of books and a couple of sea-stained +portmanteaux. Hanging from a coat-hook was an officer's sword-belt. +It was mildewed; the stitching of the holster had burst, the buckle was +green with verdigris. Attached to the belt was a small, circular +leather case secured by a strap. + +Denbigh handled it gingerly. There was something hard inside. +Curiosity prompted him to unbuckle the strap and open the case. Within +was a pocket-compass. What was more, it was a spirit one and seemingly +in good order. Without compunction the sub abstracted the compass and +slipped it into his pocket. + +As he did so he was startled to hear a deep groan. It seemed to sound +close to his ear. He wheeled abruptly and shot a glance in the +direction of one of the bunks, thinking that he had made a mistake in +deeming it untenanted. + +There was no one there. Again the groan was repeated. This time the +sound seemed to come from the adjoining cabin--the one occupied by Pat +O'Hara. + +A hole in the bulkhead attracted Denbigh's notice. It was the aperture +drilled by the Germans when they made their ineffectual attempt to +chloroform the three British officers. + +Through it Denbigh could see but a very small portion of the next +cabin, but sufficient to observe O'Hara lying on his back in his bunk. +He was writhing and groaning. His eyes were wide open and rolling in a +horrifying manner. + +Outside all was quiet once more. + +"I say, old man," whispered Denbigh. "What's wrong?" + +At the sound of his voice O'Hara raised himself. He tried to speak, +but could not. With an effort he rolled out of his bunk and stood +clinging to the edge for support. + +"Open the door," said Denbigh peremptorily. "I cannot get in." + +"If he's not able to it's the last straw," he soliloquized. "I'll have +to give myself up and get assistance." + +With a great effort the Irishman lurched across the floor and removed +the chair which had been wedged against the lock. Then, unable to +regain his bunk, he pitched inertly upon his face. + +Denbigh waited no longer. He darted into the alley-way, not even +waiting to see if everything were clear. The door opened easily. He +entered, and lifting O'Hara as easily as a child placed him on his bunk. + +"Felt jolly rotten almost as soon as you cleared out," muttered the +Irishman. "Sorry, but I couldn't help it." + +"I don't suppose you could," replied Denbigh, for O'Hara's regret was +genuine. "I'll ring for assistance." + +He touched the electric bell. Then, and only then, he remembered that +he had to replace a portion of the lock. Grasping the screw-driver he +set to work, and had just driven home the last screw when the locked +turned, and a petty officer entered. + +The man hurried off for the ship's surgeon. It was nearly a quarter of +an hour before the doctor arrived. He came prepared to deal with a +trifling case, but when he saw the Irishman he looked grave. + +Without expressing his opinion the surgeon went out. Nor did he again +put in an appearance. He sent, however, some quinine and written +directions as to treatment. + +For the rest of the night Denbigh sat up with his comrade. As day +broke O'Hara seemed easier. The internal pains passed off. His +temperature fell. He was able to talk rationally. By noon he was +practically well again. The attack had been sharp and rapid, but once +over it seemed to leave no ill-effects. + +Without being sighted by any of the British patrol vessels the +_Pelikan_ and her prize arrived off the entrance to the Mohoro River. +Here the two ships slowed down until there was sufficient water for +them to cross the outer bar. + +During the interval Denbigh and O'Hara were peremptorily ordered to +leave the _Pelikan_ and take up their quarters on the _Myra_, the +reason being that von Riesser was terribly afraid of illness, and in +spite of the doctor's assurances he had a firm belief that O'Hara was +suffering from yellow fever, malaria, black-water fever, and every +tropical disease under the sun. + +"Let him jolly well think so," said the Irishman joyfully. "I feel as +fit as a fiddle now; and I'm not sorry for the change." + +All the same O'Hara acted the invalid to perfection as he was rowed +from the raider to her prize. Denbigh accompanied him, taking good +care to bring all their scanty personal property that they had been +permitted to save from the _Nichi Maru_, excepting the gold that von +Riesser had ordered to be confiscated. + +The _Myra_ was in charge of Unter-leutnant Kaspar Klick and fifteen +men. There were also the skipper, officers, and crew of the tramp, +numbering thirty-two persons. The officers were given a fair amount of +liberty, but the men were kept under hatches, to their no small +discomfort in the tropical heat. + +"Sorry I'm not able to make your acquaintance under more favourable +auspices," was the greeting of Captain Pennington, the master of the +captured _Myra_, when the two subs introduced themselves. "But I hope +before many hours that we will be set at liberty." + +"We've been hoping that for weeks," said Denbigh. "The luck those +fellows get is astonishing." + +"So I should imagine," agreed Captain Pennington. "I learnt at Cape +Town that the _Pelikan_ was given up as lost, as some wreckage and one +of her boats were picked up in the South Atlantic. That is why our +cruisers relaxed their patrol, and were ordered to rendezvous at +Zanzibar. There'll be a dozen or more on their way up." + +"And any monitors?" asked O'Hara. + +"Four, as far as I know," replied the _Myra's_ skipper. "One was +detained for repairs at Simon's Bay. The others must be at Zanzibar by +this time. They will be invaluable for work inside the coral reefs." + +"And the _Pelikan_--or _Zwaan_, as we are accustomed to call her--hopes +to ascend the Mohoro River. Her draught is about twenty-two feet, and +she may be able to lighten to eighteen." + +"She won't do it," declared Pennington decisively. "It will be as much +as she can manage to cross the outer bar. She'll be nabbed before she +does that." + +"When's high water?" enquired Denbigh. + +"Let me see. New moon's on Friday. To-day's Saturday. High water, +full and change, is at 4 p.m. I take it that it's the top of the tide +to-day at eleven or thereabouts. They'll have to be pretty sharp about +it to arrive off the entrance to the lagoon by that time." + +As a matter of fact von Riesser signalled for the prize to steam full +speed ahead, the _Pelikan_ following at four cables' lengths astern. +By 8.30 the _Myra_ slowed down off the entrance to the Mohoro River. + +There was a considerable amount of mist about, for the land breeze had +not commenced to make its influence felt. + +All that could be seen was a long, irregular line of coral reefs +against which the ground-swell broke with a sullen roar into masses of +milk-white foam. There were nearly a dozen visible gaps in the reef, +the largest, bearing directly ahead, being marked by a couple of +coco-nut palms. + +At this point an island was in course of formation, there being a few +feet of soil accumulated upon the coral. These trees marked the +entrance to the lagoon, into which the Mohoro River made its way by +means of three separate estuaries. + +The Germans left nothing to chance. Way was taken off both vessels. A +boat was manned and lowered from the _Pelikan_ and rowed towards the +entrance, soundings being taken methodically and frequently. + +Having found the deepest water the officers in the boat signalled to +the _Myra_, and at half speed the captured tramp crept towards the +narrow passage. + +Between the foam-swept barriers she made her way, until she lay quietly +upon the peaceful waters of the lagoon. + +The _Pelikan_ prepared to follow. + +"Ten to one she'll bump," exclaimed Captain Pennington. "There you +are! I said so," he added, as the raider touched the bottom with a +dull grinding sound. Still she carried way. Scraping along for nearly +her own length she slid into deep water. + +"Hope she's stove in her bottom," said O'Hara. "See, they're using her +bilge pumps." + +A signal was hoisted on the raider. What it meant the British officers +were unable to say, but it was evident from the expression of the face +of Unter-leutnant Klick that the damage to the _Pelikan_ was but slight. + +By this time the mist was rising. The mainland could now be discerned, +low-lying ground densely covered with mangroves and backed by rugged +hills at a distance of about ten miles from the coast. + +The lagoon was quite three miles in breadth and extended in a northerly +direction beyond the range of vision. Southward it gradually converged +towards the coast, apparently joining it at a distance of five miles +from where the ships lay. + +"An anchorage big enough to take the whole of the British Navy," +declared Denbigh. "It's the bar that spoils the place, apart from the +pestilential swamps. Do you see that peculiar isolated tree? It's a +casuarina. It marks the principal entrance to the Mohoro--or did when +I was here last, but these African rivers have a peculiar knack of +altering their course entirely in a night." + +"I suppose we are going straight up," remarked O'Hara. "There's depth +enough for us." + +"Goodness knows," replied his chum. "At all events the _Pelikan_ +can't." + +Apparently the Germans had a good knowledge of the lagoon, for boldly +closing with the land, the _Pelikan_ dropped anchor within three +hundred yards of the highest part of the shore, where a cliff rose +abruptly to the height of thirty or forty feet. On the summit the +ground shelved gently. There were several native huts to be seen in +the clearing between the mangroves, while farther back was a +galvanized-iron shed with a whitewashed roof. + +Acting under von Riesser's instructions the _Myra's_ anchor was let go, +the tramp bringing up at a cable's length from her captor, and so close +to the shore that when she swung her stern was within forty yards of +the cliff. The water here was ten fathoms deep, the shore being +steep-to, but in spite of the depth the bottom could be clearly seen. + +"Suppose you vant to go 'shore, hein?" asked Unter-leutnant Klick. "No +tricks. Plenty of shark about." + +The German was right. Already the surface of the lagoon in the +vicinity of the two ships was furrowed with diverging lines of ripples +as the black dorsal fins of numerous tigers of the deep cleft the water. + +"No, I don't think I want to bathe, lieutenant," remarked Captain +Pennington. "It hardly looks tempting." + +Kaspar Klick laughed boisterously. + +"You see even der shark is der ally of Zhermany," he said. + +"The information does not astonish me one little bit," rejoined the +master of the _Myra_. + +"Vot you mean?" demanded the under-leutnant, instinctively guessing +that he had made a verbal blunder. + +At that moment, when the German was beginning to exhibit signs of +anger, another signal was made from the _Pelikan_, ordering the _Myra_ +to ship as much additional cargo from her captor as she could carry. + +Until sunset the work progressed. Under threats from their captors the +British crew were turned up from below and compelled to assist in +handing and stowing the gear, for it was von Riesser's intention to +lighten his vessel as much as possible, so as to attempt the inner bar +at least a couple of days before the new moon. + +Night put an end to the day's work, for not a light that could be +visible from seaward was shown. + +The two subs slept badly. Their cabin accommodation was indifferent +compared with that on board the _Pelikan_, for Unter-leutnant Klick had +appropriated the skipper's quarters, and Pennington and his chief +engineer were obliged to share the small space that had been the mate's +cabin, while that officer was told to occupy the same cabin in which +Denbigh and O'Hara were placed. + +They lacked the ventilating fan and the liberal air space. The cabin +was low and stuffy. It had no direct communication with the outside +air, as it opened into the state-room, where in normal times the +_Myra's_ officers used to have their meals. At present that limited +space was still further restricted by the huge cases of military stores +removed from the _Pelikan_. These had been struck down the hatchway +and carried aft, where they remained under the charge of an armed +sentry. + +"Those fellows think they've got us safely under lock and key," said +the mate, a burly North-countryman of the name of Armstrong. "They +don't know that each officer of this hooker has a duplicate key to his +cabin. I took jolly good care to keep mine, and I know where to put my +hand on the key to this one. To-morrow, now I know how we're berthed, +I'll get that key." + +At daybreak the work of transhipping the cargo was proceeded with +before the miasmic mists that hid the shore had dispersed. Two boats +were dispatched from the _Pelikan_ to the shore and returned laden with +tops of coco-nut trees. Before noon the foliage was stowed below out +of sight. + +Just before high water the _Myra_, being loaded far below her Plimsoll +mark, prepared to weigh and ascend the river. Even in her deeply laden +condition she drew a good nine feet less than the _Pelikan_, and could +negotiate the bar without much risk. + +The cable was almost "up and down" and the anchor on the point of +"breaking-out" when a warning shout came from one of the look-out men +on the _Pelikan_. A bugle call for "General Quarters" followed in +quick succession. + +"Hulloa, that's great!" ejaculated Denbigh excitedly. He pointed in +the direction of the passage through the reef. Heading for it was a +small gunboat. Although the distance was too great for the British +officers on the _Myra_ to distinguish her ensign they had no doubts as +to her nationality. + +"She's one of our gunboats," announced O'Hara. + +His assertion was confirmed by a flash, followed by a sharp bark as the +_Pelikan_, unmasking her guns, opened fire upon the approaching vessel. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +Denbigh's Plan + +At the opening of the engagement the prize crew of the _Myra_ made a +simultaneous rush to the tramp's rigging, in order to witness the +destruction of the audacious but lightly-armed gunboat. Unter-leutnant +Klick and another junior officer hurried to the bridge. Denbigh, +O'Hara, and the officers of the _Myra_ found themselves in sole +occupation of the deck. + +"Idiots!" exclaimed Denbigh. + +"Who?" asked Captain Pennington. + +"The _Pelikan's_ people. If they had waited another five minutes, they +would have found the gunboat jammed up on the bar. As it is she has +room to manoeuvre." + +Even as he spoke, the gunboat let fly with her puny 4-inch bow gun--the +only one capable of being trained upon the powerfully-armed raider. +Immediately a dense cloud of black smoke burst from the little craft, +entirely hiding her from view. + +"She's got it properly," exclaimed Pennington. + +Slowly the smoke began to disperse. Into the eddying vapour shell +after shell poured from the _Pelikan_. All around the sea was +lacerated by the ricochetting projectiles, which threw columns of spray +high into the air, the pure whiteness of the artificial waterspouts +contrasting vividly with the dark background of smoke. + +The Germans were shouting madly. It was their way of cheering, but it +lacked the inspiring sound of a hearty British cheer. Then, with +remarkable suddenness, the uproar of voices trailed away into a +silence, broken only by the desultory firing from the _Pelikan_. + +Under cover of the cloud of smoke purposely emitted from the gunboat, +the British craft had swung round and was steaming away at her maximum +of 13 knots, apparently undamaged by the salvoes that had been directed +towards her. The exultant shouts of the Germans were not renewed when +they saw the small vessel turn tail. Too late they realized that they +had thrown away their advantages by being too premature. The gunboat, +having sea-room in which to manoeuvre, was speeding away, not in +flight, but with the object of wirelessing the cruisers and destroyers. +By letting their insignificant antagonist escape the Germans were +bringing a hornet's nest about their ears. + +Somewhat disconsolately, the _Myra's_ prize crew descended the rigging +and other coigns of vantage and regained the deck. They, however, knew +that a loophole for escape remained. They were under orders to cross +the inner bar and ascend the Mohoro River. That course was denied the +_Pelikan_ for the next four or five days. A high spring-tide was an +absolute necessity for her to cross the barrier, and long before that +time the British blockading squadron would be off the reefs, ready to +pulverize the raider into a mass of twisted scrap-iron. + +The time of high water had gone, and the tide was beginning to fall, +when the _Myra_ essayed the task of crossing the inner bar. There was +no surf breaking at the mouth of the river, since the coral reef +enclosing the lagoon effectually sheltered the shore. Only a few +ripples marked the spot where the down-current met the submerged +barrier. In a few minutes the great volume of water pouring down the +river, having time to overcome the up tidal stream, would be surging +furiously over the bar. + +"I wish to goodness we could crock the steering-gear," said O'Hara in a +low voice. "If the old hooker grounded on the bar she would prevent +the _Pelikan_ from entering." + +"Not much use," objected Denbigh. "In fact, it would be more of a help +to her than a hindrance." + +"How's that?" asked the Irishman. + +"Simply because the river would dig itself another channel across the +bar, and its width being restricted by the stranded vessel, its depth +would be even greater than the existing one. No, I think we can do +nothing but sit tight and trust to luck, that the _Pelikan_ will be +sent to the bottom before Friday." + +"And us?" + +"You can bet your bottom dollar that a couple of armed cutters will be +sent after the _Myra_." + +Without touching even once the tramp crossed the dangerous patch, and +was soon breasting the rapidly-increasing current. The river at this +point was about 180 yards in width, and carried a depth of 30 to 40 +feet for twelve miles from its mouth. On either side the banks were +overhung with mangroves and coco-nut palms, from which myriads of +birds, aroused by the unfamiliar noise of the tramp, rose screeching in +the sultry air. The surface of the river was dotted with black objects +resembling water-logged trunks of trees, but on the _Myra's_ approach +the seemingly inanimate objects were endowed with life and activity. +They were hippopotami, that literally swarmed in the turgid water. + +Having, as he imagined, navigated the _Myra_ beyond reach of the +British cruisers, Unter-leutnant Klick ordered several of the crew of +the captured tramp on deck, and informed them that they were in future +to assist in working the ship. Should any attempt to recover the +vessel be made, the offence would be punishable with death. He also +pointed out the impracticability of escape, since the river was +infested with hippopotami, and the forests with fierce animals. + +Just before sunset, the _Myra_ brought up at a distance of about seven +miles from the mouth of the river. The flood-tide, accompanied by a +distinct bore, had now set in, and since the river was hardly wide +enough to allow the tramp to swing, an anchor was let go astern and +twice the amount of cable necessary paid out. Then, directly the +vessel's way was stopped, the bower-anchor was let go from the bows. +The stern cable was then hove inboard until the ship lay evenly between +the two anchors. + +The _Myra_ had no stockless anchors, but those of the old Admiralty +pattern. + +"By Jove! how strong the current runs here!" remarked O'Hara, as the +two subs watched the yellow stream surge past the ship. "If the ground +tackle carried away there would be a jamboree. A new channel wouldn't +form in a couple of days here." + +Denbigh did not reply. He was mentally gauging the distance between +the ship's side and the nearmost bank. + +"It's risky," he thought; "but there are no gains without pains. I'll +have a shot at it to-night." + +On being ordered to retire to their cabin the two officers found that +the mate was already there. As Denbigh and his chum entered, he +hastily stowed something in his pocket, but finding that they were not +any of the German crew he withdrew the article. + +It was a piece of soft wood about nine inches in length. + +"What's the game, Armstrong?" asked Denbigh. + +"I'm just knocking up a couple of dummy forelocks," explained the mate, +opening his jack-knife once more. "I gave our fellows in the fo'c'sle +the tip, and they'll get them in position as soon as the anchors are +catted. I'm going to give these a coat of galvanized paint and I'll +wager those German chumps won't notice the difference. Next time they +drop the hook the pins will snap under the strain, the stocks will +slip, and the old hooker will drag at the rate of knots." + +"That's a good wheeze, Armstrong," said Denbigh. "But look here. I +want you to do me a good turn. Have you the duplicate key of this +cabin?" + +"Sure I have," replied the mate. + +"I'm going to have a shot at getting ashore," declared the sub. + +"You'll be a fool if you try," said Armstrong bluntly and emphatically. +"With this current running and the hippos barging about you wouldn't +stand a dog's chance." + +"I'll wait till slack water and take my chance with the hippos," +rejoined Denbigh. "If I succeed in getting ashore I'll make my way +along the bank until I reach the entrance. I'm rather curious to see +what the _Pelikan_ is doing." + +"I'm with you," volunteered O'Hara. + +"You'll stop here, old man," said Denbigh firmly. + +"If I stop you stop too," was the Irishman's equally determined +rejoinder. "Look here, old bird; it's not like prowling around the +upper-deck. Once ashore we'll be all right. One may be jolly useful +in helping the other. Besides, I've a loaded pistol." + +"Might be handy," admitted Denbigh, secretly glad to have a companion +for his enterprise. "But there's something you have which will be, I +fancy, a jolly sight more handy." + +"What's that?" asked O'Hara. + +"The quinine the _Pelikan's_ medico gave you. Our chief danger is, I +fancy, the chance of getting miasmic fever, especially after landing in +saturated togs. A few grains will stave off a fatal illness." + +"All right," agreed O'Hara. "Then it's settled I'm to go with you. +What's your plan?" + +"Nothing more than I have outlined," replied Denbigh. "We'll keep our +eyes and ears open and see what steps the _Pelikan_ is taking for +defence. There'll be enough moonlight to see fairly clearly." + +"Suppose you wouldn't like me to go with you?" enquired the mate. + +Denbigh shook his head. + +"No, thanks, Armstrong; you'll serve a far better purpose by remaining +on board and screening our movements. Those fellows have set an anchor +watch, I suppose?" + +"Only on the fo'c'sle," replied Armstrong. "That is to say, they +hadn't put a man on watch over the stern cable when I left the deck. +But there's no knowing. They imagine that they are safe from attack. +I suppose they are so long as the _Pelikan_ remains afloat, so it's +just likely that they'll be a bit lax. How do you propose to take the +water?" + +"By the stern cable," replied Denbigh. + +"I know a better way," said the mate. "There's a rope ladder coiled up +close to the engine-room fidley. If you can lay hold of it without +being spotted you can make one end fast outside the rail and let the +rest go. It won't be noticed before morning." + +Methodically the two subs went about their preparations, for there was +as yet an hour and a half before slack water. Denbigh knew that +between the two periods of high and low tide there was an interval of +six and a half hours, for the volume of fresh water descending the +river retarded the rising tide by at least thirty or forty minutes. +The chums had thus nearly seven hours at their disposal, of which there +was moonlight until four in the morning. + +The cabin was not electrically lighted, illumination being provided by +means of a smoky oil lamp. Stripping to the buff the two subs blacked +themselves all over by means of corks charred in the lamplight. Their +clothes they lashed into a compact bundle, Denbigh stowing the +pocket-compass in his, while O'Hara placed his automatic pistol in the +middle of his clothing. Two handkerchiefs were retained in readiness +to bind their bundles on the top of their heads. + +"We may get ashore with dry gear," said Denbigh. "It's just a chance. +We'll be lucky if we do. Now, Armstrong, that key, if you please. +I'll borrow it and lock you in after we've left. It will disarm +suspicion; and besides, we will be able to let ourselves in when we +roll home in the small hours of the morning. Don't wait up, Mr. +Armstrong." + +The men smiled grimly. Even on the brink of peril they jested. Cheek +by jowl with death they bantered each other. + +The hour of slack water arrived. No longer the current surged noisily +against the _Myra's_ wall-sides. All was quiet save the occasional +rasp of a huge amphibian along the ship's plating and the faint roar of +a wild animal in the distant mangroves. + +Cautiously Denbigh applied the well-oiled key to the lock. Softly the +door was opened. In the "state-room" an oil-lamp burned dimly and +smelt abominably. Its feeble rays were almost unable to penetrate into +the recesses of the encumbered quarters. + +Giving a final look round Denbigh fastened his bundle on his head and +slipped out, followed by O'Hara. The door was closed and locked, +Denbigh thrusting the key under the lashings of his bundle. + +The deck was wet with a heavy dew that struck cold to their bare feet. +Overhead the crescent moon shone a dull yellow through the haze. The +shores were invisible. + +Crouching close to the low bulwarks the two officers made their way +amidships. Fore and aft awnings had been spread to protect the watch +on deck from the noxious dew, but there were no signs of the seamen on +duty. + +In the chart-room a light, imperfectly screened, threw a narrow glare +into the mist. The officer of the watch--one of the _Pelikan's_ petty +officers--was doubtless indulging in slumber, since it was quite +unlikely that Unter-leutnant Klick would have been out of his bunk to +satisfy himself that all was well unless an alarm was raised by those +on deck. + +Cautiously the two blackened figures glided from the shelter of the +bulwarks to the raised coaming of the engine-room fidley. Through the +iron bars they could see the gleaming mechanism, now at rest, although +steam was being kept at working pressure. + +Groping, Denbigh felt his fingers come in contact with a cylindrical +bundle. It was the rope-ladder enclosed in a canvas cover. + +Returning to the side the sub lashed one end of the ladder to the +upright of one of the davits. The other he allowed to drop. It +touched the surface of the water with hardly a splash. Being too long +for the purpose five or six feet of the ladder floated alongside. +There was not sufficient current to trail it out. + +Swinging over the bulwark Denbigh felt with his foot for the rungs. +The rope creaked under his weight. He descended until his feet came in +contact with the water, then he waited until he saw O'Hara's black form +silhouetted against the moon-lit mist. + +Thank heaven there were no hippos to be seen, although a splashing +sound at some distance off told the sub that some sort of large +amphibians were sporting in the moonlight. + +The Irishman's foot lightly touching Denbigh's upheld hand that grasped +one of the rungs aroused the sub to action. Three steps down did he +take, then he released his hold and struck out into the unknown. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +A Perilous Journey + +Twenty slow, deliberate, and powerful strokes did Denbigh take, then, +treading water, he turned his head to see how his companion was +progressing. + +In that short distance the outlines of the _Myra_ looked vague and +distorted in the eddying vapour. Already the swimmers were practically +safe from observation, since O'Hara, who was barely three yards away, +looked indistinct in his cork-blackened disguise. + +A dozen strokes more and the two officers were in the midst of a +sluggish, turgid stream, their horizon bounded by banks of mist. Were +it not for the moon, that shone dully through the haze, all sense of +direction would have been lost. The water was warm and +sickly-smelling. An odour like that of decaying flowers in an +ill-ventilated room assailed their nostrils. + +Once O'Hara gave vent to a partly smothered yell as his naked foot came +in contact with a slimy water-logged tree. It was easy to imagine +unpleasant things in that modern Styx. + +At the sound Denbigh turned. + +"What's wrong?" he asked in a whisper. + +"Nothing," replied the Irishman. "Carry on." + +He was swimming rapidly. His quick strokes betrayed his acute anxiety +to traverse the stretch of water in as short a time as possible. + +"Steady; don't splash," cautioned Denbigh. + +A reply to his admonition came from another quarter, for almost in +front of the swimmers rose a huge black object, quickly followed by +another. In the semi-light the two men could see that these were +enormous hippopotami, distinguish even their thick lips and wire-like +bristles, and hear the business-like snap of their formidable teeth, +capable of biting the side of a boat and shaking the craft like a +terrier does a rat. + +The two amphibians were gambolling. So intent were they that the +swimmers were unnoticed, but for half a minute after the hippos had +passed Denbigh and O'Hara floated motionless, not trusting to swim +forward another foot. + +At length, after a seemingly interminable space of time, the +mangrove-covered shore loomed up against the moonlit sky. The banks, +thrown into deep shadow, were invisible, until O'Hara, who was now +leading, felt his foot touch the slimy ooze that fringed the shore. + +With feelings of relief the Irishman waded to the bank and awaited +Denbigh's emergence from the river. + +"Thank God," he muttered fervently as Denbigh joined him. "Now, what's +the move?" + +"Dress," replied his chum laconically. + +The two men unfastened their bundles, and proceeded to sacrifice one of +their scanty stock of handkerchiefs as a towel. To allow the foetid +fresh water to dry on them would be courting a speedy attack of +black-water fever. + +"We can't see the _Myra_," whispered O'Hara. "How shall we know where +to 'kick-off' when we return?" + +"Bend that damp handkerchief on to one of the bushes," replied Denbigh. +"We'll have to take jolly good care to----" + +His words ended abruptly, and he found himself sitting on the soft +ground. In order to facilitate the dressing performance he had sat +down upon what he imagined to be a log. The "log" promptly lurched +forward and overthrew him. It was a healthy specimen of a crocodile. + +[Illustration: THE "LOG" WAS A HEALTHY SPECIMEN OF A CROCODILE] + +O'Hara gripped his chum's hand and literally lifted him to his feet. +Both men took to their heels, with the now aroused saurian in pursuit. +Luckily the animal was not quick at turning, and before it could do so +the two subs placed a safe distance between them and their pursuer. + +"There may be others," gasped Denbigh, who half-dressed was clutching +the rest of his clothing. "The river bank is too jolly risky. I had +my doubts about it. We'll cut inland and risk the forest. It's high +ground, as far as I could judge when we came up stream. Therefore it +ought not to be swampy. What's more, we'll save half the distance." + +"And, possibly, take double the time," added O'Hara, who, although +willing to risk the unknown perils of the mangrove forest to the +partly-known adversities of the river banks, was rather doubtful as to +his comrade's skill in navigation on dry land. + +They halted in a little clearing to complete their interrupted task of +donning their clothes. With their ears strained to catch the faintest +suspicious sound, they struggled into their light cotton garments, that +at the best of times were ill-adapted to the miasmic night-mists of the +East African coast. + +"That's better," exclaimed Denbigh cheerfully. "Feel a bit more +civilized. We might pass muster as a pair of Christy minstrels. Now, +then, a few grains of quinine, and we'll be on the move." + +O'Hara's reply was to release the safety-pin of his automatic pistol. +Denbigh, who was studying the luminous face of the pocket-compass, +smiled grimly. + +"Now I'll admit that little toy may come in handy, old man," he +remarked. "Since I lead the way, pray be careful how you finger the +trigger. Nor'east by east is the ticket." + +Before the adventurers had proceeded fifty yards, a rustling sound +overhead brought them up all-standing. Some heavy body was moving from +tree-top to tree-top with great rapidity. + +"Doesn't sound very healthy," whispered Denbigh with a forced laugh. +"I think I'll arm myself with a club." + +He wrenched at a stout sapling. Instead of the stem coming out by the +roots as he expected, it snapped off short. The fractured part tapered +to a chisel edge. The wood was hard and close-grained. + +"No, I'll use this as a spear," continued the sub. "It makes a nasty +weapon to jab an animal with." + +In silence the chums proceeded on their way. It was fair going between +the trunks of the palms and mangroves, there being very little +undergrowth. + +"'Ware mosquitoes," exclaimed O'Hara. "There must be a swamp somewhere +about." + +A swarm of these pestilential insects were buzzing around their heads, +but, possibly owing to the protection afforded by the burnt cork, the +mosquitoes did not press home the attack. Fifty yards farther the two +men were stopped by a deep morass. + +"Edge away to the left," suggested the Irishman. "I think I can hear +running water. By Jove! Look at those fireflies. They're simply +great." + +Denbigh merely grunted. He was in no mood to study the beauties of +nature. The marsh meant loss of valuable time. + +Half a dozen small deer, disturbed in the act of drinking, came +bounding towards them, until, finding themselves confronted by human +beings, they stopped abruptly, then tore madly from the newest danger. + +"Be careful!" urged Denbigh. "Those creatures have been driven towards +us by some animal. Stand by." + +Out of the deep shade ambled a huge unwieldy figure. It looked like a +giant armed with a club. It was too big for a native: it was an +enormous ape. + +In a trice Denbigh and his companion dodged behind a tree; but quick +though they were, the movement had not escaped the notice of the +animal. Uttering a shrill cry, the ape bounded towards their place of +concealment. + +Denbigh's first impulse was to fly, but calmer counsels prevailed. +Dropping on one knee, he held his improvised spear pointed towards the +enemy, the butt planted firmly into the ground. + +As well might a dog try conclusions with a motor-car. The ape's +muscular hand gripped the pole and wrenched it from the sub's grasp, +while Denbigh's endeavour to retain his hold resulted in his being +thrown prostrate at the creature's feet. + +Before the luckless man could realize his position there was a vivid +flash and a sharp report, quickly followed by another and another. +O'Hara had fired point-blank at the animal's head. + +The next instant Denbigh was pinned under the lifeless body of his +antagonist, for a chance-directed shot had struck the ape in the eye, +and had penetrated the brain. + +"Hurt?" asked the Irishman anxiously, as he assisted Denbigh to regain +his feet. + +"Am I?" asked the sub blankly. + +"If you don't know I suppose no one else does," rejoined O'Hara. + +"I thought the brute had me that time. Hulloa! where's my compass?" + +A prolonged search resulted in the recovery of the precious instrument. +Anxiously Denbigh revolved the case; to his intense satisfaction he saw +that the luminous card was still sensitive. + +"My word!" thought Denbigh, as the two men resumed their way. +"Whatever possessed me to take this business on? Idle curiosity and +the love of doing something to pass away the time, I suppose. After +all, I can't see how we can help our squadron in the slightest. And +here are we running the risk of being stranded in a beastly forest, and +perhaps being chawed up by some wild animal. Well, we're half-way +there, so I suppose we may as well carry on. I won't be the one to +suggest chucking up the sponge and making tracks for the _Myra_." + +The Irishman's soliloquies were on almost the identical lines, but as +neither communicated his thought to the other, the consequence was that +they both persisted in their hazardous adventure. + +It must have been about one in the morning, when, more by good luck +than by good management, the two British officers stumbled upon the +clearing on which stood the galvanized iron house that they had noticed +when the _Myra_ lay at anchor in the lagoon. + +Although no light was visible, there were men within, for the subs +could hear the rasping of a file and the sharp whirr of a hack-saw. + +"Steady!" whispered Denbigh. "Bear away a little. Remember we're +close to the native village. Ten to one there'll be a crowd of dogs +about, and our clothes, in spite of ill-usage, are fairly conspicuous +against the dark background." + +Twice they halted before they crossed a foot-track through the mangrove +forest. At the second path, they had to wait until a party of German +bluejackets had passed. The men were armed, and were accompanied by a +score of blacks, who had been impressed to drag a small field-gun up +the hill. + +Unsuspecting the Germans went on their way, and the subs, after a safe +interval had elapsed, continued their way to the shore. + +Suddenly O'Hara gripped his companion's arm and pointed. Fifty feet +below them, and at a distance of two hundred yards, was the native +village. The huts were wrapped in silence. Only the women and +children remained, for the men had been compelled to throw up +earthworks to defend the lagoon from the anticipated attack. Outside +the village stood two German soldiers armed with rifles and fixed +bayonets, their duty being to prevent any of the inhabitants from +leaving their huts during the night. + +"It's not healthy that way," he whispered. "More to the left, old man. +I can hear the surf." + +Ten minutes more found them at the edge of the forest, and on the brink +of the two cliffs, immediately opposite which the _Pelikan_ had brought +up and had fought her brief and unsatisfactory action with the British +gunboat. + +Bathed in the slanting rays of the moon, which was now on the wane, +were the placid waters of the lagoon. Nothing could, it seemed, escape +being detected up on that illuminated patch of sea. + +"By Jove!" exclaimed Denbigh excitedly. "The _Pelikan's_ cleared out." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +Nocturnal Investigations + +"We might have guessed that," remarked O'Hara. + +"Oh?" + +"Yes; don't you see, she was spotted by our gunboat. She couldn't get +away up the Mohoro River until Friday, and rather than run the risk of +being sunk at anchor she's landed her mob of reservists and has put to +sea again." + +"To be promptly snapped up? No; I don't care to admit your reasoning, +old man. We haven't come all this way through that confounded forest +for nothing. Listen!" + +A faint, rapid throbbing was borne to their ears. The sound came not +from the sea but along the shore to their left, where a projecting +tongue of land limited their range of vision. + +"Motor," announced O'Hara laconically. + +"And not a marine one," added Denbigh. "Come on. We'll follow this +path; it's a jolly sight safer than keeping to the shore." + +Once again they plunged into the mangrove forest, following a beaten +track that, judging by its well-worn condition, had been in existence +long before the arrival of the _Pelikan_. + +Suddenly Denbigh halted and held up his hand. Footsteps were +approaching, not those of the naked feet of natives but the booted +tramp of white men. + +The subs took cover and waited, fervently hoping that the oncomers had +not a dog with them. The party advanced slowly and haltingly, so much +so that for the moment Denbigh imagined that their suspicions had been +aroused. + +But without once glancing in the direction of the hidden officers the +men passed by. One was a petty officer of the _Pelikan_. Denbigh +recognized him by his bushy beard. With him were four seamen, walking +two abreast. The leading pair carried a roll of something wrapped in a +painted canvas cover; the others bore a large reel of wire, paying out +the thin cable as they went. + +"H'm, telephone wire," muttered Denbigh. "That doesn't look as if the +ship has cleared out. More than likely they've landed some of the guns +to form a masked battery. It strikes me pretty forcibly that we'll +have to investigate at both ends of the wire." + +Not until the sound of the receding footsteps had died away--and it +took an exasperating time--did the subs emerge from their place of +concealment. The air was now almost free from mist. Occasionally +patches of vapour drifted across their path, but generally speaking the +miasmic belt ended at a distance of about half a mile from the sea. + +O'Hara stooped and lifted up the wire. + +"Let's cut the dashed line," he suggested. + +"All in good time," replied Denbigh. "If we do so now they'll be +buzzing around before we've made our investigations. I think we're on +to a good thing." + +Nearer and nearer grew the sound of the motor, until upon emerging from +the grove the subs found themselves within a hundred yards of a German +base. + +At this point the ground sloped gently to the edge of the lagoon. +Without any apparent attempt at concealment two searchlights had been +set in position. A dozen men in naval uniforms were standing around +the projectors. The lights were "running" as was evident from the +crackle of the carbons, but the shutters were closed, cutting off the +rays. The current was produced by a dynamo, the power being supplied +by means of the petrol motor, the pulsations of which had given the +subs a clue to its position. + +"What's the idea?" whispered O'Hara, indicating the unconcealed +searchlight. + +"A blind," replied his companion. "I guessed it. We'll carry on a +little farther before we retrace our steps." + +Another _detour_ was necessary, but on plunging into the mangrove +forest on to the other side of the clearing the Irishman's foot tripped +in the telephone wire. + +"Good!" he ejaculated. "You're right, old man." + +Five hundred yards farther on the explorers almost tumbled into a deep +pit, protected on the seaward side by sandbags, between which were +stuck shrubs and branches of trees to screen the artificial work from +seaward. + +In the pit were two quick-firers, with basket cases of ammunition in +readiness. Pacing up and down between the guns was a sentry, while +under a tarpaulin supported by short poles were about a dozen sleeping +men. Farther on was another excavation, but what it contained the +British officers were unable to ascertain. The battery, it was +evident, was manned by some of the reservists from the _San Matias_. + +Denbigh, having taken a compass bearing of the entrance of the lagoon, +nudged his chum, and they began to retrace their steps. Moving as +rapidly as their sense of caution would permit, they again skirted the +searchlight station and picked up the telephone wire trail in the woods +beyond. + +"We must not forget the time," cautioned the Irishman. + +"By Jove, no!" replied Denbigh. As a matter of fact he had. The +excitement of their discoveries had banished all thought of anything +else. Even the perils of their return journey to the _Myra_ had been +lightly brushed aside. "Hang it all, there's that confounded mist +again." + +At a distance of a quarter of a mile from the searchlight position the +path bent obliquely towards the lagoon. Here the trees grew right to +the water's edge, the cliff at this point being roughly twenty feet +above the sea. + +"What's that?" whispered O'Hara. + +A cable's length from shore, and just visible through the mist, was a +large indistinct shape. At first sight it looked like a small island +thickly covered with coco-nut palms. + +"The cunning blighters!" ejaculated Denbigh. "That's the _Pelikan_." + +It was the raider. Her masts and funnels were decked with branches; +the whole tops of trees festooned her sides. The outlines of her bow +and stern were concealed by trailing masses of vegetation. Viewed from +seaward, against the tree-clad hillocks, the _Pelikan_ could not be +distinguished from her natural background. A short distance along the +shore there was a gap in the line of cliffs. Here a boat was lying, +with her crew standing about on shore. + +"They're expecting someone," whispered Denbigh. "Let's move." + +Not until the subs were a safe distance from the shore did they +exchange opinions. + +"The _Pelikan_ is expecting an attack," said O'Hara. "So she is +disguised. Some of her guns are taken ashore." + +"Why not all?" asked Denbigh. + +"I should not think so," was the reply. "They would be almost certain +to keep those in position on the port side. They haven't abandoned the +ship, otherwise the boat wouldn't be waiting to take somebody off to +her. Hulloa, there they go!" + +Two brilliant arcs of light swept across the lagoon. The searchlights +had been unmasked and were directed towards the narrow gap in the coral +reef. + +"They've spotted something," continued O'Hara. + +"Not necessarily," replied Denbigh. "Those lights are tantamount to a +challenge. Our fellows will go for the searchlight, thinking that they +are being worked from the _Pelikan_. Then the ship's guns and those of +the masked battery will be able to open a converging fire. We'll have +to stop their little game, old man." + +"Can't see how," said O'Hara. + +"No more can I at present," added his companion. "We've about three +hours to daylight. We must allow an hour and a half at the very +outside to work our way back to the _Myra_." + +"If our fellows put the hat on the _Pelikan_, we may as well hang on +and get them to pick us up. You can bet your bottom dollar they'll +take good care to see that the _Pelikan_ is properly done in." + +"My dear fellow," protested Denbigh, "are we fit to introduce ourselves +as British officers, even suppose the cruisers send a landing party +ashore?" + +"Don't care whether I am or not," replied the Irishman recklessly. +"Whether I wear an evening dress of burnt cork plus a very disreputable +uniform of white ducks, or whether I am immaculately arrayed in No. 1 +rig, makes little difference. I am still Patrick O'Hara." + +"S'sh!" whispered Denbigh, for O'Hara had unconsciously raised his +voice during the delivery of his protest. "Let's have another look to +seaward, and then we'll cut the telephone wire and clap on all sail for +our involuntary home of rest. By Jove, it's getting darker! We'll be +barging into something if we aren't very careful." + +Upon regaining the top of the cliffs the subs saw something that +indicated the impending attack. Lights were in position at the +entrance to the lagoon. The British vessels in the offing had sent +boats to sound and drop calcium-light buoys in the narrow channel, +preparatory to making a dash across the enclosed stretch of water. + +Even as the subs watched a masthead light blinked rapidly. Since the +vessels were equipped with wireless, light signals were unnecessary for +communication. Denbigh could only conclude that one of the attacking +craft was ordering the boats to return. + +"I say, old man," whispered O'Hara. "It's not going to be long-range +gunnery. I believe they're sending a couple of destroyers in. If so, +they're going to try a torpedo on the _Pelikan_." + +Before Denbigh could reply a faint gleam played upon the rock-strewn +beach. Lying at full length in the coarse grass on the top of the +cliffs, which were here only about ten feet in height, the chums waited +and watched. + +Coming towards them was a big-built man in the uniform of a German +officer. At intervals he flashed a torch upon the ground to guide his +footsteps. Behind him came a soldier with his rifle slung across his +back, and carrying a heavy valise. + +"Von Eckenstein," whispered Denbigh, recognizing the bullying Prussian +by his voice. "And with an electric torch, too. We'll bag those +fellows, Pat. No, not that pistol, you chump. We'll jump on 'em." + +Cautiously the two subs crouched ready to spring. Denbigh, grasping a +stout stick that he had found in the place of the one broken by the +ape, signed to his companion to use his powerful fists and tackle the +major's servant. + +Unsuspectingly von Eckenstein passed by. Just as he flashed the torch +Denbigh leapt. Before his feet touched the sand his stick descended +heavily upon the German's head. His sun-helmet was insufficient to +save him. Without a groan the major dropped. + +O'Hara had been equally successful in his share of the attack. Taking +Denbigh literally, he had alighted fairly on the German soldier's head. + +"I've killed him!" exclaimed the Irishman. + +"'Fraid so," agreed Denbigh. "But it's war, you know. Be sharp, drag +them into the bushes. Our dear friend the major won't recover his +senses in a hurry." + +Taking possession of the torch Denbigh scaled the cliff and made his +way through the mangroves until he was nearly twenty yards from the +edge of the wood. From this point he could see the masthead light of +the destroyer--for destroyer he felt sure it must be. He could now +flash the torch with little risk of the glare being spotted from either +the _Pelikan_ or the masked battery. + +He "called up", at first without meeting with success, but at length a +steady white light gleamed from the offing. It was not from the +destroyer that had been using her masthead light, but from one farther +out to sea. + +Rapidly Denbigh flashed the warning message:-- + +"_Pelikan_ disguised, 400 yards to southward of searchlights. Masked +battery 400 yards to northward of searchlights. Useless to attempt +torpedo." + +The white light vanished. With his nerves tingling with anxiety the +sub waited. + +Then through the darkness the destroyer's signalling lamp spelt out the +single word: + +"R-A-T-S." + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +A Neglected Warning + +"Idiot!" snapped Denbigh under his breath. "Some irresponsible +signalman acting the goat." + +"Perhaps they think that our signal is a faked message coming from the +enemy," suggested O'Hara. "Try them again: add your name and rank." + +Denbigh repeated the message, making the additions his companion had +proposed; but there was no reply--not even a facetious one. + +The signalman of the destroyer was engaged in taking down another +message from the shore, for the Germans, seeing the word 'rats' flashed +from an enemy ship, came to the conclusion that it was a personal +affront to themselves. Consequently the searchlights had been +temporarily shut off and a signalling lamp brought into play to frame a +fitting reply to the Englishmen's single-worded challenge. + +"We must make a move," announced Denbigh, disappointed at his warning +being ignored. "It will be daylight before we get back, if we don't +hurry. I'd like to stop and watch the scrap, but we can't wait. They +may not attack until close on dawn." + +Already possessed of the German soldier's rifle, bayonet and +ammunition, Denbigh led the way from the shore. As the subs crossed +the path along which the telegraph line had been laid, Denbigh severed +the copper wire in two places, making the cuts quite fifty feet from +each other. The separated part he removed, rolling it into a small +coil. + +"They'll have a bit of a bother to find that, I fancy," he remarked. +"Unless they bring a spare length with them that telephone will be +useless for the next couple of hours." + +"They'll know it has been deliberately cut, though," added the +Irishman. "If we had wrenched the wire apart they might have thought +that some animal had barged into it. There'll be some strafing over +it." + +As he spoke the air was rent by a terrific detonation, followed almost +immediately by the bark of numerous quick-firers. The attack had +commenced. + +Without a word both officers turned and raced recklessly towards the +shore. + +As Denbigh had foreseen, two British destroyers took part in the +attempt to settle the _Pelikan_. Deceived by the position of the +searchlight on shore both boats headed towards the glare like moths to +a lighted candle. + +At a distance of five hundred yards from the edge of the lagoon the +leading boat ported helm and let fly a couple of torpedoes from her +midship deck-tubes. Straight as arrows sped the two deadly missiles, +but instead of striking the hull of the _Pelikan_ they exploded +simultaneously against the rocks. + +Instantly the guns on the raider and those in the masked battery on +shore opened a furious fire. The leading destroyer, caught by the +tornado of shell, was hulled again and again. With her funnels riddled +like sieves, her deck gear swept away, and in a sinking condition, she +turned for the open sea. Failing in that object her +lieutenant-commander ran her aground on the outer reef just as she was +on the point of foundering. + +The second destroyer, blinded by the glare of the searchlights, and +finding that she was the target for two distinct batteries, neither of +which was in the spot where the _Pelikan_ was supposed to be, turned +about, screening her movements with smoke from her funnels. + +Slowing down outside the lagoon she picked up the survivors from her +consort and steamed out to sea. + +From the Germans' point of view it was a victory: the British, +undaunted by the loss of one of their boats, preferred to call it a +"reconnaissance in force", with the object of compelling the enemy to +unmask his batteries. The main attack would be made by long-range +gunnery, and to that end the three monitors, then lying in Zanzibar +Harbour, were ordered to make for the mouth of the Mohoro River. + +Denbigh and O'Hara, having the mortification of seeing the destroyers +repulsed with loss--the action was over in five minutes--again set out +on their return journey. + +In spite of the aid afforded by the compass the subs found, on emerging +from the forest, that they were a long way out of their reckoning. +They had hit the banks of the Mohoro River right enough, but either a +considerable distance above or below the spot where the _Myra_ lay +moored. + +The mists had rolled away. It was now very dark, yet had the tramp +been anywhere in the vicinity the subs would have been able to discern +her. There were ominous sounds: those of huge creatures wading over +the mud-flats. Hippopotami and crocodiles were emerging from the river. + +"Up or down?" asked O'Hara. + +"Neither, by this bank," replied Denbigh, gripping his rifle. "It +doesn't sound healthy. We'll cut inland a bit and try our luck +up-stream." + +"Why up-stream?" asked the Irishman. + +"Because I think I've tumbled to it," answered his chum. "I've been +carrying this rifle on my left shoulder for the greater part of the +last hour. I have also been holding the compass within a few inches of +the steel barrel. It was a silly thing to do, I admit, but I didn't +think of it at the time. Consequently the needle deviated and threw us +out of our course. We've gone more to the left of our outward track, +and that brings us down stream." + +"It's getting light, I believe," remarked O'Hara after a ten-minutes +detour. + +"Yes," replied Denbigh. "It's the false dawn. It will get pitch-dark +for a little while before the real daybreak. Push on. This light will +serve us a good turn." + +Once more the adventurous twain gained the river bank. This time their +efforts met with success, for showing clearly in the half-light of the +false dawn was the _Myra_. + +"Nearly slack water," announced Denbigh. "We're in luck. Keep under +cover in case the watch are feeling particularly energetic." + +While awaiting the return of darkness, Denbigh retrieved the +handkerchief he had left as a mark, and wrapping it round the breech of +the captured rifle, buried the weapon in the soft earth. It might, he +argued, come in handy within the next few days. Beyond that time the +rifle would be rapidly attacked by rust, for on the East Coast of +Africa the action of corrosion is almost as quick as in the moist air +of the Gold Coast. + +He was dubious concerning the bayonet. It had a much larger blade than +the British article, and its back was furnished with a formidable +double row of teeth to within six inches of the point. With it a man +might fell a fairly large-size tree in an hour. + +"Pity to waste it," declared Denbigh. "Only it's too long to hide +under my clothes without great risk of its being spotted. On the other +hand, it may come in jolly useful." + +"Break it in two," suggested his chum. "Even four inches of the blade +might be handy." + +Wrapping his coat round the end of the blade in order to protect his +hands, the sub brought the flat of the steel smartly against his knee. +To his disgust the bayonet did not snap, as he fully expected it to do. +It bent, and instead of flying back when the pressure was released it +remained bent. + +"Good old Solingen steel!" exclaimed Denbigh disgustedly. "Same rotten +stuff that our cutlass-bayonets were made of in the '85 Soudan +campaign." + +All efforts to break the bayonet failed. The metal was so non-elastic +that the sub gave up the attempt and hurled it into the mud. + +"Time!" he exclaimed. "It's getting dark again." + +The men stripped, and made their clothes into bundles as before. To +return to the _Myra_ with their garments shedding streams of turgid +water would never do, since they had no other clothes. + +"Ugh!" ejaculated O'Hara as his feet touched the loathsome slime. "I +can't say I'm hankering after a mud bath. Can't say I like the rotten +turnip-smelling water any better." + +"Dry up!" cautioned Denbigh under his breath. + +"Wish I could," retorted the irrepressible Irishman. "Sure I'm wet +altogether." + +They swam side by side, making use of the "dog-stroke", as there was +less risk of attracting attention by an involuntary splashing. + +It was a nerve-racking ordeal, for the darkness was now intense. +Hippopotami were noisy not so very far off; there was imminent danger +from crocodiles, that, floating like logs in the water, were +practically invisible until one was almost within arm's length of them. +But on top of these unpleasant possibilities, the haunting dread that +the rope ladder might have been removed was uppermost in Denbigh's mind. + +As the swimmers approached mid-stream, they found there was still a +strong current. It was indeed a hard struggle to make the ship. +Well-nigh exhausted, the two chums gained their goal. Thank heaven the +end of the ladder was still trailing in the water. + +For some minutes the subs contented themselves by hanging on to the +ropes and regaining their breath. Then Denbigh, assuring himself that +the key to the cabin was still hanging from a cord round his neck, +began to ascend. When his head was level with the bulwarks he peered +cautiously along the deck. He could see or hear no one. Had a sentry +been standing for'ard, it would have been possible to discern his +outlines against the gloom. He would have much rather seen the fellow +and made arrangements accordingly, than to be in ignorance of where the +sentry was, since it was unlikely that all the watch on deck were +skulking. + +Denbigh ascended another rung and waited again. This time he heard +voices speaking in low guttural tones. The watch were sheltering in +the fore-peak. + +Reassured on this point, the sub leapt lightly over the rail. As he +did so his bare feet came in contact with something soft. He had +pitched fairly upon a fat German, who, heedless of the risk of sleeping +in the open air, had coiled himself up under the lee of the bulwarks. + +The shock threw Denbigh to the deck. Quickly regaining his feet, he +saw the astonished German struggling to rise. Before he could do so +the sub dealt him a powerful left-hander. Missing the point of the +Teuton's chin, Denbigh's clenched fist struck him heavily on the nose. + +Thoroughly scared by the apparition of a stalwart black, the man took +to his heels. Yelling with fear, his cries for assistance were +rendered indistinguishable owing to the fact that he held both hands +pressed tightly over his nose, which was leaving a purple trail on the +deck. + +"Come on!" hissed Denbigh to his chum. + +O'Hara needed no second bidding. Clearing the bulwarks, he quickly cut +adrift the ladder and raced after Denbigh, who was making with all +possible dispatch for the companion. + +For a brief instant Denbigh fumbled with the key; then inserting it in +the lock he threw open the door. + +"Back again, Armstrong," he announced coolly, for now all immediate +danger was over. "Have you any clean water handy? We could both do +with a good wash." + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +Armstrong's Part + +Restraining his curiosity, the mate of the _Myra_ poured out some water +into a tin bowl, and handed Denbigh a small piece of yellow soap. + +"There'll be just time to scrub your figureheads," he remarked. +"You'll have to turn in pretty sharp, or you'll be bowled out. They're +getting a little bit excited on deck." + +Realizing that it would be as well to act on Armstrong's advice, the +subs, by dint of hard scrubbing and plenty of soap, succeeded in +removing the burnt cork from their faces, necks, and hands. This done +they donned their pyjamas and scrambled into their bunks, while the +mate obligingly unpacked their bundles and laid out the garments with +methodical precision. + +Armstrong was not far wrong in his surmise. The excitement on deck +bordered on a state of panic. Every man of the prize crew turned out. +Unter-leutnant Klick, having heard a muddled version of what had taken +place, ordered the man who had been jumped upon to state what he knew. + +The seaman, still shaken and frightened, could only affirm that he was +pacing the deck as conscientiously as a sentry should do, when the +black figure leapt upon him from behind and felled him. + +"From behind, say you?" repeated Unter-leutnant Klick. "How, then, +could you see that he was black?" + +"I must have spun round, sir, as I fell," replied the fellow. "I +distinctly remember seeing that he was black and without clothing. He +may be a native." + +"Where did he go after taking you unawares?" asked the prize-master of +the _Myra_. + +"Over the side, sir, I think. I believe I heard the splash." + +Kaspar Klick, however, had his suspicions. Not for one moment did he +imagine that anyone would be so utterly reckless as to attempt to swim +ashore and back again. The river, teeming with hippopotami and +crocodiles, offered too formidable an obstacle. On the other hand, the +mysterious assailant of the sentry might be one of several of the +English prisoners, intent upon recapturing the ship. Had the faithful +sentry been felled without uttering a sound, the plot may have +succeeded; but when the seaman made enough bellowing to awaken the +Seven Sleepers, the daring Englishmen probably thought better of it, +and had retired speedily and discreetly. + +Ordering half a dozen armed men to accompany him, Unter-leutnant Klick +went for'ard. Over the hatchway leading to the forehold, where the +_Myra's_ deck hands were under lock and key, he found a sentry on duty. +The man was most emphatic that no one had attempted to come on deck. +The state of the padlock proved that. + +Still dubious, the unter-leutnant descended the main hold. Making his +way over a pack of miscellaneous cargo, he came to the for'ard +bulkhead. A careful examination showed that no effort had been made to +cut through the partition separating the two holds. He could, +therefore, feel reassured that the original crew of the _Myra_ had not +attempted to put into execution a plot to recover the ship. + +"Perhaps it is those harebrained officers we took from the Japanese +liner," soliloquized Klick. "I'll go the rounds now I am about it, and +see if those fellows have been up to any tricks." + +Had the unter-leutnant gone aft as soon as he commenced his +investigations, he might have noticed the tell-tale prints of wet feet, +left by Denbigh and his chum as they scurried to the cabin. By this +time the marks had almost vanished. The slight traces of dampness that +remained were hardly noticeable in the gloom, for it was still dark, +and 'tween decks the lantern gave but a feeble glimmer. + +Klick inserted his key into the lock and threw open the door. The +cabin was in darkness, until one of his men flashed a lantern into it. +The unter-leutnant sniffed suspiciously. + +"Anyone awake?" he asked. + +"Yes," replied Armstrong. + +"You haf been a lamp burning," said Kaspar Klick accusingly. "It is +again der regulations." + +Armstrong's reply told the listening subs that he was "up to snuff". +The prize-master had sniffed the odour of burnt cork; but since he had +suggested that it was the smell of an extinguished oil-lamp, the mate +did not contradict. + +"Yes," he replied. "Mr. O'Hara hasn't been very well. I had to give +him some quinine, and a fellow must have a light to see that he is +giving the right dose." + +"Ach! Is dat so?" asked the unter-leutnant. "Now, tell me dis. Herr +O'Hara, did he go on deck since last hour ago?" + +"No," replied Armstrong with perfect truthfulness. "I am certain he +didn't. I'm a very light sleeper, and if he had moved I should have +heard. Besides, how could he get out without a key?" asked the mate +with well-feigned innocence. + +"I tell you dis----" began Klick; but before he could carry out his +intention a loud shout of "Wer da?" came from the deck, followed by an +unintelligible hail, coming from some distance down the river. + +Kaspar Klick waited no longer. Hurriedly he left the cabin, slamming +and locking the door, and rushed on deck. Aft, a sentry at the ready +was repeating his challenge. The first blush of the short tropical +dawn revealed the presence of a four-oared galley speeding up with the +tide. + +"We're from the _Pelikan_, sir," announced the petty officer in charge, +as the boat ran alongside. Without attempting to board the man +delivered his message. + +In spite of the closed dead-light Denbigh and his companions could hear +all the fellow was saying. + +"Herr Kapitan von Riesser sends his compliments," continued the +coxswain. "He is anxious to know whether any of the English prisoners +have escaped." + +"No, certainly not," replied Kaspar Klick with righteous indignation in +his voice, "our precautions are too elaborate to give the dogs a chance +of that. But why has Kapitan von Riesser sent you with that question?" + +"We've been in action, sir," declared the man. + +"We heard the firing," remarked Klick. "And the result?" + +"One English cruiser sunk, another driven on to the rocks," announced +the coxswain, allowing his imagination to kick over the traces. "There +were others. We would have captured or destroyed those, only----" + +"Only what?" asked the unter-leutnant sharply. + +"Someone cut our field telegraph. 'B' battery could not get in touch +with the observation officer and so the rest of the enemy escaped." + +"How do you know that the wire has been cut?" asked the unter-leutnant. +"It might have carried away." + +"A whole length of it has been removed, sir," reported the coxswain. + +"Then it was the natives. They'll steal anything in the metal line. +Kapitan von Riesser ought to have known that," replied Klick with +asperity. "We look after our prisoners here. None of them has the +faintest chance of getting out of the ship. Anything more to report?" + +"Only that Major von Eckenstein is missing. He left the observation +station to go to the _Pelikan's_ landing stage and never arrived. +Search parties were out when I left." + +Unter-leutnant Kaspar Klick made no audible comment. Inwardly he +rejoiced, after the manner of mean-minded men when they hear of +misfortune overtaking those they dislike; for there was no love lost +between the two representatives of the Kaiser's forces. + +"Very well; carry on back," he ordered. "You can reassure Kapitan von +Riesser on the points he mentioned." + +"There's something else, sir," reported the petty officer, producing a +linen envelope from under a cushion in the stern-sheets. "I had to +deliver this to you personally." + +The German officer took the envelope and went below to read its +contents. It was to the effect that the _Pelikan_ had been lightened +still more and that at high water she would attempt the bar. The +_Myra_ was to return down stream and stand by to render assistance if +necessary. + +Returning on deck the prize-master gave back to the coxswain the order, +to which was added a notation that it would be complied with, and +dismissed the boat. Then, grumbling at being turned out so early in +the morning, Kaspar Klick retired to his cabin. + +"Is that right about the sinking of one of our cruisers?" asked +Armstrong, when Denbigh had translated the gist of the conversation, +for in spite of the port-hole being closed every word had been audible. + +"Hardly," replied Denbigh. "The Germans have a funny habit of +magnifying the size and class of any and every vessel they sink. +Unfortunately they sent one of our destroyers to the bottom. By Jove! +doesn't this burnt cork take a lot of shifting?" + +The two subs were busily engaged in scrubbing off their sooty coats, to +make the rest of their bodies harmonize with their faces. Fresh water +being strictly limited and yellow soap microscopic in size their task +was not an easy one. + +"Well, if they attempt to bring the _Pelikan_ up the river," commented +the mate of the _Myra_, "I hope they'll pile her up on the bar. If +they succeed we'll have to try our hand. Don't I wish they'd let me +have charge of the wheel for five minutes. Now what do you think of +these? I call them champion." + +He held out the two dummy forelocks, which he had completed in the +absence of Denbigh and his chum. They had been coated with aluminium +paint, while to give them a worn appearance he had rubbed charcoal over +the paint. Only by actual handling, when the difference in weight +between the real and the spurious article could be detected, could the +deception be discovered. + +"Capital!" exclaimed O'Hara, suppressing a yawn. "Oh, dash it all! +This is the result of being out of bed when one ought to be enjoying +one's beauty sleep. I'm turning in again." + +"Also this child," added Denbigh; but before the chums could throw +themselves upon their bunks a bugle sounded. It was the signal that +another working day had begun, and that the prisoners had to turn out +and assist their captors. + +"Morning," was Captain Pennington's greeting as Denbigh and O'Hara came +on deck. Then, making sure that no German was within earshot, he +asked, "And what little game were _you_ up to last night?" + +"What do you mean?" asked Denbigh in surprise. + +"Like you I have a liking for fresh air," replied the skipper of the +captured tramp. "The Huns screwed down the dead-light to the +port-hole, but forgot to enquire if I had a spanner. They saved +themselves an unnecessary question, by the by, for I would not have +owned up to being in possession of a very serviceable one. So during +the night I opened the port-hole to get a breather. I was rather +surprised to find a rope-ladder dropped over the side, and still more +so to see two disreputable niggers, whom I recognized as you two, swarm +down and take a cold bath. Also I had the pleasure of seeing the same +dusky pair return, and had the intense satisfaction of hearing a German +bellow like a whipped child." + +"Then we weren't so smart as we imagined," observed O'Hara. "Fortunate +it was for us that you weren't a Hun." + +Before the subs could enlighten Captain Pennington as to the nature of +the mystery the unter-leutnant came up. + +"You vill haf to vork, kapitan," he said without further preliminaries. +"If you no keep your crew up to concert pitch trouble you vill haf. +You men vill vork vatch and vatch, see?" + +Captain Pennington merely nodded in reply. He realized that passivity +was desirable; on the other hand, having heard of Armstrong's little +plan, it would not do to show unwonted eagerness to assist in working +the ship. + +"Turn up der men," ordered Klick. + +"One minute," interposed Captain Pennington. "We are not at sea now. +My men have insufficient head-gear. It's risking sunstroke." + +The unter-leutnant considered the affair for a few minutes. Personally +he didn't care a rope's-end whether the strafed Englishmen had +sunstroke or not, until it occurred to him that a number of invalids +would hamper operations. Finally he gave orders for a number of solar +topees or sun-helmets to be issued to the British crew. + +It was eight o'clock in the morning when the _Myra_ weighed. Already +the sun was unpleasantly hot. There was no wind. Under the shade of +the mangroves the mists still held, while the black mud left uncovered +by the falling tide gave out a most noxious vapour. + +To Denbigh's satisfaction Armstrong had been sent for'ard to +superintend the weighing and catting on the anchor. The stern anchor +had already been hove short. + +Under the action of the steam winch the cable came home. Manoeuvred by +means of the twin screws the _Myra_ swung round in mid-stream, and as +the "hook" broke out from the muddy bottom the tramp forged slowly +ahead. + +Half a dozen British seamen were on the fo'c'sle together with three +Germans. The latter took good care to leave most of the work to the +prisoners, so that Armstrong had a clear opportunity to withdraw the +real forelocks from the anchors and replace them with the wooden ones. + +"That's all serene," he whispered to Denbigh as he came aft. "Now +there'll be trouble for the Deutschers." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +The Disaster to the _Myra_ + +Arriving at the entrance to the Mohoro River the _Myra_ made no attempt +to recross the inner bar. Nor did she anchor, contenting herself with +merely steaming ahead against the flood-tide at a slow speed that kept +her stationary with the shore. + +Just before high water the _Pelikan_ hove in sight from behind a +projecting tongue of land. She still retained her garb of palm trees. +The subs noticed that she had a decided list to starboard. This, +however, was not due to a leak but to the fact that her cargo had been +trimmed so as to throw her on her bilge and thus lighten her draught. + +Slowly she approached the bar, and promptly took ground. Gripped by +the strong tide the stern portion swung round, throwing her almost +broadside athwart the river. + +Great was the confusion on board. Half a dozen officers were shouting +simultaneously; men were rushing hither and thither, with no apparent +object, while with her engines reversed, her propellers were throwing +huge columns of mud and water. + +Before the officers realized the danger the starboard propeller had +shed its blades owing to their coming into contact with the bottom, +while the port propeller was stopped after two blades had been badly +buckled. + +Cautiously the lighter-draughted _Myra_ was backed astern until a +couple of stout hawsers were passed to her from the stranded vessel. + +Three times the tramp endeavoured without success to tow off the +_Pelikan_, but on each occasion the hawsers snapped. By this time it +was close on high water. + +Meanwhile the raider's crew were working like men possessed, throwing +overboard heavy gear that Kapitan von Riesser would have given +thousands of marks to retain. Military stores of the utmost importance +had to be ruthlessly sacrificed, unless the _Pelikan_ was to remain a +target for the guns of the British cruisers which were even now +supposed to be on their way from Zanzibar. + +On the fourth occasion a hawser was sent off to the _Myra_, while in +addition the pinnace was towed into midstream with a large anchor slung +underneath her keel. + +The anchor having been dropped, the cable was led to the _Pelikan's_ +steam capstan. Directly the chain took the strain the _Myra_ began to +tow, with the result that the luckless raider scraped heavily across +the bar into deep water. + +Kapitan von Riesser was delighted, in spite of the loss of stores and +gear. The damaged propellers mattered little, since the _Pelikan_ +would never again attempt to put to sea. The _Myra_ could tow her up +the Mohoro River until she was out of range of the British cruisers' +guns, and from that point the reinforcements for the German Field Force +could proceed to the Rhodesian border and attempt to check General +Smut's advance. + +Amongst the troops was Major von Eckenstein, who had been discovered +lying unconscious at the foot of the cliffs. He was badly battered +about the face, and severely hurt internally. When he came to he was +quite unable to account for his injuries. It was quite evident that +from a combatant point of view the arrogant major was out of the +running. + +As soon as the _Pelikan_ was in comparative safety the German troops +were re-embarked. The quick-firers which had been landed, and which +had served so good a purpose in repelling the British destroyers, were +brought round by steamboats and again hoisted on board the _Pelikan_. + +This done the _Myra_ took her big consort in tow, and against the now +strong ebb-tide slowly crawled up the turgid river. + +Before the tidal stream had turned the two vessels had passed the spot +where the tramp had anchored on the previous night. Without stopping +they proceeded up-stream, the _Pelikan_ keeping well under control by +means of her rudder and a supplementary steering device consisting of a +long spar towed astern to prevent the ship from yawing. + +"By Jove! there's trouble ahead," observed Denbigh, pointing to a sharp +bend in the river about a mile ahead. Here the tidal portion of the +stream extended nearly 500 yards from bank to bank, while the actual +channel was a bare fifth of that distance. On the starboard hand ran a +long tongue of mud, round which the stream swept with great violence. + +By this time a strong breeze had sprung up, blowing athwart the +channel. The absence of trees close to the bank increased the +difficulty, for there was no protection from the wind as it swept +against the lofty side of the slowly-moving _Pelikan_. + +Already the raider's semaphore was signalling to the _Myra_ to cast off +and anchor until the tide slackened. + +With a grim smile on his face Armstrong winked solemnly at the subs. +He said not a word, for several of the German seamen were standing by. + +"Let go!" ordered Unter-leutnant Klick, directly he saw that the +_Pelikan_ had dropped her anchor. + +Promptly the British seaman stationed at the compressor obeyed. The +bower anchor fell with a sullen splash. Fathom after fathom of chain +roared through the hawse-pipe. + +Klick raised his hand as a signal for the cable to be checked. The +_Myra_ was still making sternway and showed no decided tendency to +bring up. Another fifty fathoms of chain were paid out. Still the +tramp dropped astern. She was now within half a cable's length of the +_Pelikan_, which to prevent herself being in collision was obliged to +veer out her cable. + +"The anchor's not holding, sir!" shouted the German petty officer in +charge of the fo'c'sle party. + +"Then let go a second anchor," yelled Klick excitedly. "Make them look +sharp, or we'll be foul of the _Pelikan_." + +The unter-leutnant had no cause to complain of the lack of energy on +the part of the prisoners. With the utmost dispatch the second anchor +was let go. Before twenty fathoms, which alone ought to be sufficient +to bring the _Myra_ to a standstill, were paid out the whole of the +cable of the first anchor had been made use of. + +Suddenly a sullen roar was heard coming from down-stream. The Mohoro +River at certain intervals, especially at extraordinary spring-tides, +is subject to a bore. The bore is very erratic. Sometimes it is very +much in evidence, at other times it is hardly perceptible; but there +was no doubt that now it was of unusual magnitude. + +Nearer and nearer came the wall of solid water, maintaining an unbroken +wave towards the centre of the river. Close to the banks it broke +heavily. + +"Go full speed ahead or we'll be into you!" shouted Kapitan von Riesser +frantically. + +The _Myra's_ engine-room telegraph clanged. Either by accident or +design the British engineers were slow in replying. The tramp was only +just forging ahead when the bore swept under the _Pelikan's_ counter. + +Round swept the raider, her stern just missing the _Myra's_ taffrail. +Fortunately her cables held, but not so the tramp. + +With her engines going ahead and held tightly by the scope of her +anchor-chain--for the anchors themselves, thanks to their dummy +forelocks, were useless--the tramp headed uncontrollably towards the +port-hand bank. In the midst of the tumult of water as the bore broke +over her she struck and struck heavily. + +In an instant the doomed vessel fell over on her beam-ends. With an +appalling crash her funnels and masts went by the board. So sudden was +the catastrophe that a dozen German seamen were trapped down below. +Only by the narrowest margin did the British engine-room staff make +their escape. + +Of what occurred during the next few moments neither Denbigh nor O'Hara +had any clear recollection. They found themselves standing on the side +of the vessel. Captain Pennington, Armstrong, and Unter-leutnant Klick +were there, too. Up for'ard the British seamen and half a dozen of the +German prize crew were scrambling along the upturned sides, which were +by this time barely three feet above the surface of the raging stream. + +It was evident that the survivors had found only a very temporary place +of refuge. The force of the current sweeping past the ship was wearing +out a deep hole in the bed of the river, into which the _Myra_ was +slowly subsiding. To attempt to escape by swimming was almost an +impossibility, as the water surged and eddied past, forming a dangerous +whirlpool close to the stern of the vessel. + +"By Jove!" exclaimed Armstrong. "This is a proper wash-out. We've +done the trick properly this time." + +"Yes, it's more than we bargained for," added the Irishman. "I would +never have believed that a craft of this size would be swallowed up so +quickly." + +Meanwhile Denbigh could not help noticing the marked difference in the +demeanour of the British and German seamen, who by this time were up to +their knees in water, and were soon, unless help were forthcoming, to +be swept off their feet by the rush of the flood-tide. + +The Huns were shouting dolorously for aid; the _Myra's_ men were either +stoically silent or else inclined to indulge in grim jests at the +expense of the bellowing Teutons. + +Denbigh looked in the direction of the _Pelikan_. The crew were +engaged in lowering boats, and taking an extraordinarily long time +about it, owing to the pronounced list of the raider and also to the +fact that her decks were encumbered with her disguise of vegetation. + +Unter-leutnant Klick was trembling violently. He, of all the officers +taking refuge on the side of the tramp, had managed to procure a +life-belt. Even the contemptuous glances of the _Myra's_ skipper +failed to shame him. + +Presently the first of the _Pelikan's_ boats came tearing up-stream. +It required all the strength of the oarsmen to check her way. An +ironical cheer from the British seamen greeted her arrival. + +"Women and children first!" they yelled derisively as the +unter-leutnant and the surviving German seamen made a frantic rush for +the boat. + +Two of the Huns jumped short. Although good swimmers they were swirled +away like pieces of straw, until, drawn into the vortex of the +whirlpool, they disappeared. + +The second boat, backing towards the deadly whirlpool, awaited the +men's reappearance, but in vain. Then, attempting to run alongside the +wreck, the frail craft bumped heavily upon a submerged part of the +vessel and stove in a couple of planks. While two of the crew began to +bale, the boat was swept several hundred yards up the river, for the +remaining rowers were helpless against the flood. + +Meanwhile the first boat, having rescued the unter-leutnant and the +surviving German seamen, began to approach the wreck again; until +Klick, in an agony of terror lest she, too, would meet with disaster, +ordered the men to push off. + +A third boat--a whaler--came upon the scene. Acting with great caution +her coxswain brought her alongside and motioned to Denbigh and his +companions to leap. + +"Those men first," cried Captain Pennington, pointing to those of his +crew who were still maintaining a precarious hold. + +The coxswain understood and allowed his boat to drift down upon the +handful of seamen. Coolly the British crew scrambled into safety, and +the whaler, urged under the powerful strokes of the oarsmen, began to +make her way aft. + +Suddenly the almost submerged part on which Denbigh and his companions +were standing gave a sickening shudder and disappeared beneath the +surface. A swirl of water, surging with irresistible force, swept the +four officers off their feet. + +The next instant Denbigh found himself struggling for dear life in the +foaming yellow water of Mohoro River. In spite of his peril, he could +not help contrasting his involuntary bath with that of the previous +night. Then the water was warm, tranquil, and evil-smelling. Unseen +dangers assailed him on every hand. Now the same river was nothing +less than a broiling cauldron. + +With almost superhuman strength Denbigh struck out. Already he was +within the influence of the deadly whirlpool. Spinning round and round +he kept his face from the vortex, striving, but in vain, to overcome +the suction of the gigantic eddy. + +He could see no signs of his companions. Either they had already +disappeared, or else they had been thrown beyond the range of the +inverted cone that marked the position of the whirlpool. + +Even in danger of imminent death, the sub recalled an incident in the +Clarence Victualling Yard, several years ago. He had been taken by his +father to see the process of manufacturing ships' biscuits. In one +building he saw flour sliding down an inclined plane into a mixing +machine. Mingled with the flour were several large maggots, that gave +the name to the creek that forms the approach by water to the +Victualling Yard. Finding themselves disturbed, the insects tried to +wriggle back, but in vain. Down they slid till caught in the mixer, +finally to form part of the ingredients of ship's biscuits. + +"And I'm almost in the same boat as those weevils," thought Denbigh +grimly, as he completed a circle for the twentieth time. + +He was nearing the vortex. The spiral motion became quicker. An +irresistible force was dragging him down. + +Suddenly Denbigh threw up his arms. He was physically played out. +Like an arrow he shot into the pit in the centre of that mass of +whirling water. The blaze of the African sun gave place to intense +darkness. He held his breath, until his lungs seemed to be on the +point of bursting. + +As rapidly as he had gone down the sub was shot to the surface. Again +he was within the range of the whirlpool, for its centre, instead of +being stationary, was moving in an ellipse. + +Unable even to struggle, Denbigh was again sucked down. This time, +incapable of holding his breath, he swallowed a quantity of water. The +pressure on his chest was excruciating. Then torture gave place to a +strange calmness. On an instant, recollections of practically the +whole of his past life flashed across his mind. The mental pictures +faded away and all became blank. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +A Bid for Freedom + +When Denbigh opened his eyes he found himself in the now familiar cabin +on board the _Pelikan_. There were several people in the limited +space. He did not feel any interest in them. They irritated him. He +wanted to sleep. + +Gradually it dawned upon him that he had a narrow escape. Then he +remembered that O'Hara was with him when he was swept off the side of +the _Myra_. + +"You there, Pat?" he asked, half afraid to put the question in case his +chum was gone. + +"Sure," replied a deep voice from the opposite bunk. + +Denbigh attempted to sit up. He felt horribly sick. His head was +whirling. It reminded him very forcibly and unpleasantly of his spiral +flight around the vortex of the whirlpool. + +"Lie still, Mr. Denbigh," said Captain Pennington. "You'll be fit all +in good time." + +"All right," agreed the sub. He was not in a fit state to do +otherwise. "Where is the _Pelikan_ now?" + +The skipper of the _Myra_ lowered his voice. + +"Properly trapped. She cannot go another fifty yards up the river. +We've spoilt her little game." + +"Good business," murmured Denbigh, and turning on his side he fell +asleep. + +His escape was little short of miraculous. It was owing to the fact +that he wore his solar topee fastened by a strong "chin-stay". The +air-space between the double thickness of the sun-helmet possessed +sufficient buoyancy to bring him to the surface, after being twice +taken down by the whirlpool. + +A few minutes previous to the disaster, the bore had exhausted itself +at a point ten miles up the river, and the "rebound" had made itself +felt just at the time when Denbigh made his second involuntary dive. +The sudden slackening of the full force of the flood-tide had caused +the whirlpool to cease, with the result that the sub floated +unconscious on the surface of the river, when he was picked up by the +_Pelikan's_ whaler. O'Hara, Captain Pennington, and Armstrong had been +more fortunate, for they had been swept clear of the influence of the +eddy. + +The result of Armstrong's plot had rather exceeded his expectations. +The _Myra_ lay athwart the channel, with less than twelve feet of water +over her at high tide. Until the Mohoro River cut itself a new bed +round the submerged wreck--which might take twenty-four hours or as +many days--the _Pelikan_ would be unable to proceed. Even if the +obstruction did not exist, the raider was unable to proceed owing to +the loss of her propeller blades. + +The whole of the stores removed from the _Pelikan_ to the _Myra_, as +well as those originally in the tramp's holds, were hopelessly lost, +including the bulk of the ammunition and arms intended for the German +colonial troops. There were several hundred reservists still on board, +with no facilities for their transfer up-country. Even had there been +boats available for them all, the voyage up the Mohoro was fraught with +danger. + +On the other hand, to remain in the _Pelikan_ was to court disease and +famine, even should the raider escape detection by the British cruisers. + +Kapitan von Riesser's position was far from enviable. He soundly rated +Unter-leutnant Klick, who in turn tried to shift the blame upon the +British sailors for their dilatoriness in letting go the anchors. Von +Riesser had seen with his own eyes that the anchors had been let go +promptly. He could not, therefore, accuse the _Myra's_ original crew +of conspiracy, since he had no evidence. The prospect of capture, too, +made him treat the prisoners with far more consideration than he would +have done had his position been a secure one. + +The kapitan of the _Pelikan_ was not, however, going to "knuckle under" +without another effort. For the next three days all hands were kept +hard at work, in spite of the blazing sunshine by day and the miasmic +mists by night. + +The guns previously landed on the shores of the lagoon and afterwards +taken on board again were once more sent ashore, and placed in position +so as to command a wide stretch of river. The _Pelikan_, being now +moored fore and aft, had the remaining quick-firers mounted at the +stern, so as to cooperate with the shore batteries in sweeping the +approach by water. + +Two miles down-stream a steel-studded cable was thrown across from bank +to bank, and supported by barrels lashed in pairs at frequent +intervals. The obstruction ought to prevent the dash by armed +steamboats, even if unable to withstand the headlong charge of a +destroyer. + +The most formidable objects of defence were the two torpedo-tubes, +which were removed from the ship and placed in position on shore four +hundred yards below the chain boom. To enable the torpedoes to be +fired, light piers were thrown out from the banks into twelve feet of +water, the structure being hidden by boughs of trees and clumps of +reeds. On the high ground at the back of the torpedo station +searchlights were mounted. These were not to be used as a +precautionary measure, but only to be switched on when an attack was +visibly imminent. Von Riesser's principal aim was to remain hidden. +If his retreat were discovered then he would put up a fight, and +failing to win would surrender with a good conscience. + +Long before the three days had elapsed Denbigh had quite recovered from +the effects of his prolonged immersion. He had, with the rest of the +captured British officers, little opportunity of finding out the actual +steps that were being taken for defence. They knew that work was in +progress, but during the removal of the torpedo-tubes and guns they had +been sent below. + +One discovery Denbigh made, and that was through overhearing a chance +conversation between two German petty officers. It also accounted for +the seemingly purposeless reluctance to confine the prisoners in the +hold instead of attempting to chloroform them in their cabin. + +The _Pelikan_ was double-skinned, but the space between the double +bottoms was far greater than is usual in marine construction. It had +practically two hulls, one within the other, and in the intervening +space were stowed quantities of warlike stores. + +When the _Pelikan_ had been boarded by a British patrol officer the +deception escaped detection. Apparently the _Zwaan_ was a harmless +Dutch liner. The sub-lieutenant who acted as boarding-officer was not +sufficiently versed in the ways of the wily Teuton. An examination of +the hold revealed nothing suspicious, and the vessel was accordingly +released. + +Unfortunately for the Germans their plans had gone awry, for on +grounding on the outer bar the ship had strained several of her plates, +with the result that the space between the inner and the outer skin was +flooded. Not only were the stores spoilt, but, in order to lighten her +draught in addition to compensating for lost buoyancy, cargo more than +equivalent to that flooded had to be jettisoned. + +Having landed the quick-firers and torpedo-tubes, the crew of the +_Pelikan_ proceeded to increase the disguise of the ship. She was now +a regular floating palm forest. So thick was the foliage brought on +board and secured to the masts and upper works that sun-awnings were +unnecessary. Even an observer in a seaplane, unless he were prepared +for such a disguise, would fail to distinguish the raider in her garb +of verdure. + +"How do you feel for another jaunt ashore?" asked Denbigh. + +"I can't say I am particularly keen on another swim," replied O'Hara. +"Otherwise I've no objection to studying the fauna and flora of this +delectable land. But what's the object?" + +"It's about time we bade farewell to the _Pelikan_" replied Denbigh. +"It's four days since that little affair with the destroyers, and our +cruisers have apparently made no attempt to get even with von Riesser +and his motley crowd. I'm rather curious to know what's doing?" + +"I can't see how going ashore will help," objected the Irishman. + +"It will if we get to the mouth of the river. If the cruisers are in +the lagoon, well and good." + +"And if not?" + +"Then we'll have to exist as best we can till they do arrive." + +"H'm," muttered O'Hara. "And the other fellows--Pennington and +Armstrong?" + +"We'll ask them to join our merry throng," answered Denbigh. "The more +the better, once we get clear of the ship." + +That same afternoon the subs broached the matter to the master and mate +of the lost _Myra_. + +"I must cry off, thanks all the same," was Captain Pennington's reply. +"Happen what may my place is with my men. I have no objection to +Armstrong going with you, but I hope you have carefully weighed the +matter. If you miss being picked up by the boats of the squadron your +plight will be an unenviable one. The climate, the wild nature of the +coast, and the natives, who are certainly under German influence, are +all against you. Personally I think you stand a better chance by +remaining here and letting events take their course. The _Pelikan_ is +trapped. Capture or destruction is but a matter of time." + +"True," admitted Denbigh. "But these fellows evidently mean to put up +a stiff fight. They've been doing something down the river--probably +throwing up masked batteries. If we could manage to find out what they +are up to and can communicate the intelligence to our ships it would +help matters." + +"That's another consideration," said Captain Pennington. "In fact, +your duty lies that way." + +"Are you trying your luck with us, Armstrong?" asked O'Hara. + +"I'd be only too pleased to have a cut at it," replied the mate. +"Especially as Captain Pennington has no objections. How do you +propose to get clear of the ship? You can't swim ashore, because +there's nothing but slimy mud on the bank for some distance." + +"There's a punt made fast alongside the port quarter," said Denbigh. +"They don't hoist it on board at night, because it's there when we turn +in and in the same place when we come on deck in the morning. They +only use it during the day." + +"And there's a sentry right aft," objected Armstrong. "He'd spot us as +sure as daylight." + +"Look here," declared the sub. "If I succeed in getting her alongside +amidships will you be ready to swarm down and into her?" + +Armstrong nodded in assent. O'Hara also expressed his willingness to +attempt the enterprise. + +The Irishman still had his pistol. He had taken an early opportunity +of cleaning it after his immersion. The screw-driver had been lost in +the _Myra_, but by this time the lock furniture was easy to remove, a +coin doing duty for the hitherto indispensable tool. The three men +also contrived to reserve a small quantity of food and a glass bottle +filled with soda-water. + +Captain Pennington and Armstrong had been berthed in the same cabin as +the two subs. That facilitated matters, since the master of the _Myra_ +could cover his companions' tracks. + +"They'll make it pretty hot for me when they find you've cleared out," +he remarked. "I can stick that. I don't think they'll go to extreme +measures with me. If they do they'll be sorry for it later on." + +At the usual hour the officer-prisoners were ordered below. By ten +o'clock all was still. The crew of the raider were no longer working +by night. The bulk of the preparations completed they were given ample +opportunities for rest, since it was necessary to conserve their +energies for defence against the impending attack. + +On deck a strict watch was maintained, but the attention of the +sentries was mainly directed downstream, whence the sudden switching on +of the searchlights was to be the signal of the approach of the British +flotillas. + +It was not until two bells (1 a.m.) that the three officers stole from +their cabin. On deck all was in darkness. There was no moon. Every +light was extinguished. A mist obscured the glimmer of the stars. It +was one of those nights when it was really impossible to see one's hand +in front of one's face. + +Without interruption the three officers gained the shelter of one of +the boats slung inboard with davits. Here, eight feet above the deck, +they were in comparative safety. Groping in the stern-sheets Denbigh +found what he expected--a hand lead-line. + +Keeping the weighted end in the boat he dropped the coils overboard. +Caught by the swirling current the line trailed out astern. His next +task was to lower the boat's painter, which was to form a means of +getting down into the punt. + +Stealthily the sub lowered himself hand over hand until his feet +touched the water. + +"Good heavens, what a current!" he thought. "Well, if the lead-line +parts it will be an end to this little business. Here goes!" + +He slipped softly into the river, striking out against the current, and +at the same time allowing the rush of water to sweep him down across +the bows of the punt, which was about a hundred feet from the place +where he had descended. + +Suddenly something flicked across his head. It was the trailing +lead-line. Grasping it he allowed himself to be carried past the side +of the ship until he came within reach of the punt, which was made fast +to the lizard of one of the swinging booms. + +Still retaining the line Denbigh clambered over the stern. The punt +was yawing in the tideway. He could see that it would be impossible to +haul it against the stream unless he kept well off. + +He groped for'ard. In the bluff stem he found a metal ring-bolt. +Through this he passed the lead-line, making fast to another ring-bolt +in the transom. + +So far so good. His next step was to cut adrift the unwieldy little +craft. Released from the hold of the two ropes the punt swung away +from the ship's side, but showed little tendency to yaw. + +Slowly Denbigh began to haul in the lead-line. Foot by foot the punt +crept up-stream. Trimmed well by the stern she towed lightly, but the +securing line was none too strong. His journey to the place where he +had entered the water seemed interminable, but at length Denbigh felt +the trailing painter of the boat in the davits. + +He made fast. As he did so the punt swung in towards the ship's side, +her gunwale making a resounding sound as it came in contact with the +steel plating. + +He could hear men's footsteps approaching. Through the darkness he +heard a German sailor enquiring of his companion what the noise was. +The fellow expressed his opinion that it was merely a hippopotamus, and +the explanation being evidently satisfactory the men went aft once more. + +Grasping the painter Denbigh jerked it three times. It was the +prearranged signal for his comrades to rejoin him. Silently Armstrong +slid down the rope, followed by O'Hara. + +By this time they were growing accustomed to the darkness. Denbigh +could see the white uniforms of his companions. He wondered whether +they would be spotted once the punt drifted away from the ship's side. + +Just above his head was a cluster of palm branches, suspended in a line +from the rail. + +"I'll take the liberty of removing some of their floral decorations," +mused Denbigh. Then signing to his companions to lie down he covered +them with the broad leaves, cut the log-line, and allowed the punt to +drift at the mercy of the strong ebb-tide. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +Disappointment + +"Any oars on board?" asked O'Hara, after the frail craft had drifted a +few hundred yards down the river. + +"Not a suspicion of one," replied Armstrong. "And the bore will be due +in about an hour." + +"Hands, lads!" exclaimed Denbigh cheerily. "Let us imagine we're +taking part in a Fleet regatta." + +Leaning over the sides the men paddled with their hands, steering a +course obliquely with the left bank of the river. + +Once the punt tilted alarmingly as a dark heavy body rasped underneath. +The denizens of the river were in evidence. The officers prudently +suspended operations until the unwelcome intruder had disappeared. + +"Hulloa, what's that?" whispered the Irishman. "Hippos right across +the river." + +The punt was bearing down upon a line of dark objects that were +apparently forging ahead against the swift current. + +"Back starboard!" ordered Denbigh promptly. + +The punt, checked by the resistance of O'Hara's palms in the water, +swung sideways. As it did so Denbigh gathered up the slack of the +severed lead-line that still remained on board. + +Retaining the ends he threw the bight across one of the black objects, +at the same time lying at full length on the bottom of the boat. With +a jerk that wellnigh capsized the crank craft the punt's way was +checked. + +"Your hippos are barrels, old man!" he exclaimed. + +"Mines, perhaps," suggested Armstrong. "Be careful, for goodness sake." + +"Not mines," declared Denbigh. "They wouldn't be floating on the +surface. But it's some infernal contrivance. Haul closer and we'll +investigate." + +Warding off the gunwale from the plunging barrel Denbigh dipped his arm +into the water. His hand came in contact with a heavy chain eighteen +inches beneath the surface. + +"A boom!" he announced. "By Jove! If we had a slab of gun-cotton +handy." + +"Hist!" exclaimed O'Hara warningly. "I can hear voices." + +"It's time for us to go," whispered Armstrong. + +Denbigh cast off. The barrel appeared to leap away from them, as the +punt was swept down-stream. + +"Not much use attempting to land at this point," said Armstrong. + +"I don't know so much about that," rejoined Denbigh. "Personally I'm +rather anxious to see what these fellows are doing ashore. Keep her +going, Pat. We'll strike the bank in less than half a mile." + +Paddling in silence the men pursued their tedious course athwart the +current until a dull roar was borne to their ears. + +"The bore!" exclaimed Armstrong. + +"It will be quite ten minutes before it reaches us," replied Denbigh. +"Stick to it, lads!" + +The amphibians, with the keen instinct that nature bestowed upon them, +also were aware of the approach of the foaming mass of water, for the +centre of the river was literally alive with hippopotami and saurians +that had not gone ashore for a nocturnal ramble. The crocodiles on the +mud-flats were either making for deep water or else crawling higher up +the banks out of the rush of the irresistible bore. + +"Aground!" exclaimed Denbigh as the punt's bows touched the mud. +"Check her from swinging round." + +Armstrong promptly jumped overboard, to sink above his knees in the +soft mud. Only by holding on to the gunwale was he able to keep +himself from sinking still deeper. + +"We can't land here," he announced. "We'll be in up to our necks." + +"Must," declared Denbigh laconically, raising his voice to enable it to +be heard above the now loud roar of the approaching bore. + +Seizing the lead-line and bending one end round his waist Denbigh leapt +overboard, threw himself at full length upon the mud, and working with +his hands drew himself laboriously over the slimy surface. It was +horribly exhausting work, but to his intense satisfaction he found +himself making visible progress without sinking beyond a few inches in +the ooze. + +Ahead he could discern the dark outlines of the mangrove forest. It +seemed an interminable distance away. + +Presently his hand came in contact with the trunk of a tree, that had +fallen and had been partly embedded in the mud. It afforded a +precarious foothold, but proceeding carefully, Denbigh found that the +farther end rested in comparatively firm soil. + +Planting his feet against the trunk, the sub hauled at the lead-line +with all his might. The flat-bottomed punt glided easily over the +slime until its bows were within a yard of the fallen tree. Then, +unexpectedly, the rope that had rendered such good service parted like +pack-thread. + +Denbigh, losing his balance, fell prostrate on the ground, which was +here soft enough to break his fall but sufficiently stiff to prevent +him from being swallowed up in the mud. + +Quickly O'Hara and Armstrong jumped, and grasping their fallen comrade +hauled him to his feet. They had barely time to gain the firm bank +when the bore thundered past, sweeping the punt away like a straw. +They had a momentary glimpse of its bows rearing high in the air on the +crest of the foaming, breaking wall of water, then it vanished out of +sight. + +"Phew!" exclaimed Armstrong. "That was a narrow squeak." + +"I'm in a horrible mess," announced Denbigh. "The mud of Portsmouth +Harbour is eau de Cologne compared with this filthy slime." + +"Good heavens, man! you're shivering," declared O'Hara. "That won't +do. Here, take my coat. I don't want it. I insist." + +Waving aside Denbigh's objections the Irishman made him take off his +saturated garments, while the rest of the deficiency of the sub's +wardrobe was temporarily made good by making use of Armstrong's silk +scarf as a loin-cloth. The men realized that in the deadly African +climate dry clothing was of utmost importance. The sub's saturated and +mud-encaked garments were made up into a bundle to be washed and dried +at the first opportunity. + +"Now," said Denbigh, "I feel like a giant refreshed. We've plenty of +time, for it's no use getting to the coast before sunrise. If you +fellows like to wait here I'll go up along the banks and see what is at +the shore end of that chain." + +"It isn't going to be a one-man show," objected O'Hara. "We'll all +have a chip in. You lead, if you will, old man. I'll follow just far +enough behind to keep you in view. Armstrong, will you bring up the +rear?" + +In single file and extended order the three officers made their way +towards their objective. Keeping just below high-water mark they found +the ground easy to walk upon, and, with one exception, free from the +presence of crocodiles. + +One huge brute barred their path, but on Denbigh hurling a heavy stick +in its direction, the saurian turned and waddled towards the water. + +Noiselessly, for the soft ground effectually deadened the sound of +their footsteps, the daring explorers advanced. + +Suddenly a hoarse voice broke the silence with a guttural "Wer da?" + +Without a moment's hesitation Denbigh dropped gently to the ground. +His companions followed his example, holding their breath in momentary +expectation of hearing a bullet whizzing over their heads. + +"It's all right, Schlutze," replied a voice. "The leutnant sent me to +bring some more hands down. There's a boat broken adrift. She's +grinding against the end of the torpedo-station pier." + +"What boat?" asked the sentry, recovering his rifle. + +"I do not know. It's empty." + +"Not an English boat?" asked the man anxiously. + +"When the English do venture they will attempt the attack with +something bigger, my friend. The bigger the better, for they will +never be able to pass here, with our excellent torpedo-tubes trained +across the river. But I must be moving. Herr leutnant is in a great +hurry. He does not want his piers damaged." + +Denbigh remained lying on the ground. He waited until half a dozen +Germans passed within twenty yards of him. He could hear their heavy +boots clattering on the planks of the foliage-screened pier, although +the structure was invisible from where he lay. + +Finding that it would be too risky a business to attempt to pass the +sentry, Denbigh crawled back to O'Hara, and by signs indicated that he +was going into the forest. The three comrades, keeping close together, +turned their backs upon the river and were soon swallowed up in the +dense foliage. + +Maintaining his direction by means of his spirit-compass, Denbigh held +on until he came upon a clearing. Here the ground was furrowed with +deep ruts. They had evidently been caused by the recent passage of +heavy objects drawn upon rough sleighs. The dew-steeped ground bore +the impress of many booted feet as well as, to a lesser extent, those +of natives. + +"They've been lugging up the quick-firers," mentally commented Denbigh. +"I wonder where they've hidden them? Wish to goodness they hadn't +employed niggers. I don't mind getting on the track of a Hun, but the +blacks have an awkward trick of turning the tables upon a fellow when +it comes to following a spoor." + +He waited, revolving in his mind the problem that confronted him. His +companions stood motionless and silent. They, too, realized that +danger lurked in the dense bush. + +Again Denbigh consulted his compass. The track on his left hand lay in +a north-westerly direction. Assuming that it ran fairly straight, it +would open out at the river banks in the vicinity of the temporary +piers. In the other direction it showed a tendency to curve to the +north-east. + +"I'll try the right-hand track," decided the sub. "I suppose it will +be out of the question to get those two obstinate fellows to remain +here." + +He put the proposal in dumb show, but both O'Hara and Armstrong +vigorously protested against being left behind. + +The three officers again took shelter in the bush, keeping close and +parallel to the beaten track. Twenty minutes' steady progress brought +them to the edge of a large clearing. By the compass their direction +was now due west, showing that they had described a large semicircle. +They were now not far from the river. They could hear the swirl of the +flood-tide. Towards the centre of the clearing were several indistinct +objects that looked like gun-emplacements. Through the darkness came +the sound of men's voices. A dog yelped, and was instantly told to be +silent. + +"This is no place for us," thought Denbigh. "Much as I should like to +see what is over there, I think we'll shift. I'll try and see how this +clearing bears for the river." + +Fifty yards farther on progress was barred by a line of young trees. +Groping, the sub attempted to find a gap, but to his surprise the stem +he grasped gave way. It was merely the top of a palm tree lopped off +and forced into the ground. The whole row was merely a screen to mask +the guns from the river. + +As the sub scrambled through the gap his foot tripped against a +concealed wire, and a spurt of red flame stabbed the darkness +accompanied by the sharp crack of a rifle. + +Resisting the impulse to take to their heels the three officers backed +cautiously into the forest. Already numbers of men were hurrying to +the spot. Lights flashed upon the scene, revealing the presence of two +searchlight projectors set up on platforms almost above the heads of +the British fugitives. + +In the confusion, for the German officers and men were shouting and +aimlessly running hither and thither, Denbigh and his companions +withdrew, until they found themselves at the place where a couple of +hours previously they had landed from the punt. + +"Full speed ahead!" exclaimed Denbigh. "It will be dawn by the time we +reach the shore of the lagoon. I think we've seen enough to enable us +to locate the enemy's shore defences." + +"Through the forest, or by the river?" asked O'Hara. + +"Both," replied his chum. "Two miles farther down-stream is the spot +where we landed from the _Myra_. I can recognize it. You remember +what we buried there?" + +"Rather," replied the Irishman. "The rifle and the ammunition we took +from von Eckenstein's man." + +"It will come in jolly handy if we fall foul of more wild animals," +continued Denbigh. "When we've recovered the rifle we'll follow the +same track as we did previously. Let's hope we'll be in time to warn +our cruisers, for from all appearances von Riesser hasn't played +himself out just yet." + +"You're taking into consideration the possibility that the Germans have +left an observation post at the entrance to the river?" asked Armstrong. + +"Rather," replied Denbigh. "Even if they hadn't posted a guard they'll +have made arrangements with the natives to give them the tip. Best leg +forward, lads. If we fail to see the White Ensign before another six +hours have passed I shall be horribly disappointed." + +In spite of Denbigh's assurances the men had great difficulty in +locating the spot where the rifle and ammunition had been hidden. The +lack of moonlight altered the appearance of the river completely. +Landmarks and bearings were useless in the darkness; but at length the +weapon was recovered little the worse for its experience. Having +cleaned the dirt from the muzzle, the breech-mechanism having been +protected when it was buried, O'Hara took possession of the rifle and +the journey was resumed. + +The short African dawn was breaking as the three officers reached the +low cliffs overlooking the lagoon. + +A grunt of disappointment burst from Denbigh's lips. The morning mists +had dispersed. The whole of the reef was plainly visible. The horizon +was unbroken by any object that could be recognized as a British +warship. + +Unaccountably the blockading squadron had disappeared. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +"Our Luck's Out" + +"That's done it!" ejaculated O'Hara. + +"Perhaps," admitted Denbigh. "We'll have some grub and discuss the +situation. It's good to sniff the open sea, after being cooped up in +that pestilential river. That's one consolation." + +The three chums ate sparingly, supplementing the provisions with the +milk of a coco-nut. The soda-water was by common consent kept intact. + +As soon as the sun's rays acquired strength Denbigh washed his +mud-encrusted clothes in the sea and spread them out to dry. + +"What's the programme?" asked Armstrong. "If we hang about here we +stand a chance of getting nabbed. Our flight will have been discovered +by this time, and they'll naturally conclude that we've made off +towards the mouth of the river." + +"Unless they conclude, from finding the punt jammed alongside the pier, +that we've been slung out and drowned," rejoined Denbigh. "But we'll +take no needless chances. We'll go north. Once we pass the clearing +where the native village stands the coast ought to be fairly clear, and +we can still command a view of the entrance to the lagoon." + +Without incident the three officers made their way for nearly three +miles along the coast. By this time the intense heat was making itself +felt, and at O'Hara's suggestion they retreated to the cool of the +forest, taking turns at keeping watch. + +During the afternoon a native canoe appeared round a projecting bluff. +The men had been fishing, for they brought a goodly haul on shore. +Dragging the frail craft above high-water mark the blacks vanished in +the direction of the village. + +O'Hara, who was keeping watch, astonished his companions by giving them +each a violent shake. + +"What's wrong?" asked Denbigh, awake and alert in an instant. + +"Nothing," replied the imperturbable Irishman. + +"Then why this thusness?" + +"Are you keen on a sea voyage?" + +"A sea voyage?" repeated Denbigh. + +"To Latham Island." + +"Do you propose swimming there?" asked Armstrong with considerable +asperity, for he had been disturbed in the midst of a much-needed sleep. + +"There's a canoe awaiting us," reported O'Hara. "The sea's calm. +To-night's the night. You told me that the _Pelikan's_ people left a +whaler and plenty of provisions and stores hidden on the island. With +luck we ought to be able to fetch there, resurrect the boat, and make a +dash for Zanzibar. We'd have the S.W. monsoon with us all the way, and +if we fell in with one of our ships so much the better." + +"Where's your precious discovery?" asked Denbigh. + +Accompanying his chum to the edge of the cliff O'Hara pointed out the +canoe. + +"H'm, not much of a craft to make a voyage to a sandbank twenty-three +miles from land," remarked Denbigh. + +"We can work inside the lagoon for several miles and then keep close +inshore until we reach Ras What's-its-name," continued O'Hara +optimistically. "I've seen these native canoes miles out to sea before +to-day. They seem pretty seaworthy." + +While daylight lasted the three chums rested, after taking the +precaution of gathering a supply of coco-nuts and roots. The subs eyed +the latter with misgivings, in spite of Armstrong's assurances that +they were both edible and nourishing. + +As soon as the sun had set behind the boundless mangrove forests the +daring trio made their way to the spot where the canoe was lying. The +craft was about twenty-four feet in length, but only four in beam. +With her half-dozen short paddles, a mast and sail, suitable only for +running before the wind, and a stone jar half-full of water. Owing to +the porosity of the earthenware the liquid was remarkably cool. A few +lengths of net completed the equipment, but these were considerately +left behind, since there was no need for unnecessary spoliation of the +natives, even though they were, perhaps unwillingly, subjects of Kaiser +Wilhelm II. + +The canoe was light enough to enable the three men to carry her down to +the water's edge. Without delay they pushed off and headed for the +reef. + +Here, on the lee side of the extensive coral ledge, they were in +comparative safety. The long line of foaming breakers thundering up +the reef afforded a guide to the position of the ledges; it deadened +all other sounds, and since no native boats would be likely to indulge +in night fishing, there was little risk of detection. + +"We have company, you see," remarked Armstrong, pointing to a +phosphorescent swirl less than twenty yards astern. The disturbance of +the placid water was caused by the dorsal fin of a huge shark, that, +scenting a possible prey, was zigzagging in the wake of the frail canoe. + +"'We do so want to lose you; and we think you ought to go'," misquoted +O'Hara, laying down his paddle and grasping his rifle. + +"Hold on!" cautioned the mate. "You'll not only bring up every shark +in the lagoon to make a meal of this beauty, but you'll arouse every +native within hearing distance. Don't fire unless the brute gets too +attentive; then use your pistol. It makes much less of a flash and +report." + +Hour after hour passed. The men took turns at paddling, since there +was not a breath of wind. The shark still kept doggedly in company. +As the canoe drew farther and farther away from the entrance to the +Mohoro River the miasmic mists gradually dispersed, until the three +officers found themselves under a bright starlit sky, and on the placid +surface of the lagoon there seemed one blaze of reflected brilliance. + +"It looks as if we are nearing the northern limit of the lagoon," +remarked Denbigh. "We'd better keep a sharp look-out for a passage +through the reef." + +"What if we don't find one?" asked Armstrong. "The last gap of any +size we passed quite three miles astern." + +"There's an opening of sorts," announced O'Hara, pointing to a dark +patch in the otherwise unbroken line of surf. "My word! I believe +there's a spanking breeze outside." + +"Steady there!" cautioned Denbigh, as the frail craft approached the +opening, through which long undulations sullenly rolled in from the +vast expanse of the Indian Ocean. "If we get capsized heaven help us. +Our old friend has brought up a few more of his pals." + +The sub was justified in advising caution. Half a dozen sharks were +close to the canoe. Emboldened by numbers, they swam around in +ever-decreasing circles, until one monster, braver than the rest, +rasped his skin along the side of the canoe. + +As the craft tilted O'Hara aimed a blow at the brute with his paddle. +With a swift movement of its powerful tail the shark disappeared, only +to rise again and resume its embarrassing attentions. + +"If those brutes' instinct isn't at fault there'll be a pretty +mess-up," thought Denbigh. "They evidently have seen native canoes +upset in the channel through the reef before to-day." + +"Think it's worth while risking it?" asked O'Hara. + +"No, I don't," replied his chum bluntly. + +"We must hang on till daybreak, then," said Armstrong. "At dead-low +water there may be a trifle less swell." + +"Yes," assented Denbigh. "We'll land on the lee side of the reef. +Gently with her; we don't want to be stove in against a sharp branch of +coral." + +Without accident the landing was accomplished. The adventurers found +themselves on a broad part of the reef that was barely three feet above +the surface. Seaweed and driftwood had already accumulated, showing +that the coral was now only occasionally invaded by the sea. Fifty +yards away the surf broke heavily, but fortunately they were out of +range of the falling spray. + +Almost in silence the three chums sat until the sun rose in a grey sky +above the horizon. Overhead a few large birds flew seaward--both +circumstances presaging a fine day. + +The tide had now fallen, and, although there were several feet of water +in the channel, a detached reef about a hundred yards from the main +coral ledge, which had uncovered as the tide fell, completely broke the +breakers for some distance on either side of its seaward end. + +"All aboard!" ordered Denbigh. "With luck we'll fetch Latham Island +well before sunset." + +Broad on the port bow rose Ras Kimbiji, which Denbigh recognized by a +peculiarly-rounded and isolated hill rising two miles beyond the point. + +From this cape, he knew, Latham Island bore 23 miles due east. + +"Step the mast, Pat!" he exclaimed. "The breeze is well in our favour. +One thing, we are not over-canvassed." + +Therein he was mistaken, for the small spread of sail was more than +sufficient to endanger the stability of the canoe. Since there were no +reef points recourse had to be made to a "Spanish reef", which consists +in gathering in a generous amount of one corner of the canvas and tying +it into a knot. Even then the little craft literally bounded over the +water. Before the S.W. monsoon Denbigh calculated her speed at seven +or eight knots. + +At the end of three hours the breeze increased, and the sail had to be +still further reduced. Not daring to stand upright, the sub's range of +vision was considerably limited. He was beginning to think that a +slight error in the compass course had taken them past the low-lying +and almost invisible sandbank for which they were steering. + +"Breakers ahead!" shouted Armstrong. + +For nearly five minutes the gaze of all three men was directed upon a +patch of white foam in the midst of the dark-blue waters. + +Then Denbigh broke the silence. + +"We can finish off that soda-water now," he said. "That's Latham +Island." + +They drained the bottle. There was now no need to husband their scanty +resources. Ahead lay the sandbank on which were hidden provisions in +plenty. + +"Down rag and out paddles!" ordered Denbigh. + +The sail was quickly stowed and the mast unshipped. Under paddles the +canoe was urged towards the lee side of the island, where a landing was +easily effected. + +Dragging the canoe above high-water mark the three chums, wellnigh +"baked" by the heat, sat down upon the hard ground. Shelter there was +none. The whole of the white surface simmered in the rays, both direct +and reflected, of the tropical sun. + +"Honestly I don't feel like work," remarked O'Hara. "It's too beastly +hot. Besides, we've anticipated our time-table considerably. The +sun's not crossed the meridian yet." + +"It's a toss-up whether we set to at once or wait. In any case we +stew," said Armstrong. "I vote we dig for an hour and knock off for +the early afternoon." + +"Yes," assented Denbigh. "That will, I think, be the better way. So +bestir yourself, Pat." + +"Where's the spot?" asked the mate. + +"Almost at the other end of the island," replied Denbigh. "I can +recognize it from the position of that jagged reef. Bring the paddles, +they'll make excellent sand scoops." + +Across the glistening sand they made their way until the three men came +simultaneously to a dead stop. + +Other diggers had preceded them, for where the whaler and the stores +had been hidden was a large, partly-silted-up cavity. + +The versatile Irishman was the first to break the silence. + +Throwing his paddle to the ground he ejaculated: + +"Dash it all! Our luck's out this time." + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +Adrift in the Indian Ocean + +"Wish to goodness we hadn't been so prodigal with our provisions," said +Denbigh as the three chums ruefully surveyed the excavation. "It will +be short commons, unless----" + +"Unless what?" asked Armstrong. + +"Unless the fellows who have forestalled us have omitted to remove all +the stuff." + +"It looks as if they've made a clean sweep of most of the gear and +burnt what they couldn't move. They've evidently poured petrol over +the place and set fire to it. Now, what was the object?" + +"Perhaps a landing-party from one of our ships destroyed the cache," +suggested O'Hara. + +"Possibly," replied his chum. "But, on the other hand, unlikely. It's +my opinion that some of the Germans, finding that the _Pelikan_ was +held up, have made a dash for the island. In that case it is +reasonable to suppose that they have fitted out the whaler, and are +either making tracks for some navigable river lower down the coast or +else they will attempt to capture the first tramp they fall in with." + +"Not much chance of escaping capture themselves," said Armstrong. + +"I don't know. Remember the case of the _Ayesha_ with the _Emden's_ +landing-party. They managed to fetch home all the way from the Cocos +Keeling Islands. These fellows, with luck, might reach Batavia and be +interned by the Dutch Colonial Government." + +"And here are we stranded on a desolate sandbank, with precious little +grub in the locker," remarked Armstrong. "There's one consolation. We +have a boat." + +"Of sorts," rejoined the Irishman. "Since she brought us here she +ought to take us back to the mainland, although it will be dead to +windward." + +"What's wrong with Zanzibar?" asked the mate. "It's only about fifty +miles to the nor'-west. We've a breeze slightly abaft the beam. +She'll do it all right, especially if we take some sand aboard as +ballast." + +"Right," assented O'Hara. "Let's make a start. It's a howling pity to +lose the breeze, and it's a jolly sight cooler on the water than on +this sun-baked sandbank." + +Quickly the new plan was put into operation. The canoe was launched, +and about three hundred-weights of sand thrown into her. On +re-embarking the crew found that their frail craft was considerably +"stiffer", and showed no great tendency to capsize when one of their +number stood upright. In her ballasted state more sail could be +carried, and, what was more, she could be steered a point closer to the +wind. + +All went well until about three in the afternoon, when, with +disconcerting suddenness, the wind died utterly away. The crisp, +crested waves subsided into a long, sullen, oily swell. The canoe, +without steerage way, floated idly upon the water. + +"Out paddles!" ordered Denbigh. "You and I, Pat, will take the first +trick. At every thousand strokes one man will be relieved. Ready?" + +Counting, the sub knew, was the only means at their disposal for +arriving at an equal division of labour. It also gave them a rough +indication of the progress made, since each stroke represented a +distance of two yards through the water. + +"See anything?" asked Denbigh at length. + +O'Hara, who was by this time at the steering paddle, stood up, and +shading his eyes looked ahead in the hope of seeing the friendly rising +ground of Zanzibar Island peeping above the horizon. + +"Nothing," was the reply, "except that there's a breeze coming." + +As the freshening wind swept down the men thankfully laid aside their +paddles and set up the mast and sail. For a few minutes the breeze +held true, then swiftly veering it blew dead ahead. + +Once more the sail was lowered and the paddles resumed. With the wind +dead in their teeth the work was trebly increased. + +Within half an hour it blew with considerable violence. + +"Force six, at least," declared Denbigh, referring to the Beaufort +Notation method of indicating the wind-pressure. "We're in for a +dusting." + +It was as much as they could do to keep the lightly made craft head to +wind. Armstrong was busily engaged in throwing overboard the sand +ballast. Drifting before the wind the canoe was in danger either of +being swamped or else carried out into the broad Indian Ocean. + +The men were already exhausted. The canoe was drifting rapidly in +spite of their strenuous efforts. Yet she climbed the crest wave with +an ease that gave them confidence. The loss of "ground", made good +only by hours of sheer hard work, was the circumstance that troubled +them most. + +"We'll rig a sea-anchor," said the mate. "Unfortunately we haven't any +weights to keep the sail up and down, but that can't be helped." + +Quickly the foot of the sail was bent to the mast, the sheets were bent +to the extremities of the spar by a span, and the halyard led from the +centre of the span to the bows of the canoe. + +Watching their opportunity the men heaved their clumsy sea-anchor +overboard and anxiously waited the result. + +To their intense satisfaction they found that directly the rope took +the strain the canoe floated head to wind without any assistance on the +part of the paddles. The crew were, therefore, able to rest, but with +the disquieting knowledge that every moment they were drifting farther +and farther away from their desired haven. + +The three officers were in good spirits notwithstanding the privations +they had undergone and were still experiencing. They realized that +this was part of the game. They had taken chances, and fate, in the +shape of a strong head wind, had been unkind to them. The idea of +mutual recriminations never occurred to them. Their adventure was of +the nature of a joint-stock concern. They had done their best, and +were ready to stand by each other till the end in whatever form it came. + +For some hours O'Hara and Armstrong dozed fitfully on the bottom of the +canoe, regardless of the spray that dashed over their recumbent forms. +Denbigh, crouched aft, kept an occasional look-out, while at intervals +he baled with half a coco-nut shell. + +The sea showed no signs of moderating. The prospect of spending a +night afloat in a mere cockle-shell became imminent. + +Just then the sub heard a faint cry. He looked in the direction from +whence the shout came, but could see nothing. He was about to put it +down to a freak of his imagination when the cry was repeated. + +Fifty yards or more to leeward was a man hanging on to an upturned boat. + +"Wake up, you fellows!" exclaimed Denbigh. "There's someone overboard." + +Seizing the paddles O'Hara and the mate checked the drift of the canoe +until its course would bring it close to the upturned craft. + +"Steady!" cautioned Denbigh. "As close as you can to her bows." + +His ready mind grasped the situation. Could he but effect a +communication with the waterlogged craft a double purpose might be +served. + +Down swept the canoe. As her quarter slipped past the boat Denbigh +leant over the side. With one hand he staved off the sharp stem, the +metal-bound edge of which would have crushed the side of the canoe like +an egg-shell. With the other he grasped the painter, which was +trailing from the bow ring-bolt. + +"Stand by and take a turn!" he shouted to the mate, throwing him the +slack of the rope. + +Promptly Armstrong, who was up for'ard, made the running part of the +painter fast to the rope of the sea-anchor. With a jerk the canoe +brought up fifty feet to leeward of the waterlogged boat. + +Here, sheltered by the latter, and with her drift apparently reduced, +the canoe was in relatively smooth water. The unfortunate seaman, +rallying his remaining energies, struck out. Almost exhausted, he was +on the point of sinking when Denbigh seized him by the hair. + +It was a difficult matter to get the man into the canoe. He was a +great hulking fellow. The safety of the three officers was gravely +endangered, but proceeding with the utmost caution they hoisted him +over the side. + +"Do you recognize him?" asked Denbigh. + +"Eh?" exclaimed his chum. "No; do you?" + +"Rather," replied the sub. "He's one of the _Pelikan's_ mob, and +yonder craft is the whaler I saw buried on Latham Island. I'm afraid +they haven't had much of a run for their money. But what's one man's +meat is another man's poison. The whaler may prove a godsend." + +"She will," rejoined Armstrong. "See, she acts as a perfect +breakwater. We must be almost stationary, owing to her drag in the +water." + +"Even more than that," added Denbigh. "I propose when the weather +moderates to have a shot at righting her. Since they provisioned her +we are bound to find some tinned food in her after locker, for I don't +suppose the whole lot of her gear was slung out when she capsized." + +The sole survivor of the whaler's party was not long in recovering +consciousness. His surprise at finding that his rescuers were the +British officers whom he had last seen as prisoners on board the +_Pelikan_ was almost ludicrous. Soon he became communicative, and +confirmed the sub's surmise that the whaler was bent on a minor raiding +expedition. + +The long night passed slowly. The last of the food supply had been +exhausted. A few coco-nuts, which being freshly gathered contained +liquid only, formed the sole sustenance of the four men. + +With the dawn the wind fell but the sea still ran high. Eagerly the +horizon was scanned, but nothing save a waste of tossing water met the +eye. + +"In another hour or so we'll be able to have a shot at righting the +whaler," said Denbigh. "By that time the sea will have subsided. If +you don't mind, you fellows, I'll have a caulk. I have more arrears to +make up than you have." + +Quite worn out Denbigh stretched himself on the bottom of the canoe and +dropped off into a sound sleep. It seemed to him that he had not +closed his eyes more than half a minute when the mate roused him. + +"What are those beacons on our starboard bow, do you think?" he asked. + +Denbigh was awake in an instant. Looking in the direction indicated he +saw three triangular objects at a distance of nearly three miles away. + +One glance was enough. + +"Pat, you chump!" he exclaimed. "Do you mean to tell me you don't know +what they are? And you must needs make Armstrong wake me out of my +beauty sleep." + +"Hanged if I can see hardly anything," announced the Irishman. "The +salt's bunged my eyes up completely. What about it, then?" + +"Those beacons, as you call them, Armstrong," replied Denbigh joyously, +"are the tripod masts of three of our monitors." + +"They are heading our way, then?" asked the mate. + +"Either that or they're stern on to us. The former most likely. Stand +by with the rifle. We must not let them miss us." + +In about half an hour the three warships had approached sufficiently +for their outlines to be discerned. They were moving at a slow +pace--barely five knots. All that was visible of each of the monitors +consisted of a low-lying hull of great beam, on which was placed a +turret mounting two gigantic guns. Abaft the turret was a small +superstructure, culminating in a bridge and chart-house. Immediately +behind the bridge rose a lofty tripod mast, its height being seemingly +out of all proportion to those conforming to the recognized +measurements of naval architecture. Perched above the junction of the +tripods was a large square structure whence the fire-control +arrangements were conducted, while a stumpy topmast completed the +incongruity. Abaft the mast was a single funnel. Two of the monitors +were evidently sister-ships. The third was of a much smaller tonnage, +although her armament was identical with that of her consorts. + +"They're passing to windward of us," declared Denbigh. "Give them a +couple of rounds." + +Armstrong raised the rifle and fired. Almost immediately following the +second shot a signal was run up from the leading monitor. Up fluttered +the answering pendant to the mast of the smaller vessel, which +immediately altered helm and bore down upon the canoe. + +Slowly the rescuing craft approached. Her superstructure was crowded +with interested spectators, while several of the crew, wading +knee-deep, made their way to the submerged side of the monitor and +stood by to pick up the derelicts. + +The operation required great care for the unwieldy craft was yawing +horribly. Being almost as broad in the beam as she was long, and +snub-nosed in addition, she steered badly. By good seamanship on the +part of her captain the monitor lost way at a distance of half a cable +from the canoe. + +"Cast off and out paddles!" ordered Denbigh. + +Five minutes later willing hands assisted the three British officers +and the German sailor to the ladder leading to the superstructure. + +With feelings of thankfulness Denbigh, mustering his remaining +energies, saluted the diminutive quarter-deck. It seemed almost +heavenly to be once more under the shadow of the White Ensign. As he +raised his hand to the brim of his weather-worn helmet a well-known +voice exclaimed: + +"Cheer oh! old man." + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +Von Eckenstein's Surprise + +The speaker was Charles Stirling, now lieutenant and Acting-commander +of H.M.S. _Crustacean_. + +Stirling had literally fallen on his feet after he had been rescued by +H.M.S. _Actaeon_. Owing to his intimate knowledge of the East Coast of +Africa and the Mozambique Channel, and having more than a nodding +acquaintance with the troublesome raider now known to be in hiding in +the Mohoro River, he had been given temporary command of the smallest +of the three monitors sent from England to assist in the operations +against German East Africa. + +Notwithstanding his natural anxiety to learn how his former shipmates +came to be adrift in a canoe in the Indian Ocean, Stirling insisted on +Denbigh, O'Hara, and Armstrong being put into the sick-bay. All three +men were almost exhausted. Even Denbigh's indomitable spirit had +outworn his physical strength, while the Irishman was found to be +affected with partial indistinctness of vision owing to prolonged +exposure to the glare of the sun. + +"You take it easy," was Stirling's parting injunction. "I promise I'll +turn you out directly we sight the Mohoro Lagoon." + +Reassured, Denbigh and his comrades in peril capitulated. Eighteen +hours' solid sleep worked wonders, and although the Irishman was still +suffering from painful inflammation of the optic nerve, the three +officers had bathed, shaved, and changed into borrowed plumage before +breakfast-time on the following morning. + +After scraps of mutual experiences had been exchanged Stirling invited +his chums to the bridge. + +"The rummiest packet I ever set foot on," he admitted, "but she's a +clinker. We've as fine a pair of 14-inch guns as a fellow could wish +for. British made, too; they were manufactured in Canada. The old +_Crustacean_ does not belie her name. She has a decided tendency to +crawl crabwise, and she's as unhandy as a balsa-raft in a gale of wind." + +"Not very good points," remarked O'Hara. + +"But she has her qualifications, Pat. She's said to be +torpedo-proof----" + +"Do you want a practical test, old man?" asked Denbigh. + +"Um--no; that is, not particularly if it can be avoided. Why?" + +"Because there are a pair of 60-centimetre tubes waiting to have a slap +at you when you ascend the Mohoro River." + +"Steady, old man," protested Stirling with a hearty laugh. "The +river's not broad enough for the _Pelikan_ to be lying athwart the +stream. She must be quite twenty miles up the river." + +"Say ten and you'll be nearer the mark," declared Denbigh. "She's +trapped, and we have to thank Mr. Armstrong for doing the trick." + +"Good man!" exclaimed the young skipper of the _Crustacean_, bringing +his hand down upon the shoulder of the bashful mate of the _Myra_, +after Denbigh had related the circumstances in which the _Pelikan_ was +prevented from ascending farther up the river. "I'll have to inform +Holloway, our senior officer. He's under the same impression that I +was. But what did you say about those torpedo-tubes?" + +Concisely Denbigh explained the position and nature of the German shore +defences. + +"It strikes me pretty forcibly that you'll come in most handy," said +Stirling. "It's not the _Pelikan_ that is now our principal objective. +She, apparently, is done for, unless the river forms a fresh bed round +the hull of the sunken tramp. The batteries are our pigeon." + +"You were saying that the _Crustacean_ is practically torpedo-proof," +Denbigh reminded him. "In what way?" + +"She's of very shallow draught. Unless a torpedo were set to travel +only a few feet beneath the surface--in which case much of the bursting +power of the war-head would be wasted--the 'tin-fish' would pass +harmlessly under her bottom. If, however, a torpedo did explode, +there's a cellular space of more than twenty feet between the outer and +inner hulls. These compartments are stuffed with something. I can't +tell you because I don't know myself what the stuff is. All I know is +that it's fireproof and its specific gravity is approximately the same +as sea-water. Hence, in the event of a hole being blown in the shell +of the outer hull our stability will hardly be affected." + +At that moment a signalman approached and saluted. + +"Senior officer reports approach of sea-plane parent ship _Simplicita_, +sir." + +"Very good," replied Stirling, then addressing his companions he added, +"That's excellent. We are having a couple of sea-planes to spot for +us. The _Simplicita_, an old light cruiser, has been fitted out as a +floating base for aerial work. With luck they've managed to stow a +couple of 'planes on her." + +Before the _Simplicita_ joined the flotilla the senior ship hoisted +another signal. It ran: + +"Boat under sail four miles S.S.W. _Crustacean_ to proceed and +investigate." + +At her utmost speed, a bare six knots, the little monitor altered helm +and stood off in the indicated direction. The sea was now calm, and +there was hardly a breath of wind. + +At Stirling's suggestion Denbigh, O'Hara, and Armstrong ascended to the +fire-control platform. From this lofty perch a considerable expanse of +sea could be swept by the aid of powerful glasses. + +Away on the starboard hand could be discerned the faint outlines of the +African coast, almost hidden in a pale-blue haze. Astern, but on a +diverging course, were the monitors _Paradox_ and _Eureka_, the former +flying the broad pendant of the senior officer, Captain Holloway. +Ahead, a small patch of greyish-white canvas marked the position of the +boat to which the _Crustacean_ was proceeding. + +"That's not a Service rig," declared Denbigh, proffering his binoculars +to O'Hara. + +The Irishman waved them aside. + +"No, thanks, old man," said he. "I'll wait. I don't want to crock my +eyes any more than they are at present. I'll take your word for it +that she's not one of our boats." + +"She's a merchantman's cutter," asserted Armstrong. "I wouldn't mind +laying odds that she's one of the _Pelikan's_ boats making for Latham +Island." + +The mate was right, for on discovering the approach of the monitor the +cutter altered her course, lowering her canvas and resorting to her +oars in the vain hope that she had been unnoticed. + +Twenty minutes later, the difference in speed of the monitor and her +quarry being very small, Stirling ordered one of the four quick-firers +to be discharged. The projectile, falling within fifty yards of the +boat, had the desired result, for the men boated their oars and hoisted +a square of white cloth as a signal of surrender. + +"We seem fated to fall in with our friends the Huns," remarked Denbigh. +"Armstrong has scored a palpable hit; they are some of the _Pelikan's_ +crowd. I recognize that fellow with a bandaged head as Major von +Eckenstein." + +Most docilely the boat's crew came over the side. There were, in +addition to the major, a junior lieutenant of the _Pelikan_ and seven +seamen; the rest, to the number of about a dozen, were reservists +transhipped from the _San Matias_. The military section had discarded +their uniform and wore a motley collection of civilian garb. They were +unarmed, having thrown overboard their rifles and ammunition upon the +shot being fired to compel them to abandon flight. + +The unter-leutnant had previously rehearsed a most plausible story with +which to gull the Englishmen, but a look of comical dismay overspread +his features when he recognized the officers who a short while ago had +been prisoners on board the raider. + +At last he mustered up sufficient courage to demand, somewhat +haughtily, that he and his men should be accorded honourable treatment +as prisoners of war. + +"Certainly," replied Stirling blandly. "I am sorry that you should +imagine otherwise. But, of course, the fact that Major von Eckenstein +and his men have adopted civilian attire tends to put them on a +different footing." + +Von Eckenstein's face, or as much of it as was visible between the +swathed bandages, grew pale. He remembered the incident when he +slashed O'Hara across the face. Visions of reprisals rendered him +terror-stricken. + +"Forgive me, Herr O'Hara!" he almost shouted. + +The Irishman smiled affably. + +"Forgive?" he echoed. "There is nothing to forgive. You gave O'Hara a +cut across the face. It raised quite a small weal. Judging by the +state of your figurehead, I'm afraid my treatment of you on the shore +of the lagoon rather disturbed the balance of exchange." + +"You did this?" asked the major, dumbfounded at the information. +"Donnerwetter! I thought----" + +Sheer astonishment rendered him incapable of completing the sentence. +He could not understand why the British officer received him with +unperturbed courtesy. Evidently here was something adrift with the +Teutonic gospel of hate. + +"So you were making for Latham Island to resurrect the hidden stores?" +asked Denbigh, addressing the unter-leutnant. + +The young German officer was also completely taken aback. + +"Yes," he admitted. "But how came you to know that we had stores +buried there?" + +"That's a secret," replied the sub. "But I'll tell you this. You +would have found yourselves forestalled. Some of the _Pelikan's_ men +made a dash for the island, fitted out the whaler, and left the place +as bare as an empty house. They did not get far. The boat was +capsized and all on board perished, except one man, who is now a +prisoner on board this vessel." + +"Now, gentlemen," broke in Stirling briskly, addressing the major and +the unter-leutnant, "I must ask you to go below, but before doing so I +will take the liberty of examining the contents of Major von +Eckenstein's pockets." + +"Himmel!" gasped the major. "For why? According to the rights of +belligerents my personal property is not liable to be confiscated." + +"Your personal property--yes," replied Stirling. "Come, sir, no fuss, +if you please." + +Sullenly the German permitted a petty officer to remove the contents of +his pockets. There was an order-book, containing a few pencilled +memoranda; a pocket-book in which were papers seemingly of purely +personal interest; some notes on a South American bank. + +"Kindly remove your waistcoat," continued the inexorable Stirling. + +Von Eckenstein shrugged his shoulders. If black looks could kill, +Stirling was as good as booked to Davy Jones. + +"This is a needless indignity," almost howled the Hun. + +"On the contrary, a necessary precaution on our part," corrected the +skipper of the _Crustacean_. + +Sullenly von Eckenstein removed his waistcoat and threw it on the deck. +Deliberately opening a penknife Stirling ripped open the back and +removed an envelope of oiled silk. + +"Thank you," he said gravely. "That is all we require for the present, +Herr Major." + +Gathering up the rest of his possessions, the major followed his +companions in misfortune and disappeared below. + +"Confidential orders from Potsdam to the German Governor of the East +African Colony," announced Stirling. "Here, Denbigh, have a squint at +it and see if I'm not right." + +"How ever did you discover this?" asked O'Hara. + +"Intuition, my dear old sport," replied Stirling with a laugh. "You +told me about the cache on Latham Island. Also, you may remember +relating a conversation between this von Eckenstein and Kapitan von +Riesser, just before the stores were landed. Von Eckenstein +objected--why? Because he thought the hiding-place ought to be on the +mainland. He had a rooted objection to making a voyage in a smallboat. +Hence it was reasonable to suppose that the Latham Island depot was for +the major's particular benefit. The fact that he was forestalled has +nothing to do with the main case. The _Pelikan_ is in difficulties. +Direct communication with the rest of the German land forces is out of +the question. So the major is sent off to Latham Island with the +Imperial dispatches in his possession. Then the unter-leutnant's +instructions are to revictual and replenish stores, and take the major +to the mainland, most likely to the Rufigi River. There there is, I +believe, fairly easy communication with Tabora, the head-quarters of +the German Colonial forces. Seeing us approach, von Eckenstein ought +to have destroyed his paper, but he didn't--he trusted to his belief in +our natural stupidity. I wouldn't mind betting that now he's bemoaning +his fate and admitting that Englishmen are not the fools he supposed +them to be." + +Which was exactly what the battered and dejected von Eckenstein _was_ +doing. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +The Monitors in Action + +All that night the monitors lay, with lights out, off the outer bar of +the Mohoro Lagoon. A council of war had been held on board the +_Paradox_, when a fresh plan of action was drawn up. This was in +consequence of the information Denbigh, O'Hara, and Armstrong had +brought concerning the enemy's defences. + +"This chart is radically wrong," declared Denbigh, when a chart of that +part of the coast was shown to him. "The bend in which the _Pelikan_ +is lying is not shown. Apparently the topography is from an old +survey." + +"It is from the latest available information," remarked Captain +Holloway, loath to deprecate the work of the Hydrographic Department of +the Admiralty. + +"Available as far as the Germans would permit," corrected the sub +deferentially. "They've had full control here for years. I'm not +referring to the lagoon, but to the river. The depths, too, are +inaccurate." + +"I suppose you wouldn't object to a job to-morrow?" asked the senior +officer, after he had listened intently to Denbigh's explanations and +descriptions of the details of the Mohoro River. + +"Not in the least, sir," replied the sub promptly. + +"In a sea-plane?" + +"Just my mark, sir; but I've had no flying experience." + +"We would want you for registering duties," continued Captain Holloway. +"You will have a flight sub-lieutenant as pilot. With your knowledge +of the shore batteries and torpedo stations you will be able to render +further important service. Very good; I'll arrange for the sea-plane +to pick you up at dawn; that is, if it is not too misty. These +tropical mists play the deuce with aerial observations." + +It was arranged that the attack should open at seven on the following +morning. The _Crustacean_ was to lead the way over the inner bar, and +devote her attention to the torpedo station. The _Paradox_ was to +shell the batteries concealed in the mangrove forest, while the +_Eureka_ was to patrol the lagoon and to cut off any attempt at flight +on the part of the German troops, whose line of retreat would be pretty +certain to be along the coast, since the thick forests and marshes to +the westward made retirement to the hinterland almost a matter of +impossibility. + +Two hours before sunrise the crews of the monitors were called to +"action" stations. They had previously bathed and changed into clean +clothes, and had been given ample time to enjoy their breakfast. +Clearing ship for action took but little preparation, since the +monitors carried only what was necessary as floating batteries. + +At the hour specified a sea-plane taxied gracefully to within fifty +feet of the _Crustacean_. A boat was lowered from the monitor, and +into this Denbigh stepped, to the accompaniment of the somewhat +irrelevant remarks of his brother officers. + +"Fine mornin'," was the flight-sub's greeting, as nonchalantly as if he +were passing the time of day with a casual acquaintance. "Hop in. +You'll find a belt fixed to the back of your seat. There's the +wireless gear. See that lever on your left? That releases the +paying-out gear of the aerial. Don't pay out too smartly. Ready?" + +The blades glittered in the morning light as the propeller revolved and +rapidly increased the number of revolutions. Slowly at first, then +with accelerated movement, the sea-plane skimmed the placid surface of +the lagoon. Then, almost before Denbigh was aware of it, the machine +leaped upwards. The slight tilt of the seat was the only intimation +that the sea-plane had parted company with the water, until the sub +noticed the surface of the lagoon apparently receding with great +rapidity. + +Round and round spiralled the frail contrivance, tilting with an easy +swinging movement as it climbed. Already the monitors looked no larger +than toy boats upon an ornamental pond. The irregular ground on either +side of the river was merged into an expanse that betrayed no +indication of height. Far beneath him Denbigh could discern a +ribbon-like strip of silvery-grey. It was the Mohoro River. + +"Distance lends enchantment to the eye," thought the sub. "And it is +such a dirty river." + +He mused feelingly. In his imagination he sniffed the foetid odours +from the torrential yellow stream. He had a mental vision of a swim in +the dark, with hippos and crocodiles for company. The reeking +mud-flats, too, lay beneath him, their dismal and monotonous aspect +obliterated by the charm of altitude. + +Above the land the rapidly increasing strength of the morning sun was +causing great irregularities in the density of the air. The sea-plane +rolled violently. Twice she dropped through a sheer distance of a +couple of hundred feet, owing to "air pockets", but the pilot, with the +utmost unconcern, held her on her course. + +Presently he turned and bawled something. The rush of the wind made +his words unintelligible, but he pointed to the aerial release. +Denbigh understood, and depressing the lever allowed a hundred and +fifty feet of wire to be run off the reel. + +Leaning over the side of the fuselage the sub brought his glasses to +bear upon the waterway almost beneath him. He could distinguish the +fatal bend in the Mohoro River where the _Myra_ had turned turtle and +had been swallowed up in the shifting sand. He could even discern her +outlines as she lay on her side with ten feet of water swirling +overhead. + +Farther down-stream was something that looked exactly like an island +covered with luxurious vegetation. It was the _Pelikan_. The disguise +was really admirable. Had Denbigh not known of the means her crew had +taken to hide her he would never have detected her presence. + +But the _Pelikan's_ hour had not yet come. Until the shore batteries +and fortifications had been shelled out of existence she was to be left +severely alone. With the _Myra's_ crew confined on board the raider, +the British monitors dare not open fire upon her. + +Round circled the sea-plane, gliding down to within five hundred feet +of the summit of the mangroves. Everything seemed quiet beneath. The +whir of the propeller and the rush of air deadened all other sounds. +Here and there were clearings, like to one another as peas in a pod. +For the first time in his life Denbigh felt uncertain. + +Again he swept the river with his binoculars. Across the mud-flats, +for the tide was now almost on the last of the ebb, he spotted two +slender dark lines stretching towards the navigable channel. A little +way down was a series of small dark objects thrown athwart the stream. +They were the torpedo-piers and the barrels supporting the chain boom. +Almost abreast of them was the screened battery. + +At a sign from Denbigh the flight-sub trimmed the elevating planes. Up +climbed the machine till at an altitude of six thousand feet she was +visible from the distant monitors. Then she commenced to cut figures +of eight, while Denbigh began to call up the _Paradox_ by wireless. + +Having made certain that the monitor had gauged the required distance +the sea-plane volplaned to within a thousand feet of the ground. + +The receiving telephones fixed to Denbigh's ears began to emit faint +sounds that in Morse spelt out the words, "Stand by to register". + +Twenty seconds later a lurid flash, followed by a terrific cloud of +yellow and black smoke, leapt skywards from a spot in the mangroves. +In spite of her altitude the sea-plane rocked violently in the torn +air. For a moment Denbigh thought that the machine was plunging +helplessly to earth. + +The gentle tapping of the wireless receiver recalled him to a sense of +duty. + +"How's that?" spelt the dot-and-dash message. + +Where the shell had burst a dozen or more trees had been literally +pulverized. Others, their trunks lacerated by the explosion, had +toppled at various angles against those that had withstood the shock. +The "hit" was roughly two hundred yards beyond the screened battery. + +From beneath the foliage covering the emplacements men peeped +timorously. A dull-grey figure, bent almost double, was running for +shelter. It was one of the German sentries. + +"Right direction; two hundred yards over," wirelessed Denbigh. + +Another heavy projectile screamed on its way, passing some hundreds of +feet beneath the seaplane. It burst; but the sound like that of its +predecessor was inaudible to the pilot and observer. The action of the +detonating shells reminded Denbigh of an animated photograph, so +effectually and silently did the work of destruction appear. + +"A hundred yards short," registered the sub. + +"Then how's this?" was the rejoinder. + +Fairly in the centre of an emplacement fell the twelve-hundred-pound +shell. High above the mushroom cloud of smoke flew fragments of wood +and metal. When the dense vapour had drifted away in the sultry air it +was seen that the work of that gigantic missile was accomplished. + +A gaping hole fifty feet in diameter marked the place where the +carefully-screened quick-firers had been. + +Round the edge of the crater were smouldering sand-bags hurled in all +directions like small pebbles. The two guns, dismounted, were sticking +up at acute angles in the debris, their mountings shattered into +fragments of scrap-iron metal. + +There was no sign of life in the crater, nor in the partly uncovered +dug-outs in its vicinity, but from a neighbouring position poured +swarms of Germans, half-dazed and terrified by the explosion that had +shaken their subterranean retreat like a severe earthquake shock. + +The _Paradox_ had completed her particular job. + +Meanwhile a second sea-plane was registering for the _Crustacean_, her +guns being directed upon the piers on which the _Pelikan's_ +torpedo-tubes had been placed. + +Without once coming within sight of her objective the little monitor +effected her mission with two shots, blowing both torpedo-stations to +smithereens. + +Nor was the _Eureka_ less successful. A shell fired in front of the +crowd of demoralized Germans as they fled through the mangroves +literally roped them in. Panic-stricken they doubled back and +disappeared in the dug-outs close to the wrecked emplacements, and the +_Eureka_, having been accordingly informed, ceased firing. + +"Now for the _Pelikan_!" exclaimed Stirling, as the sea-plane, having +returned, put Denbigh on board the _Crustacean_. + +"It will be an affair of boats, I suppose," suggested O'Hara. "With +the flood-tide and on a dark night she ought to be captured with little +loss to the boarding-party." + +Two of the monitors were lying at anchor in the river. The _Eureka_, +having to watch the coast, steamed slowly up and down the lagoon, her +progress watched by hundreds of awe-stricken natives. + +The question of how to deal with the _Pelikan_ was under discussion, +for Captain Holloway had convened another council of war at eight bells +in the afternoon. + +The boats carried by the monitors were not fit for cutting-out work, +and although a certain means of destruction was at the command of the +senior officer, he was reluctant to put his terrible resources into +force on account of the presence of the _Myra's_ crew on board the +raider. + +While the discussion was in progress, the majority of officers +favouring a suggestion that the light cruisers should be brought up by +wireless, a steam launch was reported to be coming down the river. + +The launch bore a large white flag flying from a staff in the bows. In +her stern-sheets was Ober-leutnant von Langer. + +Received with naval honours, a guard being mounted on the quarter-deck +of the senior monitor, von Langer came over the side, and announced +himself as the representative of Kapitan von Riesser, of H.I.M. ship +_Pelikan_. + +"Well, sir?" asked Captain Holloway briefly. + +"I am here to discuss terms," said the ober-leutnant. + +"Which must be unconditional surrender of men and material," added the +skipper of the _Paradox_. + +"Excuse me," said von Langer. "But we are not yet beaten." + +"You are precious near it," said Captain Holloway. "Unless the German +Ensign is hauled down on board the _Pelikan_ within an hour I will open +fire." + +[Illustration: "UNLESS THE GERMAN ENSIGN IS HAULED DOWN ON BOARD THE +_PELIKAN_ WITHIN AN HOUR, I OPEN FIRE."] + +"If you do you must remember that there are many English prisoners on +board," declared the ober-leutnant with the air of a man who has thrown +down his trump card. + +"Within one hour, unless the _Pelikan_ is surrendered in her present +state, without further damage to her stores, equipment, and hull, we +open fire," was the British officer's mandate. "Return to your ship at +once, Herr Leutnant, and inform Kapitan von Riesser that he must take +immediate steps to safeguard his British prisoners, either by sending +them down the river or else by placing them in a secure shelter on +shore. I shall hold your kapitan and officers morally responsible for +any of the _Myra's_ crew who may be killed or injured in the +forthcoming operations." + +"You have yet to find the _Pelikan_," spluttered the German officer. + +"Excuse me, sir, she is found," said Captain Holloway. "To show that I +am not in the habit of speaking at random I will produce proofs." + +He gave an order to a seaman, who doubled off to the quarter-deck +companion-ladder. Presently Denbigh, O'Hara, and Armstrong, who during +the interview had discreetly gone below, appeared on deck. + +The ober-leutnant's jaw dropped. His podgy cheeks quivered with +intense surprise. + +"Donnerwetter!" he exclaimed. "This is a colossal shock." + +With an effort he pulled himself together, clicked his heels and +saluted the British senior officer. Then fumbling in his breast pocket +he produced a document and handed it to the captain. + +It was a formal surrender. + +In it Kapitan von Riesser agreed to hand over the _Pelikan_ at the hour +of nine on the following morning. + +"Very good," said Captain Holloway. "We are willing to give you a few +hours' respite, but you are to clearly understand that nothing must be +done in that interval that will affect the _Pelikan_ from a military +point of view. You must also send the _Myra's_ men down by boat before +sunset." + +"To that I agree," replied von Langer, and stiffly refusing the +invitation to have a glass of wine the German officer went over the +side. + +Von Langer's steam cutter was barely out of sight when a couple of +German officers belonging to the land forces appeared on the bank, +bearing a white flag. + +Their business was quickly transacted. They desired to surrender +forthwith and unconditionally the remaining troops under their command. +Within an hour eighty-five men, many of them badly wounded, were +shipped on board the sea-plane parent ship _Simplicita_. Out of the +three hundred reservists who had transhipped from the _San Matias_ to +the _Pelikan_ but thirty-three were untouched by the British fire. + +Well before sunset the first of the conditions of the _Pelikan's_ +surrender was carried out. The steam cutter returned towing a whaler +in which were the crew of the _Myra_. British reticence went by the +board when they hove in sight. They cheered frantically like delighted +children. Having been under the talons of the German Eagle, they +realized more than ever before the world-wide power of Britain's +sea-power. + +Amongst them was Captain Pennington, who was warmly greeted by the +officers of the _Crustacean_. + +He reported that the _Pelikan_ was being prepared for surrender; that +her garb of palms was being removed, but as far as he knew no attempt +had been made to throw overboard the remaining guns, or to destroy the +stores and munitions. + +"And to-morrow," remarked Stirling to his chum--"to-morrow we will +redeem these." + +And he held out Kapitan von Riesser's receipt for the gold that he had +taken from the three subs when they were captured on the _Nichi Maru_. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +How the _Pelikan_ Surrendered + +As soon as darkness set in the monitors switched on their searchlights, +the _Crustacean_, which was farthest up-stream, training her projectors +on the channel in the direction of the distant _Pelikan_, while the +_Paradox_ swept both banks with her powerful beams. In the lagoon the +_Eureka_ and the _Simplicita_ directed their searchlights upon the +shore. + +About one bell in the middle watch the look-out on the _Crustacean_ +noticed two dark objects drifting down-stream. At first he thought +them to be a pair of hippopotami, but as their relative distance seemed +constant and there was no sign of propulsion, he reported the matter to +the officer of the watch. + +"It's only a part of the boom, smashed by our shell fire," he remarked +casually. "We'll get a lot of wreckage down with the ebb-tide." + +Nevertheless he gave orders for the helm to be starboarded. The +monitor, sheering to port under the force of the current until her +cable was hard athwart her stem, missed the barrels, for such they +were, by a good twenty yards. Steadily they drifted by, eventually +stranding in the mud at a distance of two hundred yards from the +_Paradox_. In half an hour they were high and dry, lying directly in +the rays of the larger monitor's searchlight. + +Twenty minutes later another pair of barrels came drifting down. The +officer of the watch of the _Crustacean_ executed a similar manoeuvre, +but before the monitor sheered out of the track of the derelicts, the +barrels were hung up one on either side of the bows. + +"I can hear something ticking, sir," reported a seaman leaning over the +low freeboard. + +The officer hastened for'ard and listened. + +"Nonsense!" he declared. "It's the bull-frogs on shore that you can +hear, or else the lap of the water. They're only waterlogged +barricoes. Push them clear with a boat-hook." + +Three or four seamen tried to free the bows from the obstruction but +without success. The barrels afforded little or no grip, and pinned +down by the rush of tide refused to be thrown clear. + +"Away sea-boat!" ordered the officer of the watch. + +Quickly the boat was manned, and rowing well ahead of the _Crustacean_, +was allowed to drop stern foremost until the coxswain was able to bend +a rope to one of the barrels. + +"Can you hear anything, Sanders?" asked the officer of the watch. + +"No, sir," replied the petty officer. + +As a matter of fact he was suffering from gun deafness, but from +praiseworthy yet indiscreet motives he had kept the knowledge of his +temporary physical defect to himself. + +Ordering the men to give way, the coxswain jerked the obstruction clear +of the _Crustacean's_ hawse. + +"Shall I make this fast alongside, sir?" he asked. "Perhaps you'd be +likely to examine it in the morning." + +"No," was the reply, "Tow it clear of the _Paradox's_ hawse and cast it +adrift." + +The boat pushed off. The officer of the watch, returning to the +bridge, watched the progress of the two barrels as they wobbled in her +wake. + +Suddenly his attention was aroused in another direction by a loud shout +of; "Vessel dead ahead, sir!" + +Sweeping round a bend in the river into the glare of the searchlights +was the _Pelikan_. She was drifting broadside on, her length appearing +to occupy the whole breadth of the deep channel. + +"Action stations, there!" roared the officer of the watch. + +A bugle blared. Up from below tumbled swarms of men dressed in motley +array of a meagre description. The officers, berthed in the after part +of the superstructure, rushed out. In thirty seconds the turret, with +its pair of monster 14-inch guns, was surging round as a preliminary +test of the turning mechanism. + +At a glance Stirling took in the situation. The _Pelikan_, being not +under control, had been turned adrift with the object of fouling and +seriously damaging the British vessels lying in the strong tideway. + +He telegraphed for half-speed ahead. The engine-room bell had not +clanged a minute when the propellers began to churn. Hurriedly the +cable was slipped, and the anchor with eighty fathoms of studded steel +chain was lost for ever in the muddy bed of the Mohoro. + +The youthful lieutenant-commander's first duty was to avoid the danger +of being fouled. He could not go astern until the _Paradox_ was safely +under way. Regarding the _Pelikan_ he was as yet uncertain whether to +order the sea-boats to board her and drop anchor, if by chance her +ground tackle were ready for instant use, or whether to sink the raider +without further ado. + +His deliberations were cut short by a tremendous explosion on the bank +of the river on the starboard quarter of the _Crustacean_. Where the +stranded barrels had been was a huge cavity in the mud, into which the +water was pouring rapidly. + +A few seconds later another explosion occurred well astern of the +_Paradox_. The barrels were nothing more or less than deadly infernal +machines. Had they exploded close to the side of either of the +monitors it would be doubtful whether, even with their elaborate +protection against torpedoes, they would have kept afloat after the +terrific concussion. + +Almost simultaneously the searchlights on the _Paradox_ went out. +Fragments from the explosion had put the two projectors out of action. + +The echoes of the explosion had scarce died away when a shout was +raised that the drifting _Pelikan_ was on fire. + +With startling suddenness lurid flames were belching from her decks. +Spurts of red-tinged smoke eddied from her open scuttles. In a few +seconds she was a mass of fire from bow to stern. + +Slowly she drifted down-stream. At intervals her stern hung up in the +mud, till, caught by the current, she would swing round and slide away +from the bank. The flames reached well above her mastheads, yet there +was comparatively little smoke. The roar of the devouring elements +out-voiced every other sound, even the terrified noises of the denizens +of the mangrove forests as they fled from the glare that rivalled that +of the sun. + +From the conning-tower Stirling ordered a shot to be fired from one of +the huge turret-guns, but before the muzzle could be depressed a +stupendous explosion shook sky, land, and water. + +Denbigh, gripping the bridge rail, felt himself borne backwards by the +furious rush of air. Temporarily blinded by the vividness of the +flash, he was dimly aware of a series of crashes above and below him. +The stanchion rails snapped off short. In vain the sub strove to +regain his balance; he subsided heavily against the side of the +chart-room, stunned by the terrific thunder-clap that followed the +explosion. + +Intense darkness succeeded the vivid brightness of the prolonged flash. +The searchlights of the _Crustacean_ had failed. + +Slowly Denbigh sat up. He became aware that debris was littering the +partly wrecked bridge. In vain he tried to pierce the darkness and +discern the whereabouts of his companions. A hot, pungent smoke +drifted past, causing him to splutter almost to suffocation. + +Someone tripped across his legs. It was Stirling emerging from the +conning-tower. He recognized the sub's very forcible language. + +"Hold on," cautioned Denbigh, "or you'll be overboard. The bridge has +gone to blazes." + +As he spoke the _Crustacean_ shuddered. Her bows rose slightly. With +her hull still quivering under the pulsations of her engines she had +run aground on a mud-bank on the port-hand side of the river. + +Treading warily Stirling groped till he found the engine-room +telegraph. Guessing the position of the lever he ordered "Stop". In +the pitch-dark engine-room, for every electric lamp in the ship had +been shattered, the artificers, facing death amidst the whirring +machinery, succeeded in carrying out his orders. + +Through the darkness came muttered exclamations and partly stifled +groans. Down-stream the _Paradox's_ siren, for want of better means of +communication, was wailing in long and short blasts. + +"I have brought up to starboard," was the message. "You may feel your +way past me." + +"There's no may about it," thought Stirling grimly; then, leaning on +the twisted bridge rails, he shouted in stentorian tones: "The hands +will fall in on the port side of superstructure facing outboard. +Bugler!" + +"Sir!" replied a boyish voice through the impenetrable gloom--a voice +without a tremor save of excitement. + +"Sound the 'Still'." + +A silence brooded over the stricken monitor. Even the wounded forbore +to groan. Then someone appeared from the superstructure bearing a +couple of "battle lanterns". Lights, too, began to glimmer through the +hatchways, while with admirable promptness the electrical staff set to +work to renew the carbons of the searchlights and to test the circuits +of the internal lighting system. + +Already the wounded were being carried below by their messmates. Four +scorched and maimed forms lay motionless on the low fo'c'sle. There +was no need to bestow medical attention upon them. + +By this time Denbigh was aware that besides Stirling and himself only +three persons remained on the bridge. Neither of them was O'Hara. Nor +could he find the mate of the _Myra_, who on the first alarm had +hurried with the others to the bridge. + +The sub made his way to the ladder. Two steps did he descend, then his +foot encountered nothingness. The rest of the ladder had been swept +out of existence. + +Grasping the still intact handrail Denbigh lowered himself to the +superstructure. Almost the first man he met was Armstrong, who was +mopping his cheek with a blood-stained handkerchief. + +"It's nothing," replied the mate in answer to Denbigh's enquiry. +"Didn't discover until I went below." + +"Seen anything of O'Hara?" asked the sub anxiously. + +"Yes, I've just carried him below, and I was on my way back to look for +you." + +"Thanks," said Denbigh briefly. "And what's happened to O'Hara?" + +"Only shaken, I believe. He was blown off the bridge with the signal +locker for company. They both fetched up against a splinter screen. +O'Hara swears it isn't much, but I have my doubts." + +The two officers made their way across heaps of debris to the +diminutive ward-room. Here lying on a cushion on the floor was O'Hara. + +He turned to smile as Denbigh entered but the attempt was a dismal +failure. His face was drawn and grey in spite of his tanned complexion. + +"My leg feels a bit queer," he said in answer to his chum's enquiry. +"No, don't bother about the doctor. He's got quite enough to do. I +say, old man, von Riesser's giving us a run for our money, isn't he?" + +O'Hara's sentiments were almost identical with those of the rest of the +ship's company. Not a word was said concerning the treachery of the +kapitan of the _Pelikan_, whose method of handing over his ship was far +from being in accordance with the terms of the capitulation. The fact +that von Riesser had outwitted them certainly gave them food for +reflection, but the unanimous conclusion was that the fun was by no +means over. + +The falling tide left the _Crustacean_ hard and fast aground on the +slimy mud. With daylight the actual state of affairs could be +discerned. + +A quarter of a mile up-stream lay the remains of the much-sought-for +raider. Only a few bent and buckled ribs and plates showing just above +the water's edge marked the spot whence the devastating explosion had +emanated. One of her funnels, looking like a distended concertina, had +been hurled ashore and had lodged against a clump of palm trees. The +mud-flats and the adjoining banks were littered with fragments of metal +twisted into weird and fantastic shapes. + +Down-stream lay the _Paradox_, now swinging to the young flood. The +bore was not now in evidence, since it was the period of neap-tides, +and the alteration in the direction of the tidal stream was scarcely +perceptible. + +The _Paradox_ had come off comparatively lightly. To all outward +appearances she was intact, with the exception of her wireless gear, +the wreckage of which was already being cleared away. Beyond a certain +amount of breakage of glass and half a dozen of her crew sustaining +slight wounds, the damage done was not in proportion to the danger to +which she had been exposed. + +The _Crustacean_ had suffered severely. Her fire-control platform and +wireless gear had been swept out of existence. There were four deep +gashes in her funnel, which was only kept in position by the chain +guys. One half of the bridge had vanished; the remaining portion +resembled a scrap-iron heap. + +Her boats had been badly shattered save one, and that exception was the +sea-boat, which was on her way back to the monitor when the explosion +took place and escaped injury. Every bit of steel work exposed to the +destroyed ship was pitted and blistered, while a heavy mass of plating +from the _Pelikan_ had embedded itself in the monitor's quarterdeck. + +Below the water-line she was undamaged. On taking soundings in her +well no abnormal quantity of water was found. With the assistance of +the _Paradox_ it would be a comparatively easy matter to release her +from her mud berth at high water. + +But other work was imminent. Every minute Kapitan von Riesser and the +remainder of the _Pelikan's_ crew were increasing the distance between +them and their foes. Without delay steps had to be taken to bring the +treacherous Germans to bay. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +The Landing-Party + +No one could accuse Captain Holloway of tardiness. He had the +reputation of being an alert and promising officer, and on this +occasion he excelled himself. Within an hour after sunrise the +landing-party from the flotilla was on its way to tackle the remnants +of the _Pelikan's_ crew; for almost as soon as the raider had been +swept out of existence the British senior officer was drawing up his +orders that the unexpected turn of events had necessitated. + +Towed by the two steamboats of the _Simplicita_, four cutters from the +_Paradox_, _Eureka_, and the seaplane parent ship set off up the river. +Into the boats were packed one hundred and twenty officers and men +drawn from each vessel of the little squadron. Each boat carried a +quick-firer in the bows and a Maxim, in addition to stores sufficient +to last a week or ten days. + +The expedition was under the orders of Lieutenant-commander Bourne, +while amongst the officers was Sub-lieutenant Frank Denbigh, with +Armstrong in charge of stores. Much to his disgust Pat O'Hara found +himself "turned down" by the Principal Medical Officer; the former's +assurances that his ankle would improve with a little exercise being +brushed aside by the latter, who knew perfectly well that days would +elapse before the Irishman could set foot upon the _Crustacean's_ deck, +let alone the crowded stern-sheets of an armed cutter. + +Before the boats were out of sight of the still stranded _Crustacean_ +two sea-planes ascended and flew swiftly inland. Without their aid the +landing-party would be literally groping for their foes, since it was +not known whether von Riesser and his men had taken to their boats or +had set out through the mangroves towards the grass-grown hinterland. + +Denbigh having more knowledge of the Mohoro River than any of the other +officers--and his knowledge was limited to a stretch of less than ten +miles--was navigating officer in charge of the leading steamboat. + +While the other officers were sweeping the mudflat fringed banks with +their glasses Denbigh directed his attention towards the turgid channel. + +Presently a line of bobbing objects caught his vision. Ordering the +leading stoker to ease down the engines he signalled by means of +hand-flags to the steamboat astern to likewise reduce speed. + +The objects that had attracted his attention were the barrels forming +the boom across the river almost abreast of the wrecked +torpedo-station. The _Pelikan_, he knew, had been moored above the +obstruction. She had drifted down past them before she took fire and +blew up. Unless the boom had been temporarily removed and afterwards +replaced he could not understand how the raider could have descended +with the ebb-tide without sweeping the line of barrels away. + +"What's wrong?" enquired Bourne. + +Briefly Denbigh explained. + +"It would be as well if we sent a shell into one of those barrels," he +added. + +"Waste of good ammunition," objected the lieutenant-commander. "The +steamboat can take it bows on at full speed ahead. She'll do it +easily." + +"That I do not doubt," replied the sub. "But I have an idea that those +barricoes are filled with explosives, although we bumped into one of +them when we were in a light punt." + +Just then the P.O. telegraphist for wireless duties, who was ensconced +in a small insulated cage on the rearmost cutter, received a message +from one of the sea-planes to the effect that the Germans had been +located. They had landed from the boats at a spot twenty miles above +the former anchorage of the _Pelikan_ and were making their way towards +the hills. + +"They're funking it," declared Bourne. "Everything points to a hurried +flight. They may have swung the boom back in position, but I doubt the +accuracy of your mine theory." + +"Very good, sir," replied Denbigh. "Then you wish the steamboat to +charge the obstruction?" + +"Yes, carry on," said Bourne. + +Denbigh was too accustomed to discipline to demur in the face of +definite orders. He prepared to cast off the tow, for the steamboat +was to essay the feat alone. The two cutters were to anchor until a +passage had been cleared through the obstruction. + +"Well, I hope I'm wrong," thought the sub as he ordered the leading +stoker to "let her rip for all she's worth." + +But before the boat could gather way there was a commotion in the water +ahead. A large hippo, frightened by the unusual noises that had +disturbed the usually peaceful river, made off up-stream. + +Swerving neither to the right hand nor the left the huge animal bore +down upon the line of floating barrels. It passed between a pair of +them. For a moment it seemed that he had surmounted the massive chain, +until the sudden displacement of the barrels showed that its body had +fouled the hidden barrier. + +The hippo reared in fury and terror, bringing its whole weight down +upon the chain. Instantly a line of waterspouts shot high in the air +accompanied by a simultaneous discharge of half a dozen mines. The +sudden strain had ignited tubes of fulminate of mercury, which in turn +had exploded heavy charges of gun-cotton. Had the boat been a hundred +yards nearer not one of her crew would have escaped. + +In silence Denbigh brought the steamboat abreast of the first cutter +and re-established communication. + +The lieutenant-commander stood up, and in a steady, clear voice +exclaimed: + +"Well done, Mr. Denbigh! My judgment was hopelessly at fault." + +"That's all right, sir," replied the sub. He knew the effort that +Bourne had had to make to tender his apologies. Having given his order +in the hearing of the men it was the only course open to him. And +Bourne was an officer who, although somewhat impetuous, was never +afraid to acknowledge an error. + +With the flood-tide the flotilla made good progress. Rounding the +sharp bend where the _Myra_ had disappeared, the boats entered a gently +curving reach that apparently made a long horseshoe sweep. At this +point the mangroves ceased. The ground became higher, the banks being +precipitous in places, and covered with long rank grass. + +"There are the _Pelikan's_ boats," reported Denbigh, pointing to two +large pinnaces lying against the banks to which they had been carried +by the tide. + +In answer to an enquiry the scouting sea-plane reported that further +progress a mile round the next bend was barred by a series of rapids, +and that the Germans had established a gain of nearly ten miles, and +were approaching the bottle-neck formed by the extreme sinuosities of +the river. + +"Can you check them?" asked Bourne anxiously. He was not at all keen +on a ten- or twenty-mile march through the rough grass. If the +sea-planes could command the narrow stretch of ground between the +horseshoe bend von Riesser's men might be headed off. + +"We'll try," was the wirelessed reply. + +Meanwhile the steamboat had cast off the tow, and the cutters still +carrying way were steered towards the bank. Here, owing to the rush of +the tide, there was fairly deep water close to the land, and +fortunately an absence of mud. + +Grounding twenty feet apart the boats disgorged their loads, the seamen +leaping ashore in spite of the weight of arms and accoutrements. The +Maxims, too, were landed and mounted upon light travelling carriages. +The portable wireless apparatus was to accompany the landing-party, +while the officers and men left behind were to land the quick-firers, +since they could not command the ground from the boats owing to the +height of the banks. + +Bourne realized that such things as reverses do happen, so he took +precautions accordingly. The men advanced in open order, with flankers +thrown far and wide. + +From the top of a small hillock Denbigh watched the straw hats of the +men out of sight as they marched through the long grass; then, knowing +that some time must necessarily elapse before the landing-party came in +touch with the enemy, he busied himself in preparing for the +re-embarkation, should the operations prove to be shorter than Captain +Holloway had anticipated. + +With the turn of the tide the boats were taken out into mid-stream and +anchored. Tripping lines were bent to the crowns of the anchors, the +other end of each line being made fast to a watch-buoy, so that the +operation of weighing would not be delayed by the fouling of the flukes +in possible snags on the bed of the river. Gang planks were prepared +in order that no hitch might occur should the men return at or near +dead-low water, when a stretch of ooze separated the dry ground from +the river. + +For two hours Denbigh directed operations under the blazing sun. His +men worked like niggers, knowing that they, too, were doing their bit +although not in the actual firing-line. + +At intervals came the faint detonations of a series of heavy +explosions. The sea-planes were at work, attempting by means of bombs +to arrest the flight of von Riesser's men across the narrow neck of +land. + +Late in the forenoon one of the sea-planes flew overhead. Without +essaying to make a landing on the river, it flew down-stream, +presumably to take in a fresh supply of petrol and bombs. In an hour's +time it returned, and presently its opposite number flew overhead in +the direction of its parent ship. + +Slowly the day wore on. At frequent intervals Denbigh climbed the +hillock and brought his glasses to bear upon the distant high ground. + +Once or twice he fancied he heard the sounds of musketry and Maxim +firing in the sultry air. Armstrong and several of the men were of the +same opinion, agreeing that the firing was desultory and not constantly +maintained. + +At length darkness fell. No one had seen the sea-planes returning +before sunset, and in addition to the great risk of making a night +landing these craft are of little practical use except in daylight. + +With the approach of night Denbigh ordered double sentries to be +posted, and cautioned the boat-keepers to be alert and watchful for +signals. Those of the men left behind slept or rested beside the +quick-firers, protected from the heavy dew by boat awnings stretched on +oars and boat-hooks. + +For Denbigh sleep was out of the question. Muffled in a boat-cloak, +for the off-shore wind blew chilly, he paced up and down with the mate +of the _Myra_. + +"What's that over yonder?" asked Armstrong. + +"Flashes--musketry," replied Denbigh. "It's strange that we cannot +hear the reports, for the wind is in our favour." + +"Too steady for rifle-firing," suggested the mate. "Looks to me like a +bush fire." + +"By Jove, I hope not," said the sub earnestly. "The grass will catch +like tinder." + +A minute or so passed, then Denbigh lowered his binoculars. + +"You're right, Armstrong," he said. "It is a fire. Those brutes have +set the grass ablaze to cover their retreat." + +"Hark!" exclaimed the mate. + +Overhead came the unmistakable buzzing of an aerial propeller. One of +the sea-planes, if not both, was returning. + +Seizing a flashing-lamp Denbigh directed it skywards. It was the only +means at his disposal for communication. + +"All right?" he asked. + +A light blinked through the darkness. + +"_Dash, dot_. Pause. _Dash, dash, dash_" it flashed; then it ceased +abruptly. Nevertheless the answer was to the point. It was NO. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +Accounted For + +Before another quarter of an hour passed the long line of flames was +visible to the naked eye. Fanned by the strong breeze the fire spread +rapidly. It seemed as if its activity was by no means confined to the +horseshoe loop formed by the river. It appeared to have obtained a +grip upon the grass on the opposite bank. Once the flames attacked the +mangroves there was no saying where the mischief might end. + +Denbigh could do little to aid his absent comrades, who, for aught he +knew, might even now be overwhelmed by the swift advance of the +devouring elements. Turning out the men who remained he had the +quick-firer ammunition removed to the boats. Then setting fire to the +grass around the bivouac he cleared a broad belt nearly a hundred yards +in diameter. At all events the main fire would be checked before the +flotilla was seriously imperilled. + +By the time that this work was completed the flames were within three +miles of the camp. For a breadth of more than twice that distance the +grass was blazing furiously. Lurid red tongues of flame licked the +dark cloud of smoke that overhung the devouring elements. Already the +air was reeking with pungent fumes. Grey ashes, caught by the strong +wind, whirled past the anxious watchers or dashed lightly into their +faces. Dark shapes, silhouetted against the red glare, tore madly from +the advancing fire. They were the denizens of the grass lands flying +for their lives. Undeterred by the water the panic-stricken animals +plunged into the river, some of them in their terror frantically pawing +the sides of the anchored boats. + +"Dash it all!" muttered Denbigh. "Wish to goodness I'd cleared another +hundred yards of the scrub. We'll be shrivelled up with the heat. +There's still time." + +Calling to his handful of men the sub ran into the open. This time, +since the inner circle offered no grip to the flames, they could work +without fear of the fire getting the upper hand. + +In the midst of their preparations Denbigh heard a hoarse shout. + +Stumbling towards him, half-enveloped in the haze that was the +forerunner of the roaring furnace, were two men. One fell, picked +himself up, and staggered after his companion. + +Outlined as they were against the ruddy glare it was impossible to +distinguish them, but as the British seamen ran forward to bear them +into safety the men raised their arms appealingly. + +"Help, kamarade, help!" they cried. + +"Germans!" ejaculated Armstrong. "Where are our fellows?" + +Denbigh could not give an answer. A glance in the direction of the +wall of fire, now less than a quarter of a mile distant, told him that +life was impossible in front of that barrier unless the fugitives were +already in sight. But they were not The sub set his jaw tightly. + +"Where are the others--and the British seamen?" he asked in German of +one of the men. The other was beyond speech. + +"All gone! All gone!" replied the German. + +"There's another, sir!" exclaimed a petty officer. + +"Come on, stick it!" shouted half a dozen lusty voices in encouragement. + +The third man was evidently in the last stages of exhaustion. He was +gasping for breath as he ran, but the hot acrid air was fast choking +him. He flung his arms above his head and pitched upon his face, with +the burning embers dropping all around him. + +A cloud of eddying smoke enveloped him. Then a gust of wind cleared +the pall of vapour. The wretch was writhing. His clothes were +smouldering as he lay helpless in the withering grass. + +With a bound Denbigh cleared the shallow trench, and bending low rushed +through the smoke. Burning ashes stung his face. What air he took in +through his nose felt pungent and suffocating. The heat seemed to gnaw +into his eyes. + +How he covered that two hundred yards he never could explain, but at +length, with a feeling of relief, he turned his broad back to the +advancing flames and raised the now unconscious man from the ground. +With almost superhuman strength he lifted the listless body upon his +shoulder and began his bid for safety. + +Almost blindly he ran till his gait slowed down almost to a halting +walk. Dimly he realized that he was not alone. Some of the devoted +seamen had followed him into the edge of the inferno. + +Someone tried to shift the burden from his shoulders. He resisted. +Why he knew not. Already his senses were forsaking him. + +With a crash he fell upon his knees. He was up and staggering again, +until, unable to withstand the strain, he rolled inertly upon the +ground with his fingers gripping his throat. Then all became a blank. + +He recovered consciousness to find himself lying on a pile of canvas in +the stern-sheets of one of the boats. It was broad daylight. Overhead +an awning had been spread to ward off the rays of the morning sun. + +Almost in an instant he recalled the incident of the night of horror. +The air still smelt vilely of smouldering vegetable matter. Wisps of +smoke eddied betwixt the sun and the awning, throwing fantastic shadows +upon the bellying canvas. The fire, then, had practically burnt itself +out. + +"Any signs of the others?" he asked. + +Armstrong shook his head. + +"The whole place is a mass of glowing cinders," he replied. "It is +impossible to see more than a quarter of a mile in that direction. I'm +afraid----" + +"Any more survivors?" asked Denbigh. The mere movement of his facial +muscles caused him exquisite pain, for his face was scorched and +blistered. His hair and eyebrows had been badly singed. Altogether he +looked a pitiable scarecrow. It is only on the stage and on the +cinematograph screen that heroes preserve an unruffled appearance. + +"No," replied the mate. "Not one, after the fellow you brought in. +Did you know who it was?" + +The sub shook his head, then winced, for the action sent a thrill of +anguish through his body. + +"Unter-leutnant Klick," continued Armstrong in answer to his own +question. "He's still unconscious. We dare not move him to the boats. +His skin is literally peeling off all over his body. Shall I have you +sent down the river, old man? The chief petty officer is now in +charge. Is he to withdraw the rest of the boats?" + +"No," replied Denbigh with sudden firmness. "No; by no means. We'll +wait until we can send volunteers to find traces of our fellows. Have +the sea-planes passed over yet?" + +Armstrong replied in the negative. + +"How are the other Germans?" + +"One is practically fit. The other is suffering from shock." + +"Then send the fit fellow to me, please." + +The man was brought to the boat. He was one of the _Pelikan's_ +firemen. Questioned in German he replied without hesitation. The fire +had been started, he declared, not by the raider's crew, but by bombs +dropped by British sea-planes. There was an action, but he and half a +dozen more worked round by the two banks until they were almost cut off +by the flames. He had reason to suppose that both the British and the +German forces had been overwhelmed by the onrushing flames. + +Throughout the afternoon Denbigh lay in torment in spite of the +first-aid remedies applied by the only sick-berth attendant left with +the base party. Hardly ever before had he felt the sweltering heat so +acutely. The air under the awning was close and oppressive. It reeked +both of the odour of the river and of the fumes of the smouldering +grass. There was one compensation. The fire had effectually driven +off the swarms of mosquitoes that otherwise would have increased his +torments. He would have given almost anything to be back on board +ship, with the sea breezes flung in through the open scuttle and the +electric fans cooling the air. But stop he must until he had obtained +definite information as to the fate of the landing-party. + +"I doubt after all if there's much to grumble at," he soliloquized. "I +might have been born to become a Tommy, and I might be stuck up to my +thighs in mud and water in a trench somewhere in France. It's all part +of one big business, and we're keeping our end up all right." + +Then his thoughts took a turn in another direction. He was no longer a +prisoner of war. In another few months he hoped to be back in England. +What plans he would make to spin out that long-deferred leave! For the +time being he was no longer in a vile African river, but in a pretty +old-world garden in the homeland. + +Suddenly his train of thought was rudely interrupted by a hoarse, +almost frenzied burst of cheering. The boat-keeper, thrusting his head +below the curtains to ascertain whether the sub was awake or otherwise, +answered Denbigh's mute appeal. + +"It's orl right, sir," he announced. "They've romped home; the whole +bloomin' crush." + +Following the downward course of the river was the landing-party, +bringing with them forty-three German prisoners, including Kapitan von +Riesser. Their own losses had been insignificant, for during the +long-drawn-out action that was brought to an abrupt conclusion by the +fire, one British officer and seven seamen had been slightly wounded. +These were brought in by the stretcher-bearers. + +The escape of the little expedition was due to their resourcefulness in +fighting fire by fire. Finding that their retreat was not speedy +enough to outpace the flames, Lieutenant-commander Bourne had given +orders to set alight the long grass to leeward. + +By this means, though suffering agonies from thirst and heat, the +British and their prisoners escaped. + +The career of the raider and her crew had been brought to a close, and +before nightfall the boats of the flotilla had regained their +respective ships. + + * * * * * + +Frank Denbigh is sub-lieutenant no longer, but a full-fledged +lieutenant with the letters D.S.O. tacked on to his name. He has just +received his appointment to a brand-new battle-cruiser, and is about to +serve with the Grand Fleet. + +Pat O'Hara is still limping about on one foot somewhere in the Emerald +Isle. He, too, has gained a step in rank, but rather envies his chum's +good luck. Still, there is time for the light-headed Irishman to get +fit again and be in at the death, when, it is to be hoped, the visions +of the trident in the German fist will be shattered for good and aye. + +And Stirling? In recognition of his services he is confirmed as +lieutenant-commander of the monitor _Crustacean_. He is still looking +forward to his leave in the Highlands, but meanwhile he is doing good +work in a remote portion of the globe in upholding the glorious +tradition of the real Mistress of the Seas. + + + + + + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Rounding up the Raider, by Percy F. 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